Walkern Journal

Walkern Journal
FEBRUARY 2007
40P
The magazine for the community of Walkern
Photo: Hazel catkins by John Pearson
Happy Chinese Year of the Boar
Xmas Tree Festival (See page 13):
Top; detail from the winning RSPB
tree. Right; “Moon Walk“ the other
winning tree. Below; Becky Totterdell
drawing the raffle.
2
Letter From The Clergy
Last month we celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. On
Sunday, 21st January members of St. Mary's Church joined the URC
family for Holy Communion and in the evening, all the Churches in
Walkern and Benington joined together at Benington Methodist
Chapel for a United Covenant Service, when we dedicated to do
together that which we can, and not concentrate on that which
divides us. It is good that in our two villages Christians work and
worship together so well.
It saddens me greatly when Christians fall out, and when there is
division in the Church community. This can be seen from a very
small example of a congregation falling out over what hymns they
sing in Church, some wanting to stick to traditional hymns, others
wanting more informal songs and choruses. Then to a large
example, such as the Catholic/Protestant divide in Northern Ireland now, thank God, coming together - or the disagreements between
Church leaders on important theological issues, such as the Virgin
Birth, the Ordination of Women, women Bishops in the Anglican
Church, and the controversy over human sexuality.
This all stems, I think from the different perceptions we have of the
nature of God. What is He really like? Or do we worship different
Gods? Is there a Church of England God, or a Roman Catholic God,
a Baptist God, a Methodist God, a black God or a white God?
My answer to that is a resounding NO! There is only one true God,
but because we are all, each one of us, special to God, we are all,
each one of us, totally unique. We are all on slightly different paths
and we can all see Him in a different way, but we shouldn't let that
cause animosity between us. The devil wants us to be divided!
Rather, we will learn a lot more about the true nature of God by
sharing our experiences, not by declaring that our understanding of
Him is the only true one and that everyone else is wrong. Some
Christians do proclaim that by the way, and they are, I think, so
wrong.
If we have a traditional view of things, why not go to a service, just
once, in a Church which has the freedom to express worship
informally, worship that one might call, unkindly "happy clappy"? Or,
if we enjoy that form of worship, why not go to a service in a Church
3
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where worship is from a Prayer Book that has been in use down the
centuries, what one might call "stick in the mud" traditional? Those
that go may not find the worship is for them, but that's alright, for if
they go with an open mind and a joyful heart they will learn more of
what God is really like from their experience of walking, just for a
moment, with someone on a different path.
And so it is with Christians; we all have different perceptions of God,
but let not our differences cause friction, argument and alienation
between us. We are all unique children of the same heavenly Father,
so let us reioice in our differences and learn from one another.
Jim Smith
River Beane water levels
Many thanks indeed to Simon Bennett for sending in this borehole
chart for the River Beane at Walkern Mill. It shows the depth in
metres, down to 8 m, to water in the borehole (vertical axis) over
the years 1996 to 2006 (horizontal axis).
Readings were taken monthly by the River Beane Restoration
Association. Their experience shows that when the water level at
Walkern Mill is below the 2 year average (marked with an arrow)
then the springs north of Walkern stop flowing and so the Beane
then relies on intermittent surface run-off after rain.
5
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Walkern Flooding, 30th December 2006
It was raining when we went out for our walk on Saturday afternoon;
it was nice to see a little bit of water running over the ford and the
river was starting to look it's old self again.
At around 5pm the road started to fill up with water; annoying, but not
unusual so I called the council to tell them that the drains were
blocked again. We watched as the water level rose up to the bottom
of the cars opposite our house, but when we got outside we were
astonished to see a huge fountain of water coming out of the road by
Finches End (see photo on back page). This was obviously rather
more serious.
We called the police, 3 Valleys Water and Thames Water. Water was
now running through our garages and filling the back gardens. It was
just inches from the front door. Drivers were treating this as terrific
fun with off-roaders and others charging through and sending waves
of mud and water up the drives and against the parked cars. After
much shouting and excitement wading in freezing water we worked
with the police to close the road, but the water was still rising.
Melanie's car gracefully floated away even though it was full of water.
So, nothing else for it, she called for the fire brigade.
In the end there were 3 fire engines parked up pumping out into the
river. They were wonderful! Gradually the water stopped rising and
by 10pm the road reappeared. Another few minutes delay and the
houses would certainly have been flooded with thousands of poundsworth of damage. I'm pleased to say that it was not the fault of the
Beane which was full but not bursting, but possibly a very blocked
drain which became visible the next day. Hosing out all the mud & silt
made for a busy New Year's Eve and not quite the end to the year I
had envisaged.
Huge thanks to everyone who offered help, advice, materials and
arm waving on the night.
Richard Wright
The dates of the next two Parish Council Meetings are
20 February and 3 April 2007
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8
Walkern Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 28th November 2006
Those present were the Chairman Cllr A Vickers, Cllrs R Ball, N
Bennett, D de Boinville, L Freeman and R Wright. Apologies for
absence were received from the Vice-Chairman Cllr R Cannon and
the Clerk H Brody. Minutes were recorded by Cllr Wright.
Open Forum
The insurance requirements for the letting of the Old Recreation
Ground for grazing was raised. Ms Carter and Ms Harris confirmed
that they hold public liability insurance for their animals but were
unable to get insurance cover for the field since the field is owned by
the Recreation Ground Charity of which the Parish Councillors are
the trustees. The Parish Council has insurance for the field. The
Chairman will work with the Clerk to determine the cover that is
currently held and then advise the prospective tenants of the
insurance requirements. The planning situation for the construction
of a stable on this site was raised. The prospective tenants were
advised to contact the district council planning department to confirm
the terms of existing planning permission.
The meeting opened at 8:20 pm
Approval of Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting, having been circulated, were
accepted as a correct record on the proposal of Cllr Freeman and
seconded by Cllr Bennett.
Declarations of Interest
Cllr Freeman declared a prejudicial interest in item 6 on the agenda:
WS&RC lease.
Matters Arising from the Minutes

No action has been taken by the District Council in relation to the
road markings at Clay End. Cllr Vickers is to follow up the with
Highways Department.
 It has proved difficult to find a contractor willing to paint the play
equipment during the winter. This item will be deferred until the
spring.
 Vandalism continues to be a problem at the recreation ground; a
suitable picnic table has not yet been identified. Cllr Bennett will
continue to search for a suitable table.
9
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10
Grazing on Old Recreation Ground
A new agreement is contingent on appropriate insurance being in
place.
Cllr Bennett reminded the council that the previous
agreement was satisfactory.
WR&SC Lease
This item was held in camera.
Correspondence

From the Clerk: a request that the council fund membership of
Society of Local Council Clerks. The council unanimously agreed to
this request.
 From Francesca Hill, East Herts Planning Dept: preference that a
wooden bus shelter be erected but noted that there was no objection
to the proposed metal bus shelter since planning permission was
already in place.
 RoSPA: Inspection report on the play equipment. All items were
identified as „low risk‟. The Council agreed that no action was
required at this time.
Planning: Planning applications received:
43 Church End, Walkern. Elevated roof and extension to ground floor
living area. The Parish Council objects to the extensive use of „roof
lights‟ as this is not in keeping with the area; alternatives such as
dormer-windows would be better.
Payments
No payments were presented nor approved
Outstanding Items
Cllr Freeman agreed to lock the kissing gate from the sportsfield on
Christmas Eve.
Any other Business

It was noted that the recently issued schedule of future meetings
has some errors; this will be re-issued.
 Anti-social behaviour and general disorder in the village is an
increasing issue. It was suggested that the Council invite a senior
police officer to the next meeting to present on the measures they
proposed to help address this problem.
The meeting closed at 9:30 pm
11
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12
Decorated Christmas Tree Festival
Our new venture of a decorated Christmas tree festival on the 9th
December 2006 was a great success. Thanks for all of the help and
support we had from those who entered and who showed some most
imaginative ideas for their decorations, whether real or artificial. The
seventeen trees lit up the church and really set off the Christmas
activities.
Stalls were laden with Christmas gifts, cakes, cards, preserves, two
tombolas, and two raffles (one for a Christmas cake). Tea and mince
pies sold well during the afternoon. In fact there was a brisk trade for
everything all afternoon.
The raffle prizes were won by visitors from far and wide and we were
so pleased to see so many people. We were most grateful to all those
who voted for the best tree in the two groups: The family group was
won by Barbara MacPherson for “Moon Walk”; the Business/Local
organization group was “Birds‟ Christmas Treat” won by Paul and Ann
Collis on behalf of the RSPB. See photos on page 2. Congratulations
to all those who worked so hard to put these trees together.
Pam and I would like to thanks our
sponsors, stall holders, and helpers,
without whom we couldn‟t have put on
the festival.
We raised in excess of £1000 (after
expenses). We have had many
complimentary remarks made about
the day and hope that we have another
Christmas Tree Festival this year. If
you have any helpful comments please
let Pam Sayers or I know.
Jill Gray, January 2007
Left: “Jam & Jerusalem” by Walkern
WI. One of the many lovely trees in
the Christmas Tree Festival.
13
Farming Notes from Walkern Hall Farm
I hate January. In fact I don‟t really like February either and I‟m
tempted to leave it at that.
The winter crops are drilled, it‟s too wet to get on the land to drill the
remaining spring barley, so we just wait and watch before the onset
of a frantic spring when all spraying and fertilizing has to happen at
once.
It is a time when farmers speculate about the future year: How are
the crops looking? What will the yields be like? What prices can we
expect to achieve next year? Was it an error getting rid of that fat old
Longhorn?
Well, after another extraordinarily mild autumn the crops are well
advanced, but at such an advanced stage they really need to slow
down. Such lush growth now only points towards a higher disease
pressure, as we head for the spring. A good frost would be welcome;
it works wonders at holding back yield, sapping fungal attack that
otherwise has to be held back with sprays.
At the very sound of the word „spray‟ I hear Walkern groaning in
horror. In these days of greenness the very mention of chemicals in
Below: Dogs cutting through a wheat field in Walkern
14
food and countryside is enough to get all Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
lovers beating their placard-waving path to my spray shed door.
Well not so fast. Organic farming is all very well, laudable even to
those producing for a niche market. But for the world as a whole, if we
all went organic we would starve. The maths is straightforward. The
UK alone produces about 15 million tonnes of wheat a year and
consumes about 9 - 10 million tonnes, exporting the rest. The
average, non-organic, UK wheat yield is about 3 tonnes per acre; the
organic lot would be lucky to get two tonnes at best. Already you can
spot a squeeze on supply.

Now consider the world market, of which the UK is a part, and the
following statistics, care of the Home Grown Cereals Authority:
 World grain production (excluding rice) has ranged between 1.4
billion and 1.6 billion tonnes over the last ten years.
 For 2006/07 the forecast world production is 1.557 billion tonnes.
 Consumption has been steadily increasing, and is forecast to be at
1.621 billion tonnes in 2006/07.
 World wheat consumption exceeded production last season, and
is expected to do so again this season.
A draw-down in world stocks is therefore expected for the second year
running.
As I understand it, for the last three years the world has in fact
consumed more than it has produced. Much of this increased
consumption is due to the growth of China and India and they have
only just started.
Finally, the new and exciting market created by biofuels. Millions of
tonnes of production are soon to be diverted to the conversion of
wheat and oilseeds to fuel. America is running scared of a Russian
fuel supply stranglehold and focussing more and more on this
technology. This is a new and potentially huge drain on world stocks.
Scary isn‟t it? How sensible does organic farming look now?
In theory all this should mean huge price hikes in the price of wheat
and a new Porsche for me. So how come UK prices are sliding again?
I hate January.
David de Boinville
15
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16
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Since the very first National Doodle Day in 2003 over £100,000 has
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has been raised not only by the celebrity auction but also by schools,
by companies and individuals who have put pen to paper and simply
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Below: Daniel Craig‟s doodle
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Walkern Primary School News
We would like to welcome this new term to school Roya Meyri, Suni
Urwquahart, Jasmine Taylor and Charlotte Arch. We hope they
enjoy their time at our school.
We will be taking part in the Big Schools Bird Watch in January,
children will be armed with binoculars and pencils noting down all the
birds we see in our school playing field.
We have lots of events coming up over the spring. Our Easter
service will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday 27th March at St.
Mary‟s Church. You are welcome to come and join us. Prior to the
service, children will enjoy an Easter breakfast in the school hall.
Children from classes 3 and 4 will be taking part in a Mini Olympics
event on 15th March at the Stevenage Leisure Centre. This is great
event which enables all the children to try different sporting activities.
We would like to thank Mr Alan Hickman who is now trained and
working with Jack Ginn as our new crossing patrol. We all very
much appreciate them both assisting us cross the busy road with our
children.
Natasha Chapman
1st WALKERN GUIDES
SCOTTISH CEILIDH
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Saturday 24th February 2007
7.00 - 10.00pm Walkern School Hall
Come and join us and learn some Scottish country dancing
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Tickets: Adults £5 / children £3
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To support Guides going to International Camp in Sweden this year
19
Wakern on the Wildside
It has been a fairly quiet winter so far for our garden birds. All the
regulars are around but not in great numbers, and no unusual visitors
except for one male Blackcap. Because of the exceptionally mild
weather there is still plenty of natural food for them in the
countryside.
This mild weather is also stimulating some birds to think about
breeding. Both Blue and Great Tits are inspecting and also defending
our nest boxes, and the Robins, which in the last issue of the WJ we
said separate for the winter, have now paired up again and are
examining potential nest sites. The male Robin has for some weeks
now been gently singing to proclaim his territory, as early as 4am
outside our bedroom window!
Another songster at this time of the
year is the Mistle Thrush, also
known as the Storm Cock as it will
continue to sing its loud, farcarrying song from the top of the
tallest tree even in the teeth of a
gale and driving rain. The Mistle
Thrush is the largest of our
thrushes, paler than the Song
Thrush with a more upright stance
and white under its wing, seen
when it flies. As I write this, one is singing loudly from the top of a
large fir tree beside Rooks Nest Farmhouse.
Mistle Thrush
It is not only birds that are reacting to the mild weather: on 19th
January we saw a Bumble Bee in our garden inspecting a patch of
early-flowering purple crocus but finding it difficult to find flowers that
were open enough for it to crawl inside. During the same week we
also heard reports of butterfly being seen in local gardens; Red
Admiral, Peacock and Brimstone. Hopefully these creatures will not
be caught out by cold snaps, as winter is certainly not over yet.
Winter walks
A walk on the bright sunny morning of January 1st provided some
interesting sightings. Up the hill from the War Memorial, on the first
bend, there is a patch of (I think) millet. This is for Pheasant cover,
20
but the seed attracts lots of small birds, mainly Greenfinches and
Chaffinches, but also more than a dozen Yellowhammers, which flew
to and fro between the millet and the Hawthorn hedge, where the
bright yellow of the male Yellowhammers shone in the winter sun like
lights on a Christmas tree. The wood at the top of the next hill had a
mixed flock of Tits; Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed.
A little further on, from the trees by the small pond on the left near
Walkern Hall, flew a flock of Redwings and Fieldfares, the Fieldfares
making their “chucking” sound as they flew. Past Walkern Hall and
round the back of Clay End, near St John‟s Wood, we watched a pair
of Great Spotted Woodpecker and heard a Green Woodpecker
“laughing” in the distance.
At the cross roads in Bassus Green
we saw the unusual sight of two
Bullfinch
pairs of Bullfinch with their pinkishred breast and cheeks. These like
many other countryside birds have
declined in number drastically over
recent years, so it was good to see
these beautiful birds here. Also at
Bassus Green, on the disturbed
ground of the new pig pen, were a
flock of more than 60 Chaffinches.
In winter it is always worth scanning
any flock of Chaffinches for
Bramblings, a closely related finch which is a winter visitor to this
country. The Brambling has more black and orange in its plumage,
and also has a white rump. Unfortunately we couldn‟t see any in this
flock.
And so on down the hill and back home from a walk on which we
saw 20 different species of bird.
On another walk in early January up Dovehouse Lane, we noted that
the flock of Golden Plover (reported by Simon Bennett in last month‟s
WJ) was still in residence and the number of birds had increased to
an estimated 400. Quite an impressive sight!
Paul and Ann Collis
21
Walkern on The Wildside
Don’t mind the gap!
The first three weeks of January saw unseasonable daytime
temperatures that were often in double figures. Just such a day
occurred on the 19th, when temperatures reached 14o C and on a
walk on the path from the church to Cromer a honey bee and
peacock butterfly were seen (see also Paul and Ann Collis‟s article).
Snow drops have emerged and are flowering in the churchyard, and
ragwort, daisy and colt‟s-foot are also in flower. In the hedgerows the
leaves of lords and ladies have already emerged, and the hazel
catkins are out
I am sure that, like me, most of you on the 19th January were busy
checking roof tiles and any garden trees for damage after the very
strong winds of the day before. I then set out to check the local
woods and trees for signs of damage. Around Walkern quite a
number of trees were blown down, but there was no evidence of the
wide-scale damage that affected parts of the south in October 1987.
The walk north to Cromer along the river Beane showed quite a
number of fallen trees. A couple of hawthorn and a bird cherry were
blown down along with a large crack willow by the river‟s edge (see
photo on back page). The crack willow is fast growing and can reach
a large size, but as the tree‟s common name suggests the wood is
much more fragile than nearly any other tree and easily splits. So it
was no surprise that this had succumbed to the gales.
In the storms of 1987 the trees still had leaves and this contributed to
the falling of many trees which otherwise might have survived in the
leafless state when they offer less resistance to the wind. I remember
the concern at the time and visited parts of Kent, e.g Box Hill, where
the devastation was widespread. Though perhaps a tragedy in our
sense, this was of little consequence for the woodlands.
Regeneration is rapid in woodlands, at least over the timescale of
tree development. In most habitats in the UK the “climax” vegetation
would be woodland if left to its own devices, where trees should be
present of all ages and sizes in a healthy “wildwood” and winds
remove the more infirm and open up chances for other species.
Canopy gaps are generated by this wind-throw, particularly when a
large tree is blown down. This opens up the woodland floor to much
22
more light. Light levels under tree canopies can vary from 1 to 10 %
of that in the open, e.g. beech casts a dense shade, while birch a
much lighter shade, and this has profound effects on the ground
flora. It is worth checking the different plant species surviving under
tree canopies. The most varied ground flora occurs in managed or
coppiced woodland where a regular cycle of cutting (5-10 years) of
certain trees takes place, usually ash, hazel, hornbeam. Many
remnants of old coppices can be seen around Walkern. These
practices largely died out from the 1940s, but have made a
comeback in the last twenty years as county wildlife trusts and the
woodland trust now buy and manage woodlands for amenity and
wildlife management.
Such open sites in woodland benefit birds and butterflies as well as
the varied ground flora. In these canopy gaps the trees also take
advantage and faster growing species such as birch and sycamore
benefit, but these are comparatively short-lived species of 60 to 80
years and eventually will be replaced by slower growing but longerlived climax species such as oak and beech. These processes apply
in the same way to tropical forests, although the diversity and
species are very different of course!
John Pearson
Thank You
I would like to send my thanks to the many neighbours and friends
who sent cards, flowers and good wishes to me after my recent
successful Hip Replacement operation. They certainly cheered me up
and helped me on my road to recovery. Ron also sends his
appreciation of your thoughtful messages.
Fran Hucklesby
Memorial Bench
We would like people of Walkern to know that there is now a bench off
Bilts Lane [between the War Memorial and Clay End] in memory of
our son Andy. Also, we appreciate that the De Boinville family made it
possible for it to be put on their land. We hope that the bench will be
used for people to rest and make the most of the view that Andy
enjoyed.
Mary and Michael Miller
23
Walkern Lives:
Jack Swain: Missing in action
John Thomas (Jack) Swain was
born in the Parish of Rushden on
30 May 1893 the second child of
John & Sarah Ann (nee Barnes.
See photo), he had two brothers
and two sisters. The family moved
to Walkern and lived in the cottage
at the junction of Beecroft Lane &
the High Street.
Right: Jack’s mother, Sarah, outside
Beecroft Cottage, Walkern
Below left: Jack Swain in uniform
Below right: Jack married Eveline
Hutchin in 1916
24
At first Jack worked at Walkern Mill, but it was when he moved to
help look after the horses at Walkern Hall that he met Eveline
Hutchin who had moved from Gosfield in Essex to work as a
Housemaid for the Cotton-Browne family.
At the outbreak of "The Great War" in 1914 Jack joined up with the
Hertfordshire Regiment and fairly soon was in action in France. In
1916 he returned to the UK and on 24 April 1916 was married to
Eveline at Gosfield Parish Church (see photo). He returned to active
service but in January 1917 Eveline received a field services
postcard letting her know that Jack was wounded and in hospital. He
had suffered shrapnel wounds to his hip and foot and was being
looked after in France. In time Jack returned to his base camp at
Halton, Bucks where Eveline was living in married quarters, and
when he had recovered he was posted to 8th Leicestershire
Regiment and returned to action.
Eveline, who unbeknown to Jack was now pregnant with Nancy,
returned home to Gosfield, where on 5 July 1918 she received a
dreaded telegram from the Infantry Record Office in Lichfield
informing her that Jack was missing (see below). Nancy was born on
30 July 1918 but there was no news of Jack.
Below: The original “missing in action” telegram and a transcription
Madam,
I regret to inform you that a
report this day has been
received from the War office to
the effect that … Sgt JT
Swain…. [of the] 8th Leicester
[Regiment] … was posted as
missing after the engagement in
the field on the 27–5-18. Should
he subsequently rejoin, or any
other information be received
concerning
him,
such
information will be at once
communicated to you.
I am, Madam, your obedient
servant...
25
However in August of 1918 Eveline received a letter from Sgt Betts,
a friend of Jack‟s, informing her that he had seen Jack: he was in a
German Prisoner of War camp and was well. A greatly relieved
Eveline wrote back to Sgt Betts, and his second letter to her can be
read below.
18/9/18
Dear Mrs Swain,
I received your letter this morning and am pleased to
know that I have eased your mind regarding your husband.
He is at present in a camp just behind the German lines,
a village named Bazancourt, and it is about 16 kilometres from
the city of Reims. Being a Sergeant he has absolutely no work
of any description to do, and apart from his natural worrying
about you, he is quite cheery and as well as possible under the
circumstances.
Of course he will appreciate the parcels etc, when they
begin to arrive, but he is contented to know that eventually, he
will come back home to you again, safe and sound.
Allow me to congratulate you on the recent event. My
word, Jack will be pleased, and a girl too!
Oh by the way, the address Friedrichsfeld, is simply a
collecting place for P of W letters and is not the place at which
your husband is.
Hoping that you and baby are enjoying the best of health,
and that this letter will further relieve your anxiety.
I remain, Yours Sincerely, Harold Betts, Sergt
It seems that Jack had been captured during the 3rd Battle of Aisne.
This battle, from 27 May to 6 June 1918, was the final large-scale
German attempt to win the war before the arrival of the US Army in
France. On 27 May, taken completely by surprise and with their
defences spread thin, the Allies were unable to stop the attack and
the German army advanced through a 40 km gap in the Allied lines
gaining an extra 15 km of territory by nightfall. Owing to the heavy
concentration of primarily British troops in front-line trenches,
casualties from the bombardment were severe and by 30 May the
Germans had managed to capture 50,000 Allied soldiers and 800
guns, arriving within 90 km of Paris by 3 June. But by 6 June the
German advance had run out of steam.
26
Laon
Morning 27 May
Evening 27 May
Bazancourt
Above: Detail of a map of the Aisne Offensive showing the position of
the front line in the morning of 27 May 1918 (the bold line) and in the
evening (the dotted line). The city of Laon is shown by the circle at the
top and the circle on the right is the town of Bazancourt where Jack
Swain spent the last months of WW1.
Below & right:The original letter
(and transcript) received by Jack
Swain from King George V upon
his release from the POW camp.
Buckingham Palace
1918
The Queen joins me in
welcoming you on your release
from
the
miseries
and
hardships, which you have
endured with so much patience
and courage.
During
these
many
months of trial, the early rescue
of our gallant Officers & Men
from the cruelties of their
captivity has been uppermost in
our thoughts.
We are thankful that this
longed for day has arrived, &
that back in the old Country you
will be able once more to enjoy
the happiness of a home & to
see good days among those
who anxiously look for your
return.
27
The armistice was signed on 11 November 1918 and Jack eventually
returned home to be reunited with Eveline and to meet his new
daughter (see photo). He was finally discharged from the army on 20
March 1919 having served for four years and 132 days. Jack and
Eveline went on to have four more children.
In the second World War Jack was a pioneer of the Local Defence
Volunteers as well as being a Lieutenant in the Home Guard (see
photo). He was well known in the village, serving as Chairman of
both the Parish council and Walkern British Legion. In his younger
days he played football and cricket for Walkern, and in later life was
Chairman of Walkern Football Club, indeed he was conducting a
WFC meeting a few hours before his death on 4th December 1962.
Many thanks to Donald A. Swain for writing most of his father‟s story
and for allowing me to use his photographs and documents. Thanks
also to John Richardson for the photo of Sarah Swain.
Below left: Jack with his daughter Nancy (and a fine Teddy Bear)
Below right: In the Home Guard, WWII
28
Answers to last month‟s quiz
“Where are these
Weathervanes and Cupolas
in Walkern?”
A
Totts Lane near the
junction with Winters Lane
D
Walkern
Mill
E
Manor House
Barns
B
The Dovecote
F
Walkern Hall
C
Walkern School
G
St Mary’s
Church
29
30
If anyone is interested in maintaining the recreation ground, next
to the shop, on behalf of the Walkern Parish Council, please
contact the Parish Council Clerk on 861895 for further details.
1st Walkern Rainbows
On the 26th November, (a rather wet day), the Rainbows planted a
White-stemmed Birch. This was to mark National Tree Week, (22nd
November-3rd December). Due to the bad weather there was only a
small turn out, but we would like to say a very big thank you to the
Rev Becky Totterdell for saying a prayer, also for helping to plant the
tree, and for letting us use the church before and after the planting,
so we could have a nice hot cup of tea.
We would also like to thank Mrs Soanes, who came out to watch and
lend her support. Finally we would like to thank Mill End Nursery,
who supplied the tree.
Michelle Roberts
mob:0794 6247032
home: 861120
31
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32
1st Walkern Guides
A report by guide Eleanor
As many of you may know, Kim, Rita and I did a sleepout in St
Alban‟s Abbey on 1st december to raise money for the homeless. It
was on the same weekend as the night hike so many of the guides
couldn‟t make it. Guides are well known for camping and we thought
that we could take our expertise to this event, but it was a lot harder
than we expected.
It had been raining lightly all evening but when we actually went to
bed it had stopped. We went inside our sleeping bags covered in
blankets and either inside or on top of cardboard boxes. Later that
night it began to pour with rain. The boxes began to disintegrate and
water even started to come through Kim‟s umbrella! I had so many
layers on that my body stayed warm and dry, so I stayed out all
night.
The sleepout raises about £40,000
each year for various charities for the
homeless: our money has gone to
Stevenage Haven. Thank you to
everyone who sponsored us. If you
would like to get more involved next
year, please contact us. The sleepout
is organised by the Diocese of St
Alban‟s.
We were very lucky to have all the
clothes, blankets and waterproofs we
had but most homeless people don‟t
have these luxuries. Next time it rains
heavily, think about all those people
who don‟t have the opportunity to go
back to a nice warm house to dry off.
Above: The Tree of
Knowledge. The Guides
entry for the Christmas Tree
Festival. See page 13
On the same weekend a team of our
guides did the night hike with
Stevenage District scouts. It didn‟t rain
as heavily for them but it was very,
very windy and at one point they
33
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34
thought that their tent was going to collapse! Well done to them for
winning back the two trophies, and thank you to Zanie who
accompanied them.
Thank you to everyone who helped make up shoeboxes of toys. We
collected 59 in the village and they have all gone to Romania. Why
not start collecting things now for next year, especially for boys. Let‟s
see if we can make even more!
The guides played a big role in the Toy Service this year, with music,
drama and readings. Well done. Thank you to everyone who attended
and donated toys for the National Children‟s Home.
If you would like to join the Guides or help out, please ring Rita Healy
on 861098
The Women’s Fellowship
The December meeting was held at the home of Marjorie Ashurst.
Members listened to a selection of Christmas Carols beautifully sung
by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral. Mary read the poem
“Bethlehem Dawn”, which we later heard sung to the music of Peter
Warlock. The refreshment money, plus a special donation, was sent
to the Great Ormond Street Children‟s Hospital Christmas Appeal. A
letter of thanks has been received.
The January meeting was held on 10th when Rev Tony Ruffell came
and gave us a fascinating insight: as part of his ministry he is Chaplain to the Fire and Police services, and visits large firms in the area.
It involves all ecumenical groups headed by the Bishop of Hertford.
He is there to offer support and his presence in times of trouble and
crisis, and to comfort the bereaved. We were grateful that Tony was
able to speak to our small group as he leads such a busy and varied
life. A collection was taken which is being sent in memory of Phyllis
Merriman who died recently and was an active member of our group
before she moved to Yeovil.
The next meeting is on February 14th at Anne Strowger‟s home,
where Paul and Ann Collis will give a talk about one of their exciting
holidays, illustrated with slides.
Joyce Tucker
35
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36
Walkern WI Report: December 2006 / January 2007
As usual Christmas came early, meeting as we do, at the beginning
of the month. However, we were all quickly in festive mood, with a
delicious buffet prepared by all the members, with wine and
Christmas Crackers, members vying with each other to find the
corniest mottos in their crackers. Various amusing stories and
rhymes were read, and games played, followed by carol-singing
accompanied by Marjorie Ashurst at the piano; the evening came to
a close with all members receiving a present from the lucky dip along
with a Christmas card signed by all the Committee.
The January meeting was well-attended and the President welcomed
everyone - into a comfortably warm hall - and wished us all a happy,
healthy and peaceful New Year. We began as usual with the singing
of Jerusalem with Marjorie Ashurst at the piano (what would we do
without her?) and members were pleased to see a photograph of
Marjorie in the January issue of the Hertfordshire WI News
commemorating her 72 years membership of Walkem WI. A great
achievement! A birthday posy was presented to Sally Canning, and
that for Valerie Richardson will be delivered to her home.
A Christmas card had been received from Maureen Baker, an exmember now living in Kent, and a card from Jill Gray, thanking the
Institute for a winning entry depicting "Jam and Jerusalem" in the
recent Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Church (See page 13).
President Pam thanked anyone who had helped to decorate the tree
and invited members to help themselves to some of the miniature
jars of preserves which had decorated the tree. Suggestions, please,
for the theme for our entry in the Tree Festival next December.
It was reported that Maureen Goldsmith and Celia Stinchcombe were
both recovering in hospital but Jenny Bennett is still not very well. We
very much hope that they will all be restored to good health very
soon.
The first round of the WI Quiz is to be on the 30th March, when it is
hoped that a team from Walkern will take part. The Resolutions for
the NFWI Annual Meeting in June were then discussed, and it was
decided that we would recommend three resolutions be debated: 1)
That homeless people should have equal access to good
accommodation; 2) That the closure of community hospitals should
37
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38
be halted and 3) That there should be a Carers' Payment instead of
an allowance.
President Pam then introduced the speakers, Julie Handford (who
lives in Walkern) from Sue Ryder Care, and Sue Doe who was PA to
Sue Ryder for 18 ½ years, both of whom gave a very informative
and interesting insight into the founding of Sue Ryder Care,
highlighted with a slide projection. Sue Ryder was born in Yorkshire
into a large family in 1923, and was always encouraged to help those
less fortunate, as her mother campaigned tirelessly for better
housing and facilities for the very poor
and destitute people living near them.
During WWII Sue saw service with the
First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and was
then seconded to the Special
Operations Executive where she did
relief work in Poland. In 1955 she met
Leonard Cheshire; they became
engaged in 1958 and married in 1959,
and had two children, Jeremy born in
1960, and Elizabeth born in 1962.
They continued with their relief work in
Poland and Ethiopia, and built a
community in India, called Raphael.
They also set up several centres in
Sue Ryder & Leonard
Britain, as well as the only specialised
Cheshire by A-K Purkiss.
neurological centre in Hertfordshire at
Stagenhoe Park, which today has more than more than fifty patients.
Leonard Cheshire died in July, 1992 and Sue Ryder in November,
2000, but thankfully their great legacy lives on.
Jacky Penegar won the competition for the prettiest cup and saucer
and the first of many raffle prize-winners was Joyce Tucker. Thanks
were given to Fran Hucklesby for organising the raffle, and to Pam
Sayers and Yvonne Hickman for the delicious refreshments
The next meeting will be on Thursday, 1st February, at the School
Hall, when the speaker will be Rory O'Brien on "Life in New
Zealand.", and the competition will be to see who can make the most
words from the letters in "NEW ZEALAND". New Members and
visitors are always warmly welcomed.
Margaret Smith
39
The United Benefice of St Peter, Benington
with St Mary, Walkern
www.ubbw.org.uk
Church Services: February 2007
Sunday 4th
9.30am
11.00am
Third Sunday before Lent
Parish Eucharist
Parish Communion
Walkern
Benington
Sunday 11th
Second Sunday before Lent
9.30am
Parish Eucharist
Walkern
11.00am
Parish Communion
Benington
Visiting preacher at both Churches: Revd Canon Patience Purchas
Sunday 18th
8.00am
9.30am
11.00am
11.00am
Sunday Next before Lent
Holy Communion, 1662
Parish Eucharist
Family Service
New Worship
Wednesday 21st: Ash Wednesday
8.00pm
Holy Communion
8.00pm
Holy Communion
Sunday 25th
8.00am
9.30am
11.00am
3.00pm
Benington
Walkern
Walkern
Benington
Benington
Walkern
First Sunday of Lent
Holy Communion, 1662
Benington
Parish Eucharist
Walkern
Family Service with Communion
Benington
Service of Prayer for Healing
followed by tea
Walkern
Place for Prayer
On Tuesday evenings at 5.00pm there is a short time of prayer at
Benington Church. Anyone is welcome to come. At this time we
especially pray for those mentioned on the Church‟s Prayer Board.
Midweek Communion service
Christians of all denominations meet at this communion service held
on Thursday mornings at Walkern United Reformed Chapel, 10.0010.30am.
40
Special services during February
Ash Wednesday
Lent begins this month, in which we recall the 40 days which Jesus
spent in the wilderness – physically and spiritually – before starting
on his three-year ministry. There will be a special service of
Communion, with the imposition of ashes, at both St Peter‟s and St
Mary‟s on Ash Wednesday, 21st February. Traditionally, the ashes
used on Ash Wednesday are made from the burning of left-over
Palm crosses from the previous year. A small daub of ash is put on
the foreheads of worshippers at this service, as a reminder of our
mortality and dependence on God. All are welcome to come.
Service of Prayer for healing
This service, which will be held at St Mary‟s at 3.00pm on Sunday
25th February, provides an opportunity to receive the laying-on of
hands with prayer for healing, if you feel that would be appropriate
for you. Or, come in order to pray for the healing of others. It is a
service in which we ask for that healing which is God‟s will for those
on our hearts – whether healing emotionally, spiritually, physically or
mentally. It is also an occasion when we shall be praying for those in
the healing professions: doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and
counsellors, researchers and pharmacists. Come and pray with us
on that afternoon.
From the Registers
Funerals
17 February
Rosanne Banks-Smith, at Walkern Church
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Friday 2nd March 2007
United under God‟s tent
A service prepared by Christian Women of Paraguay
At United Reformed Church, Walkern
2.00 – 3.00 pm
Speaker: Audrey Murphy BS Hons
Refreshments to follow
41
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42
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Answers to last month’s Christmas quiz
Band Aid was at number one in 1984 with “Do they know it‟s
Christmas”.
Isaac Newton, Kenny Everett, Anwar El-Sadat, Humphrey
Bogart and Dido were all born on Christmas day (1642, 1945,
1918, 1899, 1971)
It is in The Netherlands where children believe that Saint
Nicholas arrives on a boat from Spain and rides down the
streets on a white horse accompanied by his servant, Swarte
Piet (Black Pete).
Bing Crosby sang “White Christmas” in the film Holiday Inn.
Nine Ladies Dancing were given on the 9th day of Christmas.
The first month of the year is called January after Janus, the
Roman god of doors and gates.
La Befana in Italy, Julinesse in Denmark and Dedushka Moroz
in Russia all perform the same function as Santa Claus (La
Befana is a kindly old witch, Dedushka Moroz is Grandfather
Frost)
The Queen‟s Speech was first televised in 1957
Mistletoe was handed out by Celtic priests of the Middle Ages
in celebration of the New Year.
Great Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar, which restored
January 1 as New Year's Day, in 1752.
The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is a gift from the people
of Norway, given since 1947 as a token of appreciation of
British friendship during WWII
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the poem “Christmas as Sea”.
Rudolf is the reindeer who does not pull Santa‟s sleigh.
Historians believe that St Nicholas was born in Turkey.
December 25 as the birth date of Jesus Christ first appeared in
an early Roman calendar in year 335.
In total, 364 gifts are given in the song “The 12 days of
Christmas”.
The word Christmas is sometimes abbreviated to Xmas
because the Roman letter X resembles the Greek X (chi) which
is an abbreviation for Christ (Χριστός).
Russia and Greece both have St Nicholas as its patron Saint.
We are told that Jacob Marley is dead at the beginning of A
Christmas Carol.
2007 is the Year of the Boar (or Pig) in the Chinese calendar.
43
Walkern United Reformed Church : Contact details
Minister: Revd Tony Ruffell, 18 Pembroke Road, Baldock, SG7 6DB.
Tel 01462-490116
Elders:
Revd John Walker, 12 Riddell Gardens, Baldock, SG7 6JZ.
Tel 01462 895481
Mr Richard Cannon, 33 High Street, Walkern, SG2 7N. Tel: 861278
Mrs Mary Miller, 129 High Street, Walkern, SG2 7NJ. Tel: 861669
Treasurer: Mr Richard Cannon: 861278
Secretary: Mrs Mary Miller: 861669
St Mary’s Church, Walkern. Contact details
Priest in Charge: Revd Becky Totterdell. The Rectory, Bockings, Walkern,
SG2 7PB. Tel. 01438 861322
Readers:
Mr Paul Cobb, 14 Hebing End, Benington, SG2 7DD. Tel 869348
Mrs Anne Edwards, „Irving Cottage‟, 112 High Street, Walkern. Tel. 861237
Mr Steve Mason, 136 Wisden Road, Stevenage, SG1 5JB. Tel. 360847
Retired Clergy:
Revd Norman Plumb, 36 Walkern Road, Benington, SG2 7LP. Tel. 869731
Revd Jim Smith, 34 Cherry Tree Rise, Walkern, SG2 7JL. Tel: 861951
Churchwardens:
Mrs Anne Edwards: 861237
Mrs Liz Morgan: 861564
Secretary to the Parochial Church Council:
Mrs Jan Fewell 861322
Treasurer to the Parochial Church Council:
Mr William Trower: 861004
Organist: Mrs Bev Harlow: 225365
Bell Ringing: 1st Sunday of month: 9.30-10.00am
Subsequent Sundays: 9.00-9.30am
Practice night: Fridays: 7.30pm
Captain of Bells: Steve King: 358761
Friends of St Mary’s Churchyard (FOSMY)
Mrs Jill Gray: 861338
Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. To arrange any of these services, please
contact Revd Becky Totterdell
44
Walkern United Reformed Church
Services for February 2007, 10.00 am
4th February
11th February
18th February
25th February
Communion Sunday, Rev John Walker
Jenny Simmons, Ashwell & Baldock URC
Rev John Walker
Rev Tony Ruffell
Notes from the United Reformed Church
January 2007
During our communion service on the 3rd December, the Rev'd John
Walker welcomed Mrs.Bridget Bowater as a member of the URC.
Bridget's contributions to the Church over recent months have been
most welcomed.
On the second Sunday we hosted the Annual Toy Service, which
again was a great success. Central to the service were the local
Brownies and Guides packs and their leaders. The Rev'd Tony Ruffell
and the Rev'd John Walker conducted the well-attended service. The
record collection of £160.00 has been forwarded to the central NCH,
whilst the donated toys, puzzles and games were donated directly to
the Stevenage NCH.
Our faithful servant, the Rev'd John Walker, arranged a service of nine
lessons and carols on the third Sunday. Rev'd Tony Ruffell celebrated
a communion at 10.00 am on Christmas Eve; we also celebrated at
St. Mary's later. Our services for December were completed when Mr.
Gordon Sankey from the Stevenage URC made a welcome return
visit. Many thanks to his wife, an accomplished organist, for her
participation.
Richard Cannon
Walkern Mothers’ Union
At the December meeting we had Advent readings followed by the
preparation for our Christmas tree for the Festival. The January
meeting was our Epiphany party when we played 2 festive games and
enjoyed light refreshments provided by the members. The next
meeting on 7th February will be a talk by Irene Pink on her
experiences at the Evelina.
Irene Pink
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Painting of the Month at Walkern Gallery
―Midwinter‖ by Howard Forster
To pick the Painting of the Month (see opposite) was quite a difficult
task as the works of many talented artists was on display. February is
a fickle month and often the coldest of the winter. This painting, a
watercolour, for us epitomises a typical February day. The artist has
skilfully depicted a misty winter morning with snow still lying in the
furrows after a recent fall. A country scene that although not
specifically of a local site, could well be set in the Walkern area. This
picture invites the walker to come and explore, and there‟s nothing
better than a good brisk walk on such a day – but don‟t forget the
binoculars as you never know what you might see!
Ann and Paul Collis
Walkern Gallery
56 High Street, Walkern, Herts. SG2 7PG
www.walkerngallery.com
Tel: 01438 860369
Thurs— Fri— Sat— Sun
10am to 5pm
The deadline for inclusion in the March issue of the
Walkern Journal is 20th February 2007
Please send all articles and reports for the Walkern Journal to
the Editor: Janet Woodall, 20 Totts Lane, Walkern, SG2 7PL.
Email [email protected]
Telephone 01438 861688
Distribution: Jenny Bennett, 2 Winters Lane, Walkern:
Telephone 01438 861195
Advertising: Justin Nye, 131 High Street, Walkern, SG2 7NP
Email [email protected]
Telephone 01438 861344
The Walkern Journal is printed by:
Express Printing, 3 Milnyard Square, Peterborough PE2 6GX.
Tel: 01733 230800 www.expressprinting.uk.com
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Painting of the Month
―Midwinter‖ by Howard Forster
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.isselectrical.co.uk
Mobiles: 0794 125 8615
0773 445 5391
Tel/Fax: 0845 430 8465
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Walkern under the Weather
Above: Walkern High Street under water. See page 7
Below: Willow blown down by the storms. See page 22