chrishall village newsletter autumn 2017
TRANSCRIPT
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CHRISHALL VILLAGE NEWSLETTER
AUTUMN 2017
Also available online and in full colour at www.chrishallpc.org.uk
email: [email protected]
WHAT’S ON AT A GLANCE
Regular Meetings: Chrishall W.I.: 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Village Hall, 7.30pm. Details: Margaret on 838358 and page 19.
Open Door: 1st Monday of the month in the Village Hall, 12-2pm. Details: Jenny on 838386 and page 10.
Parish Council: 1st Tuesday of the month (no meeting in December), 8pm in the Village Hall. Details: Belinda on 838732.
Village Lunch Club: 4th Thursday of the month (December – 3rd Thursday). Details: Meg on 838936.
Society of Chrishall Artists: last Thursday of the month, Village Hall 7.30-10.00pm. Details: Helen on 838930. Yoga Classes: Village Hall, Tuesday evenings, Friday and Saturday mornings. Details: page 19. Keep Fit: Ladies’ Keep Fit, Village Hall Tuesdays 9.15am. Mens’ Keep Fit, Thursdays 7.00pm. Details: Nic Bennett on 838711 or [email protected] Church Mice: Parent and toddler group with a Christian focus. Songs, stories, craft and more. Village Hall, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays during term-time, 10am-12 noon. Details: Isnay on 838194 or [email protected]
Carpet Bowls: Village Hall, 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7.30 to 9.30pm. Details: Mike on 838027 and page 22. Lingualounge: Language classes for adults. Tuesday evenings and Wednesday and Thursday mornings in Royston, Monday and Tuesday mornings in Saffron Walden, Friday mornings in Cambridge. Details: Sarah on 07775 640794 and page 4 or see www.lingualounge.co.uk. Pilates: Tru-2-pilates. Mondays, 9.45 and 10.45am, and Fridays 9.30 to 11.30am in the Village Hall. Details from Chloe on 849113 or [email protected]. Chrishall Library: Monday 9 – 10am, Tuesday 2.30 – 4.30pm, Wednesdays 9am – 12noon, Thursdays -
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2.30 – 4.30pm, Fridays 9 – 10am, Saturdays 9 – 12 noon. Sundays 2 – 5pm (!st Sunday of the month only. Brand Pavilion, Jigney’s Meadow. More details on page 13.
Autumn Meetings and Events: September 24th: Village Party to welcome our new Rector,
Rev.Anand and his wife to the village. 3pm onwards in the Village Hall. Details: back page or email [email protected]
October 21st: Chrishall W.I.Harvest Supper. SOLD OUT!
November 17th: Village Hall Annual Quiz night. In aid of Hall funds. Details: Guy Rackham on 838453 or page 17 .
Please send the Editor dates of your organisation’s future meetings and events for inclusion in ‘What’s On’ – by Saturday November 25th 2017 for the Winter edition!
USEFUL INFORMATION
Parish Council Chairman Derek Ailes 838222 School – Head teacher Tracey Bratley 838592 Pre-school Abby Musk 07817 940813 Neighbourhood Watch Paul Lewis 838737 Village Hall Chairman Guy Rackham 838453 Village Hall bookings [email protected] Church Office Erica Debnam 837272 Open Door Jenny Rodda 838386 WI Margaret Rogers 838358 Library Van - every second Thursday, 11.40-11.55 am at Pinkeneys, Crawley End, and 12.55-1.25 pm at the School.
Newspaper delivery Mr Harvey 01223 834591 Milk delivery Steve Davies 01279 777591 Saffron Walden Police (non-emergency/crime incident) 101 Medical assistance (when medical help is needed fast) 111 Royston & District Community Transport 01763 245228 Uttlesford Community Travel (Book-a-Ride) 01371 875787 Electricity supply problems – UK Power Networks 0800 31 63 105
History websites: Fred Davies www.chrishallessex.com
www.recordinguttlesfordhistory.org.uk
Parish website: John Kay www.chrishallpc.org.uk Village Hall website: Richard Keeling www.chrishallvillagehall.co.uk
EDITORIAL
Welcome to the Autumn 2017 edition of the Chrishall Parish Council newsletter. My grateful thanks to everyone who has contributed to the newsletter. It is a really bumper issue and I’m afraid a few items had to be held over until next time. I do hope the contributors concerned will understand. Last but not least, thanks to the proof-readers whose gimlet eyes pick up (most of) my spelling mistakes! We all hope you will enjoy reading the newsletter.
Stephen Foote
DEADLINE for copy for the Winter 2017 issue is
Saturday November 25th 2017
I will send a reminder to all our regular contributors and advertisers by
e-mail about a fortnight before the deadline. If you don’t get these reminders and would like to be on the mailing list please let me know.
Contributions in Microsoft Word format using Verdana 12 font would be especially appreciated. It is also helpful if texts and pictures are sent as
e-mail attachments. Please Note: I cannot handle documents in .pdf format at present.
Contact – e-mail: [email protected]
or phone me on 838936
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Plumbing, Heating & Bathroom Installations Wyatts, Crawley End, Chrishall, Royston, Herts. 01763 838264 Oil fired Boiler Installations All central heating & domestic hot & cold water systems installed, extended and maintained A complete bathroom & shower room installation service Partner installers of ICE ENERGY Geo-Thermal Ground source and now, air source Heat Pumps Solar panels (and yes, we fit outside taps and change washers in drippy ball valves)
www.phoenixpartnershipltd.com
TOP DOGS TRAINING & PET CARE 14 Crawley End, Chrishall, Nr Royston, Herts. SG8 8QL
Telephone: 01763 838732 email: [email protected]
One to One:
Clicker training; puppy socialisation & habituation; basic obedience training; remedial training; grooming & bathing service; dog walking
Other animal and pet services available
DARK LANE FORGE
Wood–turning, Welding and Blacksmithing including small repairs.
Contact: LUCAS LING
01763 838876 or 07545 233939 [email protected]
SELECT FOODS
We are local suppliers of free range and rare breed meats and poultry,
and top quality fish, delivered to you direct, fresh or frozen, at competitive prices.
Visit our stand at Royston Saturday Market and try our own speciality
free range sausages, and 8oz, 100% beef burgers.
Barbeques, private dinner parties and catering for up to 250 people. References available.
Contact Tom Jackson on 07788 561887 or 01763 838732
email: [email protected]
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CHRISHALL VILLAGE HALL Crawley End, Chrishall SG8 8QJ
HALLS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE:
South Hall and Chapel available for all types of occasion:
Social events – Family events – Birthday parties – Christenings – Weddings – Funerals – Meetings – Seminars – Training courses
Chrishall residents Non-residents
Half-day up to 6pm £30 £35 Full day up to 6pm £55 £65 Evening events after 6pm £60 £70 Childrens’ parties – flat fee £30 £35 Meetings (maximum 2 hours) £18 £23 £20 security deposit payable for all bookings (non-residents £50) which is returnable after the hire period if the Standard Conditions of Hire have been fully complied with. Discounted rates for clubs and groups with regular bookings: First hour £8, then £6 per hour for each subsequent hour. Also 10% discount for those wishing to hire both halls. For further details and to check availability, please email our Bookings Secretary at [email protected]
Paw Perfect Groomers
City and Guilds-qualified pet grooming for your dogs and cats. Hand stripping, clipping, brushing and nail-trimming, all part
of our caring salon-based service in Chrishall. Prices start from £25 for a full groom for pooches and £20 for pussycats. Difficult
customers welcome (and their pets!). Book your appointment today on
01763 838720 or 07749 845171
CHRISHALL SILVER SURFERS ALERT!
Are you worried about WORD, exasperated with EXCEL, troubled with your tablet,
apprehensive about APPS, need to know about backups and tidying up documents so
you can find things again?
I am happy to try and help you sort any of these types of problems (non-technical).
There is no charge, but a donation to a charity (Khandel Light or Village Hall) would be
appreciated if you feel you have benefited from my assistance.
Contact Helen on 838930 or [email protected]
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH – FRUIT AND VEG. INITIATIVE
We know that many villagers grow their own fruit and vegetables and we also know that many people find themselves overloaded with produce they can’t possibly eat!
We would like to invite you to drop any excess produce you may have in the church porch for others in the village – or indeed the many visitors who pass through the church.
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The church is asking that anyone who would like to take or swap some of the excess produce leaves an appropriate donation that will help towards the upkeep of our beautiful (but expensive to maintain) Grade 1 listed church.
CHRISHALL CRICKET TEAM
Well, another season now finished, with good news and bad. I’ll start with the bad side of the news; it has been a poor season in terms of the weather and we have had several cancellations not only on our behsalf but other sides as well. But some excellent news stemming from the pub match where we welcomed 4 new player from the village. Yes, we found you in your hiding spot – and it has been really rewarding to be able to give new players a chance. And we still need more! So please do come and join in; our new net facilities are now getting up and running and there has been a brand-new face-lift for the pavilion which has been greatly received. We hope to decorate it with pictures and trophys, so if you have any, please bring them down to me at 4, High Street, or to Fred Davies at Ramblers, Crawley End. We would love so see them displayed on the wall. Lucas Ling
USE IT OR LOSE IT!
There is no such thing as a free lunch BUT at Open Door you will get a high quality, home cooked, extremely cheap lunch. Unfortunately the sessions have had to be reduced from two per month to only one. Volunteers have sometimes had to take home the dishes they have spent time preparing, so the committee have decided to reduce the sessions. Starting on September 4th, Open Door will take place only on the 1st Monday of each month, so do please come along and join us at 12.00. It is for all ages and both sexes – we welcome young families along with pensioners. It’s a great way to meet folk while enjoying a good meal. What a shame if it has to close down! The dates for the year are as follows, and all take place from 12.00 in Chrishall Village Hall: September 4th, October 2nd, November 6th, December 4th January 8th, February 5th, March 5th, April 9th, May 14th, June 4th (N.B. December 4th is the Christmas party for regular attenders and people need to sign up in advance for this).
WE GAVE AWAY OVER £29,000!
As a village we are very fortunate to have the Brand Trust which gave grants of over £29,000 this year to people in the parish of Chrishall. The trust was set up in 1994 under the will of Mr William Walter Brand, a Chrishall farmer. The capital is invested and produces an income of about £23,000 pa. We make grants for lots of different things such as:- the Heating Allowance (please apply on the form below), grants for educational purposes (including transport costs), help to pay for the Care Line, stair lifts, anything in the house to make life easier for those who need it. We are always looking for new ways to help people so please let me or any of the trustees know about your ideas. It’s important that we include all the people who need the grants so if you know anybody that needs help or you need it for yourself, then please contact any of the trustees in complete confidence.
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Some people are shy in coming forward and feel they are too proud as they see it as charity. We appreciate their sentiments but this money has been left for the specific purpose of supporting local people in need and it would be a great pity for someone to suffer hardship when a friendly helping hand is available. We look forward to hearing from you. Bill Rodda Trustees:- Mark Garrett 838409 (36 High Street) Sue Pegram 838185 (33 High Street) Margaret Rogers 838358 (Crowley Barn, Crawley End) Bill Rodda 838386 (Mullion Cottage, Church Road) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brand Trust Heating Allowance Autumn 2017 (up to £200)
Application to be received by 31st October 2017 Name …………………………………………………………………. Address ………………………………………………………………. Telephone number ………………………………………………….. Form of heating ………………Amount Requested………………. My household income is less than £20,000/greater than £20,000. Signed………………………………………………. Date………………
Please return in confidence to one of the Trustees (addresses above) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISHALL VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE 100 CLUB:
WINNERS
The quarterly draw of the 100 club took place on Sunday 30 July 2017 at The Red Cow and the winning numbers were drawn by Gary Pearce.
1st prize £120 won by Vicky Crowden
2nd prize £60 won by Helen Melville-Smith
3rd prize £30 won by Ian Maris
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The first draw of the new season will take place on Sunday 29 October 2017, 4.30 p.m. at The Red Cow. You are all welcome to attend.
The draw entrance fee is £36 per annum with part of the proceeds making a valuable contribution to maintaining the village halls and the balance forming the cash prizes.
If you wish to have an application form for the 2017/18 year or need our bank details for your standing order, please contact:
Helen Melville-Smith – telephone: 838930 or email: [email protected]
CHRISHALL LIBRARY – NEW OPENING TIMES
From September 1st, Chrishall Library will be open 6 days a week plus opening on the 1st Sunday of the month (when the village museum will be open) making it even more convenient for everyone in the village to enjoy this amazing village facility in the new Brand Pavilion on Jigney’s Meadow.
Come and visit the library to see the wide range of book we have for you to borrow, both fiction and non-fiction, which appeal to all age groups – especially children. Our new opening times have been requested by you! More hours, more days and more convenient times. See some of the new times that are planned around the start and end of the school day:
Monday mornings: 9am – 10am Tuesday afternoons: 2.30pm – 4.30pm Wednesday mornings: 9am – 12 noon Thursday afternoons: 2.30pm – 4.30pm Friday mornings: 9am – 10am Saturday mornings: 9am – 12 noon Sunday afternoons: 2pm – 5pm (on the 1st Sunday of the
month) The library rules are…NO RULES…no fees…no paperwork…and no penalties for keeping books a long time but we prefer to have them back eventually! Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you. Barbara Smith Volunteer
VACANCY FOR CLERK OF THE BRAND TRUST
Our current clerk is retiring after many years so we are looking for a
replacement. The job requires attending 4 meetings per annum as well
as keeping accounts of the Trust’s expenditure. Liaison with our
accountants and stock brokers as well as managing our bank accounts is
needed. Keeping our 4 trustees informed is important and also doing
some correspondence on their behalf is also required. Confidentiality is
paramount. The post is salaried.
If interested, please contact Mark Garrett, 36 High Street (838409) or
Bill Rodda, Mullion Cottage, Church Road (838386)
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REPORT FROM CHRISHALL PARISH COUNCIL
By Belinda Irons, Clerk, 14 Crawley End, Chrishall. SG8 8QL. 01763-838732
Email: [email protected] www.chrishallpc.org.uk
Parish Councillors:
Chairman: Derek Ailes Councillors: Stephen Foote, Jane Holloway, John Kay, Ian Pitfield,
Steven Parish, Tracey Slade, David Thomas
Parish Council meetings for 2017: First Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall 5th September, 3rd October, 7th November. December: no meeting Chrishall Parish Distribution list:
Chrishall Parish Council and Chrishall Village Hall Committee want develop a joint email distribution list. If you would like to go onto this list, please contact me. This list would be used for email distribution of agenda, minutes, village hall events, and also urgent issues in the village such as road and communication breakdown, suspicious activities and vehicles. Please contact me if you are agreeable. Items from recent Parish Council Minutes: A summary of selected recent items are provided below. Full minutes are provided on the web site. Parish Council vacancy: Tom Jackson has resigned from the Parish Council. We wish him well for the future. The vacancy has been advertised on the notice boards. Uttlesford District Council has now advised that the Parish Council can co-opt a new Councillor. If you think that you have skills which would benefit the parish, please do let the Clerk know and an application form will be sent to you. The Brand Pavilion:
The Book Exchange needs your support. Please do use this facility. The History Archive is open on Sunday 3rd September and Sunday 1st October. See the website: http://chrishallessex.co.uk The Parish Office: the office and information point is in the process of being set up.
Chrishall Parish Council is working towards establishing a Youth Club. It is likely to run on a Friday from 5.30-8.30pm. We would like to establish a youth council who will play a big part in running the group, and organising activities. The Youth Club will be affiliated to the Essex Boys and Girls Clubs. If you have youngsters who want to be involved please let me or Tracey Slade know. We will also encourage and support craft groups which will teach others how to do it, such as knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving, cooking, dress making, growing and gardening, woodwork and carpentry, bicycle maintenance etc. This could be a ‘one to one’ operation, or a teacher and group situation, either a course or a ‘one off’ teaching session. If you have a skill you would like to teach to others, or if there is something you would like to learn, please let me know and I will try to find people to assist. If you have any ideas for the use of the main area please let me know. It would be great to have an informal coffee shop run by volunteers with donations to support the purchase of goods such as tea, coffee, milk and sugar Dog fouling:
Can you please pick up after your dog – especially on Jigneys Meadow which has an increasing amount of dog waste left behind. It has been reported that a very small child picked up a dog poo left on the meadow. This is unacceptable and potentially dangerous to small children. The footpaths are also becoming a dog waste repository. Please do pick up after your dog and deposit the waste in one of the many bins around the village. You can put dog waste in your home black bin provided it is double wrapped. Hedges and ditches: Can you please make sure that your hedges and ditches are respectively cut and cleared particularly those that are on a highway boundary including footpaths, footways and roads. Thank you. Dates for the Diary:
GREEN WASTE SKIP SERVICE
THIS SERVICE WILL BE IN THE VILLAGE BETWEEN 14.30 AND 15.30 ON
THE FOLLOWING SATURDAYS: (ONCE EVERY FOUR WEEKS – ALTERNATE SITES)
9th SEPTEMBER - Red Cow 7th OCTOBER – Pinkeneys 4th NOVEMBER – Red Cow 2nd DECEMBER – Pinkeneys
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Chrishall Oil Club:
Tony Kinsey has very kindly set up a Chrishall section on www.Oil-club.co.uk. This site may enable savings on your oil costs.
YOUR VILLAGE HALL – LATEST NEWS
The refurbishment of the kitchen in the South Hall was completed during August. The Committee is most grateful to all its grant funders for financing the refurbishment and also to Open Door for a generous contribution towards the cost of a new range cooker. The new Hallmaster online booking system is now operational and is accessed via the Village Hall website: http://chrishallvillagehall.co.uk/. If you wish to book the village hall for your party or other event, select the Current Bookings page and check that the hall you require is available. If it is, click on the ‘+’ sign for the day and follow the online instructions. The annual quiz night in aid of the Hall will be held on Friday November 17th. This is a light-hearted evening and includes a fish and chip supper. Please put the date in your diaries. To book your table of 8 people, please contact Guy Rackham on 838453 or email [email protected].
Richard Keeling –[email protected].
Secretary to Chrishall Village Hall Committee.
IN MEMORIAM
JOAN MUMBY: 1922 - 2017
One of the few remaining 'Chrishall People', Joan Mumby (née Clarke) died in Addenbrooke’s Hospital on Sunday 6 August, following a short illness. Joan was born and lived in the village for most of her life - the second of 6 children born to Bessie and Stanley Clarke. As a young girl Joan helped to look after her younger siblings, and also worked as a bus conductress for Weeden's Coaches, based in the village by the Green. She married Frank Rose at Chrishall Church on Christmas day, 1939, when she was 17½, and Frank was due to go into the Army. When Frank was demobbed the happy couple moved into No. 1 Abrams Lane, where they became loving parents to Russell, Sandra and Teresa. As the years went by the family moved to 'Stanmore Place' in Church Road, and soon baby Number 4, Sharon, came along. Joan worked part-time for her good friends, Doug and Glad Oliver, at the village Shop and Post Office. She also helped in the School kitchen at lunch times, while Frank worked at Jackson's Grocery Shop in Fowlmere, which later became The CO-OP. Sadly Joan was widowed in 1967 following Frank's untimely death following a car accident. This necessitated a move to a smaller house in Crawley End. Years later Joan met, and in 1975 married Reg Mumby, a tyre fitter for Premier Travel, the company that took over the garage site from Weeden's Coaches. Unfortunately Joan was widowed again in 2003 when Reg sadly succumbed to cancer. In 2005 Joan made her final move to No. 6 Pinkneys, spending her final years enjoying her garden, hosting family gatherings and generally spending time with her ever-increasing family, especially the little ones. She liked to talk of times gone by, and was able to live in her own home, with increasing help in the latter years, until a few days before her death, aged 95. Joan was a proud and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; a true family person, and she will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Joan.
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YOGA FLOW CLASSES - CHRISHALL CHAPEL HALL
Rebecca Duncan’s classes create an entire experience of ‘mindfulness through movement’. Strategic sequencing builds strength and flexibility while releasing stress and fatigue. Suitable to all levels and genders….
TUESDAYS 19:30-20:45 - FLOW & RESTORE
An ‘Open Flow’ class to include a variety of sequenced postures slowly warming the body and working up to a peak to activate your energy
flow, generating heat and increasing circulation. The class ends mindfully into a restorative warm down allowing your
muscles to heal using seated/ lying postures for a more calming way to float into a restful evening.
FRIDAYS 09:30-10:30 - GENTLE FLOW
A softer practice with more time spent in each asana (posture) allowing more time for you to stretch into your body, soothe your joints and
unblock trapped energy. This class is great if you a looking for a slower / deeper practice and a great entry point for 1st time yogis!
SATURDAYS 09:00-10:00 - MINDFULNESS THROUGH MOVEMENT This classes journey will freely flow across a gentle blend of dynamic,
gentle and soft flow. The most perfect yoga blend to let go of the week’s fatigue and to wake up the body with new eyes and fresh energy for the
weekend ahead.
Please get in touch: 07740067186 [email protected]
CHRISHALL WOMENS’ INSTITUTE
Chrishall WI meets on the 3rd. Wednesday at 7.30 pm in South Hall, Crawley End. Our WI has a varied programme of speakers from Hedgehogs to Story Telling, and Sweet Making. WI’s are very good at campaigning for the cause at our resolution meeting. This year the two resolutions were Plastic Soup and Alleviating Loneliness which were passed at the Liverpool AGM.
Cambridge Federation have organised outings to the Docklands, Treasure Hunt, Newmarket Heritage Centre, Chatsworth House and the summer theatre trip to Southwold - always a favourite. There have been several members attending the rifle shooting, Archery, Darts and Pentanque. June was our Birthday meeting held at Challis Gardens Sawston 20th September: Mike Wabe (in costume)- History of the Town Crier 18th October: Sallie Crawley - Improving Memory 15th November - Craft with Jean Hards-Nicholls This year Chrishall have decided to hold a Harvest Supper with entertainment on 21st October 2017 Come and try us as a visitor to one of the meetings above.
CHRISHALL SPORTS ASSOCIATION
In 1980 planning permission was granted for 3 new houses in Chrishall
to be built on the edge of Jigneys Meadow (12,13 & 14 High Street) and
was going to have significant consequences for the cricket club as they
encroached onto the out field
In those days the Cricket club was thriving, with several good players.
Cricket was only played on Saturdays as the village then was strongly
Methodist and Sunday cricket was frowned upon. Those of the Chrishall
team that wished to play on Sunday did so on a sloping pitch in
Arkesden.
The result of the house building meant that the cricket square needed to
be moved further away from the Red Cow (that kept the team fitter!). At
the same time the square was made larger and turned through 90
degrees. It had been tricky batting on the old square in the evening with
the sun dipping and a slow bowler coming out of the sun.
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The old cricket pavilion was very atmospheric, a characterful wooden
building in need of some repair. Also, it was sighted on the far side of
the ground and would be too close to the new square and on the
outfield. The result was that a new pavilion would need to be built in a
new position. Ages ago, prior to the wooden pavilion there was an even
older ‘pavilion’, more like a chicken hut, sited where the existing pavilion
is.
Roy Loveday, who was Chair of the Parish Council, had the foresight to
set up the Chrishall Sports Association with the overall responsibility to
get the pavilion built and move the square, together with encouraging
other sports. Gillie McAdam who was on the Parish Council volunteered
to head up the project. Negotiations with the Reed family were carried
out to agree that the pavilion could be built, as at that time Jigneys was
owned by them and rented to the village.
As the Cricket club was the only active club playing sport the bulk of the
organisation and time put in was done by them. The committee included
Gillie McAdam, Bruce Drury, Spenny Loveday, Dave ‘the Egg Man’, I’m
sure there were others, and me.
We had to raise about £20,000 which in the eighties was a lot of money.
There were no Lottery grants, no Brand Trust and in general very few
places where one could go for grants. We set about it with considerable
success. Spenny was the King of the dances, with live music and discos,
and arranged several very successful functions over 3 years which raised
a significant amount of money. The school hall was packed and it was
great fun. I was also a fund raiser and organised the 100 club. After the
first leaflet drop I had only about 15 members so I decided to cold call
each house in Chrishall explaining about the Sports Association and the
100 club. Most households signed up and we raised a considerable
amount over the 3 years that it was running.
The first draw was done at the summer fete and very embarrassingly my
number came out first for the big prize. I managed to pop it back in the
bag without anybody noticing and carried on with the draw. The Sports
Association had also come up with the idea to target a few of the more
affluent people with the anticipation of having interest free loans to help
get the project kick- started. The loan was to be either £25, £50 or £100
over 3 years. We had hoped that at the end of the 3 years the lenders
would not require the loan back – it turned out that everybody who did
give a loan was happy to gift it. People were very generous.
Part of the preparation work included draining Jigneys which was
surprisingly expensive and a very mucky job leaving all sorts of tractor
marks over the outfield for some years. During the square moving,
which took 2 years of very had work by volunteers, we played our
cricket away at Elmdon and programmed more away fixtures. All our
visitor clubs were very amenable and helped us out enormously. It
sounds quite easy to just move the square but as usual with such
projects there is more than meets the eye.
The planning for the pavilion was completed and work started under the
supervision of Bruce’s experienced eye. It seems to take ages to do the
footings with wellies full of cement. One of the Chrishall builders did the
brick work with a little help from the volunteers. It was an enormous
task. John Cranwell and his merry men, including Spenny and Richard
Smith put on the roof and did the fitting out.
The pavilion was completed without any fanfare – a shame, as it was a
tremendous feat for the village. Cricket had been played on the new
square for a year before the pavilion was ready so we changed and
made teas in the ‘old village hall’ for a season. We also started playing
on Sundays!!
A football club was formed and played for a few seasons but
unfortunately there was lack of playing support.
Cricket is still being played here, although only on Sundays. We have a
co-operative link with Great Chishill who cannot raise enough players for
2 matches at the weekends. Cricket has been played at Chrishall since
the 1880s and let’s hope the tradition continues.
Bill Rodda
CHRISHALL CARPET BOWLS CLUB
The club has been running for a number of months and we have managed to purchase two serviceable mats, bowls and equipment to facilitate 16 players at one time.
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We meet in the Chapel Hall at the new Village hall on the second Wednesday of the month from 7.30 to 9.30 pm with a break for refreshments. The cost of the evening is £2.50 per. person. Although there is an element of competition we don’t take the proceedings too seriously with the emphasis on having some fun and laughter and meeting and mixing with other villagers. As many of our members, both male and female, have taken to the game for the first time we are always keen to accommodate new members who have never played before and introduce them to an enjoyable game that has elements of skill that are quickly acquired (but not always executed!). Tuition and rules of play will be explained to anyone who would like an introduction to the game, so please take the opportunity to come along and give it a try at one of our meetings. All welcome. If you require further information please contact me on 01763 838027. Mike Dearman
BOB AND MARJORIE CLARKE MEMORIAL BENCH
On behalf of my family, I would like to thank the Parish Council for
allowing us to install a bench in the front of the Village Hall, in memory
of our parents, Bob and Marjorie Clarke. In particular, Belinda Irons and
Derek Ailes were very helpful in assisting us with this project, liaising
with the Village Hall Committee, and arranging for the actual installation.
Many of you won't know of Bob and Marjorie, except as two old people
who once lived in Crawley End. On the bench, it states that they were
devoted to this village; it was a lifetime's devotion.
Neither of them were actually born in the village: Bob's Mum, Bessie,
returned to Clavering, where her parents lived, to give birth to her elder
son, so Dad was about a week old when he first arrived in Chrishall;
Mum was born in Manuden almost three years later and didn't put in an
appearance here until 1931/2, when she came to live in Chrishall
Grange.
Bob went to the village school, which had been attended by his father,
his sisters and brother, and later his three children, too. He didn't have
far to go, as he lived almost opposite Stanmore Place in Church Road,
with his Mum and Dad, sisters Peggie, Joan, Daphne and Rosslyn and
brother Michael. It was probably just as well it wasn't far away, as it
wasn't his favourite destination and a longer journey would no doubt
have resulted in lots of opportunities to get lost!
He left school to begin working for his Uncle, Arthur Crocker, as an
apprentice mechanic, but he never finished his apprenticeship as
National Service called and he went off to Palestine. His only lengthy
stay away from Chrishall until ill health forced our parents to move to
more suitable accommodation in Duxford.
On his return, he married Mum, in 1950 and they lived in Church Road,
next door to Mr. Tupenny Pigg, who owned the garage there, which is
where I put in an appearance. Later we moved to Crawley End, where
my sister Sally was born, followed by our brother, Benjamin.
Both Mum and Dad were committed Christians and every Sunday was
spent attending at least one service. Much of our social lives was spent
in the Hall, once it was built, with youth clubs and social events. I think
we were all born stacking chairs - especially those old-fashioned, green,
steel and canvas ones. There didn't seem to be many weekends when
there wasn't a function of some sort at the hall/chapel. Well, there
wasn't much television, then!
Dad would cut the grass in the grave yard and Sally and I would 'help'
by having rides in the wheelbarrow to and from the grass heap, as he
emptied the mower. He was a trustee of the chapel for as long as I can
remember.
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Mum was also a very active member of the Chapel, being on the
cleaning and flower arranging rotas and involved in cake making for
various events. She later became Sunday School Superintendent.
They both helped to organise the flower and produce shows, despite
Dad's lack of enthusiasm for gardening! Mum inherited her horticultural
expertise from her father and Dad would say, 'What's the point in trying
to grow anything, when your Father-in-Law has already grown it, only
bigger and better than anyone else!?' But he did all the heavy digging
for Mum, as she wasn't always very strong.
Going for a walk with Dad was never a quick process, as he knew
everyone in Chrishall and we had to stop and talk to them. His
grandchildren found the same thing, in their turn. We were related to
many of the people we met and family was very important to both our
parents, but it was Dad's side of the family that originated from here.
Bob was Chairman of the Parish Council for many years, but the clock he
was given when he retired, doesn't give the dates. He felt it was his
place to try to preserve the village as the safe and beautiful village he
loved.
Whilst attending to the graves one day, he looked about him and said
'Can you imagine a more beautiful spot to stay for eternity, with the sun
shining, surrounded by fields?' and so it was to this spot we brought first
our Mum and then Dad to rest in the village they both loved so very
dearly.
Please sit on the bench, placed close to the porch where Bob and
Marjorie emerged for the first time into Chrishall as man and wife and as
you do so, think of two people who loved this small village very dearly -
and do the same.
Thank you.
Jane Williams née Clarke
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, CHRISHALL FOR HIRE!
The District Church Council would like to let the people of Chrishall know
that our beautiful Grade 1 listed church is now available for hire.
Many of you will be aware that over the past year or so, the church has
undergone significant restoration to the tune of around £250,000. Its
purpose was to open the church up so that it could be used in ways not
previously possible and subsequently raise much needed funds for its
ongoing maintenance and repairs.
We have already tested out a large event with tremendous success.
The church is warmer, brighter, more comfortable and more spacious
than it has ever been at any time in its history!
We have the ability to move the pews and create a range of beautiful
open spaces for all manner of events. Our smart, dark red leather chairs
enable us to seat many more people (around 200) and in a variety of lay
outs, including round and rectangular tables within the main body of the
church itself. Add to this the ability to have some stunning lighting
effects up in the gothic arches and you achieve a completely different
feel than our traditional pew set up.
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Anyone organising musical events, wedding receptions and other
functions requiring a large space and seating will find Chrishall church a
truly uplifting place. If you or anyone you know may be interested in
hiring the church, please let them know it is available. Contact Helen
Bennett, Bookings Secretary. [email protected] or 01763 838711.
DO YOU ENJOY MUSIC? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SING, ACT OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Duxford Saturday Workshop holds group tuition sessions where children from Year Five onwards can learn to play an instrument. There is also a ‘junior music group’ for children from Year 1 upwards, as well as classes for adult beginners and groups for ‘improvers’. Workshop’s members include adults who have always wanted to learn an instrument but haven’t had the opportunity, alongside those who ‘haven’t played for donkeys’ years.’ In addition to the tuition classes, there are also groups ranging from junior drama, recorders, strings, jazz and wind bands to folk fiddlers, an adults’ community choir and a full orchestra. A registered charity, Workshop is all about learning and performing together in a supportive environment. Even if you’re only slightly musical, so long as you’re keen enough to practice between lessons, there is almost certainly an instrument you can learn to play. So come and see what you can achieve! If you don’t have an instrument of your own, don’t panic – we may be able to help! Workshop has a collection of string and wind instruments available for members to hire at modest cost. Finally, Workshop also welcomes experienced musicians and is currently appealing for a few more volunteer instrumental tutors. So, if you may be interested in helping others to learn to play, please contact the Director, Arwen Gilbert now, by emailing
For more information, please see the Workshop website at http://duxfordsaturdayworkshop.org.uk or use the email above.
Registration for the 2017/18 year is on Saturday September 9th ,
10–11.30am at Duxford School, St. John’s Street, Duxford, and our
next term begins at 9.30 am on Saturday, September 16th.
Peter Howarth, Duxford Workshop Management Team
Whole Village Party for All Chrishall Residents!
The Village Hall, Crawley End, Sunday 24th September 3pm- 5pm
To welcome our new Rector Anand and his wife Shaila!
Adults, children, and all families are welcome.
Please join us for food, drink, fun and a Q&A where you will have the
opportunity to ask Anand and Shaila whatever questions you want about
their life in India, their culture, their faith, what they plan to do in
Chrishall and very importantly, how to make a decent curry!
For catering purposes, it would be really helpful to know who is coming,
so please do let Erica Debnam, our church administrator know if you can
and also if you are happy to provide something appropriate to eat and
drink.
If you would like to put your question to Anand in advance then please
do e-mail it or write it on a piece of paper and drop it into the church
office.
We really look forward to seeing as many of you as possible !
Erica: [email protected]
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The contents of this newsletter and any inserts and attachments are published as being
of interest to our readers. They may not necessarily reflect the views of Chrishall Parish
Council.
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