Stebbing Scenestebbingscene.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/101-spring-07.pdf · All of a sudden the shower curtain facing me was yanked back revealing a very naked, very elderly, very

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Spring is just around the corner, let the wind drop and the sun shine, then we know it has arrived. I have seen plenty of primroses, catkins and other spring flowers, and the nights are drawing out, so it isn’t so far away. By the time you get your next magazine, summer will be in full flow, and hopefully we will be sitting outside in the evenings, preferably with a glass of wine. Don’t forget to look out for the swallows returning. At this point I would like to reminded you, around the end of May, the Cricket Club, Bowls, Tennis etc open their doors once again for us, and they do need the support of the village, otherwise these things will fold, just as other things have before them. I would like to thank Bill Childs for his black and white sketch on this the front cover. Well done Bill.

Jenny McGinn

EDITION No: 101 Spring 2007

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CHURCH SERVICE ROTA

MARCH SERVICE ROTA

KEY HC= Holy Communion MP= Morning Prayer FW= Family Worship FS = Family Service/Children’ s service

GB = Ruth or Tim 856080 SB = Stephen Bazlinton 856495 CH = Cilla Hawkes 856480 JD = John Davies 850735 HP = Helen Pelly 810369 FST = Family Service Team (GS & Stebbing) CW = Churchwarden or other appointed person

SUNDAY LINDSELL SALINGS STEBBING 1ST

9.30 HC 11.00 FW @GS 8.00 1662 HC 11.00 FS

2ND

9.30 MP 11.00 FW @ LS 11.00 HC

3RD

9.30 HC 11.00 HC@GS 11.00 MP

4TH

9.30 MP 9.30 HC@ LS 11.00 HC

5TH

9.30 HC 10.30 FS OR EVENSONG 11.00 INFORMAL

SUNDAY LINDSELL SALINGS STEBBING 4TH

9.30 HC TG

11.00 FW at GS HP

8.00 1662 HC TG 11.00 MP TG

11TH

9.30 MP JD

11.00 FW at LS JD

11.00 HC RG

18TH Mothering Sunday

9.30 HC RG

11.00 FS & HC at GS HP/RG

11.00 FS FST

25TH

9.30 MP CW

9.30 HC at LS TG

11.00 HC TG

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CHURCH MATTERS from Tim and Ruth Goodbody Dear Friends,

March 25th 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Colonies. As is well known, this was achieved through the tireless campaigning of many people including a number of prominent Christians, notably the MP William Wilberforce. Throughout this country, over that weekend, there will be many church and community based events marking the anniversary, which will be both celebratory but also penitential; this country made a lot of money from the slave trade, and it is important to acknowledge, even now, 200 years after it ended, that the trade caused untold suffering to millions of people.

The occasion is also being used to highlight the fact that according to Unesco, there are still 27 million slaves in the world today, even though slavery itself is prohibited by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1956 UN Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery. It seems that our comfort, our happiness, can sometimes be at the cost of someone else’s freedom. We may have good intentions about ethical shopping, but sometimes the problem seems so big (and unpleasant) that it is impossible not to feel guilty. So what can we do about that? Well there are still organisations today dedicated, as Wilberforce was, to the elimination of slavery, such as www.antislavery.org. Agencies such as the Salvation Army and the Church Mission Society are running big campaigns this year working towards a reduction in the number of modern slaves. Baroness Cox of Christian Solidarity Worldwide has written a book on the subject called “This Immoral Trade”.

But most of all we should not take our freedom for granted. As we continue on our journey through Lent and approach Easter let us remember that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection have achieved the ultimate freedom – freedom from sin and death for those who put their faith in Him. That freedom was bought at a price – the suffering of a crucified God, who gave his life as a ransom for many (Mark’s gospel chapter 10 verse 45). The abolition of slavery is without doubt a very important event in human history, but it would have been impossible without the power of another, yet more crucial event – the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the wounded Saviour.

Yours in Christ Tim and Ruth

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GOOD FRIDAY WALK

6th April 2007 The Walk is suitable for all the family, walk as much or as little of it as you like. Four services in our Churches along the way will follow through the events of Good Friday.

10 am - Service at Great Saling (simple reading, reflection and prayer)

10.20 - Walk to Little Saling

11 am - Service at Little Saling

Noon - Walk to Stebbing stopping for a picnic lunch en route (please bring your own picnic)

3pm Service in Stebbing (All Age Worship)

Hot cross buns follow this service or you could drive on to Lindsell

4pm - Service at Lindsell (an hour at the cross)

Please contact your Churchwarden or Ruth and Tim Goodbody 01371 856080 for further details

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OBITUARY

SHAUN PATTENDEN 1935-2006 Shaun and his family moved to Stebbing in 1976. He was born in Teddington and spent his early years in Kingston-on-Thames. He left his secondary school to become an apprentice plasterer although interrupted with two years of National Service mainly in Egypt. This was not the kind of plastering that we know today where a the thin skim is applied to plasterboard, but the traditional hand blended lime and horse hair applied in several coats on to thin hazel or elm wooden lathes. His spare time was spent playing the trumpet in the Salvation Army and Police Bands or on the Football Field. He met Ann in 1959, and they were married two years later. In 1963 they moved to Great Dunmow and their son Steven was born in1967. Shaun was employed by Pickfords of Little Easton where his traditional skills were put to good use renovating the listed buildings in and around Dunmow. He was also now further developing his skills in “Pargetting” (The externally decorated plaster work familiar in East Anglia) and eliciting the help of carpenter friends to create the moulds needed to give greater variations to this skill. The piece of work of which he was most proud, was the external decoration Elsenham Stud Farm. He worked with a local artist (The daughter of Reverend Jack Philby) to create a mare and foal in bas relief. He moved employers once more until his skills were in such demand that he chose to become self employed. He was an active playing member of both the Stebbing Cricket and Bowls Club and supported other village activities together with Ann. He was very loving and protective of his family and generous with his time in help and support of others, however he was a proud man would not be taken for granted. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 1997 but recovered a year later. He was soon back working and although official retired at 65, he continued working now as a painter and decorator. He was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2004, but elected together with his family to just continue with life as usual. Although he enjoyed a period of remission, the cancer returned and he died in October Last year. During the thirty years in which Shaun worked in and around Stebbing, few houses have not been pargetted, plastered, painted or even mainly constructed by him. QUITE A LEGACY

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THE MAD MEDIC

Hello everyone, I hope that all is well after a very eventful 2006, I for one am more than happy to say welcome to 2007. Let's hope that we all have a fabulous one and on that note I wish all of you every joy and happiness. Painfully, I must confess the latest 'Faux Pas' in my history of greatly embarrassing moments (I'm turning decidedly pink at the memory already). It costs me a horrendous amount of money to pay for my work in Bombay plus flight prices and my base accommodation rising constantly, also new charges of £240 per extra flight bag each way, due to come in, I take 6, so pretty expensive. Well, it is no use moaning so I roll up my sleeves and do extra work, which is where my latest 'Faux Pas' comes in. Having just finished night duty I was due to go on to Essex Ambulance service training school next to Broomfield Hospital, to assess our newly trained First Responders. Being quite 'girly' in a perfumey kind of way, I didn't really fancy going there whiffing of Hycolin and other equally clinical substances which guarantee to deter all future human contact. Spying a Shower room I dived in there bursting to spend a penny and sat less than majestically upon the 'throne', relieved at being able to ease my call of nature without being beeped, bliss!.

All of a sudden the shower curtain facing me was yanked back revealing a very naked, very elderly, very oblivious gent. Quite unperturbed, he said" hello there dear, you come to scrub me back? can you work this *!A "*< # tap ?, I kid you not, he didn't bat a solitary eyelid, whilst I felt sure that at any second I would die on the spot. I wonder if this is God's sense of humour paying me back for when I say to patients" try not to feel awkward I have seen it all before", knowing that they probably don't feel the least bit reassured.

It makes me even more certain that I am not destined to die gracefully dozing-on a chaise longue beautifully made up, with coiffed hair and wearing a gorgeous french satin evening gown. My fate is bound to be so embarrassing that it will be the talk of the emergency services for many years to come and my family will emigrate to escape the gossip. Still, I am here for now and more than happy especially as it is a year on Valentines day tomorrow, since my major surgery when the potential outcome was iffy, so quite a milestone. As you can see I haven't looked back, life is so busy that my days and nights melt into one, but I am so lucky that wherever I work everyone is really lovely, which promotes a great atmosphere. My next trip to Bombay is at the end of March, approx 10 days earlier than usual brought forward for special reasons, as you can imagine my feet aren't touching the ground workwise in preparation. My little darlings never ask for anything but the list of things they need is never ending, they appreciate every little thing and it is a joy seeing their adorable little faces light up. Marian and Rod Stokes plus family members, from the Bluebell Inn sponsored a very special group of girls in Virar by paying for a sewing machine, they are also helping me

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with my Fun Table Top sale in March. So are Alan and Barbara Daines who are always dropping 'goodies' for the children to our house even though they already work endlessly to help other charities, so look out for some bargains. Janet Matthews, our lovely., kind, Head of Stebbing Primary who is really forward thinking with great energy, also my dear and very treasured friend Sylvie Ruck, Head of the new Dunmow Primary and such a valuable asset to it, have already made 2007 cheerful for my Bombay children. Together with support from staff, pupils and their wonderful parents paid for; clothes, undies, food, fruit, fun educational things and necessary supplies such as medicines etc. To anyone who has ever helped my children, I am grateful to each and every one of you for your compassion, because each gift regardless of size or monetary value is given from your heart. Long after you have forgotten your gift my children in Bombay will go to sleep feeling worth something because you took time out to choose something especially for them. Take care, love and hugs xxxxxx P.S. Whenever they call out on the p.a. system at Tesco asking for all MULTI-SKILLED staff to go to the checkout area, I half expect the staff to emerge from the aisles juggling and tap dancing etc. Some of the staff are a giggle so it would be fun don't you think?

FUN TABLE TOP SALE ««««««««

STEBBIN6 VILLAGE IIALL SUNDAY 11TII MARCH 3 P.M UNTIL 6 P.M

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA TABLES £ 6-00 EACH

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

TOMBOLA, CAKE STALL, BRIC A BRAC, BOOKS, HAND CRAFTED CARDS, MOLLIE'S MUNCHIES, HEALTHY DOG TREAT], NEARLY NEW CLOTHES,TOILETRIES, RAFFLE Etc. .

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

MUNCH CORNER TEA, COFFEE, SAUAGE ROLLS, SOUP & ROLL, CAKES, BISCUITS, SCONES, CHILDRENS' BUNS, SQUASH Etc..

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Tables will be a mixture of those booked for personal trade and those booked to support Valerie's Bombay children. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS, BROCHURES Etc. TO PUT ON A SEPARATE TABLE, A GOOD OPPORTUNIY TO NETWORK WITHOUT EFFORT. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

01371-856076 [ANSWERPHONE ] VALERIE

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The Church Clock Many of you in the village and especially those who live at Church End will be aware that the church clock has not been keeping the correct time fro months. This is in spite of very frequent adjustment. The clock repairer’s report reveals that the clock needs to be thoroughly overhauled and the automatic winding units replaced. The work will take about a month to complete at a total cost of £6,382, commencing in February 07. The clock dates back to 1721 and was made by Joseph Fordham of Braintree so it is a much-valued piece of Stebbing history. The Parish Council has kindly given a donation towards the repair but the Parochial Church Council would be very grateful if others in the village felt they could make a contribution – however small. Either cash or cheques would be acceptable, the latter made out to Stebbing PCC. Donations can be left at the Vicarage or with the churchwardens (Mrs Mary Badley and Mr Patrick Smith). Thank you in advance for your generosity

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NOTICES Plan for the Future For the next stage in planning the future development within Uttlesford, the District Council is producing a consultation document on Policy Choices and Options for Growth. This document will set out the Council’s vision for the District for 2021 and suggest planning policies to achieve this vision. We want to know if you agree with these policies and if not how they should be changed. The second part of the Document looks at nine different options for growth. The document sets out the issues facing each option. We want to know which of the options you favour and which should not be considered. Your comments will help the Council decide its preferred option. The suggested growth options include concentrating development at one or more of the District’s main settlements of Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow or Stansted Mountfitchet; or to concentrate Development in a single new settlement. Dispersed growth options include distributing Development in villages along the West Anglia Rail corridor; distribute development along the A120 corridor and in Dunmow, distribute all development in villages around the District or a combination of these. The document is available for you to look at on the Council’s website www.uttlesford.gov.uk or phone 01799 510454 or 510461.

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FARMING DIARY All is very quiet on the farm.The cows that were housed in November have now finished calving successfully I am pleased to say –and they await turn out on about March 15th. Unfortunately all the cattle will be sold in October and Stebbing will be without any livestock in any quantity for the first time in hundreds of years. We cannot compete with cheap imports of Beef from places like South America. Although we win hands down on quality, it appears that the average housewife only buys on price. I can only see it getting worse as a new generation takes over.

Tony Lanyon Next time you walk from the village to Bran End…………. Readers who have lived in Stebbing for a number of years may be familiar with the location of the two Special Roadside Verges in the village. If, like me, you have moved into the area more recently, you may not be aware of their existence, or of the reason for their special status. Special Roadside Verges are not unique to Stebbing. Since the 1970’s over 100 sites, covering more than 44km of Essex roadside habitat, have been given this designation. They support a wide variety of threatened and declining plant species, including nationally rare plants such as sulphur clover, crested cow-wheat and lesser calamint. One of Stebbing’s Special Verges is located in the High Street by Virom Island on the Downs, and the other can be found at Bran End opposite Brook House. They were chosen to conserve the lesser calamint, or Clinopodium calamintha, that grows there and are two of only five such sites in Uttlesford. The location and extent of these verges are marked with wooden posts at either end, which bear warning plaques informing contractors not to dump materials on these areas or to carry out unauthorised management.

Close-up of Lesser calamint (Clinopodium calamintha)

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Stebbing Cubs

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Lesser calamint belongs to the dead nettle family (Lamiaceae). It has aromatic grey-green leaves and has small, pale lilac to mauvish pink flowers, with purple spotted lower lips, between July and November. It is a relatively inconspicuous plant in amongst the surrounding grass but closer examination reveals its charm, and its late flowering makes it a useful source of nectar for insects at that time of year. It is a short-lived perennial plant, which is found growing on the chalk and chalky boulder clay soils in north-west Essex and on the gravelly and sandy soils of south Essex, and is confined to churchyards, verges, banks, walls and disused railway lines.

A recent report (The Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain, 2005) categorises lesser calamint as vulnerable, and therefore at high risk of extinction in Britain as a whole. It is now only to be found in the south east of England, with most of the population occurring in Essex and the south of Suffolk.

So how are the Uttlesford Special Roadside Verges managed? It is important that they are cut regularly to ensure that scrub and woodland species cannot become established. Competition for light and water from overhanging branches and roots would lead to the eventual death of the protected plants and make it difficult for replacement seedlings to establish themselves. The timing and the frequency of cutting is also important in order to maximise opportunities for the protected plants to flower and set seed. Hence Special Roadside Verges need to be cut at different times, depending on the species that are growing there.

In order to be of benefit to the late flowering lesser calamint, it is necessary that the Stebbing Special Verges have one full width cut in March followed by a metre wide cut in May or early June for road safety purposes (as for all verges in Essex). They must not be cut after this however, as to do so later in the year would prevent the plants from setting seed.

Maintenance of all the verges is the responsibility of Essex County Council, but is carried out on their behalf by contractors. To ensure the cutting regime has been successful in providing the conditions necessary to conserve the protected plants the Verges are monitored. This entails an annual survey of each verge, carried out by a volunteer member of Essex Wildlife or Essex Field Club and, in the case of Stebbing’s two verges, this falls to me. The results are reported to the Uttlesford Verges Representative at Saffron Walden Museum. Surveys are conducted in the same way each year so that comparisons can be made regarding the condition of the verge and of the protected plants.

It is unfortunate that the management of our verges has only been partly successful, due in the main to contractors not carrying out the work according to specification. The results of recent work, however, are very encouraging and coupled with additional work undertaken by Stebbing Parish Council to clear established brush, the outlook for this pretty and rare plant is more positive.

Lesser Calamint (Clinopodium calamintha) Stebbing’s verges in years to come?

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STEBBING CUBS On Wednesday January 24th, at the Stebbing Cubs meeting, the boys had a visit from the police. No, it's OK it wasn't a raid, just Chief Inspector Paul Anderson who talked about the Police in Britain today and then dressed our D of E student in the Riot Gear needed to defend against the Cubs of today! The boys were very impressed!

GUIDING IN STEBBING The closure of Stebbing Guides (10 - 15yrs) has meant that Brownies of 1Oyrs have no Guide Unit to progress to. Now it seems that the Brownie Unit may close, leaving the Rainbows with nowhere to go when they leave at 7yrs.

Stebbing Brownies really does need a Leader who is committed to the girl's regular meetings and who is prepared to be trained for the role. Two Assistant Leaders currently run the Unit with help from Guiders from other Units. Three adults would make a very strong team and ensure the Brownie Unit continues to grow and is not in danger of closing in the new year. 5tebbing village is growing. More and more children are joining waiting lists for Brownies but where are the adult leaders? What is a Leader? A Leader is someone who is young, single and with plenty of time No! A Leader is someone who is older with plenty of experience of young children, very artistic and with brilliant IT skills.................... No! A Brownie Leader is someone like you: flexible, willing to learn, young (over 18yrs) or older (under 65 yrs) and with an enthusiasm for children. You would need to give as much time as you are prepared to and would have a supporting team around you. You do not need to be a teacher or accountant. You do not need to be sporty or creative. In fact, there is no stereotype - we are all individuals. You can be yourself, enjoying Guiding and feeling confident that you are doing a worthwhile, wonderful job. If you think you could fulfill this role please telephone Liz Parker on 01371 870493 or Tina Wolfe on 01371 870410.

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FELSTED DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY

PROGRAMME OF LECTURES FOR NEXT QUARTER

Wed Mar28th at 8:00pm

(venue – Grignon Hall, Felsted School)

‘ An Introduction to Glass’

Andy McConnell

Wed April 25th at 8:00pm

(venue – Grignon Hall, Felsted School)

‘ Perfectly Formed: the Lingering

Influence of the Classical Ideal’

Linda Smith

Wed May 30st at 8:00pm

(venue – Ross Hall, Felsted Prep. School)

‘ Audley End House Silver Collection’

Christopher Garibaldi

Please note the changing venues. New members are welcome. Non-members are invited to attend up to 3 lectures a year at a cost of £5 per lecture. Enquiries to Dick Frost, 01371 820824

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Uttlesford Citizens Advice Bureau seeks new volunteers in Great Dunmow

Do you enjoy talking to new people and have you got an active enquiring mind? Would you like to do some interesting part time work that fits in around other commitments? Would you like to contribute to your local community and help people solve their problems?

If so becoming a volunteer advisor at the Uttlesford Citizens Advice Bureau may be just what you are looking for. We are currently expanding our service in Great Dunmow and are seeking local people to join our team

We give free impartial advice to anybody in the community. Our clients are from all walks of life and of all ages. Typical enquiries concern benefits, employment issues, consumer problems, relationships and personal debt.

We are not a government organisation but a charity. We are entirely dependent on the generous donation of time from our volunteers. If you would be interested in joining us we would give you full training and support. Advisors usually volunteer for 1 day per week (9.30-3.30) and most get enormous satisfaction from the role.

If you are interested in supporting us but are not in a position to volunteer so much time, we also welcome financial contributions and offers of help for our fundraising team.

To find out more please contact the Bureau Manager - John Willoughby (Tel 01799 526557). Many thanks!

Barnards Yard Advice Line: 01799 526582 Saffron Walden CB11 4EB Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30-3.30pm

46 High Street Open: Tuesday and Thursday 10.00-2.00pm Great Dunmow CM6 1AN SPRING CLEAN YOUR WARDROBE IN AID OF SSE’S POSH FROCKS APPEAL! From velvet and silk to satin, linen and lace, if you’re hiding some posh frocks, smart suits and ace accessories in the back of your wardrobe and think it’s time for a bit of spring cleaning, why not donate them to the Posh Frocks sale being held in aid of Stop Stansted Expansion’s Public Inquiry Appeal Fund. The sale, to be held on Saturday 21 April from 11am to 3pm at SSE’s Campaign Office at the Old School Building, Takeley, will feature dressy outfits from ball gowns to party dresses and ensembles fit for a day at the races or night at the opera – with hats, bags, stoles and gloves (in perfect condition, of course) to match. An alteration service will be available at the event. Over 100 gorgeous garments have already been donated towards the sale and SSE hopes to more than double this number during the weeks leading up to the sale – with your help. To donate, or to find out more, contact:

• Irene Jones on 01371 870464 or [email protected] • The SSE Campaign Office on 01279 870558, [email protected]

See also http://www.stopstanstedexpansion.com/events.html

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STEBBING TENNIS CLUB

WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS OF

ALL AGES AND PLAYING STANDARDS

Come and join our friendly Village Club

Please contact Vicky Skilton – 01371 856 257 and ask for details of membership

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VILLAGE NEWS

Stebbing Cricket Club News

Our 2007 annual general meeting was held on February 11th and a new committee was elected as follows.

President: David Stokes Chairman: Phil Barker Secretary: Adrian Farr Treasurer: Ian Lawson Club Captain: Kevin Meakin Team Coordinator:Ian Meakin Fixtures Sec: Mark Hayden Welfare Officer: Kevin Meakin Colts Coach: David Walsh Colts Rep: Wally Crow Groundsman: Simon Little

The following senior fixtures have already been scheduled for 2007. In addition, Colts teams have now been accepted into three Junior leagues, for under 15's, 13's and 12's. Their league games will take place from early May through to August but fixture lists have not yet been finalised. In addition, training sessions for the juniors will continue to be held each week throughout the season. Many thanks are again due to David Walsh and his team of helpers for the continued success and further growth of our Colts section.

Senior Fixtures to the End of August:

Sun. May 6th Dunmow (a) Sun. July 1st Estuary Amblers (h)

Sat. May 12th Cornish Hall End (h) Sat. July 14th Lindsell ( a)

Sun. May 28th Mole Hill Green (h) Sun. July 22nd Dunmow (h)

Sat. May 26th Lindsell (h) Sun. July 29th Presidents XI (h)

Sun. June 3rd Aythorpe Roding (a) Sat. Aug. 4th Castle Hedingham (h)

Sun. June 10th Hatfield Heath (h) Sun. Aug. 12th Hatfield Broad Oak (h)

Sun. June 17th Castle Hedingham (a) Sun. Aug. 19th Pleshey (a)

Sun. June 24th Finchingfield (h) Sun. Aug. 26th Estuary Amblers (h) We have been unable to hire the indoor nets at Felsted school this year. However; to prepare for the coming season, we are hoping to have our own club net ready for use by early April.

The ground itself is looking in pretty good shape for the coming season following the substantial work put in last year on the square, outfield and new perimeter fencing, which seems to have kept most of the rabbits out over the winter at least. A burst water pipe above the pavilion ceiling has caused some recent heartache but repair work is in hand along with some other less critical maintenance of the building.

Finally, following the success of our mid-summer dances over the past three years, preparations are already underway for this year's event, to be held on Saturday July 7th. Attendance will again be limited to 200 so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Adrian Farr Secretary 2007

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STEBBING TENNIS CLUB AUTUMN NEWSLETTER Well summer has flown and we had a really good playing season. The Club House works very well and the weather has been kind to us, however, we are still playing come and join us on Sundays! SUNDAY MORNING TENNIS We will be playing on Sunday mornings from 11.00 a.m. We want to keep playing throughout the year, weather permitting. Come and join us for a game of tennis and/or a cup of coffee. All members welcome. QUIZ NIGHT Saturday 3rd March 2007 - please put the date in your diary! Mill Lane Village Hall, Stebbing Teams of 8 - flyer to follow after Christmas Contact Steve Davies 01371 820 676 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Our Club Championship runs throughout the season and the Finals Day on the 10th September produced some great tennis. The following were the deserved winners: Ladies singles Liz Davies Ladies Doubles Erika Taunton and Kirsty Taunton Mens Singles Steve Davies Mens Doubles Keith Chapman and John Carpenter Mixed Doubles Liz and Steve Davies Ladies Plate Sheelagh Chapman Mens Plate Keith Chapman As mentioned this competition runs throughout the year with each player organising their own matches. It's a really good way to meet other people in the Club and is great fun. We hope some more new faces will enter next year. Sincere thanks to Erika our Captain who has organised this tournament for several years and for her sterling work throughout the season. I'm sure you will all agree that Erika deserves a big 'thank you!' CLUB SHIRTS The last two seasons, Wenda and Deiter Fleishmann have organised Club Shirts - either T Shirts, Polos or Sweatshirts. We will be placing orders again next season. The Club shirts assist in getting the Club known and also boost Club funds. Our thanks for Wenda and Dieter for their work on this.

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TENNIS COACHING Our thanks are also due to Wenda for organising 2 junior coaching courses throughout the season. Wenda is also available for private lessons and can be contacted on 01371 810390. JUNIOR CLUB NIGHT This was not well attended this season. For next season the courts will be allocated to juniors on Monday evenings, but these sessions will not be supervised. SENIOR CLUB NIGHT Thursday evenings proved very popular this year and the format will be the same for next season. We were very pleased to welcome some new members who joined us on Thursday evenings and also took part in various tournaments. FLOODLIGHTS Planning permission has been submitted to obtain permission to install 6 x 8 metre high columns with Floodlighting to illuminate the two existing courts. We hope to hear from the Council early in the New Year. We are grateful to Andrew Martin of Andrew Martin Associates who is kindly putting together the planning application for us. We have been successful in securing a grant of £2,000 towards the Flood Lighting installation from Stansted Airport Community Trust Fund - however this is dependant upon us obtaining planning permission. If any members know of other routes for funding, we would be grateful for your input. Fund raising is going to be particularly important in the coming months to help fund the flood lighting. Any queries or suggestions please contact me Vicky Skilton Willow Thatch Stebbing Green CM6 3TE Home: 01371 856 257 Work: 01245 400535 Email: [email protected]

BADMINTON Calling badminton players (and wannabes) Join the cheerful and welcoming group of badminton players on Wednesday evenings at 8pm in the Village Hall, Mill Lane. We are of all standards (except county and above!). It is usually a mixed doubles game. Tea and conversation at half-time. Contact Lynda Sowter on 856396 to find out more and (if a beginner) to get some preliminary practice. Note the 4th Wednesday of each month is excluded. Come along - and get a bit fitter!

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New Dorcas Society Stebbing As the New Dorcas Society celebrates its first birthday, members are very aware of all the organisations and individuals who make Stebbing such a “Neighbour friendly” and helpful place. We are particularly mindful of teams supporting Meals on Wheels, Over 60s, Friday Market, the Minibus, school, the clergy & church counsellors and many private individuals. Into that impressive “line-up” the New Dorcas Society seeks quietly to fit and in 2006 we continued much in the ways of our predecessors. With small funds at our disposal, we have not yet hosted a social occasion, for which our forbears were well known. Now, on St George’s Day – 23rd April 2007 – we are having a tea party. We wish to invite representatives of village organisations, individuals and a strong contingent of the usual Dorcas company, who by reason of seniority, health or circumstance, come to these parties. A different mix of company, so please let us know of anyone you feel would like to be asked. We had two excellent Speakers during the year; Ruth Allen, a social worker from the Saffron Walden Team who look after Stebbing people and Vera Davies, Chairman of the Alexia Wilson Trust. This Dunmow based charity, which has a Dorcas representative, helps many in need. During 2006 the charity was most generous with financial help to one of our residents. During the year we plan a talk by a representative from one of the local hospices as well as a MacMillan nurse. If you have an interest in these services and would like to attend, please contact Secretary, Jackie Kingdom (856 572) we shall be pleased to welcome you. Our experiences during 2006 have enabled New Dorcas members to collect information on services, public & private which may be helpful in times of difficulty. We have established some useful contacts and the Society is happy to share information when it is needed. Please ring me, Dorothy Pelham (856 733) if you think we might assist you. As New Dorcas, we try to play it by ear and learn a fitting modern role Dorothy Pelham, President February 2007

CIVIC AMENITY SKIP DATES FOR 2007

Saturday 9th June 2007 - 08.00am – 11.30am The Downs

Saturday 22nd September 2007 – 08.00am – 11.30am The Downs

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Stebbing Garden Club We finished last year with speakers Mr&Mrs Regan who gave a talk and showed slides on "Wild Life in an Essex Village". The slides on moths Butterflies and Dragonflies were spectacular which must have taken much patience and thought. Several members voted it one of our best evenings of the year. 2007 started the New Year with our social, with finger buffet and wine. General Knowledge questions were set by Barbara Woodley which everyone enjoyed, also Sandra Walker read some humorous quotes and poems which was received with much laughter. Anyone who had seeds from Fothergills through our club at a discount scheme can still order seeds and, plugs until the end of March. Please contact Margaret Rufus 856122. All are welcome to our club which meets every 4th Monday at 8pm in the Village Hall. For details phone Secretary Linda White 856756 Outings - 30th June to Ruston Vicarage Norfolk

- 21st July to Beth Chattos Garden. Please contact Joan Matthews 856041 for further details and to add your name to the list. The Autumn Show is on 15th September, in the Village Hall. Although the show is organised by the Garden Club it is essentially a village show. The more entries, the better the show. This is why we are printing part of the schedule now. We hope that you will find something to 'inspire' you, and to give you time to prepare and grow ready for September. The complete schedule and entry forms will be available nearer the time.

Members of the committee will be glad to answer any queries.

One thing to point out, your entry does not have to be perfect, just the best you have, it could be a winner! See overleaf for the schedule of classes

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SCHEDULE OF CLASSES Section A Dahlia – Maximum of three entries per class

3 Medium decorative up to 8 ¾ inch (220mm)

3 Medium cactus up to 8 ¾ inch (220mm)

3 Pompom – no more than 2 inch (52mm)

3 Bedding colarette or single

Section B Roses – Maximum of three entries per class

3 Stems – one variety – each stem separate

3 Stems – mixed – each stem separate

1 Hybrid tea rose

Section C Cut Flowers – Maximum of three entries per class

Vase of mixed annuals – maximum 6 stems

Vase of mixed hardy perennials – maximum 6 stems

3 Stems of flowering shrubs one or more varieties

3 Stems of spray chrysanthemums

Section D Pot Plants – Maximum of three entries per class

1 Pot plant in bloom - any size pot

1 Pot plant for foliage effect – any size pot

1 Pelargonium up to 5 inch (127mm) maximum size pot

1 Fuschia up to 7 inch (178mm) maximum size pot

Section F Vegetables – Maximum of three entries per class

6 Runner Beans 6 French Beans

6 Beetroot 3 Courgettes

3 Carrots, same variety with foliage cut to 7inch (178mm maximum and tied

3 Onions – dressed foliage individually tied

5 Tomatoes of one variety – calyx intact

A named vegetable not included in the above

An arrangement of herbs with or without flowers maximum 10 inch x 10 inch)

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Just A Bit About Gardening By the end of March all pruning should be complete, i.e. roses, buddleia, dog wood, hazel, and honeysuckle. Lift and divide hostas, and all perennials. Plant Lily bulbs, sweet peas, hardy annuals for greenhouse or cold frame. Buy herbs to put into pots or sinks,( make your cooking taste even better) Bring grow bags under cover to warm before planting tomatoes etc. This is the time to give a spring boost, with compost fertilizer. Clean pond filters, scrub garden furniture, and anything else that needs a spring clean. Pot up plants that need more space, ( not agapanthus, this plant likes to have roots restricted) A poor old women in her weeds, Sowed her garden with wild flower seeds, Not too shallow, not too deep, And down came April, drip, drip, drip. And now all summer long she sits and sows, Where willow herb, comfrey, bugloss blows. Teasel and tansey, meadow sweet, Campion, toadflax and rough hawksbit. Walter De La Mare. Seeds and sowing -------------------------- One for rook and one for crow, One to die and one to grow, Plant your seeds in a row, One for pheasant, one for crow, One to eat and one to grow. Trad. Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight, With wings of gentle flush, o’er delicate white. John Keats.

Two simple gardeners.

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Stebbing Out… The Blue Strawberry – Hatfield Peverel – January 2007

We once again decided to re-visit an old favourite to see if it was as good as we remembered. If you think that Hatfield Peverel is a long way to go for dinner, it’s actually closer than you think and worth the trip we hope you’ll agree. The Blue Strawberry is a restaurant in a refurbished pub situated on the high street, the tables are arranged in various rooms over two levels, so although large it has an intimate feel. There is also one massive table upstairs which can be booked for larger gatherings.

The entrance is at the rear of the property via a revolving door, how to negotiate the whirring doors and emerge into the bar in one piece gets the visit off to an entertaining start. As you pop out the other side of the doors you enter a modest sized bar area where you are greeted by the friendly staff, who at first glance all appear to have the same large blue ink stain on their white shirts, until you realise it’s actually the emblem of the restaurant – a blue strawberry! It’s worth taking the time to enjoy a drink here as it provides an opportunity to peruse the specials board and see what future events the restaurant are planning. Of course you will also be in a great position to watch other arrivals negotiating the free fairground attraction.

We eventually sat down to dinner and took our time deciding what to order as there is a wide choice on the menu plus daily specials to take into consideration. Unfortunately as the wine was poured we noticed one glass was not clean. The moment it was mentioned, both the wine and offending glass were removed with great haste and an entirely new bottle plus clean glass were brought to our table. We all said “Great recovery!”

For starters we ordered a bowl of mussels, a house salad with stilton, bacon and prawns plus two tians of smoked salmon, crayfish and avocado (regular readers of Stebbing Out will know we’re experts at these now!). All were delicious, modestly proportioned and eaten with great gusto. For our main courses we ordered the house pie (steak and kidney), liver and bacon with mashed potato and red wine jus, haddock with a mornay sauce and poached egg and finally belly of pork with bubble and squeak. Once again all main courses were thoroughly enjoyed. The liver was a beautifully prepared medium rare, the pie was full of ingredients, the pork belly was really tasty with plenty of crackling and the haddock very light. A vegetable selection was served for the table to share.

Despite being comfortably full after two courses, we did order an assiette of desserts (in the interests of research of course!), which provided the opportunity to try a small amount of four different desserts. There was a decent break before the selection was served, which gave us ample time to digest our meal so far, consequently when the plate was placed before us it swiftly disappeared, and again, was thoroughly enjoyed.

Once we had finished our second bottle of wine, and second bottle of water, we asked for the bill. If you put your name on the restaurant’s mailing list you will receive their annual newsletter plus special offers, and it was the latter that encouraged us to choose them this month. They had sent a voucher for a two-course dinner for £15 during January, which meant our bill was the cheapest yet, coming in at £34 per head. However, even without the voucher the food is outstanding value and the wine list modestly priced. So despite itching to criticise somewhere, we have to solidly recommend The Blue Strawberry, for tasty food, excellent service and those revolving doors!

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LETTERS From: a village resident Recycling bins - outstaying their welcome? I see great merit in the new recycling scheme, but I think we householders could do better in moving the bins after collection. Some bins are still out on the street or roadside two or three days after the collection, and they are a bit urban - a bit of an eyesore. Could people please try to roll them back in straight after the collection, or at the latest that evening on their return home? From: Barbara and Alan Daines We have been living in Stebbing for over 30 years now and the warmth, compassion and selflessness of the wonderful residents in our village never ceases to amaze us. We put out an appeal in December from Dr. Pasechnick at the Revival Centre in Ukraine for powdered baby's milk, and the response was overwhelming. In all we received 63 cans of powdered milk and on behalf of the Felsted Aid for Deprived Children and the children in Ukraine we would like to say the biggest thank you to everyone for your kind support.

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STEBBING AFTERNOON CARPET BOWLS THURSDAYS 2.00p.m – 4.30p.m at the Village Hall

Cost £1.30 incl tea

NEW COMERS WELCOME - informal instruction & encouragement given

Contact: Dennis Hustwitt (856 137)

NEWCOMER? LONG-STANDING RESIDENT?

LIKE TO MEET SOME FRIENDLY FOLK? Why not COME DANCING?

LINE DANCING – Tuesdays 8.30p.m at the Village Hall

Cost £3.00 per session

Professional Teacher Contact: 856 648 or 856 733

STEBBING EVENING CARPET BOWLS

THURSDAYS 7.30p.m at the Village Hall Cost £1.00 incl tea & biscuits

Guidance, encouragement and a warm welcome come free

Contact Bob Beatty (01376 342 920 or 856 348)

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STEBBING VILLAGE HALL

Mill Lane, Stebbing

Programme 2007

(Varied engagements at weekends – some private hirings and some club events)

MONDAY 8.00p.m Garden Club (4th in month) 7.30p.m Bowls Matches (occasional) TUESDAY 10.00a.m Toddlers Group 2.00p.m Badminton 5.00p.m Brownies 8.30p.m Line Dancing (8.00p.m Local History Society – 2nd Tuesday in Feb, April, June, Sept & Nov) WEDNESDAY 9.30a.m Pilates 2.30p.m Over 60s (3rd in month) 8.00p.m Badminton except 4th in month Ladies Group (4th in month) THURSDAY 2.00p.m Afternoon Carpet Bowls 7.30p.m Evening Carpet Bowls FRIDAY 10.00a.m Friday Market (1st in month March – December) 5.15p.m Judo 8.30p.m Badminton To enquire about any Event: phone 856 733

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Stebbing Ladies Group Programme 2007

Date Subject Speaker 24th January AGM & Games Evening

28th February Creating a new you! (Fake tanning & eye lash demo)

Heather Matthews

28th March Where there's a Will there's a relative Mr C Winter

25th April Warner Textile Archive Tour 7.30 pm Start Meet at the Archive, Braintree

23rd May Andrewsfield & other stories of a flying instructor

Mr Gardner

27th June Historic Tour of Stebbing - a walk followed by cheese & wine

TBC

25th July Summer Cocktail Party Ray & Pat Bush

August No Meeting

26th September

The History of Sausage Making: a demo, make & buy session!

Karina Pickering

24th October Decor tips for Xmas: Demo & buy Pat Bush

27th October Charity Christmas Gift & Card Sale Various national & local charities

28th November

Christmas Social Evening More details to follow

December No Meeting

All meetings start at 8pm & are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise stated

Stebbing Ladies Group Annual membership fee is only £10 or £2.00 per meeting for non-members. Although the group is an opportunity for the women of the village to gather, discuss topics of interest

& socialise, we welcome men wishing to attend our meetings.

CARPENTER John Adamson

Qualified and experienced for all domestic carpentry Free quotations Fully insured

07779 715888

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STEBBING DIRECTORY Stebbing Scene Jenny McGinn 856249

AFSS School 856260 Archive Derek Towler 856680 Badminton Lynda Sowter 856396 Beavers John Edwards 856342 Bell Ringing John Gilbert 856516 Bowls Club Ken Copping 856338 Brownies Liz Parker 870493 Carpet Bowls Reg Frost 856712 Church – St. Mary’s Tim & Ruth Goodbody 856080 Craft Group Angela Newbrook 856464 Cricket Club Adrian Farr 856691 Cubs Wendy Kibblewhite 856470 New Dorcas Society Pat Childs 856341 or Maxine Walker 856232 First Aid Training Val Mulcare-Tivey 856076 Flowers-Church Diana Troup 856656 Footpath Rep. Ernest Howard 856325 Friday Morning Market Sue Tekell 873225 Friends Meeting House Jim Newbrook 856464 Garden Club Linda White 856756 Holistic Therapies Val Mulcare-Tivey 856076Guides Liz Parker 870493 Judo Club Louis Bach 856482 Ladies Group Maxine Walker 856232 Library Direct Pauline McAllister 856478 Local History Society Derek Towler 856680 Meals on Wheels Eve Stephenson 856293 Medi-Call EMS Val Mulcare-Tivey 856076 Minibus Adrian Greenway 856892 Mother & Toddler Helen Mason 821511 Newspapers Colin Moorman 856689 Over 60s Peter McGuinness 856254 Parish Council Clerk Linda White 856756 Police Gt. Dunmow 872208 Rainbows Liz Hooper 856814 Scamps Vicky Kemp 856027 Scouts John Edwards 856342 Stebbing School Office 856260 Stebbing Society Jenny Nichol 856401 Taxi Bev Harrod 856440 Tennis Club Vicky Skilton 856257 Village Hall Ursula Bunn 856628 Any omission, errors or changes please tell me - Jenny McGinn 856249

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DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the Publishers cannot assume responsibility for errors. As you will know, Stebbing Scene is free and its existence depends on our advertisers. However, the Publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions.

TAILPIECE

It looks as if Tony Lanyon's blown his top!

If you spot anythinginteresting or amusing on the Stebbing Scene, let us have it and we will publish it…..Ed

Closing date for contributions to the next issue 27th June 2007 Editor: Jenny McGinn 01371 856249 [email protected]

FRIDAY MORNING MARKET The profits from last years market weredistributed as follows: Over 60's £100 Mini Bus £ 75 Friends Meeting House £ 75 Football Club £ 75 Dorcas £ 50 Judo £ 25 Line Dancing £ 35 Air Ambulance £300 The market will run again from March 2ndthrough to December Please note all markets are first Friday ofthe month with the exception of Aprilbecause that is Good Friday so it will be onthe 13th instead. Hope to see you there Sue Tekell 01371 873225

Essex Mobile Library Stebbing

every wednesday at:

BRAN END 2.20 - 2.30 GARDEN FIELDS 2.35 - 2.50 OAKFIELD 3.00 - 3.15 Books - Tapes - Videos- Games An Essex County Library Service