Village web june 2015 low

Village Web

June 2015

Little Chishill Manor 27th June 2-5pm

28th June from 3pm Hamlet House, Lower Pond St

Open Gardens 27 & 28 June 2015

Church Services In June Sunday 7th June *

9.00am Holy Communion Service at Little Chishill 10.40am All Age Service at Chrishall School with Children’s Corner and Sunday Clubs

Sunday 14th June *

9.00am Holy Communion Service at Heydon 9.30am Great Chishill United Reformed Church with Revd. D Goldie 10.40am All Age Service at Great Chishill with Children’s Corner and Sunday Clubs 6.00pm Evening Prayer at Strethall

Sunday 21st June *

9.00am Holy Communion Service at Strethall 10.00am Chrishall @ 10 – Join us for coffee and pastries followed by a family service at 10.40am. No Sunday Clubs

Sunday 28th June *

T

* T

9.00am Holy Communion service at Chrishall 9.30am Great Chishill United Reformed Church with Revd. D Goldie 10.40am Holy Communion Service at Elmdon with Children’s Corner and Sunday Clubs

This Service is according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer Induction loop at this service Service details, diary events and more at www.icknieldwayparish.com

Small is Beautiful On the evening of Monday 27th April a crowd of fifty-five came together in Holy Trinity, Chrishall for the annual meeting of our Parish of the Icknield Way Villages. This was the seventh annual meeting of this new parish which, in 2009, formally brought together the historic parishes of Little and Great Chishill, Heydon, Chrishall, Elmdon with Wenden Lofts and Strethall.

It is notoriously difficult to get people to attend annual meetings as, to be honest, they can be rather tedious events. However, we seem to have hit on a way of getting people through the door – lots of delicious desserts provided by wonderful cooks! And, as I hope others will agree, lively presentations of all the necessary business items that make up this required occasion.

When the food had been eaten and much conversation enjoyed we sat down to go through the agenda. First up was the election of two parish churchwardens for the coming year. I am glad to say that Liz Stott and Jon Wayper were unanimously re-elected to these posts. They are a great team and serve our parish so well: many thanks to them both.

Then came a summary of parish activities since the last meeting. I am always impressed by the number of things that go on in our small parish, much of it unsung. We have an army of able volunteers who do so much to make this the lively community that it is. Whether it’s ministry among the very young and their families, or work in the Sunday Club or youth fellowship, or providing flowers or music, hosting small study groups, working in the churchyard, or serving on one of our seven District Church Councils (DCCs), or on our overarching parish PCC – there is a huge amount going on, and it is important to celebrate this and give thanks for it.

The fabric report and the financial statement for the year are always two important matters for the meeting. With seven historic, listed churches in our care, the DCCs face a constant challenge to keep the buildings watertight and in good repair. Our DCCs are to be congratulated on the continued on page 3

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conscientious manner in which they continue to do this for the benefit of all – not only those who attend worship regularly but also those who like to visit these beautiful buildings or make use of them at times personal and national importance. It is worth remembering that their maintenance is only achieved through the generosity of parishioners; there are no diocesan or national bodies that provide money for the general day to day running costs. On top of these pressures the PCC has to find the money to meet the costs of providing the day to day ministry. In the last two years we have failed in our responsibility to Chelmsford Diocese to fully provide our ‘parish share’ towards the cost of providing stipendiary clergy in this area. However, this year, thanks to a wonderful response to our appeal, our Treasurer Ned Tozer was able to report that we did balance the books; in fact there was a small surplus of £69! This is very much appreciated.

The meeting had begun with a reading from the Letter to the Ephesians where St. Paul urges us to: ‘Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.’ (Eph.4.3) I do think that we are working hard here to bring our villages together. Unity is not the same as union. If you manage to tie two cats together by their tails you will have achieved union, but not unity! Unity is something that is both the work of many people and the gift of God. As we enter our seventh year of formal union may God grant us deeper and deeper unity, recognising the different gifts that we can all bring to make something beautiful for God.

From The Registers Funeral

Burial of Ashes of Nellie Boyes on Tuesday 28 April at St Nicholas, Elmdon

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Could you organise an event to help the Parish fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support this year?

Do you belong to a club?

Then please get involved!

Whether it’s at your school, university, business club or league, your local social club, golf club or sports club. Basically, if you want to play a match, why not to do it for Macmillan, and help change lives.

It couldn’t be simpler: play a match in whatever sport or activity you like, and raise money to help people affected by cancer.

The money you raise could help Macmillan provide the following services. £71 could help run a large Macmillan information and support centre for an hour. £132 could pay for a Macmillan cancer information and support specialist for a day. This would mean more people affected by cancer would have someone to answer their questions and talk to about their concerns. £181 could pay for a Macmillan social worker or family support worker for a day. They work with community and social services agencies to help people manage the social and practical problems of living with cancer. £203 could pay for a Macmillan nurse for a day, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.

Please note: The costs shown are the full cost of employing a Macmillan professional (including oncosts such as national insurance and travel costs).

They do not represent their salaries.

If you would like more information and a fundraising pack to help you organise your Match for Macmillan please contact Nicola Clark – Fundraising Manager Hertfordshire & Essex on 07793579363 or email nhclark@macmillan.org.uk Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604).

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“If the I N VA D E R comes” joined up.

Women joined the Women’s Land Army to help on the farms. Rationing of food began (January 1940). There were women in the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) and people joined the Fire Watchers and Auxiliary Fire Service.

There were some 1700 anti-aircraft guns, 4000 search lights and some 1400 barrage balloons, mainly around London.

In our area, Douglas Bader, the legless war ace, arrived at Duxford Aerodrome with our squadron of spitfires in February 1940.

Despite preparations, the situation did not look bright in June 1940. When France fell over a third of a million men were rescued at Dunkirk by the Navy and a fleet of small ships sent to pick men up from the shallow shelving of beaches. They arrived tired, hungry, all equipment lost, even their rifles. It was the biggest evacuation of an army after defeat in history.

Hitler’s forces were triumphant and excited; the British expected they would be next.

The German Army was moved into position on the continent and Hitler issued Battle Plan, Directive 16, on 16th July. He followed this up with a speech in the Reichstag offering “peace to the British if they surrendered.” He concluded, “This struggle, if it continues, can only end

We had not had an invasion in Britain since 1066, when the Normans won the Battle of Hastings, but on 13 June 1940, seventy five years ago, a booklet with this title landed on the doormat of every house in Britain.

It was serious. We had been at war with Germany for some nine months and during that time Hitler had conquered (after Czechoslovakia), Poland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg and finally France. He held all Northern Europe apart from Sweden and Switzerland and, of course, ourselves. Six countries surrendered in six weeks!

America would not join the war until December 1941 and Eire was determined to stay neutral.

You would think we would all be unhappy, but we are an awkward nation and many people look back on this period as a very busy time. We called it a “Phoney War” and felt sorry for all those in the rest of Europe.

Evidence of preparations for defence was all around us. Three million children were evacuated from our cities. Blackout regulations were brought in after dark, and Air Raid Wardens shouted “put that light out” at any offenders. We all carried gas masks. Every household was issued with an Air Raid Shelter. Older men joined the Home Guard. Young ones

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with the complete annihilation of one or other of the two countries, Mr Churchill thinks that this will be Germany. I know it will be Britain.”

A few relics of this moment in history can still be seen in and around our parish. Concrete machine gun posts were put up to repel invaders. You will pass one on the way to Saffron Walden. Signs of a war-time airfield exist at Fowlmere.

Two large concrete circles at Heydon look as if

they were originally anti-aircraft gun sites and search light posts. Family records will have photographs of people preparing to protect themselves if invasion came.

I would hope that local schools could collect such information and mark it on a local map to record it, and put a notice explaining that this or that site once was part of a defence scheme against an invader.

Peter Hodges

Vacancy

Heydon Parish Council is looking for an enthusiastic and conscientious person, with a strong interest in our local community, for the position as Clerk to the Council.

This is a paid position and is estimated to require about 2 hrs work per week on average.

Main duties: Planning meeting agendas with the Chairman and circulating to the Council Attending and taking minutes of Parish Councils meetings Organising, attending and taking minutes of the Annual General Meeting Annual Parish Meeting Supporting the Parish council in dealing with correspondence Updating the Heydon Parish Council website Keeping financial records up to date and organising bill payments Organising internal and external audit papers Sourcing suppliers for Parish Council maintenance Liaising with District and County Councillors Liaising with Highways

• • • • • • • • • •

If you are interested in this role, please contact Diana MacFadyen, Chairman of Heydon Parish Council 838212. For further information please look at our web site: heydonparishcouncil

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The Great War Timetable June 1915 3rd

Third battle of Krithia in the Dardanelles begins.

5th

Denmark amends it’s constitution to give women the vote.

6th

After the sinking of the Lusitania the Kaiser says no more passenger vessels will be attacked by the German navy.

However, on the 28th the liner Armenian is sunk off Cornwall by a submarine.

7th

A Zeppelin is brought down over Ghent by Flight SubLieutenant Reginald Warnfield. Warnfield received the VC for this daring attack only to die in a flying accident near Paris on the 19th.

16th Foundation of the Women’s Institute.

27th British advance up the Euphrates begins. (Modern day Iraq.)

Thanks to Martin and Barbara Shaw for compiling this list of key events

From The Registers Marriages

Marriage of David Brown and Lucinda Coe on Saturday 25 April at St Nicholas, Elmdon Marriage of Alex Bourne and Rebecca Smith on Saturday 16 May at St Nicholas, Elmdon

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Mystery of the Derelict Tomb

This is not a ghost story, although it does centre on a mystery. The tomb in question, now beautifully restored, occupies a highly exalted position in Elmdon Churchyard, in splendid isolation just beyond the East Window.

The mystery, now solved by a patient sleuth, was that no-one seemed to know who was in it. The solution: three members of a family with a locally well-known surname who appear to have taken up permanent residence there in the 18th Century. Several people of that name still live in the area, and some have been traced as far away as Wales. Sadly, it seems that none of those we managed to speak to has any connection with the occupants of this tomb.

You may of course think that when the local church is contemplating the restoration of a derelict tomb in its churchyard, that it will be a good time to keep a low profile – especially if your surname is etched into the stonework. But all the current bearers of this name (including the Welsh ones), honourable and upstanding citizens every one, have been able to demonstrate conclusively that their branch of the family is not the same as the one that occupies the tomb! I have to admit that if my family name had been discovered on a tomb that had lain derelict for well over fifty years I would not have lifted a finger to encourage its restoration. Why would anyone, even a member of the family, want to pay (a lot) to perpetuate the memory of that particular family in a community graveyard when none of the current members of that community is remotely interested? We are not talking about war heroes here, or even local benefactors, just someone who could afford a good "send-off" but omitted

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to provide for perpetual maintenance of the family memorial.

We talked to a stonemason who quoted £3,500 to restore the tomb. That sounded a lot so we got other quotes as well – the highest was £11,750!

We discovered a charity, the Leche Trust, whose objectives include the restoration of monuments in churches; they were kind enough to offer us a significant grant towards the cost of the work. We are tremendously grateful to them because without their help the tomb would undoubtedly still be derelict with no prospect of repair. With the help of the Parish Council we eventually managed to scrape together the £3,500 and instructed our patient and helpful stonemason (he kept his quote open for two years), David Adamson, who did a wonderful job on this forlorn structure which now looks magnificent.

So the story at last has a happy ending. Up to a point. It would seem to be a fair question to ask why we even tried to raise so much money for something that was of no concern to current Elmdon residents. The answer to that question is that the Diocese, backed by English Heritage and other worthy bodies (but without giving a reason), refused even to contemplate letting us remove the structure and grass over the place at minimal cost.

Would that £3,500 not have been far better spent on work to support the living, rather than the long-dead?

That might lead to another question. Our churches are built for the worship of the Lord of Everlasting Life. Why do we surround them with sombre graves and tombstones when the people whose earthly remains are buried there have gone to far better things? One obvious answer is that when loved ones die it's right and proper that we should respect their wish for a churchyard burial, including a well-tended grave. But that leads to a further question. Who will look after that grave when eventually there is no-one left who knew the occupant? The tending of that grave for evermore will become by default the responsibility of whoever has the job of looking after the churchyard. By then, its maintenance will have become a chore. Inevitable deterioration will reach the point at which money will be needed for its restoration. Who will pay for that? Which brings us back to where we started!

I am not for one moment hinting that cremation is "the way to go", nor would I deny that churchyards are often wonderfully atmospheric and fascinating places. It was the experience of trying to solve the problem of what to do about an unloved tomb that raised these gloomy questions in my mind. Who has answers?

John Holford

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OPEN GARDEN Saturday 27th June 2015 2pm – 5pm

Little Chishill Manor Little Chishill Mature garden in wooded valley, shrubs, herbaceous borders, rose garden, kitchen garden Off B.1039 Royston/Saffron Walden Road Between Barley & Great Chishill (SG8 8PA)

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What’s your favourite tipple?

The Friends of Strethall Church are hosting an evening with the English Spirit Distillery, a local company specialising in the production of a diverse range of spirits crafted in England. They will be describing their skills as well as providing samples to taste!

So make a date in your diary for 7.30pm on Friday June 26th at Duddenhoe End Village Hall, CB11 4UU.

Light Refreshments will be available‌all we ask is for your (and your family and friends) presence and a retiring donation at the end of the evening.

For further details on this event please contact Kelvin Whitfield on 01799 527662 or @ kelvino51@hotmail.com

June Dates for regular events 1st &15th

Open Door from 12pm at Chrishall Village Hall.

5th

Copy Deadline June Web to a.wesleywilkinson@tesco.net

10th & 24th Church Mice at United Reform Church rooms in Gt Chishill at 10.30am contact Hazel 838703 or Sally 263231 13th

Gt Chishill Windmill Trust meeting and Art Competition 2-5pm Village Hall (see greatchishillwindmill.com)

16th

Pamper Day at Heydon Place Contact Lyn Vokes 838419

2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd

Community Lunches at 12.30pm at Chrishall School.

Please book by Friday on 838592

Tuesdays

Gt Chishill Youth Group in Term time Contact Fred Smith 07976883542

Thursdays

Gt Chishill Chimps 10-11.45am contact Emily 07900 243491/ Islay 07977 076573 13

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Notes Heydon Craft Fayre Craft stalls, activities for children and, of course, refreshments at Heydon Place (next to the church) on Saturday 13th June 1-4pm. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Heydon Church. All welcome.

Open Gardens : Don’t Miss Little Chishill Manor- Saturday 27th June (see page 12) Hamlet - Sunday 28th June Thank you, Heydon The recent Save the Children collection in Heydon raised £197.

Thank you to everyone who gave so generously. Liz Livingstone Work In Progress Please take a look at our new website – which is still in the process of construction. icknieldwayparish.blogspot.co.uk It can be viewed from mobile phones and other devices. It links to our facebook page too. It will (eventually) keep you informed of service times and parish events.

There will be pictures, videos, the Village Web, and sermons you wish you hadn’t missed! Do make use of it.

Foxton Family Fun Day – with dog show!

Next month.

Our annual Family Fun Day is being held this year on Foxton recreation ground on Sunday 12th July from 12pm - 3pm, to raise funds for Foxton School.

This year the Fun Day will have some exciting new attractions. The afternoon will feature a Fun Dog Show, in aid of ‘We Are Macmillan’ cancer support, AquaZorbs and Football Zorbs for both children and adults to enjoy.

All this as well as the usual stalls bouncy castles, coconut shy, facepainting, tombola, cake stall, bar, barbecue, café and many more!

Littlebury Summer Fete Thank you for supporting the plant and book sale in April, £800 was raised.

The annual Fete, complete with Teddy Zipwire, will be at Holy Trinity Littlebury on Sunday 14th June 2-4.30pm.

With tea, stalls and family fun in store!

Don’t forget to bring your teddy for an adventure of a lifetime!

continued on page 17

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Midsummer Concert The University of London Chamber Choir will be performing at Holy Trinity Littlebury on 21st June at 4pm Admission £12 (students free) Tickets from TIC / www.saffrontickets.com Mad Hatters Tea Party Please see page 19 Sunday 21 June, 2.30pm-5pm in The Marquee at Great Chishill Musical evening A delicious evening of music for a summer’s evening, featuring The Cann Twins and Village Voices, at St Mary’s, Arkesden on Saturday 27th June at 7.30pm.

Tickets £10,including a complimentary glass of wine from Neil Marshall 838122/ neil@marshall.com Hog Roast Lunch Following the Family Communion Service, at midday on Sunday 28 June in the lovely grounds of St Nicholas, Elmdon. Tickets from Jane Holford 838286. Followed by a Cream Tea at Hamlet House, enjoying the beautiful garden, courtesy of Nigel and Dianne Bond.

Opening Party Celebrate the opening of the 17

wonderful new village hall at the Chrishall Village Hall Summer Party on Sunday 28th June 4-7pm.

BBQ, Live Music, Drinks & Children's Entertainment. Tickets are free but need to be pre booked from Dominic 838774/ Mike 838027/ Richard 838930.

Amazing Knight Riders To raise funds for the St Swithun’s Appeal, a small but hardy team are cycling to our St Swithun’s Church in Great Chishill (Cambridgeshire), departing from the other St Swithun’s: Winchester Cathedral on 11th/12th July.

Bit easy? To up the challenge, we will set off at the end of Evensong service on Saturday evening (hoping) to arrive by the end of Sunday morning service in Great Chishill.

Our dear Church is in urgent need of repair, and the Parish is already doing an excellent job of raising the necessary cash in many different ways. While the building may have seen better days physically, the morale of its people is as strong as ever. Any donation, however small, will be greatly appreciated in securing the future of this great Church, and the physical, spiritual, and communal sanctuary it offers to so many.

School Report - Spring 2015 At Chrishall Primary School, we take great pride in the world that we live in and endeavour to support children to learn ‘on the go’ – whether it be inside or outside the school. The idyllic setting in which our school is located, provides endless creative learning opportunities in many different curriculum areas. Having achieved the Eco School’s award, we proudly exhibit our Green Flag in the school entrance and work hard to educate children about ways that society can look after the world and the part that they can play in creating a sustainable future.

Our school Eco Squad has recently helped our new chickens settle into Chrishall life. The children enjoy looking after the chickens and have picked some great names for them - ‘Hubba Bubba’, ‘Truffle’, ‘Lola’, ‘Daisy’, ‘Chickera’, ‘Beyonce’ and ‘Chickerella’. In order to maintain the upkeep of the chickens, the Eco Squad run a very successful second hand bookstall each term. Our new outdoor classroom and musical playground are providing endless learning opportunities for everyone.

Learning life skills are integral to life at Chrishall and Forest School is one of the many tools that we use to support children in developing them. At Chrishall, we offer a programme of Forest School sessions for all children, from reception all the way through to year six. Every Thursday, whatever the weather, our reception children, equipped with resources, trek across the field to the woods. Children are always completely absorbed in a wealth of activities. Throughout the year, each class undertakes two sixweek Forest School blocks. So that purposeful links can be made, sessions are always linked to the class ‘Learning Experience’. I strongly believe that learning outside is 18

magical and can really put the ‘Awe and Wonder’ into teaching and learning. Recently, we were honoured to have an article about Forest School in the Guardian newspaper.

We are now really excited about moving forward with our latest project – the ‘Spiritual Garden’. Following lots of discussions with the children and some amazing creative homework designs, we have been able to come up with a wonderful plan that incorporates all the spiritual elements that the children wished for. With the help of some great parents, the first stages of the garden design are due to commence this week. Once complete, an opening ceremony will be held.

Tracey Bratley, Head Teacher

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Kairos (Youth Group) Youth Group Second Sunday of each month 5pm-6.30pm, The Rectory, Great Chishill Hazel Colebrooke 838703 Clubs For Children: Every Sunday 10.40am Service Viv Rogers 837185 Church Mice 2nd + 4th Wednesday, 10.30am Hazel Colebrooke 838703 Chrishall School Head Teacher: Tracey Bratley 838592 Prayer Groups: Monday Prayers weekly 9.10am, please see bulletin Bible Study Groups: Monday Afternoon Rectory Group 2pm,Gt Chishill Andy Colebrooke 838703 Barnabas Group Wednesday 10.30am, Duddenhoe End Carolyn Hughes 838326 Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study 1.15pm,Gt Chishill Eileen Murrell 838909 Firm Foundations Thursday 8pm,Wenden Lofts Alison Wilkinson 837303 Thursday Evening Fellowship, Thursday 8pm, Gt Chishill Andy Colebrooke 838703 Contacts In Our Villages: Chrishall - Marcus West 838294 Elmdon – Robert Smith 838497 Gt Chishill – Judy Saunders 838571 Hamlet – Kate Chambers 838754 Heydon - Barbara Shaw 838190 Lt Chishill - Peter Lyster 838238 Strethall - Liz Stott 01799 521217 Chrishall Village Hall Bookings: chrishallvhbookings@gmail.com United Reformed Church Gt Chishill: Michael Livings 838708 Bell Ringing: For all towers please contact the church office 837272 Tennis At Strethall: Roger Harcourt 01799 525596 Village Web Contacts: Alison Wilkinson 837303 a.wesleywilkinson@tesco.net Advertising - Andrea Hamblin 838465 webadverts@littlewissett.co.uk Marcus West 838294 Peter Hodges 01462 893546 Mel Chandler 838289

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Summer Craft Fayre at

Heydon Place

Saturday 13th June 1pm - 4pm

Entry (via church gate) ÂŁ2.00 Children under 12 free.

Hot dogs and refreshments A variety of Stalls Activities for children Dogs on leads welcome!

Proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support and Heydon Church