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ISSUE NO: 275/7
April 2015
Could You Help Marshal?
s the spring weather finally (hopefully) appears, it’s time to get those running shoes out for the Kings Langley Puffaten on Sunday 14 June. “Last year we got an excellent turnout and a great report from the UK Athletics representative who looked at every part of the course and race organisation,” said Kate Chadwick, who helped organise last year’s event, “but inevitably they are looking for an even better event this year.” One of the recommendations was that there should be more marshals, particularly around the start/finish area at the Kings Langley Primary School and on some parts of the course. The event operated a buddy system
last year, which meant that marshals were paired together to ensure no one was left alone to shout encouragement to the runners before the ‘sweep’ cyclist following the last runner came past. “It’s not onerous,” added Kate, “and everyone who helped out last year really enjoyed themselves. Being a marshal is ideal for anyone who wants to be part of a lovely village event, but doesn’t feel like completing 1.5k, 3k or 10k.” The organisers also plan some team trophies to provide some local inter-school competition in all three races. If you’d like to know more, email a.johnson@kingslangley-pri.herts. sch.uk
We need even more Marshals this year - photo by Eddie Dillon, Promedia
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Tel: 01923 263823/262405 KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 1
Parish Council News Best Kept Gardens’ Competition (July) Although it’s only April, here’s a reminder to get your entry forms in. You should have received one last month with your invitation to the Annual Parish Meeting, but they are also available from the office and on the Council’s website. Remember that your garden or display has to be in the Parish to qualify, and also that commercial premises (pubs, shops etc.) and allotments don’t have to complete a form; they are judged anyway.
The Village Environment It’s good to see a bit of
colour arriving: And the Village Warden has already been topping-up the water reservoirs in the troughs.
Dog-Litter Bags The Parish Council provides dog-litter bags, free of charge to people who live or walk their dogs in Kings Langley. These are available from the Council office. Please clean up after your dog and deposit the bags in an appropriate bin. It is particularly important not to leave bags anywhere near farms, as farm animals can choke on them. There are still too many dog owners who are not cleaning up after their dogs who need to be encouraged to make use of the bags.
Dacorum Borough Council 01442 228000 is now the single number for all contact with Dacorum Borough Council. It is now automated with voice recognition. So for your Housing needs, Council Tax enquiries etc. and other issues, such as litter / fly-tipping, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, overgrown hedges and missed collections, this is the number to call. You can also contact Customer Services via email on: customer.services@ dacorum.gov.uk. If you wish to contact the environmental team, you can still do this via email cleansafegreen@ dacorum.gov.uk, the website www.dacorum.gov.uk/ cleansafegreen or Clean, Safe & Green, Cupid Green Depot, Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7BA.
Hertfordshire County Council (Herts Highways) For highways issues, such as potholes, unlit lamp columns, etc., contact Hertfordshire County Council (Highways) on 0300 123 4047, or on-line at: http://www.
hertsdirect.org/actweb/hfr/ Contact the Police on 101 for all non-emergency calls in Hertfordshire, including vehicles that are parked dangerously and / or causing an obstruction. You can also contact the members of the Community Policing Team on this number.
Forthcoming Meetings Kings Langley Parish Council: Full Council – Wednesday 13th May 2015. This is a departure from the normal meeting day of Tuesday, brought about because of the local elections on Thursday 7th May. It is the Annual Meeting of the Council at which the Council’s chairman and committee memberships are determined. Planning & Licensing Committee – Tuesday, 21st April, Wednesday 13th May and Tuesday 26th May 2015. Kings Langley Parish Council, Charter Court, Vicarage Lane, Kings Langley, Herts, WD4 9HR. Office hours: 09:30 to 12:30. Telephone: 01923 261828. Email: klpc@kingslangley-pc.gov. uk, Website: www.kingslangleypc.gov.uk
Local Food Market Saturday 18th April, 9am to 1pm High Street, Kings Langley
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PAGE 2 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
Meat Pies, Cakes, Bread, Eggs, Vegetables, Cold Meats, Cheeses and much more
Kings Langley Carnival
Saturday 20th June, From Noon, The Common
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he plans for the Kings Langley Carnival, this year on 20 June, are well advanced with a distinctly historical theme. “This year we will be marking the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt where 1,000 English archers and 4,000 troops laid waste to 30,000 French knights,” said Carol Chandler, Chair of the organising Committee, made up of volunteers from the village. “Whilst we don’t have 1,000 archers, we are really excited to have the
Company of 1415 who will be demonstrating archery as well as knights in full armour going into battle. They will be encouraging children to ‘Dress the Knight’ and learn how to dress for combat as well as trying on costumes” There will also be more familiar local entertainments including the Community Choir, the Senior School Jazz Band, Vivo D’ Arte, the Skehill Academy of Irish Dancing, Kings Langley Brownies and the Primary School Choir and orchestra on the stage giving the Carnival that genuine ‘village’ feel. “We want as many local people involved this year as possible,” added Carol. “We are particularly delighted that the wonderful people at Phasels Wood are playing a bigger role this year, including bringing along some of their larger, portable equipment for children of all ages.” For regular or new attendees there will be lots of other entertainment, including the ever popular
Don't forget to send in your story for publishing . . . Contacts for
Village Life Editorial Julie Barton, Charter Court, Vicarage Lane, Kings Langley, WD4 9HR Phone: 01923 270160 e: julie@villagernews.co.uk Advertising Julie Barton, Charter Court, Vicarage Lane, Kings Langley, WD4 9HR Phone: 01923 270160 e: julie@villagernews.co.uk Reporter Joy Mann Phone: 01923 264298 Accounts e: accounts@villagernews.co.uk Sign up for our additional weekly email, full of lots of useful informtion for Abbots Langley, Kings Langley and surrounding areas. Contact events@villagernews.co.uk to be added to the mailing list or sign up through our website:
www.villagelife.org.uk
Sport Editor Tony Thompson The Hornets, Croft lane, Chipperfield. WD4 9DU Tel: 01923 265690 Features Andrew Selby, 8 Belham Road Kings Langley WD4 8BY Tel: 01923 264479 Find us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date news and events
The Publishers take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the content of The Villager but cannot accept responsibility or be held liable for any errors or claims made by advertisers. The Publishers also ask you to note that they do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors Reproduction in whole or part prohibited without permission
Copy deadline for next issue: strictly Friday 24th April
dog show and petting farm, together with such diverse distractions as the Little Bike Company (for 2-5 year olds), the Elite Laser Company and the Kings Langley Bowls Club. There will also be lots of stalls from community groups and organisations, providing an opportunity to find out more about what’s happening on your doorstep. The event is supported by many local organisations and
all money raised will go to charities and groups for use within the local community. Pop the date in your diary and come along and have some fun If you would like more information, contact details are: Stalls or brochure advertising – email Julie on julie@villagernews.co.uk All other enquiries – email kingslangleycarnival@hotmail.com
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www.oliverlandpower.co.uk KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 3
Local Resident General Election: Reported Missing Make Sure Your In WWII Vote Counts Has Been Found T
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former resident Stephen Eldridge of Blackwell Road who now lives in Bovingdon, has recently been traced by the MOD who were looking for descendants of Phillip Eldridge, a resident of Kings Langley at the time, who was a wireless Operator in a Halifax Bomber DT795 of 158 Sq. based at Linset, Yorkshire during WWII. On the evening of 3rd April 1943, in the village of Wapenveld, Holland, the plane was shot down by a German aircraft killing all seven crew on board. Four of the crew were reported missing including Phillip who was only 29. In September 2014 the plane was recovered by Walter Noordven and the remains of the four missing men were found
Stephen has been in contact with the MOD and they would like to organise a commemorative burial for the four men whose remains were found, inviting all family members. Stephen has also received a letter from Canada asking him to join the 159 Sq. Association as a member for being Phillips descendants, every year they get together in Yorkshire. Phillip, at the age of 14, lived with his Aunt and Uncle Dora and Jess Eldridge (Stephen’s grandparents) and worked at John Dickinson before going into the RAF. We shall keep you updated on this story but for those of you who have a Facebook account, a group called ‘Kings Langley Remembered’ will have news from Stephen.
PAGE 4 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
he General Election is now underway. As of 00.01 hrs on 30th March, there are no Members of Parliament. The Government continues – so I am still a Minister – but I am not an MP. By the time you read this, the General Election will be less than a month away. All General Elections are important, but this election could be the most important for a generation. It will determine the direction our country takes for the next five years and is set to be a close contest. It is certainly the most difficult to predict. As we approach Thursday 7th May, the media will undoubtedly whip themselves up into a frenzy and many people will be thoroughly fed up with the whole thing. But don’t let it put you off voting on the day. I want to encourage everyone to vote, whatever your political persuasion might be. We are very lucky in this country to hold a real stake in how we are governed. Too
many people in the world still have no say over who governs them. Dictatorships and military juntas are to be found in all corners of the globe. While many people here feel they lack faith in our political system, it is worth recalling what Winston Churchill said on the subject: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried.” So please make sure you vote on 7th May. Our democracy thrives when everyone takes part. Remember, every vote counts – just ask any MP with a small majority! In 2010, the smallest majority was 4. For me, I am looking forward to Election Day. It has been a real privilege and joy to represent Kings Langley and the Hemel Hempstead Constituency for the past ten years, and I very much hope to continue to do so. Mike Penning
Windmill Writers The Village Pump W
riting is in our blood. Is it in yours too? If so, we would like meet you. If you are an established, struggling or a novice writer you will be warmly welcomed. Windmill Writers are writers who write. We don't just talk about writing, we do it. So, what can you expect? • Manuscript reading • Writing tasks • Workshops • Open Mic • Constructive comments • Sharing of knowledge We meet every Wednesday
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from 7pm to 9pm at The Windmill Public House, The Common, Chipperfield, WD49BU Why not pop along and meet us? There is no charge, just purchase a drink from the bar.
French Market Sunday 19th April
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unday, 19th April sees Abbots Langley host its first French Market in the Manor Lodge Car Park. The event will run from 10.00 - 16.00 on that day Abbots Langley Biz, a recently formed group of likeminded businesses within the village, has organised this speciality market with the aim of attracting new visitors to Abbots Langley to see what they have to offer, and to
offer current customers and residents an alternative to their normal Sunday. Stalls-holders attending will cover Jumpers, Handbags, Soaps, Rugs and Basketware, Sausages, Cheeses, Bakery, Olives, Crepes, Charcuterie, Prawns and others. The Youth and Community Centre will be open for refreshments and other attractions.
ome of you may recall an earlier article in Village Life introducing you to Terry Funnell, one of the retained crew here at Kings Langley Fire Station, who for reasons only he could really explain will be running the London Marathon at the end of April. I recently visited Terry at his secret training camp where, well away from prying eyes and the telephoto lenses of the paparazzi, Terry’s training continues. I was able to ask him a few questions about his preparation for the event and how he was feeling as the race day approached. Q “How did you do in the recent Silverstone half marathon, one of your warm up races?” A “1 hour, 35 minutes and twenty seconds!” Q “Happy with that?” A “Delighted, if all goes well I’ll achieve my target of under 4 hours for the marathon” Q “Is it true that Mo Farah has been asking your advice?” A “Yes, he phones me most days. Actually it’s getting a little tedious, to be honest. I’ve run out of vegetarian recipes!” As Terry’s trainer, his
manager and his PA arrive to take him off to his next interview I ask him one last question as he leaves. Q “I’d like to sponsor you, how do I do that?” A “Go to www.justgiving. com and search for my name, Terry Funnell, it will take you straight to my page. You will see that I’m raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity. If you Gift Aid your sponsorship it greatly increases the amount I raise and it costs you nothing. As the small group leave I’m sure that I can hear that tune they play when the marathon is being shown on the television, or it may just be my over-active imagination! In other Village Pump news I am pleased to report that we successfully negotiated our recent annual audit, which is a bit like a fire station (and crew) MOT and that I’ve not forgotten that I was going to introduce you to some members of the team. Barry will tell you all about himself in the next issue, I promise! George
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Dacorum Borough Council Election Conservative Candidates A
lan Anderson, 44, is on an IT career break to care for a parent, and has been based in the ward all his life. Alan, and his parents, have served Kings Langley in local government for 52 years. Alan has chaired the Environment Committee. Bob McLean, 66, retired from the Service industry, runs a small business and has lived locally for 14 years. Bob was first elected in 2007, and has served on the Council’s Community & Housing Committee
Labour tried to wreck our area and ruined the nation’s finances. Local Lib Dems keep wanting to spend more money. Don’t let them get away with it. Our Policies • We believe urgent Hospital services should be provided locally & support those who are fighting to keep them. • We have worked and would like to continue working with the village’s Police Community Support Officer to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour. • We stopped Labour's Green Belt development and believe strongly that Kings
Langley should be kept as a village, separate from Hemel Hempstead. We are keen to continue ensuring that largescale developments cannot be built on Rectory Farm / on the farms between the village and the A41 / on Shendish. • We enabled residents to increase household waste Recycling significantly by making the recent changes to the refuse collection service. We would like to keep a lookout for realistic opportunities to recycle more materials, and to lobby for more packaging to be made recyclable. • Labour took massive amounts of Dacorum’s money even before they made a mess of things and forced the government to reduce grants to councils. We have been, & would like to continue, finding savings in how the council works, so that we control spending, and limit the impact on Services & Council Tax.
At the time of going to print, we had not received any information from other parties
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PAGE 6 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
Anxiety, Depression, Bereavement Whatever your issue, I am here to help
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Kings Langley Parish Council Election Conservative Candidates South Ward - You have 6 votes
Julie Barton
René de Silva
Howard Button
Julie edits Village Life, Howard chairs the National Federation of Demolition Contractors, Rene is a Solicitor, Alan Johnson is involved in a number of local voluntary activities, John helps a small business to sell computer software, Mark is a business marketing specialist, Alan Anderson is on an IT career break to care for a parent, and Bob runs a small business. Howard, Alan Anderson and Bob have extensive experience as councillors, and all our candidates have lived in the Parish, or have had Parish connections, for many
years. Our policies for the administration of the Parish Council are as follows: • To Minimise Costs & the Parish Precept (Council Tax). • To Oppose Development of the Green Belt. • To Campaign Against Cuts/Failures in Local Services. • To Support Village Events & Fund Village Projects. The reality is that Kings Langley faces a number of public policy threats, ranging from Green Belt development to car parking charges. Our candidates, as part of a
Alan Johnson
John Morrish
team across the whole parish & every level of government, are the only people who can resist these threats, and give the village the strongest possible influence. If anybody would like to contact any of us with questions, please contact: Alan Anderson Tel: 01923 262884 or Email: alan.anderson@leaside.net and he will pass your queries to the relevant candidate.
Mark Rogers
North Ward - You have 2 votes
Alan Anderson and Bob McLean
At the time of going to print, we had not received any information from other parties
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KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 7
From PCSO 6012 Ian Martin Operation Gnome - protecting gardens and allotments As the first signs of spring are starting to appear in gardens and allotments across the county, Hertfordshire Constabulary is launching Operation Gnome, a new initiative to help remind residents to keep their gardens, outbuildings and allotments secure.
Spring is traditionally a time when burglars
target sheds, garages and outbuildings, looking for power tools, bikes and other expensive items stored in them. They also look for tools left in gardens such as spades, garden forks and ladders, which can be used to help them break into homes. Every spring we see an increase in items stolen from gardens, sheds and garages, so we are launching Operation Gnome to make people think about protecting their property by making them aware of this issue and giving them crime prevention advice During the spring we tend to get to work in our gardens and allotments, often leaving expensive tools lying around and leaving sheds and garages unlocked. Burglars are aware of this and target these outbuildings. Leaving tools lying around in the garden or in an insecure shed can also help a burglar to break into your home. If you use your shed or garage to store valuable
equipment, like lawn mowers, power tools, bicycles or leisure equipment, don’t make it easy for burglars. Use good quality locks or even an alarmed padlock, keep garden gates locked and visibly mark items with your postcode and register them on www. immobilise.com. These are some of the ways you can make your outbuildings more secure: • Always lock your shed, preferably with two 'hasp and staple' locks (one near the top and one near the bottom of the door) or use or an alarmed padlock • Secure your rear garden by locking entry gates with a padlock • Burglars can use garden tools to break in, so make sure you securely lock away any tools after use • Ensure boundary fences are secure and in good condition. Spiky plants along garden boundaries are good additional deterrents • Tools and gardening equipment should be visibly marked with your postcode and house number - this can deter thieves and help police identify the rightful owner • Remember to lock your garage door securely. Metal ‘up and over’ doors can be secured with extra locks fitted either side and/or a floor-mounted locking ‘T’ bar with a closed shackle padlock.
Contact Ian on: 01442 271012 or via 01707 354192. (You may have to leave a message for him to call back) Police Non-Emergency No:
101
Wooden garage doors can be secured with two substantial hasps and staple locks and closed shackle padlocks (your local DIY store can advise on the most secure options) • Join Neighbourhood Watch or Allotment Watch to help reduce crime in your local area. For more detailed security advice, please visit www. herts.police.uk or call 101.
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Events at Sarratt School Character Book Day
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here was great excitement today as the Sarratt School community spent the day dressed as their favourite book character celebrating their love of stories and reading. This term, the children have been focussing their writing on characterisation through cross curricular activities including mathematics,
drama, art and technology. Years 3 and 4 joined together for a carousel of mathematical activities including measuring, counting and making houses for the 3 little pigs. Lily in Year 6 dressed as “Katniss” from The Hunger Games has read all the books and has “enjoyed experiencing the emotion of the characters”. Suren in Year 3 dressed as the Crocodile from the Roald Dahl has read 4 of the books already at home and is looking forward to reading more.
The day culminated with a whole school assembly where the characters paraded with their favourite book and visitors from the community read extracts from their favourite childhood books to small groups of children.
Red Nose Day Sarratt Church Of England Primary School supported Red Nose Day with a sponsored ‘Disco Dance’ which required jivin’ and
boogyin’ with Natasha from our Cheerleading Club from 8.00am. Music from Michael Jackson echoed across the school throughout the day as each class took part in the ‘Danceathon’. “It was so much fun!” panted one child, whilst another said “Wow! Can we do this again?” By lunch time, the school was full of smiling, rosy cheeked children as they continued with their newly learnt dance moves.
KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 9
Kings Langley WI O
ur March meeting was very well attended, we were sorry to hear that several of our members are still unwell and wish them a speedy recovery. We have several events planned, our President is holding a Soup Lunch on the 27th March and there is a Spring Council meeting on the 16th April at St Albans Arena. A trip to Althorp House has been arranged for August and a trip to Hampton Court in July and a Safari supper to be held in June. The recent Theatre trip was enjoyed by those attending. Unfortunately our team did not win the WI County Quiz, but they did well. Our Book Clubs, Film Club, Debating Club and Rambling Club are still going strong and well supported. We are also planning to run a Knit and Natter club, details to be arranged. Part of the WI celebrations there will be a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and one member from every WI in the Country is allowed to send someone, a Ballot was held and pleased to announce Jean Grainger was picked to represent our WI. Most importantly The Baton for the National WI Centenary celebrations will be coming to our area on the 10th May, starting in St Albans at the
Watch Out! T
Albans Theatre between 10 and 12 then onto Nash Mills with a buggy run and possible barge journey to Kings Langley. From here it will travel via open top cars or bikes to Sarratt for Afternoon tea. From there it will travel by Vintage bus to West Hyde and Maple Cross, were a ploughman’s supper has been arranged. As this is a once in a lifetime occasion, please give your support. If you are unable to attend any of the venues, then cheer the baton on route. Our speaker for the evening was Michael Howgate on Curiosities of London, and we were introduced to some really unknown sites of London accompanied by Slides showing the various locations. This was a very interesting subject I am sure on visits to London these have not been noticed, but will be looked out for on future visits. Our meetings are held at 7.30 in the Community Centre, the 2nd Tuesday in the month All ladies welcome enquiries to: - Mrs Linda Brady 01442 831763 or Mrs Rene Gardener on 01923 264754.
here are plenty of hazards that impact the more mature members of our society these days. So the Kings Langley Evergreen Club has linked up with the Good Neighbours Association to lay on a special event on Thursday, April 16th at the Community Centre from 2.30 – 4pm. There will be an interesting and informative presentation made by a Police Community Support Officer, a member of the Fire Brigade and other local community services. No doubt the free fitting of smoke alarms and secure locking devices will feature and there will be an
opportunity to ask questions while tea and biscuits are served. You may have an elderly relative or a neighbour who would benefit from this event and any further details (including transport) may be obtained by ringing the Good Neighbours Helpline on: 07790 668 672.
Church Lane School Reunion Friday 19th June, 12 noon
T
he annual Church Lane School Reunion will take place on Friday 19th June from 12 noon at the
Kings Langley Services Club. Anyone who attended the Church Lane School in Kings Langley is welcome to attend.
Wendy Buckland
• Special Occasions • Wedding Day • School Prom
01923 267700 / 07766 203109 www.regencyweddingcarhire.co.uk PAGE 10 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
Running the Irish Dancing Star London Marathon T to help young disabled people live their lives to the full
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ast year, if anyone had said that I would be preparing for the London Marathon this year, or ever, I would have said they were mad! Whilst always active, I have been an emphatic “nonrunner”, with the dubious distinction of regularly coming last in races on School Sports Day. What changed was a family trauma. 12 months ago, our daughter, Alice, 19, suffered an illness which made her wheelchair-bound. Whilst we are optimistic that she will recover, this made us very aware of the challenges facing young disabled people. Aged 57, I decided to train for and fundraise through the London Marathon – which is proving a considerable challenge! I have got used to quizzical looks from dogwalkers and cattle - and have really appreciated the friendly waves when running down Kings Langley High Street! My charity is Leonard Cheshire Disability, which operates a residential facility in Hitchin, Lavender Fields, specifically to help
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young people to become as independent as possible. It is a wonderful facility. Over half of the young people go on to live fully independent lives, and when I visited I met Issy, a former resident, who continues to volunteer there, and now lives with her fiancé in an adapted flat. Lavender Fields really makes a difference to the lives of these young people, and I am delighted to be raising funds for them. Reaching the target, £2500, to help give these young disabled people the best possible start to their lives, would make all the training worthwhile. Any donations would be very welcome indeed, on Just Giving: https://www.justving.com/ bevjullien/ Thank you!
Come along & TRY ...
he parents of 7 year old Keeley Ward are proud to announce that their daughter won the City of London Feis on Sunday 8th March. Keely won the solo result for each dance and then the overall championship. Her
parents said “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Moira Louise and Lorna at the Skehill Academy of Irish Dancing for all their time and effort spent with Keeley, she is becoming a star”
April Events at Christchurch Baptist Sundays 10.30am – Morning Service – Family worship for all ages Mondays 10.30 to 12.30 – Kings Coffee Shop and Book Shop Tuesdays – Pensioners lunches Wednesdays – 10 to 12 noon - Kings Coffee Shop and Book Shop Wednesdays 2.15 to 4.15 – Ladies Knit for Peace and other crafts with Together Time, tea, message, sharing news and prayers for the sick and needy Thursdays 10 to 12 noon - Kings Coffee Shop and Book Shop Saturdays 10 to 12 noon - Kings Coffee Shop and Book Shop
Special Event: Sunday 19th April, 10.30am – Mission morning We welcome you warmly to our Coffee Shop, Bookshop and Church Services this month. You will find friends of all ages ready to greet you. Matthew Cooper
Email: jane.thomas@me.com | Tel: 07885 217352 Book at: www.NordicWalkingWatford.co.uk
Thank you to all volunteers for delivering this paper down their road. If you would like to help, there are just a few roads left in Kings Langley or you could volunteer to fill in when necessary KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 11
We Will Remember Them Each month we will remember all those who died, either killed in action or died of wounds from WW1. Christopher Godman was the eighth man connected with Kings Langley who died for our country
Christopher Godman Rifleman Christopher Godman of the 3rd Bn., King’s Royal Rifle Corps Reg No. R/9497 Duty Location: France & Flanders Awarded: British War Medal and Victory Medal
Christopher Godman was born in 1890 in Chapel Croft, Chipperfield. He then moved to 11 Rucklers Green, Kings Langley. He was an Envelope Packer and was a Bell Ringer at St Mary’s Church, Apsley His father was George, a farm labourer; Mother: Charlotte and his siblings were Edward, James, Leonard, Ruth and Alice Christopher was killed in action on 3rd October 1915, aged 25 by a rifle grenade at the Somme. Christopher is remembered with honour at the Thiepval Memorial, a Memorial to the Missing of the Somme and at Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley Memorials.
The Somme Battlefields
The Royal British Legion Abbots Langley Branch We welcome all those interested to join us. Monthly meetings are held at the Abbots Langley Men's Club on the 1st Monday of the month (except on Bank Holiday when we assemble on the 2nd Monday) at 8pm. Everyone welcome.
Social evenings are held at the Manor House, Abbots Langley on the second Thursday of each month from 8pm to 10.30pm. There are also a variety of outings organised throughout the year that are announced at our social meetings. PAGE 12 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
S
Strictly Sensational Nets £25K
eventeen courageous couples including a couple from Kings Langley put on a show to remember in a night of showbiz glamour at The Hospice of St Francis’ Strictly Learn Dancing grand finale. After just six weeks’ training with professionals Brian and Shirley Cusworth, from BaliaCusworth Dance School, they took to the stage in the charity dance extravaganza, performing the cheeky Charleston and the passionate Paso Doble in front of an audience of 500 at Berkhamsted’s Centenary Theatre. In a close contest of daring lifts, splits and comic turns, Hospice Chaplain Ray AshleyBrown and his wife Claudia, from Hemel Hempstead, were crowned victors. “It was such a tough call,” said judge Jodie Read, a professional dance teacher and choreographer, who was joined on the independent judging panel by Allstars Academy coowner Amanda Constantinou, Sean Butt, Senior Designer at Gorgeous Hair in Berkhamsted and Caroline Watson, MD of local design agency Zing. “All our dancers put on a real show tonight and we were really split between the top three but Ray and Claudia turned in two great dances and their improvisation was fantastic – they stayed in character the whole time.” Ex-neighbours and friends Andy Swann and Alexis Smith, from Kings Langley, performed
their dances with the help of props, including an inflatable golf club for their comedic Charleston and a plastic gun for their Paso Doble, which they danced to the James Bond theme tune. “I really enjoyed the whole experience, from turning up to the first practice session on day one right through to drinking in the pub after the show!” said dad-of-one Andy, 46, from Gallows Hill. The Finance Director at SeventeenGroup insurance brokers in Watford added: “It was just brilliant fun for a great cause. I’d do it again tomorrow!” Mum-of-two Alexis explained: “It was exactly what I’d hoped it would be. I’ve taken part before in 2010 in memory of my close friend Brenda Richardson, who was cared for by the Hospice’s home care nurses before she died just a few weeks before the grand finale - I danced with her widower, Paul. “But this time, I immediately thought of Andy – we’ve known each other for 18 years since he lived next door to me in Alexandra Road and he’s really good fun. My other half, Vic, is very supportive but he’d never dance in public!” Alexis, an IT resource manager, admitted: “I was so nervous the night before when we had the run through. It was a different venue to the time before and it was really daunting. I woke up at 2am on the morning of the performance
and couldn’t get back to sleep! “But on the night, seeing Vic in the audience with our sons Adam and Ben, plus their girlfriends and other close friends, calmed me down and we just went out there and enjoyed ourselves. “There was such a great vibe – the audience was fantastic and the camaraderie amongst the dancers, all cheering each other on in the green room, was outstanding. I’d recommend it to anyone and it is for such a great cause.” So far, thanks to generous families, friends and colleagues, Andy and Alexis have raised over £1,700 throgh JustGiving. To sponsor Andy, visit http:// www.justgiving.com/AndrewSwann2 . To sponsor Alexis, go to http://www.justgiving.com/ Alexia-Smith The event, now in its fifth year, looks set to raise more than £25k for the Hospice, which relies on voluntary
donations for 80% of its £4.7m annual running costs to provide free care for people living with life-shortening illnesses and their families across Herts and Bucks. Event organiser Fran Martin said: “I am so proud of all our couples. They worked really hard, showed total commitment and found the courage and confidence to dance on stage in front of 500 people here tonight. To me, they’re all winners! To see a short clip of the action, visit DeeTV’s website at http://www.deetv.tv/#hospicestrictly-2015 If you'd like to take up a challenge to help the Hospice fund its care, registration is now open for its ninth Midnight Walk, with a new glowing theme and a brand new 5 or 10-mile route. Sign up now for a night to remember at http://www.stfrancis.org.uk/ midnightwalk or call 01442 869555.
Advice Column From Your Local CAB I’m hoping to buy a second hand car but I’ve heard so many horror stories about dodgy dealers. How can I avoid being ripped off? You’re right to be wary. Problems with used cars bought from dealers top the list of consumer complaints brought to the CAB. Follow our top tips to avoid problems. Know what you want and get a feel for how much it should cost - check second hand car prices in your local press and used car values. online Find a reliable dealer - look for an established firm with a good reputation which belongs to a trade association and comes recommended. Look over the car’s condition - check every aspect of the car, from the paintwork to headlights, tyres to seatbelts. Check the mileage - Average mileage is around 10,000 per year. If it’s much higher it
could mean problems, much lower could mean it’s been tampered with. Investigate the car’s history – check through DVLA, do a private history check and an MOT check. Take it for a test drive check the brakes (including handbrake), steering and gears. Listen for banging or rattling and any unusual engine sounds, and be alert for a strong smell of petrol or oil - these can all indicate potential problems. Be wary of specific buying terms - if you see signs such as ‘sold as seen’ or ‘no refund’ as these are illegally trying to limit your rights. Make sure you fully understand the conditions of the sale – including tradein price and any finance agreement terms and charges - before sealing the deal. Use your consumer rights - when you buy a car from a dealer, the car must be of satisfactory quality; fit for purpose, and match its
description. Otherwise you have a right to a repair, replacement or refund. For further help and advice contact your local CAB.
Abbots CAB are recruiting new advisers. Please call into the CAB to find out more, or apply via the national Citizens Advice website: citizensadvice.org.uk
The Old Stables St Lawrence's Vicarage High Street Abbots Langley Three Rivers Residents:
0344 245 1296
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KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 13
French Leave by Voyager Comparisons with life in France from a former resident
A steak. A steak. My programme for a steak… W hat do Cinderella, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard III have in common, apart from all having been in the news this last month? And what don’t they have in common with France? Well, all three have fallen foul of a higher authority, with varying degrees of justification. Take Cinders, for example, her nasty sisters banished her to the scullery, only to be driven to the ball in a carriage and saved by a Prince Charming. Richard III’s transport experience was less satisfactory, having recently been pole-axed and slung naked over his horse and carried back to Leicester. And Clarkson? Well, everyone knows what he did and what subsequently happened to him, so now he finds himself cast down by the Beeb, though he‘s still writing for the Sun, which says it all. However, it is the reaction to these three events that I find interesting. First off, Cinderella. Kenneth Branagh has just directed a new version of it for Disney. I discovered this by accident last Saturday when, as is frequently the case on a late Saturday afternoon in winter, I am installed in my shed, busy doing nothing and usually listening to radio 4, which has some good programmes at that time of day. That is with the exception of Weekend Woman’s hour, with which I have a love/hate relationship. Love, because they often have some very interesting topics and excellent interviews—Julie Andrews at 80 and Judi Dench recently—hate because I cannot stand the political correctness in which they frequently indulge. Last week there was a discussion about Branagh’s Cinderella and whether we should still be telling this kind of story to our children. Predictably, one of the speakers took a violently feminist stance starting with the phrase “I felt really uncomfortable watching this film” and continuing in the same vein, while the other took a more positive view of it, saying that rather than Cinders behaving like an oppressed woman, she states specifically that it is her choice to stay in her parents’ house and look after it, since they were no longer in a position to do so. She also pointed out that Branagh was very
much aware of the sensitivity of the issues in a world which is now so politically correct, you frequently swallow your tongue. Difficult to know why anyone would care. It is a non-story in a world with more dangerous menaces to our children than a Disneyised fairytale. Online porn, early sexualisation, addictive computer games and being groomed by disgusting males of whatever origin seem more relevant. Fairy stories are just that and to elevate them to the status of a socioeconomic determinant (the sort of term these ghastly people use, like “gender exclusive”, which also cropped up) is absurd. Childhood is all too short and I don’t believe that fairy-tales are going to influence behaviour in later life adversely. Sort out the problems above and, in the unlikely event that you succeed, then turn your attention to fairy tales. And so to Richard III. Though I have never joined the Richard III Society, I confess to be a closet Ricardian since reading The Daughter of Time many years ago. Since then, I have read quite a lot of history about him and acknowledge that while he might have murdered his nephews (and there is no proof that he did so), he was doing pretty much what most of his peers had been, were and would continue to do. In the two brief years that he was king, he did a lot that was good for his people and might well have done more, but yes, he did seize the crown, when in fact his role was that of Regent. However, he felt his life to be under threat in that role and therefore acted in his own defence… or not, depending on whom you read. …smearing Richard III was a no brainer for 15th century publicists and Shakespeare’s genius unwittingly perpetuated the blackened image All of which begs the question, why should anyone care half a millennium later. In my case it is about justice and justice being seen to be done. Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne was dodgy and he had to justify the legitimacy of his title, so smearing Richard III was a no brainer for 15th century publicists and Shakespeare’s genius unwittingly perpetuated
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the blackened image. And while we are condemning Richard, we conveniently forget Henry VIII, who bumped off upwards of 72,000 people during his long reign (q.v. Voyager 08/08). Even so, the arrival of some 30,000 spectators in Leicester to line the royal route was remarkable. Can you imagine that many people turning up to see a Prime Minister or other current political leader go past? So what were their motives? Is it a comment on the disillusionment of contemporary folk with politics, so that, as with Cinders, or sport, we dive into something near fantasy? Fantasy. Ah, well that brings us neatly to Mr. Clarkson and his boy-racer antics that we repressed drivers dream of doing. While I may be vehemently anti political correctness, I draw the line at physical and verbal abuse in the workplace. So having established the facts, Lord Hall had no choice but to sack him. How could anyone disagree with his conclusion? And yet more than a million people did and someone has now issued a death threat against Lord Hall. Various commentators
have suggested that the reason that people like Jeremy is because he is dangerous and politically incorrect, which may be true. But does that blind them to the fact that thumping his producer for not having arranged for the kitchen in a classy hotel to stay open is just a tad excessive? Apparently not. All of which brings me back to my question about the French. Could any of the above situations have occurred in France? I can only conclude not. French telly has yet to produce a Clarkson figure, few parents would question the legitimacy of telling fairy-tales to children and the nearest I can get to Richard III and historical rehabilitation is the Dreyfus case. A more difficult question is why not? Leaving aside the triviality of the Cinders “debate”, what really did motivate people in the Richard and Clarkson affairs? Was it a form of escapism? Or mediatisation? Although the celebrated “exception” is less exceptional than the French might like to believe, in this case I think perhaps that there is a genuine dissimilarity between our two societies. Vive la difference?
Remember A Loved Family Problems? One With a Leaf Ask Danielle Messenger from Pictons Solicitors for Top Legal Advice
B
and Help Hospice Grow
ereaved families and friends have a new way to display a lasting tribute to their loved-ones following the launch of a unique memorial at The Hospice of St Francis. The Berkhamsted-based charity unveiled a special Memory Tree yesterday (26th March) at its Spring Garden Lane site, made up of 450 autumnal coloured leaves that can be dedicated to a special person who has died. The eye-catching, handmade sculpture, designed by Hemel-based artist and sculptor Claudia AshleyBrown, is open to any members of the public wishing to create a memorial - not just those touched by hospice care. Its launch coincides with the retirement from the Hospice of its Director, Dr Ros Taylor, MBE, DL, who is to take up a full-time post with Hospice UK at the end of this month. “I am delighted that the Memory Tree has come to fruition before I leave the Hospice,” said Dr Taylor. “It’s a stunning piece of art and each leaf will not only provide a unique and meaningful way for people to remember a loved one, but will help our Hospice grow further in very symbolic way. “Our heartfelt thanks go to its talented designer Claudia AshleyBrown as well as all of our generous donors, who have brought this amazing project to fruition.” Retired engineer Brian Hill helped launch the new memorial, along with seven other leaf donors, by displaying a leaf in memory of his wife Linda, who died at the Hospice in January 2013, aged 62, after a three-year battle with cancer. "When I first heard about The Hospice of St Francis Memory Tree, I knew I wanted to buy a leaf,” said Brian, from Kings Langley. “The Hospice has a Memorial Book, where a loved one’s name is always present but only visible on the anniversary of their death. However, the new Memory Tree offers a different perspective - the chance to have a special person’s name visible all the time and at any time their loved ones care to see it. “The dedicated care that Linda received during her time at The Hospice of St Francis was beyond price and the support I have received since through bereavement counselling and its therapeutic cookery course has been invaluable. “I’m pleased to be able to dedicate a leaf on this beautifully designed tree in memory of Linda,
which just like a leaf on a tree, will help the Hospice to grow, to continue its incredible work for the whole community and to provide such a valuable service for families like ours who need its help.” For a minimum donation of £120, each leaf will be engraved with the name of a loved one and once dedicated, will remain in place for a year, at the end of which it can either be renewed or sent to its owners in a special keepsake box. Eight leaves have already been dedicated, raising over £6k for the Hospice, which relies on voluntary donations for 80% of the £4.7m it costs every year to fund its free care for patients and their families facing life-shortening illness across Herts and Bucks. Thanks to a generous donation from the son of a former patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, all the costs of the sculpture, plus engraving costs for all 450 leaves, have been covered, meaning that 100% of all the money donated for a leaf will fund patient care. Vanessa Howden-Smith, The Hospice’s In Memoriam Fundraising Manager, who spearheaded the project, said: "The idea for the tree was agreed following many requests from relatives over the years for lasting memorials such as rose bushes, benches or pieces of equipment at the Hospice. "We’d rarely been able to grant these requests before but now we hope the Memory Tree will provide a focus for family and friends who wish to have a wonderful way to remember someone special at the Hospice as well as help raise the funds we need every year to reach more people who need our care now and in the future.” Memory Tree leaflets with application forms are available in all Hospice shops, from the Hospice’s main reception or by contacting the Hospice on 01442 869555 or by email to vanessa. howden-smith@stfrancis.org.uk
Photo: Brian Hill from Kings Langley, one of the first donors
I’m in panic mode after seeing in the news that a woman was claiming finances on her husband 20 years after divorcing!....is that possible? Q. After seeing the news last week, where a woman was allowed to bring a financial claim against her ex husband 20 years after their divorce, I am concerned about my position. I am about to get divorced and I had thought this would give me financial closure, but this story has made me worry. A. In the case you are referring to, the parties had no assets at the time of the divorce to consider and therefore overlooked putting anything in place in terms of financial matters. This resulted in financial claims being left open. Often on divorce, it is imperative to deal with financial matters as there are joint assets and property that need to be divided and maintenance issues to resolve. In such cases this has to be dealt with in order for people to live independently. In cases where there are no real assets involved and maintenance is not necessary, people often do not see the need to take advice. However, in such situations, it is still possible to enter into a financial agreement that simply records that neither party wishes to make a financial claim now or at anytime in the future. This agreement is known as a 'Consent Order', and can be lodged at court within the divorce proceedings. It allows both parties peace of mind that all possible financial claims are dismissed. It is important you take legal advice and that the Consent Order is properly drawn up and approved by the Court. This will give you the finality you want. Email: danielle.messenger@pictons.co.uk Telephone: 01442 229644 Address: Pictons Solicitors, 1 The Waterhouse, Waterhouse Street, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 1ES Danielle Messenger is a qualified Solicitor and Associate at Pictons with over 10 years of experience in Family Law Facebook: Pictons Solicitors Twitter: @pictons
KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 15
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No job too small
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T
Piano Blues and More
his coming July offers an opportunity to enjoy the talents of two remarkable pianists. From St. Louis, Missouri, American pianist Stephanie Trick is a phenomenon in the world of jazz piano – despite her young age she has achieved a respect and admiration normally given to someone far beyond her years. Her enthusiasm for the music of Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, and other stride piano greats is boundless. Quite recently, Jools Holland described her as “The best stride piano player on the planet”. Her exciting style has to be seen and heard to be fully appreciated. Paolo Alderighi hails from Milan, Italy, and he and Stephanie were married two years ago. Paolo, as well as being a fine pianist in his own right, also teaches. He plays with a number of ensembles
throughout Europe, appearing at many major music festivals. Together, Stephanie and Paolo combine to present a superb programme of wonderful music – four hands on one piano! With each taking the occasional solo, it promises to be an evening of terrific variety and musical delight. The famous American pianist Dick Hyman offers this view: "I love to hear Stephanie and Paolo together. They are an inspiration. Such sympatico! Such back-andforth! Individually they are marvellous musicians - we've known that, but together they play 4-handed stride as it's never been done. Brava, bravo!" Stephanie and Paolo are appearing at the Community Centre, Kings Langley, on Wednesday July 22nd – an occasion not to be missed! For ticket and booking information see advertisement within.
Come and Try Bowls at Kings Langley Bowls Club W
Sunday 3rd May
e are holding a COME AND TRY BOWLS day at the Kings Langley Bowls Club on Sunday, 3rd May between 10.00am and 4.00pm. So why not join us and bring along family and friends for a fun morning. There will be a team of members on hand to show you the rudiments of the game. Equipment will be provided but please wear flat soled shoes. The new Boules rink will also be open. After you have tried your hand at bowls we would like you to join us for refreshments in
the clubhouse when bowlers can meet other members of the club and find out a little more about the club. Please could you telephone 01923 262857 if you would like to come along to the Come and Try Bowls day. There will be coaching sessions on Sunday mornings between 10.00am and 12 noon through May through. Kings Langley Bowls Club, situated to the rear of The Saracens Head, High Street, Kings Langley
KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 19
Kings Langley Community Choir Hits Top Note 2
015 has started in style for Kings Langley Community Choir. The choir was awarded Honours and first place in the Open Choirs section of Watford Festival, held at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys School on 22nd March. The test pieces performed by the choir were Adele’s ‘Rollin’ In The Deep’, and ‘Wisely and Slow’ by local Watford group The Staves, both arranged by the choir’s Musical Director Ben Crawley. In his remarks, the Adjudicator Tim Blinko (Professor of Music at Hertfordshire University), remarked on the very strong balance and ensemble, and pleasing commitment, shown with Rollin’ In The Deep, and said that the choir had produced a lovely vocal quality coupled with changes of tone and dynamic for Wisely and Slow. Next for the choir is a busy and exciting May. Having only recently been invited to perform for the first time at an international festival, Kings Langley Community Choir has received a second similar invite. This one comes with the added cachet of appearing at the world famous Roundhouse. Voices Now 2015 takes place from Friday to Sunday, 8th to 10th May. On the Sunday at 12:00pm, the Choir will first perform a half hour set on a festival
stage in Camden Market. Then, the choir moves to the Making Music Stage in the Roundhouse where it will give a further thirty minute set, starting at 1:30pm. The following Friday evening, 17th May, Kings Langley Community Choir will feature in London Sangerstevne, an international festival which runs through to Sunday 19th. At St John The Baptist, Holland Road, Kensington, the choir will perform a thirty minute set in a programme which also features the Ohio
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University Choral Scholars and the Kensington Singers. The evening starts at 7:00pm. Further details can be found on the Performances page of the choir’s website, www.kingslangleychoir. co.uk, and also online for Voices Now 2015 and London Sangerstevne. A busy period then continues, with the choir scheduled to perform at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 20th May, thanks to an invitation from the Rt.Hon.Mike Penning MP. This follows the appreciative
response to the choir’s performance last year in Portcullis House, when it was the first choir ever to appear in The Palace of Westminster. Enjoyment of the choir has led to virtually full membership. However, a few more men to help drive the bass line would be particularly welcome. Anyone interested, with or without previous musical experience, should contact Pat Waterton (07714 701316 or patwaterton@gmail.com). Come along and join in the fun.
Kings Langley Local History & Museum Society A
fter welcoming members to the Society’s 47th AGM, acting Chairman Alan Penwarden first thanked in his report members of the council for all their hard work over the last year, with a special thanks to Lucinda Blake for the planning of such an interesting series of talks over the winter season and for the summer visits later this year. Sadly he reported the loss of three members recently. On a happier note he was pleased to report that Society archivist Jean Osbourne was to become a member of the council. Honorary Treasurer Peter Sutcliffe reported that the Society was in a healthy position. With business matters over, Alan introduced Roger Yapp, Chairman of Abbots Langley History Society who gave an illustrated talk “Back to the Front”. On opening he said his talk came in three sections. Firstly the research, second collating all the information and filing in some form of order, thirdly was checking the authenticity of the known details. Cross checking names from the Memorial within the Parish boundary to find those who perished during the war. Family members of the dead were traced and interviewed. The War Graves Commission is of great help with the soldier’s service records and the causes of death plus location where possible of the battle scene and burials. This information was needed especially when a family name
followed through generations, Grandfather, father, son, even cousins. Roger reported it was easier to trace men from the Commonwealth, New Zealand, Australia and Canada as their diaries could be accessed. It was interesting to learn that not all soldiers towed the line. There were many cases of AWOL, drunkenness and one case of sleeping on duty. In conclusion Roger spoke of the man men who fought and died locally and how they were remembered last year. Chipperfield presented a play “Our Village at War”; Abbots Langley and Kings Langley united for an exhibition of photographs memorabilia and film shows over a weekend. A candlelit Vigil was held on August 4th, Remembrance Services were held at Langleybury, Kings Langley and Abbots Langley Churches. The Back to the Front team were awarded with an Award of Excellence and a cup for their many hours of research by the Abbots Langley Parish Council. Alan thanked Roger for such an interesting talk before Lucinda Blake asked for names of those interested in the Summer Outings during May, July and August. Peter Field
Our holistic view of counselling emotions or circumstances. It manifests itself in many unhealthy relationships, forming unhealthy relational patterns, excessive use of social networking sites, excessive internet use, shopping, gambling, substance misuse, obsessivecompulsive behaviours and body dysmorphia. Individual and group therapies complement each other, and allow the individual to gain insight into the causes of the addictions, and enable the healing process to begin. From May some new support groups - Bereavement and loss, Women's group and Carers group A team of eight counsellors cover a wide range of counselling skills. We are members of the BACP, and are fully insured.
Call or text on 07538 175557 www.acornwellbeing.co.uk 44 Old High Street, Hemel Hempstead
Star of Broadway, the Big Screen and TV, on stage at The Nap Kings Langley Players bring us Neil Simon’s masterpiece
A
The Odd Couple
regular poker-playing group meets at Oscars and one player does not show up. His wife had thrown him out. Oscar offers him a room. Neil Simon's play, The Odd Couple, is about the complications of sharing an apartment. The Kings Langley Players did Neil Simons proud. This had been a play, a film and a TV series. What has become dated was brought to life under the direction of Victor Amswych despite his keeping to the 1960s original play. The timing was precise and it was funny in a downbeat way. We were among golfing, poker playing 1960’s middle-class New Yorkers, with the appropriate pace and accents. Where they momentarily lost the accent the cadence and pace took over. The poker games were held in Oscar Madison’s apartment. The versatile Guy Peskin was the obvious choice for this part. His flat was comfortable and lived-in with washing strewn around the chairs, underpants left where they had fallen, the portrait on the wall crooked. The view from the window high above ground and lighting that changed as evening drew in with a chain of street lights going into the distance over the top of a New York Bridge was so clever. The missing poker player was the emotional, uptight Felix Ungar (Robin Piper). He caused anxiety among the poker players who wanted a police search. It just so happened that there was a friendly policeman at hand. Nick Davey played Murray the quintessential New York cop, if you have watched the generations of untidy detectives, you’ll know the type with his fast-paced twang and quiet expertise. Neil
Revens played Roy, the slightly detached accountant who understood the problems with alimony and the two characters who were there to keep the audience subtly informed were Speed played by John Walker and Vinnie played by Gary Edgar. The two house-mates were diametrically opposite. Felix was obsessively house-proud and the perfect cook, the picture was instantly straightened and he wondered around the place with inane smile, in his apron, brandishing a ladle. Upstairs, lived two English sisters, Cecily (Liz Hill) and Gwendolen Pigeon (Mary Musker). Wanting female company, Oscar invited them to dinner. Felix flapped about in a most effeminate way, fussing about the food the lateness and the table. Clattering cooking sounds emanated from the kitchen off stage. He had become the archetypal suburban house-wife to the horror of Oscar. The two girls made quite a stir with the audience, not only did their names ring a bell but they were the epitome of the 1960s Chelsea set with their upper crust accents, high pitched voices and glorious fashions. They totally ignored Oscar and fell in love with the foppish Felix who was missing his wife. The Oscar ménage fell apart but the two girls came to the rescue carrying away Felix to live with them. Meanwhile something had rubbed off on the very masculine Oscar. Somehow he had caught the house-proud bug. This was a lovely performance, a lot of fun and every aspect was taken care of. Joy Mann
Want More News?
A
s you know, Village Life is a monthly information paper and various news and events are not included in an issue due to details not being confirmed in time before going to print. To keep up to date with local events and news in the area and lots more information
which does not get printed in the paper, please either follow us on Facebook, visit our website www. villagernews.co.uk or email julie@villagernews.co.uk to be added to the weekly newsletter which is already sent to many residents within the area.
KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 21
Transition In Kings News F
T
iK have been involved in a wider Beds, Bucks and Herts Transition Group for some time, and are very proud to be taking part in the exciting Transition Network Roadshow event in Berkhamsted on Sunday, April 19th. This is a family event, and throughout the day there will be loads of workshops, events and talks, culminating in an evening discussion / talk with Transition's founder Rob Hopkins. Berkhamsted Transition Roadshow is THE event for the whole of South East England, including London. We're expecting a large turnout, so take a look at the website and book now: http://transitionberkhamsted.org. uk/roadshow2015/
A
You can book online for individual events, or for the morning, afternoon or whole day. TiK's next Open Meeting is on April 11th, 10am - midday at Charter Court, Vicarage Lane. Kings Langley. More info at www.transitioninkings.org
New Pre-Loved Furniture Warehouse
fter 20 years trading as Langley's House Clearance, the family run business opens their own shop and have become the new neighbours of DENS who have their furniture warehouse at Paradise in Hemel Hempstead. Langley's have been clearing houses for families across the county and specialise in bereavement clearances. They look forward to meeting new customers who need to furnish their homes at a fraction of the cost of buying new. They have everything from pots and pans to wardrobes, beds, linen, garden tools, white goods, pictures, mirrors, clothing and collectables. Gillian Adams says “We do not see the charity DENS as competition, more rather a helping hand as we have over the years supported many charity shops with donations and having such a worthwhile one as a neighbour can only be a bonus for everyone.” They have now got to a stage in their lives where both Gillian and husband Martyn
Kings Langley Evergreen Club
and are finding the strenuous side of house clearance a bit too much and now have to let the youngsters take over that side of the business. Gary Burrell their son-in-law to be now heads the clearance side of Langley's and Martyn and Gillian will run the shop. They have over 20 years’ experience in dealing with house clearances and having run their own auction house, their knowledge of antiques and collectables is rather vast. The opening hours to start will be Monday to Friday 10am till 4pm with late night shopping on Thursday. The website will be updated with new stock as and when it arrives in the shop www. langleyshouseclearance.com They are planning on making starter packages for new home makers. This will consist of duvets, sheets, towels, tea towels, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, TV and DVD player. They can be contacted on 01442 261179 or you can visit the shop at the warehouse to the rear of the Hub Paradise Depot, Paradise, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4TF.
PAGE 22 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
ollowing a short break in January the EVERGREEN CLUB has resumed its regular meetings at the Community Centre. The club offers Entertainment, Talks, Games, Quizzes, Outings and above all Friendship. There is always time for refreshments and chat following each event. This year we have already had an afternoon based on the TV show 'Play Your Cards Right', and an afternoon of music and quizzes along the lines of 'Name That Tune' Future events include entertainment by the Hemel Hempstead Community Choir, a talk by a reporter who worked for the BBC, a talk about Early Victorian time in Kings Langley and an outing to a delightful riverside restaurant. New members are always given a warm and friendly welcome so if you would like to come along to our next meeting please contact Ann Martin on 01923 267604 for details.
We offer free transport to and from all areas within the village.
Volunteers Needed If you have just a couple of hours to spare on alternate Thursday afternoons the EVERGREEN CLUB needs volunteer drivers and club helpers. Drivers should be willing to pick up and drop back club members who are not able to make their own way to the Community Centre in The Nap. All journeys are short as members all live within the village. Club helpers welcome members as they arrive, help with refreshments and also with some 'in-house' activities. The club has grown into a very happy place to be not only for the members but also for the volunteers. For more details about how you can get involved please contact Ann Martin on 01923 267604.
Chipperfield Choral Society Gives an Inspiring Performance of Elijah T
he Chipperfield Choral Society gave a truly inspiring performance of Mendelssohn’s Oratorio, ‘Elijah’ on Saturday evening. Under the unfailing energy and commitment of their Musical Director, Delia Meehan, St. John’s Church, Boxmoor rang to the rousing choruses of this dramatic work from the compelling and majestic opening. But the 93 strong choir also achieved moments of controlled, quiet thoughtfulness when the unfolding story demanded. An impressive range was achieved, enhanced by the orchestral colour, giving Mendelssohn’s score full expression. The soloists, Mary Bevan (soprano), Rosemary Clifford (mezzo-soprano), Tom Robson (tenor) and Charles Rice (bass) gave distinguished performances of depth and power that really brought to the characters to life. Charles Rice’s Elijah had great presence, and there was tenderness in the tenor recitatives. The singing was often uplifting and moving,
with beautifully balanced vocal duos and quartets, while the trio of angels brought an effective and other-worldly quality to their singing of the well known melody ‘Lift Thine Eyes’. The performance was of such a standard that it was
easy to forget that this choir is an amateur society. A long work, this nonetheless had direction, momentum and a gripping quality. Even in the demanding accompanied recitatives the intensity was sustained, and the capacity audience made it very
clear that this was a much appreciated experience. One of their most memorable presentations to date, this choir goes from strength to strength, and should be warmly congratulated on their latest performance. J G Watkins
KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 23
Kings Langley Players Celebrate Their 90th Season With a Cult Musical - and Big Birthday Bash! E
xactly 90 years ago in April the Kings Langley Players stepped on stage to present their first ever production. Plans are now afoot to celebrate their big birthday with a great big birthday bash on Saturday April 18th – the nearest Saturday in the month to that first ever performance. “It’s one of the biggest events in this year’s KLP calendar” confides current Chairman Andrew Knight. “This will be a wonderful opportunity for members past and present to get together and chat about times past, present and future. We have entertainment laid on, including a sneak preview of Little Shop of Horrors (the June finale to our 90th season). A light supper is also provided and a disco to take us into Sunday. All for a modest £10.00 ticket price. It is going to be a night to remember!” How does Andrew find
being the chairman of such a venerable drama company? “Awesome. Never saw this coming when I first stepped out in a KLP panto as Silly Billy in Jack and the Beanstalk when I was just seventeen. KLP is a second home to me, it’s my extended family. So it’s thrilling to be chairman in our 90th year. And I feel we are going from strength to strength, with our productions getting ever more ambitious.” In KLP’s 90 years many other performing groups have come and gone and Andrew is very clear about what it takes to survive so long. “Loyalty and teamwork. Also hard work and dedication. I am particularly lucky to have the back-up of a committed core membership who rally round to put on high calibre shows. These dedicated souls treat it like a second job.” As well as leading the KLP Andrew is also delighted to be the man who has the
PAGE 24 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
task of directing its ultimate production of this celebratory season in June: Little Shop of Horrors. “What a privilege! Little Shop of Horrors (June 24-27th) will be a must see show. It’s great to be presenting this cult classic as our first ever musical! I have a hugely talented and dynamic cast of familiar KLP players plus some exciting new faces. Already there is a great feel at rehearsals. I am supported by a top notch technical team, and, as usual, teamed up with the excellent Clive Swan, as musical director, and Julie Edgar, as choreographer. Tickets are on sale right now. Call 07906 695959 or book on line at www.klp.org.uk. Andrew also has a last word to say about the KLP’s birthday party: “Numbers are strictly limited to one hundred. So I’ve a message to all ex-members out there. We’d love to see you. Please
Andrew Knight take a look now at our website www.klp.org.uk. Or phone Michael on 07711848256 for tickets.”
Just Another Easter W
hatever you believe about the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus, having just lived through another Easter has given each one of us the chance to ponder what Jesus went through – all for the sake of human kind. To know and commemorate afresh the suffering and sacrifice of the Son of Man/ Son of God made for making, that we be forgiven by our Father God, can be an unparalleled emotion for the human soul. For this amazing gift to be offered to every human born into the world, the innocent and loving Son of God gave all He had to give us what we neither earned nor deserved – salvation and forgiveness from wrongdoing. His Father could have condemned us. But He loves us so much He
wants our presence with Him forever. If you can’t believe this, neither did I, till God filled me with His Spirit while recovering from an operation when I realised how empty and meaningless my life was and how much I needed God’s love. And He showed me clearly how much He loved me and wanted to forgive me. I said Sorry; and He has never left me. Some readers will think “Rubbish! God doesn’t even exist - Impossible” but some will believe. I pray that God who knows your heart and mine, will bless us as we say Sorry and accept His amazingly gracious gift. A very grateful Kings Langley Christian, born and bred in the village
The cut off date for the next issue is Friday 24th April
Box Office : 01923 265310
KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 25
Christian Aid Week: May 10-16 May: Please help us make a difference where it really counts!
W
Also, as mentioned in last months ‘Village Life,’ the ‘Silent Auction’ is well under way as we approach individuals and businesses for items and services to put on the web site, which will ‘go ‘live’ in Christian Aid week. Thank you for all who have responded so far and we do ask that you continue to think of what you may be able to offer, examples include: • Relaxing foot and hand massage • To cook and serve a 3 course meal or BBQ for 6 people in your own home • Voucher for a meal for two at local restaurant
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PAGE 26 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
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All offers should be sent to: Kings Langley Christian Aid (01923 269599) auction@kings-langleychurches.org.uk We have been very
privileged this year to have Christian Aid speakers who have come to the village with personal experience of the difference that financial support makes in some of the most difficult situations in the world. At the ‘Simple Meal’, Nicky Rieger, Programme Funding Officer for the Congo (DRC) spoke of the support being given to 4000 local and displaced families, hygiene awareness and rehabilitation of 6 water points. According to the nurse at Ngongomeka health centre, the prevalence of waterborne diseases has been declining thanks to the new water points They are also working on an advocacy project, giving local people a voice in areas that they would previously had no influence. One local person said: ‘The world has heard the voice of fishermen and women thanks to this project. Doors are now open to us despite being closed before.’ So please support us, your gifts will really make a difference. Help us fight poverty today
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e are so grateful for the support from the Village for Christian Aid week, and last year we raised an excellent £5,700. This year our key activities are: 9 May, 9.30 to 12.00: Stall in the High Street 10-16 May: House to House Collection 10 May, 10.00am: United Service, Kings Langley Methodist Church, Hempstead Road, speaker: Revd. Dr. Susan Durber from Christian Aid 16 May: 10.00 to 12.00 Coffee Morning: Christ Church Baptist, The Nap
OBITUARY
H
Mrs Hilda Stuart (née Hall) 1917 - 2015
ilda Hall was a War baby – born on 17 February 1917 - and she did not meet her father until she was 18 months old. She was an only child and she adored her parents but particularly her father who was a Methodist Lay Preacher. Born in Watford, her family moved to Kings Langley when she was 11 years old and she attended Watford Grammar School for Girls Hilda knew what she wanted to do – Physiotherapy. So her father, who worked for the railway compiling timetables, took on an extra job of giving lectures about holiday places around the British Isles to encourage people to use the train. Back in the nineteen thirties, Physiotherapy was mainly massage; however, when Hilda trained there was training on Faradism and Short Wave so she completed her course with an ‘Electrical Certificate’. This was an advantage when she looked for a job. Although there were none available locally she left her card at several
hospitals and she later got a call from Hemel Hempstead for a temporary post while one of the Physiotherapist went on the ‘Electrical Course’. That Physiotherapist did not attain her Certificate so Hilda was given the post permanently. Hilda was a dedicated physiotherapist. She loved working with babies – even though she would have to strap up the Talapes babies to straighten their legs – the babies cried and the mothers cried. She was not so keen on cerebral palsy but, Hilda being Hilda, she put all her effort into these children and was so successful that she was rewarded with even more cases. When she was 21 she became Head of Department and spent many happy years there. During her time she convinced the Board of Governors that a new department was necessary by booking all that day’s patients in for the afternoon of the visit. Faced with an overflowing department they sanction the new build straight away. Her faith and Church were
important to her and in 1935 when the ‘new’ Methodist church was built in Hempstead Road she laid one of the foundation stones. She was an active member, being a Sunday School teacher and sometimes playing the organ for services. She was also a member of the church choir and of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society where she met Donald Stuart from Abbots Langley and they married in 1950. In 1956 a son, Ian, came along followed by a daughter, Jennifer, in 1958. With a family to look after she left the hospital and set up practise from home in a specially built treatment room In the 1970’s she was the physiotherapist to the top Women Tennis players at Wimbledon and was there when Virginia Wade won in 1977. In 1995 Hilda decided to write her autobiography. Called ‘People I’ve seen from behind’ because, once on the bed, that was usually the view she got. Although she was sound in body Hilda developed dementia in 2009. This slowly
diminished her abilities, though her determination and humour stayed with her to the end. She died on 13 March, peacefully at home as she had always wanted. Her husband pre-deceased her in 1974 and she is survived by her children.
KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 27
The Good Life: A Vision for the Future T
he bishops of the Church of England created a minor political scuffle recently when they issued a document offering their vision of the future of this country. The old, wearisome cry went up from some politicians and certain sections of the Press, mostly of the less reputable kind; “Keep religion out of politics"! As Desmond Tutu sapiently remarked, “Which version of the Bible have they been reading"? Now, I confess from the outset that I have not been able to lay my hands upon this publication except briefly but from what extracts I have read it takes an emphatically non-partisan stance. The bishops drew attention to the need for an over-arching vision of the future which people of goodwill, of whatever political persuasion, can embrace in working together for the common good. In so doing, they drew upon fundamental Christian values and insights such as concern for the poor and weak- surprise, surprise! Centuries ago, in 390 to be precise, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, ruthlessly slaughtered hundreds of Thessalonians, thereby incurring the rebuke of the saintly bishop of Milan, Ambrose who promptly excommunicated him saying: “If a Christian priest may not speak truth to the Emperor, then who can"? Theodosius did penance and was absolved. Admittedly, that is a far cry from the mild but penetrating critique of modern Britain
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offered by the bishops but the principle expressed by Ambrose remains valid. In the run-up to the General Election, we have the chance to quiz our prospective parliamentary candidates on their visions for the future of our country. Locally, that opportunity will be provided at a pre-election hustings to be held at Christ Church Baptist church on 15th April from 8 pm. Publicity for this event is circulating. It appears that the overriding priority for the electorate is the economy and, unsurprisingly, how policy measures will affect our nearest and dearest. Our customary standards of living have been under threat for some time but now, so we are told, we are merging into a sunny upland and can revert to "business as usual". But behind the political and business scene the tectonic plates are shifting as it becomes increasingly clear that the economic model which got us into this mess is broken beyond repair. So economists and others are beginning to think of other models which do not depend upon the bad old ways of growing consumerism and obsessions with increasing the GDP. Some insist that there are fixed, immutable laws governing economic activity"The markets rule- O K"? This dogma is increasingly being challenged by others who insist that the economy must be shaped to serve human ends. Can we, then, visualise a
future prosperity which does not depend upon growth? Yes, if we can accept that prosperity is not wholly dependent upon material riches. Real prosperity is to do with our ability to participate meaningfully in the life of society. Prosperity itself is under threat, not from current economic constraints but from the continuing surge of consumerism and materialism. What, then, might be alternative sources of wellbeing? There are many small-scale initiatives aimed at combating the harmful effects of recession, springing up from the grass roots and led by community groups or local authorities. The author of a recent book suggests that such groups are meeting the deepest needs of human beings previously provided by religion but that function is still being provided by many Church and other faith groups. The Food Bank project is a conspicuous example. Many analysts of contemporary society have detected widespread disenchantment with aspects ofmodern life. Anxious to escape from the work-andspend cycle we are suffering from the waste and clutter of our modern world which does not enhance but, rather, reduces the quality of life. This is not new. 3,000 years ago, the anonymous author of the biblical book Ecclesiastes expressed his world-weariness thus: “When I considered my handiwork, all my labour and
toil, it was futility, all of it and a chasing of the wind". There is growing research evidence that people with less materialistic life-styles are both happier and live more sustainably when they favour goals that embed them in family and community life. In a recent study, up to a quarter of us have expressed a willingness to accept a lower income if this would enable them to achieve such goals. Involuntary grinding poverty is degrading, dehumanising but willing acceptance of a simpler way of life may provide the basis for a reworking of society. The key to this whole enterprise must be a drive to achieve greater social equality. The gaps between the poor and the wealthy grow steadily wider. But what has this to do with the Christian Gospel? A great deal, I suggest, since much of the teaching of Jesus had to do with what counts as "the good life" and it’s outworking in individual lives. In the current debate about how to recover what has been lost in our recent and continuing economic troubles, the Christian community has the opportunity to press home the Good News that a person's wellbeing does not consist in piling up "stuff" but in living out the Great Commandment to love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves. This involves caring for the world and its people, especially the poorest, in a world in which we have been placed as stewards, not exploiting or polluting it. Harold Taylor
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PAGE 28 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
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D
A Sad Loss to Chipperfield
avid Nobbs sadly passed away on Friday 27th February after a fall and short illness. David was a well-respected and kind, gentle man who was always available to give knowledgeable and helpful advice which he did in a measured and precise way. David was totally immersed in village life being either the initiator, the driving force or a member of a team on a vast number of village initiatives. He spent a period of time as Church Warden at St Paul’s Church and was involved in the planning and creation of the Parish Room. He was a committee member and representative of the Council with Chipperfield Care. David became a member of the Parish Council in 1983 and devoted over thirty one years to it, ten as Chairman. David represented the Council at many external committee meetings and was a contributor to Dacorum Borough Council’s Environmental Forum. In 1997 he instigated the Chipperfield Parish Council’s publication of “Chipperfield Within Living Memory”. This publication researched by his wife Mary, was a collection of memoirs of sixty-eight villagers covering the years 1920 to 1970. As Chairman he formed a team to plan the Village Millennium Celebration which was a tremendous success.
However, David’s passion and expertise was in all matters planning. In 1992 he instigated the Village Appraisal which took into Consideration the views of all villagers. David’s overriding objective was to protect and preserve the character of the village. When assessing planning applications, he not only looked at the paper application but went to the site in question in order to have a clear understanding of the issues before advising the Council. David will be best known for the lead role in producing the “Chipperfield Village Design Statement” in 2001 which remains valid today and is used in the assessment of all village planning applications. David’s compassion, expertise and dedication to the village will be dearly missed by Chipperfield.
Players Required
K
ings Langley Lions FC is looking for players for the 2015/16 season, when they will represent as the Under 13 team. The team plays in the West Herts Youth league, Red Division and is growing as it moves to 11-aside next season. If you are currently year 7 at school and playing football we are would love to hear from you. We are one of the few local clubs that has its own facilities, with three pitches and clubhouse at Gaywood Park. We have teams from U7 through to adult, allowing
players to develop and progress year on year. The club has been granted FA Charter status, meaning it demonstrates to all parents, sponsors and the public, that the club: • Is well-organised, safe and offers opportunities for all • Has FA-qualified coaches as standard • Adheres to FA Respect Policies and Codes of Conduct • Prioritises Child Welfare • Maintains appropriate levels of discipline Please call Keith Furniss on 07875 734049, or email Keithfurniss@hotmail.com
Harry Laverack
KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015 | PAGE 29
Kings Langley Football Club Tuesday 24th February Spartan South Midlands League – Premier Division Kings Langley 5 (Jackson 35sec,3, 21, Hutchins 34 pen, Carter 55) Ampthill Town 1 (Dawson 83) Nick Jackson seemed keen to eclipse fellow striker’ Mitchell Weiss’ seven minute hat trick in the previous game with two goals in the opening three minutes, but ultimately had to wait until the twenty first minute to complete his second treble of the season .It was Weiss who outstripped the defence on the left and delivered the perfect low cross for Jackson to sweep home after 35 seconds and then replicated the service with a through ball that enabled the skipper to beat Jordan McKechnie in a one on one for his second. Kings extended their lead when a corner was only partially cleared and Jackson seized on the ball on the edge of the box to lash home a low shot, before a dazzling Alex Campana run saw him ghost past four defenders only to be felled as he was about to pull the trigger. Danny Hutchings dispatched the penalty with confidence and two minutes later Ant
Ladyman was called into action for the first time when he held a shot from Charlie Cullen. Town changed keepers at the break and to their credit, put in a much improved session that matched Kings for much of the half. Ten minutes in, a teasing right wing run by Campana and a textbook cross to the head of Tom Carter had taken the score to five, but Ampthill kept going and although Ant Ladyman had to pull off two good saves, he was powerless to prevent Jake Dawson’s consolation header seven minutes from the end, when the defence failed to utilise its height advantage to deal with the substitute. Although their second half performance did not live up to the first, Kings had done enough to return to the top of the table with four games in hand, taken their goal tally to a remarkable114 and scored five or more in a match for the ninth time this season. Team;- 1 A Ladyman – 4 Pattison 5 Deaton 6 Adebiyi – 2 Hutchins 7 Burgoyne 8 Hitchcock 3 Carter – 11 Jackson – 9 Weiss 10 Campana Subs used:- Warrell, Cox, Atkins Not used:- Crowley, L Ladyman
Tuesday 3rd March Spartan South Midlands League – Premier Division Kings Langley 6 (Hitchcock 4, Weiss 19, Hutchins 49, 57 pen, Campana 51, Atkins 84) London Tigers 1 (Startin 83) A crowd swelled by the offer of free admission saw Kings Langley serve up a fest of attacking football as they continued their quest for back to back promotions, mauling London Tigers in the process. Dean Hitchcock set them on their way when his low shot beat Pampolim on just four minutes, after good approach play from Alex Campana, who put a sublime through ball into the path of Mitchell Weiss fifteen minutes later and the speed and control of the in-form striker saw him round the keeper and slot home. Tigers were also playing some attractive interpassing football, but making little impression in the box and had to wait until the 38th minute before Philogene had their first serious shot on goal. The second half was also four minutes old before Lee Burgoyne found Danny Hutchins, who showed exquisite control to beat two defenders in a tight box and rifle home the third. Almost immediately, a four man move of sheer artistry began with Tom Carter’s pass to Mitchell Weiss, who turned direction and his man, took it to the corner flag and crossed for a central Sam Warrell to first time the ball to Alex Campana and he finished from wide right. There was still no respite for Tigers as Burgoyne won the ball, played in Campana and his shot was handled by Ngeno, with Hutchins converting the penalty. The last quarter was a quieter affair, as both sides used all three substitutes, but the visitors found some consolation when John Startin pulled one back seven minutes from the end, only for Danny Hutchins to again demonstrate his skills on the wing and pick out Daryl Atkins, who finished from close range. Laraba saw his penalty hit the post at the death after an over exuberant tackle from Joe Debayo, but by then Kings had warmed the crowd on a cold night and shown any new supporters what the faithful already knew. That Kings are on fire! Team;- 1 Crowley – 2 Pattison 4 Debayo 5 Deaton 3 Carter – 6 Warrell 8 Hitchcock 7 Burgoyne – 11 Hutchins 9 Weiss 10 Campana Subs used:- Atkins, Cox, B Stevens Not used:- Tabor, J Stevens Saturday 7th March Spartan South Midlands League – Premier Division Kings Langley 1 (Campana 4) Colney Heath 1 (Parkinson 58) Kings continued their
PAGE 30 | KINGS LANGLEY VILLAGE LIFE | April 2015
experiment of free admission and saw a significant increase in attendance, but unfortunately they were unable to match the shimmering heights of Tuesday night’s display. They started well enough, scoring within the first four minutes for the third successive game, as Alex Campana received the ball wide left and twisted and turned across the defence to create an angle for a shot that beat Tom Blackman. Stuart Deaton went close with a header, but the home side failed to convert early superiority into a killer lead and gradually the Magpies grew into the game as Charlie Crowley was forced into a last minute save at the foot of the post from a free kick and Ryan Wade volleyed over the bar. Mitchell Weiss had a glancing header shave the woodwork, but the half ended with little to choose between the teams. Daryl Atkins should have made an early impact from the bench, but his touch let him down when through and Kings paid the penalty for a performance that was becoming increasingly disjointed when a long throw was touched on to David Parkinson at the far post and the experienced striker made no mistake. When Atkins threatened again, Blackman pulled off a flying save, but it was obvious that the home side was having an off day, with passes going astray against an uncompromising defence and the creativity that had inspired eight consecutive wins going into hiding before the larger than average crowd. Indeed, the introduction of the pacy Courtney Lawrence could have taken all three points, two late runs and powerful shots bringing the best out of the airborne Charlie Crowley, who was probably his side’s man of the match. Kings will be disappointed, but will no doubt continue to reach for the standards that they have set this season and go to Bedford on Tuesday night with a place in the League Cup final at stake.. . Team;- 1 Crowley – 2 Pattison 4 Debayo 5 Deaton 3 Carter – 6 Cox 8 Hitchcock 7 Burgoyne – 11 Hutchins 9 Weiss 10 Campana Subs used:- Atkins, Jackson Not used:- Tabor, Bateman, Ward
Tuesday 10th March SSML – Challenge Trophy – Semi Final Bedford 1 (Smith 64) Kings Langley 3 (Ward 35, Hutchins 70p, 90p) Continuing their policy of relying on youth in Cup competitions, Kings reaped the reward by advancing to the final of the League Cup, set on their way with a debut goal by 18 year-old wing back Steve Ward. Ant Ladyman saved a late penalty and Danny Hutchins converted twice from the spot in a dramatic encounter that entertained partisans and neutrals until the very last minute. Ollie Cox and Alex Campana went close early on and Sheldon Washington shot just wide, but the first half hour was fiercly contested at pace and it was an error that broke the deadlock. Keeper Aaron Bodger came to the edge of his area to clear, got into a tangle with his defender and a challenging Matt Bateman and the ball ran free to Steve Ward. The debutant kept his head and stroked the ball into the net from fully twenty yards and Kings were on their way. When Ashley Kersey broke free as the interval beckoned, Ant Ladyman pulled off a saving block with his legs, but the home side emerged the stronger after the break, culminating in a Craig Grieve rocket tipped over and then a Ryan Smith shot cleared off the line. Undeterred, he lashed it back into the net and the pendulum appeared to have swung the home side’s way. But Langley hit back and when a meaningful right wing run into the box saw Alex Campana pulled down from behind, Danny Hutchins calmly dispatched his third penalty in four games. The experienced back line of Jack Pattison, Stuart Deaton and Callum Adebiyi were exceptional, the latter pair carrying injuries, while Steve Ward and his counterpart Jack Stevens, showed a maturity that belied their years. However, just as Kings looked to have held out, Jack Pattison’s challenge was adjudged unfair and Chris Johnson stepped up for the penalty surely destined to take it to extra time. But Ant Ladyman saved low to his left and the drama continued as Matt Bateman was hacked unceremoniously down at the
other end and Hutchins finally eclipsed Bedford’s aspirations. Team;- 1 A Ladyman – 4 Pattison 5 Deaton 6 Adebiyi – 2 Ward 7 Cox 8 J Stevens 3 Hutchins – 11 Jackson – 9 Bateman 10 Campana Subs used:- Davis, Collier Not used:- None Saturday 14th March Spartan South Midlands League – Premier Division Kings Langley 5 (Hutchins 42p, 80, Hitchcock 56, Weiss 86, 90+2) Harefield United 0 A top of the table clash started as a tactical encounter, with few chances other than a 30yard snapshot from Dean Hitchcock just over and a close range effort from Alex Campana smothered. However, the game burst into life four minutes from the break when Mitchell Weiss was felled and Danny Hutchins fired home the penalty with his usual confidence. The Hares’ reaction was disproportionate and when Lee Burgoyne tackled Liam Hind minutes later, the latter’s reaction merited a straight red, following which the visitors continued their complaints into the tunnel. Kings reacted by keeping their cool, while Harefield channelled their energies into having the best of the opening ten minutes, but when Hutchins delivered a right wing cross to deep centre, Dean Hitchcock blasted a low shot which Matt Elston-Bull got a hand to at the far post but could only watch as the ball spun over the line. Charlie Crowley was called into serious action on the hour to parry a fierce shot from Ben Gill and Kieran Gradwell missed a point blank header, but the rising tide of home pressure saw the ten men swamped in the final ten minutes. The third goal came when Nick Jackson delivered a ball to Danny Hutchins wide right and his first time strike with the outside of his foot was poetry in motion. Mitchell Weiss, who seemed to have been the centre of the away side’s attention since the penalty incident, found the perfect response when he back-heeled home a Campana cross and then rose to head a Tom Carter cross in off the underside of the bar in time added on to complete the scoreline. Team;- 1 Crowley – 4 Pattison 5 Deaton 6 Adebiyi – 2 Hutchins 7 Burgoyne 8 Hitchcock 3 Carter
Kings Langley’s Ollie Coc (black & white) in action against Colney Heath – 11 Jackson – 9 Weiss 10 Campana Subs used:- Munday, Cox, Debayo Not used:- Tabor Wednesday 18th March Spartan South Midlands League – Premier Division Hadley 0 Kings Langley 4 (Campana 11, Hutchins 25 pen, Weiss 62,69) Kings Langley strengthened their grip on the Premier division top spot with a performance of pace and power that proved too much for Hadley. They employed a high back line, marshalled by Stuart Deaton, a high speed pressing midfield, typified by Lee Burgoyne and the creativity of Nick Jackson and a ruthless front pairing that gave the home defence nightmares. The tide reaped dividends as early
as the tenth minute when Alex Campana received the ball on the edge of the box, latched straight on to the rebound of his blocked shot, slalomed through a hesitant defence and found the far corner of the net. Fifteen minutes later a similar run into the area caused panic and a desperate challenge from behind. Danny Hutchins fired in his sixth penalty conversion in as many matches, a statistic that represents a staggering turn round after only two awards in the first forty matches! Laste Dombaxe nearly reduced the deficit with a back-heel, but Kings continued to put on an exhibition until the break, after which they seemed to have eased up for a ten minute period. Dombaxe had the ball in the net, but was offside and it proved to be the lull before
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the storm as the visitors turned on the power again. Hadley had made the courageous decision to switch to a back three and it began to be exploited by Kings attacking trio, culminating in Campana blasting a shot goalwards, the composed Jackson uncharacteristically slicing the rebound and Mitchell Weiss stooping to head in from close range. Five minutes later the same player took a long through ball in his stride, outpaced the defence and beat Charlie Mann with a power shot that typified his emergence as a top striker this season. Hadley were gracious in defeat, but never looked likely to take Kings to the wire as they did in last month’s tight encounter at Gaywood Park. Team;- 1 Crowley – 4 Pattison 5 Deaton 6 Adebiyi – 2 Hutchins 7 Burgoyne 8 Hitchcock 3 Carter – 11 Jackson – 9 Weiss 10 Campana Subs used:- Munday, Cox, Ward Not used:- L Ladyman No. 46 Saturday 21st March 2015. Spartan South Midlands
League – Premier Division Cockfosters 1 (Spaul,66) Kings Langley 4 (Campana 17,63, Weiss 69,78) Langley continued their title quest with a workmanlike win at Cockfosters, hitting their hundredth League goal in the process. Absence of three regulars meant a change in formation as well as personnel and a rock hard pitch proved unpredictable, limiting Kings free flowing pattern and chances for either side. However, one moment of class was enough to give the visitors a half time lead when a perfectly flighted right wing cross from Danny Hutchins saw Alex Campana prod the ball home at the far post. They refined their long ball tactics after the break and the middle fifteen minutes of the half resulted in a flurry of goals that defined the match. Ollie Cox won the ball just inside the home half, found Hutchins on the right and another superb cross was met on the half volley by Campana for his second. Cockfosters immediately pulled one back when a free kick central on the D
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by Ben Spaul deflected off the wall to deceive Charlie Crowley, but the response to that was just as swift. A precision 45 yard pass out of defence by Jonny Munday was to the feet of Alex Campana and his diagonal cross saw a brave header by Mitchell Weiss beat keeper Scott Parker in an aerial duel and register the landmark hundredth. Kings then wrapped up the proceedings when Callum Adebiyi found Campana on the wing and his through ball was seized upon by Weiss to keep the two strikers level on points in the goal stakes. It was harsh on home defender Damien Thomas, who until then, had given an outstanding performance on the in-form Weiss, but Cockfosters’ emerging side battled to the finish, while Kings were left to reflect that 20 points from their last 10 games would see them over the line. Team;- 1 Crowley – 2 Pattison 4 Debayo 5 Munday 3 Adebiyi – 7 Cox 8 Jackson 6 Carter – 11 Hutchins 9 Weiss 10 Campana Subs used:Atkins Not used:Warrell, Ward
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