August 2000
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AUGUST THOUGHTS
August is the month when many of our minds turn to holidays -to a welcome
time of rest and relaxation from our everyday routines. A time for new faces and a change
of scenery, new food, new routines. This subject of change, is also something we leave
behind us when we go.
Here in the village and in the church changes are going on. We are taking of our leave
of Revd. Michael Crow and David Kerr and their families. I am sure I speak on behalf of
all the congregation when I thank them all for the parts they have played in the bringing
their own particular gifts to the life of the church community.
The new All Age Worship -now to be called more appropriately Family Worship is growing,
but we are in need of yet more families to commit themselves to actively taking part and
produce a service that you want.
New and growing things too in the Churchyard with the new gates, beautifully constructed
by Ron Harris. Our sincere thanks go to him and the Parish Council.
After unavoidable long delays the repair to the flint walls of the churchyard are now
complete and are a credit to the builders concerned. Our thanks go to them and to those
who gave grants to help pay for this work.
There's the now completed church tower for which we are hoping to organise a service of
thanksgiving in the near future. A number of comments have been made about the west door
of the church which has been treated with lime and freshly painted. We are assured by the
Architect, that this is standard practice for the preservation of old oak wood and will
soon 'weather down'.
So many changes, and what about the future. Most of you will know we are now in a period
of vacancy, when the minds of the P.C.C. and churchwardens are turned towards deciding who
will be the new priest-in-charge. It will definitely be a man, who will jointly have
charge of Markyate, and will probably reside in Flamstead Vicarage. There have already been
meetings with the Bishop, the Archdeacon and Rural Dean, as well as with our Markyate
neighbours to see a way forward for both parishes. In all these changes I hope you will
remember and pray for those who will be involved. At a recent meeting it has been decided
that until our new priest does arrive -probably sometime in 2001, I have been given charge
in looking after the day to day affairs of the Parish in close co-operation with the
churchwardens. I shall be available in church after the 10arn service on Friday mornings
and as always by phone on 841648.
Fr. George
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POLICE REPORT From PC Chris Owen
June has been a particular1y busy month with 17 crimes reported in the Flamstead
area. The A5 corridor, which includes petrol stations and the hotels, accounts for
7 crimes: again drive-offs feature highly but there have also been thefts from and
damage to cars.
Of the remaining 10 crimes within the village 5 have been thefts of motor vehicles.
One farn in the area also had its outbuildings entered and property stolen. The most
common forms of property stolen are small power drills; these can be protected by
using an ultra violet kit available from most retail outlets.
To be aware: a laser scanned counterfeit £5 note was found in Markyate. The
quality of the note was very poor and easy to detect so please check your money!
Remember, it is easy to prevent crime. If you see anything suspicious contact your
local police station on: 01442271000.
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End of Term at J.M.I.
In school we spend months thinking that the summer holidays will never arrive but when
they do we are rarely prepared and this year was no exception. The week beginning 3rd
July dawned cloudy and dull but this did not spoil the children in KS1 enjoying a
visit by Booster Cushion Theatre. By the evening the weather had improved and parents
enjoyed our annual Open Evening where each class mounted a splendid display.
We were worried, the next day that the weather would be poor for our Sports day and
Family Fun Evening. In the event the sun shone and everyone had a fantastic time.
The evening ended with Mrs Clarke releasing 500 balloons in our "Balloon Race". To
date we have heard that some balloons have travelled as far as Belgium, Holland and
Germany!
On Wednesday 12th, K32 put on their annual Theatrical production with Oak class
performing songs from World War 2 and Rowan Class staging an adaptation of "Fantastic
Mr Fox.”
The School Hall was packed and both productions were well received with parents
joining in a sing-song at the end.
During the term the children in Rowan class have played various rounders matches
and have done extremely well, This culminated in their winning their league and
coming third in a District Rounders Tournament.
At the end of this term we will be saying "Goodbye" to Mrs Demontoux and Mrs Clarke
and we would like to take this opportunity in thanking them for making the school
the success it has become. We would especially like to thank Judy Clarke. She will
be missed by staff, pupils and parents for her enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and total
dedication to the school. Thank you Judy. We wish you all a happy, sunny holiday.
Ray Bates
Assistant Head Teacher.
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Highlights Parish Council Meeting July 3rd
COMMUNICATIONS
Parishioners are welcome to all parish council meetings and will be allowed 3 minutes of
speaking time to make their views known on a specific subject. Councillors can be asked
to speak on behalf of an individual or group. A web site on the Internet is being set up,
a further opportunity to fmd out more about the Parish Council. The members' details will
be there along with facilities that are available through the organisation.
SUBCOMMITTEES
At every meeting there will be an update of all the committees, along with the long-term
goal review.
VILLAGE OF TIlE YEAR COMPETITION
Many thanks to Lorraine, Peter and Colin for all the work put into this project. The
second round presentations were done on the 6th July and the judges were shown the
School, Church, Village Hall and Jacks Dell, the Delmerend/Chequers garden and the Moor.
Thanks should also go to all the people that helped to make the village look at its best,
and particularly to Dennis Ledbury for opening up Jack's Dell. We now have to wait till
September for the outcome and result of the Village Competition.
MIILLENNIUM
We are working on a ten year plan for the Moor; next, Jack's Dell needs sorting out -has
squatters rights been established by the adjacent land owner? In our original survey
trees were the most popular Millennium request, so we have several locations where we
will be planting later in the year. Guess what we need -volunteers to help with preparation
and November planting. Contact me on 842778, the more the merrier.
The Fayre went very well, except for our British weather. The Council funded insurance,
and should there be a short fall a contribution will be made to minimise it.
POLICE
With the closing of the police house in Hollybush Lane and Markyate, we are seeking
approval from all concerned that an office be instituted at the village hall to ensure
local policing for the village.
Next P.C. meeting September 4th at the Village Hall.
MW
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Flamstead and Trowley WI July Meeting
The meeting opened with the singing of Jerusalem dedicated to the memory of
GRACE ASHWOOD, a long standing member, who had died the previous week. Birthday
Buttonholes for July and August were presented to Jeanie Randall, Enid Sims, and
Suzi Deely. Delia Ramage welcomed a number of visitors to the meeting and hoped
they would enjoy the evening. We were shown an acknowledgement from the House
of Commons of the petition we had signed at the May meeting regarding Rural Post
Office Closures.
The October group meeting was discussed with particular emphasis on the items
required for the competition - we are aiming to win the Pudding Stone Trophy
for our W.I.
The business completed Mrs Delia Ramage then introduced our speaker - HELEN
FRIEMAN of REID CRAFTS. She told us a 1ittle of herself first, that she had
always been artistic but chose to be a policewoman for nineteen years, retiring
after being injured in the line of duty and decided to take up craft for a
living, making items to sell in her shop 'OFF THE WALL' in Hemel Hempstead
OLD TOWN. She also helps with a handicapped group in London. She commented that
we had all probably done DECOUPAGE, the craft she was to demonstrate. at some
time in our lives and asked us if we had ever made a scrapbook, which we all
had. It became popular in 1800 and started as Black and white cut outs. Its
popularity increased with the Victorian age becoming coloured, more detailed,
embossed, romantic and often bizarre. Many designs came from Germany. Families
would work together in the evenings and work at Decoupage, with no radio or
television to distract them and all ages could join in. Helen had prepared
an earthenware pot with several coats of acrylic water based paint and began
the by painting a gold rim and base and giving the pot a slightly 'distressed'
look before adding a cut out flower decoration and finally varnishing the pot
to seal it.
One of her many tips was the more coats put on the better the finish. She also
demonstrated covering hard backed journals using wrapping paper adding ribbon
ties and finishing with a cut out flower toning with the wrapping paper on front.
Other items could be made this way like Cards, lampshades, vases, even walls. It
would be a good idea to start with a kit. Helen donated her pot for a future raffle.
The competition of a hand made craft item was won by Denise Woods with her
embroidered panel, joint second was Anne Bisson with a covered box and Brenda
Randall with a cushion. Voting by coins raised £2.95. Refreshments were provided
by Pat Ditchfield and Pam Modlen.
Julie Scurfield
The next WI meeting will be in the Village Hall on August 10th at 8pm.
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Flamstead Millennium Fayre Hog Roast and Barn Dance
Well, all the clearing up has been done and I believe the good consensus of opinion
was that the day was successful for our community.
We will not dwell on the weather -at least it didn't rain! -At the Hog roast and Barn
Dance in the evening everyone who came seemed to enjoy themselves.
Overall the Fayre went very well, the Friend's of St Leonard's are very grateful to
ocal businesses who contributed some very generous raffle prizes, some at the time
remain unclaimed, notices have been placed relating to this in the Post office and
Butchers. The Friend's of St Leonard's are also very grateful for all the help given,
the stall holders and in particular Lorraine and Mandy who really entered into the
spirit of things by dressing -up to do the face painting.
The author would like to mention in particular David Oswin who had a stall, the monies
from which will go to financing his trip to Equador next year, this is a world challenge
concentrating on conservation. In addition to him James Baldry and Drew Russell had a
stall raising money for ‘Crisis for Christmas’. I understand they raised £50, -very well
done!
The youth of the village played a large part and shows the variety of activities which
exist for them to enjoy.
Their efforts on the day will promote their organisations and help our community in
the village of the year competition.
My grateful thanks to the ladies of St Leonard's who at the last moment produced a
cake stall. When the next "Fayre" comes round the organisers will have a tea tent to
go with the cakes, it was really missed.
Finally the Tug-of-War went well the Spotted Dog emerged winners defeating the club
and Three Blackbirds but losing to the children in a pull-off just for fun, which is
what the fayre is about.
J.F
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Church Doors
As we reported at the end of the restoration work, the west doors in the tower have been limewashed,
so that they are white. Some people have commented that this is unsightly.
However, it is the case that limewashing is a preservative and the colour will gradually
fade to a soft silver-grey.
Unfortunately when dealing with a very old building, we have to accept a long time-scale -
so be patient. It is for the long term benefit of the doors.
C.C.
Please Note: Photograph taken in October
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