Sheering News December 2005 (93)
Next Issue
Copy Date 1st March 2006
All contributions and adverts for the printed issue of
Sheering News should be sent to:
Ron Ainsworth The Editor Sheering News
The Willows The Street Sheering
Bishop's Stortford CM22 7LX
sheeringnews@sheering.co.uk
Letters
Blood Donors Given Awards
Parish Council News
Local Organisations
Astroturf
Stan Barker
It is with deep regret that we report on the death of Stan Barker. he died,
aged 76, on September 7th 2005 whilst watching Essex playing cricket at Chelmsford.
He, himself, had been a keen sportsman, as wicket keeper and goal keeper.
Stan retired as a Parish Councillor in 2000 after 30 years. He had been Chairman
for the two previous years and from 1973 to 1976. He continued as a member
of the Sheering Village Hall Management Committee and a Sheering School Governor
until his untimely death.
Stan was a founder member of the Sheering Short Mat Bowls Club and was well
known around the village for all the practical work he did voluntarily. It
is good to see that it is intended to continue with the walks along the Parish
footpaths which he organised for many years.
The Parish Council would like to commemorate Stan, and would appreciate any
suggestions, which should be sent to the Clerk to the Parish Council. Suggestions so far include a plaque in the Village hall and a cup
linked to one of his interests in the village.
Stan’s widow, Barbara, is an active participant in village life, including
the Women’s Institute and the editorial team of Sheering News. She has
our heartfelt condolences.
Letters
Dear Editor,
Some twelve years ago, whilst we were still an active Mothers Union Branch,
a few members agreed to take on the task of knitting squares for providing
blankets for war-torn countries.
Pam Gunn and Doris Kemp with one of the latest blankets.
For some time now, our only knitting enthusiast has been Mrs Doris Kemp who at 90 years of age is, remarkably, still most active with her knitting needles, and enjoys doing so, as she remarks. I feel she really deserves recognition for a sizeable amount of the work which has resulted in some 7000 squares, making to date 100 blankets - the 100th is here shown with Doris - still at work!!
For me it has been a pleasure to take on the finishing task of sewing each set of 70 squares, and crocheting an edging to the whole blanket, quite an amount of work as each blanket measures 4 feet by 6 feet.
It is rewarding to know that in some stricken countries our blankets may be keeping children in warmth and some little supply of comfort through desperate times.
Yours sincerely,
Pamela Gunn
St Mary’s Women’s Circle of Friends
Group Leader
The following letter was addressed to the Parish Council but was also offered for inclusion in Sheering News.
Dear Sirs,
Yet again we see the infiltration of our village environment by that most
traditional of materials: plastic. This time in the form of astroturf!
But, never mind, it is positioned below our tasteful plastic Seringe sign
centrally positioned in our plastic clad, plastic windowed street.
Is this the place for Ye Olde plastic Stocks one asks oneself for youngsters
hanging around with nothing to do, or for dog fouling of the plastic variety?
Easy washing down of this most traditional of materials would certainly make
it an appropriate place of punishment for misdemeanours!
When will the scales fall from your eyes so that you realise what is attractive
about a village like this? Some of us try desperately to maintain the old
attractive properties that formed the reason for people coming to live here
in the first place.
In anticipation of your positive action.
Yours faithfully,
Lesley Paine.
Dear Editor
I am writing to inform you of a British Red Cross service which currently
exists in the County to provide transport for those persons in the community
who, for whatever reason, are unable to access public transport, or community
transport schemes, especially for hospital and doctor's appointments.
Those clients able to sit and not requiring medical assistance whilst on the
journey will normally be transported in a volunteer's private car.
Journeys are calculated from the volunteer's home address and car users will
be paid 40p per mile. All out-of-pocket expenses (car parking, congestion
charge etc) will be charged at cost to the client.
This is a very well subscribed service which provides a lifeline and means
of independence to members of society who would otherwise find difficulty
in making arrangements which to many of us are commonplace.
Your area has been identified as one in which there is an urgent need for
volunteers for this service.
If there are any queries, please do not hesitate to call me on 01245 291011
or Brian Smith on 01245 291012.
Yours sincerely
Martyn Garwood
Service Manager British Red Cross
Bedfordshire, Essex & Hertfordshire Area
01245 490090
www.redcross.org.uk
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Blood Donors Given Awards
Four blood donors who have donated a combined total of 300 pints of blood
have had their efforts recognised at an awards ceremony.
Sheila Caves, a member of the Sheering News Editorial Committee, received an
award at the ceremony to thank her for her 75 blood donations. The ceremony
was a small token to mark the selfless life-saving actions of long-term donors.
With each donation potentially saving the lives of up to three people, the
people receiving the awards could lay claim to saving the lives of at least
225 people.
Claire Noonan, NBS communications officer, said: "On behalf of the National Blood
Service I would like to offer thanks and congratulations to our award winning
blood donors. These donors, through years of quiet and unassuming heroism,
have done something truly amazing. They have been responsible for giving the
gift of life to hundreds of people."
The NBS is constantly looking for new blood donors. If you are aged between
17 and 60 please call 0845 771 171 or visit
www.blood.co.uk
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Parish Council News
Stan Barker
On behalf of the Parish Council we would like to remember Stan for the 30
years he gave as a Parish Councillor, twice in this time as chairman of council.
You could always recognise Stan on his honda 50 with his red crash helmet
or on his push bike with his woolly hat on. You would usually find Stan down
a footpath with a lawnmower or repairing something around the village. Stan
was always there for the people of Sheering and undertook many tasks in all
weathers and helped in any way he was able to.
The Parish Council nominated Stan for the Citizen of the Year award and although
he did not win he was awarded a commendation 2 years running. We feel had
he still been with us this time round he would have won the title as Citizen
of the Year.
Sadly, Stan is not with us now but for us he will always be our Citizen of
the Year for Sheering.
John Harrington
Chairman Sheering Parish Council.
Astroturf
Most of you will have seen or heard about the Astroturf which has been laid
around the area of the village sign in The Street. This came about by being
offered to the council as a pilot scheme totally free of charge by county
council. We chose this piece of land as it was in total disrepair and looked
a mess, many complaints had been received. It was totally levelled and landscaped
and the Astroturf laid. I viewed the site on completion and felt it was a
total transformation for the better. At the September parish council meeting
3 members of the public came along to complain about the Astroturf, but I
have also had words of commendation from other members of the public.
At the October parish council meeting it was unanimously agreed by all councillors
present to review the Astroturf in 6 months time as to its condition over
the winter. We would like to hear your feelings on the Astroturf. Would you
like to see it stay or would you like to see it removed and it goes back to
how it was?
Send your remarks in a letter to Donna Harris: Clerk to the Parish Council.
John Harrington
Chairman Sheering Parish Council
Other News
District Councillor Richard Morgan is investigating whether we can have speed
camera signs along The Street, with or without cameras.
An insurance claim is being made in respect of damage to the cricket hut.
A meeting has been arranged between councillors and the police regarding antisocial
behaviour.
Local Organisations
Rivers Nursery Orchard Sawbridgeworth
Everyone is welcome to join in any of the activities, just bring your enthusiasm!
For practical tasks no experience is necessary and all tools are provided
but please wear suitable clothing and bring a packed lunch if you are staying
all day.
Sunday 4th December Seasonal maintenance in the Orchard 10.30 - 2.00. Mulled
wine and mince pies for refreshment.
Saturday 7th January Wassail with music and refreshment to enjoy around a
blazing bonfire while wassailing the trees in the Orchard 6.30.
Sunday 5th February planting in the Orchard
10.30 - 2.00
Sunday 5th March pruning in the Orchard
10.30 - 2.00
Sunday 2nd April Springtime maintenance in the Orchard 10.30 - 2.00
The entrance to the Orchard is through the red gates at Brook End, off The
Crest, Sawbridgeworth. The site is private land owned by East Herts District
Council and access is by invitation of the District Council as landowner and
no public rights of access are implied.
Further information: Hazel Mead 01279 724503 Kate Yarnold 01279 723617 Susan
Clark (Rural Enterprise project) 01920 822735
www.permanentleisureltd.co.uk/rivers/Default.htm
Village Hall
I have to open this report with the sad news of Stan Barker’s
death in early September. Stan did a phenomenal amount of work for the Village
Hall over the years that he was on the Committee. Not only did he save the
Village Hall a very large amount of money by tackling most jobs himself, he
was also involved on the fund raising side, arranging the Flower/produce Show,
assisting at Race Nights and Quiz Nights and more recently Bingo Nights. Since
Stan’s death four people have been doing the jobs which Stan would have
done on his own, we are really going to miss him.
The Flower/produce Show was a great success raising over £200. The Quiz
Night will have been held by the time the Sheering News comes out and Lynda
Case has agreed to organise the New Year’s Eve party this year, tickets
can be obtained by ringing her on 734774.
Beryl Gurteen.
Chairman Village Hall Management Committee.
A new system of licensing came into effect on 24 November. The
Village Hall has been granted a Premises Licence for music and dancing. It
will only be possible to supply alcohol on the premises twelve times a year
at a cost of £21 each time.
The Management Committee has decided to operate a no smoking policy on the
entire premises at all times.
Ron Ainsworth.
Secretary Village Hall Management Committee.
Happy Circle
Since my last contribution to the Sheering News, we have visited Broadstairs.
As it was Gala Day, there were plenty of stalls and attractions along the
promenade to enjoy, and the weather was an added bonus. Afternoon tea was
enjoyed in the Barker’s garden later in the month, and home-made cakes
supplied by Barbara which were much appreciated. At the annual Sheering Flower
Show, we once again ran the Tombola stall. Thanks to all members who supplied
tins, bottles etc and to all those who helped us raise £65 for club
funds.
An enjoyable trip on the River Stort in September was our next outing. This
time we travelled from The Moorhen at Harlow towards Bishop’s Stortford,
and passed ‘Beckingham palace’ plus tree house in the grounds
before turning round between Harlow Mill Lock and Pishiobury. We had hoped
to reach Sheering Lock, but time was against us. Luckily it was a beautiful
early Autumn day, so we were able to sit outside and watch the scenery glide
by.
The September meeting in the Village hall was a social afternoon.
Members have recently attended the Annual Birthday Lunch of the club, which
is always a good occasion, excellent food being supplied by Walkers Catering
and musical entertainment by June Barrie.
On 16 November, our annual Christmas shopping trip takes place, and this year
we’re off to Colchester.
In November, Barry Kauffman-Wright will be paying a welcome return visit,
when he will give a talk with slides, on pond and River Life.
The Christmas Carols & Mulled Wine Evening is on Friday 9 December in
the Village Hall, commencing at 8 o’clock. Music will be supplied by
the Epping Forest Band as usual. Admission is strictly by ticket only. please
contact me on the number below, or purchase them from your usual outlet. Cost
is £3 for adults and £1 for children, which includes sausage rolls,
mince peas, mulled wine or juice, and of course, the opportunity to sing carols.
The club would like some new members, so if you are over sixty years of age,
I shall be happy to welcome you to the Village hall on the last Wednesday
of every month. We have speakers at some meetings and others are given over
to socials. Outings during the summer months are also enjoyed. Transport can
be arranged from Lower Sheering if necessary.
Valerie Monk, Leader of the Sheering Happy Circle Club. 832502
West Essex and East Herts Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers
Come along and join a friendly group while enjoying interesting and relaxing
crafts. We meet at Harlow Museum which is off First Avenue and Muskham Road,
have workshops, visiting speakers, demonstrations and outings. Membership
only costs £15 per year and there are books, equipment and videos to
hire when you join. Our forthcoming meetings are:
Saturday 14th January 1.30 - 4.30 Spinning workshop
Saturday 11th February 10.00 - 4.00 Spinning for beginners and problem solving
with Sue McNiven
Saturday 11th March 11.00 - 4.30 Spinning home grown flax
Thursday 13th April 7.30 - 9.30 Rag Rugging. Lecture and slides with Shirley
page.
Further information from Hazel Mead 01279 724503 or Carolyn Green 01992 892080.
Stan's Christmas Walk
By now most of us have heard of the very sad death of Stan Barker. One of
the many things he did for the village was to organise our footpath walks.
We would like to continue these walks in his memory, and because they are
very enjoyable and no doubt good exercise. The Christmas one is usually 27th
December 10.15 (meet at the village hall car park) and return in time for
lunch. As this has worked well in the past we will stick to this arrangement.
We do not over-stretch ourselves, but it is a good opportunity to burn off
some of the Christmas over- indulging. If you would like to join us just turn
up. See you there. Any queries phone 734580.
Lee Tennant
Sheering Village Pre-School
The pre-School children have been busy since the summer and took part in the
harvest Festival Service at the Church. The children enjoyed the singing and
were dancing in the aisles during the service. Our fundraising has gone well
this year and this was reflected in the pre-School’s accounts which
show a stronger position than twelve months ago. This is all due to the hard
work of the committee, staff, parents and relatives who took part in or supported
our events – thank you! At our AGM which took place recently, we had
a guest speaker from Christian Aid who outlined their important work in India,
and specifically a project to help young children forced into work away from
their families and then ill treated at a very young age.
Our Christmas preparations are well under way and the children will no doubt
look forward to meeting Father Christmas but more importantly learning about
the true meaning of Christmas too. Once again the children and staff have
been asked to take part in the Christmas Nativity at the Church just before
Christmas. If you can attend please do, as it really is a lovely service.
The children have also learnt about other religious festivals such as Diwali
during the course of the last term.
Amanda Storey is continuing as Chairperson of the Committee for the forthcoming
year, with Debbie Pennell and Sarah Edwards as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
A full list of the committee members is on the Pre-School notice board. If
any parent or carer would like to join us, or indeed would like to know more
about the work of the committee, then please do not hesitate to speak to one
of us. The success of the Pre-School depends on the involvement of parents
and we are always looking for new committee members to help run it or for
new ideas for fundraising events.
We are still awaiting a decision from Epping Forest District Council on our
planning application. We believe we have provided a solid case for a purpose-built
building and as soon as a decision is reached by the Council planning committee
we will let you all know.
The Sheering Village Pre-School Committee
www.sheering-pre-school.co.uk
Trees in St Mary’s Churchyard
Observant walkers in Church Lane may have noticed that one of the two large
chestnut trees next to the church has not looked as healthy as usual this
year, with quite a lot of die-back in the upper branches. people using the
church car park may also have noticed decay in the trunk of the flowering
“locust” tree just inside the hedge of the church yard.
We have asked the tree expert at Essex County Council for advice, and his
report indicates that, sadly, both of these beautiful trees may be nearing
the end of what he calls “safe useful life”.
he says the chestnut is probably suffering from well-advanced phytophthora
root disease, which kills trees roots and leaves them open to infection by
other decay-causing organisms. This causes dieback in the crown of the infected
tree, and the death of roots also has an adverse impact on the tree’s
stability. Fortunately he tells us that at present this tree does not appear
to be dangerous, so he recommends that we keep an eye on it over the next
year or so to see if its condition worsens. If it has a full crown next year
the dieback is unlikely to be associated with root death and the tree is likely
to have a few more years of safe life. However, if the dieback is similar
next year, or worse (which is what he anticipates), it is highly likely that
the tree is suffering root death, and it would be advisable for us to have
it removed.
He also tells us that the “locust” tree (robinia pseudoacacia)
is an over mature specimen that has partially collapsed at some point in the
past. It has major deadwood and a large wound in its trunk from the previous
collapse, which is decaying. (Some of us vividly remember one such collapse
when we were in the Church Room one windy Sunday morning, and a large branch
fell off, brushing the windows with the tips of the branches!) he advises
us that there is some risk that this tree will continue to collapse; and it
would be prudent to remove it within the next year or so.
We are very sorry that on the basis of this advice the pCC has had no option
but to seek approval from the church authorities to have the robinia removed.
At the time of writing, we do not have a clear idea of when this will be done.
The good news is that the tree has produced a sucker which we hope to be able
to recruit as a replacement. We will continue to monitor the chestnut for
the time being.
Elsie Baker
Churchwarden
Harlow Theatre Company
Sleeping Beauty
An exciting new and magical play for children - based on the story of Sleeping
Beauty - comes to the Victoria Hall Theatre, Bury Road, Old Harlow in December.
Harlow Theatre Company has, for the past few years successfully presented
plays for children in December (Wind in the Willows, The Magic Treehouse,
Railway Children, Nutcracker prince to name a few) and with this brand new
script and experienced and talented cast we are confident that Sleeping Beauty
provides a pre-Christmas treat for young people.
Modestly priced tickets at £7.50 (£5 concessions) are now on sale
- 24 hour answer phone service 01279 420062
Evening performance 7.30 Thurs 8 - 10 & Wed 14 - Sat 17 December.
Matinees at 3.00 Sat 10, Sun 11 & Sat 17 December
Victoria Hall Theatre is a friendly little theatre with a racked auditorium
seating 100 and a licensed bar in the foyer.
Nina Forth
Treasurer - Harlow Theatre Company
http://www.harlowtheatrecompany.org.uk
Short Mat Bowling Club
Members were saddened by the sudden death in September of Stan Barker, one
of the Founder Members and honorary president of Sheering Bowls Club. We shall
all miss his presence at the club meetings.
We started our last four months with our Annual B.B.Q in July, which was a
great success. Thirty members enjoyed a lovely evening. We made over £44
from the games for our charity, Essex Air Ambulance. Great thanks to Valerie
and Ron Monk for their hospitality.
Our greatest event of the year was our Charity Bowling Day held on 31st July,
in which 72 bowlers and helpers raised £1,100 for Essex Air Ambulance.
The organiser Bob Wright went out with begging bowl and had great response.
There was a collection at Tye Green Bowls club of £56. United Friendly
League gave £100; Sheering Bridge Club £20; Friday Boys £20;
Stapleford Abbots Bowls Club £30; Queens head pub (Sawbrigeworth) and
donations & collection £45. Seventy-two players gave £216.
A raffle, prizes donated by Tesco, Mecca Bingo, Tuck Shop and Budgens, which
raised £231, also items to sell which raised £137. The ‘Sheering
Bowls Restaurant’ raised over £200 from cakes, rolls donated by
members, and also the sale of Strawberries and Cream which were donated by
Waitrose. A truly great day was had by all.
A Special thankyou to Sheering Village Hall Management Committee who made
it all possible. We applied for a further donation through an internal scheme
and have just heard from Waitrose that we have been awarded a cheque for £1,000
for our Charity.
The 3rd August saw another evening at harlow Dogs and on the 12th October
we joined up with Sawbridgeworth Bowls Club and over 70 of us enjoyed a great
evening. Later in October, we held our Annual Captain’s Fun Day, a good
bowling day with different rules. November sees our Odd pairs competition.
Our league programme is now well under way and at the moment we are second.
More friendlies are planned for later.
We are now organizing our Annual presentation Dinner/Dance to be held on Saturday
3rd December.
Maureen Wright. (Secretary)
Sheering News
The editorial committee of Sheering News meets twice before each edition.
The first meeting (usually on the first Tuesday of the month) is to discuss
any copy and new advertisements we have been offered. We proof-read the edition
and come together at the second meeting, a fortnight later, to agree any corrections
or changes. Between the two meetings, there is a window of about ten days
to compile the edition. please try to get your copy to us by the deadline
shown on the back page.
We really value the faithful band who bring you your Sheering News. Valerie
Monk (832502) would like to hear from anyone in Lower Sheering who could undertake
to deliver some copies to pryor’s Court or the new development in Sun
Street.
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Deadline
for next printed copy of Sheering News is:
1st March 2006.
Publication date for next issue is: 1st April 2006.
Sheering News Editorial Team:
Ron Ainsworth (Editor): 734333.
Linda Ainsworth: 734333.
Barbara Barker: 734354.
Sheila Caves: 725578.
Sheila King: 831971.
Valerie Monk: 832502.