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RATTLE OF CHAINS Pt3
Previous installment in the April issue of the mag.
On 15 August 1809, at
Londonderry Ireland, James Dogherty,
of the Parish of Templemore in the County of Donegal, enlisted for 7 years in
the British Army. He was now 24 years old, 5'5-1/4" tall of dark
complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes.
On 28 May 1810, he joined 1st Battalion of the British 84th
Regiment of Foot in Bombay India. There he met Edward McGuire from Kell,
County Cavan and Henry Lindon from Kellyman, County Armagh - young Irishmen
like himself who had enlisted the same month as James, and who later were all
found guilty of Felony and struck off by order of Lieutenant General
Abercromby...James, McGuire and
Lindon were tried at the Madras Barrack on 16 April 1812 with Felony and
Burglary and Larceny and "at the Sessions of Oyer and Terminer and General
Gaol Delivery held in the Town of Madras the Twelfth Day of April One Thousand
Eight Hundred and Thirteen before the Supreme Court were found
NOT GUILTY OF FELONY &
BURGLARY BUT GUILTY OF LARCENY"
From the Madras Courier dated 20th April 1813...
Supreme Court Fort St George
2nd Session Sentenced, Bernard DUFFY, Joseph
WELLINGS, James DOGHERTY, Henry
LINDON, Edward McGUIRE and a native called Condaran.
Bernard Duffy and Joseph Wellings each soldiers of the 30th Foot had
murdered a fellow soldier. In Duffy's case, it was a superior officer.
They were sentenced to be hanged by the neck until they were dead. (Duffy's sentence
was commuted to transportation for Life).
James Dogherty, Henry Lindon and Edward McGuire, three soldiers of the 84th
Foot, were convicted of breaking and entering by night.
The Judge warned them that if it had been a dwelling house they would have
lost their lives; but it was a shop in the Cantonment at Bangalore and
two
poor natives lost all they had.
SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS TRANSPORTATION!
On 20th April 1813 at Fort St George the Secretary to the
Government sent
the following letter at Fort William:
"Sir,
I am directed by the Honourable the Governor in Council, that three convicts
have, at the last Sessions of Oyer and Terminer held at this Presidency, been
instructed to be transported to New South Wales, and that as there is no
likelihood of an early opportunity of conveying them thither direct from hence,
they will be sent to Bengal on the Honourable Company's
Ship EARL HOWE. The Governor in Council requests that they may be
transported to their place of banishment when an opportunity offers..."
James Dogherty,
Henry Linden and Edward McGuire were sent to Bengal on the Earl Howe and
confined in the jail of Calcutta until a tender was made by the Master - Mr
Williams- of the Ship BRITANNIA offering to convey the eleven convicts from
India to the
other side of the world, to New South
Wales.
The Britannia sailed into Sydney Cove on 12 February 1814 (one week before
the Broxbornebury left Northfleet). While most convicts, on arrival, were
assigned as labourers to private settlers, the name and trades of new arrivals
whose occupations could be used for public works, eg, building jails, barracks,
courthouses, stores, were skimmed off by the government.
James was eventually sent to
Parramatta in a convict work party to build a convict barracks.
Almost six months later, on the 28th July 1814 fate would take a hand,
and Judith too, with her other fellow
transportees aboard the BROXBORNEBURY sailed into Sydney Cove and left their
first unsteady footprints in the
sands of history...
The end
Elly Hill
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
ST. GEORGES DAY 23rd APRIL 2001
People make things happen, so many thanks to all those who contributed to making the last year one of the most
successful of all times. The number of such people was well over seventy, and as you can guess featured there
are those who regularly have dedicated time and a lot of effort -please continue.
We are always looking for volunteers for a variety of activities. There is a vacancy on the Parish Council please
contact The Clerk Mrs. Sue Draper in the first instance.
Three of the five Millennium projects have been completed; two are ongoing, having been adversely affected by
the weather. The Moor from famine to feast, too dry then too much water, stopped our intention to plant.
The clearance of the two plots for the tree planting could not be undertaken so we are hoping that we can
achieve our goal in the coming late autumn.
Winner of one category in the Village of the Year competition is something to boast about.
Speed limits installed, the Police have had some checks, they did not book any one what a surprise!
Neighbourhood watch for the whole village is rolling; over two hundred households have agreed to participate.
The Parish Council's own website is augmented by one at the school, and one for the village. We are going into the 21st
century in a very positive way. Training will be available for all at the village shortly.
The Youth Parish Council although small in numbers has been and continues to be proactive seeking out events, and
activities during holiday times for the youth of this village.
Efforts are going to be put into understanding the transport needs in the widest view. With Ted Alford's help
we want to get our message over to Luton Airport for them to consider people who live under their flight paths
when embarking on further expansion and the continuing unacceptable high noise levels of aircraft.
We are going to become the first Rose Village in the U.K., so if you would like roses in your front garden please
contact the Parish Council, as we will be given many plants during the year.
LIKELY LOSS OF SERVICES IN THE VILLAGE
Graham Dovey made a very strong plea, asking for more people to use the Village Shop. He was ably supported
by a representative of the Post Office, highlighting some of the services offered, that we probably did not
know about. A questionnaire was distributed and will be available via the shop, asking people what they require.
Ian Pearce continued the theme, as a local specialist trade, butcher, they require a minimum of regular patronage
to maintain demand for locally reared meat.
The Sports Association offers more than just football; there is cricket, tennis, basketball, and netball along
with social activities for all ages.
Village Hall is to have its annual general meeting on the Thursday 17th May. They are looking for new committee
members with ideas for more use of this village owned amenity. They will be offering cheese and wine free.
The Spotted Dog: the Parish Council was asked to write to Enterprise Inns requesting that it remains a Pub and
to the District Council to object to any possible change of use.
IF YOU DON'T USE IT YOU'LL ONLY LOSE IT.
M.W
Next meeting of Parish Council
May 14th at Village Hall 7.30pm |
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Markyate & Flamstead
Care Group
GRACE II
ON Saturday, 7th April, we saw the official hand-over of the up-to-date Community Vehicle from Dacorum
Community Wheels. The keys were handed over by Mr. John Milne and a short prayer of dedication was given by
the Revd. Jill Carman. We were delighted to have the Mayor of Decorum, Councillor Bert Chapman and the Lady
Mayoress there. There were also representatives of the Markyate Parish Council and Mr. Malcolm Wright,
Chairman of the Flamstead Parish Council.
The event took place outside the Village Hall in Markyate and, despite the awful weather forecasts, we were
blessed with a dry sunny morning, enabling Mr John Baker to take some photographs. The ceremony was followed
by coffee in the Y2K Hall (thanks to the Hall Committee for this) and a beautiful celebration cake (donated by
Miss Ann Toogood) was cut by Mr. Bob Burden, who founded the Care Group some ten years ago.
We were pleased to see Miss Lorna Barwell there as it was due to the needs of her Mother, Grace, that Mr. Burden
had the idea for the Care Group and the original vehicle was called 'Grace' in her honour. The replacement vehicle
will be known as 'Grace II'. |
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Fr John Green Writes
I am sitting at my computer on Low Sunday, the
first Sunday after Easter, or, as they now call it, the Second Sunday of
Easter. Just two ways of saying the
same thing, I suppose. The more
things change, the more they stay the same, or, as the French say: Plus ca
change, Plus c’est la Meme chose! Why
is it called Low Sunday? Well there are
two explanations the first is that it follows immediately after Easter, the
Queen of the Easter Festivals and anything would seem flat after that, and the
second has to do with Agriculture. It
is traditional about this time to let the cattle out of their winter sheds and
so the people in church could hear the cattle lowing in the fields for the
first time since the winter.
For many this
must be an ironic, if not downright tragic, name for the first Sunday to follow
the day when we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To talk about cattle lowing
seems indecent at the moment. But we
must, if we believe in the truth of the resurrection, share that belief with
those farmers who have watched their cattle being destroyed or with those
guest-house owners who have had all their booking cancelled. If the resurrection is true, then it is for
all, and not just pie in the sky. Until
this terrible disease leaves our countryside, we must pray for those who are suffering and
we must be alongside them in their trouble. In this way we can show them the love of God, love that is seen so
clearly on the Cross of Jesus Christ. Yes, there is the cross, but there is the resurrection too.
Next month is
my birthday. I used to be sad that the
day has no famous saint attached to it. Recently the church has revised its calendar and remembers Julian of
Norwich on that day. We don’t know much
about Mother Julian (that was not her name), except that she lived at the time
of the Black Death and the Peasants’ Revolt and that she became an anchoress at
the church of St. Julian in Norwich at some stage in her long life and that as
a young woman she was near, very near, to death and had visions of Christ and
the cross and recovered. She then
wrote two accounts of these ‘showings’, the first shortly after the event the
second many years later, a much fuller and much deeper understanding of what
she had seen. She was the first woman
to write in English. She was writing at
a time when men controlled church and state. She must have been some character
to live through what she did and to
get written what she believed God had shown her.
One thing we could do in Flamstead in the autumn is to set up a
Julian meditation group. In that way we
will be able to put the events of our lives and the world around us into some
sort of prayerful context of the cross of Christ and His resurrection from the
dead.
Pray for the
end of the foot and mouth disease. Pray for those most directly affected by
it. Pray for me as we prepare for July
18 God Bless you all.
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A TASTE OF THE PAST
A syllabub is a real delight to partake of on a summer’s day
- if we ever get one! It’s a rich,
lemony, alcoholic dish, best eaten in fairly small quantities, as it’s quite
rich. Modern versions are not to
be compared with the originals.
VERY FINE SYLLABUBS
10 fl oz chilled double cream
4 oz white wine
2 fl oz dry sherry (Manzanilla best)
1/2 large lemon
About 3oz caster sugar
Finely grate the rind of the
lemon and squeeze the juice. Add the
white wine and the sugar. When the
sugar is dissolved, add all this to the cream.
Now whisk everything
together until the cream falls in soft trails when you lift your whisk. I
always prefer to use a balloon whisk for this. It only takes about 10 minutes
if the cream is chilled, and you get more air into the mixture. The
best things to serve the syllabub in are small wineglasses. 4 and 6 glasses,
depending on size. Put them in the refrigerator and leave them alone for about
2 days. The syllabub will gradually
separate, the rich lemony cream at the top and a layer of clear lemony wine at
the bottom.
You eat the top part with a
teaspoon and then drink the liquid.
A small sprig of rosemary
adds a very pleasant flavour, if you let it soak in the lemon juice a little
while and then remove it.
Syllabubs were often served
with ratafia cakes or macaroons.
Eliza Smith 1727
Marian Pochin |
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WI - April Meeting
The meeting
began with Jerusalem, Apologies and Minutes.
Delia Ramage presented Birthday Buttonholes to Lorna Fountain, Madeline
Evans and Denise Woods. The members
Meeting Committee were thanked for last months meeting and the success of the
group meeting hosted by Flamstead and Trowley was mentioned with a plea for
volunteers to be put forward for group elections.
Our W.I. has a
new notice board on permanent loan from Malcolm Wright.
There is to be
a promotional fortnight in September, prior to that each institute is to keep a
record over a four week period of all our activities, the records to be
collated so that the W.I. can promote
nationally all that we do doing during the promotional fortnight.
There is to be
a garage sale in June (more details in advert )
Brenda Randall and Marion Pochin attended the W.I. Quiz evening
and came a respectable ninth out of eighteen.
Delia Ramage
then introduced Mr Bill Wittering to talk to us on the History of Post Cards –
illustrated with slides. Mr Wittering
began with how the postal system started including the introduction of the
Penny Black. The first post box was
designed by Anthony Trollope, the famous author, who was employed by the post
office for 38 years. Emmanuel
Herrman of the Austrian Army suggested
using card for sending messages and the British Post Office observed the
experiment and one year later issued half price stamps for cards. The Post
Office ruled that these cards were for an address, stamp and a five word
message more than five constituted a letter to be charged at full price.
Later when photography improved scenic pictures were allowed but only on half
the card. It was a while before it was
realised that a line down the centre of the card could ensure space for the
five word message, plus address and stamp on the back, leaving the front for
pictures or designs. Developments
continued with cards becoming more flamboyant, saucy, embroidered, popular
songs printed on them etc. etc. They became used for Christmas and
Birthdays. By the 1940’s folded cards
were developed to be put in envelopes but the post office still remains a
popular form of correspondence. After this fascinating talk Jane Lutman gave
the vote of thanks. The competition
of an interesting card was won by Jeannie Randall with Ann Bisson second and
Denise Woods third. Voting was with
coins and raised £4.20 for A.C.W.W. Dorothy Strachan won the raffle and
Refreshments were served by Deryn Bourne and Audrey Meritt. The next meeting is
‘Resolutions’ on May 10 at 7.30pm |
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COUNTY CAPERS
Secondary Transfer Rules - I am aware that some 30 parents in Flamstead and Markyate are extremely dissatisfied
in that they were not given one of their ranked schools in Harpenden but one in Hemel Hempstead that had
been "written in". I have encouraged them to follow the process, that is, to acknowledge the school that has
been allocated and to complete the form at the back of the booklet entitled, "What can you do now?" This
enables them to indicate their wish to be put on the Continuing Interest list for their ranked schools and
to request that they may attend an appeal hearing. Meanwhile they should arrange to be given a conducted
tour of the school that they have been allocated as any appeals panel will expect that they will have seen
the school to which they object, for themselves. Also, to make out a list of all the reasons why their child
will be disadvantaged educationally if it does not attend one of their ranked schools.
This will be essential to use at appeal.
Whilst the present rules have given a rate of 93.8% satisfaction across the county this year, it is clear
that they work to the disadvantage of a number of villages. The rules were discussed at the C.S.F. Scrutiny
committee meeting on Wednesday 28th. March and local parents expressed their dissatisfaction there. The final
decision, taken at a special County Council meeting on Tuesday 3rd. April, was that the present rules would
continue for the 2001/2002 year. However, the "Schools" portfolio holder -
(Remember, under recent government legislation, decisions are not taken by committees any longer, committees
merely 'advise' cabinet members, who take the decisions).
C/Cllr. Keith Emsall,
Schools Portfolio Holder,
County Hall,
Hertford.
SG13 8DF
Has agreed that he will undertake a review of the rules to establish how the villages can be given a
fairer deal. Any revisions must be referred to the public for consultation and when that happens we
must ensure that Flamstead and Markyate voices are heard.
Julian Taunton |
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FOOT AND MOUTH
It is easy to get the impression that Foot and mouth Disease is an overwhelming disaster to judge from so much
of the media coverage with piles of dead sheep and cattle and smouldering fires and mass burials. There are
certainly some areas of the country where the disease is epidemic. Fortunately there are not many heavy
concentrations of intensive livestock holdings in the Diocese and so far there have been no outbreaks in
Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire. The number of new outbreaks of the disease has fallen markedly recently, but
nevertheless proper precautions are of prime importance at this time. We have set up a special support team
to give assistance in confidence, to anybody who is suffering as a result of the disease. There is now a
charitable Fund – called A.R.C. Addington Fund based at the Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
CV8 2LZ which has been set up to give grants of up to £2000 to farmers and others in the more desperate parts
of the country like Cumbria. Donations to the Fund can be made by individuals or congregations to the address above.
The congregation at St Leonard’s has a particular involvement in the disease outbreak, Apart from my own involvement
as Agricultural Chaplain – our honouree treasurer, who is also a veterinary Inspector, is working a 12 hour day up
in London answering enquiries and confirming analyses made by vets out on the farms.
But what can the people do here in the village? Well, first of all don’t visit farms unless its an absolute
emergency. Don’t use foot paths or walk across fields unless given specific permission.
There is a suggestion that the tolling bell might be rung at 12 noon on Sundays while the disease is still with
us and invite parishioners to pray for all involved in the disaster – farmers, slaughter-men, veterinary
inspectors, contractors and MAFF staff.
A suggested prayer -
Hear us, O Lord, as we remember before you all in the farming community, or whose lives are bound up
in it, who have special need of you at this time:
all who fear for the continuation of their livelihood or employment;
all who must bear the loss of years of anxious toil and the suffering of creatures entrusted to their charge;
all in doubt about the future for themselves and their families and feel themselves isolated and alone.
Uplift those that are cast down, O Lord, and cheer with hope all the discouraged:
Uphold their faith, raise up helpers in their need and grant that they may ever find in you peace, healing and hope.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Fr. George
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