From the Vicar

Revd Anne Donaldson

Happy New Year! Better late than never, I hope.

And a big welcome to those who are reading the Mag for the first time in Great Amwell and St Margarets. Stanstead Abbots have delivered it through all the doors for years, and now the other two villages have joined in. We do this because we believe we serve the people of the parishes in God’s love, and we wanted everyone to know what is going on in the area. A very big thank you to all those who have agreed to deliver it (and to those who have delivered before!) We don’t have anyone to deliver in Rivermeads at the moment – if you know anyone who might be willing please could you ask them to contact the Vicarage (870115)

We now need your prayers that all the advertising spaces will be taken despite the increased fee (£110 for the year), or we won’t be able to cover the cost. Also, that the loss of subscription income can be made up for the 2 churches or we will be badly in the red! We are contacting the existing advertisers, but if you would like to join the waiting list in case anyone withdraws please contact the Vicarage as well

As I say, we wanted everyone to know what is going on in the area. We live in a great place with plenty happening

A thought for New Year and Lent sparked by the advert for the Peugeot 208. There’s no point having a wonderful exterior if you don’t have a wonderful interior! Did you make a New Year’s resolution?? Maybe to go to the gym, go on a diet….? How about using the weeks of Lent (18th February til Easter), to think about your interior? What’s really important in my life? Am I giving it as much time as I would wish? What do I feel I should work on in my character (improving something good, or trying to sort something not so good)?

I would suggest asking the good Lord to help you choose what to work on – I tend to find more things to work on in my life than I feel I can bite off in one Lent! And I wouldn’t attempt it without His help either. I can do so much in my own strength, but so much more with His help. And if I make this effort – with His help – then Easter, with its message of new life because Jesus died so that we could be forgiven, is so much more joyful. Well worth it.

I wish you a helpful Lent

PS: I still have the post-viral Fatigue ………………..

AnneAnneAnneAnne

Church News

Lunches for Charities: Thursday 5th February for Isabel Hospice and Thursday 5th March for Nuthampstead Airfield Museum . Come and join us – everyone, of all ages, is welcome to these free lunches at 1pm in the Wilshere Hall, Stanstead Abbots. Please invite friends to join you. The lunch in December raised £113 for Perennial and there was no lunch in January.

March 2015 Parishes Magazine Items for the next edition should preferably be emailed to admin@3churches.net or left at the Vicarage by 14th February at the latest please. Copy can also be given to Lynne Heraud.

Transport to Church. If you would like a lift to church please phone one of the Churchwardens (see back cover of this magazine).

From our Registers

We offer our condolences to the families and friend s of Joan Butcher Rivermeads 1st December (St Margarets) Reg Challis ex Cappell Lane 4th December (St Andrew’s) Rose Perry Emmas Crescent 19th December (Parndon Wood) Rena Petts Belmont View 31st December (St John the Baptist) Dick Hall ex village butcher 7thJanuary (St Andrew’s) Jimmy Wright Chapelfields 8th January (St Margarets)

St Andrew’s church is praying for:-

Woodcroft Avenue – week beginning 1st February Trotters Gap – week beginning 8th February Chapelfields – week beginning 15th February Abbotts Rise, Abbotts Way, Mill Race – week beginning 22nd February

Please note: The Administrator works on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.15am until 2.15pm and can be contacted on

01920 870115

Need a lift to hospital?? If you need a lift to take you to a hospital appointment, hospital visiting etc or short-

term help with shopping, dog-walking (eg during or following an illness), or would like a visit or a prayer

call 3 Churches Careline: 01920 871678 between 9am and 6pm (except in an emergency)

We’ll do our best to help

Lunches for Charities

5th February for Isabel Hospice Isabel Hospice is a local charity and provides end of life care and support for patients and their families in eastern Hertfordshire. They treat the whole person, not simply the illness, providing medical, spiritual and psychological care free of charge, in patients’ homes, at their day services and at their In-Patient Unit in Welwyn Garden City. Working closely with GPs, District Nurses and hospital Consultants, the aim of the Hospice is to put life into days, where it is not possible to put days into life. The Hospice is part funded by the NHS but the majority of the £4.5 million running costs per year come from fundraising and donations, as well as income derived from their 14 charity shops. The average cost for a home visit by one of their Isabel Nurse Specialists is £126*. Without the support of volunteers and fundraising activities, the Hospice could not continue to provide the free care they do to local people and their families at what is the worst time of their lives. *Isabel Nurse Specialists carry out the role in eastern Hertfordshire that Macmillan nurses do in other parts of the country.

5th March for Nuthampstead Airfield Museum During the lunch there will be a speaker on the charity’s behalf. Nuthampstead was commissioned by the USAAF in 1942, to the standard bomber field specification. The majority of the camp is situated to the west, in and around Nuthampstead village. During this period of the Second World War the site was inhabited initially by 55th Fighter Group from September 1943 until April 1944 when they moved to a new base. On the 22nd of April the 398th Bomb Group arrived with their distinctive all-silver finished, B-17Gs. The 398th flew it's first combat mission on 6th May and completed a total of 195 missions during the next 12 months. Whilst the 398th were at Nuthampstead, the famous Glenn Miller Orchestra visited on 2nd October 1944 and played to the servicemen and women from one of the T2 hangers on the airfield. Towards the end of May 1945 the B-17 crews left to fly back to the States and the ground crews left Nuthampstead on 22nd June. The Mission of the NUTHAMPSTEAD AIRFIELD MUSEUM is to provide a facility for public education of the 8th Air Force 398th Bomb Group and the 55th Fighter Group and attached units and of these organizations activities and roles in the national defense. Their aims are to do this through programs of collections, exhibition, interpretation, conservation, restoration, education, research, reference and publication.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

in St Margarets’ Parish Church Friday 6th March 2014 at 7.30pm. There is also a daytime service at St Mary’s church, Ware at 10.30am you would be most welcome to attend.

Over 3 million people world-wide will be praying, all worshipping during this annual day of prayer, using a service prepared by Christian women in The Bahamas

Jesus said to them

‘Do you know what I have done for you?’Women, men and young people all very welcome to attend

2015 Lent Course

Theme of Prayer

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, 18th time to do something to draw nearer to God in preparation to celebrate Easter fully. So it is traditional to have some sort of study group. This year we are looking at

So please do try to find the time to come to one or several of the They are on Tuesdays in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane (next to St Andrew’s church) from 7.30pm-9.30pm. Everyone is very welcome to come along, for either the whole course or select sessions.

The first session is February 18th, March 3rd, Marc h 10March 17th, March 24th is the final session.

More information about Holy Week and Easter events (Palm Sunday March – Easter Day 5th April) in the March edition of the magazine.

Men’s Breakfast & Bible StudyThe next meeting is on Saturday 7th February from

8.00am to 9.30am in the Wilshere hall. All men welcome – of any church or none. For more

information please contact the Goldsmiths on 01920 422065.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

you would be most welcome to attend.

wide will be praying, all worshipping during this annual day of prayer, using a

The Bahamas

‘Do you know what I have done for you?’ Women, men and young people all very welcome to attend

2015 Lent Course on the

Theme of Prayer

th February, and is a time to do something to draw nearer to God in preparation to celebrate Easter fully. So it is traditional to have some sort of study group. This year we are looking at prayer.

So please do try to find the time to come to one or several of the evenings. They are on Tuesdays in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane (next to St Andrew’s

9.30pm. Everyone is very welcome to come along, for

10th,

More information about Holy Week and Easter events (Palm Sunday 29th magazine.

Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study The next meeting is on Saturday 7th February from

8.00am to 9.30am in the Wilshere hall. of any church or none. For more

information please contact the Goldsmiths on 01920 422065.

St John’s Quiz Evening with Fish/Chicken & Chip supper

Saturday 7th March, at the Parish Hall in Great Amwell

7.00pm for a prompt 7.30pm start

Tickets: £12 per person - profit to go to St. John's Church. Tables of 6/8. Bring your own drinks and glasses.

Tickets available from Bryan & Julia Brace (01992 447845) or Richard & Margaret Mellor (01920 460474).

Evergreen Club of the Three Villages

Our Christmas Tea Party went very well indeed. I wish to put on record my admiration for all people involved in the team which set about preparing the hall for the members to enjoy: everyone worked hard with the preparations, no-one had forgotten anything (food, drinks, serviettes, crackers, greeting cards, plants etc.) The hall and the tables looked so welcoming. Thank you very much for working so well as a team. We settled in to feast and then we had the delight of listening to members of Ware Operatic Society who entertained us with songs for almost an hour. Now we are looking forward to Margaret Rogers, with her slides, in March... and the year proceeds....... I write this before we have heard Ian White of Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society in January. We wish a speedy recovery to all who have been unwell over the holiday period and look forward to your return to the Club.

Rosemary Imroth

Christmas Concert at

St Margarets’ Church We would like to say a big thank you to all those who attended and enjoyed the Christmas concert

on Monday 15th December which raised £569. Jennifer Curtis and Maureen Harwood

FairTrade Fortnight Fairtrade Fortnight is coming – 23March 2015 ! We’ve come so far since the first Fairtrade Fortnight in 1995, educating the public on why to choose Fairtrade and increasing sales on Fairtrade terms for marginalised

producers. Over the past 20 years, together we’ve made the Fairtrade mark the biggest and best known ethical label in the UK. 78% of the UK public recognise the FAIRTRADE Mark. From UK sales alone, £26m of Fairtrade Premium was inves2013. But we know there is still a long way to go to make all trade fair cocoa and less than 10% of tea globally is traded on Fairtrade terms.So for Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, we’re going to celebrate the impact of Fairtrand ask you to turn a spotlight on the producers who grow the products we love. By sharing their stories in a fresh and compelling way, we can remind the UK of the dramatic difference choosing Fairtrade makes and how much it is still needed. We’re focusing on a few core commodities – cocoa, sugar, and tea materials, case studies and a brand new 15 minute film that will be available for Fairtrade Fortnight. Whether you’re an individual or part of a Fairtrade group, there will be opportunities to take action – including asking businesses directly to switch to Fairtrade in a ‘stock it’ challenge. For information on how you or you group can get involved go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight.

St Andrew’s Evening Prayer Group

on the 4th Monday each month 7.30pm – 8.30pm in Wilshere Hall (next to St Andrew’s Church)

Just turn up. Come into the warm and dry, and pray for St Andrew’s church and our ministry

TICTACs This is a group for secondary school youngsters, so we have just welcomed

some new members! We meet once a week in the Wilshere Hall Upper Room for an hour on a Wednesday 7.00pm to 8.00pm. Please do come and give it a

try, no commitment to join! Just turn up

FairTrade Fortnight

23rd February to 8th

We’ve come so far since the first Fairtrade Fortnight in 1995, educating the public on why to choose Fairtrade

terms for marginalised producers. Over the past 20 years, together we’ve made the Fairtrade mark the

From UK sales alone, £26m of Fairtrade Premium was invested by producers in

But we know there is still a long way to go to make all trade fair – just 1.2% of cocoa and less than 10% of tea globally is traded on Fairtrade terms. So for Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, we’re going to celebrate the impact of Fairtrade and ask you to turn a spotlight on the producers who grow the products we love. By sharing their stories in a fresh and compelling way, we can remind the UK of the dramatic difference choosing Fairtrade makes and how much it is still

cocoa, sugar, and tea – in new materials, case studies and a brand new 15 minute film that will be available for

Whether you’re an individual or part of a Fairtrade group, there will be including asking businesses directly to switch to

For information on how you or you group can get involved go to

Evening Prayer Group

(next to St Andrew’s Church) Just turn up. Come into the warm and dry, and pray for

This is a group for secondary school youngsters, so we have just welcomed some new members! We meet once a week in the Wilshere Hall Upper Room

. Please do come and give it a rn up

The Meadow

The parish council would like to plant some fruit trees in the Meadow.

Would any villagers like to sponsor the planting of a fruit tree (approximately £25 each ) in memory of a loved one ?

If so please could you let me know

Gini Trower ginitrower@btinternet.com 01279 793171

Getting Married in 2015? Wherever you are getting married you are invited to ‘Space to Think’ on 7th February. In all the rush of planning, this is time to come aside and think about what it’s all about! 10am-4pm in the Wilshere hall (next to St Andrew’s church). There is no role play, and discussions are not voiced to the group unless you wish. Couples have arrived apprehensive, but gone home having enjoyed the day. Please let the Vicarage know on 01920 870115, if you are coming for catering and for printing enough packs to take home.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and all three churches will be holding a service of Holy Communion at St Margaret’s Parish Church on 18th February at 7.30pm. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

Mums & Tots’ Time

On your own in the day with a baby?

Struggling with a toddler?

All Mums of pre-school children are welcome to come along to Wilshere Hall (next to St Andrew’s church)

EVERY FRIDAY 1.00pm – 3.00pm

Children can play while the adults have an opportunity to relax, chat and support each other over a cup of tea or coffee.

FREE (no subscription or weekly fee) EVERYONE WELCOME

Daytime Study GroupThis Study group meets on alternate Friday mornings 11.00am until 12.30pm in St Margaret’s Parish church. That will mean that children can play in the crèche corner in church while we have coffee and discuss in the back room. I’m doing a series about the Biblical basis for various aspects of our faith : God (February 6th), Engaging with a Multi-Cultural Society The Church (March 6th).

Revd Anne Donaldson

Poppy Collection 2014

A huge thank you to everybody who helped with the Poppy Appeal in November – to the Scouts who made up and distributed all the poppy boxes, to all the collectors who gave up their time in the cold and rain, the businesses who allowed us to leave a box with them, and to the helpers who counted the takings. Most of all thank you to everyone in the villages who contributed to our total.At the moment, the total stands at £7,955.70, which is a fantastic amount for us to collect, and an increase of more than £1,000 from 2013. However, we are still waiting for some collections and donations for wreaths to come in, and so our final total should easily exceed £8,000. We hope that we will be able to update you with a final total in the March Magazine.

‘Strictly’ Comes to

Stanstead Abbotts!!!

Nigel Copping Community Building,

Hoddesdon Road each Thursday at 7pm

Choreographed by

Natalie Lowe and Ian Wait

Please telephone Lynette to book your

place!

07800 763636

www.facebook.com/Fitstepswithlynette66

Group on alternate Friday mornings 11.00am until 12.30pm in

That will mean that children can play in the crèche corner in church while we have coffee and discuss in the back room. I’m doing

basis for various aspects of our faith : The Mission of (February 20th) and

Revd Anne Donaldson

leave a box with them, and to the helpers who counted the takings. Most of all e villages who contributed to our total.

At the moment, the total stands at £7,955.70, which is a fantastic amount for us to collect, and an increase of more than £1,000 from 2013. However, we are still waiting for some collections and donations for wreaths to come in, and so our

ld easily exceed £8,000. We hope that we will be able to update

Anne Sauntson

Leaflets explaining the scope and rationale behind the Hundred Parishes initiative are now on display in the majority of libraries, museums, churches, pubs and tea rooms throughout the hundred parishes. We were delighted with the positive reaction from those we asked to display them. Our principal aim is educational – in particular to spread the word about our area’s rich heritage. Our charitable objects do not allow us to promote tourism, but we recognise that if we are successful in raising the profile of the Hundred Parishes then it may indirectly bring extra visitors to some of the 260 places that now display the leaflets. When distributing leaflets we were pleasantly surprised to find that the number of tea rooms has been increasing, with over 20 around the area. On our website, within the introductions to individual parishes, we try to keep the list of pubs, tea rooms, etc updated so that visitors know what to expect, whether they are exploring by car, bike, horse or on foot. By visitors, we don’t just mean people from outside the area but also residents getting to know the area better. With pubs regularly closing and re-opening, if you know of a recent change of circumstances, or spot that any of our information needs updating, please let us know by using the website’s Feedback form. We also ask for your help to keep our What’s On page up to date. We hope that event organisers will benefit from the extra publicity we can give for an event that encourages appreciation of the area – perhaps a history society talk, a cultural event, a walk or a conservation exercise. Of course, keeping What’s On, etc updated is a waste of time if nobody looks at it, so please look at our website www.hundredparishes.org.uk

Ken McDonald - Secretary

Need Help with a Problem??? Contact the East Herts Citizens Advice Service

4 Yeoman’s Ct., Ware Rd. Hertford, SG13 7HJ (opposite Tesco) Open: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am – 2pm

or 20 Tudor Square, West Street, Ware SG12 9XF on Tuesdays 10am – 1pm

Adviceline telephone service is also available Monday – Friday 10am-5pm 03444 111 444

Regular events in the three churches:

TICTACs (Year 7+ students): weekly in term time at 7.00pm on Wednesdays in the Wilshere Hall Upper Room. Phone 01920 870115 Prayer Meeting: Tuesday mornings 9.30am – phone 01920 870580 Monday Bible Group: Alternate weeks 7.30pm phone 07507 541884 Tuesday Homegroup : Alternate weeks 7.30pm. phone 01920 318941 Friday study group alternate weeks 11.00am phone 01920 870115 Alpha Courses Enquires - 01920 870115 Crèche: toys and books are at the back of St John’s and St Margarets’ churches and in

the tower area at St Andrew’s Challengers (for Primary children): every Sunday 10.15am at St. Andrew’s (except when All Ages worship together) Sunday School : (see Diary pages) at St Margarets’ every Sunday, 10.30am on 1st and 3rd Sundays, 11.00am on 2nd Sunday (Family Service 10.30am on 4th Sunday) at St Johns on 2nd Sundays during the 9.30am service St. John the Baptist Bellringers: Thursdays 7.30pm-9pm St. Andrew’s Music Group: one Wednesday each month, 7.30pm in Church St. John the Baptist Choir Practice : Saturdays 10.00am in Church St. Margarets’ Church coffee : every Saturday 10.30am – 12.30pm Church Tots’ Time: Fridays 1.00pm – 3.00pm in Wilshere Hall

Have you just moved in? Or know someone who has?

We provide a pack to welcome people into the Villages. It has information about bin days, doctors, children’s activities…. If you see someone has moved in near you, please ask the Vicarage for a pack for you to give to them, a good way to introduce yourself! They are kept at the Vicarage so we can endeavour to keep them up to date.

Card making classes

Card-making classes are in the Wilshere Hall, on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 1.00-4.00pm All materials are provided and whatever you create is yours to take home with you. Come and give it a try.

For further information please contact Janet Dance on 01920 871262.

For help with debt – CAP (Christians Against Poverty)

0800 328 0006 (free call)

Parents/Village survey

We would like to see what we can do to improve Sunday Worship and our ministry, and would appreciate it if you could take some time to fill out this questionnaire. We really value your feedback, as well as suggestions for improvement, so that our planning can include your input.

1. Are you a church-goer? a. Yes

if yes, do you attend one of the 3 churches (Stanstead Abbots, St Margarets, or Great Amwell)? If you attend a church elsewhere, it would help us to know why have you chosen to attend a church outside the village?

b. No

If no, it would help us to know why do you not attend a church?

2. What activities/services provided by the 3 village churches are you aware of?

3. What do you think the church might do to serve the residents of these

villages better?

4. Which village do you live in?

Please complete and remove this page and forward it to the Vicarage at: 25 Hoddesdon Road, Stanstead St Margarets, Herts SG12 8EG

19.

FEBRUARY Postal Quiz – Play Your Cards Right This annual postal quiz in aid of Isabel Hospice is great fun. Copies are available from all our shops or you can download it from www.isabelhospice.org.uk. Post your answers along with the £1 entry fee to the address on the quiz. "Playing your cards right" is this year’s offering from Neville Mizen and Marian Stringer to whom we are very grateful for their continuing support. Entries must be received by 28th February 2015. Saturday 14th - Elvis Presley Evening in aid of Isa bel Hospice With Elvis tribute Paul Lillie. Leventhorpe School, Sawbridgeworth. Organised by Chairman of EHDC, Cllr contact Cllr Roger Beeching on 01279 722 496 or by email on roger@rogerbeeching.com Saturday 28th - Civic Dinner and Theatrical Evening Held by the Mayor of Bishop’s Stortford, Cllr Diane Hollebon at the Rhodes Centre in Bishop’s Stortford in aid of Isabel Hospice. For further information and ticket email: Hilary.mitchell@bishopsstortford.gov.uk

MARCH Saturday 7th - Mayor of Hertford Civic Dinner Tickets are now on sale for Cllr Chantal Geall, Mayor of Hertford's Civic Dinner in aid of Isabel Hospice and Hertford and Ware Street Pastors. Drinks will be at 7pm with dinner at 7.30pm. Black tie/Lounge suit dress code. There will be a bar, raffle and entertainment during the evening. Tickets are £40 and available from Nikki Milton on 01992 552885.

Food Bank Collection We have a collection for the Food Bank in Hertford. They would like dry foods of all sorts, long-life liquids, and tinned foods – that will help people who are sent there by Social Services / CAB etc, when they cannot afford to feed their family until the next cheque comes in. They also need toiletries, washing-up liquid etc. Please put your contributions in the box in Burtons or in the churches, and we will take the contents to Hertford.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness, people are being really generous. Please keep it coming as help is still needed in th ese particularly trying

financial times.

Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society

Since the last edition of the Parish Magazine, the Society has had a cluster of events that took place in December and January. On Friday, December 12th we had another enjoyable Christmas Social with a raffle that raised £80 towards our funds. Then, the very next morning, Dec 13th, we gathered together at the village playground clubhouse where a bench was dedicated to the memory of the late Charlie Lovick, the very first SALHS secretary. Our 2015 programme was launched on January 9th when nearly 50 people came along to hear the second part of the journey on the Buntingford line – which closed 50 years ago last November. The speaker was Stephen Ruff and he excelled once again with his input of humorous local tales concerned with the continuation of the line from Much Hadham to its destination at Buntingford. This month on February 13 th we are welcoming Stephen Poulter who will unveil for us the great lost palace of Hertfordshire – that of Theobald’s Grove at Waltham Cross. If you didn’t know of its existence come along and discover it for yourself! And then on the 13th of the following month, March, we’ll welcome Alan Thompson who will tell us how the Poor Law affected the citizens of our area and county. As always our meetings are in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm. We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again - do visit our website! It’s changing and growing all the time. Among the articles and photos that have been added are new writings on the village by local experts Ron Dale and Stuart Moye. If you have a topic that you would like to see presented at one of our monthly meetings then do – please – let us know, by email at: admin@salhs.org

Bob Hunt

Sponsors and Cleaners needed

at St John the Baptist church

To maintain our paid cleaner we have sponsors who kindly contribute towards this cost. Also, they need some more volunteer cleaners to help with the extra cleaning required a couple of times each year, if you feel able to help with either of these please speak to Julia Brace on 01992 447845.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Future events to Rosemary Imroth (01920 424140) by 9th February

FEBRUARY 2015

Monday 16th Evergreen Club: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!. Friday 30th Amwell Society: 8pm in the Parish Hall in Great Amwell, Speaker for the evening to be confirmed.

Do You Live in, or Locally to, Rivermeads???

If so, you might be able to help with the distribution of this Parishes Magazine; we are looking for a few people just to deliver to this one area; the more who volunteer the less magazines need to be delivered or the less people who may miss out getting a magazine. It would be ten times a year at the start of the month, if you think you may be able to help or just want to know more information please contact the Vicarage on 01920 870115.

Articles of Local Interest for the Magazine? If you have something you feel others would be interested in reading about, please get in touch; we always like to have a variety of articles going into the magazine. You can contact me by either email (admin@3churches.net) or telephone as I work in the Vicarage three days a week on 01920 870115 . Katrina Dukes

The Ashlea Room, Roydon Road

The Parish Hall Management Committee is planning to refurbish the near-derelict first floor space of the Ashlea Room, which is adjacent to the Parish Hall. Older residents may remember that, many years ago, this used to be the Village Library. There will be a lot of initial repair work to be carried out, for which we will be seeking grant funding, but the Committee would like to canvass Stanstead Abbotts residents for ideas or thoughts about its future use. The usable space will be about 4m x 7m. Of course, the more elaborate the scheme, the higher the cost will be and the more fundraising will be required. Please contact Vicky Burt or Andrew Day with your ideas or suggestions:

Vicky Burt, Abbotts House, Roydon Road, S/A, SG12 8HQ email vicky.burt@btopenworld.com

Andrew Day, Marsh Cottage, Marsh Lane, S/A, SG12 8HL email andrew.day5@virgin.net

Stanstead Abbotts & St Margaret’s Scout Group

2015 is all set to be another year of fun, activities, adventures and challenges for the girls and boys in our Scout Group. Last term, many of our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts tried new activities, learned new skills, worked together on challenges and had lots of fun at various competitions and we have many more planned for this year.

Towards the end of term, both our Forest Beavers and our Panther Pack Cubs went on visits to Hoddesdon Fire Station as part of their Fire Safety Badge. The girls and boys had great fun with the hoses and learned some valuable fire safety lessons and about working as a Firefighter. The evenings were made especially memorable when the leaders were able to formally invest 4 new Beavers, 6 Cubs and a new adult volunteer into their sections in front the Fire Engines and with everyone looking on. The Scout Troop

meanwhile, entered 6 teams into this year’s huge Hertfordshire Scouts’ ‘Green Beret’ Competition. Our 36 girls and boys had a fantastic but muddy weekend with over 100 day and night-time challenge bases and activities to attempt, competing against 131 other teams from around the county. The Assault Course, Land Rover Pull and Stilt Walk challenges were some of their many favourites.

This Christmas we had lots of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts ice skating at Van Hage’s time, and then everyone was invited to PantSleeping Beauty. All 110+ girls, boys, Young Leaders and adults plus quite a few families and siblings, had a wonderful evening joining in the festive fun, altogether.Please visit our website to find out more about our many adventures, news and announcements, or to find

out more about Scouting and how to join the adventure. Extra adult volunteers ALWAYS needed. Follow us on Facebook Twitter @1stSAScoutGroup or visit our website www.stansteadabbottsscouts.org.uk

Fiona McKenzie

and Scouts tried new activities, learned new skills, worked together on challenges and had lots of fun at various competitions and we have many more

both our Forest Beavers and our Panther Pack Cubs went on visits to Hoddesdon Fire Station as part of their Fire Safety Badge. The girls and boys had great fun with the hoses and learned some valuable fire safety lessons and about working as a Fire-

r. The evenings were made especially memorable when the leaders were able to formally invest 4 new Beavers, 6 Cubs and a new adult volunteer into their sections in front the Fire Engines and with everyone

and Stilt Walk challenges were some of their many favourites. This Christmas we had lots of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts ice skating at Van Hage’s – many for the first time, and then everyone was invited to Panto to see Sleeping Beauty. All 110+ girls, boys, Young Leaders and adults plus quite a few families and siblings, had a wonderful evening joining in the festive fun, altogether. Please visit our website to find out more about our

announcements, or to find out more about Scouting and how to join the adventure. Extra adult volunteers

or visit our website

Fiona McKenzie-Smith

Better Together

Type2Together is a project, being launched by East and North Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Diabetes UK, which looks to support people with Type 2 diabetes by increasing their knowledge and confidence in managing the condition through support groups for patients with Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes affects 7 per cent of the population - over 35,000 in East and North Hertfordshire and we are finding that self-care is becoming exceptionally important for wellbeing and avoiding complications in the condition. The groups will be relaxed and informal and will aim to meet monthly to help people better manage and live with their diabetes by covering different topics and providing support as, and when, needed. Joining one of our groups will offer you the chance to:

- Share experiences and information - Learn more about Type 2 diabetes - Relate your experience to help others - Find out about new approaches and research being undertaken

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer you will need to have personal experience of the condition and be comfortable relating to other patients. This is an unpaid voluntary role, but you would be provided with training and support from Diabetes UK. How can I find out more? Telephone: 01707 367 210 Email: engagement@enhertsccg.nhs.uk www.enhertsccg.nhs.uk/type2together

Stanstead Abbotts Online www.stanstead-abbotts-online.co.uk

The best online resource for the village of Stanstead Abbotts, with news and wide-ranging information on the amenities, events, activities and

businesses within the village. Regularly updated. Take a look and add it to your favourites!

Hire the Wilshere Hall The hall next to St Andrew’s Church is available for both one-off and regular bookings. The ground floor room seats 40 around tables, and up to 70 if tables are not required. It has a well-equipped kitchen area. There are toilets, including disabled, and some parking. For bookings contact:Maureen Freeman 01920 870632

Amwell Society

Bob Barker, who spoke to us on November 28th, is a bell ringer; but he is also a Chief Inspector (now retired) in charge of the Metropolitan Police Horses. He worked for the Police for 39 years. He showed us a photo of the group of cadets who started with him; in those days a class of new recruits went to Hendon every Monday. He was then in Hackney for 5 years and remembers 1976 at the Notting Hill Carnival, which he described as a “right punch up!” He was present at lots of public order situations, demos and ceremonial events, before moving to the Mounted Branch. The Branch is very much part of the London scene. When he started Bob didn’t know much about horses. He learnt to ride and also what horses could and couldn’t do. A hundred years ago the streets were full of working horses, now most of them are used for pleasure, leisure and sport, but the police horses are different. They are there to do a job. They have fantastic living conditions and private health care, but they earn their keep. Their training is long and intense. Young horses are introduced gradually to public events, are trained to walk through noise, obstructions, thrown objects and smoke. A stressful environment is created so they get used to it. After about 18 months they are operational and work for about 10 years. Protection is worn on their faces, knees and hooves. Many are present at football matches – this was particularly dangerous in the 1980s; then there were the student demos of the 90s. Horses have to come forward at a canter sometimes to disperse a violent crowd; Bob said this was something he was often obliged to justify, in court if necessary.

The animals are bought from all over the country; they have to be of a single colour. Black ones are for Royal funerals; a grey escort is used for state visits, the opening of Parliament, etc. For these there is always an early morning rehearsal. He showed us pictures of horses doing slow walking; then pictures at the Olympics, which he said had been a

fantastic atmosphere and a friendly one where no body armour was needed. Horses have individualities and preferences. Some like to lead a band, others dislike traffic. Clearly Bob was very fond of his horses. Those he showed us were gorgeous, beautifully groomed, a stunning example of something uniquely British.

Diana Matthews