parish news - shillington.org.uk 145.pdf · parish news covering shillington, pegsdon & higham...
TRANSCRIPT
PARISH NEWS
covering
SHILLINGTON, PEGSDON & HIGHAM GOBION www.shillington.org.uk
MUZZY WINTER WONDERLAND Sunday, 22nd December from 12 noon to 3.00pm
Featuring:
Santa’s Grotto
Real Reindeer Children’s
Fairground Rides
Mulled Wine & Cider
Toffee Apples
THE MILITARY WIVES CHOIR Charity Xmas Carol Concert
Wednesday, 18th December from 7.30pm
THE MUSGRAVE ARMS 16 APSLEY END ROAD, SHILLINGTON. SG5 3LX.
01462-504115 www.MusgraveArms.co.uk
Pub Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs: 12 noon - 11pm
Friday - Saturday: 12 noon - 12pm Sunday: 12 noon - 10.30pm
Open 7 days a week for food Mon – Fri: Lunch 12 noon - 3.00pm
Evenings – 5.30pm - 9.00pm Sat: 12 noon-9.00pm/Sun: 12 noon-6.00pm
Issue 145 – December 2019 Deadline for February edition - Friday, 24th January 2020
PARISH COUNCIL
NEW PLAY AREA:
Much discussion has been taking place regarding the installation of the new play area, more
particularly as we are now into Winter – not the best time of year to be doing this work. Due to the
need to get this completed in a timely manner mainly due to ensure the S106 monies are used within
the required time frame, and also with the deterioration and upkeep of the old area, Wicksteed will
be proceeding with the play area for the younger children at the beginning of January. The old play
area equipment will be removed and ground made good ready for contractor parking once the new
community building commences.
Parish Council and Playing Field Committee have agreed to the removal of the existing MUGA
surfacing to make room for the older children’s equipment. The MUGA/tennis court has not been in
use for over 15 years due mainly to broken up surfacing making it unsafe. It currently looks very
unsightly just stuck at the end of what will be the new play area. A new MUGA would be extremely
expensive and would need to be wider than existing to take into account latest requirements and
regulations with run offs, etc. There is little support from various sporting bodies for funding and no-
one from the community has shown much interest so we have now decided to remove the surfacing,
fencing, nets and floodlights and install the older children’s equipment here once the weather
improves in early spring. We can also consider picnic tables or seating in this location.
UPDATE ON NEW COMMUNITY BUILDING & HIGH ROAD RESIDENTIAL:
Tenders have been sent out to interested contractors and following a number of queries, the return
date has been extended to 13th December. We will be attending further meetings with Settle Group in
the new year to review responses and viability of project.
We have attended a recent meeting with our solicitors and Settle to review the legals involved with
access across land owned by us (existing village hall car park and playing field), access across land
owned by Settle (car parking for village hall) and also complete the application form for the creation
of a new CIO (Charity Incorporated Organisation). Both the Village Hall and Social Club will remain
in operation during the construction phase and until such time as the new community building is ready
for occupation.
A draft development agreement was also reviewed which has now been sent to our Project Manager
for his comments. As and when development commences we have requested that access to the playing
fields site is through the top part of the car park (currently owned by Grand Union) as large vehicles
will not be able to pass in front of the bungalows to the access the current playing field gates. We
await agreement from Grand Union. We have also asked that contractors ensure there are no
deliveries scheduled during school start and finishing times.
GRANT FUNDING:
At the November meeting, Cllr. Alison Graham mentioned that no village organisations had taken
advantage of her grant fund, which requires that applications are match funded and capital not revenue
based. Awards are in the region of £500 and available to any group.
For all Parish Council issues please contact:
Mrs. Helen Smith, Clerk to the Parish Council 11 Hillside Close, Shillington, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3NN. 01462-713224
email: [email protected] website: www.shillington.bedsparishes.gov.uk
ANNOUNCEMENTS / ITEMS / NEWS IN BRIEF
A huge THANK YOU and festive greetings to contributors, advertisers,
sponsors and distributors of this magazine.
Your kind support ensures the continuity of the Parish News.
I hope those who do read it enjoy it dropping onto their doormat
every two months.
Best wishes to all readers and their families for a very happy, healthy
and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Sally S.
The Royal British Legion Collection 2019 in Shillington, Gravenhurst and Pegsdon.
The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal collection in Shillington, Gravenhurst, and Pegsdon amounted to £2507.74 to date.
Thank you to all the door to door volunteers and to the pubs, schools, shops and
garages, and to Peter & Jan for the donation from the photograph display and refreshments in the village hall on 10th November. A very good result.
Shirley McGrath Poppy Appeal Organiser
The family of MAVIS GRANGER would like to thank all those who
attended her funeral on 9th October at Shillington Church.
We were overwhelmed with the turnout, flowers and generous
donations to the RSPB charity.
Many thanks for the kind messages of sympathy.
Granger Family
I would like to thank all kind friends and neighbours in Shillington who have sent cards and good wishes to me
following my accident, which has unfortunately resulted in a broken arm.
It’s nice to know that so many people are thinking of me. I’m getting along quite nicely now.
Best wishes Pauline Haley
Letter from the Vicar
Richard Winslade The Vicarage, Shillington 01462-713311
Dear Friends
As I write this I am looking out onto a dull, dreary, damp day. It was dark in this morning when I got up and there won’t be many hours of day light until it’s dark again this afternoon. Although this is the weather and daylight we should expect at this time of year, I do love the bright crisp cold days we can often get. For many people a hard frost is a pain especially if you need to defrost the car or you’re tending delicate plants, however I love a frost. The world seems cleaner and crisper and the
cold wakes up your senses.
Unfortunately for many people the world is a dark, dreary and dangerous place at the moment. A time of peace and justice for all people is still a dream. We continue
to hear of man-made and natural disasters bringing pain and suffering around the world. There are still people suffering from hunger, illness and many people without a home or country to call their own. In our own country we have seen devastating floods. We continue to see our hospitals and emergency services struggling to cope. We see families still relying on food banks and so many young lives lost to knife crime. We could add so many other sad situations to this list both nationally and
internationally. It’s a dark world out there.
The church season of Advent encourages us to look at the dark places of the world and in our own hearts. Advent brings us a time to reflect on the need for light in our world of darkness. For Christians that light has come in the birth of a child in a
manger in Bethlehem. Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Jesus will still come to those who are in darkness and bring them light, often working though Christians.
At Christmas we celebrate the coming of the Christ child, the true light of the world. As always I look forward to seeing you at our Advent and Christmas church services
this year.
Richard
ALL SAINTS NEWS
www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk or follow us on Facebook
Parish Priest: Rev’d Richard Winslade ( 01462-713311)
[email protected] (Day off on Fridays)
Churchwardens:
Liz Brewer : 01462-711594 Patricia Humphreys text: 07754-760073 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected].
Church Services:
• 9.30am - Sung Eucharist - every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday.
• On some fifth Sundays services are held jointly with the Congregational Church at alternate venues.
• First Sunday of the month: 9.30am - Family Service 6.00pm - Choral Evensong.
• All other Sundays: 9.30am – Holy Communion
Christmas Services (as poster on page 30):
7th December - 2.00pm - Christmas Fair (in Church) 15th December - 6.00pm - Carols by Candlelight 19th - 21st December - Santa float in village 24th December - 5:00pm Carols - St. Mary's, Gravenhurst
- 11:30pm Midnight Mass - All Saints, Shillington
25th December - 9:30am Family Communion 29th December - 11.00am - joint service at Congregational 5th January - 4.00pm - Christingle Service
For details of all our services and for PCC members’ contact details, please see our website www.allsaintsshillington.org.uk, our Facebook page (Shillington Church) or the church notice board.
All Saints Church Rector, The Reverend Richard Winslade and the Church Wardens welcome your prayer requests throughout the year.
Baptism:
13th November – Madeleine Mason
Burials:
1st November - Paul Meacher RIP
In November we enjoyed an interesting talk, heavy with nostalgia for many of us, from
Barrie Hyde “The Record Album and the Art of the Album Cover”.
On the 16th November we had our Village Market and I would like to thank
everyone who supported the event either behind the scenes or behind a
stall! – and all the visitors who came! It was a really enjoyable event with
a lovely atmosphere and well worth the work that went into it! Watch out for the next
one!
Now we are entering into the Christmas period and are all looking
forward to our Christmas Social on Thursday, 12th December (a week
later than usual to allow for the Christmas Tree Festival at the
Congregational Church). Followed by a Christmas Lunch at Offley
Place on the 18th!
We have many exciting Speakers and Trips planned for 2020
including a trip to Peacocks Auction House, a visit to Hatfield
House and also the Gordon Craig Theatre.
We also have extra Clubs including:
Reading Group
Lunch Club
Relaxation
Walking
Craft
Do come along and give us a try - visitors only pay £3 to come and see what we are all
about.
We would love to have some new members in 2020 and I met so many
lovely ladies at the Village Market who would be most welcome!!!
We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 8.00 p.m. at the
Congregational Church in Church Street.
Come along and bring a friend – or if you have any questions please call me
Jill Russell on 01462-711533.
SHILLINGTON MEN’S CLUB (Now in its 15th year)
Past Events:
On the 27th September 14 members visited Bentley Priory Museum which was a
fighter command base during WW11. Here we enjoyed a very interesting talk on the
role of 11 group fighter command during the Battle of Britain and how Bentley
Priory coordinated information on enemy aircraft formations from radar
installations and ground spotters and passed that information to the Uxbridge control room which
directed the R.A.F’s defence deployments.
On the 9th of October 18 members enjoyed a very good 2 course meal at the White Hart at Flitton.
On the 22nd October 11 members enjoyed a tour of the Greene King Brewery in Bury St Edmunds.
Members had lunch in the Beer Café then had a guided tour of the brewery which was established in
1799, and an in depth talk on the brewing process and its varying ingredients. Then members climbed
to the top of the Brewery building to enjoy Panoramic views of the town and finished by sampling half
a dozen beers with a bottle (or more) of our choice to take home.
On the evening of the 19th November 21 members attended a meal at our local, the Crown in
Shillington. Members tucked in to bangers and mash and vegetables and a sweet, washed down by
copious amounts of real ale. A good time was had by all.
On the evening of the 26th November 9 members enjoyed a night at the Henlow
Greyhound Stadium. Members enjoyed a meal of fish, chips and peas, followed
by apple pie and custard. It was an enjoyable night and 2 or 3 of us actually won!
Thank you to Michael Bradley for organising the events, and Paul Bruce for organising the meals.
Future Events:
• 11th December - Christmas Dinner at Lower Stondon Golf Club.
• 8th January 2020 - meal at the Raven at Hexton.
Presently the Club has a healthy membership of 43. There are 6 elected Committee Members who
meet every 12 weeks to review and evaluate past events, plan future events and review the Club’s
financial position.
New residents to the village, why not come along to one of our future events for a sampler, you will
be made most welcome and there will be no obligation to join. The Club offers an opportunity to
make new friends, friendly and stimulating conversation with other members who have a vast array
of hobbies and interests to talk about over a good pub meal and good Ale. It also offers a monthly
visit to a place of Culture, Interest or History. Membership is just £5 to join with an annual
Membership fee of £15.
Contacts:
For further information please contact either of the following:
Events Co-ordinator - Michael Bradley (01462 711162)
Email - [email protected]
Chairman - Graham Williams (01462 713468)
Email [email protected]
SHORT MAT BOWLS
Bowling for our 2019/2020 season commenced in September with a flurry
of activity from our members involved in charity and county games as well
as our regular club meetings.
During October our club commenced competition with two teams in the
Beds & Herts League at Wilstead and three teams in the Barnet League at Hatfield. Initial
results are encouraging. At the same time we started our own In House League Competition
and this is once again proving to be very competitive with some surprising results.
In our last report we were privileged to congratulate Bill Gearing who had become
Hertfordshire Singles Champion and will represent Hertfordshire in the National
Competitions. Similarly Club Members have been competing to represent our county
in the National Pairs Competitions and our sincere congratulations are due to Brenda
Hutty and Bill Gearing who are Hertfordshire County Pairs Champions and will
represent the county in the National Competitions at Melton Mowbray next year.
In the age over 55 pairs competition congratulations are also due to Toni Gearing and Bill
Gearing who achieved 2nd place and will represent the county in the National Competitions at
Solihull next year.
At the time of going to press Club Members will be at the White Hart in Flitton for
our Christmas Celebrations.
Club meetings for December will be Monday 09th and 16th also Friday 06th, 13th, 20th.
Bowling will resume following Christmas and the New Year on Monday 6th January 2020
and continue as follows - Monday afternoons 2 to 5pm and Friday Evenings 7 to 10pm.
For further information contact:
John Clark ( 01462-711446) or Toni Gearing ( 01462-711871)
☺ AMAZON SMILE is RAISING FUNDS FOR OUR ☺
NEW COMMUNITY BUILDING
A reminder to support your new community building by sponsoring Shillington Memorial Playing Field when using Amazon.
Amazon will donate 0.5% of your net purchase price to the Charity. For every £100 spent we get 50p.
Thanks to the 19 people already supporting us – the total isn’t huge, but every little helps…….
It doesn’t sound much but with the support of everyone in the Village and any
friends and family we can raise much needed funds.
All you need to do is login at: https://smile.amazon.co.uk then pick “Shillington Memorial Playing Field” as your supported charity.
GIVING BIRTH By Revd. Angus McCormick 01462-712096
Minister of Shillington Congregationalist Church
Soon the shortest day will be here. What does it mean? In one sense it’s the time when our earth is in a position which gives us the least daylight…. though I’ve seen many cloudy days. Yet there are still 24 hours in that day. People still do their usual day’s work and they are not sent home early…. even though they may feel they should be. In another sense for some people it will be a long day, a day they will find hard to get through; maybe they are awaiting results from medical tests or sitting at a bedside where a loved one is unconscious.
I remember that all our children were born in times of social unrest with bombs shaking our house and bullets hitting the windows and walls; prolonged electric failures, lack of communication and restrictions on our movements on the public roads. It was especially difficult to get to the hospital because of gangs of men and children setting up barriers on the road and refusing to let me pass.
The first child was born on my busy working day and as the key holder to my second church service of the day I forgot the keys and had to travel over 10 miles quickly to get the keys. Our second child was born when the ambulance could not make easy access to our house because of electric power stations blown up that evening and the hospital itself under emergency power. Our last child was born when there was an increase in intimidation on anyone going out and the likelihood of being lifted and tortured, when the Sunday school children had to be hidden from gangs marching in boots and masks outside the church on Sunday morning.
So births remind me of days that were difficult but so wonderful. Any day can be short or long depending on our circumstances. I can still weep for joy and sorrow thinking of those days.
Humility and gratitude may teach us to live each day with sensitivity and positively. Every day is a day of birth. It is a reminder of the wonder of creation and human beings. Giving birth is painful, uncertain but amazing. We mark birthdays and make special efforts at certain milestones.
Christians insured that children would be valued and not abandoned as in Roman times. Christian hospices insure a love and care for sick children. Marriage has been established in Christian tradition as a great setting for children to be born into.
So celebrating the special birth of Jesus is a reminder of how special all births are, how special all human beings are. No-one should be told how dull or useless they are. No-one should be told how many failures they have made.
How wonderful the achievements by human beings to enable births to be more successful, to enable a child with all kinds of complex medical conditions to survive and live. It’s time to value every birth as showing that God is with us in a wonderful and loving way.
Celebrate not only the birth of JESUS but every birth.
Every blessing Angus
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NEWS 47 Church Street, Shillington
www.shillingtoncong-church.org.uk
SUNDAY WORSHIP:
Our Church is open every Sunday for worship at 10.30am. A warm welcome is
extended to anyone who wishes to join us.
Details of who is leading the service each week can be found in the village
calendar. Visitors always welcome.
BEDFORD FOODBANK:
Donations of non-perishable goods may be made at any time the church is open. It is planned to make
a delivery to Bedford early in December.
Items requested at the present time:
Squash
Biscuits
Wooden Spoons
Tinned Tuna
Jam
Small Saucepans
Long Grain Rice (500gm)
Tinned fruit
Long Life Sponge Puddings
Tinned Meat
Tinned Rice Pudding
Tin openers
Washing up liquid
Toothpaste
COFFEE MORNING:
The coffee morning held at the Congregational Church at the end of October raised the sum of £63.00
towards the education/training of young people in Syria affected by recent conflict in that country.
Thank you to those who supported this event or made donations.
ANNUAL VILLAGE REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY:
The annual Village Remembrance Sunday Service on Sunday 10 November 2019 was well attended.
It was good to see the young people on parade representing the uniformed organisations and leading
the congregation to the War Memorial for the final Act of Remembrance. The collection on the day
raised £368-98 for the work of the Royal British Legion.
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL:
We look forward to receiving visitors during the Festival weekend when the church is open on both
afternoons to view the trees and join us for refreshments.
A cheque will be handed over to a representative from the ‘Chums’ charity at the 10.30am service on
Sunday 5 January 2020; why not join us and learn about the work of this organisation.
CRAFT CLUB:
The next meeting dates are as follows - between 2pm and 4pm:
- 21 January
- 4 & 18 February
For further details please contact - Janet Worley 01582 881824
CBC WARD MEMBER’S REPORT for Shillington, Higham Gobion and Pegsdon
[email protected] 01462 713543
First things first; Church View Avenue has been resurfaced, and the footpath alongside the High Road, as it nears Apsley End Arch, has now been cleared, as I asked, to uncover the overgrown tarmac and widen this popular footpath so that baby buggies and couples can walk along it in greater comfort.
The hedges now need cutting back, however. The drunkenly leaning, redundant, bus post outside Bowles’ garage is scheduled at last, for removal. I have also asked the clerk to the parish council to request that the New Walk footpath be hard surfaced again, and the overgrowth cut back. The ongoing problem of the on/off street lights in Scyttels Court is being addressed by Grand Union, who say the lamps need new fittings of some sort…some time…
Now for the outside world; Purdah is upon us. The word purdah indicates that in the run up to a general election no local council can take any key decisions, because they might influence voters’ voting intentions. CBC does continue to run, however! The CBC Local Plan has had delays because the two planning inspectors have requested answers to several serious queries which they had regarding the plan. I checked with the lead CBC negotiator as to whether this was normal practice. It seems it is, since every council can expect to be questioned after it initially submits its plan. But it does mean that we can’t expect an outcome before spring, and it might include more consultation. We do however have our five year deliverable housing supply!
Next year will see discussions as to ward boundary changes. As I reported some time ago, I think this ward, now the largest single member ward in CB, may become a two member one. You can comment on line until 13 January, as to your thoughts about this.
As I also wrote, I am now fully functioning on the Police and Crime Panel! I have requested that a sub committee be set up to assess the level of public confidence in Bedfordshire police. I was on a previous committee, looking at the same issue, five years ago, and the Panel thought it would be instructive to compare results.
On this committee I shall maintain a focus on our rural areas, which it is now acknowledged, have been neglected for several years as a result of funding cuts.
Finally; our bus services. This government is promising £220 million for what it calls ‘super’ buses. But the Local Government Association says there is currently a £652 million funding gap. The real answer is to start funding local councils properly again so that we can carry out our responsibilities efficiently. This would include pot holes, schools, waste services, including fly tipping, and social care, as well as buses!
Finally, December is here and I’m looking forward to the Christmas Tree festival in the Congregational Church, the tractor with its sleigh bells ringing out in the dark Shillington
streets, mulled wine on a frosty evening and everything that says we can relax and enjoy a peaceful and harmonious Christmastide.
Alison Graham.
RAMBLING ON with DEREK TURNER 01462-712462 [email protected]
Warning! Taking up archaeology can give you a roller-coaster ride! Since we started investigating Shillington’s history in 2013 by searching in the ground for remains from the past, there have been plenty of ups when discoveries come thick and fast and downs when the results fall short of expectations.
When we work in the grounds of an old house, we hope to find objects that the occupants would have used and either broken, lost or chucked out in the centuries since that house was built.
On the basis that a house from the 17th century may sit on the same footprint as a much older building, we’d anticipate discovering earlier material as well. You can dig in some places and old artefacts - usually damaged but often identifiable and datable - come out of the ground in every bucketful of soil. At other times, all the effort that goes into moving large quantities of earth reveals frustratingly little and you wonder if it’s worth all the trouble.
I started with high hopes when we began our excavation at Parsonage Farm in June. The farmhouse here has a plain facade of red brick from the mid 1800s but this conceals an older building which sits on an intriguing site, close to springs that feed the ponds in the grounds and would have provided early Shillington settlers with a reliable source of clean water.
Nearby, on the other side of the Twitchell in the garden of the Old Vicarage, we’d unearthed chunky but crudely-made pottery dating from about 1,000 BC in 2013. This time, our hopes were dashed. All we had from a test pit in the back lawn was a little stoneware and glazed red earthenware and a few pieces of pottery from the last 150 years or so. The patterns on this were typical of the kinds of plates and cups that I used when visiting my nan’s and I was disappointed that we found nothing of any antiquity. The soil was barely 20 cm deep and there was nothing but clay below it. We could only conclude that the ground had been disturbed during landscaping. If we’d dug in another part of the garden, the result might have been different and I hope that we get a chance to investigate elsewhere on the site next year.
A second excavation in the grounds of Shillington Bury, the site of Shillington’s earliest manor house, was also underwhelming. A 2014 dig, close to this rambling building, part dating from the 1500s, had uncovered pottery from almost every period since the Bronze Age, suggesting that this was a place where people had lived for at least 3,000 years. This year’s test pit in a meadow some 70 metres away from the Bury yielded a single
piece of Roman era pottery and a few sherds of Hertfordshire Greyware, which is thought to have been made during the period between 1150 - 1400 at a kiln whose site was discovered near Sainsbury’s in Hitchin. This would be a good result elsewhere but was less than we’d hoped for here. We can tentatively conclude that earlier houses have probably all occupied the same site as the Bury and that what we found is likely to represent part of the household rubbish that found its way to a manure heap and was spread with it on surrounding fields.
We started with few expectations when we dug at the much-younger 84 Hanscombe End Rd, a classic ‘Arlesey White’ type brick Shillington home built in what was a meadow around 1900. Our spirits lifted when we found a few pieces of shell-speckled St. Neots Ware, made between 1000 and 1200. Deeper down was a little Roman age pottery which has now turned up everywhere we’ve looked along the stretch of road between Hanscombe End Farm and the Brookside junction. I await eagerly another opportunity to dig in this area.
Better results also came from our other test pits which, for the first time, were excavated outside of Shillington. Our village has historic links with Upper Gravenhurst which was part of our parish until the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1. Here, we had two opportunities to work in the grounds of 11 - 15 Campton Rd which may have been built when she was on the throne.
A fine haul of early medieval pottery from before 1350 proved that this was another site where one or more earlier homes had stood. I find it intriguing that the oldest surviving houses in Upper Gravenhurst are all situated either around the churchyard or along the road leading towards Campton. Other buildings around the school and village hall and along the Cainhoe and Barton Roads are relatively modern, so the footprint of the settlement has apparently shifted westwards. I hope we can dig more holes there in the future and see if the archaeology backs this up.
Another settlement that may have moved is Pegsdon. All the homes in the triangle between Hitchin Rd and Pegsdon Way are fairly modern and although the Live & Let Live is recorded in 1711, the current building looks post 1800. A few surviving older dwellings are situated north-west of the triangle and for our first test pit there, the owner kindly allowed us to excavate in the garden of 17th century Green End Farmhouse, down the narrow lane on the right as you approach Pegsdon from Apsley End.
We were rewarded with more Hertfordshire Greyware and can conclude that an earlier building occupied the site. What was really interesting though was the 38 sherds of Late Medieval Ware weighing 183gm which beats the previous record from the Musgrave Arms. This hard, reddish-orange, sandy pottery replaced Greyware and was made in the period immediately after up to a half of local people had been wiped out by the plague or Black
Death around 1350. We’ve found it before in much smaller quantities than Greyware which appear to reflect the decline in the population. The amount at Green End Farmhouse makes me wonder if Pegsdon people were proportionately less likely to have perished from the plague compared with Shillington. Digging more holes in Pegsdon could help us find out and shed light on the settlement area in times gone by.
This year again, I’m indebted to all the householders who let us dig on their land and to my team of helpers who worked hard and gave up a lot of their free time. I hope to carry out more archaeological work in Shillington, Gravenhurst and Pegsdon in 2010, so wherever you live, please get in touch if you have somewhere we can excavate a 1 metre square hole or if you wish to help. With your support, we can gather even more information about this area’s rich history.
Join me on Sunday, 29 December for another walk around the village looking at its history. Wrap up well and wear boots as we will use some of the footpaths which will be muddy in places. This walk begins at the village hall at 10.30am and finishes with a drink at the Crown at around
12.30pm.
SHILLINGTON SPEEDWATCH
Marquis Hill – five sessions. 838 vehicles have passed our device – 63 were speeding!
Apsley End – eight sessions. 235 vehicles have passed our device – 50 were speeding!
High Road – nine sessions. 2000 vehicles have passed our device – 147 were speeding!.
Hanscombe End – five sessions. 662 vehicles have passed our device – 85 were speeding!
We have had to suspend doing sessions on Marquis Hill as police advise it has become too dangerous
with speeding vehicles, particularly in winter weather.
Apsley End speaks for itself; we have witnessed some pretty awful driving in those 8 sessions.
It may come as a bit of a shock to some, but there are quite a few vehicles driving without an MOT –
some are out of date by up to a year. If these vehicles had an accident, their insurance would be
invalid and, worse case scenario, somebody gets injured in the process.
Participation in Speedwatch is on a voluntary basis, we do this to make the village a safer place in
which to live. It is important to keep the village safer. We are always on the lookout for new members.
If you are interested, please drop me an e-mail.
ANDY RALPH (Team Leader) [email protected]
PLOUGHING ON……A Farmer’s Perspective ! by Whizz – T. C. Shaw & Sons
www.shawfarming.com www.mrsmiddleton.co.uk
Somebody asked me the other day how long I have been writing Ploughing On. “Oh, a couple of years” I casually answered before deciding to check. Ten years! Reading through though it’s funny because some things haven’t changed at all whereas others are totally different.
For instance, this time ten years ago I was writing about how dry it had been in the Autumn until the heavens opened and it wouldn’t stop raining, which is just like this season. Although we can’t do anything about the weather itself, we have adapted our range of machinery in those ten years and we are now better equipped to cope with weather extremes.
We have bought a new seed drill recently. The one we already have is a big brute – it is quite heavy and has a row of tyres right at the back which act as a roller. This is great when it’s dry underfoot but as soon as it is too wet the wheels block up and it makes an almighty mess. Our new drill is
more like a cultivator so it has tines that are pulled through the soil and the seed goes in behind each tine. The drill is much lighter and doesn’t have a roller system on it like the other one, so in these wet conditions it has meant we have been able to put a lot more seed in the ground than we would have done before. Yesterday, for instance, after a couple of dry days, we dashed to Pirton to finish a block of wheat off before it rained again. We were just in the nick of time – we had another 20mm overnight!
One other thing that is noticeably different from ten years ago is the paperwork. I used to spend a few hours a week noting down what we’d been doing on the farm and recording it on a database. Chemical and fertiliser applications were also put on the same software and it was based on an email
received from the agronomist (the expert who helps us with disease and weed control, nutrient requirement and growth stages and general health of each crop). Now, we have amazing technology including an iPad, cloud based systems and yield maps from the combines which can whoosh onto the computer from a tiny chip card – all these things sound like they reduce paperwork but unfortunately not. In a rural location where we can’t rely on the internet (I just tried to do a broadband speed check and ironically the internet was too slow to load the website…!) we have to print everything off as well. What we hoped would reduce paperwork and time in the office has had the opposite effect.
What has certainly not changed is our love of the countryside and our ability to work within it as well as alongside it. Our arable fields are not only places for us to grow crops but together with the hedgerows, woodland, ditches and other features they create an array of habitats that allow the huge range
of wildlife that we all enjoy to see around us. Our environmental schemes let us enhance the natural features on the farms as well as add to them. Skylark plots are one of my favourites – they are very simple yet have great beneficial impact. The plots are approximately 24 square metres in size and are randomly located within arable fields.
Instead of being cropped, they are left fallow so that skylarks can forage for insects, making the most of the arable weeks and away from the tramlines where foxes tend to run. They then scuttle back into the bottom of the crop to their nest. We have also noticed that they are a regular sunbathing spot for hares – they use the bare ground and shorter vegetation to their advantage, drying out and warming up on a damp day.
Tomorrow I have another busy day selling rapeseed oil. We are going to Hitchin Wine and Food Festival which is an annual event at this time of year run by the Rotary Club. It is always very enjoyable and as long we wrap up warm, we always have a great day. Customers are starting to buy for Christmas and we have noticed that quite a few people like to create a “local
hamper” by going round the different stalls buying a few things from each to then put together as a hamper. It’s such a lovely idea and one that I have copied in the past.
Last night I joined some friends and took part in a charity quiz, raising money for RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution). This fantastic charity offers financial support and practical care to those involved in farming. There was a great raffle and a very busy bar, so I hope that they raised a lot of money for this worthwhile charity. At the moment they are helping those who are affected by the floods further North. We have all seen the awful footage on the news and I cannot imagine what they are going through.
There were 6 of us on our team – two farmers, two solicitors, one teacher and one in advertising, so a good spread of careers. We took it quite seriously and had a great time, realising that we knew a few useless facts between us but also couldn’t remember certain things that we definitely should have done. I could also mention that we won but that would be showing off…
SAMANTHA WUIDART ART Based in Shillington
• Pet portrait drawings - from only £35 A4
• Pet portraits engraving on mirror *NEW* - From only £40
• Glass work design engraving - From only £3
• Other commissions available on request - Please look at Facebook for examples
Contact: 07904-812333 [email protected] Or message though Facebook/Instagram Samantha Wuidart art.
1ST SHILLINGTON GUIDES
1st Shillington Guides have had an action-filled term, getting stuck into a variety of
activities.
The Guides made their own 3D boardgames from scratch using wood, with many thanks
to the Shillington Men’s Club, whose donation enabled us to buy the tools and materials
to make this possible. The donation also allowed us try our hand at DIY last term, with
each Guide assembling her own Ikea bedside table to keep.
The guides have also invested thought and action into the environment and the climate
crisis, with the help of local councillor Alison Graham. They created a sculpture of a
turtle out of single-use plastics to remind us of the impact our plastic use has on animals
(after which, everything was recycled). Each Guide then made a ‘plastic promise’, to
pledge to reduce their use of plastic and help save the environment.
Alongside this, the term has been a lot of fun, with a variety of activities from science
experiments making rockets and Mars Landers, to trampolining, and of course
Christmas craft!
If you are female, over the age of 10 and interested in joining our friendly unit, or would
like more information, please email: [email protected].
ROGERS BAKERY – MEPPERSHALL
Christmas Opening times:
Monday 23rd & Tuesday, 24th December – normal opening hours Wednesday, 25th to Saturday, 28th December – CLOSED
Monday, 30th & Tuesday, 31st December – normal opening hours Wednesday, 1st January – CLOSED
Merry Christmas & a very Happy New Year to all our customers
ALL SAINTS’ ILLUMINATED
To celebrate or commemorate your special occasion please contact:
Catherine on 07710-823384 or e-mail
It only costs £25 to sponsor a whole week’s illumination – a perfect way to commemorate a special family occasion
or loved one’s anniversary.
Sponsor Message From To
Sylvia Ansell & family
In memory of Denis Ansell who sadly passed away 30 years ago in the Lister
Hospital on 7th December
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Colin & Pat Day Remembering Pat Day on her birthday Sunday
8th December Saturday
14th December
David & Fiona Howarth
John Howarth – remembering your birthday on 22nd December
Sunday 22nd December
Saturday 28th December
All Saints Church Shillington
Wishing everybody a joyful Christmas and peaceful New Year
Sunday 22nd December
Saturday 4th January
200 CLUB WINNERS OCTOBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019
1st £50 No.30 Christine Fulton 1st £50 No.93 Adam Lockey
2nd £25 No.66 Max Sleater 2nd £25 No.84 Amy Hanks
3rd £10 No.75 Harry Bishop 3rd £10 No.159 Ben Simkins
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Thanks to everyone who supported our remembrance event on 10th November. We always have a great turnout of villagers both at the Church and
Memorial. This year was no exception and it is very heartening to see so many of you coming along to share the occasion and show respect for those who have died in the
service of their country.
As mentioned by Shirley, we had a brilliant response to the poppy appeal both with door
to door volunteers as well as collection pots in village pubs, shops, garages and schools. With collections added in from the Church service (£368.98) and picture show with
refreshments at the Village Hall (£53.90) this goes some way to the total which supports Service Men and Women through the British Legion.
Special thanks to Peter Stapleton for sharing his recollections as a child in the village during WW2; Janet & Peter Watts for the super display and refreshments in the Hall;
great traffic management by Andy, Gavin and Daniel and Sue our bugler.
Sally S
VE 75 CELEBRATIONS 2020 – 8th to 10th May 2020
We’ve now had two meetings of interested parties and hope to see more of you wanting to get involved as events develop.
The following events have so far been advised:
Shillington School will be doing a ‘history week’ leading up to a street party on Thursday
afternoon, 7th May. We hope they will be able to join in the group photo session (see below) as well as
anyone in the village featured in the original VE Day 1945 photo. Some of the pupils are designing a suitable
picture for a mug, which will be sponsored by the Parish Council.
Lordship Farm will be having three days of celebration with an exhibition of military and local items of interest
and are even creating a ‘bunker’ in their barn, as well as plenty of games to amuse the children. They will be
having a daily street party with food typical of the period and hopefully everyone in suitable dress. Also
included will be appropriate live music. Events planned should appeal to all age groups. They are looking
for photos of what was happening in the village at the time – anyone got any land army photos??
Thursday afternoon – 7th May 2020:
Reproduction of the old photo featured in the October Parish News with pupils from the Lower School
and any residents able to join us, who were originally featured in the VE Day 1945 version or one of their
family members. This will probably take place in the Village Hall car park for safety reasons. More details
to follow. We are looking for a local photographer who would be able to take the picture…. And maybe
video the weekend events?
Friday – VE Day 75 - 8th May 2020:
A parade along High Road assembling at the Village Hall at midday. Please dress up your houses with
flags and bunting along the route and around the parish……
o We need people in fancy dress – kids and adults. Prizes for best adult & child costume sponsored
by Lordship Farm.
o Floats – tractors and trailers – prize for best float. We will be looking for local sponsorship, raffle
prizes, etc. Any money raised will be donated to SSAFA (the Armed Forces Charity).
o We need old vehicles of the period - tractors, cars, tanks, military vehicles, old motor bikes, steam
engines, etc. Let us know if you are able to provide. We will be contacting known owners.
o Parade route from Village Hall down along High Road ending up at The Musgrave Arms, where all
vehicles/floats will be on display during the afternoon.
o Nationally at 2.55pm there will be a playing of “The Last Post” – we have a bugler lined up at The
Musgrave.
o Nationally at 3.00pm all public houses are invited to “Toast the Heroes of WW2”.
o Nationally at 3.00pm a piper will hopefully be lined up at Lordship Farm to play “Battle’s O’er”.
o Nationally at 7.00pm bells will be “ringing out for peace” in all churches and cathedrals.
o The Musgrave will be providing a BBQ and live music during the afternoon/evening. Any local
organisations/businesses wanting to do a stall in the afternoon most welcome.
o Bedfordshire Morris Men will be appearing at The Crown during the afternoon.
Saturday – 9th May 2020:
Street parties around the Village. Prize for best party/decorations. Get together with neighbours and
get out that bunting….! Hopefully both The Musgrave and The Crown will be running street parties for
those unable to join in their street.
We’ve requested a flypast – not had confirmation of whether this will take place on Saturday or Sunday
due to number of other requests RAF have received. Will publish further details when confirmed.
Live music from that period at Lordship Farm up until 5.00pm.
Concert Party in the village hall starting at 5.00pm – anyone local able to ‘do a turn’, recitation, musical
interlude, sing songs from that period – please contact Joy. Glass of wine (courtesy of Musgrave Arms),
plus light refreshments. Local transport for those requiring it, will be investigated.
Sunday – 10th May 2020:
Nationally at 10.30am Special United Church Services of Celebration and Commemoration.
Date of next progress meeting: Sunday, 12th January 2020, 6.30pm – Musgrave Arms, Apsley End
We will need help with organising the above and hope you can join in and make this commemoration very special for the Parish.
There are several areas where we will need your expertise….. from marshalling the parade on the Friday…… assisting at or joining in the Concert
Party …… dusting off the old vehicles…… getting creative with a float…. putting up bunting…… helping local venues prepare for the activities
planned….. If you can help in any way please contact as below…. however we may well be
contacting YOU…… Contact Sally (07711-504489), Joy (07532-177349) or Jackie at The Musgrave
HOLDING ON ............TO OUR PRECIOUS CHURCH ON THE HILL
We have recently distributed a small leaflet to the whole village to explain who we are and why we urgently need your help. While we have been out and about there have been many brief conversations with people who have spoken about their families’ connections with the church: whether attending services, weddings, Christenings, Sunday school, burials or just enjoying the view and the bells. We are very grateful to those
who have already responded with support and hope that this might give a gentle nudge to everyone who keeps meaning to become a “Friend”.
It is good to see the church getting more use now that it is better heated and the leaks are fixed, for the moment at least: music at Sunday teas brought in more people than ever on Sunday afternoons; the Fynnius Fogg concert was great; the small but important Sunday school now meets in the Lady Chapel at the side during the services; and the Christmas Fayre will be held in the Church on December 7th. We hope you can call in.
Update on where your money goes:
Over 30 splits in the roof have now been fixed (just in time for winter) but extensive work needs to be carried out on the tower downpipes as well as to some of the buttresses. Grants are available, but the applications are very competitive. WE NEED YOUR HELP!! - HOW? There are sections in the applications where we have to demonstrate local interest and support for our church – the more the merrier to strengthen our case – and get the grants! So PLEASE consider becoming a Friend of All Saints (form opposite). If you are thinking about donating to charity instead of a Christmas luxury, why not join The Friends for a year? and help to keep our magnificent building standing for another century!
With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Peter Lambert
Chairman of the Friends of All Saints. [email protected]
If you would like to make a donation and receive regular updates on the work of
Friends of All Saints’ Church, Shillington
THERE ARE 2 EASY WAYS TO PAY:
1. You can make a donation by cheque/post
I/we enclose a donation of £………….…… to Friends of All Saints’ Church, Shillington for the current year.
Name ……………………………………………………………………………….………………….. Home address …………………………………………………………………..…………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………… email address …………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I would like Friends of All Saints to be able to reclaim tax on my donation (see below):
(Yes / No) (Please delete as appropriate)
Signed……………………..…………………………………………… Date ……………………………….
Please return this form, signed, together with your donation, to the Membership Secretary of Friends of All Saints’ Church:
Joy Robertson, 18 Vicarage Close, Shillington SG5 3LS
Or
2. If you’d prefer to pay online, send an email to find out how to: [email protected]
How we can ADD 25% to your donation
Under tax legislation, the Friends can recover some of the income tax you pay on any of your taxable income. In allowing us to recover this tax, you must have paid, or be due to pay, an
amount of income tax at least equal to that we will be able to reclaim on your donation, this being 25p for every £1 you give.
In order for us to reclaim this very valuable bonus to our income, you need do nothing at all except sign and tick the box above to confirm that you are a taxpayer. We thank you in
advance if you are able and prepared to do this.
Reg Charity Number 1060329
WREST PARK VOLUNTEER OPEN DAY
SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY 2020
Are you looking for a new opportunity in 2020?
Would you like to spend time in one of England's most prestigious and fascinating gardens with a story that spans over 600 years?
Would you like to share your enthusiasm and love of history?
Would you like to meet like-minded people and try something new?
Then why not come and volunteer for English Heritage at Wrest Park.
Whether it is welcoming and chatting to visitors or telling the stories of our unique house and garden, there are plenty of ways to get involved here at Wrest Park. Come along to our open day
and find out more about what's involved and how you can help our visitors ‘Step into England's Story’.
If you would like to get involved come along to our volunteering drop in session on Saturday 25th January 2020 from 1-3pm to find out more.
The session will be held in the Ante-library of the Mansion house. There is no need to book, just come along.
FIREWORKS ROUNDUP
Thanks to everyone who turned out in such awful weather to join us on for the Fireworks
Spectacular on the Playing Fields on 2nd November. A great crowd and a fantastic
display. We didn’t have so many through the gates this year and did make an initial
loss of around £800, however a number of people have stepped up to make donations
after the event as they enjoyed the spectacular from the warmth of their own homes.
At a resident’s suggestion we also placed collection boxes in village shops and Social Club and together
with donations from Stall Holders (THANK YOU to Scouts, WI, All Things Sweet and Lordship Farm for
the great range of foods and to Charlotte and her team selling the glowsticks), we have managed to reduce
this loss to £289-47 which has significantly improved the situation.
Another big THANK YOU to the Social Club for of their great support with manpower, providing electrics,
lighting, marquee, outside bar, fantastic live band and generous donation and to the AFC football
members for marshalling during the event.
The cost to the Playing Field Committee of the hiring the professional fireworks company was £4,000 for
15 minutes of the most fantastic fireworks, so of course we rely on a good village turnout. We hope most
of you enjoyed it whether on the Playing Field or from your homes.
We are planning a similar event for 2020 on 7th November, although may well have the construction of
the new community building underway at that time. In which case we might have to let the fireworks off
on Hornes Pastures. The Social Club will still be in place. More details to follow in
further editions of this magazine.
And one final round of THANK YOUs to THE CROWN for sponsoring the advertising
and to the organising team: Sue & Kevin, Richard & Katie, Gavin, Ian and Sally
Shillington Congregational Church
Christmas Tree Festival
Friday, 6th December
3.30 – 5.30pm
Saturday, 7th December
12.30 – 6.00pm
Sunday, 8th December
12.00 – 5.00pm
closing with a carol
service
Admission Free
All proceeds in aid of:
CHUMS – a local children’s trauma service
Shillington Lower School
SHILLINGTON CHILDMINDERS
Childminders provide safe, friendly home environments for children to play and have fun whilst gently learning through their play. We take children on outings to farms, play centres, splash parks, museums and libraries as well as teach them life skills such as helping to do shopping,
gardening and cooking.
We are registered with Ofsted, have public liability insurance, follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, undertake regular training including Safeguarding and First Aid and receive
regular newsletters and bulletins from professional organisations.
Here in Shillington, we meet up at least once a week to provide children with the opportunity to learn social skills and experience different play resources. The children get to know all the childminders and children which enables us to offer the ability to cover holidays and other
absences for each other.
Some of us are able to provide up to 15 hours of free childcare a week for eligible 2 year olds, as soon as care starts, in the same way that nurseries and pre-schools can. We are also able to provide the free sessions for all 3 and 4 year olds; at least 15 hours per week up to 30 hours per
week (for 38 weeks of the year) depending on parental eligibility and the childminder's policy. The free sessions normally start the term after the child's 3rd birthday. There may be
additional charges to cover e.g. food and outings.
We each have differing childcare availability such as before and after school care, daytime childcare, overnight childcare, ad-hoc care or flexible care e.g. for shift workers.
To find out more about each childminder and their availability, please contact us:
Laura Forgham 01462 713638
Katie Brettell 01462 713054
Deb Pateman 01462 338304
Jo Wright 01462 713999
Carli Mauger 01462 339260
Laura Griffiths 07932 073339
Police Urge Motorists to be Vigilant following
Catalytic Converter Thefts
Bedfordshire Police are urging motorists to be vigilant following a spate of catalytic converter thefts in the county. Thieves target catalytic converters as they contain small amounts of precious metals; platinum, palladium and rhodium.
These elements can only be removed by specialist recycling centres so the reality is that your catalytic converter is being sold on for just a few pounds by the thief. This means that a large number of converters need to be stolen before the thief sees any profit from their activities.
It is highly unlikely that stolen catalytic converters are being presented to licensed scrapyards but instead are taken to illegal ‘pop-up’ sites. You can assist police by reporting any scrapyard or collection vehicle that you suspect may not be operating legally. Below is some advice that motorists can follow to minimise their chances of becoming a victim of catalytic converter theft:
• Where possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage, as close to your home
as possible or in a parking spot overlooked by residents. Consider installing a
Thatcham approved alarm to your vehicle; the type that activate if the vehicle
is lifted or tilted are particularly effective.
• Consider using a catalytic converter protection device or marking system approved by www.securedbydesign.com
• There are various converter cages on the market but, as far as we can establish, none have received Secured by Design accreditation in the UK. Please research each product carefully and compare prices before buying.
• If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it to police. Obtain as much information as possible, including any associated vehicle registrations.
To report any suspicious behaviour, please call police on 101 or use our online reporting tool.
Always call 999 to report an emergency or if a crime is in progress.
Message Sent By
Julie Allen (Police, Communications Officer, B)
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Next Development Management Committee meeting at CBC Chicksands – 4th December 2019
DECISIONS from CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL: CB/19/01151/FULL - 24 Hanscombe End Road - Change of use – Outbuilding to Business Use (A1) REFUSED 06/11/19
CB/19/03035/FULL - Lindisfarne, 33A High Road - Extension of existing garage block to form garden room/home office. GRANTED 06/11/19 CB/19/02464/FULL - Rose Hill Farm, Rose Hill - Installation of access track across agricultural land
GRANTED 07/11/19
CB/19/02512/FULL - 4 Marquis Hill - Proposed Construction of two semi-detached dwellings and associated works. GRANTED 21/11/19 CB/19/02966/FULL - Chibley Farm, Stondon Road - Conversion of existing Atcost barn into a dwelling. GRANTED 21/11/19 CB/19/03291/LB - The Old Rectory, Higham Road, Higham Gobion - Listed Building: Demolition of attached single storey garage; two storey front & side extensions; single storey front, side & rear extensions; first & second floor alterations; new garden wall and gates; & residential oil tank and boiler store behind garden wall. GRANTED 21/11/19
NEW/REVISED APPLICATIONS: CB/19/03767/FULL - The Workshop, Hanscombe End Road - Change of use from a workshop/store to a one bedroom, two person C3 dwellinghouse CB/19/03722/FULL - Land off Upton End Road - Erection of agricultural building for the storage of farm machinery, equipment and farm produce, with hardstanding and creation of new access.
APPEALS: Appeal Reference APP/P0240/D/19/3231406 – Site at Marquis House, Marquis Hill, Shillington – planning application reference CB/19/00423/FULL - proposed new 2 car garage.
Planning Appeal Dismissed
INFORMATION:
Central Bedfordshire Council are conducting a review of polling places and polling districts. The consultation is open until 11 December 2019 – details at:
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations Where all such consultations are located.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
CBC’s trading standards department has provided the following numbers, to assist
residents in identifying doorstep cold callers, purporting to be from energy or water
companies, and enable checks with these organization if any reason for concern.
British Gas General Enquiries 0800 048 0202
EDF Energy Customer services 0800 096 9000
National Gas Emergency Service Helpline 0800-111-999
npower General Enquiries (landline)
General Enquiries (mobile)
0800 073 3000
0330 100 3000
ScottishPower General Customer Service (landline)
General Customer Service (mobile)
0800 027 0072
0345 270 0700
SSE General Enquiries 0800 980 8831
Anglian Water 0800 145 145
UK Power
Networks
To report or get info on power cuts
Text POWER and your postcode to 80876
National number
105
Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ. (www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk) General enquiries .....................................................................0300 300 8000 ([email protected])
Highways ……………………………………………………….…0300-300-8049
Dog Fouling/animal welfare ………………………………..……..0300-300-8302
Flooding ……………………………………….…………………… 0300-300-8049 Planning ................................................................................... 0300-300-8307
Recycling/Flytipping .…………………………………………….. 0300-300-8302 Police (Emergency) ……………………………….……………… 999 Bedfordshire Police ……………………………………..….…….. 101 (non emergency calls, but to report incidents)
Bus Information ………………….………..…. 0870-608-2608 or 01234-228337 Shillington Services (Martin Brogan) for washing machine repairs, etc. 07975-944394
Parish Councillors – contact details:
John Clark 01462 711446
Tracey Petrie via the Clerk
Alison Graham 01462 713543
Tony Howells 01582 881611
John Hyde 07799-537346
Angus McCormick 01462- 712096
David Mott 01462 711222
Sally Stapleton 07711 504489
Mark Thyne via the Clerk
Derek Turner 01462 712462
VILLAGE FACILITIES
Looking for an evening venue for your organisation ?
SHILLINGTON SCHOOL
has a large hall available for hire on weekday evenings.
For further information and an opportunity to view the facility, telephone the School on 01462-711637
SHILLINGTON SOCIAL CLUB Greenfields, Shillington
07826-518667
Now offering SKY Sport & BT Sport – be sure not to miss those big matches!!
Usual Opening Hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday from 7.30pm to closing time.
Saturday - 3.00pm to 7.30pm unless special evening function / Sunday - 12 til 4pm
find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shillingtonsocialclub
The Social Club is a village amenity - open to the public
✓ Licensed bar with variety of beers at social club prices – £1 a pint less than most pubs.
✓ Domino and darts teams.
✓ Regular monthly live music and fund raising events and a great pool table
✓ Cappuccino, Latte & Hot Chocolate available
SHILLINGTON VILLAGE HALL
All enquiries please contact the BOOKING CLERK on
07376-682935 (answerphone facility available) e-mail: [email protected]
Large Hall - Stage - Small Committee Room
Kitchen and Bar Facilities
Disabled access & toilet.
Children’s Parties Discos/Dances Meetings Table Top Sales Exhibitions Zumba Pilates
Car Park (when not in use by hall bookers) can be hired for events where village parking is limited.
VILLAGE CALENDAR
DECEMBER
6 Lower School – Xmas Fayre – 3.45pm to 6.00pm
6-8 Christmas Tree Festival Weekend – Congregational Church – see poster for timings
7 All Saints Church – Christmas Fayre in Church – 12.00pm to 4.00pm. Food served from 12.00
8 Congregational Church Service – 10.30am. Close of Festival 5.00pm with carols.
11 Men’s Club – Xmas Dinner at Lower Stondon Golf Club
12 Wives Group – Christmas Meal & Outing
13 Social Club – Vinyl Revival Night with DJ Jonno
15 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Galton – 10.30am
15 All Saints Church – Village Carol Service by Candlelight - 6.00pm
16 The Crown – Traditional Christmas Carol Service round the Tree – 6.30pm
18 The Musgrave Arms – Military Wives Charity Xmas Carol Concert – 7.30pm
19-21 All Saints Church – Santa Float around Village – see poster for detailed route
21 Social Club – Live music entertainment with “Mice with Glasses” – from 8.30pm
22 Congregational Church Service – local arrangement
22 Musgrave Arms – “Muzzy Winter Wonderland” – 12 noon to 3.00pm
24 All Saints Church - Carol Service at St. Mary’s, Gravenhurst – 5.00pm
24 All Saints Church - Midnight Mass – 11.30pm
25 All Saints Church – Family Communion – 9.30am
25 Congregational Church Service – Christmas Day - Claire Thomas & family leading – 10.30am
29 United Church Service at Congregational with Shillington, Stondon & Gravenhurst Churches – 10.30am
29 Historic Walk around the Village with Derek Turner – starting at the Village Hall at 10.30am
30 The Crown – Christmas Charity Quiz – from 7.00pm
JANUARY 2020
5 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick and handover of cheque – 10.30am
5 All Saints Church – Christingle Service – 4.00pm.
7 Parish Council Monthly Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
8 Men’s Club – Meal at The Raven, Hexton.
12 Congregational Church Service – local arrangement – 10.30am
12 VE Day Event Planning Meeting – Musgrave Arms – 6.30pm
13 Playing Field Committee Meeting – Social Club – 8.00pm
19 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Galton – 10.30am
21 Congregational Church – Craft Club – 2.00pm to 4.00pm
22 Village Hall Committee Meeting – Jubilee Room – 8.00pm
25 Wrest Park – Volunteer Drop In Open Day – 1.00pm to 3.00pm
26 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Lionel Albon – 10.30am
FEBRUARY
2 Congregational Church Service – Revd. Angus McCormick – 10.30am
4 Congregational Church – Craft Club – 2.00pm to 4.00pm
4 Parish Council Monthly Meeting – Congregational Church – 7.45pm
9 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Brenda Ballentine – 10.30am
15 Social Club – Live music entertainment with “Scallywags”.
16 Congregational Church Service – to be arranged
18 Congregational Church – Craft Club – 2.00-m to 4.00pm
23 Congregational Church Service – Mrs. Sandra Galton – 10.30am