Author: Mike

HARTFORD HUNDRED WEST

THE
PARISH
MAGAZINE

Bayford, Brickendon, Essendon,
Little Berkhamsted & Ponsbourne.

Oct
2024

Group Woodyard:
We are well stocked with top quality logs. Order your logs now for the winter.
Call Colin 07540 351 530

Price
80p

St Andrew’s Night Service and Supper. p. 11
29th Nov, 7pm

The Swallow: African or British? p.19

Photo: RSPB

DIOCESE OF ST. ALBANS
The Bishop of St Albans: The Rt. Revd. Dr. Alan Smith
The Bishop of Hertford: The Rt. Revd Jane Mainwaring
Archdeacon: The Venerable Janet Mackenzie .
Rural Dean: The Revd. Mark Dunstan
Assistant Rural Dean: The Revd. Ysmena Pentelow
THE PARISHES OF BAYFORD & BRICKENDON, LITTLE BERKHAMSTED,
ESSENDON & WOODHlLL, PONSBOURNE:
RECTOR: Rev’d Theresa Musiwacho,
Hartford Hundred Rectory,
1 Little Berkhamsted Lane, Little Berkhamsted, SG13 8LU.
Telephone: 01707 875940 email - hartfordhundred@outlook.com
Communion to the sick, Notice of Banns and of Marriage by arrangement with the Minister. See p4. Please advise us of any cases of sickness so that prayers may be offered
or where they may be of any assistance.

ST ANDREW'’S - LITTLE BERKHAMSTED
CHURCHWARDEN
Sandie Ash, Hall Cottage, 7 Church Road,
Little Berkhamsted, SG13 8LY 01707 875221
PCC SECRETARY
Ian Bailey, Tower House, Stockings Lane, Little Berkhamsted. SG13 8LW 01707 875791
TREASURER
Christopher Nunn, Trewinnard House, Little Berkhamsted, SG13 8LS 07885 464055
ORGANIST
ST MARY - BAYFORD and HOLY CROSS and ST ALBAN – BRICKENDON
CHURCHWARDEN
Mr C Taylor, Baybury House, 41 Ashendene Road, Bayford, Hertford, SG13 8PX
01992 511041
PCC SECRETARY
TREASURER
Mrs. L. Fitzjohn, Home Farm, Bayford Lane, Bayford
ORGANIST
Mrs V Haryott, Wellpond Cottage, Brickendon,
SG13 8NU 01992 511575
ST MARY THE VIRGIN - ESSENDON and WOODHILL, AL9 6AS
CHURCHWARDENS
Paul Wombwell, 27 Rectory Close, Essendon, AL9 6HG 01707 273729
Colin Rees, 2, Letty Green, Hertford,
SG14 2NZ. 07540 351 530. colin4444@yahoo.com.
PCC SECRETARY
Ms C Blackman, 42 High Road, Essendon, AL9 6HW 07831 341886
casblackman@yahoo.com
TREASURER
Mr Nick Pickard, Cucumber Hall, Essendon, AL9 6JB 07779 325847
ST MARY - PONSBOURNE
CHURCHWARDEN AND TREASURER
Phil Ryan
50, New Park Road, Newgate Street,
SG13 8RF - 01707 876151
phil.ryan47@gmail.com
ORGANIST
Mr P Minchinton, 14 Byfield, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7AL 01707 323742
PARISH MAGAZINE EDITOR
Dr M E Wainwright. 12 Church Road, Little Berkhamsted, SG13 8LY. 01707 875970
parishmag@begesford.co.uk

The Parish Magazine is also available online, free of charge.
Google ‘HHW Parish Magazine’.
For the HHW web site Google ‘Hartford Hundred West’.

Rector’s Article.

Dear All
Being thankful is morally excellent and a virtue. We are approaching the season of Harvest in our Anglican Liturgical calendar. When we show our gratitude for what God has done in our lives.
Biblically, this is also demonstrated in the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). The Lord Jesus was travelling towards Jerusalem along borders of Samaria and Galilee. When he approached the village, ten men who were lepers saw him. As they had the leprosy condition they could not come near Jesus. The condition prevented them to draw close. No matter their physical distance, they were not going to let their miracle pass or the distance which separated them be a barrier to their breakthrough. They called out in a loud voice “Jesus, Master have pity on us”. They cried out for Him to heal them. Call out to Jesus!
Jesus heard and saw them. He rewarded their faith and told them to go and show themselves to the Priests. This meant that when they reached the Priest they would have been healed from leprosy. The Priest had no power to heal but he was designated to pronounce them clean. Being obedient to the words of Jesus, the lepers started to walk to the Priests. As they went, they were cleansed from the disease.
They all had faith because they all obeyed the Word and went. One of them, seeing that he was healed, he went back to thank Jesus. Interestingly, this one was a Samaritan, the others were Jews. When he got to where Jesus was, he fell on his face, at the feet of Jesus, the posture of worship, and thanked Jesus. However, Jesus asked if it were not true that ten were cleansed but only one had returned to give thanks. None of them had come back to give glory to God. Turning to the Samaritan Jesus said “ Rise and go, your faith has made you well”. The grateful will inherit Christ’s true riches.
Jesus meets and blesses us when we give thanks. The nine were healed from leprosy but the one who came back was saved from sin.
In the Old Testament, under the law, Israel was not allowed to strip the fields clean when harvesting, they were to leave some of the grain as gleaning for the needy, strangers, the fatherless and the windows. This is pictured by Ruth in the fields of Boaz (Ruth 2). Boaz went further to invite Ruth to eat with his workers and instructed the reapers to leave extra grain for her on purpose.
Thankfulness is an act of worship.
Revd Theresa Musiwacho

Prayer Share
Eternal God, you crown the year with your goodness and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season: grant that we may use them to your glory, for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

PARISH REGISTER

Wedding
7th September 2024 Bonnie Annie Lily BLAKE and
Oliver James PETERS Bayford
Interment of Ashes
29th September 2024 George James Stuart WALKER 25th May 2021
Little Berkhamsted
29th September 2024 Marian Heather BUTTERFIELD d.14th July 2024
Brickendon
Memorial Services
23rd August 2024 David John MITCHELL 28th July 2024
Essendon
28th August 2024 Phil Neal SIMMONDS 20th July 2024
Essendon

OCTOBER CALENDAR

Sunday 6th October, Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
9;30 am, Parish Communion, Essendon
9;30 am, Harvest Service, Ponsbourne
11:00 am, Parish Communion, Brickendon
Sunday 13th October, Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
9:30 am, Parish Communion, Bayford
11:00 am Family Service, Little Berkhamsted.
Sunday 20th October, Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
9:30 am Family Service, Essendon
9:30 am Parish Communion, Ponsbourne
11:00 am Family Service, Brickendon.
Sunday 27th October, Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost.
9:30 am, Parish Communion, Little Berkhamsted
11:00 am Family Service, Bayford
6:30 pm No Evensong, Essendon
Wednesdays
9:30 am, Holy Communion, Essendon
10:00 am, Wednesday. 11th, 18th , 25th

Pentecost

The Clock has Stopped Ticking ………. Almost

As at the time of drafting this article (8th Sept), there have been no positive developments since last month’s offering, in our efforts in filling a number of potential key vacancies within the Magazine Team. Unfortunately, last month’s approach of widening the net by placing postings on parish social media platforms also failed to produce any positive responses.
Should there be any last-minute shows of interest from within our readership, details of the roles to be filled can be found in last month’s copy of the magazine. However, having set ourselves an internal deadline of 30th September for making the necessary appointments, it is possible that ‘The Clock will have Stopped Ticking’ by the time you are reading this article in the October edition. If this is the case, there will be only two more editions of the parish magazine in its current format, before the existing Magazine Team brings the curtain down on more than thirty-five years of ‘going to press’ (one of our contributors has stumbled upon a copy of the Church Magazine dated September 1986).
As with Readers’ Digest, which closed earlier this year after more than a century of monthly publications, the Magazine has in recent years seen a sharp decline in reader engagement and resultant subscriptions. Over the five-year period that I have been a member of the Team, our monthly print run has dropped from 600 to 400 copies. Whilst we have moved with the times by making our monthly publication available on-line, interest to date, measured by the number of hits in any given month, has been minimal, to say the least.
Consequently, it falls upon members of the Magazine Team to bring about the closing down of the publication in its current format in a structured manner, with due regard to all interested parties – printers, advertisers, contributors and most importantly, our loyal readership. Whilst the lack of a January 2025 edition dropping onto the mat will be sadly missed by all of our current subscribers, alternative ways of finding out what is happening in any given parish at any future date will no doubt be sourced by all to fill the gap left by the magazine.
But who knows, we may still yet witness ‘the rising of the phoenix from the ashes’ - stranger things have happened!
Peter Chivers.

Scam emails. I recently published a couple of scam emails, noting that they looked quite convincing. I forward these as an attachment (very important) to report@phishing.gov.uk. This month they replied that they had received 33,687,208 suspicious emails as of July 2024, across 345,407 URLs.

DELIVERIES OF WELL AGED, TOP QUALITY LOGS
ARE AVAILABLE NOW TO HELP YOUR CHURCH!
Our stocks of first grade logs in predominantly ash but encompassing lots of slow, hot burning woods are yours with one call. Logs are varied sizes to suit smaller grates as well as more average. Your contributions go without deductions to your local church.
Please call Colin on
07540 351 530.
Order early as deliveries are made in strict order. Colin Rees

is a week-long festival of the Arts between 12th-18th October, with a selling exhibition featuring local painters, photographers and a ceramicist. Alongside the exhibition there is a preview evening, a musical cafe session, Songs of Praise featuring local school children, art workshops and a closing concert by Buck Brass. The exhibition is open daily from 10am - 4pm (11am on Sunday). You can find all of the information about the Festival on www.northmymmsarts.co.uk

Weddings, Baptisms and other matters.
Saturday Registration is held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month
at 10.00 am to 11.30 am in Little Berkhamsted Church.
No appointment necessary

Bridleway 18 - Modification Order Update. Little Berkhamsted.
The Planning Inspectorate's public local inquiry is set to start on
Tuesday 10th December 2024 at Priory Hall, Ware Priory,
High Street, Ware SG12 9AL at 10 am
Visit http://www.gov.com and enter ROW/3311608 the information is under the Hertfordshire tab with relevant dates for any submissions.
For more information please contact the Parish Council via clerk@littleberkhamsted.org.uk

Bayford School

OPEN DAY
Saturday 12th October 2024
Bayford Primary School & Nursery
10am - 12pm
Come and meet us!
Updates & Information at:
bayford.herts.sch.uk or 01992 511259

Liz Wainwright
Over 25 years Experience
Fully Insured
All Equipment Sterilised
Cuts, Blow-dry, Sets, Perms
Specialising in Colour and Extensions

in the
COMFORT and SAFETY
of your own home.

Bayford

Bayford
St. Mary’s Church

Bayford Church is open Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday.
CHURCH CLEANING
Sarah Heath and Vicky Court
FLOWERS
Sarah Walduck

BAYFORD PARISH COUNCIL
To read the minutes and agendas just Google ‘Bayford Parish Council’ and follow the link to ‘Minutes’.
The Old Playground.
Gavin Nelson continues to update us on the progress as Bonnel Homes. The new house is now well underway
Meetings.
25th November 8pm
Please check the web site.
Michael Wainwright (Dr),
Chairman.
pc@begesford.co.uk
01707 875970.
www.begesford.co.uk
New PC email Addresses.
Below are the new email addresses for Bayford Parish Councillors. I have set these up so that Parish Council business and information are kept separate from personal emails. In recent months politicians and others have come under fire for using personal emails and What’s App counts etc for Council business.
Whilst we do not handle the level of information that, for example, Hilary Clinton did, we nevertheless would be liable if information gained in the course of carrying out PC business was passed on or used for other purposes.
There is also a new web site under construction:
bayfordparishcouncil.org.uk/
Friends of the Baker Arms
After the period of purdah following the announcement of the election and giving the dust to settle on the new administration, we have again started the process of acquiring the Bayford Arms.
Please follow, like and share on social media for all the latest campaign news.
www.friendsofbakerarms.org hello@fiendsofbakerarms.org

boborme@bayfordparishcouncil.org.uk
chrisorme@bayfordparishcouncil.org.uk
alanfitzjohn@bayfordparishcouncil.org.uk
clerk@bayfordparishcouncil.org.uk
oliverriley@bayfordparishcouncil.org.uk
mikewainwright@bayfordparishcouncil.org.uk
georgerowley@bayfordparishcouncil.org.uk

Bayford

Friends of Baker Arms
Halloween
QUIZ NIGHT
Saturday
1st November 7.30pm.
£5 p/p cash on the door.
Raffle Prizes.
Book ahead for tables of up to 6 with
Gill 01992 511144 or
Sally 07817 298105

From Desne Nicholls
I rehome some hedgehogs ready for release back into a safe habitat from Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital. They have asked if I could pass on this link
https://bighedgehogmap.org which monitors where hedgehogs are sighted. Currently no hedgehogs from Bayford have been put on this website (I believe it is a fairly new one and probably most people are unaware of it) and obviously it would help the cause if there is a clearer picture of the Bayford hedgehog population.
Place Farm, Bayford Green
01992 511765

Bayford CofE Primary School & Nursery
Due to a recent change to their constitution Bayford CofE Primary School & Nursery have a vacancy on their Board of Governors. We would like to appoint a local person with a real interest in young people and their education. There would be between 6 and 12 early evening (5pm) meetings to attend per year. If you are interested in school governance and think you could support this thriving village school please contact the Chair of Governors (01992 511551) for a chat.

Erratum.
Last month I noted here the sad passing of Jim Monaghan and stated that he and Collette were the last ‘University residents’ in BGW.
I must apologise to Claire Smith, who still lives in BGW and is very much still alive! MW

Knitting

Bench FOR SALE

We have made 30 trauma teddies for the Hertford fire service to give to children caught up in traumatic incidents. We are now working on our next project which is jumpers for babies in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda where the nights can be cold.
We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the Farmers Boy in Brickendon from 8pm.
For more information please contact Janet Rees on 07795 963531 or Caroline Fletcher on 07919 317212. ”

5ft Oak Pew, fitted cushion, needs a polish up. £150. Tel 07941496978

Will Writing Service

Local Solicitors Donate Will Writing Services Throughout October to Raise Funds for Isabel Hospice
From October 1st and October 31st 2024, multiple local solicitors and will writers have agreed to write basic single or mirror wills free of charge, in return for a suggested donation to the Hertfordshire based hospice care charity, Isabel Hospice.
60% of people in UK do not yet have a will written and writing a will is the only way to be sure that your wishes are followed after your death and that the people and causes you care about are still supported when you are no longer here.
Isabel Hospice last ran the Make a Will Month scheme in March, and with the support of local solicitors raised almost £9,000 to help Isabel Hospice care for patients and their families in eastern Hertfordshire affected by life-limiting-illness.
To take part, all you have to do is find your nearest participating solicitor online at isabelhospice.org.uk/MakeAWill and give them a call or email to make an appointment.
Suggested donations to Isabel Hospice are £120 for a single basic will and £175 for a pair of mirror basic wills.
Appointments are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis so it is advisable to contact your chosen solicitor as soon as possible.
If you have any queries about Isabel Hospice’s Make a Will Month please visit isabelhospice.org.uk/MakeAWill or contact Conor Williams at Isabel Hospice, on Conor.Williams@Isabelhospice.org.uk or call 01707 954 817.

St. Andrew’s Night Service and Supper
Friday 29th November 2024
Service
7 pm followed by
Supper in the church
7.45 for 8 pm
Bring your own cutlery, glasses and drinks
Individual Tickets £12
from Sandie on 875221
Please indicate if vegetarian option require

Cucumber Fields

Master Art Workshops

and we are delighted to welcome renowned, inspirational artists and craftspeople to teach in our lovely rural location.
Release your inner creativity and join us for fun
Beginners Welcome
Saturday 5th October – Little Berkhamsted,
Glass Fusion with Laura Brooks-Payne 10-1pm £65 + 10% discount
Saturday 19th October – Little Berkhamsted,
Candle Making with Anne Nudd 10-1pm £35
Saturday 26th October – Little Berkhamsted
Fox/Birds in Watercolours with Nicky Hunter 10-4pm £45 incl. lunch
To book visit http://www.masterartworkshops.com or
email suewilliams021@aol.com
Follow us on social media to keep up with our news -
Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/masterartworkshops and instagram page is @masterartworkshops

WAGGONERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB
Invite you to try something new in 2024!
St Joseph’s in the Park School Hertingfordbury SG14 2LX
Fun and Easy to learn. Singles & Couples welcome.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Low impact exercise “walk” through the moves in time to the beat of the music
HARVEST HOEDOWN
Monday 7th October
7.30-10pm £5.00
e-mail: waggonerssdc@gmail.com or phone Bob or Penny on 01920 465276
or see www.waggonerssquaredanceclub.com for further details

Brickendon Liberty

Brickendon
Chapel of the Holy Cross & St. Alban

For enquiries concerning the Chapel, please contact Virginia Haryott 01992 511575
or email wellpondharyott@gmail.com
Many people will have noticed that the front hedge, fence and noticeboard at the church were destroyed late at night by an out of control driver.
We have now had the noticeboard restored and have replaced the shattered fence with a new oak fence. Thanks go to Simon Hedley of Little Berkhamsted who has done an excellent job.

October Services. Please see page 4 for a full list of services.
Sunday 6th October 11.00am Parish Communion
Sunday 20th October 11.00am Family Service
Sunday 3rd November 11.00am Parish Communion

Flowers October Cleaning
4th October Maureen Reid Julie Pickering
11th October Maureen Reid
18th October Janet Burger Tessa Whitlow
25th October Janet Burger
Please consider volunteering for either Church cleaning or flower arranging as it would help lighten the load for all the existing hard workers!
Contact Virginia on 07770944854 or
email virginia.haryott @gmail.com
Concern has been raised about the amount of artificial flowers that are being placed on the graves in the churchyard. Please remember that this is not recommended by the Diocese.

Brickendon Liberty

Tennis Courts.
The fee for hire is still £5 per court per hour. The courts are in excellent condition and we like to see them being used, there is also a pavilion for changing in.
To book a court please telephone 07734 715002 or email tony.roberts@brickendon-liberty.org.uk

Pilates - Every Tuesday morning in Fanshaws Room (the village hall) at 9.15am, to register contact Harriet Barton, 07944 500504 or
pilateswithharriet@hotmail.com
Book Club - meets every first Tuesday of the month at 8pm, contact Andrea Trendler for venue - 01992 511588

Parish Council
Meetings
Meetings are normally held in the Fanshaws Room at 7.30pm and all parishioners are welcome to attend and to raise any issues of concern. Agendas are posted on noticeboards at least 3 days before the meeting.
Parish Council meetings in 2024
28th November
Parish Clerk: Laura Brooks-Payne
Brickendon Liberty Parish Council
PO BOX 81, Knebworth, SG3 6YZ
Email clerk@brickendon-liberty.org.uk
Mobile 07803 906291
Minutes: Brickendon website www.brickendon-liberty.org.uk for .

Brickendon
Petanque Boules Club
We play at The Farmers Boy
Sunday 10am - 12noon
Tuesday 5.30pm - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 12noon
We have a full and active summer programme and new players are always welcome, boules can be borrowed from the club hut.
For further information contact our Club Secretary Janet 01992 51151

Ring Necked Parakeets.
These have become naturalised in the UK. We regularly get them on our peanut feeder. MW

Synchomesh.
Now this is an interesting thing!
It’s part of a manual gearbox from a series 1 BMC car. The unit engages 1st and 2nd gear by moving the large ring up or down with the gear lever. This ring presses against the gear to be engaged so that they travel at the same speed and therefore do not crunch.
It was invented by Ferdinand Porsch in 1952.
Before this it was necessary to double declutch in order the speed up or slow down the next gear. MW

AMV CHIMNEY SWEEPS
Traditional Chimney Sweep
with brushes,
fireplace sealed and advance vacuum technology
Used
Inglenooks, Wood burning stoves,
Aga/solid fuel stoves.
Gas fires, cowls fitted, smoke testing, certificates issued.
Tel:07815 502798.
email amvchimneysweeps@googlemail.com
web www.amvchimneysweeps.co.uk
Certified member of the Institute of Chimney Sweeps

Evergreen Landscapes
All aspects of Garden Construction undertaken.
Approved Patio and Driveway Contractors
Walling, Pathways, Turf and Lawn Installers, Fencing, Natural Stone and Porcelain Specialists
Grounds Maintenance Contractors for Private or Commercial Properties
Office 01707655511
Mobile call Ron on 07747841103
Email:- sales@evergreenlandscapes.co.uk
ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Please mention HHW Parish Magazine when responding to an advert.

Bayford and Brickendon Parish
Would you like to support your wonderful local churches?
Have you got a few hours to spare each month?
St. Mary’s Bayford and Holy Chapel Brickendon
are seeking a new Treasurer,
as our present Treasurer is retiring in June. It would be possible to have one Treasurer for each church.
The PCC meets three times a year and has an annual meeting when the accounts for the previous year are presented.
The role is voluntary and includes paying bills, managing bank accounts, and producing the annual accounts which are examined by an independent accountant.
The Treasurer does not have to be experienced as a handover will be provided. The weekly collections and fundraising money are paid into the bank by the churchwarden.
For more information or to arrange a chat with the current Treasurer about the role, please contact:
Lorna on 07582538996 (lorna.fitzjohn@gmail.com) or
Virginia on 07770944854 (virginia.haryott @gmail.com)

HCPC Registered Audiologist Ear Wax Removal, Hearing Assessments, Hearing Aids & More
25 St Andrew Street, Hertford, SG14 1HZ 01992 877666 hertfordhearing@outlook.com

Essendon

Essendon, Woodhill,
Wild Hill & Woodside
St. Mary the Virgin

Flower Arranging.
5th Pauline Alleyne
12th & 19th Paula Marshall
Remembrance 26th Pam Worsley

Services. See page 4.

All Sorts Dementia Group.
Social and activity group for people with mild to moderate dementia starting at Essendon Village Hall every Wednesday 10.30am till 3pm.
Spaces limited so please call
01279 498938 or
email allsortsdg@gmail.com
for more information.
Website: www.allsortsdg.co.uk

The Village Hall.
Tel: 07442 499601
email: essendonvillagehall@hotmail.com
facebook.com/essendonvillagehall
essendonvillagehall.wixsite.com/essendonvillagehall

Bible Study
All are welcome.
More information and dates from
mckellartrish@gmail.com

The new Baby and Toddler group meets in Essendon on Friday mornings, 10-11.30 in St Mary’s Church room (just to the side of the St. Mary’s Church).
If you have or look after a baby or toddler and want to meet up, why not come along and join us?
All are welcome.
There is no charge although in the future we may ask for a contribution for tea and coffee! Any questions please message mandynevel@gmail.com

ESSENDON W.I.

An al fresco lunch was enjoyed by the ladies of Essendon WI in September. Lyn and Bryan offered a two course meal with wine and the afternoon concluded with members catching up on news of long forgotten summer holidays and plans for the winter season.
On 16th October Roger Gibbons will be visiting Essendon talking about Butterflies of Britain and Europe. Roger lives on the south coast of France for most of the year. He is on a personal quest to see all 240 mainland species of butterfly and is a keen photographer with his photos being widely published.
Please call Lyn McCash on 07971 909540 if you would be interested in joining the WI. Alternatively come along as a guest on the 16th October.

Essendon Nature Notes

It is perhaps a philosophical rather than a scientific question as to whether the swallow is a British bird which winters in Africa or an African bird which spends its summers here. I always think of it as the latter because its sojourn to our fields and meadows seems to be such a short one. The last stragglers will be leaving this month but I have enjoyed their company immensely this year. A pair nested undisturbed on the beams of an old garage nearby and consequently their electric-blue elegance has been a constant presence over the neighbouring field.
Whilst some are departing, others are arriving. This is the month of transition and I will be looking out for the fieldfares and redwings who come in from Scandinavia to brighten up our autumn days. These migrants are here for our milder weather and the redwings have a distinctive ‘seep-seep’ call as they fly over at night. Berries are the main attraction but these members of the thrush family are also fond of apples and pears. They may face some competition this year as the other evening I was caught unawares by a badger streaking past me in the garden. Despite the gloom, its black and white striped head was unmistakable and I had obviously disturbed its dinner of windfall apples that I had failed to clear from under the old tree.
October always has a mellow and melancholic feel as we mourn the passing of the season and look ahead to the failing light and the frost. However we should take a moment to reflect on the summer past, say goodbye to recent companions and welcome back our old winter friends.
DC

Gardening in October

2024 has been a strange year in our gardens and lessons can be learnt from how our different gardens, whether large or small, have coped and maybe we can take this opportunity look at things from all sorts of fresh angles.
Just looking round here as I write this, I can only say that in my own garden I am wondering whether some of my Dahlias are ever going to actually flower! They look very healthy and full of bud and two new ones have finally gently burst slowly into flower. I made the mistake last winter in not digging them up, letting them dry out properly and wintering them with protection!
I am also enjoying what has done well this summer in other peoples gardens and learning from them their tips and am continuing to do so into this Autumn - we gardeners never stop learning!
I remember last year seeing a beautiful Acer Palmatum, a Japanese maple, which is deciduous with foliage that turns first to a golden orange, then a deeper orange and finally red in late Autumn and it was a wonderful spectacle. A Rosa rugosa, also often known as as the ‘hedgehog’ rose’. This also has pretty pink flowers followed by large red hips in the Autumn and it also gives a wonderful lasting display. Another lovely Autumnal tree is the Sorbus pseudohupehensis, Pink Pagoda, which is in fact a deciduous Crab Apple tree with edible fruits!
Create colourful container displays of Autumn foliage and flowers and position them where they can be seen - perhaps on a Patio or outside the Front door! They can be easy to create, not too costly, easy to put together and probably, with a bit of luck, you will be able to integrate these plants into your borders for the years ahead. Chose a large container with good drainage holes in the base, fill it up with peat-free multi- purpose compost and plant the biggest plants first. Then evenly plant trailing plants and fill any gaps with smaller upright ones giving a well-balanced full display. Make sure you plant all the plants firmly, fully top up the compost and water well. 'Dead head’ regularly to keep it flowering as long as possible and give it a liquid feed every five weeks or so to balance the ‘peat-free’ compost and to keep the plants healthy. Continue to remove any faded or damaged leaves and it should be a great and cheerful success!
Germander Speedwell.

Essendon PC

The October parish council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 8th October at 7pm in the Village Hall. The meeting’s Agenda will be available at least three working days beforehand on the parish council websitewww.essendonparishcouncil.gov.uk and on noticeboards in the village. Meeting Minutes are published shortly after each meeting on the website. Members of the public are warmly invited to attend and will have an opportunity to raise any comments, questions or concerns relating to the village, they may have, or they can contact the Clerk by emailing: clerk@essendonparishcouncil.co.uk
Caroline Chapple
Clerk
Essendon Parish Council
clerk@essendonparishcouncil.co.uk

Hatfield House Music Festival
Musical Time Travel
Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th October.
Guy Johnston, Artistic Director.
hatfieldhousemusicfestival.org.uk

Tennis Courts
The prices are
£50 family,
£30 individual and
£15 for a junior.
New members always welcome.
To join the club or any questions please contact,
Nicki Whitelaw 07946300512 nicki.whitelaw@sky.com
Essendon Tennis Club Committee

The Friends of St. Mary’s Essendon -Fun on the Field.
A great afternoon and evening were had by many on the 7th September as the committee held a Food, Fun and Frolics on the Field in Essendon. Rain was forecast, but the weather was just about perfect – warm but not overly sunny, dry and not at all windy. Mel the circus entertainer helped young and old master top spinning, stilt walking and various other circus tricks. The bouncy castle was never empty and Emma did some amazing face painting. Next followed music and dancing with the Ceilidh Tree as well as music provided by Dav. Hotdogs and curry cooked by the committee, with ice-cream and waffles from a food van (as well as the bar!) provided the necessary sustenance required after the dancing. The field was well populated awash with villagers, their friends and family, and it was lovely to see all the children having such fun. Many thanks to AF for the loan of the bales – unfortunately didn’t get as many back as we were given, but the children had great fun building their own straw house and landing cushion! As always, many thanks to the helpers on the bar, food, music, face painting, setting up, clearing away, taking money, cooking, donating…..a great team effort!

Candlelit Supper—save the date!
It may be a bit early, but just a reminder that we will be holding our usual Candlelit supper in St Mary’s Church on Saturday 7th December, tickets £20. We expect a full house this year so please secure your tickets early by contacting Judy or Mandy mandynevel@gmail.com.

Bee Orchid
This was photographed in Bayford.
The bee orchid is a sneaky mimic - the flower’s velvety lip looks like a female bee. Males fly in to try to mate with it and end up pollinating the flower. Sadly, the right bee species doesn’t live here, so this orchid is self-pollinated in the UK.

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Professional carpet, rug
& upholstery cleaning
Stain & odour removal
Scotchguards
Fully insured, Free quotes.
Window, conservatory &
UPVC cleaning
Tel: 01992 586004
Mob: 07958 729074
www.dharriscleaning.co.uk

St Elizabeth’s School and College
cares for children and young adults with special needs.
The School is a centre of expertise in supporting and educating young people with moderate or severe learning difficulties (MLD/SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) or other complex neurological conditions potentially caused or complicated by epilepsy. Our Multi-Disciplinary Teams, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital, equip the School to serve a wide range of complex needs such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), language and communication needs or challenging behaviours.
Supporting pupils to make progress and develop independence skills is at the heart of everything we do, providing a safe and caring environment in which they can achieve their fullest potential.
fundraising@stelizabeths.org.uk

Little Berkhamsted

Little Berkhamsted,
Howe Green &
Epping Green
St. Andrew

CHURCH CLEANING
11th October Trish Mckellar
25th October Jeff and Louise Robinson

Services for October
13th Family Service 11am
27th Parish Communion 9.30am
See page 4 for a full list of services

The Church is open every day.
So, pop in and see what is going on.

Telephone Service Wednesday 10am
The service is for anyone at home or away and is free.
Contact Revd. Theresa at Hartford Hundred Rectory. 01707 875940
Baby Group
Every Tuesday 10-11.30am
Very casual so feel free to pop in and say hello….
All babies and toddlers are welcome with parents, grandparents, and carers.
Books……Books…..Books….
We have a good collection of books in the church, they are free. Find a corner and enjoy.

Harvest at Little B

News from Little Berkhamsted Parish Council

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on Wednesday 20th Novrmber 2024 at 7.30pm in the village hall. The agenda is published on the website and village noticeboard the week before the meeting and residents are welcome to send questions and comments to the clerk beforehand, clerk@littleberkhamsted.org.uk or attend the meeting and ask in person.

Community Clothes Bank
On the field is our Clothing Bank ready for your donations of clothes, shoes, bags and belts. Thank you for your support. All proceeds go towards the village projects.
The Community Café
Friday mornings in the Cricket and Community Pavilion from 10am to 12.00 come along and enjoy coffee, tea, cakes and great conversations.
Vacancy
Little Berkhamsted Parish Council currently have a vacancy for a Parish Councillor. This is a rewarding voluntary role in which you can really make a difference in your village.
To obtain more information or to apply for the position, please contact the clerk to the council, Laura Brooks Payne by e mail.
clerk@littleberkhamsted.org.uk or phone 07803906291.
HELP THE VILLAGE
One of the conditions of the East Herts Health and Wellbeing grant that we were awarded for the pavilion renovations is that we sell at least 50 tickets for our cause on the East Herts Lottery.
Thank you to those who have already bought tickets, your support is very much appreciated. If you would like to help us in this way, and be in with the chance of winning,, please go to Play the East Herts Lottery.

Harvest Festival
Thank you everyone who joined our service and shared our light lunch provided by Sarah and Norma, it was delicious.
Colin took our service and Virginia played the hymns. Diane collected flowers and arranged them around the windows in the church.

Wellbeing Class
Every Monday at 10.30am
at St Andrew’s Church.
Come along and learn how to keep yourself healthy and well!
For more details call Bevely on 07989181847 everyone welcome.

St Andrew’s Church

Little Berkhamsted
Community Facilities for Hire
The Village Hall has recently been insulated and redecorated. It has disabled access and toilet, a fully equipped kitchen for any refreshment needs, a table tennis table, internet access and projector equipment.
The cricket and community pavilion has a fully equipped kitchen, bar area, changing rooms and shower facilities.
Hire Charges (per hour): Little Berkhamsted Resident: £12 Other: £17
For further details contact: Sandie Ash 01707 875221
or clerk@littleberkhamsted.org.uk

News from Little Berkhamsted Parish Council

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The Doom Stone, York Minster.
This shows the ‘naughty people’ being boiled in a cauldron whilst the devil’s helpers look on. 12th century.

JAMES ROBINSON
¨ Plant hire
¨ Groundworks
¨ Paving
¨ Driveways
¨ Landscaping
¨ Septic tank installation
¨ Site clearance and preparation
¨ Demolition
Please call to discuss your needs
07860 445203
admin@j-robinson.co.uk
www.j-robinson.co.uk

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MITCH
PLASTERING & DECORATING
Professional, Reliable,
Quality
and
Clean Service
Over 20yrs experience,
Fully Insured
Please Call Chris on 07775 673423

THE 1st NORTHAW SCOUT GROUP
Both our Beaver Colony (6-8 years) and Cub Pack (8-11 years) have resumed “normal “activities including hiking, camping and learning new skills and having great fun.
The numbers in both Sections are growing and we would love to welcome new members. We would also be really happy to have more adult helpers and leaders to support this. Beavers meet on Thursday and Cubs on Monday.
Meetings are based at our Headquarters in Northaw Village.
To find out more contact Gordon Marshall at
gordon.marshall@pbscouts.org.uk

ROY FRITH
VACUUM CLEANER
SALES,
SPARES & REPAIRS
Reconditioned appliances
01992 503991
13 TALBOT STREET
HERTFORD
SG13 7BX

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Herts Computer Services
Call Iain on 07787 157 937 or email: iain@hertscomputerservices.com
Home or small business IT support
PC health checks & virus removal
Broadband internet issues
Data recovery
Laptop repairs such as screen replacement
PC hardware repairs & installations
Wireless networking
Website & internet address setup
Microsoft server installations & small business support
Microsoft & Comptia Certified Microsoft Small Business Specialist

Three Bears Mobile Vets
Independent, high quality, veterinary care based in Newgate Street Village.
We provide a home visit service but also have a fully equipped practice in Newgate Street.
Tel: 07477 873891
Email: threebearsvets@gmail.com
Website: www.threebearsvets.co.uk

Repairs to Fine Antiques
And Contemporary Furniture
French Polishing, Spray Finishing,
Cabinet Making and Design, Veneering, Boulle Work ,
Leather Lining, Marquetry, Re-upholstering,
Caning and Rushwork, Carving and Turning,
Clock Restoration, Clock Servicing,
Repairs to Metal Artefacts, Quality Fabric Sales.
All work guaranteed to the
highest standards, Established 1991.

David Oakes
01992 511251 / 07860 954977

Newgate Street

Newgate Street
Ponsbourne St. Mary

Village Coffee
Morning
7th October
10am to 12 noon
at
The Crown

Church Open
for
prayer and quiet contemplation,
every Wednesday 9:30 to 12:30.

VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS
All bookings can now be made through the Village website
www.newgatestreet.org/
Follow the link to Hall Rental and Book the Hall .

Book Exchange.
A BIG THANK YOU for the donation from the BOOK EXCHANGE which continues to run at the Post Office in Newgate Street Village Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings .

What’s On in Newgate Street
Table Tennis: Tuesday evenings 7.30 - 9.30pm in the Village Hall. £1 pay and play
Tennis - Tuesday mornings 9.30-10.30am Village Courts. Term time only. Contact 07710 507 215
Book Swap - Pre read books to buy £1 or swap 50p, in the Village Hall Post Office Tuesday & Thursday mornings.
Village Chat - WhatsApp group for people living in the village. To join the group contact 07710 507 215
Village Pub Social - 8pm the second Friday of every month in either The Crown or The Coach & Horses Pubs, come along to meet friends and make new ones. See Village Chat WhatsApp group or Village website for details.
Post Office.
A small Post Office is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the village hall.

GARDENING
Do You:
NEED a strong pair of hands for those gardening jobs
NEED your vegetable garden dug.
NEED your grass/hedges cut
NEED logs moving/splitting
NEED terraces or garden furniture pressure washed.
NEED shed or fences painted.
Then I am your man!
Time to suit, 7 days a week.
Please ring Paul Curson 01707 875622, £12 per hour .
Minimum 2 hours.
(£14 if using own machinery)
Transport required
I do not use mains electrical hedge cutters or mowers.

JUMBLE SALE
2nd Nov2 till 4pm
Newgate Street Village Hall
In aid of Ponsbourne St Mary Church
Please bring any donations of clothes, bric-a-brac, toys, jewellery etc to the village hall post office on Tuesday or Thursday mornings or to the hall on Friday 1st November after 6.30pm. Enquiries 07790373568

Local Shops, Services and Pubs

Locally Grown Fruit and Veg. when available. Braughing Sausages. Locally Made Apple Juices. Local Bread, Cakes and Fresh Cream Cakes. Fresh Flowers. Locally Made Jam, Marmalade and Honey. Local Farm Eggs and Duck Eggs delivered daily. Wines. House-ware. Confectionery. Newspapers and Magazines.
Muriel’s Home-made Pickles. Dr. John Dog Food.
Delivery Service now available throughout the Local Villages
HOURS:- Mon-SAT. 7am-6pm. Sun 8am-4pm
01707 878731

CHURCH ROAD, LITTLE BERKHAMSTED

The School Ponds

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I & B ELECTRICAL
Domestic & Commercial Electrician

● Rewires
● Fuse Boxes
● Security
● Extra Sockets
● Lighting Points
● Smoke Detectors
● Electric Cookers
● TV Points
● Phone Points
● Ring video doorbells
● Tidy & Efficient

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Tel: 01707 262771
Mobile: 07861 398288
Family run business
info@ib-electrical.co.uk
www.ib-electrical.co.uk

L & M SWAIN
GARDEN MAINTENANCE
ALL TYPES OF GARDEN WORK UNDERTAKEN
INCLUDING
regular maintenance and one off tidy ups
HEDGES CUTTING PRUNING
TURF LAYING PRESSURE WASHING
FENCING PATIOS LAID
TELEPHONE: 01992 511343, 0794 1398 510

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P.W. Electronics
For supply and installation of your new digital equipment
Repair of T.V. Video recording equipment, DVD and Hi Fi.
Sales Service & Rental
Paul Wombwell
01707 265546 (Essendon)
email pwelectronics@btinternet.com

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BK Marquee Hire
For all your special events.
Free quotations and site visit.
Table and chair.
Catering, BBQs
Hog Roast
Staging and Dance Floor.
01707 271054
Mobile: 0796 0842998
e-mail: bkmarqueehire@gmail.com
Web site: bkmarqueehire.co.uk
facebook.com/bkmarqueehire.

Welwyn Garden City
Male Voice Choir
Gentlemen, did you know singing is good for your health! We are looking for singers. No need to be able to read music. Please contact Bob 07940565379
or come along to The Methodist Church, Woodhall, Welwyn Garden City on Thursday nights at 7.30 to either listen or join in

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Interior -J C- Exterior
KEENAN
DECORATING SERVICES

All aspects undertaken
: Excellent references of
Character & workmanship

TELEPHONE: 01707 882927 home
07899 964 436 mobile
john.keenan2@gmail.com

BROWNIES, CUBS, BEAVERS AND SCOUTS
Beaver Colony - Thursday 5.30pm - 6.45pm Cub Pack - Thursday 7.00pm - 8.30pm Scout Troop - Monday 8.00pm—9:30pm 1st Birch Green Brownies - Monday 6.30pm - 7.45pm
Meetings are held at Cowper Hall, Hertingfordbury Cowper Junior School, Birch Green, SG14 2LR
Website: www.1stlettygreen.org.uk

C.J.A UPHOLSTERY
• New Designs To Your Own Specification
• Made To Measure Furniture
• Home Visits - Portfolio Available
• Have Your Old Furniture Re-Upholstered
Northam • 45 North Street
Nazeing • EN9 2NH

Guaranteed Quality
Workmanship
1000s of Fabrics
28 Years Experience at
Omega Furniture
www.cjaupholstery.co.uk
T: 01992 893 964
M: 07904 359 333

Master Locksmiths and Security Engineers
G J Locksmiths
9 The Broadway,
Old Hatfield, AL9 5BG
Tel: 01707 515 510
Mob: 07774 866333
www.gjlocksmithshatfield.co.uk
martin@g-j-locksmiths.co.uk
Fast reliable service
FREE surveys to insurance or police specification.
phone Martin Shadbolt
Company member of the Master Locksmiths Association

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Diamond Pest Control

Diamond Pest Control have a solution to any pest problems you may be encountering.

If you need a wasp nest removed or are experiencing issues with rodents, moths, cockroaches, pigeons or any other pests you can contact us on the number below.
We are recruiting for new technicians to join our team. Call us or send us your CV if you are interested!
0208 889 1036
info@diamondpestcontrol.co.uk
www.diamondpestcontrol.co.uk

BigBlackHen.com
The beautifully simple way
to sell your home.
Thinking of selling your home?
I offer local expertise
(I grew up in “Little B”),
innovative marketing and personal “service” all for a low fixed fee
Call Nigel Adams on:
01992 878580
BigBlackHen.com

JUST FEET Foot Health.
Nail cutting, Corns, Verrucas,
Thickened Nails, Split Heels, Athlete’s Foot,
Warts, Hard Skin, Calluses
Mobile Foot Health
Professional
Deborah McLoughlin, MCFHP MAFHP
Tel: 07973 872967
e-mail: d.a.mcloughlin@btopenworld.com

Please mention HHW Parish Magazine when responding to an advert.

Visit the Hartford Hundred web site at
hartfordhundred.org.uk/
for full details of telephone and Zoom services

Village Halls.
LITTLE BERKHAMSTED
01707 875221
(Facilities for the disabled
NEWGATE STREET
01707 874388 + online
(Facilities for the disabled)
WILD HILL 01707 642632
BAYFORD 01992 511247
BRICKENDON 01992 511551
ESSENDON 07442 499601
(Facilities for the disabled)

MAGAZINE TEAM

Editorial and Advertising
Michael Wainwright, 12 Church Road,
Little Berkhamsted, Hertford. SG13 8LY 01707 875 970
email:- parishmag@begesford.co.uk
Proof readers: Judy Rennie, Sue Wainwright,
Graphics
All photographs M E Wainwright. (unless credited)
Treasurer
Peter Chivers. 53 Wildhill, Essendon, AL9 6EA 01707 642 622
peterchivers53@gmail.com
General Distributor
Peter Chivers 01707 642 622
Parish Distributors
BAYFORD: Jane Honeyman, 22 Well Row, SG13 8PW 01992 511 391
BRICKENDON: John and Janet Rees, 8 Brickendon Green, SG13 8PB.
01992 511 515
ESSENDON: Shirley Christison, 24 Rectory Close, AL9 6HG, 01707 261 437
WILD HILL: Sue Horner, Butlers Mead, 3 Hornbeam Lane, AL9 6JF
07768 166 938
LITTLE BERKHAMSTED: Margery Bailey, The Tower House, Stockings Lane, SG13 8LW 01707 875 791
NEWGATE STREET: Angela Bryant, 29 Newgate Street Village, SG13 8RP
01707 874 805
Postal Distribution: Peter Chivers, 53 Wildhill, Essendon, AL9 6EA
01707 642 622

Copy for the magazine, please by the
12th of each month,
or earlier if possible.
Please note this is the deadline for copy and not the target date.
Subscription rates: 80p per copy or £8 for a year.
Postal rates: 2nd class only £27.00
The Editor reserves the right to shorten or omit articles or refuse advertisements. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Clergy, Editor or Publishers. The inclusion of advertisements in the magazine does not imply their endorsement by Clergy, Editor or Publishers.

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