1 There are more musical matters on pages 2, 6, 8, 10, 17, 23 and 29
2 There are many great reasons to come and join the St Mary’s Choir. Learn more by speaking to the Director of Music at [email protected] or on 07971404481 The theme for this month’s AVN is music, as May sees the Ashwell Music Festival in full flow, Ashwell at Home has lots of musical attractions and all around us are concerts, choirs and artists making music. If you haven’t yet bought your tickets for the Music Festival, do get them soon or risk missing out. If you would like to be part of a musical group we have choirs, bell ringers, handbell players, jazz fans, folk nights and so much more to join. Musical Notes
3 5 May 6th Sunday of Easter 8:00am BCP Communion, St Mary’s, Ashwell 9.15am Family Service, St Nicholas’, Hinxworth 10.45am Thank God it’s Sunday, St Mary’s, Ashwell 6pm Festal Evensong, with guest preacher, Revd Catherine Williams Thursday 9th May Ascension Day 7:30pm Holy Communion, St Mary’s, Ashwell 12 May 7th Sunday of Easter 9.15am Holy Communion, St Nicholas’, Hinxworth 10.45am Parish Communion, St Mary’s, Ashwell No evening service, as Ashwell at Home 19 May Pentecost 9.15am Holy Communion, St Nicholas’, Hinxworth 10.45am All Age Communion, St Mary’s, Ashwell 5.00pm Sacred Space Service, St Mary’s, Ashwell 26 May Trinity Sunday 9.30am BCP Communion, St Vincent’s, Newnham 10.45am Parish Communion, St Mary’s, Ashwell 2.30pm Family Café Church, St Nicholas’, Hinxworth 5.00pm Evensong, St Mary’s, Ashwell Plus, every Wednesday morning at 10am, Midweek Communion Service, followed by refreshments and conversation. Over the Easter holidays, I went up to Scotland, to help my uncle sort through some old family mementos... Photo albums, stamp collections, and a box of beautiful of bibles. These bibles are amazing things... Owned by a series of family members, starting with one given to my Great Great Grandmother, by her parents, in 1886, on the occasion of her marriage, each one is bulging with cards, letters and pictures... There are prayers for Good Fridays, and orders of services from weddings. There are letters about deaths, locks of hair and pressed flowers from both weddings and funerals. There are notifications of births, and handwritten lists of names of godparents, relatives and friends...What touched me as I started to look through them, was how these old bibles had become repositories of all that was close to their owner’s heart... and, perhaps, all that their owner wanted to bring to God. The practice of bringing the things of our heart to God, is what people of faith might call prayer. In a formal way, prayer is something we do each time we gather in a church service, but many more people pray, than go to church (or any faith building) or claim to be actively ‘religious’. Indeed, surveys seem to suggest that about half of all people have prayed ‘at some point’, with a third praying more regularly. And yet, despite the number of people who have tried praying, it’s not something that always to comes easily. Many people tell me that they find prayer difficult, don’t know where to start, or wonder if God will listen. I’m asked if it’s okay to start praying because their loved one is sick, and sometimes I’m told that they don’t feel ‘holy enough’ to pray, or that they think they don’t have the right words... I don’t have all the answers to those questions, but I do know that no prayer is wasted; and, just like all the precious memories in my Great Great Granny’s bible, each prayer that is received will be kept safe and close to God’s heart. Chris Want to know more about prayer? Starting on May 23rd, we’re running the Prayer Course - an 8-week course all about what prayer is, and how to do it! Join us on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm in the PCR, the course will include yummy puddings, discussions, videos and tips. No experience necessary! Contact Chris ([email protected]/ 01462 742277) if you’d like to know more. Ashwell Village News - Letter from Chris To contact Chris Tel: 01462 742277 or email: [email protected] Benefice Services
4 A few words from ASHWELL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Our CAMEO meeting in April was well attended and most enjoyable. We heard snippets of a wonderful range of musical choices from ‘We’ll Meet Again’ to choral and piano music by Schubert, accompanied by stories about why they were favourites. If we had had more time, we might also have heard some Pink Floyd and Louis Armstrong’s classic ‘What a Wonderful World’. Perhaps we will do another musical favourites later in the year! Later in April, we held our Annual Church Meeting. We remembered the activities and special services in the previous year and looked forward to doing more of those we love best in the forthcoming year. We reviewed our financial situation and agreed the ‘appointment’ of our team of Elders for another year. And we heard a little more about the new Minister for the North Herts Group of churches, Revd Stan Chatikobo, who will be welcomed at a special service of Induction at Trinity Church Knebworth on Saturday 18th May. We are not sure exactly when he will lead worship for the first time at Ashwell – his preaching schedule is not yet agreed. Many people – locals and visitors – admire the spring flowers in the URC churchyard. At the time of writing, these are getting past their best so Bob, our mower-man, will soon tidy up the grass ready for the summer growth. We are delighted that Greening Ashwell has supplied and installed some bird and bat boxes to encourage nesting/roosting in our trees. These are just two aspects of the URC’s informal attempts to be more eco- and wildlife-friendly in the way we do things. Others are our infra-red heating, LEC lighting and green energy purchasing. In May we will welcome Paul Cooper and Revd Jeanne Ennals to lead our worship and, on Sunday 12th May, the chapel and hall will be open during ‘Ashwell at Home’ so we hope lots of people will visit us – and enjoy delicious refreshments provided by Karen Rogers and her team. We are also pleased to be hosting Dave Rance and his Rocking Chair Band in the hall on Thursday 9th May at 2pm. We look forward to seeing you! God Bless. Chris SUNDAY SERVICES AT THE URC IN MAY SUNDAY 12TH MAY AT 10.45AM Preacher: Paul Cooper Coffee after the service SUNDAY 26th May AT 10.45AM Preacher: Revd Jeanne Ennals Worship will include Holy Communion CAMEO Wednesday 8th May: 2.30 – 4.30pm TO BOOK THE CHURCH HALL: PLEASE RING SAN CARSWELL 01462 742757 Ashwell Village News (AVN) is published by St Mary’s Church, as a service to the community. Correspondence, articles and advertisements in this magazine are not to be taken as representing the views of either St Mary’s Church or of any of the volunteers who produce the AVN. All new articles please contact AVN Team [email protected] FINAL Deadlines for articles for June’s submission are: Article Deadline 15th May Advertising Deadline 10th May Our AVN Team of volunteers are: Sarah Talks Editing Alfie Lien-Talks Layout Mark Eaton Finance Julia Mitchell Advertising Ian Chandler Useful Numbers Richard Young Distribution Did you know that the Ashwell Village News is available online? ( eAVN ) https://tinyurl.com/ Ashwell-Village-News
5 C.A.M.E.O.: Come And Meet Each Other CAMEO is a social gathering for people of all ages. The main object is simply to enjoy time together over tea and cakes and conversation. Here is the plan for our May meeting: 2.30 arrive any time after 2.30; you will be made welcome 2.45 It is ASHWELL AT HOME on the 12th and church will be open. So, we will have a craft afternoon at CAMEO to make a welcome display for visitors to the church. All crafting skills and none are very welcome. 3.30 a brief Thought for the Day 3.35 tea, cakes and conversations 4.30 time for home (but do leave earlier, if you need to) Where? Ashwell URC Hall, High Street, SG7 5NL When? 2.30pm Wednesday 8th May Who? All welcome; just turn up (or) Contact? Chris James; 742684 [email protected] Not able to make it? Then the next CAMEO will be 12th June. Please feel free to contact us. Chris 742277 [email protected] Julia 07817961703 [email protected] Mark, our Reader 743451 [email protected] Parish Church Office : Guy 01462 743922 [email protected] Usual parish office opening times are 10-12 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. St Marys Contacts List On a beautiful Saturday morning in April, the Book Swap team and friends organised a 'Breakfast Baps and Brownies' event in the Parish Church Room to raise much-needed funds for Jimmy's, the homeless shelter in Cambridge. The magnificent total of well in excess of £1,000 was raised - we'll have the precise total when GiftAid is added. We are so grateful to Crumps for their delicious bacon and to those who cooked, served and washed up but, above all, thank you so much to all of you who came and gave so generously. The Book Swap team and friends Jimmy's A new working party has been formed to look at ways to improve energy efficiency in the community and address climate change issues. There is an opportunity to bid for a grant to support community energy projects. The April meeting looked at resources, education, reduce-repair-recycle, land use, housing, solar panels, carbon off setting and electric vehicle charging points. These are all complex but vitally important areas of concern. Going forward it was resolved to have monthly meetings, build a website, and apply for the stage one grant. If you have any skills, time or experience to contribute, the group would love to hear from you. [email protected] Zero Carbon Ashwell Working Group
6 We have had two meetings since I last wrote. In March we heard from Jim Dalgleish who’s talk was entitled ‘From Missiles to Ministry’. Jim had chosen a career in physics and did indeed work on missiles for part of that time. His story revealed how he became a Christian and ultimately a Minister as he realised that physics was not able to explain everything. It was fascinating and everyone had lots of questions to ask him. I think we may have to invite him back on another occasion to answer them all! Last month we heard from Sarah Talks who gave a wonderful presentation on the archeological finds in Ashwell. As we are a Christian organisation, I had asked Sarah to tell us how the many finds had revealed how people might have worshipped in the past. Many of the sites, including Arbury Banks, indicated that at one time they had been regarded as ‘special’ places for gatherings, burial and possibly worship of some kind. We were all fascinated to hear about the Ashwell hoard, now in the British Museum, as it revealed the previously unknown goddess, Senuna. It was interesting to note that some of the votive plaques found were inscribed with prayers to this goddess. Prayers are at the heart of all that MU do, although nowadays to a very different God, but it is interesting to note that long before Christianity arrived, the human race has always felt the need to connect spiritually with some other being, whether it’s to ask for support, wish for a pleasant onward journey for our deceased loved ones or simply to say ‘thank you’ for all our many blessings. As Jim discovered, we mortals don’t have all the answers! This month’s meeting will be on Thursday 9th May at 10.30 in the PCR, where we will be hearing from Julia Mitchell who will tell us how the harp is used for therapy. Non members are most welcome to join us. We simply ask that you give a small donation to support our many projects. Viv Hollow Group Contact Sunday 12th May Our annual village open day, with the theme of ‘Hidden Ashwell’, will be a day to remember. The whole village will be alive with open gardens, music, dancing and other performances, workshops and other activities to join in and enjoy, from 11:00 am till 5:00 pm Local crafts, talks and village trails will be a feature of the day. There will be a grand raffle with thirty valuable prizes. The whole event will be raising funds for our school, church, museum and pre-school. Delicious refreshments will be available at the Parish Room, the URC Hall, the School, the Village Hall and the pavilion on the Rec. We still need help from anyone who could: •Do an hour’s stint in the car park. •Donate or serve food. •Sell raffle tickets •Garden sit in one of the open gardens Please contact Cliff Jenkinson if you can help in any of these ways: [email protected] Have a look at the website www.ashwellathome.org to give you a flavour of the day. Admission to everything is with a wristband, £10 each for adults on the day but only £9 if you order or buy yours in advance, which you can do online via the website or in person at one of the shops or pubs in the village where you see the sign “Wristbands and Programmes Available Here”. Admission is free for accompanied children. If you have an “Ashwell Alive” plaque about the story of your house, please remember to display it on the great day. Looking forward to seeing you. Here’s hoping for a fine and sunny day!
7 Recently Chen, our speaker from Herts Cyber Protect, came to give us advice on how to protect ourselves from Cyber crime, be it on our phones, computers or any other way. We were surprised to learn that people between the ages of 24 and 44 were the most likely to be scammed. We had naturally thought it would be retired folk. Chen explained that the younger age group have many more ‘gadgets’ and programmes that hackers could use to catch them out. Never think that that scamming won’t happen to you and always talk about it openly if it does occur. By being open we can help to protect each other. It can happen to anyone, even government departments, huge industries, utilities etc and the more we understand it the better. Scammers can pretend to be anyone in authority, police, bank officials, big companies, Amazon etc. Don’t be taken in because officials will rarely contact you by email or phone. They will post official letters to you. Scammers may try to intimidate you and say that you are breaking the law etc but don’t be rushed or scared into making decisions, take your time, don’t disclose anything to strangers and hang up if you are at all doubtful. Never give you bank details to strangers. Do report scams to Action Fraud who spend their time trying to stop these unscrupulous people. Take precautions, so when disguarding junk mail cut out your name and address before throwing it away. Passwords need to be random, not predictable and change them frequently. Most of us need to write our passwords down but don’t keep a labelled book next to the phone. Have a piece of paper that you keep tucked in a book on a bookshelf that will be very hard for anyone to find. Chen said that safety was no different on Android or Apple computers. With older devices make sure that you install an anti -virus program to help you. Modern devices usually have them already. Chen then answered many questions. Jan thanked her for a very useful talk which will help us all to feel safer and be more cautious. On May 15th we will be having our AGM and Members meeting at 2pm in the URC hall. As I write this I can see that preparations for this Year’s Ashwell at Home are all moving forward with many interesting activities to look ahead to so let us trust that the weather will be kind as that does make such a difference. PLEASE if you can help even for an hour or so it would be appreciated. As well as looking for Volunteers in the Museum help elsewhere is needed so do speak to any of the organizers who will appreciate any offer. Moving on to the Friends activities we now are nearing the date of our next coach trip, Knole near Sevenoaks in Kent. Knole is a National Trust Property with interesting House, Parkland and one of the National Trust Conservation Studios which is open to the public . The date is 22nd May, leaving Ashwell opposite The Three Tuns at 9am. We expect to leave Knole 4-4.30 . As well as the above we can also visit the Private Gardens of the House as they are open that day. For those who have asked to visit these we are booked in for 11.30 am The Cost of the coach if you are a National Trust member is £30 with additional £5 if you are visiting the Gardens. Those who are not National Trust the cost is £50 which includes the Gardens and obviously £45 if you just want coach and Estate.( Sorry I made a mistake last month!) We only have 3 spaces now on the coach but do come forward if you want to join us Contact Monica Boggust 01462742463, Hilary Masham 01462742416 or Karen Mills 01462742155 Looking ahead to the summer we will be doing the Teas in the URC on one Saturday but will publicize the date when known by one of our round robin emails. Also we will be holding the Annual Volunteers Open event on Friday 20th September 7-9pm in the Museum . This will this year take the form of a wine and Cheese evening and not our usual coffee morning. Our Autumn events are being planned; another coach trip and an event one evening which is likely to be in November so please do look out for further publicity As ever Thank you for your ongoing support. Friends of Ashwell Village Museum
8 An alarming accident occurred one Monday morning when a runaway horse and cart broke into the front of Mr S Warboys’ house. The cart was the first of three loaded with wheat and belonging to Mr W A Angel, that were coming down the steep decline from Pembroke Farm (Kingsland Way) when the harness broke and the horse ran out of control of J Townsend. They ended up going through a wall and into the room where Mr Warboys and daughter were seated. Furniture and goods were also damaged but the occupants were fortunately only slightly bruised. The horse laid still while corn was unloaded so presumably it survived and the driver suffered 2 broken ribs. On Sunday 11th May between 8-10am there was a severe thunderstorm and rain. Sand was washed down the hills blocking drains and causing several lower houses to be flooded. At about 10 o’clock a fire was seen in the west. It was a straw stack, at the centre of four, belonging to Mr Sale. However the heavy rain stopped the fire spreading but that did not stop a large crowd gathering. It must have been a very stormy month as at the cricket match against Hitchin Blue Cross rain stopped play and the match against Biggleswade was completely called off. However, Ashwell beat Pirton away and the Biggleswade Wesleyans at home but they lost the rearranged fixture with Biggleswade. In a busy month the Cricket Club also had a dance that raised £3-10s for their own funds, £10 for the Ashwell Nursing Association and £4 for the village hall. Harry Oakley Christy was born in Parade House, High Street in 1877 and he died there on 29th April 1924 aged 47. He left behind a widow and son. For most of his life he was running the family shop but for a few years he was learning the drapery trade in Streatham where he met his wife. The picture, from the same period, shows him in his Volunteer Army cyclist uniform in 1901. There were three other deaths noted of people with some connection to Ashwell. Mr Chandler Merry died after being taken ill whilst working for the Royal Ordnance Survey nr Peterborough aged 57. He was born in Ashwell and attended Merchant Taylors School. His father farmed in Ashwell and Croydon. Arthur George Bryant died at the Three Counties Asylum, Arlesey, aged 53. Tamer Ann Hincks, late of Anstey and Royston, 74, died at her daughter’s home at Ashwell. For Entertainment this month you could see ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ played by Merchant Taylors School boys at the village hall followed by a whist drive organised by the Men’s Club. About £6 was raised for the Boys’ Choir Fund. There was a concert Mr Barber and musicians in the Congregational Schoolroom. The W.I. met as usual in the village hall where they were treated to an account of the annual meeting of the County Federation, a demonstration on making moccasins and music by the Ashwell Choral Society. There were to more lectures by Dr Palmer in his series on ‘Richard Willows, Vicar of Meldreth.’ A Jumble Sale at the School for an outing to Wembley raised £15 which was enough to cover the cost all the girls going, giving a picnic to those not going and still some left over for future outings. A team of the schoolgirls performed in a Festival of Folk Dancing that was scheduled to be at Hertford Castle but the turbulent weather struck again and rain forced it to move to the Drill Hall, Ware. 100 years ago: 1924 May BALDOCK FESTIVAL 2024: Concert May 12th at 5.30pm BUBBLY RIVER CONCERT with EXQUISITE FAURÉ, MOZART, MAHLER piano quartets at St Mary’s Church, Baldock Raising funds for www.RevIvel.org to save our special local chalk stream upper River Ivel www.cwilmers.co.uk Includes FREE CAKE! Tickets £15 in advance at Baldock Community Centre or £17 at door (£5 age 10-17, free 5-10) www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-revivel-association
9 At the time of writing in mid-April, the civic year has been drawing towards its close with a rising sense of anticipation. It’s election time across the whole of North Herts, with all wards being contested. At the moment, no one knows who will be running the administration after 2 May, and officers and members are conducting business as usual in the expectation that important initiatives will be progressed whatever the election result. On the other hand, if you’re reading this after the results are known, do watch out for the Annual Council Meeting on 23 May. That’s when the make-up of our council for the next four years will be formally decided. All council and committee meetings are live-streamed on our YouTube channel and available to watch on demand. In other news: 11 April was World Parkinson’s Day. It came with the fantastic announcement that North Herts Council’s leisure centres are about to offer free memberships to anyone living with Parkinson’s. The scheme has been designed in collaboration with the charity Parkinson’s UK. I’m proud of this initiative and touched on a personal level too, as my father had Parkinson’s for the last 20 years of his life. I observed first-hand how his determination to remain active helped him live well with the condition for so long – not to forget the amazing care he received from our NHS throughout that time, of course. I’m sure this initiative providing specific exercises in the gym and pool, with carers in attendance if needed, will help many people with Parkinson’s improve their physical symptoms and mental well-being. Tom Tyson Chairman: Graham Lee (742834) Office at Bear Farm, 6A Back Street (743706) Clerk: Jane Porter, [email protected] www.ashwell.gov.uk Jottings: Parish Council News items from Ashwell Parish Council. The main points from the Parish Council meeting held in April are included below: Ashwell Post Office – Please contact us. The Post Office service from the Parish Rooms was reduced to 2 x 3hr sessions from January. Following negotiations the PO has agreed to review the service level if there is evidence of sufficient demand. So if you are finding that the service in Ashwell cannot meet your needs please email or write to the Parish Council Clerk at the above address setting out in what way the current service is inadequate. Other Parish Council News • Pavilion. At the March Parish Meeting the costs of renovating or replacing the current Pavilion and how to fund the work were discussed. It was clear that there were some differing views among Parishioners on the topic. So a consultation document containing background information and various options for the future of the Pavilion will be prepared for all to respond to. Anyone interested in joining a working Group on this project please contact the Clerk. • Access to the Station. Pedestrian & cycle access to Ashwell & Morden station remains inadequate with significant safety concerns caused by the lack of a footpath once leaving Hertfordshire & entering Cambridgeshire. Adequate parking at the Station is also problematic with approach roads lined with parked cars on the verges. Discussions with landowners and Council representatives have been ongoing for many years, but a clear timetable and plan for completing the footpath has still not been agreed. The fact that the missing facilities lie in Cambridgeshire is a key issue. Nevertheless the Parish Council remains committed to pushing for a solution. Next Parish Council Meeting – 7PM Wednesday 1st May 2024
10 The next folk session is 6th May at 8:30 in The Rose & Crown. All welcome. I like to rise when the sun she rises, early in the morning And I like to hear them small birds singing, merrily upon the leyland Hurrah for the life of a country boy, and to ramble in the new mown hay (“Country Life”, Harry Linn, 1878) The patchwork of little fields which we think of as being traditional to the English countryside isn’t as old as most people think. The field system was developed due to enclosure. Before that, agriculture was carried out in thin strips on three large common fields. We have a map of the strips belonging to Kirby Manor, made in 1794, which is quite informative. The open field system had deep historical roots and had sustained agriculture for around 1,000 years but population growth, urbanisation and economic pressures meant that it couldn’t last. Enclosure was a piecemeal process, beginning in the 16th Century, and locally it happened very late. Ashwell was not enclosed till 1877 and Bygrave was never enclosed, thus the very large fields in and around the village. As late as the 1st World War, people could be seen strip farming there. Enclosure involved the consolidation and privatisation of common lands, dividing them into individually owned plots. It was driven by a variety of factors, including pressure for increased agricultural efficiency, the pursuit of profit through land consolidation, and the desire of landowners to exert greater control over their property. Enclosure acts were passed by Parliament, enabling landowners to enclose common lands and convert them into private holdings. Proponents argued that enclosure would lead to improved agricultural productivity and land management, but critics raised concerns about the displacement of rural communities, loss of common rights, and social upheaval. Following enclosure, the landscape of rural England changed; with enclosed fields, often bounded by hedges. Individual ownership and control over land meant that farmers could now make independent decisions about land use, crop rotation, and livestock management. This led to innovation and advancements. Larger, consolidated holdings allowed farmers to invest in machinery, drainage systems, and improved breeding practices as well as the adoption of new crops and farming techniques, contributing to higher yields and agricultural productivity. However, the benefits were not evenly distributed. Large landowners and wealthy farmers prospered, but smallholders, cottagers, and landless labourers suffered as a result of enclosure. Displaced from their traditional lands and livelihoods, they faced economic hardship and social dislocation. Enclosure exacerbated inequalities in landownership and access to resources, leading to the consolidation of wealth and power among the landed elite. There were also profound social and cultural consequences. Traditional communal practices and customs associated with the open-field system declined, as the bonds of mutual dependence and cooperation eroded. Enclosure disrupted longstanding patterns of land tenure and communal rights, reshaping the social fabric of rural communities. If you’d like to know more about the folk session and our music, please get in touch. Ian Chandler [email protected] 743091 Rose and Crown Folk: Countryside Songs
11 In his latest Canon Clements Mystery, Reverend Richard Coles delivers another foray into quaint village life with "A Death in the Parish," the sequel to "Murder before Evensong." It’s charming in its way, but the plot takes a secondary role to Coles’ love of the idiosyncrasies of the Church of England, the work of a canon, church dogma and in-jokes about the clergy and congregation. He is easily distracted by matters unrelated to the storyline of the solving of the murder, which he takes a long time to come round to and little time wrapping up. So if you like rambling tales of village and clerical life with a little murder thrown in to spice it up, this will be for you. It won’t be for everyone, including me. It does have sausage dogs in it though, which I appreciated. Martin Talks Book review: A Death in the Parish by Reverent Richard Coles The Parish Room is looking really smart after a new floor was laid and the walls painted. Funding from the Ashwell Show was gratefully received and a team of volunteers completed the painting. Well done all. Easter activities at St Marys Parish Room Works
12 This is an NHS approach to how surgeries deal with appointment requests from patients. Our practice with be adopting this approach in the coming months having observed it successfully in action in other practices. It means that however a patient seeks to make an appointment – online, by phone or in person – their details will be noted using a structured form which will then be passed to one of our doctors for assessment or “triage”. They will then speedily decide which is the most appropriate course of action to be followed, which could be to see (or speak by phone to) the appropriate member of our medical team (doctor, physician's assistant, nurse, clinical pharmacist, physiotherapist, social prescriber), see one of our village pharmacists, attend the Urgent Care Centre or A&E, or be referred to hospital. The patient will then be informed in timely fashion. The aim is to make the processing of appointment requests more efficient by ensuring that a patient's needs are met in the most appropriate way and by making the best use of the resources we have available. Many thanks to the children at Ashwell School for brightening up our surgery with their new collage. ASHWELL AND BASSINGBOURN PATIENTS GROUP: TOTAL TRIAGE
13 Also known as Maythorn and Mayflower, for this is the month that its white blossoms adorn hedgerows and woodlands across the British Isles, Hawthorn is an ancient tree that is steeped in folklore. Its Latin name, crataegus, comes from the Greek “kratos” meaning strength, and “akis” meaning sharp, describing the thorns on its slender brown-grey branches. These spiky thorns are the reason Hawthorn has been used in hedgerows for centuries. Growing alone they can reach up to 15 metres tall. The white blossoms celebrate the transitioning from Spring to Summer. Historically they were a symbol of purity, hope and new beginnings. The pilgrims headed for the “new world” in 1620 sailed aboard the Mayflower ship. That said, Hawthorn is also associated with fertility and the lively Pagan festival of Beltane, and May Poles were originally made of Hawthorn wood. The young leaves, known as “bread and cheese” are edible. They neither taste or look anything like bread or cheese, so theories suggest they were eaten in times of hunger, as some other wild leafy foods also go by the same name. Hawthorn is part of the Rose family and contains many of the tannins, flavonoids and heart healthsupporting properties common to other Rosaceae family members for example Dog Rose, Silverweed and Lady’s Mantle. The berries are most commonly used in herbal medicine for their nutritive and adaptogenic actions, specific to the circulatory system. Studies have shown Hawthorn extract to improve blood circulation, and lower cholesterol and blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. As always, consult with your GP and a Medical Herbalist before using herbs to treat health conditions. A tasty way to enjoy Hawthorn blossoms is by making a syrup. You’ll need: - 5 cups of blossoms (with green stems snipped off) - 2 cups sugar - 2 cups water - Grated zest and juice of 1 large lemon Directions - Put flowers in a bowl - Dissolve sugar in water over low heat, then increase the heat and boil for 5 mins. Remove from heat. Let cool for 2 mins. - Pour this syrup over the flowers, stir well then return to the saucepan. - Turn heat to the lowest setting, add the lemon juice and zest, simmer for 25 mins. - Let your concoction cool and then pour through a fine sieve into a sterilised bottle. Will keep for 2 weeks in the fridge. Dilute with water, soda water — or booze! Recipe by www.gathervictoria.com By Katie Shellard Sensory Herbalist and Massage Therapist My new treatment room is now open in Weston! See website for details www.fernwoodremedies.com Herbs of Ashwell: All about Hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna
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19 Let me start with giving you all an update on my how I am doing. As I mentioned last month, I had some problems with my back paw, caused by a big fatty lump. I have had the lump for ages, and it was fine, but it has grown and now is making me limp a bit. This month, we had to go to the needle sticking place again, to get some expert needle sticker advice. I think the Missus already had nightmares of a one-eyed, three-legged dog and having to retrain as a needle sticking nurse. Apparently, the surgery was not a good idea, and to be honest, I am getting used to the lump and my walking has improved a little bit. I also went on a holiday to this place we have been to a few times before. It is on a farm with loads of non-dogs, of all kinds. We used to do a lot of walkies during those holidays and then the Missus and the OtherHalf would get lost and get themselves in a pickle. Obviously, long walkies were not really an option this time. But no worries, the Missus and the OtherHalf, just skipped the walkies and spent a lot of time on their other favourite pastime: going to the pub and eating loads of food. They both put on weight when we got back, so they can no longer have a go at me for eating too much! The Missus gave me a haircut and then had to bring in another lady to tidy up her messy work. Having said that, I like the new haircut and am getting loads of compliments. You all know how much I like compliments on my handsome appearance. I wish I had a bit more to tell this month, but the Missus is not very compliant. She has been disappearing again with her little suitcase and when she is at home, she is just sitting behind her desk either talking to the people that are in the room but are not in the room or just typing away. Hopefully, she will have more time to take note of my (mis)adventures or I will have to spend a bit more time on her training. That’s it for now folks, Sir Bark A Lot The Chronicles of Sir Bark A Lot– all is well in the state of Ashwell Our last two Makers in the Museum have had a slightly different format, and have been a delightful mix of storytelling, crafting, learning, and meeting new friends. In March we looked at home dressmaking, and the work of tailors and dressmakers in the village. Everyone in the group brought something to share or had a story about dressmaking and home sewing. We had a beautiful doll named Virginia, some tiny children’s clothes, some of which were over seventy years old, and lots of other things to look at. We heard stories of slightly scary dressmakers, family traditions and lamented the loss of sewing skills today. Bridget shared that trainee surgeons need to have special remedial lessons in stitching. Peter had copies of census returns showing how dressmaking was an exclusively female occupation in Ashwell, but tailoring often involved the whole family. We have clothes in the Museum made by Bonnets in the 1950’s. People remembered them sitting in the window of their shop in Mill Street, using the light to help them stitch. In April a large group gathered to consider the history of taxidermy. Again, several people brough examples of historic family treasures, or more recent artworks. We had owls, a corvid, a duckling, and an American mink. We also heard how Billy the French badger had suffered from some recent pest damage. It was very good to welcome some visitors from further afield too. In the Museum collection we have some birds that were shot at Hinxworth Place in the 1860’s including a hoopoe. Hinxworth must have some special attraction for hoopoes as another one visited (and was not shot!) in 2022. We also have some of the work of Mr Kirchin, the village taxidermist, who lived near the Springs, including a magnificent pike, dating from the 1950’s. Our next Makers will be an appreciation of the craft of well dressing. The installation of the 2024 Ashwell at Home panel will have just happened, so it is a great opportunity to hear about the history, the design and construction, from Maureen and some of the team who help with this artwork. Tuesday May 14th, 2.30pm in the Museum. All welcome. Refreshments and crafting. Donations very welcome for the Curator’s Conservation Fund. Makers in the Museum March and April
20 Ashwell Karate Club We introduce our junior members of Ashwell Karate Club aged 5 years and above. The students start as a white belt and with regular training and help from your Ashwell Karate Instructor Sensei Dhillon (2nd Dan) and aided by home study students are ready to attempt their first exam (grading) to gain their blue belt in karate from 8 weeks. Ashwell Karate Club specialise in Shotokan Karate, students all progress in our classes as we use their motivation and help them to succeed, as well as being a great way of making new friends and keeping fit. Karate also benefits children by enhancing concentration, self-discipline and increasing selfconfidence. We asked our junior students what they liked about karate and they said •I like learning new moves •I enjoy the sparring (fighting) •It’s fun! •I like the games we play •Learning the self-defence moves •Something my daddy & I can do together Ashwell Karate Club also offers a Junior Achievement Programme which is a voluntary character-building activity linking the philosophy of our karate with community, home and school achievement. Assignment are completed in return students are rewarded with diplomas & merit badges. We train every Saturday from 2pm at Ashwell Village Hall and always looking for new students aged 5 to 65. If you would like a free taster lesson, then email: [email protected] or text 07941926126
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23 Tickets available from www.ashwellmusicfestival.org.uk & from Rhubarb & Mustard Please note only drink purchased from our bar can be consumed in the church. FESTAL EVENSONG: Sunday 5th May 6pm. St Mary’s Church. No ticket required. The opening of Festival is marked by the traditional Choral Evensong. Sacred music will be performed by St. Mary’s Church Choir, with conductor Bene’t Coldstream. There will be a retiring collection. YOUNG MUSICIAN’S CONCERT: Tuesday 7th May 7pm. St Mary’s Church. No ticket required The young musicians and singers from the local schools entertain us with a varied programme of instrumental and choral pieces. The concert is closely followed by sung compline - an ancient plainsong service that is a peaceful and moving end to the day. There will be a retiring collection. There will be a bar selling wine, beer, and soft drinks. HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY CHOIR: Wednesday 8th May 7:30pm. St Mary’s Church. Tickets: Adult £10 under 16s £5 The Hertfordshire Constabulary Choir are a mixed voice choir of around 24 members started in the early eighties by Martin Leadbetter, a fingerprint expert with the Constabulary at the time. Initially started as a male voice choir of police officers, they soon turned into a full mixed-voice choir and have been singing together ever since. There will be a bar selling wine, beer, and soft drinks. DAVE RANCE’S ROCKIN’ CHAIR BAND: Thursday 9th May. 2pm. United Reformed Church Hall. Tickets: £10 Foot-tapping fun is guaranteed with this afternoon performance of traditional jazz standards, made famous by the likes of Louis Armstrong and King Oliver, and tunes associated with British jazzmen such as Chris Barber, Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball. Come and enjoy this performance of good-time music. Tea and delicious cakes will be available to buy. OLIVER GEARING – LIVE LOOPING ROCK AND POP: Thursday 9th May 7:30pm. Live in your own home. No ticket required Oliver Gearing will be performing a live looping internet livestream for Ashwell Music Festival. Oliver will take your requests and play songs you want to hear! Playing rock and pop covers from Queen to Ed Sheeran to Papa Roach, looping drums, guitars and keyboards, come and try out an online livestream concert! Just click on the link at 7.30pm on the 9th May to join the concert. https:// youtube.com/@olivergearing Click on the ‘live’ tab at the top from 7:30. JAMES PEARSON & FRIENDS - 125 YEARS OF JAZZ PIANO: Friday 10th May 8:00pm St Mary’s Church. Tickets: Adults £20 U16s £10 This is a fun whistlestop tour of the history of jazz piano with lots of different styles from Scott Joplin to Oscar Peterson and many more! James Pearson, the artistic director of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, returns to Ashwell for this very special concert. There will be a bar selling wine, beer, and soft drinks. HANDBELL FAMILY WORKSHOP: Saturday 11th May 11am, 12:15pm St Mary’s Church Tickets: £8 The Handbell Ringers of Great Britain are running two separate workshops for anyone interested in learning about and developing their ringing knowledge. Numbers are limited to 10 for each workshop so make sure you get your tickets early to avoid disappointment! SOUL KINDA WONDERFUL: Saturday 11th May 8pm St Mary’s Church Tickets: Adult £20, under 16s £10 Soul Kinda Wonderful are a lively, fun-loving charismatic act that have been storming the music scene for over a decade. The group enjoy performing and celebrating music from the golden era, specifically the genres of Soul and Motown, and have collaborated with some of the industry’s greats, such as Ben E King, The Temptations, The Drifters and The Four Tops. Soul Kinda Wonderful retain their title from the National Music Tribute Awards as the UK’s official Number 1 music tribute to the legendary Drifters. You’ll be waving your hands in the air and singing along in no time! There will be a bar selling wine, beer, and soft drinks. Music Festival: WHATS ON WHEN: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
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25 Is it May already? Here are the last of the collective nouns Do you know of any other funny collective noun comparisons? Write in to us at [email protected] Wordsmith: Collective nouns 2024 is the hundredth year since Master Robert, as an outsider, won the 1924 Grand National. The horse had been sold to Lord Airlie, a close relation to the Duke of Devonshire, shortly before the race by his then owner, Harry Fordham MFH of Therfield, with the proviso that if it did win the race an extra £1000 would be paid. Lord Redesdale (the father of Nancy Mitford) and a close relation of the Devonshires placed a large bet, at good odds, upon Master Robert winning and said that if the horse did win the race he would replace all the pews in the church. Master Robert did win and the pews in the church were replaced but having done so, Lord Redesdale wanted to place a plaque in the church saying where the money had come from but the Bishop refused to allow it. Immediately after the war the Royston trainer, Willie Stephenson, set up a jumping course at Odsey Park from which he trained Oxo to win the 1959 Grand National having previously won the 1951 Derby with Arctic Prince. Racing at Odsey has a history going back to around 1723 when the 2"d Duke of Devonshire purchased the Odsey Estate and established what was then to become a famous racing establishment with a racecourse around Hangman's Hill with the finishing post opposite his newly built Odsey House. At that time, owners matched their horses over around four miles or so, with the Dukes it is said, wagering maybe as much as £1,000 a match — a huge sum of money in the mid 1700s. Racing proper began at Odsey in 1735 and I have a copy of the London Evening Post dated19th August 1735 advertising an early race meeting. Newmarket eventually developed as the centre of racing and Odsey was closed down and sold by the 5th Duke to the Fordham family in 1793. Finally, to finish it, there was the famous jockey George Fordham, riding between 1851 — 1883. He was champion jockey fourteen times. During his time he won all the Classics both in England and France, winning the1879 Derby on Sir Bevys owned by Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild. He won the Ascot Gold Cup five times. He was born in Cambridge and, referring to the family history, was undoubtably somehow connected to the wider branch of the Fordham family. Jeremy Fordham’s History Notes An unease of compromises. A yearning of yesterdays A twinkling of todays. A promise of tomorrows A hug of teddy bears. An armful of hugs A knocking of knees. A nudge of elbows A chorus line of legs. An earful of sounds A stack of books. A cover of umbrellas A support of walking sticks. An illumination of lights A temptation of chocolates. A tinkling of wine bottles A charm of smiles. A pucker of kisses Detail from John Cary's map of Hertfordshire 1787, showing Odsey course. It also shows the knits-position of the Fordham Estates. Ashwell, Odsey, Royston (Melbourn), Therfleld, Kelshall and Sandon.
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27 Crossword by Falaise Clues Across 1. Napoleon was able ‘ere he saw it. (4) 3. A graph oboe hates open spaces. (10) 10. Change mars front. (9) 11. Reds have the East growing beside river. (5) 12. Cutting corners or enthroning a bishop? (7) 13. Len Veso, alpine citizen. (7) 14. Posh sweet stuff misses a couple of notes. (4) 15. He’ll stare, unfocused in Graz, at the heavens. (9) 19. Top of Beachy Head or similar point of danger. (5,4) 21. Give way, but sounds as if you’re planting. (4) 24. Classics, even without those in charge, give a posh education. (7) 27. On the border of Lin and Liam. (7) 28. A mixed up line – from outer space? (5) 29. Abraham was born normally in Ur. (9) 30. North-Eastern moralist: they can manage beasts. (4,6) 31. Cattle get by with a little religious education for shelter. (4) Solution to April crossword: Across: 1.Evening 5.Canteen 9.Enigma 10.Slippery 11.Re-entering 13.Each 14.Aspect 18.Ghanaian 19.Annually 21 Slyish 23.Bali 24.Specialist 28.Wide load 29.Orders 30.Tory red 31.Cygnets Clues Down 1. Site untidy, mate, but have a guess. (8) 2. Young man, fit, at University Library, is good-looking. (9) 4. She’s a saint on the island race, eastern-based. (9) 5. The twin who lost, a mixed-up muser. (5) 6. A firewood salesman arises for vine-covered place. (7) 7. Awarded honour in South-East, overweight. (5) 8. Erisea was not so difficult. (6) 9. Stirred cap is for preserving. (5) 16. Outrage, left and right, caused if this person’srules are unfair. (9) 17. Seabird trapped, really not right, for ever. (9) 18. The late Eryk, total trouble. (4,4) 20. Quick fisherman might win this race? (7) 22. Son uses all fours, perhaps in the water, and his handwriting is terrible. (6) 23. In part of Italy I miss the shade. (5) 25. I’m not out, love, but an essential part of protein. (5) 26. Dug minerals up, found cloth. (5) Down: 2.Venue 3.No gun 4.No age 6.Alinguals 7.Tipperary 8.Eurocrats 12.Tic 15.San Marino 16.Elusively 17.Telescope 20.Yield 22.Lea 25.Ivory 26.Laden 27.Surat
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29 Spot the difference Results for April’s copy: how many did you find? Can you spot Mays's 12 differences. Music is what makes you move Music is what makes you groove Music can be good or bad depending on how its used Music can make you choose different clothes to wear Music can make you change your hair Music can make you choose new friends Music can make you want to dance Music can make you fight Music can make everything alright Music can take care of you when your alone Music can make everything feel like home Music can harm and take away Music can make you want to stay Music is the only friend I have Music is my mom and dad Music is what keeps me alive Poems for May If music be the food of love, Sing on till I am fill’d with joy; For then my list’ning soul you move To pleasures that can never cloy. Your eyes, your mien, your tongue declare That you are music ev’rywhere. Pleasures invade both eye and ear, So fierce the transports are, they wound, And all my senses feasted are, Tho’ yet the treat is only sound, Sure I must perish by your charms, Unless you save me in your arms. The first line quotes Orsino's lines in Twelfth Night Jackrabbit krjs I loves nature’s music, And summertime songs. In the forest her great singers Gather in throngs The wind play the harp, And the birds take the tune. The bass part is sung By the man in the moon! Each one knows his part To the very last letter. And even our radio Doesn’t sound any better! NATURE’S MUSIC—by Lenore Hetrick Purcell
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