Living Magazines - Tring Summer 2023

Want to play your part in helping the environment this summer? We have some simple ideas for you

THE WITCH THAT NEVER WAS

Tring’s

Welcome to the Summer issue!

As this magazine arrives through your letterbox the local Coronation events will be a happy memory - but hopefully the sense of community they created will linger...

There’s plenty more to look forward to this summer - see our local focus and round-up of local events and days out in our What’s On section for some ideas to keep you and the family entertained over the next few months.

Plus there’s a chance to win a family alpaca amble at Park Hill Farm in Tring or a meal at Lussmanns Sustainable Kitchen and Garden in Berkhamsted.

Our garden feature focuses on growing easy salads - perfect for a summertime supperand we’ve rounded up 13 easy ways to help you stay sustainable. Our walk explores Ashley Green and Hockeridge Wood. If you’re out in the countryside, look out for some of

the area’s stunning butterflies, like the one featured on our cover. Visit the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust website for more details on local butterflies.

If you have summer birthdays to buy for, take a look at ‘shop local’ for ideas - our local retailers will appreciate your support, we’re sure.

As always, the magazine includes lots of local news, while our local history feature focuses on the sad tale of the last ‘witch’ in Tring.

If you want to be involved in the next issue, please email Naomi at editorial@livingmags. info with your news prior to our autumn issue.

Happy reading!

Alison and Naomi Owner & Editor

Get ready for Carnival!

The 2023 Tring Summer Carnival runs from Thursday 13 July to Sunday 16 July with plenty of fun, music and laughter. Maybe you want to pit your team against another for the Biq Quiz Night plus the fantastic Rock n Roll Bingo on Thursday night. Friday afternoon is Rennie Grove Supporter afternoon and in the evening it’s the Beer & Band Night featuring Elasticats.

Saturday 15 July is carnival day, with the parade, live music, dancing, Savage Skills performing in the arena, dog show, children’s fairground rides, plenty of stalls and vintage car show. On the Saturday evening, Music in the Marquee is presented by Tring Music Partnership and Tring Together in aid of the Hospice of St Francis. Bar and hot food available.

Wicked display!

With the excitement that construction of the Wicked film set at Ivinghoe has brought to the area (and the hope that Ariana Grande might do a Keanu Reeves and appear in one of the town’s pubs looking for lunch!) it’s lovely to see florist Magnolia in the High Street entering into the spirit.

Proprietor Helen Mitchell and florist Georgia Hazel put together this mini version of the Munchkin village. They told Living: ‘We have seen the film set up in Ivinghoe where they are currently filming Wicked and we thought we would create our own mini version of the village

And Sunday 16 July is Tring Blues Bar Blues Fest. Doors open 12.30pm and music finishes at 5pm. See www.bluesbartring.co.uk for details.

Ticket details at www.tringtogether.org.uk

and the yellow brick road to let the people of Tring know that it’s being filmed right on our doorstep!’

Tring band to rock at festival

Agroup of Tring School sixth formers recently took the top spot in a battle of the bands competition, and as a result will be performing at a festival that attracts an audience of 15,000 people.

Indie rock band QuoteBook triumphed at the Hertfordshire Battle of the Bands in Buntingford. The band members - Zack Barnard (lead singer/drums); James Reynolds (lead guitar), Jasper Moran (keys/guitar) and Arthur Bates (bass) - are all aged 17, and rehearse weekly at Tring School.

They told Living: ‘We formed the band as a shared passion when we were in Year 4 (when we were eight years old), and properly started gigging and performing in the last three years. We have been trying to play as much as we can to build momentum and get known, and also because we love doing it. We headlined at the Tring Christmas Festival and have also played at Tring Carnival and Pendley Theatre.’

They will be playing at Standon Calling - a festival that features the likes of Years and Years, Scouting for Girls, The Human League, and Melanie C on its bill. They said: ‘We are all really looking forward to performing at our first festival, it should be a great opportunity to play and get heard.’

The band is releasing its first album this summer and will also be appearing at Tring Together Music in the Marquee on 15 July.

Go big, go green

Tring’s Great Big Green Week will take place between 10 and 18 June. The Great Big Green Week encourages whole communities to come together to celebrate our environment and take action to tackle climate change.

The Great Big Green Week includes everything from cookery to craft, festivals to football matches, and shop window displays to school assemblies.

The drive to promote The Great Big Green Week locally has been brought about by The Sustainable Tring Thing working in partnership with Tring Town Council. The Sustainable Tring

Thing is a local grassroots movement supporting the development of projects, campaigns and initiatives to further the sustainable development and enhancement of the community of Tring and the surrounding area. Get in touch with them at sustainabletringthing@gmail.com.

For more on Tring’s Great Big Green Week see: https://greatbiggreenweek.com

Bestsellers flock to BeaconLit

For 10 years, the village of Ivinghoe has hosted BeaconLit – a book festival with a friendly, villagey atmosphere loved by authors and audience alike.

The festival, which raises funds for the Beacon Villages Community

Library, will be held on Saturday 8 July in Brookmead School, Ivinghoe, and boasts an eclectic lineup.

There will be live interviews with bestsellers Cara Hunter, A J Pearce, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Rebecca Wait, as well as a panel entitled ‘Doctor! Doctor!’, featuring medical thriller writers Heather J Fitt, Annie Payne and Eve Smith. And the ever-popular ‘New Voices’ panel brings together exciting debut authors Aidan Cottrell-Boyce, Jacqueline Crooks and Natasha Hastings.

Early Bird tickets, priced £25 are available until 5 June, offering a £10 (29%) saving over the full price of £35. Book online at beaconlit.co.uk/tickets.

Come and run for fun!

The Tring Midsummer Fun Run is now in its 21st year, and is one of the most popular running events in Dacorum. It’s an event for the whole family with races for all age groups - from pre-schoolers to adults. This year’s Fun Run will take place at Tring Park Cricket Club on Wednesday, 21 June, with the first races starting at 5.30pm. Entry is just £1 per child and free for pre-school children! Every child will receive a medal, which may even be handed to you by the Mayor of Tring.

Local children were asked to design this year’s medal and the winning design was created by Kaja Ziembaczewska, as chosen by the children of Dundale school. The adult run (year 10 and above) will follow a 6km loop through Tring and will start at 7:30 pm. Grab your friends and join in; you might even win one of the team prizes.

Fingers crossed the sun will shine again, just as it did last year. There’ll be music, a BBQ and other refreshment stalls too.

Details at

www.tringrunningclub.org.uk/funrun

Cara Hunter © Matthew Hood

A J Pearce © Alexander James

Rebecca Wait

Laura ShepherdRobinson

Pendley Manor launches Rose Garden Grand Suite

Pendley Manor has launched its new Rose Garden Grand Suite, giving guests the opportunity to indulge in large-scale events, all in the middle of a peaceful forest glade in 35 acres of rural Hertfordshire.

Situated adjacent to Pendley Manor’s Rose Garden, the Suite offers views from the windows towards the gardens, the romantic steps into the woodlands and the grand manor house in the background.

Accommodating from 150 to 900 guests, the venue is

finished with a neutral wooden floor throughout, high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and plenty of natural light. It provides a dream setting for weddings, with a dedicated events team taking care of all the details, so couples can focus on exchanging vows and simply celebrating.

According to General Manager Chetan Bhanot: ‘One common theme has been an influx of enquiries for celebratory events – receptions, award ceremonies, dinners, and even summer and Christmas parties.’

He added: ‘We are very excited to play host to some superb functions in this spectacular new space, which brings fresh new surroundings for people to come together and celebrate.’

Herts ‘one of the top five safest places’

Hertfordshire has been officially recognised as one of the safest places to live in England and Wales.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire David Lloyd welcomed the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which show the county has the fifth lowest overall crime rate.

Measured across 43 police force areas, Hertfordshire registered 63.3 crimes per 1,000

residents, which is two thirds of the average. It is the lowest in the Eastern region with Cambridge scoring 80.7, Essex 91 and Norfolk 75.7.

• Hertfordshire has, however, been revealed as one of the five places most susceptible to cybercrime in England and Wales.

A study by cyber security experts CloudTech24 found that residents of the Greater Manchester area were most susceptible to cybercrime, with the Hertfordshire area in fifth place. In the past 13 months, there were 648 cybercrime reports or 5.42 reports per 10,000 people. Social media and email account hacking were the most common reports, followed by computer viruses or malware cases.

Stringer Mann teaches good finance habits

Robert Stringer and Ed Evans of Stringer Mann Chartered Financial Planners recently completed a series of free, fun and engaging financial education workshops for Year 9 students at Berkhamsted School, to help them build brighter financial futures.

Aimed at children aged 13-14, the workshops, called Your Future. were interactive and highenergy, incorporating strategic game play and discussion-based learning. The young people learned about risk and reward, saving, banking, budgeting, borrowing, lending and more.

Robert Stringer, partner of the Berkhamstedbased firm and founder of Hector’s House, a

suicide prevention and mental health awareness charity for young people, said: ‘It’s reported that 96% of British teenagers worry about money daily. And we know now that money habits can begin to form in children as young as seven, so the younger we start educating them the better – not only for their financial futures but for their mental health as well.’

Sarah Gledhill, head of sociology & head of personal development at Berkhamsted School, commented: ‘We recognise the role that effective financial education can play in overall wellbeing and feel that these sessions have been a valuable addition to our personal development curriculum this year.’’

Tring swimmers win league

two thrilling rounds and a stunning finale, team A won first place, while team B achieved a very impressive fifth position.

Both teams put in some very gutsy performances from swimmers who gave it their all in every race to maximise points. The club’s motto - Teamwork, Skills, Compete - really proved itself, as the swimmers worked well in teams, and their finely tuned skills provided the strength and stamina in the water to go the extra millisecond.

Tring Swimming Club’s A team has taken top spot in the Herts Major League and earned promotion to the premier league.

Tring was the only club in Hertfordshire to enter two teams into this year’s league, and after

“Special thanks also go to the coaches and volunteers of the club who make these things happen, while unlocking the talent and dedication of our amazing swimmers,” said chairman Mike Billingham. “In the end, the combined teamwork paid off, securing both teams well-earned results.”

Herts Girl Guides launch police badge

Together, they spent an afternoon undertaking a series of activities including a crime solving exercise; how to keep themselves safe; and understanding the vehicles and equipment used by frontline policing teams, including a drone demonstration from Hertfordshire’s Rural Operational Support Team.

Catherine Roper, who is now Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, said: ‘The Girlguiding Police Challenge Badge offers an ideal opportunity to get the local Guiding units of all ages to think about the values of policing and public service.

Around 100 Hertfordshire Girl Guides aged from five to 14 became the first in the county to earn the Girlguiding Policing Challenge Badge recently.

Catherine Roper, a long-serving Guide Leader for Girlguiding in Berkhamsted and the National Police Chief Council lead for Children and Young People, was joined by Hertfordshire police officers and staff with Rainbows, Brownies and Girl Guides at Thomas Corum School in Berkhamsted.

‘I would like to congratulate Hertfordshire Constabulary for launching the Girlguiding Policing badge and thank them for being part of such a special day. The girls had a brilliant time. We want to see more young women joining the police service and I think earning the Police Challenge Badge is a great step to help us in promoting policing careers to girls and young women.’

Marshcroft decision expected in the autumn

Adecision from the inquiry into the Marshcroft development in Tring is not likely to appear until the autumn.

While the gathering of evidence has been completed, the inspector must complete his report and make a recommendation to Michael Gove, the Minister of State.

The proposed development would see 1,400 dwellings on farmland in the Green Belt east of Tring, abutting the Chilterns AONB between Bulbourne and Station Road, Tring, either side of Marshcroft Lane.

The proposal was refused by Dacorum Borough Council and a Planning Inquiry into that refusal was conducted during February and March.

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Tring vehicle leasing specialist Greenfleets has been named Best Small Broker by Broker News in 2023. The judges included leasing companies and experts across the industry.

Everybody needs good neighbours

Rennie Grove is bringing the Compassionate Neighbours project to Dacorum - and looking for new volunteers.

Compassionate Neighbours is an awardwinning social movement that sees volunteers matched with community members in their area, to offer friendship and emotional support to people who are lonely, ill or isolated due to life-limiting illness or bereavement.

Fiona McGregor has been volunteering for two years. She says: ‘My first Community Member was isolated due to illness and didn’t have family living nearby. I visited her at home once a week to offer company and friendship. I feel we both gained

so much from the friendship, and I am now looking forward to a similar relationship with my new local match.’

Volunteers don’t need any kind of experience or relevant background, as full training and support is given.

To find out more about either accessing the support of a Compassionate Neighbour or offering your time, email compassion@peacehospicecare.org.uk or call 01923 330 330.

Farmers Market moves to High Street

Tring Farmers Market is back on the High Street; from 10 June it will be located at Church Square and Mansion Vista.

The market offers a variety of fresh produce, including lamb, beef, pork, eggs from rare breed chickens, a range of breads, cakes, honey and other preserves, charcuterie and cheese, some of which is ripened locally at Wendover.

As the better weather approaches, the market is brimming with fresh summer produce, including High Speed Stilton cheese, and other delicious items that are perfect for any summer gathering. The market encourages eating seasonally and locally, which is a challenging but rewarding experience.

In addition to fresh produce, the market also hopes to introduce a veg stall.

The new location is expected to encourage more High Street shopping to support the town and community engagement.

Ashlyns Festival returns for feast of family fun

Ashlyns School and grounds are being transformed into a magical, fairy-light strewn festival playground for the Ashlyns Festival, which returns for family-friendly fun in July.

Run by the Ashlyns School Association (ASA), with profits going directly back to the school, it promises to be even bigger and better than before with comedians fresh from the professional circuit, live music, an activity-filled FunZone, a fully licensed bar, a sizzling array of local food and the ever-popular Glow Up Tent.

The festival gets off to a spicy start on Friday 14 July with a Comedy and Curry Night (for adults

only) led by Paul Sinha, The Sinnerman. Music takes centre stage on Saturday 15 July with live performances all day and into the night. There will be a range of games and activities on offer for youngsters - and the young at heart - in the new FunZone, and festival-goers will be encouraged to get their glitter on in the Glow Up Tent.

Tickets from ashlynsfestival.co.uk

For sponsorship and pitch opportunities contact ashlynsfestival@gmail.com.

Tring’s comedy festival, The Tringe, runs from 2 to 22 July. Organisers tell us it’s the fastest selling year since 2010, so book tickets now! www.get-stuffed.biz/tringe

Supportive child psychology

Recent data from the NHS has revealed that as of December 2022, the number of people waiting for an autism assessment has increased by 40%. In Hertfordshire and surrounding counties, children may wait for one to three years for an autism assessment and even longer to receive the right support in school.

To address the growing waiting lists and lack of support for children with special educational needs, Your Way Psychology and Education has recently started supporting children and families in Tring, Berkhamsted, and surrounding villages by providing private autism assessments and support services. Their approach mirrors that of NHS services but with a wait list of a few weeks and not years.

Autism may present itself in a number of ways, including difficulties with friendships, communication, adjusting behaviour to suit various social contexts, and picking up on social cues; restricted or repetitive behaviours; an unusually deep fascination in a topic or object, and being under or over-sensitive to sounds, lights, texture, and smells.

Receiving an autism diagnosis is just the first step in getting the right support in school. Your Way Psychology and Education help parents work with schools and find a way forward for their child to receive the necessary support.

Find out more at www.yourwaypsychology.co.uk

Tring Council update

Summer festivities will continue with Dinosaur Day at the Memorial Garden providing half term fun on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 June.

The new council was elected and took office on 9 May. Councillors are settling into their new roles, and you can meet one or two of them at the ‘Meet the Council’ stall at the Summer Carnival on 15 July.

Other news around town - the parks and play equipment were inspected in March, and apart from a few minor issues which have now been resolved, the parks are officially safe!

Bollards have been painted in Church Square, the bus shelter cleaned, and the flower bed repaired and re-planted by a wonderful team of volunteers. Watch out for the blooms, coming soon!

Walk this way to volunteer

View the Dacorum timetable at https://tinyurl. com/3kx9hux5.

If you are interested in volunteering, email healthwalks.cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk, call 01992 555 888 or visit the website.

Anew summer programme of Hertfordshire Health Walks has started in Tring and surrounding areas, and volunteers are needed!

The walks offer participants the chance to enjoy the local countryside and green spaces in trails led by qualified volunteer leaders. They can meet new people and enjoy the many health and well-being benefits walking provides. Walks are volunteer-led, friendly and local – everyone (aged 18 years and above) is welcome!

All walks are free and they are graded between 20-30 minutes (First Steps) and up to 90 minutes (Grade 4) unless otherwise stated, while Grade 4+ progression walks can last up to 2 hours.

To attend you can register at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/healthwalks or turn up 15 minutes before your first walk and complete a New Walker Form.

Serving Wendover, Tring , Aylesbury, Amersham, and all surrounding areas.

Funeral Director Jason Brown has over 25 years experience and is here to assist you with making funeral arrangements, be they traditional, green or totally bespoke.

• Home visits

• Pre paid funeral plans

• Recommended by The Good Funeral Guide

Changing a child’s surname: what you need to consider

Achild’s surname can be a significant part of their identity and ancestral history. The decision on whose surname a child should carry can therefore be a substantial one. Sometimes, one parent may decide that it is necessary for a child’s surname to be changed. This often occurs when parents separate and the mother may want her and her child to use her maiden name, for example. It is not a decision that should be taken lightly, so here are five key things that you should consider.

1. Obtaining agreement

A surname can be lawfully changed, provided that all those with Parental Responsibility give consent. Name changes can be implemented by Change of Name Deed or by Deed Poll.

2. If an agreement cannot be reached

If one person with Parental Responsibility disagrees with changing the surname, matters can become more complicated. Without the consent of others with Parental Responsibility for the child, a child’s surname cannot be changed unless the Court grants permission.

The Court’s decision depends on the reasoning behind the application - note that there is a high threshold that will need to be met. The Court often takes the view that the child should keep its surname as it is, unless the change will result in an obvious improvement to the child’s welfare.

3. The child’s wishes and feelings

For children old enough to understand the implications of a name change, we advise those with Parental Responsibility to take the child’s wishes and feelings into consideration.

If the issue regarding the child’s surname is presented before a Court, the Court will consider the child’s wishes and feelings. However, it is worth noting that these are not always determinative to a Court.

4. The welfare of the child

Ultimately, the welfare of the child is of paramount importance to the Court. When determining whether to agree to changing a child’s surname, the Court will consider the effect of the change on the child’s welfare, including considering the length of time the child has been known by their existing surname, the effect that changing (or not changing) their surname would have on them and the reason(s) for the change of surname.

5. Family tradition and heritage: You may wish to consider the importance of maintaining a family name or cultural heritage.

In summary, changing a child’s surname is a complex decision that requires careful consideration of the legal, emotional and practical factors. If there is a dispute between those with Parental Responsibility, we suggest seeking legal advice and considering alternative dispute resolution options.

Get more help

To discuss changing a child’s surname after a divorce, or if you believe your ex-partner has changed your child’s surname, please contact Lennons’ specialist family law team on 01442 891400 or hellotring@lennonssolicitors.co.uk.

fno i ecned

Investing can be daunting. Where’s the best place to put your savings? What level of risk are you willing to take? How might fluctuating markets affect your investment? And how can you monitor performance?

We understand. Which is why we aim to take the stress out of the process. At St. James’s Place, our distinctive approach to investment management calls on the expertise of some of the world’s leading fund managers. Which means healthy long-term investment performance is within your grasp. What’s more, being local means we’re here to help whenever you need us.

The value of an investment with SJP will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

Alura

Bailey

PE

16 Belvoir non-alcoholic cocktails from £4.50

17 Creative Juices Brewery from £3.30

18 Chiltern ice cream £5.95

19 Goats of the Gorge products from £3.50

20 Home produced honey mustard and BBQ sauce £3.75

21 On Angel Wing cards £3.50

Puddingstone Distillery - Tring

22 Campfire Gin Gift Pack 3 x 10cl bottles £32

23 Canteen Honey Gin 70cl £39

Tring Brewery - Tring

24 Bionic Bull Coffee Roasters ‘House Blend

Whole Bean Coffee’ made with Ethiopian, Colombian and Brazilian varietals. 250g £12

25 Chiltern Cider Company ‘Black Lab Medium Dry Cider’ 6.5% ABV 500ml £3.50

26 Wye Valley Meadery ‘Pure Honey Mead’

‘Honey & Elderflower Mead’ ‘Honey & Rhubarb Mead’. 4.0% ABV, 330ml £3.25

Whilst we have made every effort to ensure these details are correct, you must confirm directly with the retailer.

Keep your prestige car purring with a comprehensive and competitively priced service. Specialising in Jaguar & Landrover vehicles for over 25 years. Kings Road Garage offers a friendly, efficient service. We also offer maintenance and repairs on electric and hybrid vehicles.

TAKE AN ALPACA FOR AN AMBLE!

Up for grabs is a family Alpaca Amble for up to six people - worth £90.

The Living Magazines team visited Tring’s Park Hill Farm recently to try out the experience for ourselves.

First we met the three boys - the tallest one, Winston was happily humming to himself. With him were Freddie and Albie. Once we had said hello, the boys got their harnesses on and we had a lovely stroll around the field, stopping for them to enjoy some new grass and some nibbles. Owner Sam has set up stopping stations around the field, where she will explain more about alpacas, where they are from, how they live in the wild and so on.

After your amble you could stop off for a cuppa at the Stable Shack Tea room. The little cafe has also become well-known for its afternoon teas, with home made cakes and sandwiches.

The farm also offers an Alpaca Picnic, and Unicorn adventures too, for younger guests. A wonderful way to get away from the stresses of everyday life, get out in the countryside and enjoy time with these beautiful animals.

For a chance to win simply answer the following question and go to our website to enter www.livingmags.info/competition.

What are the three alpacas’ full names?

(Find the answer at www.alpacaandunicornadventures.com)

Terms and conditions apply, visit website for details. Closing date: 15 July 2023.

WIN A MEAL FOR FOUR THIS SUMMER AT LUSSMANNS

Summer is here, and what better way to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather than a meal with friends at Hertfordshire’s most sustainable independent restaurant, Lussmanns Sustainable Kitchen And Garden, in Berkhamsted?

The popular Berkhamsted restaurant is situated on the High Street in a charming Grade II Listed building, and has recently celebrated its first birthday.

Lussmanns Sustainable Kitchen restaurant group (which has five restaurants in total across Hertfordshire) has won multiple awards for its sustainability ethos over the past 20 years: it uses renewable energy, recycles its waste and only uses suppliers who practise humane and responsible fishing and farming.

The Berkhamsted eatery has a cosy bar area for pre-dinner drinks as well as pretty private and semi-private dining areas, and an expansive, light-filled conservatory room, which leads out onto one of the largest restaurant walledgardens in the area – it’s a real sun-trap!

You could win a delicious three-course lunch or dinner for four people at Lussmanns Berkhamsted. Extra courses and beverages are not included in the prize.

For a chance to win simply answer the following question and go to our website for more details. www.livingmags.info/competition.

How many restaurants does Lussmanns have across Hertfordshire?

Terms and conditions apply, visit website for details. Closing date: 14 July 2023.

What our customers say:

Advertising and leaflet inserts in both the Tring and Berkhamsted Living magazines has consistently been one, if not the best routes to new markets we’ve found. Working with Alison and her team is something we’re looking forward to doing over the months and years to come.

Tom Beeston, Chiltern Society

What our customers say:

I track all our enquiries I can confirm that the Living magazine has been a great source of interested customers.

Dagnall Container Storage

What our customers say:

Our Kit Heath Bee pendant flourished in the Spring magazine, thank you so much for featuring it for us.

Charlotte Hewitt, Bailey & Sons,

Tring’s John Bly has recently published the story of Ruth Osborne (‘the Witch of Tring’), the last woman to be condemned to death for witchcraft in the UK. John was inspired to find out more after reading her tale on the Tring Rural History website. Ruth’s fate is described in story form in the book by Alan Warner from Long Marston, one of the site’s founders. Below are extracts from the first two chapters of The Witch That Never Was.

Ruth Osborne’s story; Early April 1751

We approach the door of the farmhouse and John knocks softly. No one comes to the door so he knocks again, much harder this time. A man opens the door and he has an angry look on his face.

‘What in God’s name do you want at this time of night,’ he says, in a loud and angry voice, matched by the expression on his face. ‘I remember you Osborne, if you’re here for a job you’re wasting your time. You’re far too old and I’ve got all the men I need’.

The witch that never was

I decide to say something. ‘Mr Butterfield kind sir. I’m Ruth Osborne. My husband’s not here for a job, we’re here to ask for you to help us by giving us some food, maybe some buttermilk. We’re starving and would appreciate anything you can give us. I can’t tell you how much we hate having to beg but we have no choice, we are desperate’.

He looks at me as if I’ve just crawled out of something. He replies:

‘I have no time for beggars, particularly strange people like you. Have you any idea what it’s like trying to make a living by farming these days? But I don’t go around asking others to help me. You can just b****** off and don’t come back or I’ll set my dogs on you.’

My husband is well known for his temper and turns around to shout back at this awful man. But I put my hand on his arm and tell him that it is a waste of time and we should go.

‘Just leave him alone’, I say to John. ‘People like him will rot in hell and damnation one day and they deserve it. A curse on him and his farm I say.’

Butterfield shouts again to me. ‘What did you say about me, you witch?’

‘I wasn’t talking to you,’ I reply.

John Butterfield’s Story; mid April 1751

I just can’t cope any longer. I lost the last one of my calves today, some kind of disease that has been spreading into Wilstone and Puttenham these last few weeks and has somehow found its way into my herd. And I have lost two of my most reliable men because I had no money to pay them last week. So there is no one to see to my fields and care for my crops. I can’t work in the field myself because I’ve started getting these strange fits again.

Everything’s suddenly going wrong these last few weeks and I don’t know why. The Chapmans - who own the next farm along the road and have no cattle disease, typical – tell me that my bad luck is connected to that strange couple, the Osbornes, who came begging a few weeks ago. I decide that the best way of coping with all this is my favourite remedy, a jug of ale. But I have no ale left and decide that I will go along to the Queens Head and drink some more, maybe share my grievances with some of the other farmers and labourers who gather there most evenings.

I feel a need to tell everyone how unfair life has been to me. This starts a conversation in which everyone joins in. As the ale flows, the mood becomes more angry and my friends seem more and more determined to do something on my behalf.

They tell me that the only certain remedy is to

submit the witch and wizard to a ducking, in the presence of the neighbourhood. Apparently we first have to send a message to the Town Crier in Hemel Hempstead, asking him, for a fee of four pence, to read out a notice of the impending ducking. One farmer is so keen that he agrees to draft the message himself and send one of his labourers to Hemel the next morning. He even writes it out before we split up. It says:

‘This is to give notice that on Monday next there is to be at Long Marston in the Parish of Tring, two ill disposed persons to be ducked by the neighbours consent.’

What happened to Ruth? And why did a chimney sweep who attended the ducking get charged with murder? You can read the rest of the story and learn the fates of John Butterfield and John Osborne in the book, which is available from Tring Local History Museum, with proceeds going to charity.

TINY TRAVELLERS

Holidays with children don’t have to be a drag –follow these tips to relieve the travel tedium

Travelling with children can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be challenging. Fortunately, there are small steps you can take to make your vacation a memorable experience for the right reasons (not the meltdowns at the airport!).

Plan ahead

Before you travel, research your destination to find out what activities are available for kids, where you can access child-friendly restaurants, and what amenities are available for families. This will help you to plan your itinerary and ensure there is as little room as possible for boredom to creep in.

Pack wisely

When packing for a family trip, make sure to bring along all the essentials such as nappies, wipes, medicine and extra clothes. Pack snacks and drinks to keep your kids fuelled and hydrated during the journey.

Games, books, tablets and toys are essential for long waits or flights.

Choose kid-friendly accommodations

When deciding where to stay, look for hotels or resorts that offer child-friendly areas such as kids’ clubs, pools, and playgrounds. This will help keep your youngsters entertained and allow you to relax too, knowing that they are safe and having fun.

Involve your kids in the planning process

Let your little ones in on the planning process by encouraging them to choose some of the activities or destinations you will visit. This will help them feel more invested in the trip and give them something to look forward to… not to mention acting as a helpful incentive for good behaviour!

Be flexible

Travelling can be unpredictable at the best of times, and doubly so when children are involved, so it’s important to be flexible and willing to change your plans if needed. Be prepared for delays, unexpected tantrums, and other challenges that may arise.

Make safety a priority

Every parent’s worst nightmare is losing contact with your children or them becoming ill in an unfamiliar place. Make sure your kids are always supervised and that you have a plan in case of an emergency. If travelling abroad, make sure to research any health or safety risks and take the necessary precautions.

Take breaks

Travelling can be exhausting, especially for smaller children. Be sure to take breaks throughout the day to give your kids a chance to rest and recharge. This will help prevent meltdowns and ensure that everyone stays in good spirits.

Bring buggies and scooters

If your child is still young enough to use a buggy or is used to riding on a scooter, remembering to pack them can be a godsend. It will make navigating through crowded airports or busy tourist destinations much easier!

Be tech savvy

While it’s important to limit screen time, technology can be a lifesaver when travelling with kids. Bring along a tablet or other device loaded with age-appropriate games and

videos to keep your kids entertained during long flights or car rides.

Enjoy the ride

Travelling with kids can be stressful, but it can also be a lot of fun. Remember to take time to enjoy the experience and make memories with your family. With a little planning and preparation, you can have a successful and enjoyable trip with your kids.

“Once you enter the iron gates, you are transported to another world” Lock ers Park Parent

Pirate Word Scramble

1. EPRTAI…………….

2. DREMIAM……………..

3. RRTAPO……………..

4. EAURTERS PMA………………….

5. LYLOJ REGOR…………………..

6. MSPASOC………………..

alk 7

WALKS AROUND TOWN

Ashley Green and Hockeridge Wood

An attractive, mainly level walk, which takes you along paths and quiet lanes through fields and woods: Hockeridge Wood and Pancake Wood have been planted with a wide variety of ornamental and forest trees including traditional native species such as beech, oak, and cherry. Information plates at the base of some of the trees tell you more about them.

Ashley Green and Hockeridge Wood

Distance:

attractive, mainly level walk which takes you along paths and quiet lanes through fields and woods: Hockeridge Wood and Pancake Wood have been planted wide variety of ornamental and forest trees including traditional native species such as beech, oak, and cherry. Information plates at the base of some of trees tell you more about them.

Distance: 4 miles (allow 2 ½ hours)

Start: Parking in the village of Ashley Green. Golden Eagle pub car park (with landlord’s permission). Access: Fairly level walk.

Refreshments: Golden Eagle pub.

Parking in the village. Golden Eagle pub car park (with landlord’s permission).

Information: Fairly level walk.

Refreshments: Golden Eagle pub.

Route

far end of the car park at the Eagle pub, go through a metal gate and cross a field with a hedge right to meet another gate. Go turn right alongside a hedge and downhill to a gate at the entrance Hockeridge Wood.

Go through this track ends, bear left along the

Turn left and follow this quiet lane for about 600m to a footpath sign on your right.

Climb up the steps, go through the gate

1. From the far end of the car park at the Golden Eagle pub, go through a metal kissing gate and cross a field with a hedge on your right to meet another gate. Go through, turn right alongside a hedge and gently downhill to a gate at the entrance to Hockeridge Wood.

track that runs parallel to the

follow the broad path up and along the wood for 850m and down gate onto John’s Lane. ignoring the other road joining it left, and immediately left along a towards Marlin Chapel Farm. passing to the right of the farm, follow come to the end of a lane. along the lane until it meets up lane at Clamber Cottage.

Continue through a series of gates to reach John's Lane. Turn left along the lane for 100m to the main entrance to Hockeridge Wood. Turn right through the side gate and keep straight ahead for over 500m to meet a wide crossing track. Turn right, drop down through the next field to reach the car park of the

2. Go through this gate, follow the broad path up and along through the wood for 850m and down through a gate onto John’s Lane.

bridleway round as it curves to the left,

and walk along the left hand side of the field. a gate and continue uphill along the hedgerow and then turn left through a gate, crossing Golden Eagle pub.

3. Turn right, ignoring the other road joining it from your left, and immediately left along a concrete track that runs parallel to the A41.

4. Where the track ends, bear left along the field edge towards Marlin Chapel Farm.

After passing to the right of the farm, follow the bridleway round as it curves to the left, until you come to the end of a lane.

5. Turn left along the lane until it meets up with the lane at Clamber Cottage. Turn left and follow this quiet lane for about 600m to a footpath sign on your right.

6. Climb up the steps, go through the gate and walk along the left hand side of the field. Continue through a series of gates to reach John’s Lane. Turn left along the lane for 100m to the main entrance to Hockeridge Wood.

Turn right through the side gate and keep straight ahead for over 500m to meet a wide crossing track. Turn right, drop down through a gate and continue uphill along the hedgerow and then turn left through a gate, crossing the next field to reach the car park of the Golden Eagle pub. Download the walk from our website at www.livingmags.info.

• With thanks to the Chiltern Society

SALAD DAYS

Spring into summer by giving life to your own salad vegetables.

As we prepare to enter that golden summer season in our garden, you may well experience that tinge of disappointment when seeing some plants not flourish to their full potential, and there are always a cluster of seeds not sown that could now be full of life.

That’s what makes salad plants so appealing – not only is their success rate high, but there may still be time to get them in the soil as they grow quickly and, of course, are ideal accompaniments to that classic summer escape – the barbecue!

So as the weather warms up, consider planting these super salad plants to ensure that you have fresh and healthy ingredients on hand this year whenever you need them.

Lettuce

A salad staple, lettuce is also one of the easiest salad plants to grow, and it can be sown directly into the soil in the spring and summer months. There are many different types of lettuce to choose from, including crisphead, butterhead, and looseleaf.

Rocket

Rocket has launched itself into the hearts of UK salad eaters, and it’s not hard to understand why.

Peppery and vibrant, the leaf also known as arugula adds a lot of flavour to any dish and is quick to grow.

Radishes

You may think radishes are rad; or you may think they taste very, very bad. Regardless, this crunchy and peppery root vegetable is easy to grow and can go from seed to serve in as little as four weeks.

Spring onions

When it comes to livening up dull dishes, the humble spring onion is a powerhouse of flavour and versatility.

Spruce up stir-fries, make a delightful dip or even whizz up a delicious summertime soup.

Spinach

Spinach may be known for its super-strength giving properties, but the plant itself is rather sensitive, requiring six weeks of cool weather from seeding to harvest.

Mizuna

Spice up your life with Mizuna, a Japanese salad green that has a slightly fiery and peppery taste.

Chard

A stunningly beautiful and vibrant plant that loves the sun and takes up very little space, chard’s glorious colouring will also complement the late summer blooms in your flowerbeds.

Chard

Mizuna

QUICK CROSSWORD

Across Clues:

5. Food substance for spreading (9)

8. Lift your foot (4)

9. Currency, domestic transactions in China (8)

10. Scatter (7)

11. Notational symbols (5)

13. Significant (5)

15. Obvious (7)

18. A machine that controls another (8)

19. Town (4)

20. Decisive victory (9)

Down Clues:

1. Production (6)

2. Finished (7)

3. Period of time (5)

4. Obtain (6)

6. Speech (9)

7. Dislike intensely (9)

12. Total (7)

14. Relating to the eyes (6)

16. 10 years (6)

17. Musical composition for a solo instrument (5)

Across: 5. Nutbutter, 8. Step, 9. Renminbi, 10. Bestrew, 11. Neume, 13. Major, 15. Evident, 18. Actuator, 19. City, 20. Landslide.

Down: 1. Output, 2. Aborted, 3. Stint, 4. Derive, 6. Utterance, 7. Abominate, 12. Overall, 14. Ocular, 16. Decade, 17. Etude.

Mindful Movement

Try something different - discover ‘Awareness Through Movement’ with the Feldenkrais Method

The Feldenkrais Method has the potential to benefit us all in some way.

We discover possibilities for easier movement and learn to make lasting changes in posture, co-ordination, breathing and flexibility.

We learn to take care of ourselves more effectively, through increased self-awareness. Day-to-day aches and pains are alleviated and prevented. Limitations caused by illness, injury or disability are reduced.

We take time to relax and regenerate, calming the mind through focussed attention on gentle movement sequences.

Claire has been attending classes for several years. She says:

“I keep discovering different ways to move more easily…a range and pleasure in movement I

remember having when I was younger. The weekly lessons have added a richness to my life. Feldenkrais has helped me relax in my body, learn how flexible and versatile I can be and - most wonderfully and quite simply - it has helped me feel connected with myself. It’s my weekly reboot - a rebalancing for body and mind.”

Andy says: “The weekly session is an oasis of calm and relaxation coupled with gaining an awareness of movement, coordination and how everything links up. A big recommend.”

Jo Horder has been a Feldenkrais Guild accredited practitioner since 2013, offering group classes and individual lessons. Both forms are suitable for people of all ages, whatever your fitness or state of health. The gentle movement sequences can be adapted to suit your needs and explored at your own pace.

AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT CLASSES

with Josephine Horder

Awareness Through Movement (ATM) is the name given to group classes in the Feldenkrais Method. We explore the ‘mind-body connection’ through very gentle movement sequences designed to promote a sense of well-being, whatever your level of fi tness and state of health. People often say they feel taller, more spacious, more ‘whole’; pain and stiff ness are reduced and movement is easier.

BOOKS

Heading off on holiday? Take one of our books from local authors to read!

Local authors! Let us know about your book releases. Email editorial@livingmags.info

The Empire Theatre Murders

By Jack Murray

If you love a murder mystery, the theatre and period dramas - this is the book for you.

Set in the 1920s, it features Kit and Mary Aston who are asked to investigate threatening letters that have been sent to the performers in a seaside variety theatre, and temperamental magician, Javier Gonzalo, has lost his head, quite literally, mid act. Can Kit and Mary identify the murderer in time?

The author creates a wonderful eerie atmosphere within the pages, and the themes of revenge, illusion, mystery and magic just add to its compelling nature.

Jack Murray was born in Northern Ireland but now lives in Berkhamsted.

The World Outside My Window

By Clare Swatman

Laura is unable to leave her house, and instead is reduced to looking out the window and relying on her husband Jim and best friend Debbie to help her. But one day Jim doesn’t come home.

And when he has still not returned after a week, Laura has no choice - she has to leave the house and find her husband.

But she’s not alone, her local community rally round her - and when they discover that Jim might have been hiding some secrets, Laura has a choice – retreat back behind her window, or start living her life.

Another emotional, page-turner from our former Living Magazines’ editor!

Clare has written seven women’s fiction novels, and lives in Berkhamsted.

Tring Rural Village in the Twentieth Century

By Jenny and Alan Warner

Jenny and Alan Warner interviewed 13 long-term residents of Tring Rural Villages, as part of their voluntary work for the website Tringruralhistory.co.uk.

Within its pages you can discover what life was like in Long Marston, Puttenham and Wilstone during the Second World War and proceeding years. From bombs dropping on a village school, and the secret life of the airfield at Long Marston, to legendary parties in the village hall and Father Christmas appearing on a horse and cart on Christmas morning.

It’s wonderful to read these memories from longstanding residents, and to know they have been preserved for future generations.

The book is available to buy from Tring Local History Museum.

Outwitting the Enemy

By Mike Walsham

A couple of years ago, we featured Mike’s book Doing One’s Duty - a thrilling tale about the British Intelligence Service.

The main character, Andrew, is back in Mike’s latest book. In this tale, he is sent to spy on the building of the submarine pens for a possible raid by the RAF later in the year, then parachuted into northern France on another mission.

Mike Walsham is an author who lives in Ringshall, Little Gaddesden. He published his first novel, Monique, in 2020.

Want to play your part in helping the environment this summer but unsure where to start? Here are 13 easy routes to green greatness…

Reusable water bottle

Hydration is vital in the summer months, but do it whilst ensuring you have a reusable water bottle that breaks the habit of constantly buying plastic disposables in shops.

Eat local

If you can source local producers from which to buy your food, the positive effect on the environment is huge. Not only will what you eat have real provenance, it will also be fresher having travelled a shorter distance to the plate.

Composting

Composting is a sure-fire way to reduce waste, whilst reinvesting in matter that will complete the circle in helping your garden grow.

Use natural energy

Using a fan instead of putting on the air conditioning will save on electricity; and why not return to the traditional outdoor clothesdrying methods rather than using appliances indoors.

Collect rainwater

It seems in the UK even the smallest stint of warm weather is followed by the threat of a hosepipe ban. So instead of draining the mains water supply, collect rainwater and store in barrels - it can then be used when needed to water your plants and garden.

Use less water

Consider cutting back on water usage, if possible. Shower instead of bath –installing a water-saving showerhead – use bathing water from pets on plants, and definitely turn off water whilst shaving or brushing teeth.

Pick up a picnic

You can be as green as the park you’re sitting in if everything you use can be recycled – think paper plates, napkins, straws and reusable cups.

Great grass management

If you have a petrol-driven lawnmower, change to electric and reduce the emissions you’re putting out in your green space. If that’s not possible, let the grass grow a bit longer – that’s good for garden dwellers as well as the environment.

Change your car

The big drive is to adopt electric vehicles, but even switching to a smaller car, or removing from your vehicle items you don’t need that add weight and use up fuel, can have a really positive effect on the environment.

Keep up the (tyre) pressure

Similarly, make sure your vehicle’s tyres are correctly inflated. Flat or poorly maintained tyres require more energy, meaning greater fuel consumption.

Make sure your vehicle’s tyres are correctly inflated. Flat or poorly maintained tyres require more energy, meaning greater fuel consumption

Planting wildflower seeds in the spring will see them appear the same year, encouraging bees and insects and improving your environmental ecosystem

Grow wildflowers

Planting wildflower seeds in the spring will see them appear the same year, encouraging bees and insects and improving your environmental ecosystem.

Check your home for draughts

While you’ll truly feel the benefit of draught exclusion in the winter months, there’s all-year-round benefit from ensuring heat isn’t escaping from gaps in your home.

Help clean beaches

Finally, whether your local area is a park, a beach, a field or a rocky outcrop, a quick sweep for rubbish once a week – perhaps as part of a local community project – will not only make things visually pleasing, but will help the flora and fauna who reside there.

The first official Women’s World Cup took place in China, in 1991, with the United States beating Norway 2-1 in the Guangzhou final. It’s apt that the Americans won the first competition, as they have dominated the women’s game since.

However, the Norwegian side would take the plaudits in Sweden in the second edition. Their hugely talented squad of players beat Germany 2-0 at the Råsunda Stadium in Stockholm, with goals from Hege Riise and Marianne Pettersen, as the Lionesses debut ended at the quarter-final stage.

The ‘Stars and Stripes’ would regain the title on home soil in 1999 against China, as Brandi Chastain netted the winning penalty in the 5-4 shootout victory for the United States.

That World Cup was built on the success of the first Olympic women’s football tournament held during the 1996 Atlanta Games, with the 1999 World Cup played in front of an average of 37,000 spectators per match.

The event in 2003 was also held in the US, who stepped in after planned hosts China had to relinquish duties after an outbreak of SARS. Yet there was to be no back-to-back success for the Yanks, as they crashed out in the semifinal to a Germany side who went on to defeat Sweden for their first title.

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

As we approach the ninth edition of the official Women’s World Cup, we chart the rapid evolution of one of football’s most loved competitions.

China belatedly hosted the tournament four years later, and Germany were able to defend their 2003 title with a 2-0 victory over Brazil in the Hongkou Stadium. England were knocked out by the USA in the quarterfinals.

A new name would be on the trophy in 2011 as Japan took this instalment by storm, beating the hosts and hat-trick-seeking Germans in the quarters, the Swedes in the last four, before coming from behind to see off the mighty Americans on penalties in the final.

Canada 2015 saw an increase to 24 teams from 16, and offered revenge for the USA as they beat Japan 5-2 in the Vancouver final. The tournament was controversial for being played on artificial turf in sweltering conditions.

France 2019 attracted a global television audience of over 1.1 billion, with the United States winning again, this time 2-0 against Sarina Wiegman’s European champions, Netherlands.

With England having trodden that same familiar path under the talented Dutch coach by securing their first international title win in the form of the 2022 Euros victory against Germany, could they add a World Cup final to their resume in Australia and New Zealand?

THE BOYS

‘Stay baggy’ tapered jeans

Tapered baggy denim is back. After the likes of Pete Davidson and Justin Bieber pushed the look hard in 2022, the industry has responded by rolling out a delectable depth of dynamic denim that will drive that classic stonewashed look this year.

Baggy jeans not only look good as streetwear, skate wear and as voluminous vintage, they’re ultra-comfortable too!

Plain shorts

Whereas in previous years the shorts vibe has varied from sport to camouflage, summer 2023 will see a return to simple cotton, straight cuts and uncomplicated designs.

Men’s attire may not hit the heady or extroverted heights associated with women’s fashion, but there’s plenty to be excited about this summer for the man who has a fashion plan. Here are some must-have items that could be making a path to a wardrobe near you.

Light jackets

The return of what some might consider an Eighties throwback akin to shell suits and outrageously colourful ski wear has been provoked by the appearance of a Quiksilver jacket in the town of Hawkins, in hit Netflix drama Stranger Things.

The item was crafted as part of a collaboration with the costume department of the hit show, reminding us of arcades, skateboards and retro summer vibes from a simpler era.

Surf and ski aviators

The classic Top Gun aviators have undergone something of a redesign in recent years, with surf and ski versions moving this iconic classic from the high-octane fast lane and onto the rather more salubrious climes of Val Thorens and Courchevel.

Functionality is being taken to be as important as flair, so expect durability, simple shades, pocket space aplenty and, of course, a cool and comfortable feel.

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

We’ve all been invited to a party that brands itself under the ‘smart/casual’ tag, and it often feels like the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 was designed for every gathering.

There is no better nor more iconic fashion trainer than the Tiger – with a variety of colours ensuring an appropriate match with any dress code, any time, any place.

Lightweight shirts

This summer will see the return of the roomy, flowing shirt. Whites, greys and sky blues will dominate the high streets, putting to one side those dark, dusky tones and styles that seem to have patterned our social outings for the past couple of years.

The fact lightweight fabrics will rule the roost must imply we’re in for a summer of high temperatures and radiant sunshine. Perhaps the fashion fraternity know something we don’t!

Your Ideal Venue...

LEISURE

Check in. Work out. Chill out. At Pendley Manor, we welcome all ages to take the time to indulge in self-care.

CORPORATE EVENT HIRE

Our stunning location, exceptional amenities and historic charm guarantee noteworthy seminars and fruitful meetings, from intimate affairs to launch events to weddings in our new Rose Garden Grand Suite.

Step into the enchanting tranquility of Pendley Manor. Rising from the peaceful forest glade in rural Hertfordshire, our sumptuous Grade-II listed building boasts a modern spa, amongst acres of manicured gardens and roaming peacocks.

Enjoy lunches to afternoon teas to al fresco picnics. Or perhaps become a member of Hertfordshire’s exclusive hideaway club with membership to our spa, swimming pool, treatments, events and endless perks.

Let Pendley Manor become your go-to for your everyday treat.

Pendley Manor Hotel, Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 5QY

Telephone: +44 (0)1442 891891 | reception@pendley-manor.co.uk pendley-manor.co.uk

your NEW course ART CLASS

For absolute beginners to improvers - just like you!

Learn to Paint and Draw People And Places

Over the 14 week course you will explore at least four different mediums: Pencil or other sketching media, Pastels, Watercolour, Acrylics. Discover how to paint faces, figures, beautiful landscapes, animals, still life and much more! Learn artists’ secrets needed to create beautiful pieces of original art.

Have Fun and Make New Friends

Even if you have never picked up a brush before, we will guide you through to make it easy and fun! On completion of the course you will have 12 pieces of original art to cherish forever. This is an extremely enjoyable way to develop your creative side, and really enjoy the next few months.

Strictly Limited Places

Our classes are popular, and places are strictly limited to maintain high standards of tuition so hurry... don’t miss out!

Places Limited. Please Call Now

for more details and A friendly chat.

WHAT’S ON

WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO FOR DAILY UPDATES

ALWAYS CHECK with the event organiser beforehand. Opening times and restrictions may vary. If you would like to include your event in future magazines complete the form at: www.livingmags.info/submit-event.

TUESDAY 6 JUN

Arts & Crafts: Learn to Draw Peregrines

2-4pm. Suggested donation £3. Settle down with your sketch pad and pencils for an online tutorial on how to begin to observe and sketch our amazing bird of prey, the peregrine. www. hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Music: Albert Lee Court Theatre, 7.30pm. From £28. Undoubtedly one of the finest guitarists the world has ever seen. courttheatre. co.uk

WEDNESDAY 7 JUN

Talks: An Audience with England Rugby Player Zoe Harrison Berkhamsted School - Kings, 7.30pm. £10. An audience with one of the brightest young talents in English Rugby. tickets.berkhamsted. com

Talks: Hec-Talk Group

Open to all men to come together and talk. The group meets for an hour at The XC Centre, Jarman Way, Hemel Hempstead every first and third Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm. https:// tinyurl.com/5n8c6p3v

THURSDAY 8 JUN

Walks: Hertfordshire Health Walk

Meet on grassed area opposite Millennium Garden, Canal Fields car park, Berkhamsted. Alternate Thursdays 10am. Grade 1-3, 8 & 22 Jun; Grade 3-4, 15 & 29 Jun. www. hertfordshire.gov.uk

Arts & Crafts: Butterflies for Beginners

2-4pm. Learn about some of the common butterflies found in Hertfordshire. Looking at their life cycles, ecology, conservation status, and how to tell them apart from moths. www. hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

FRIDAY 9 JUN

Kids: Stay and Play

Lockers Park School, Boxmoor, 9.30-11am. Children and their parents are welcome to join a fun lesson and play time at Little Lockers (Pre-Prep) and meet the Reception Teacher and Headmaster. www.boxmoor.herts.sch.uk

SATURDAY 10 JUN

Markets & Sales: Tring Farmers Market Church Square, High Street,

Tring, 9am-12.30pm. 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Fine produce from around the district. www. tringfarmersmarket.co.uk

Fairs / Festivals: Tring’s Great Big Green Week

To 18 Jun. Includes everything from cookery to craft, festivals to football matches, shop window displays to school assemblies. greatbiggreenweek.com

Sport: Bowls Centenary Gala

Kitcheners Bowls Club, Berkhamsted. 2 wood triples competition of 5 ends 4 sessions. £5 per player entrants fee (£15 a triples). Dress code casual but flat shoes must be worn. 07708 649164

Talks: Council of Women Temperance Hall, Christchurch Road, Tring, 7.30pm. A warm, welcoming group exploring what it really means to be a woman in the 21st century and how we can impact the world in a deeply female way. www.eventbrite. com/e/council-of-womentickets-559100543777

SUNDAY 11 JUN

Fundraisers: Walk Your Ridgeway

It’s 50 years since the Ridgeway was officially opened as a national trail. Celebrate by joining either a 13-mile or 26-mile local route finishing off soaking up the stunning views of Ivinghoe Beacon. www.stfrancis. org.uk

Sport: Bucks Radio Tour de Vale Bike Ride

Transform lives by taking part in Buckinghamshire’s biggest charity bike ride. Take on 1 of 3 glorious routes (25k, 75k & 110k) that start and finish at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. www. tourdevale.com

Fairs / Festivals: Summer Open Day

Two Oaks Pony Sanctuary, Darrs Lane, HP4 3RJ. Parking on site. Adults £1, kids free. Lots of fun including bouncy castle, face painting, pony grooming, food trucks, licensed bar, music, craft stalls and much more. twooaksponysanctuary. wixsite.com

Music: Piano and More St Peter and St Paul Church, Tring, 3-4pm. Concert by Tring School students, followed by tea. Free entry; donations to expenses welcome. piano-and-more. org.uk

SATURDAY 17 JUN

Music: Beacon Community Choir St Mary the Virgin, Ivinghoe, 7pm. Also Sun 18, 4pm. Performing Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo by Michael Flanders

and Joseph Horowitz - A lighthearted look at the Old Testament story. www. beaconcommunitychoir. co.uk

Music: Matt Telfer Quintet - Them Dirty Blues

BJazz at the Civic Centre, Berkhamsted, 8pm. Full Bar facilities. A tribute to the music of altoist Cannonball Adderley, guitarist Wes Montgomery and pianist Bobby Timmons. www. bjazz.org

SUNDAY 18 JUN

Markets & Sales: Berkhamsted Farmers Market

High St, Berkhamsted, 10am2pm. Third Sun of every month. An opportunity for local customers to buy high quality produce direct from the producer. www. facebook.com/berkofm

Fairs / Festivals: Marsworth Steam Rally Startop Farm, HP23 4LL. 11am-5pm. Historic Steam Engines, Agricultural, Classic Cars, Bikes & Trucks. Great family day out. www. marsworthsteamrally.co.uk

Music: Tring Chamber Music Summer SeasonDvorak, Birds and a Bull Aldbury Church, 7.30pm. www.tringchambermusic. co.uk

TUESDAY 20 JUN

Business: Tring BusinessMart Breakfast

7.45-9am. Join the friendly BusinessMart networking group for a morning of enjoyable but productive networking and the chance to meet new

business associates. www. tringtogether.org.uk

WEDNESDAY 21 JUN

Sport: Tring Midsummer Fun Run

Tring Park Cricket Club, 4.30pm start. An event for the whole family with races for all age groups from preschoolers to adults. www. tringrunningclub.org.uk

THURSDAY 22 JUN

Gardens: An Afternoon at Moat Farm

Moat Farm, Water Lane, HP17 8XD, 1.30-4.30pm. A relaxed garden party with some classic afternoon tea favourites, along with live music and a variety of stalls. thepacecentre.org

Business: Summer Barbecue

Berkhamsted Boys’ School, Castle Campus, 6-8pm. One of a series of events offering opportunities to join as a community with the School. events@berkhamsted.com

SATURDAY 24 JUN

Music: Summer Sound

Fest

Dudswell, HP4 3TA. Doors 2pm, live music from 3pm. A packed lineup of talented local artists, covering a range of genres from rock, afro beat, folk, jazz, bluegrass and funk. www. stfrancis.org.uk

Fundraisers: Walk of Light 4.30-10pm. £17-£20. Florence

Nightingale Hospice

Charity’s first ever Walk of Light, celebrating and remembering those we knew and loved. fnhospice. org.uk

Dance: The Wild Welcome Temperance Hall, Christchurch Road, Tring,

7.30pm. Every 4 weeks on Saturday. Welcome your wild side with music, movement and free dance. templeofourtime@gmail.com

Fairs / Festivals: Herts Big Weekend

Also 25 Jun. Hertfordshire’s biggest celebration of the year gives you the opportunity to enjoy all that our county has to offer. www.hertsbigweekend.co.uk

TUESDAY 27 JUN

Music: Our House

Boxmoor Playhouse, Hemel Hempstead. To 1 Jul. This very British, Olivier Awardwinning musical is by Tim Firth, writer of Calendar Girls. It features a collection of Madness hits. www. hhtheatreco.com

THURSDAY 29 JUN

Business: Berko Interchange

Waite & Rose Café

Berkhamsted, 8.30-9.30am. Join David Milbourn and Ed Evans of Stringer Mann Chartered Financial Planners, for the Berko Interchange networking meeting. www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/berko-interchangetickets-547761187457

FRIDAY 30 JUN

Sport: Stocks Golf Day Stocks Golf Club, Aldbury. Pepper Foundation Golf Day. www.facebook.com/ pepperfoundation

SATURDAY 1 JUL

Walks: DENS Castle Walk Berkhamsted Castle, 9.30am. This charity walk event is the perfect summer’s day out for all members of the family, including fourlegged friends. www.dens. org.uk

Fundraisers: Chilterns Dog Rescue Society

Open Day

Also Sun 2 Jul. Chilterns Dog Rescue Centre, Bromley Heights, St Leonards Road, Chivery, HP23 6LD. Find out how the rescue centre works, behind the scenes tours. Explore the woodland walk. A variety of stalls and refreshments. chilternsdogrescue. org.uk

SUNDAY 2 JUL

Comedy: The Tringe

To 22 Jul. A wonderful mixture of previews and warm ups of the best comedy shows, mixed in with spoken word events, children’s shows and more. www.get-stuffed. biz/tringe

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY

Talks: Hec-Talk Group

Open to all men to come together and talk. The group meets for an hour at The XC Centre, Jarman Way, Hemel Hempstead every first and third Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm. https:// tinyurl.com/5n8c6p3v

Thursday 6 Jul

THURSDAY 6 JULY

Walks: Hertfordshire

Health Walk

Alternate Thursdays 10am. Meet outside Zoological Museum, Akeman Street HP23 6AP. www. hertfordshire.gov.uk

FRIDAY 7 JUL

Music: Totally Tribute

Tring Rugby pitches, Cow Lane, Tring. With Rob Lamberti, George Michael Tribute, Ultimate Elton, Noasis, The Freddy & Queen Experience and The Dolly Show. chilfest.co.uk

SATURDAY 8 JUL

Fairs / Festivals: BeaconLit Literary Festival

Brookmead School, Ivinghoe. The festival committee has assembled a stunning lineup, which includes authors, writers and broadcasters. www. beaconlit.co.uk

Markets & Sales: Tring Farmers Market Church Square, High Street, Tring, 9am-12.30pm. 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Fine produce from around the district. www. tringfarmersmarket.co.uk

Fairs / Festivals: Wildfest

Cassiobury Park, Watford, 10am-4pm. Learn about local organisations working for wildlife. With activities such as bird watching, sweep netting, tree walks, scavengers hunts, river dipping, nature crafts and storytelling. www. hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Music: Chilfest

Tring Rugby pitches,

Cow Lane, Tring. With OMD, Thomson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Leee John of Imagination, From The Jam, The Dualers, Dodgy, The South, Blancmange and Big Country. chilfest.co.uk

Talks: Council of Women Temperance Hall, Christchurch Road, Tring, 7.30pm. A warm, welcoming group exploring what it means to be a woman in the 21st century and how we can impact the world. www.eventbrite. com/e/council-of-womentickets-559100543777

SUNDAY 9 JUL

Music: Piano and More St Peter and St Paul Church, Tring, 3-4pm. Helen Godbolt, cello recital. Free entry; donations to expenses welcome. piano-and-more. org.uk

THURSDAY 13 JUL

Fairs / Festivals: Tring Together Summer Carnival Pound Meadow, Station Road, Tring. To 16 Jul. With the Big Tring Quiz on Thursday at 7.30pm and Music in the Marquee on Saturday at 8pm. The highlight is the Saturday Carnival Day. www. tringtogether.org.uk

FRIDAY 14 JUL

Comedy: Comedy Night

Ashlyns, Berkhamsted. Enjoy comedians Scott Bennett, Wayne the Weird, Paul Revill and ‘The Sinnerman’ Paul Sinha. Licensed bar all evening and

pre-show food available. www.ashlynsfestival.co.uk

SATURDAY 15 JUL

Fundraisers: Ashlyns Festival Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted, 12noon-11pm. Family and eco-friendly event with live music, street food stalls, fully licensed bar, activity zone for kids. www. ashlynsfestival.co.uk

SUNDAY 16 JUL

Markets & Sales: Berkhamsted Farmers Market

High Street, Berkhamsted, 10am-2pm. An opportunity for local customers to buy high quality produce direct from the producer. www. facebook.com/berkofm

Exhibitions: Classic Car and Motorcycle Show Dudswell, Tring Road, Berkhamsted, 11am3pm. Featuring a range of impressive cars each lovingly cared for. Market stalls, refreshments and food also available. www. stfrancis.org.uk

Music: Voluspa Berkhamsted Old Town Hall, 7pm. Behind the Mirror presents Eva Þórarinsdóttir, Nicholas Bootiman and Clare O’Connell. www. behindthemirror.org

THURSDAY 20 JUL

Business: Tring BusinessMart Breakfast 7.45-9am. Join the friendly BusinessMart networking group for a morning of enjoyable but productive networking and

the chance to meet new business associates. www. tringtogether.org.uk

FRIDAY 21 JUL

Exhibitions: Make & Mend Exhibition and Events

Open Door, Berkhamsted. To 28 Jul. www. opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk

SATURDAY 22 JUL

Dance: The Wild Welcome Temperance Hall, Christchurch Road, Tring, 7.30pm. Every 4 weeks on Saturday. Welcome your wild side with music, movement and free dance. templeofourtime@gmail. com

SUNDAY 23 JUL

Music: Tring Chamber Music Summer SeasonContrasting Clarinet Trios Hastoe Village Hall, 7.30pm. www.tringchambermusic. co.uk

THURSDAY 27 JUL

Business: Berko Interchange

Waite & Rose Café Berkhamsted, 8.30-9.30am. Join David Milbourn and Ed Evans of Stringer Mann Chartered Financial Planners, for the Berko Interchange networking meeting. www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/berko-interchangetickets-547761187457

WEDNESDAY 2 AUG

Talks: Hec-Talk Group

Open to all men to come together and talk. The group meets for an hour at The XC Centre, Jarman Way,

Hemel Hempstead every first and third Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm. https://tinyurl. com/5n8c6p3v

THURSDAY 3 AUG

Walks: Hertfordshire Health Walk

Meet on grassed area opposite Millennium Garden, Canal Fields car park, Berkhamsted. Alternate Thursdays 10am. Grade 1-3, 3, 17 & 31 Aug; Grade 3-4, 10 & 24 Aug. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

FRIDAY 4 AUG

Fundraisers: Stocks Golf Day

Stocks Golf Course, Aldbury, 9.30am. Starting off with registration and bacon rolls, followed by a shotgun start at 9.30am to kick off your round of golf on the superbly maintained par 73 course. www. stfrancis.org.uk

SATURDAY 5 AUG

Talks: Council of Women

Temperance Hall, Christchurch Road, Tring, 7.30pm. A warm, welcoming group exploring what itmeans to be a woman in the 21st century. www.eventbrite. com/e/council-of-womentickets-559100543777

SATURDAY 12 AUG

Markets & Sales: Tring

Farmers Market

Church Square, High Street, Tring, 9am-12.30pm. 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Fine produce from around the district. www. tringfarmersmarket.co.uk

SUNDAY 13 AUG

Music: Piano and More St Peter and St Paul Church, Tring, 3-4pm. Followed by tea and refreshments. Piano recital by Alan Dorn. Free admission, with donations to expenses welcome. pianoand-more.org.uk

MONDAY 14 AUG

Music: Annie KidsSummer School

Boxmoor Playhouse, Hemel Hempstead. To 18 Aug with a performance on 19 Aug, for children aged 7-16 years. www.hhtheatreco.com

SATURDAY 19 AUG

Dance: The Wild Welcome

Temperance Hall, Christchurch Road, Tring, 7.30pm. Every 4 weeks on Saturday. Welcome your wild side with music, movement and free dance. templeofourtime@gmail.com

SUNDAY 20 AUG

Markets & Sales: Berkhamsted Farmers Market

High Street, Berkhamsted, 10am-2pm. Third Sunday of every month. An opportunity for local customers to buy high quality produce direct from the producer. www. facebook.com/berkofm

Gardens: Open Garden

PATCHWORK, Hall Park Gate, Berkhamsted HP4 2NJ. Opening for the National Garden Scheme, 2-5pm. Adults £5, children free. A blaze of colour from dahlias, fuchsias, begonias.

Refreshments. Dogs on leads welcome. Plenty of seating and cover. www.ngs.org.uk

THURSDAY 31 AUG

Business: Berko Interchange

Waite & Rose Café Berkhamsted, 8.30-9.30am. Join David Milbourn and Ed Evans of Stringer Mann Chartered Financial Planners, for the Berko Interchange networking meeting. www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/berko-interchangetickets-547761187457

SATURDAY 2 SEP

Talks: Council of Women Temperance Hall, Christchurch Road, Tring, 7.30pm. A warm, welcoming group exploring what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. www.eventbrite. com/e/council-of-womentickets-559100543777

SUNDAY 3 SEP

Fundraisers: Chilterns Dog Rescue Society Dog Show St Leonard’s Hall and Field, Jenkins Lane, St Leonards, HP23 6NW. 12-4pm. Fun dog show, refreshments and stalls. chilternsdogrescue. org.uk

5th January 2019

19th January 2019

2nd February 2019

Method:

Step one

Put the flour, butter, icing sugar and salt in a food processor and blitz into crumbs. Combine the yolk with 1tbsp cold water, then add to the processor and pulse until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two, wrap in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least one hour or, better still, overnight.

Step two

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5. Roll out one half of the pastry, then butter an 8in pie dish and press in the pastry topped with a sheet of baking paper and baking beans. Bake blind for 30 mins. Remove the paper and beans. Mix the berries, sugar and pour the mixture into your baked pie base.

Step three

Roll out the second batch of pastry and top the pie with it, trimming to fit, and using a fork to seal the edge. Use a sharp knife to create a few slits for steam to escape before brushing with the whisked egg white before topping with sugar. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden. Leave to cool as filling will be extremely hot!

SUMMER FRUITS PIE

Make the most of summer berries with this delectable pie… perfect with a dollop of fresh cream!

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 225g cold unsalted butter chopped into small pieces

• 350g plain flour

• 50g icing sugar

• Pinch of salt

• 1 large egg yolk

For the filling:

• 800g of berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries or blueberries

• 100g sugar

• 2tbsp of cornflour

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 1 egg white (for glazing)

• 1tbsp sugar (for sprinkling)

Top tips:

• If you’re time-starved, feel free to use pre-made shortcrust pastry which is generally as good as homemade, and certainly easier!

• Frozen berries will work in a pinchjust defrost them for half an hour before baking.

• If you don’t have baking beans use cooking weights, dried lentils or rice.

• If you don’t have access to a food processor simply rub the butter and flour together until it is the texture of breadcrumbs.

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