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NEWPORT NEWS, SUMMER 2012

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The Newport News team and some regular contributors (all are volunteers)

John Gordon

Tricia Rose

Barney Miller

Anthony Tuck

David Evans

Lesley Knight

Miriam Pender

Vic Fowler

Mira Evans

Tricia Priest

Julie Pampling

Julie Maylin

Alsion Lecky

John Oswin Smith

Berenice Smith

Jeremy Rose

Caroline Calvert

Cherry Mitchell

Karen Fiske

Neil Byford

Managing Editor John Gordon, The Old Maltings, High Street, Newport, CB11 3PQ (542090) email: john@newportnews.org.uk Editor Tricia Rose, The Brown House, High Street, Newport (541114) email: editorial@newportnews.org.uk Joint History Editors Anthony Tuck 8 Cherry Garden Lane (543833) David Evans Cotefield, 19 Wicken Road (540235) Advertising Miriam Pender (540465) Mira Evans Julie Pampling Berenice Smith Tricia Priest Nicola Collett Julie Maylin Directory John Oswin Smith (541498) Berenice Smith (541498) Salley Ann Yates (541609) Treasurer Lesley Knight Baby Photographs Gina Holley (543046) Newport News by Post Sue Vance, Larkfield, Debden Road, Newport, Essex CB11 3RU (540322)

Newport News has a circulation of 1,600 and is published twice a year, in June and December. It is delivered FREE to every household in Newport, with extra copies available from local shops at £2.50. The magazine is also sent away to many people; see ‘Newport News by Post’ above.

CONTRIBUTIONS Bari Hooper

Roz Saggers

Janie Watson

Don Alexander

Andy Sivell

We welcome contributions on Newport’s past, present or future. Unless otherwise agreed, articles should reach us by 1 April (Summer issue), or 1 October (Winter issue). editorial@newportnews.org.uk Digital submissions are preferred (digital photos and copy emailed or on disk). Articles should be approximately 250–1,500 words.

Gina Holley

Cecilia Gordon

Emma Bradshaw

Chris Murphy

Nina Jones

Please note: contributions to Newport News come from various sources and the editors cannot hold themselves responsible for their factual accuracy, and may not necessarily agree with all views expressed. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the editor. We also reserve the right to edit any articles submitted.

ADVERTISING

Janet Schofield

Howard Schofield

Jane Murphy

Olga Bak

Elaine Murphy

If you want to advertise in Newport News please contact John Gordon (542090) or Miriam Pender (540465). advertising@newportnews.org.uk Artwork supplied in PDF format is preferred, however we can also design adverts for you. Design, Layout & Production Barney Miller – www.design-mill.co.uk (540173)

Maureen Gordon

Salley Ann Yates

Yvonne Hannant

Susan Vance

Alasdair Kelly

Cover illustration ‘Helen Patterson carrying the Olympic torch through Newport’ drawn by Brian Sanders ISSN 0956-487X

Summer 2012 Newport News

EDITORIAL

Contents REGULARS 3 10 15 19 26 31 34 44 50 55 61 69 105 110 110 111 112

Letter from the editor Newport neighbours Good moaning, Newport Noticeboard Parish Council Report Letter to the editor Gardening with Vic The farming year Newport fire station Neighbourhood Watch Cars of a certain age Newport babies Newport directory Our representatives Newport diary Travel information List of advertisers

THIS ISSUE CHARITY 35 56 75

The big hair cut! Kyangala Trust Go The Whole Hog & Central Garage

CHURCH 70 86 88

What do you think about Church? Victorian Gothic A warm welcome to Reverend Neil McLeod

CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS 39 63 68 73 78 85 97

Newport Art Group 1st Newport Brownies Girls Go Out The Newport Club Home-Start Uttlesford Youth Centre Baby Sensory Classes

COMMUNITY 5 18 32 39 46 49 74

How many new houses does Newport have to accept? Development in Newport – The position of NFGS Discovering Local Parish Records Village noticeboard NFGS Head Boy Use libraries wherever you are in Essex Quiz – Newport Treasure Hunt

EDUCATION 64 66

Newport Primary School Newport Free Grammar School

Newport News Summer 2012

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT Olympic Torch and Carnival Waldstock 2012 NATS: Robinson Crusoe & The Pirates 48 Lime Tree Court restaurant 76 The ‘N’ Factor 6 16 42

6 24

HISTORY 17 20 22 24 28 30 35 62 79 94

Newport local history group Echoes of the Smiths of Shortgrove Newport Surgery is 30 years old Edwardian summers at Shortgrove Ginger’s Timber Yard: Where are they now? Newport Village Recorder 2011 100 years ago The Newport Pottery The Silver Jubilee, 1977 Studded gloves & dog-chains

OBITUARIES 98 98 99 100 100 101 102 103 104

Alan George Golding Raymond William Monk Lucy Burnell Carol Jewula Dennis Walter Palmer Edward Hyde Ronald Bingley Peter Ernest Morley Kenneth Ernest Pipe

PEOPLE No weighting around for Dom Poem: Is that a Derry accent? by Miranda Pender 40 Oliver Wilson 75 My first year as your elected District Councillor 90 Voices of Newport – Dennis Saville 8 15

PHOTOGRAPHY 47

Walking around Newport

SPORT 80 81 82 96

Newport Sports Committee Newport football club Adventurous sailing on a budget! Book review ‘The Cruise of Luna Quest’

WORK 36 58 60

Newport surgery Newport Business Association Coffee for commuters

50 66

EDITORIAL

Letter from the editor

NEWPORT FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BELOW: NEWPORT NEWS, NO 1, SUMMER 1974

JOHN GORDON

ith possible changes afoot in the village we thought that it might be helpful to set out Newport News’ policy. From the very beginning some 38 years ago we have tried, besides entertaining and informing our readers, to fulfil two functions, the first being to act as a mirror to reflect what is happening in Newport. The second purpose is to act as an information quarry for future generations to draw upon and understand what was happening as it happened. In order to be impartial and to be in nobody’s pocket, apart from the first two issues, which were in part subsidised by the Parish Council, I believe that we have taken no money from the Parish or District Councils or any special interest group, except as payment for advertisements. By relying solely on advertising income, subscriptions and donations we can truly be free of external influences. We do try and include most articles, which come in within the parameters of cost and space but we reserve the right to edit the material down so as to fit in as much as possible. Looking back over the years I think that on the whole we have succeeded in our aims, with the possible exception of the Stansted Airport issue where we admit to favouring the groups opposing the airport’s expansion, as that seemed to be the prevailing opinion of the village. In this issue the thorny question is the possible development of the village. In this connection we are carrying articles reflecting the views of the Parish Council, Newport Free Grammar School as well as the Save Newport Village group who are opposed to significant expansion.

A draft reaction is expected from Uttlesford District Council at the end of June to views lodged by March 5th, with detailed reaction by the end of next year. As always we would like to carry articles and letters expressing all shades of opinion.

R. TURNER CYCLES Repairs Accessories The Bike Shop London Road, Newport, Essex CB11 3PR 01799 540363

Summer 2012 Newport News

EDITORIAL

NEWPORT SURGERY IS 30 YEARS OLD. BELOW: FALSGROVE, THE SURGERY IN USE FROM 1970 TO 1982

Surveying the past six months much has happened, some good, some not so good. On the positive side we now have a new Vicar after fourteen months without an incumbent, a period when the church wardens and PCC did a remarkable job in keeping the church open and operating. May we welcome the Reverend Neil McLeod, who was installed on March 5th and is making an energetic start to his ministry in Newport. The Youth Club has been an amazing success and I was pleased to hear that Lady Ruggles-Brise, who opened the Club a year ago during her office as High Sheriff, was so impressed that she returned recently for an informal visit. The Newport Business Association and volunteers are doing a splendid job in keeping the station tidy. Steve Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big field in Debden Road is powering ahead and it is most rewarding seeing burgeoning allotments beginning to sprout. On the cultural front NATS are maintaining their high standard with a pantomime in January, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Robinson Crusoe and the Piratesâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;There goes the Brideâ&#x20AC;? in May. Not to be outdone the Grammar School produced a splendid â&#x20AC;&#x153;Phantom of the Operaâ&#x20AC;? in January, one of the first school productions of this iconic musical. Staying with the Grammar School, their Girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hockey teams have been covering themselves with glory winning a total of eleven trophies on the county and national stage. On a different level the Grammar School has applied for Academy status, which it is hoped will take effect in September. I was delighted to see the new village notice board which was erected in April at the corner of Bullfields and the High

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Newport News Summer 2012

Street. This is for the use of village residents who are invited to place any relevant notices on the board. This splendid idea emanated from the former Village Plan committee. This month the surgery will celebrate its 30th birthday, having been opened in June 1982. We are honoured to have an article by Dr John Glennie, the senior partner at the time, telling us about its planning and building, together with one by Nicola Jackson, the Practice Manager, telling us about the present arrangements. We hope next year to have an article about the forthcoming changes in the NHS, once things have settled down a bit. Newport News comes out at an awkward time this year, for we will have to wait till next time to report the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic torch parading through the village on July 7th. What I do want to comment on is the remarkable upsurge of community spirit in the planning, rehearsing and implementing of the celebrations. People sometimes comment on the rather lower level of community spirit in the village but I think that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alive and well in Newport, and we hope to have lots of pictures in our next issue to prove it. On the debit side of life we were very sad last November to hear about the demise of the old established firm of builders, A.G. Clayden, which has been around in one form or another for a century or so. Fortunately the constituent parts seem to have re-formed in smaller groups so we can still draw on their services. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about you but there do seem to be a lot more lorries on the roads. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where they are coming from or going to, especially as they seldom carry any identification on their cabs. With the possible introduction of motorway tolls I dread the increased flow of heavy vehicles as they take to the secondary roads to avoid paying. If only we could have a bypass to syphon off the traffic, two thirds of which seems to be going to Saffron Walden, judging by the relative lack of traffic in Littlebury and villages further north. Another moan is the apparent increase in the amount of litter disfiguring the village. My morning walk is more of a litter picking exercise than a pleasant stroll. As I said at the beginning we face a possible period of change. Though opinions are divided about this, what I do know is that nearly all parties concerned have the interests of the village, the Grammar School and the community at heart, sentiments which should result in the best solution being eventually forthcoming. People are united in their loyalty to the village and appreciation for the exceptional place that it is. NN

COMMUNITY

How many new houses... ...does Newport have to accept?

sk this question on the streets of Newport and you will get a variety of answers – 155, 300, 400, 600, even 900! The correct answer is NONE. Surprised? Central housing targets were abolished in June 2010, and districts are now expected to produce their own plans for development, deciding on where houses should be built, and how many. Uttlesford District Council (UDC) has been holding public consultations; the first was completed in March, and was on possible sites for development. Sites were put up for consideration by landowners, and the public had a chance to say which they thought were viable. Newport had around 14 sites listed, but some were clearly not suitable due to flooding or access problems. The next round of consultations will take place in June, and will focus on the number of houses required. Again, all Uttlesford residents are urged to participate, and have their opinions recorded. UDC will then be required to formulate a development plan for the next 15 years, to take into account all housing needs, including affordable and social, and to ensure the sustainability of each development. This all sounds perfectly reasonable – so why the Save Newport Village campaign? Developers have expressed an interest in building a new Newport Free Grammar School, at huge cost, in return for securing the land to the south of Bury Water Lane on which the older part of the school currently sits. The Grammar School is an attractive sight on Cambridge Road, and yet developers want to build a supermarket there. Obviously the repercussions for the High Street would be enormous, and a supermarket on that site would not enhance the village vista in any way. In addition, to fund the massive cost of rebuilding the school on the Rider to the north of Bury Water Lane, the developers want to build up to 600 houses. There would be large scale development all around the western edge of the village, including industrial units. Major infrastructure works would be required through and around the village. This, plus the cost of demolition and rebuilding, would also mean there would be little or no affordable housing. The current school buildings are functional, several quite new and some are historic listed buildings; the quality of schooling is mostly determined by the quality of management and staff. Newport would be changed into a town and the only beneficiaries would be developers and landowners. These proposals are completely separate to the UDC development plan. A very important consideration, when assessing proposals such as these, is their sustainability. Following the Environment Agency’s warning that water supply in the Uttlesford area is already over-abstracted and over-licensed, UDC commissioned independent consultants as part of their Local Development Framework. The consultants Hyder Consulting UK Ltd said exactly the same as the Environment Agency, except they put in bold ‘there is no additional water available for supply’. Specifically in respect of Newport they added ‘the cost of the required bypass sewer (and pumping) ….makes this location (Newport) unviable’.

The Save Newport Village campaign was formed to stop developers who offer to improve/rebuild the Grammar School at such huge cost to the village. We love Newport – it’s a great village to live in, and in a beautiful part of the county, but won’t stay that way if developers get their hands on it. You can support our campaign by joining our Facebook group or contacting us at savenewportvillage@gmail.com or on 07759 157873. NN

The Save Newport Village campaign committee: John Brading, Susan Cameron, Matthew Davidson, Neil Hargreaves, Mandy Ingham, Roy Ingham, Jo Parry, Tristan Rose

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Summer 2012 Newport News

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Olympic Torch and Carnival How to find out more At the time of writing this article, final details were still to be decided and changes may have to be made. Walden Local will advertise weekly in the run up to Carnival so watch out for further information about the events, where to buy tickets etc.

ALISON LECKY

Newport – the place to be to see the flame On Saturday July 7th the Olympic torch will be carried by convoy from Stansted Mountfitchet at 11.55am and reach Newport at approximately 12.16 pm. It will then be carried by through the village by a torch bearer. After its 20 min journey through Newport, the torch will travel by convoy to Saffron Walden. Newport is an ideal location to see the torch because it will be possible to get really close.

And what can you do? A small but dedicated band of volunteers (Mike Hannant, Mark and Elaine Murphy, Alan Carr, Sharon Bonnington, Laura Sharpe, Neil Saville, Kenny Vincent and Andrew Yarwood) have been working hard with the Parish Council to organise this fantastic programme to commemorate the Olympic Torch Relay. Their principal aim is to get people together and have fun as well as raising funds for village. So come along; either offer support to assist in running an event, take part in the Carnival or just soak up the atmosphere and have a great time. NN BELOW: PAST CARNIVALS IN NEWPORT PHOTOS TAKEN BY THE LATE BARRY HEATON

The Carnival Immediately following the flame is planned to be the Carnival Procession. Starting from the common it will travel along the High Street and return via Bury Water Lane and Wicken Road back to the common. Apart from floats created by groups in Newport, local schools in surrounding villages have also been invited to participate.

Get off the train and see the flame Visitors to Newport will be able to enjoy a great afternoon out, experiencing the torch relay, Carnival and fete. They should be encouraged to use the train as the station is so accessible to the High Street. Plenty of parking will be available on the field by Chalk Farm Road at the back of the station but drivers will need to take into account the inevitable traffic disruption caused by the torch relay to ensure they don’t miss the spectacular moment.

The Fete As soon as the Carnival returns to the common, the fete will ensue. Village groups and organisations have been invited to set up traditional stalls. To suit the mood of a family day out, live music will be provided by the Dennis Stratton Story (Dennis is ex-lead guitarist from Iron Maiden) and The Scratchband. For thrills and adventure, there will be quad bikes, trampolines, chair planes, a bouncy slide and castle.

And there’s more! Saturday night live entertainment After the fete has been cleared away, on Saturday evening, Van Gogh’s Ear, a live band will perform popular music from recent decades and Fat Bloke and Slim will sing. This will be a ticketed event which all the family can enjoy. There will be a licensed bar.

Race Night to start the ball rolling! On Fri 6th July, in the Village Hall, horses (wooden!) will race and punters will be able to place their bets at the Tote. Tickets will include a chilli supper. Hayley Bennett, a singer, will provide a musical highlight.

Newport News Summer 2012

WIN PHOTOGRAPHIC £ COMPETITION

We are looking for photographs of the Olympic Torch Relay, the Carnival Procession, Village Fete, or Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The winning entry will win £25 and will be used for the ‘Newport News’ Winter 2012 cover. Entries should be emailed to barney@design-mill.co.uk and will be judged by the ‘Newport News’ team. Closing date 1 September 2012. Good luck and we very much look forward to receiving your entries.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Cover story Brian Sanders Following National Service in 45 Commando Royal Marines Brian became a professional artist. For more than five decades he has worked in every area of the illustrative arts working for newspapers, magazines, book publishing, government agencies, film, television and art education. His work has encompassed all formats, from large-scale military paintings to postage stamps, of which he has designed over fifty sets world-wide: from Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Isles, to the Marshal Isles of the Pacific. As well as ‘A History of WW2 in Postage Stamps’, he has also designed a series of forty coins in tandem with a set of thirty two stamps entitled: ‘Historic Fighting Ships’.

The front cover was drawn by professional artist, Brian Sanders, and features the Newport Olympic torch bearer, Helen Patterson

NewportNews IKCC;H (&'( De -- ($+&

He has exhibited widely, including one-man shows at The Imperial War Museum, York Castle Museum, The Association of Illustrators Gallery, National Trust of Cornwall Trelissic

Gallery and The Sir Rowland Hill Gallery. There are permanent exhibitions of his work at the James Herriot Museum, Yorkshire and The Unicover Postal Museum in Wyoming USA. His British stamp art can be seen at The British Postal Museum and Archive and his painting of HM the Queen’s presentation of Standards to the Royal Tank Regiment is in the collection of the RTR Museum. Working in partnership with the artist and writer Lizzie Sanders, to whom he is married, they have jointly produced many 3D publications including ‘An Edwardian Doll House’ and an accurately detailed scale model of Stonehenge. Recently Brian executed the artwork for a large-scale pop-up model and other illustrations of the ship, for a book about Titanic. He has also written and illustrated ‘Evacuee a Wartime Childhood’ about his early life in Saffron Walden. NN

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HELEN PATTERSON Helen is a consultant oncologist at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, specializing in prostate cancer. She is greatly appreciated by her patients and their families for her kindness as well as her medical skills. In 2010 she ran the London marathon, raising funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity. In March this year she was herself diagnosed with incurable metastatic angiosarcoma with a very poor prognosis. Despite this, and the debilitating effects of the treatment, she continues to run, most recently in the Cambridge Race for Life, raising money for Cancer Research UK. Helen will carry the Olympic Torch through Newport on July 7. This will give Helen a thrill she richly deserves. It will be a beautiful memory for her patients, her colleagues, her friends and her children.

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www.countryhouseinteriors.co.uk Summer 2012 Newport News

PEOPLE

No weighting around for Dom ANDY SIVELL

As incredible as it may sound, Newport has its own world champion and record holder. Multiple world record holder, in fact. And we’re not talking tiddly-winks or pushing-a-potatowith-your-nose type records here. Domenic ‘Dom’ Fazzani holds two world weight lifting records. He’s just 20 years old. om is the World Powerlifting Federation (WPF) World Champion in the teenage 125kgs class. He achieved it by raising the world bench press record by almost a third again, from 140kgs to 200kgs, and by setting a new world squat record at 287.5kgs, or more than twice his own weight. Try typing ‘Domenic Fazzani’ into You Tube, and then click on ‘62.5kg dumbbell clean and press’. It shows Dom lifting the biggest dumbbell you’ve ever seen above his head, with one arm. Most engaging of all however, is when he then turns round to face the camera before smiling shyly. With the weight of a small adult still in his outstretched arm, he looks for all the world as if he’s casually hanging onto one of those overhead passenger rails on the London Underground. (Editor’s note: 62.5kgs is 9st 12lbs.) Dom is a local lad, born and bred. He shares a house in Bowker Close with his mother Amanda. His grandfather Len, ‘Nan’ Pat and uncle Dino live around the corner in Cherry Garden Lane. A pupil at both Newport Primary and Newport Free Grammar School, his time at the former was largely un-noteworthy apart from, “an extraordinary ability to throw a tennis ball a very long way!” At Newport Free Grammar he

Newport News Summer 2012

played rugby. According to his grandfather he wasn’t very fast, but could regularly be seen, “charging down the field with the ball, dragging 4-5 lads behind him”. The family were always aware that he never lacked ambition. “When he sets his mind to something, he does it”, says Len. He recounts how, aged 15, Dom wanted to buy and ride a unicycle. They got him one, took him to the cricket ground and ooh’d and aah’d for a bit, before the novelty of watching him fall off every few minutes wore thin. So they left him to it. Two hours later Dom returned home, riding the unicycle. Cycling generally captured young Dom’s imagination, but for everyone else it was his obvious and unnatural strength. Out riding together one day his uncle Dino was a little unnerved to be overtaken by Dom pedalling up the hill leading from the fire station, in top gear! Moments later there was a loud bang as his bike’s sprocket exploded. Dom was 15 when he started weight training, using a single dumbbell bought by his grandfather. He created a little circuit in his bedroom, doing 50-100 press-ups every night. Then he started using a bench press in his friend Kesley Dedman’s garage, and from there he joined a weightlifting gym in Cambridge, where he also met the man who would become his coach, Richard Patman. Twelve months later he entered his first competition, the East Midlands Master and Juniors, and won it. Today Dom trains 5–6 times a week for an hour and a half to two hours at a time. A typical session will include benchpressing 200kgs and a ‘walk-out’ carrying 300kgs on his back. He has lifted 410kgs before now. He now wants to go after more world records in a lower weight class (his weight, not the weight he’ll be lifting). He also wants to win Britain’s Strongest Man, before taking a shot at the World’s Strongest Man Competition. Place your bets now ladies and gentlemen, and remember that you read it here first. NN

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Summer 2012 Newport News

PEOPLE

Newport neighbours JOHN GORDON

117 Frambury Lane Josephine Smith Starting off on my one-man mission once again to visit every household in Newport, I knocked on the door of 117 Frambury Lane, one of the twelve flats divided between two blocks built around 1985 opposite the surgery. Here I found Josephine (Josie) Smith, who told me that her parents, Nathan and Ocean Smith, both came from a long line of Romany gypsies. The family used to work for Richard Finzel and parked their caravan, when they weren’t travelling, on his land at Clavering. But following the deaths of her parents Josephine came to live in Newport, bringing with her the photos and decorations from the caravan. She much appreciates the quiet and enjoys going to the Wednesday morning coffee mornings at Church House. She has a brother in Stansted and a sister in Kent, with both of whom she’s constantly in touch.

123 Frambury Lane Lucas and Anna Kapalka Leaving Josephine I tried both 119 and 121 unsuccessfully before striking lucky at number 123, where I found Lucas and Anna Kapalka from Poland, both born in 1985, together with their two young children, Oscar and Mikolay, born in 2010 and 2011 respectively. I asked Lucas why they had left their homeland to come to England, and they told me that they had come for opportunity and to learn English. They had settled first of all in Saffron Walden but had found that a bit noisy and two years ago had moved to Newport and found it quiet and peaceful. Initially Lucas had worked at Pedleys but when that closed down he and Anna reversed roles, Lucas becoming a househusband looking after the two children and Anna going to work at

Newport News Summer 2012

JOSEPHINE SMITH

the laundry in Saffron Walden. Oscar goes to Oliver’s Lodge and both boys are destined for the Primary school. Lucas and Anna both like living here and find people very friendly. There are a number of Polish people living in the area and they are glad that they made the move.

129 Frambury Lane Grace Griffin and Lloyd Griffin I then reached number 129 where I found Grace Griffin and her son Lloyd and here I struck gold in that Grace is a local girl whose forebears on both sides have lived in the area for centuries. Grace herself is the daughter of the late Harry Camp from Farnham, 1919-2010, one of eight children, and Marjorie Cooper from Rickling, 1918-2003, one of four. The Camp family lived in Widdington where Grace went to primary school under Miss King. Leaving there at eleven she went on to the County High, which had but recently opened. She left at sixteen and after working for a local family for two years, at eighteen she went to the Rye Street Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford to do a three-year nursing course, qualifying in 1961. That same year she married her suitor, George Griffin, born in 1936, LUCAS AND ANNE KAPALKA WITH OSCAR AN D MIKOLAY

the son of Percy Griffin, 1892-1960 and Edith Sell, 1899-1976 who lived in Bury Water Lane. George was one of the village postmen. There followed a time of great sadness for Grace as she lost her two brothers, Fred in 1964 aged seventeen and Michael in 1972 aged eighteen, both killed in motorcycle accidents. Grace lost three children prematurely before Lloyd was delivered safely in 1965, followed by Vanessa two years later. The family moved to 95 Frambury Lane in 1972. Grace did a number of jobs such as working at the Men’s Club, at Biggs’ Nurseries and many different private houses. In fact she worked for nearly all her married life. George retired early in 1993, the year before he died on 9th December 1994 from heart problems, after which Grace moved to her present home with Lloyd. She greatly misses George who she said was a splendid husband. Grace has had a difficult time of late, surviving breast cancer in 2008, a new knee, ulcers and last year she became blind from glaucoma. Through all these difficulties she remains amazingly cheerful and resilient. Lloyd is a wonderful son who is loving, supportive and protective and it is a lesson to see them together. Vanessa is also very supportive from her home in Saffron Walden. Turning to Lloyd I asked him to tell me a little about his life. He told me that he was born in 1965 in Cambridge and at five went first of all to Clavering primary school before transferring to Newport in 1972. He then went on to the County High aged eleven in 1976, leaving at sixteen to work for a chemical company from 1981 to 1990, followed by six happy years at Proctor & Gamble in Shire Hill. He then had a stint in the hotel industry before moving to railways, working for West Anglia Great Northern. He loves the interaction with the customers and helping out in emergencies. Lloyd’s eyes light up when talking about railways, as they are his keenest interest. He goes all over the country visiting volunteer railway companies, which have been brought back to life due to enormous voluntary work. His favourite is the West Somerset line,

PEOPLE

GRACE ON HER WEDDING DAY AT WIDDINGTON WITH HER FATHER HARRY CAMP

GRACE AND LLOYD

running from near Taunton to Minehead. He also goes to Europe on similar expeditions. His other interest is playing the church organ and he has helped out here on many occasions. He has raised money for Saffron Sight and other charities and is altogether a most contributing person. Finally I asked about Vanessa - she was born in 1967 at Cambridge and went to school at Newport and then to

the County High followed by Harlow College at sixteen. She married Frank Zammutt from Gibraltar in 1990 and they have two daughters, Lucy, a carer, and Marie, who is at the County High. They currently live in Saffron Walden. I took my leave after meeting a most affectionate and mutually supportive mother and son who have faced much adversity in their lives but have coped brilliantly.

131 Frambury Lane Edna Leys At number 131 Frambury Lane I found Edna Leys, born in 1925 in Hackney,

where her father was a bus driver. Edna told me that she went to school locally but left at fourteen to work at the Co-op in the dividend department at 50p a day. Starting in 1939, by the time she retired in 1982 she headed a department of some 40 staff. Following a blind date Edna met a young soldier, Alfred Leys, born in 1923, and married him in 1943. Almost immediately he was whisked off to war and later took part in the invasion of Europe soon after D Day. Upon demobilisation after the end of the war he returned to his old job in the electrical industry becoming an electrical inspector, eventually retiring in 1988 aged 63. Upon their marriage Alfred and Edna lived in Ilford, where they had their two sons, Brian born in 1946 and Steve born in 1959. Brian is partly retired from the motor trade and lives largely in Spain whilst Steve lives in Frambury Lane with his second wife, Nicky. Alfred and Edna were married for 62 years and received a telegram from the Queen to mark their Diamond Wedding. Sadly Alfred died in 2005 and four years later Steven persuaded his

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Summer 2012 Newport News

PEOPLE EDNA LEYS

his wife Nicky just round the corner. Her family and her travels certainly keep her looking and feeling active and healthy.

125 Frambury Lane Yvonne Rita

mother to leave London and come and live in Newport. She is now very happily retired and living in Nicky’s old flat. Edna missed London greatly to begin with as she loved travelling around the capital and exploring far afield, but now she does much the same in Essex. Most mornings see her catching the bus to Chelmsford, Braintree, Colchester, Saffron Walden, Bishop’s Stortford and many other destinations. She also enjoys going to the Newport Club and bingo on Thursday evenings at the Village Hall. She has found the people of Newport very friendly and welcoming and much appreciates having her son Steve with

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Newport News Summer 2012

At number 125 I met Yvonne Rita, who welcomed me in and introduced me to her two cats, Chater, 17 and Freddie, 14. As Yvonne said, animals play a big part in her life as she is a volunteer at the ARC (Animal Rescue Charity) in Bishop’s Stortford, where her manager is our very own Cherry Mitchell. Yvonne works in the Vets’ Room with stray cats who are brought in and looked over before eventually being rehoused. I then subjected Yvonne to my usual gentle interrogation and found that she was born in Upshire, near Waltham Abbey, in 1949, the youngest in a family of three. Upon leaving school in 1964 aged fifteen she spent six years doing piece work in a factory stringing tennis racquets. As she said proudly, ‘Virginia Wade always insisted on me stringing her racquets’. In 1970 she met a young engineer, Christopher Rita, and they married the following year. They had two children, a son, Kif, born in 1973 and a daughter, Jakana, born in 1979. I commented upon the rarity of the name Jakana and Yvonne explained that it means ‘a bird that walks on lilies’, a lily trotter. Jakana lives in Cambridge with her partner Fabrizio while Kif lives in Sawbridgeworth with his partner Hayley and they have a daughter, Lacie-Mae. Yvonne then continued her story to say that her husband Christopher had sadly died in 2000 from emphysema aged only 46 whereupon Yvonne, at the time living in Langley Upper Green, managed to swap her large council house and garden there for number 125 as she doesn’t drive and liked the fact that Newport has both train and bus connections. She has lived here since 2000 and loves the flat and the village. The neighbours are super and she feels that she has struck lucky. She has an 87-year-old mother in Bury St. Edmunds and a partner, Jonathan Morrell, who works in the NHS as a communications manager. He lives in Bishop’s Stortford where Yvonne joins him regularly, but they both like having ‘their own space’. All in all, with her family reasonably close by, a spacious, modern flat and an interesting voluntary job, life for Yvonne is good.

YVONNE RITA

‘Emelevenview’ 101A Frambury Lane As I was leaving the two blocks of flats, 117-135 Frambury Lane, I noticed that a new home had sprung up behind numbers 91-97. I knocked on the door of the very nice four-bedroomed house, and was ushered in by Jane Myers and introduced to Jane’s daughter, Jessie, and to a very large dog, Jensen. Jane explained that Jessie has Septic Optic Dysplasia, a rare life-threatening condition, and is deficient in the stress hormone cortisol. Jessie is a disabled young lady who has profound and multiple learning difficulties. She also has a wonderful attractive personality, which shines through, illuminating her face with a naughty grin. Jane told me that she was born in Leyton in 1968, left school at sixteen and after two years at Barclays Bank entered the medical insurance industry. She married in 1992 and the following year gave birth to her son Tom, now a happy, healthy 18-year-old at Helena Romanes School in Dunmow, where he is studying for his A levels in forensic science and sports coaching and development. In 1996 Jane had a daughter, Jessie, and almost immediately she realised that something was not quite right. From that moment on Jane concentrated on learning all that she could about Jessie’s condition and how to live positively with her daughter’s disability. One of the first things she learnt was how including everyone in the community whatever their disability is extremely important. She also discovered very quickly that it is essential for the disabled child to be educated in their local mainstream school with the right educational support. Jane did not want her daughter to be put on a bus and transported across the county to a special school with just children with disabilities. She wanted a local school with local children and everyone to know Jessie for being the most incredibly inspirational young person that she is!

PEOPLE JANE, TOM AND JESSIE MYERS

Jessie attends Newport Free Grammar School. It was quite difficult originally to secure her place there but with tenacity and by working in partnership with various agencies it has all worked out very well. At school Jessie is supported by two medically trained support staff from a dedicated pool of learning support assistants, plus a specialist teacher. Jessie is flourishing thanks to all these people, and of course the redoubtable Cathie Hastings, the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. There are now three other children who also have special educational needs. A new learning support building was built in 2010, which houses the facilities to support all children with additional learning needs. This includes a sensory room, a physiotherapy room, accessible changing areas, showers and toilets, additional classrooms, two offices and a conference room. Jane meanwhile has joined and set up support groups for families of disabled children. In 2000 she started working for a charity in Bishop’s Stortford and very quickly became a voice for carers and one of the first carer representatives

on the Essex Partnership Board for people with learning difficulties. In 2004 Jane set up ‘Partners in policy making’ in the Eastern Region, which is a leadership development course for parents of disabled children and disabled adults. The courses are hugely empowering by equipping parents with the tools needed to get the best life possible for their children. Jane also set up the Essex Carers’ Network which is still going very strong today. She also chaired the Local Action Group in Uttlesford until 2007 when she took a few years out of work to support the transition of Jessie going into Newport Free Grammar School. In June 2010, Jane started working in Saffron Walden with a national charity,

Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA), which gives free legal advice to parents of children with special educational needs via a helpline, which is manned by volunteers. Last November she moved into her new home, something she had been planning and pushing for several years. It is a specially adapted four bedroomed home with a wet room and level access. Jane, Tom and Jessie are thrilled with the house and found it to be all that she had hoped for. Jane and Jessie have appeared on various radio and television programmes and have taken part in several campaigns for children with learning difficulties. Jane has been very impressed by the friendliness of the people of Newport and the lengths to which the Grammar School has gone to make it all work. “The whole education authority in Essex has been brilliant,” she said. “Life is fantastic and all of the planning that I have been doing for years has come together at last!” It’s not often that I come away from an interview following a knock on the door with such a feeling of admiration for someone’s sheer, prolonged ‘gutsiness’. NN

HAIR AT SPARROWS HILL LIVERY, NEWPORT, SAFFRON WALDEN, ESSEX, CB11 3TU. SIMON CHANDLER 07732 461953 chandler354@btinternet.com

Summer 2012 Newport News

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EDITORIAL

Good moaning,Newport GOOD MOANING NEWPORT is asking all readers who may have minor or major irritations concerning the village to write in & express their thoughts, opinions and suggestions on how they can be resolved. A lot of the time these can be sorted by just letting people know how we feel. Please no personal vendettas, or issues that should only be discussed with the local authorities or Police. No names or addresses will be published.

Email: goodmoaning@newportnews.org.uk

s we go about our daily lives in Newport most of us are courteous, law abiding drivers that think of others when driving or parking our vehicles. There is a big BUT here though, we do have some that park their cars without thinking of the laws they are breaking or the inconvenience they are causing. A lot of the time it is drivers from outside the village who cause all manner of problems, for instance parking right outside Newport Stores (on the white lines or even zebra crossing) or the astoundingly stupid, parking across the entrance to the car park, this is also access to a private residence now. But there are locals that park without thought for others around the village and this we would like to change. Why should pedestrians, parents/carers with prams, parents/carers with small children or residents in

wheelchairs have to walk in the road? Cambridge Road, London Road, the High Street and Wicken Road are very busy during the day, as is Frambury Lane. The parallel parking in Frambury Lane makes it very awkward to negotiate in larger vehicles. We must always be aware that emergency vehicles must have clear access to our residential areas. Shortly we will be seeing a lot more farm vehicles travelling through our village too! And we must allow them the space to manoeuvre safely. Please spare a thought for others when parking your car in the village. NN

Is that a Derry accent? A poem by Miranda Pender Liam. Black hair tumbling into slanting darklashed eyes the colour of ripe greengages. Voice somewhere between a whine and a growl. Skinny beneath the scratchy navy pullover he keeps on in bed. We sleep together, not so much for sex as to stay warm – my jumper, soft and baggy brown, pressed against his, unravelling. Birmingham lies deadened under four foot snowdrifts; buses stop running. We walk to lectures and when the library closes, to warm pubs where beer costs less than electricity. Where they rattle tins for ‘the Cause’.

Waterloo House High Street Newport, Essex CB11 3PG

Not just a garden centre! Our flower shop offers a full floristry service.

Suzie s Teas

Memories of the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town blown apart – still I contribute, ashamed of my cowardice. Liam and I are talking. A man pauses. ‘Is that a Derry accent?’ The man stares at me. I look wrong: too pink, too sweet, too damn English. Pushing aside our half-drunk pints of beer, Liam takes my hand. ‘Come on. We’re finished here.’

Open Tues – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

01799 540858 Summer 2012 Newport News

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Waldstock 2012 MIRANDA PENDER

y the time you read this edition of Newport News, you may well have started to see posters advertising Saffron Walden’s very own music festival, to be held at the Fighting Cocks PH at Wendens Ambo over the weekend of 30 June/1 July. But what exactly is Waldstock? To answer this question I spoke to local musician Barney French, who has been organising the event for the past two years. “The primary purpose is to raise money for local charities,” said Barney. “Last year we were able to donate £2500, and this year we hope it will be even more.” The Waldstock committee makes a point of choosing local good causes to support, ones which, in Barney’s words, “genuinely make a difference”. This year it will be Carver Barracks Injured Soldiers’ Fund, BEARS (formerly MEDICS, the emergency doctor service), Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge and the Day Centre in Jubilee Gardens, Saffron Walden. All organisers and volunteers give their time free of charge, and all the ticket money goes directly to the chosen charities.

ALICEBAND

So what can we expect to hear at this year’s festival? Barney is delighted to announce that top of the bill on Saturday night are the Rollin’ Clones, one of the UK’s premier tribute bands. Also appearing are the Pink Floyd Dimension, EZ10, SuperCasino, AlicebanD, The Willows, The Abstracts, Dave Gerard and many more. The emphasis is on musicians from Essex, Herts and Cambs, across a wide variety of genres: rock, pop, blues, jazz, folk... something to suit just about everyone. You can view the full line-up on the website: www.waldstock.co.uk. Waldstock is a family-friendly event with attractions such as a bouncy castle, face-painting, jugglers, ice-cream and craft stalls, and there is plenty of cover

HER C A E T ITAR U G S BAS llin’ Clones styles & R A GUIT itarist with The Rcohes a variety of u ea Lead g ly trained – t e l a elcom w s r Classic e inn ine nd beg a n e e or m r m d o h r Chil you ach in e t n a C

Newport News Summer 2012

Dan Ketteridge

01799 500101 07862 278404 fig6@hotmail.com

THE ROLLIN’ CL ONES

just in case the weather is less than kind. Norman Bishop and Diane Halliday of the Fighting Cocks will be providing ample supplies of food, and the refreshment tent will feature a range of specially-chosen real ales. Another of the festival’s aims is to create partnerships with local businesses. If you are reading this soon after publication, there may still be time to arrange a sponsorship or promotion, or book a stall for the weekend. Please contact Barney via the website above. Tickets for Waldstock are available from the Tourist Information Office in Saffron Walden, or at the Fighting Cocks. They are incredibly good value at £10 for the two days – worth that just to hear the Clones! There will be a limited number of tickets on sale at the gate, but to avoid the queues and make sure you get in, it’s best to buy them in advance. The festival will run from 12 noon – 11.45pm on Saturday 30th June and 12 noon – 7.30pm on Sunday 1st July. There is nothing like live music in the open air in summer, so why not try Waldstock? NN

HISTORY

Newport local history group ANTHONY TUCK, CHAIRMAN

he Group concluded its autumn programme last year with two talks on very different subjects. Magnus Alexander, from English Heritage, showed how recent archaeological work at Audley End, together with surviving documents, revealed much about the house and grounds as they were originally built in the seventeenth century. In November Mike Osborne also used surviving plans to describe in interesting detail the airfield at Debden, which played an important part in the Second World War. This year began with Anthony Tuck giving a talk about Anne Pollard, a young girl from Saffron Walden who migrated to America in 1630 and lived to the age of 105. She was probably the

Programme of Meetings for Autumn 2012 Thursday 20 September Malcolm White, “The Place-Names of Saffron Walden.” Thursday 25 October David Sherlock, “The Conservation of Priors Hall Barn, Widdington”. Thursday 22 November Rachel Clarke, “Tilty Abbey” (to follow a visit there this summer). All meetings are at 8.00pm in Church House. Admission is £2, but free to members. Please contact Anthony Tuck telephone 543833 for further information.

last survivor of the 1630 migration, and became in effect an icon of the early settlement in Boston. This was followed in February by a talk from Arthur Burns on Conrad Noel, the socialist vicar of Thaxted in the 1930s, an influential and controversial figure who combined high church views with powerful left-wing sympathies. In March Norman Jacobs gave us a vivid and entertaining audiovisual presentation about Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Clacton from the 1930s until its eventual closure in the 1980s. It brought back memories for some people, and reminded us all how much the character of holidays has changed since the Camp’s heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. The programme of talks for the rest of 2012 appears in the panel on this page. The Newport Victoria County History Group has now completed work on several parts of the project, including Education, Transport, the Shortgrove estate and the property owned in Newport by the Quendon Hall estate. Work on the Church is approaching completion. Some of the Group’s work now appears on the VCH Essex web site: www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/ counties/essex/work-in-progress, and click on Newport Project. The Local History Group welcomes new members: for further information, please get in touch with Anthony Tuck, telephone 01799 543833. NN

Heritage Open Days Weekend in Newport – 8/9 September 2012 Heritage Open Days is the biggest annual national heritage festival in the country. A million people participate, visiting over 4,000 interesting historic buildings and places. Normally, these are places that are not usually open to the public, and which are opened for free over the course of the weekend. The first ever Newport Heritage Open Days weekend will be held this year over the weekend of 8–9 September. The main attraction will be an exhibition of Terry Searle’s memorabilia and bygones in the Village

BEN COWELL

Hall. Most of his collection, nearly all of which relates to Newport, has been in store for several years, and this will be the first opportunity since 2003 for people to see it on public display. Since it is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year, we also hope to display many of the memorabilia about previous royal events that we have in our collections, and if anyone has any souvenirs that they would be willing to lend us to be included in the exhibition, please let Anthony Tuck know. In addition, we will invite visitors to walk the Newport history trail, taking in some of the most important historic spots within the village. The weekend will hopefully encourage many new visitors to come to Newport, as well as being of interest to locals. The 8–9 September is also the closing weekend of the Paralympic Games. Therefore, just as Newport will play its part in the opening of the Olympics (though the torch procession), so we can contribute to the end of the ‘Summer of Celebration’. Ben Cowell would be delighted to hear from anyone willing to volunteer to help with Newport Heritage Open Days. He can be contacted on 07768 352 067 or ben.cowell@nationaltrust.org.uk. More information on Heritage Open Days can be seen at: www.heritageopendays.org.uk NN

Summer 2012 Newport News

COMMUNITY

Development in Newport THE POSITION OF NFGS PAUL GRAY CHAIR OF GOVERNORS, NFGS

ecent publicity about development proposals in Newport in the run-up to the preparation of the Uttlesford local plan has, very understandably, led to questions from local residents about the attitude of the school to such possibilities. The school does not wish to take a view about whether or not there should be further development in Newport. That is a decision to be taken through the normal planning arrangements, following consultation

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Newport News Summer 2012

with the local community, in which all views can be aired, but during which the school intends to maintain a neutral stance and to accept the outcome of the process. The duty and proper role of the school Governors and Trustees is to promote and protect the interests of our students, both present and future, thereby ensuring they receive the best possible education and opportunities. In that we serve the interests of families both in Newport and many other local communities. That responsibility takes many forms, including seeking to maximise the quality of the physical accommodation and other facilities in the school – a challenging task with an estate which includes buildings across a dispersed site from the Victorian era (with the protections of listed building status) and every post-war decade. It also includes ensuring the physical safety of our students – another challenging task as they have regularly to cross Bury Water Lane during the school day, and many of them are exposed to the dangers of the inadequate pedestrian arrangements on Cambridge Road at either end of the school day. It is against that background that the school needed to consider initial approaches from Pelham Structures. These raised the possibility that, were some development to be approved on areas of land bordering the school, that could provide funds (through a Section 106 agreement) to finance improvements to, or rationalisation of, the school buildings, coupled with safer road and access arrangements around the school site. The Governors and Trustees concluded it was essential at least to consider whether such ideas, were they to prove feasible and financially viable, would be to the benefit of our students in future. Indeed not to have done so would have been a dereliction of our duty. Since those initial approaches, as is now well known a range of possible

options involving the school have been put forward and publicly aired. That has more recently coincided with the consultation exercise in advance of preparation of the Uttlesford local plan. This included the option for all landowners to indicate whether they would wish their land to be considered as potentially available should the local plan include proposed allocations of land for housing or other development purposes in Newport. After taking professional advice the Governors and Trustees, again in line with our formal duties and responsibilities, concluded that they wished to keep open all options under this process which could be of benefit to the school and its students. Accordingly they have decided to enter into no understandings or partnerships with any other parties, and have indicated to Uttlesford District Council that some or all of the school’s land could be considered as available for development should that be judged through the planning process to be appropriate. We now await the outcome of the local plan process. Were no development to be approved for Newport the school would continue, as we have in the past, to attempt to maintain and improve our facilities (and mitigate our safety risks) to the best of our abilities within the prevailing climate for public spending. Were some development to be approved for Newport, whether in relation to the school’s land or elsewhere, we would consider any proposals affecting the school’s facilities that may be forthcoming on their merits and decide whether it is in the school’s interests to pursue them. We would, however, be under no obligation to pursue any such ideas if we concluded they would not benefit the school. In either event the Governors and Trustees would continue to be mindful in their decision-making of the views of those in all the communities we serve. NN

NEWS FAMILY AND LOCAL HISTO RY EVENTS IN SAFFRON WALD EN

Noticeboard G OURHOOD MEETIN NEWPORT NEIGHB n t has now bee

Conservation Advice on conservat ion of books, documents including parchment, old maps etc Saffron Walden Library Friday 22nd June 10.30–13.00 14.0 0–15.30, Free

A new forma Neighbourhood meetings. sider of to raise any issues they con introduced for residents um to let hood, This is an open for concern in the neighbour es. The n and to discuss local issu residents share informatio ighbourhood Derrick Giffin Newport Ne meeting will be chaired by ort wp parish a representative from Ne watch coordinator, With in attendance. council and Essex Police . in the Newport Fire Station Meetings are held at 7pm 622. 543 99 tact Derrick Giffin 017 For dates of meetings con om Email: d.giffin@btinternet.c e Team Neighbourhood Polic : Mick Couldridge Neighbourhood inspector n ext 395120) Tel no 101 (Saffron Walde Sgt 856 Mike Raper nnah Griffiths Beat Officer Pc 70664 Ha onnell-Smith P C S O : 7816 Mike O’D rey P C S O : 71944 Rose Cla 15 856 790 077 bile mo Beat hour 101 is the Essex Police 24 ber non–Emergency num

Discover Parish Records Training Session Saffron Walden Library Tuesday 10th July 10.30 –12.30 Booking essential, Max 6 per sessi on. Cost £10 per pers

on. History of Castle Street and Saff ron Walden Museum Museum Saturday 15th September Internet Resources for Family History Training Session Saffron Walden Library Tuesday 23rd October 10.30 – 12.0 0 or 14.00 – 15.30 Booking essential. Max 6 per sessi on. Cost £10 per person Contact Zofia Everett for further information 01799 523178

IS WHEELCHAIR FREINDLY TAX

05 645849 Ollys Wheelchair Friendly (SW) 079 376 432 71 079 ) Acme Transport (Takeley 818 NCS (Widdington) 01799 542 ort) 24 x 7 (Elsenham and Stansted Airp 128 661 79 01279 816126 or 012 323 E-Cabs (Great Dunmow) 01371 873

In a Emergency ALWAYS call 999

NEWPORT POST OFFICE Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst Surgery Date Friday 8th June, 7.00–7.45pm The Old Armoury 3 Museum Street, Saffron Walden No appointment is necessary but if you require any assistance please ring 01799 506349.

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Summer 2012 Newport News

HISTORY

Echoes of the Smiths of Shortgrove DAVID EVANS

oseph Smith (1757-1822) made a very advantageous second marriage in 1798 at St George’s, Hanover Square, London to the beautiful heiress Margaret Cocks (17731847). Joseph was personal secretary to William Pitt the younger and through hard work and patronage had become an important and well off functionary. His marriage to Margaret Cocks, a niece of the wealthy banker subsequently Lord Somers, brought with it a substantial fortune, possibly as much as £100,000. This enabled the Smiths to maintain a grand life style in a substantial house in Hereford St and then to buy in 1802 the Shortgrove Hall estate from Percy Charles Wyndham. By 1811 Joseph Smith had a large family comprising one daughter and five sons and was well established as lord of the manors of Newport Pond and Shortgrove. The Smiths were pious, charitable and well liked and they provided much needed support for the poor and assisted in education of their children. At some point in that year Joseph Smith decided that the family should acquire more silverware presumably as a display of status and wealth to use when they had important visitors. Initially a suite of seventeen dinner plates was ordered from the eminent London silversmiths William and John Frisbee. Sometime later at an unknown date, a further eight plates of similar design in sterling silver were purchased by Joseph. The total of twenty five plates became part of the heirloom silver collection of the Smith family. On Joseph’s death, Shortgrove estate passed to his eldest son William Charles Smith. These plates must have been part of the large collection of silverware which so impressed the family of Rev John James Smith, (one of William’s

Newport News Summer 2012

brothers) on a visit to Shortgrove. His daughter described the scene of a glittering formal dinner at Shortgrove involving a number of local worthies in a subsequent journal. This was transcribed in an article in Newport News No. 75, p28. The extent of the heirloom silver collection was recently revealed by research at the Cambridgeshire Record Office. Document 588E/110 contains an inventory of the sterling silver and silver plated articles together with three letters dated 1883 (shortly after William’s death). The collection of sterling silver items comprised some 580 items weighing about 4,310 oz. Troy or about 128kg of pure silver worth about £90,000 at today’s price. Many of the items were small such as forks, spoons and trinkets but there were also around 130 large items such as tea and coffee pots, ice pails and a large range of tableware. The latter include many large plates and somewhat unexpectedly, 72 dinner plates with an average weight of 19 oz. Troy. In 1883 William Charles Smith died and the entailed estate passed to Joseph C T Heriz Smith his nephew who chose not to live at the Hall. William’s wife, Fanny Rowley Smith, left Shortgrove and took up residence at Plaw Hatch, Bishop’s Stortford (known today as Pearce House). Besides a range of legacies including cash, furniture and personal possessions such as jewellery, Fanny Smith was given a life interest in the heirloom silver. She kept the collection until her death in 1898 when it was returned to the Trustees. The subsequent fate of the heirloom silver is not known but it is probable that the bulk of it was sold. Only a small number of the items formerly in the ownership of the Smiths can be traced today. Various documents are in archive collections, some of the paintings can be found at Kenwood in the Iveagh bequest and a lovely miniature of Margaret Smith is at the Victoria and Albert Museum. However, part of the collection of plates surfaced again in 2009 at a sale ‘of the collection of a Lady’ at Christie’s, London. The description of the pertinent lot is ‘a set of seventeen

FIGURE 1: TYPICAL LONDON HALLMARKS FOR 1811

FIGURE 2: MAKER’S MARKS FOR WILLIAM FRISBEE, SILVERSMITH OF LONDON

George III silver dinner plates and eight dinner plates en suite of later date. The seventeen with mark of William and John Frisbee, London 1811, eight modern. Each shaped circular, the ropework borders heightened with flowers and sheaves of wheat, the border engraved with a coat-of-arms, each marked on the back and later engraved with a scratchweight, 25cm diameter. The seventeen are 322oz (10,029g) and the eight 180oz (5,587g) in sterling silver (a grand average of 19oz Troy per plate). There is overall surface scratching and wear consistent with use’ The experts at Christies were able to establish part of the provenance of these plates from the hallmarks impressed on the back of the seventeen plates. The first mark, a crowned leopard’s head, denotes that the article was assayed at the London assay office; the second ‘lion passant’ shows that the item was assayed and found to conform to the requirement for purity as sterling silver and the third, the letter ‘Q’, shows that it was assayed in 1811. Other marks would have been the ‘duty paid mark’ and the ‘maker’s mark’. The first illustration shows sterling silver marks for 1811; the second shows examples of William Frisbee’s maker’s mark though neither of these illustrations is reproduced from these specific plates. The connection with Shortgrove and the Smiths was established by the coatof-arms engraved on each plate. The arms are those of Smith of Shortgrove with those of Cocks of Dumbleton, in pretence, for Joseph Smith and his wife Margaret, nee Cocks shown in Figure 3. The large shield is that of Smith and

FIGURE 3 (LEFT): MARITAL COAT OF ARMS OF JOSEPH SMITH. (AN IMAGE FROM THE LHG COLLECTION)

the smaller one at the head of the chevron is that of Cocks. The small semicircular markings in the latter are attires of stags i.e. stag’s antlers. The crest is an Indian black bearded goat on a ducal coronet. The motto is translated as ‘Patience’. This image does not do justice to the rich ‘tinctures’ (colours) used in heraldry but is perhaps more like the outline arms which would have been engraved on the plates. These two shields were subsequently quartered in the arms of Joseph’s heirs William Charles Smith and Joseph C T Heriz-Smith. There are no photographs accessible for the plates but their provenance is

virtually guaranteed by the hallmarks and coat-of-arms taken together. The pre-sale estimate was £10,000£15,000 but surprisingly intense bidding resulted in a hammer price plus buyer’s premium of £56,450! Christies also list other George III silver and engraved with the Smith/Cocks arms sold by them: • Silver wine coolers by William Frisbee, 1810 (London Dec 1997) • Silver tray by Benjamin Laver, 1784, later engraved (New York, October 1999) • Three meat dishes by Benjamin Laver, London, 1784, later engraved (New York, Oct. 1981) Certainly George III silver is of great interest to collectors. We do not know the seller’s or buyer’s identity but the latter must have been very determined to own these interesting plates as the hammer price was five times the valuation. Whether this buyer had some connection with the Smith family or Shortgrove is not known. This substantial list of silverware sold by

HISTORY this important but by no means only auctioneer involved in this lucrative trade are from London silversmiths of high repute. One can only wonder if other items from this collection survive and what they might command in today’s market. There can be no doubt that Joseph Smith and his descendants would have been amazed by the outcome of this sale. NN NOTES • Gold and silver were traditionally traded in ounces Troy, one of which is equal to 31.1035g or 1/12lb. • The price for pure silver varies every day and on Feb 2 2012 was £685/kg. • Pure silver is too soft for items of everyday use and it is normal for other metals such as copper to be added to harden it. Sterling silver which contains 92.5% silver was a standard alloy used for plates and other artefacts. To prevent fraud, items claiming to be Sterling silver cannot be legally sold in this country without the assay marks to prove it.

Summer 2012 Newport News

HISTORY

DR JOHN GLENNIE

Newport surgery is 30 years old

hirty years ago, in June 1982, the purpose-built Surgery in Frambury Lane was completed and opened by my twelve-year-old daughter, with the usual balloons, ribbons, champagne and so on. Readers with long memories may remember that, up to the mid-1960s, it was normal practice for GPs to hold surgeries in their own homes, not a very efficient or practical way to carry out their trade. The Group practice, as it was then, had surgeries in Clavering (Dr Fanning), Newport (Dr Salaman, then Dr Hunter), Debden (Dr Blake), and Thaxted (Dr Weller), plus various branch surgeries in pubs and village halls in smaller villages. In the mid-’60s, the momentous decision was made to ‘centralise’. Thus the Clavering and Newport section of the Practice acquired 55 Wicken Road (Falsgrove) and Debden and Thaxted moved to a site in Thaxted. Shortly after this the Practice was split into two, mainly due to the difficulties in covering such a large area. Falsgrove, as a Surgery, was not ideal (the original kitchen and utility rooms were not brilliant as Treatment Room and Dispensary respectively). Also the more rural parts of the practice proved rather reluctant to accept this ‘centralisation’ - so, for a number of years after Falsgrove was opened, Dr Fanning, on arriving home after finishing the evening surgery, would find another crowd of patients there waiting to be seen! In spite of an extension being added to Falsgrove in the mid’70s, by the end of that decade it was becoming obvious that a purpose-built surgery was needed to cope with ever increasing

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Newport News Summer 2012

FALSGROVE, THE SURGERY IN USE FROM 1970 TO 1982

demands and the changing pace of general practice. GPs at that time were also being encouraged by Margaret Thatcher (no less), to follow this path, and become more ‘modern’. She introduced a very attractive scheme as a carrot, whereby for any loan GPs had to take out to build a surgery, the Government would pay the interest on it - an incentive indeed! This was known as the Cost Rent Scheme. So the process of planning started in 1980. The Architects, Fitzroy Robinson of Cambridge, were hired. Permission had to be obtained from the Essex Family Practitioner Committee in Clacton, who turned out to be very generous in allowing us more space and rooms than we were strictly eligible for, on the basis that the Practice would undoubtedly enlarge in the future! The next year was filled with meetings with the architects, including one Robert (Bob) Bunten of Newport fame, who was under training with Fitzroy’s at the time. Bob did much of the work and contributed towards the success of the design and building. As no doctor can ever agree, the meetings often became rather protracted. However, thanks largely to the hard work and calming influence of our Practice Manager (Moppet CaveGibbs), a compromise was reached and a final and I think very good plan was drawn up. After numerous searches and enquiries, it transpired there was only one suitable site: the one in Frambury Lane. The Planning Committee were initially very dubious about it, as it was designated a strictly residential area. Eventually we managed to persuade them that it would suit the surrounding residences very well to have a doctors’ surgery on their doorstep! So we got our permission. The final hurdle was finding approximately £450,000 to build it. At first the banks were very reluctant to help, so we had to educate them on the merits of the Cost Rent Scheme, on which they were rather vague! Eventually they were falling over themselves to help, as they realised it was a cast-iron Government-backed scheme. However, just as we were ready to sign, the Bank Rate

HISTORY

THE DOCTORS IN 1986, FROM LEFT: DRS JOHN GLENNIE, JOHN DREWER, JOHN FANNING AND MARK STEVENS

changed, and Dr. Stevens and I spent an amusing afternoon on three phones re-negotiating the whole thing to see who would give the best deal. High Finance indeed! Finally, everything was signed and sealed, and building could begin. Amazingly, this seemed to go roughly according to plan, and I can’t remember any major hiccoughs. The building was eventually finished, roughly on time, and only one problem remained - MOVING. Once again thanks to our brilliant Practice Manager, a major operation was planned to commence after morning surgery on Saturday, and finish at 8 am on Monday. With the help of numerous husbands, boyfriends, sons and any passers-by, and, of course, our amazing staff, everything (patients’ records, dispensary, etc., etc.) was in by 8 am – and we opened for business as usual at 8.30 am! There were a few minor post-building problems, but in the end everything worked efficiently and well. I think the surgery caters well for modern medical practice, and also for the patients’ needs. I certainly found it a very nice place to work in.

P.S. In 1995 an extension was built to accommodate the greatly expanded services being provided by the surgery, such as chiropodist, dietician, physiotherapist, midwife and counsellor, plus ensuring that each doctor had a room of their own to operate in, as previously some doctors had to use whichever room was free. The extension was opened at the end of the year by 98-year-old Nancy Tennant, who had been registered with the practice for 83 years and had obviously been looked after well as she lived a further seven years, dying in 2003 aged 105. Again, the move was master-minded by the wonderful practice manager, Moppet Cave-Gibbs. Bob Bunten writes: I cannot recall how Fitzroy Robinson and Partners came to be commissioned to design the new Surgery, but my boss at the time – Douglas Leader – said that as I lived in Newport I should take charge of the project. The whole building had to be completed within a limited budget and no overrun was allowed. From my briefing with the doctors I felt that its function would best be divided into two main areas, i.e. clinical/medical and staff/administration. This set the idea of an L-shaped building which would define these distinct functions, each wing capable of being extended independently. The doctors’ consulting rooms and the waiting room seemed the most important spaces, and the building was therefore designed so that these had a southerly aspect, looking out onto a private garden for the staff to use at break times. Cost restraints meant that the roof has artificial slates instead of real ones, but I note that the choice of hardwood window frames and the type of facing brick selected have weathered quite well over the past 30 years. NN

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541358 Summer 2012 Newport News

HISTORY

Edwardian summers at Shortgrove RIGHT: SIR CARL & LADY MEYER

BELOW: LADY MEYER 1912

ANTHONY TUCK

very August between 1908 and 1912 Adele Meyer, the wife of Carl Meyer, then owner of Shortgrove, organised a vacation school for the young children of the village. For the first four years it was at Shortgrove, but in 1912 it moved to the Crown House. August was the busiest month of the year in a mainly agricultural village, and it is not surprising that the school proved popular. In 1908 Luther Mitchell sent Mrs Meyer a list of 59 children who wished to join her vacation school for either three or five afternoons per week. He did not give the numbers wishing to attend in 1909 or 1911, but in 1910, 80 children out of a total of 148 on the school roll put their names down. In 1912, however, the numbers fell to 52, with some attending only in the mornings and some only in the afternoons. The vacation school lasted for about three weeks, from early August each year, so parents and older children could get on with the harvest while the younger ones were being looked after in a constructive and organised manner. Mrs Meyer’s vacation schools were about much more than child minding. They had a serious purpose, perhaps influenced by the German idea of the Kindergarten, and they attracted national attention. A detailed account of what the children did was given in The School Guardian for July 1910. It was taken from an article by Mrs Meyer herself in British Health Review and therefore presumably refers to the vacation school in 1908 or 1909. The report in The School Guardian came to the attention of the civil servants in the Board of Education, who preserved the relevant cutting in their file on Newport Primary School. It is reproduced here by kind permission of The National Archives and the Church

Newport News Summer 2012

of England National Society, publishers of The School Guardian. “At first sight it is somewhat surprising to read of a vacation school for village children, yet Mrs Carl Meyer, in the British Health Review, makes out a very good case for such institutions, and gives an engaging description of one in operation at Newport, in Essex. It is perfectly true that the village child has plenty of fresh air to breathe, plenty of green fields about him, and in many cases a cottage garden to play in; yet it is also equally true, and not to be wondered at, that farmers will not let him romp in the August cornfields, nor disport himself at his own sweet will even in pastures, so that it often happens that his playground is practically limited to the village street and the cottage doorstep. And yet, as Mrs Meyer reminds us, to turn the long holiday weeks of these children into days of delight nothing more is needed than the corner of a field with a few spreading trees, some games and toys, a heap of clean sand and (in wet weather)

a large cricket marquee. There is education of a kind, too, given even here; the older boys and girls spending the first hour of each day sitting at long tables doing carpentry, basket weaving, or sewing, while the little ones are being taught kindergarten singing games, making pies with sand, or listening to a storyteller. Later in the day comes the time for organised games, such as cricket, basketball and rounders. Voluntary help is often available, and always welcome, but direction of the school for five afternoons in each week is left in the hands of some trained town teacher, who is willing thus to spend four or five weeks in the country and at the same time to add something to his regular salary. Of Mrs Meyer’s enthusiasm about the success of the school and of its need there can be no doubt; and it would be at once interesting and useful to know if the plan has been tried in other parts of the country.”

HISTORY Mr A. Butler, one of His Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools, commented: “I had not heard of this. Mrs (or Lady?) Meyer is much interested in the P.E.S., but she has not been a manager yet.” (P.E.S. perhaps stands for Public Elementary School.) His uncertainty about her title was understandable: her husband was created a baronet in July 1910, so she would probably have been Lady Meyer by the time the cutting reached the Board of Education on 21 July. The Board was obviously interested in Lady Meyer’s initiative, but there is no evidence in subsequent issues of The School Guardian that anyone took up the invitation to write in about vacation schools in other parts of the country. However, the Shortgrove vacation schools were still remembered in Newport more than half a century later. Writing in Newport News in 1977, Annie Moule recalled that “girls were allowed to do their favourite hobbies and boys went in for sport such as cricket etc.” In Newport News in 1991, Heather Raybould quoted Lois Chapman’s memory of how a horse and brake would be sent down to the pump in Newport and the children would pile on board for the ride up to Shortgrove. The children loved it, Lois Chapman went on: there were all sorts of games and at the end a tea party. “Up on the golf links, that’s where it was.” Although the schools were remembered mainly as fun, Lady Meyer’s purpose was to provide education through play and practical activities. Sir Carl Meyer was a wealthy international banker, but Lady Meyer described herself as “a humble social worker.” She campaigned to improve the wages and conditions of female workers in the London garment manufacturing trade, and with Clemetina Black wrote a detailed study of the trade, called Makers of our Clothes. She was a patron of the St Pancras School for Mothers, a baby care clinic, and she set up a similar clinic for mothers and babies in Newport, one of the earliest in the country outside London. She also campaigned for votes for women, though she avoided the violence that some of the suffragettes believed would advance their cause. I hope to say more about the Newport clinic in a subsequent issue of Newport News. NN

SOURCES NEWPORT COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL, HEAD TEACHERS’ LOG BOOKS 1908-1914. THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, BOARD OF EDUCATION, NEWPORT PRIMARY SCHOOL FILE, REF. ED21/5290. THE SCHOOL GUARDIAN 1909-1912. NEWPORT PARISH MAGAZINE, 1911 AND 1912. MRS CARL MEYER AND CLEMENTINA BLACK, MAKERS OF OUR CLOTHES (LONDON 1909). SLUM TRAVELERS: LADIES AND LONDON POVERTY 1860-1920, ED. ELLEN ROSS, (LOS ANGELES 2007). FLORENCE BIBBY AND OTHERS, THE PUDDING LADY (LONDON 1910). OXFORD DICTIONARY OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY, VOL. 37: ADELE MEYER, BORN 1862/3, DIED 1930. A. MOULE, ‘RESIDENTS OF SHORTGROVE HALL’, ‘NEWPORT NEWS’ 7 JUNE 1977. HEATHER RAYBOULD, ‘MEMORIES OF SIR CARL AND LADY MEYER’, ‘NEWPORT NEWS’ 35 SUMMER 1991.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I SHOULD LIKE TO THANK MRS JANE DETNON, FORMERLY HEAD TEACHER OF NEWPORT PRIMARY SCHOOL, FOR ALLOWING ME TO READ THE LOG BOOKS, AND THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THE EXTRACT FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FILES.

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Summer 2012 Newport News

COMMUNITY

Parish councilreport ANDREW YARWOOD, CHAIRMAN

Olympic Torch Relay, Village Fete, Carnival and Diamond Jubilee The Olympic Torch Relay will visit us on the 7th July commencing at the Spinney on London Road at 12.15pm moving slowly through the village centre to Shortgrove by about 12.30. After a short break we hope to have a carnival procession moving from Station Road, along the High Street, up to the Grammar School, moving up Bury Water Lane, School Lane, and left, back down Wicken Road, turning right into the High Street, along the High Street, and London Road finishing at the Common. The Newport Fete Committee are working on a traditional village fete for Newport on the same weekend. Preceding the Olympic Torch Relay, the Grammar School are planning a

m . p. b at e m a n fine joiner traditional craftsman s p e c i a l i s i n g i n t h e wo o dwo r k o f h i st o r i c a n d l i st e d b u i l d i n g s s y m pat h e t i c r e pa i r s t o a l l a s p e c t s o f j o i n e ry t o b e st s av e h i st o r i c fa b r i c h a n d m a d e n e w j o i n e ry u s i n g t r a d i t i o n a l m e t h o d s t o m at c h o r i g i n a l d e s i g n s o r b u i lt t o n e w s p e c i f i c at i o n s i n c l u d i n g d o o r s , f r a m e s , w i n d ow s , sta i r b u i l d i n g , pa n e l l i n g , f l o o r b oa r d s r e pa i r a n d r e p l ac e m e n t o f d e c o r at i v e a rc h i t e c t u r a l e l e m e n t s s u c h a s c a rv e d o r t u r n e d f e at u r e s f i n e f u r n i t u r e r e st o r at i o n u s i n g l o c a l ly g row n t i m b e r s f ro m s u sta i n a b l e a n d e c o l o g i c a l ly s o u n d r e s o u rc e s w h e n e v e r p o s s i b l e r e f e r e n c e s a n d p o rt f o l i o o f p r e v i o u s wo r k ava i l a b l e o n r e q u e st a n d o n l i n e

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Newport News Summer 2012

sports event in the morning, and there will be an event on the preceding Friday evening, and also on the Saturday evening, if all goes to plan. The Committee is supported by the Parish Council (PC). Details will be published in the Walden Local. Proceeds will be split between village groups that will also help on the day. Thanks to the committee, (Elaine, Sharon, Alan, Mark, Neil and myself ), and all the village groups who have already got involved. This should be a fantastic event, and I hope that people from nearby villages also choose to see the torch in Newport and stay on to enjoy our days of activities. Additionally, the local history group are planning a day to mark the end of the Paralympics on September 8th/9th. Details will be published in due course. Thanks to Ben Cowell, Anthony Tuck, David Evans and other members of the group. More good news is that the PC have successfully applied for a grant that will assist paying for flags and planters that will be used to dress the village. We encourage everyone to come and see the Olympic Torch Relay Procession, and stay to enjoy the rest of the day. The planters will remain, as a lasting addition to the street scene, and also commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. I would like to thank Younis Hamali, Ros and Roger Saggers, and Neil Saville in respect of this part of the project.

Welcome A warm welcome to the Reverend Neil McLeod, the new vicar for St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Newport and Widdington.

New Notice Board at High Street/ Bullfields junction An outcome of the village plan.

New Bollards and Traffic refuge, to divide up London Road by Iona An outcome of the Traffic Management Group (TMG). There will also be a speed sign (paid for by the New Homes Bonus) also as a result of TMG work.

New Homes Bonus Funding has been allocated for further grit bins, litter and dog bins, flower planters; grants have been made to Friends of Newport Church, Newport Youth Centre, Newport Business Association for Newport Station CafĂŠ, Newport Business Association for Village Map, Newport Amateur Theatrical Society, Pond Common Trust, Lettice Martin Charity, Saffron Community First Responders, Newport Primary School and Friends of Newport Primary School. There will be a further round of funding in future, with a community fund administered by UDC and a separate parish council fund according to UDC.

Planning Consultation Uttlesford District Council have started their Local Development Framework Consultation process (there are three stages, the first one ended on March 5th). Many of us within the village have contributed to the consultation, and

COMMUNITY

there have been two facebook groups set up by concerned village residents. The Parish Council having listened to comments and answered questions from some parishioners, completed its response to the first stage at its meeting of the 5th March. We now wait for the second and third phases, which will be June / July and October / November respectively. During which we will then see specific plans from UDC for Newport, in terms of how many homes and where the planners think they should be built. One element of good news, reported in local papers at Easter, is that Uttlesford believes that it will need to find c3000 homes not c4000. This is good news on the face of it in that any “share” that Newport is required to take should be less if the dispersal method is used.

It may be appropriate to listen to a developer now and in the future. This will in future only be in a public meeting. This is because by holding a very small number of private meetings at the request of developers, some in Newport have suggested that the PC have acted against the interests of the village. Whilst this is not the case, and would never be so, the PC do not want there to be any misperception of our actions (and the easiest way to achieve this is to only hold public meetings with developers). There have been suggestions that the PC might act in a manner that is not in the interest to Newport. This is incorrect and frankly hurtful to those who volunteer their time for the benefit of Newport.

hold a publicised open exhibition to show the village what they are proposing. If this does not happen, the PC will make public (once a planning application has been made) the set of plans that we are sent by UDC. This will be publicised in local papers, our notice boards and website.

Some frequently asked questions: Q Who makes the decision on planning applications? A Uttlesford District Council – NOT the Parish Council Q Do the Parish Council approve planning applications? A No, we do not. Q What role does the Parish Council have in respect to a planning application? A We are a “consultee” on all planning applications, we comment on planning matters that affect residents or the village as a whole, and make comments on behalf of affected residents, or assist residents with questions about the process.

Making Developers’ Plans Available

Garden Waste Collection

Proposals from developers rather than plans

The PC have asked Pelham Structures to present their proposals in a public exhibition, and will ask this of any other developer that approaches the PC, and it has been stated in the press that if developers will not hold public meetings, the Parish Council will make any plans received as part of a planning application available for parishioners to view as early as possible after we receive them. When a plan is submitted to UDC for any developer, that is the time at which the PC will formulate a response to the details that are documented. The PC will ask Pelham Structures and any other prospective developer to

Parish Council Meetings We also ask the papers to carry details of our meetings. Agendas are placed in the parish notice boards (located at 24 High Street and corner of Elephant Green and Belmont Hill.) and the PC website. Parish Council meetings take place on the first Monday of each month at Church House commencing at 7.30 pm sharp. If we change the venue, this is specified in our notice to the papers.

Following the decision by UDC to withdraw funding for its weekend garden waste collection, the PC received many requests from parishioners to see what could be done to maintain the service. As it turned out more parish councils came forward to say that they wanted the service to continue, so the time when the vehicle will come to Newport will change from 3pm to a new time of 10 – 11.00am on Saturday morning and will alternate between the Station car park and Allotment gate. The PC decided that this service needed to be kept so we budgeted for taking over the cost over two years. This is the key reason why the Precept was raised for the year 2012/2013. NN

It has been well publicised that there have been proposals made by Pelham Structures that could affect Newport. These have changed considerably over the past year and a half and have caused much confusion. Another point to make clear. The Parish Council do not approach landowners to encourage development, but we do get approached by developers occasionally.

CSR

Q Do the Parish Council do deals

Tel: 01279 817966

with developers? A NO, that would not be appropriate.

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Summer 2012 Newport News

HISTORY

Ginger’s Timber Yard Where are they now? JEFF BINES

uring the early seventies Ginger’s Timber yard was the biggest employer in Newport at one time employing around 30 employees over a twenty year period. Previous articles have been written about the timber yard that have appeared in the Newport News so there is no reason to repeat the same again. Our editor, however, wondered what had happened to the family that had served Newport so well. George Alfred Ginger, the son of John Ginger, a farm labourer, was born in 1874 in Studham, Bedfordshire and married Rebecca Hall also of Studham in 1897. George was listed as a bootmaker in the early part of the twentieth century but within ten years was a wheelwright in Water End, Studham, later setting up his business in The Forge in Station Road Newport. The couple lived in Berry House, sited by the main road in Newport. A house that no longer exists having been demolished in the early seventies. In about 1921 George expanded into the land south of his home and set up a timber yard. At some time in 1947 he sold out to the English Timber Company. Apparently they soon after sold out to a William Playle of Wickhambrook, Suffolk, who bought the company and put it in trust for his 12-year-old son. Both George and Rebecca remained in Berry House for the rest of their lives. They both died in 1953 within five months of each other. The couple had four children Hilda, Eva, Gladys and Sidney who was always known by his middle name, Ralph. It was Ralph who, prior to the timber yard’s sale, carried on the family business, in his spare time serving as a special constable. According to his Warrant Card, he

Newport News Summer 2012

RALPH AND JESSIE’S WEDDING PARTY 1928 INCLUDING THE REV. CAIN.

was appointed a Special Constable by the Chief Constable of Essex, F.R.J.Peel, (an appropriate name for a policeman). In 1928 aged 29 he married Jessie Mary Kennedy in Newport Church, the service conducted by the Rev. C.S. Cain, (an unfortunate name for a clergyman) following which the couple lived in The Woodlands, also demolished in 1972 when the timber yard was redeveloped. In 1940 the couple split up and Jessie moved first to Dovercourt and then to Little Oakley, Tendring. By profession Jessie was a district nurse and midwife and there should be a few people in Newport who will remember her from before the war. If there are then let us know! The August 1928 edition of The Newport Parish Magazine mentions the retirement of Nurse Kennedy prior to her marriage. It says, ‘The Speaker and Chairman, Mrs. Montague called upon three little children Peggy Britton, Graham Britton and John Bunten to present to Nurse a present in money £17-10-1 from friends in Newport and Wicken’. Jessie continued in her profession following her move to Little Oakley until she finally became fully retired after forty years of service in the early 1980’s. She planted a special Ash tree in the Memorial Hall gardens in Little Oakley in 1982 at the age of 87 to commemorate delivering 1223 babies according to some records and over 3000 if a local newspaper is to be believed. She was of Scottish descent her uncle having been the

SEORAS’ WEDDING. LEFT: SEORAS ANNIVERSARY

Provost of Stornoway in 1930/1/2. From the 1970’s Jessie and Ralph were back together and lived the remainder of their lives in Little Oakley. Seoras Kennedy Ginger, known to his friends appropriately as ‘Pop’ was born in 1931. When, at the age of eight, his parents split up he was looked after by his grandmother for the next two years at The Woodlands. During the war years he collected ammunition from downed aircraft which his father, in his special constable role, naturally ‘donated’ to the Police range; the damaged ones Seoras kept and soon had a case full of different types of explosives, which he later made into fireworks with dramatic results. At the end of this period he attended Ewell Castle School in Surrey, which he hated, and he left aged fourteen with no qualifications. He became an apprenticed electrician and was obviously good at his job, for at the age of sixteen he found himself the only ‘electrician’ working on a large housing

TOP: CHARLIE CAMP, 1895–1958, AND DOROTHY CAMP, NEE SEARLE, 1899–1972 BELOW: MURIEL DENNISON, NEE CAMP, BORN 1928 AND GEORGE DENNISON, BORN 1931

GINGER’S TIMBER YARD

estate. It was a year later that his father ‘lost’ the timber yard and his house. Ralph never disclosed to his son the reason why. At this time Seoras obtained a job with the Midlands Electrical Board having moved to Stafford with his father who had taken the position of foreman in another timberyard, and took up cycling as a hobby. He signed up at a technical college for further training and gained his City and Guilds Award after two years, and completed what should have been another two year course during the next year. He then embarked on a three year course to obtain his Ordinary National but was let off the first two years because of his previous qualifications. By now he was past the usual age for call up for National Service, the call finally coming when he was aged twenty-one. He was inducted into the RAF on Coronation Day 1953 and reported to Cardington, Bedfordshire. It was during this time that he met his wife to be Glenys Brewer at Yatesbury, where he was attending a nine month radar course. After his National Service he joined English Electric at Luton working on Guided Missiles, and living in Royston. He later changed jobs working for the Prudential Insurance for 18 months and then for a relative’s Insurance Agency, which meant a move to Taunton in Somerset for a spell before returning to Stevenage to work on UK3, the first ‘all British satellite’ as a member of the launch team. Living in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, this latest generation of Gingers produced three children, David in 1957, who unfortunately died in infancy, Yvonne in 1959, a nursing Sister, and Elaine in 1960. Elaine also qualified as a Registered Nurse like her sister and now works for her husband’s firm in Welwyn Garden City. Seorus continued his work on avionics, aircraft radomes including Concorde’s and towed targets for ‘Jindiviks’ a pilotless aircraft. Before retirement he looked for work in the

Dorset area and when a position was offered in Portsmouth, again working on satellites, he took it until retirement in 1994. At 80 years of age he still cycles and last year averaged 92 miles per week! It is interesting to think that a Newport resident who, through his own endeavours, took such an important role in space exploration. NN

Ginger’s Timber Yard By John Gordon Ginger’s Timber Yard has always been a subject dear to my heart as when we arrived in 1965 it had but recently closed and the ruined buildings were still standing forlornly. Jeff Bines has brilliantly tracked down what happened to the last member of the Ginger family to live here, albeit briefly. His excellent article reminded me of the yard’s dominating presence in the village which so many of the older villagers remember with its massive German engine going Dunk..dunk..dunk throughout the day. This coincided with my meeting Muriel Dennison of Widdington who told me that her father, Charlie Camp worked there, together with her brother and uncle. She well remembers going to visit her father at the mill. On Saturdays they were allowed to collect sawdust and offcuts. There were about 30 men working there and though accidents were not infrequent it was a happy and contented place with everyone, including the Gingers mucking in together. Remembering that Brian Pavitt worked at the mill as a young man I went to see him and he told me that Charlie Camp was a very strong man indeed who controlled the levers on the massive saw which cut the tree trunks into horizontal planks. Apparently the engine had a flywheel weighing five tons. Brian recollected that as a 15-year-old boy oversaw half a dozen Italian prisoners-of-war who worked there at the time. Just for the record I attach two pictures, one of Charlie Camp, 1895–1958 and his wife, Dorothy, nee Searle, 1899–1972, and the other of their daughter, Muriel, born 1928 and her second husband, George Dennison, born in 1931. The Camps lived in one of the

cottages, The Bonhunt, just before the motorway bridge. Muriel was one of seven children and went to Newport Primary school under Mr Young. She married firstly Frank Johns of Newport in 1947 and had two children but they parted in 1972 and six years later married Robin Dennison. And thus the story of Ginger’s Timber Yard is concluded. However there is one small detail I would dearly like to follow up. Around the end of the fifties the yard was bought by a Mr William Playle who was holding the ownership for his twelve-year-old son - what happened to him?

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Summer 2012 Newport News

HISTORY

Newport Village Recorder 2011 DAVID EVANS NEWPORT VILLAGE RECORDER

This is an abridged version of a report which is sent each year to the Essex Record Office, together with those of other Recorders of Uttlesford History.

fairly busy year with ten enquiries received on family history, property and general social interest. These enquiries came from the Recorders website, the Local History Group, and directly. They mainly originated from the UK, however also included enquiries

from New Zealand and the USA. Family history enquiries were in general handled from the Parish registers, Newport News and the booklet on Memorial Inscriptions in St Mary’s. In virtually all cases the issues were resolved satisfactorily and in a number of instances the correspondent provided new information for the Newport Archives. In just one case was it not possible to fully satisfy the correspondent. The assistance of inhabitants of Newport in providing additional information is gratefully acknowledged. A particularly interesting enquiry concerning Fanny Rowley Smith of Shortgrove resulted in a two way exchange of information. This included images of her widowhood at Plaw Hatch, Bishop’s Stortford. This is now known as Pearce House, the well-known venue for functions and weddings, which has recently closed. Mrs Smith was the wife of William Charles Smith the last of the Smiths to live at Shortgrove.

NICK SHUTES

Property and family based enquiries were handled mainly on information from Newport News, Bygones and the Recorder collections. Enquiries concerned Cottages on Wicken Rd., a new house at Shortgrove and properties on Frambury Lane. 2011 was an important year for the Victoria County History project. The project plan required that a substantial proportion of the research and some of the key sections should have been completed to draft status by early 2012. Many visits have been made to local, county, London and national collections. A great deal of new information has been uncovered. For myself visits to Chichester to view the Petworth House Archive and to The National Archive were highlights. At Chichester a conveyance of Shortgrove Estate from the Earl of Egremont to Percy Charles Wyndham was a significant find, as was examination, at TNA with Anthony Tuck, of the conveyance to Joseph Smith in 1802. Drafts have been sent to VCH and some are on their website as ‘work in progress’. They include the manorial descents for Newport Pond and Shortgrove and also education. Others will be added shortly and they can be viewed on the VCH website; feedback will be welcomed. It is expected that the project will be completed in 2012 and will initially be made available on the web. In July an unusual opportunity arose to view the archive of the well-known Auctioneers and Estate Agents, Cheffins. In addition to the particulars of sale this archive contains the bidding notes, and the name of the successful bidder. The full extent of this archive has yet to be explored but a photographic record of items pertinent to Newport has been made of items from the late Victorian period to date. These formed the basis of a short paper published in Newport News. A further visit will be made to complete the recording of this archive. Local History continued to prosper in 2011. The Local History Group had an excellent year with all meetings and trips well attended. An interesting, diverse programme has been defined for 2012. Newport News has published many local history articles as well as recording the many village events and activities. NN

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Newport News Summer 2012

EDITORIAL

Letter to the editor Dear Editor, Development Management Policies: A Series of Comments I would start by saying that there is a great deal of confusion over the various projects that have been suggested. First of all it was some housing proposed at the far end of Frambury Lane, opposite the school. Now it has become something far larger and including industrial units that would treble the size of the village. Last year I had a leaflet from the developers who stated that they sent a copy to me as I had agreed favourably to their scheme. This was a lie! I have never said anything one way or the other and their leaflet suggests to me that they are untrustworthy and on those grounds alone, I would reject any proposals they made. It would appear to be like the American ‘gung-ho’ attitude that their opinion is the only one. Despite this, I would welcome some industry and retail shops, if they were done by a reputable company! I have my doubts if this is possible! I would like to see PRECISE planning details, including the projected costs and times, of each stage of the project. So far all we have had are some vague statements. The first stage must be to improve the existing drainage to cope with the added outflow. This has been ignored on many previous developments around the country that eventually led to much distress visited on the inhabitants and additional costs for damages. The second stage concerns the roads and this has every type of problem imaginable. At the moment, Frambury Lane is used like a race-track! Added to this is the amount of non-residential traffic that uses it as a main road and for inconsiderate parking. I cannot imagine that Frambury Lane could cope with added traffic, including that to the industrial site, as it stands at the moment. One way to avoid destroying the village with added traffic is to build a by-pass from Wicken Road to run parallel with the M11 and join the London Road. All of the added traffic from the new homes and industrial units, plus the present through traffic

should use this by-pass. To encourage the use of the by-pass, Frambury Lane should have speed bumps and restriction islands as they do in Duxford Village. Parking is the other problem. The current parking is insufficient and can only get worse. At present, people wishing to travel by rail use Frambury Lane as a free parking zone, causing a lot of inconvenience to the residents by blocking drives and choking the road. More parking has to be included in any proposal and at zero or low parking fee. There are also questions about the supply of water, electricity and the telephone service. Planning must take into consideration future trends, such as sustainable energy when the world runs out of oil and coal, and that is just one of the things to address on any proposal. The infrastructure is my major concern, but I also have doubts about over-developing the village. Most people have come here to avoid living in large towns and cities and this development would ruin the general peace and quiet of a rural village. This applies to the whole of East Anglia. It is a pleasant place to live and it is understandable that many want to come here but if everyone did so, it would become an unpleasant, smelly concrete jungle; someone has to say enough is enough and restrict the amount of development that any one area can sustain. At the moment there are water shortages in East Anglia which any development will only make worse. Surely a part of the consideration must be the quality of life. My suggestion of a by-pass around Newport is only a partial remedy, for it connects Wicken Road and the London Road and they in themselves are inadequate to take the extra traffic. Villages like Newport were originally built in the 17th century or earlier, when Charles II used to hunt here. They were designed for horses and in parts the roads are still not suitable for anything else. The new towns that appeared in the 1950’s were never designed for the amount of traffic that we have today; they suffer from lack of parking, congestion at peak times and pollution. How anyone can think that a 17th-century village can do what a

20th-century town failed to do, is incomprehensible. Increasing the size of the village brings social problems and the police station will have to be re-introduced at a time when the police authorities are cutting back. The timing appears to be out of touch with today’s reality. This also applies to the industries that are supposed to come here. The current global financial problems are not going to disappear overnight, and as history as shown, they keep reoccurring. Who wants to live in a place that becomes a spasmodic ghost town? I can accept that there is a need for housing but is that need greater than the need of existing residents of all Britain’s villages, not just Newport. I see in these proposals an abnormal amount of greed and the attitude of the developers that I have seen at the moment, does not coincide with proper consideration for the present or future inhabitants of Newport. They are short sighted and fulfil only the needs of the companies involved and only for today and not the future. Mike Allen

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Summer 2012 Newport News

COMMUNITY

Discovering Local Parish Records By Kim Reed

uring the next few months, the Essex Record Office will be running a series of courses at the Archive Access Point in Saffron Walden Library. The first of these took place on 6 March, when the archivist Katherine Schofield presented a course, Discovering Parish Registers. She explained the history behind the establishment of parish registers and how various historical events and legal acts affected the information contained in those registers. This course is designed for those family historians who have managed to trace their ancestors beyond the civil registration of 1837 and need to concentrate on parish registers in order to step further back in time. Beginners of family history research will also gain a great deal from this course, as the use and

understanding of parish registers is essential to all family historians. Katherine will be running another course explaining the mysteries behind parish registers on Tuesday 10 July 10.30am–12.00pm. In addition Tony King, the conservator from Essex Record Office, will be holding a Conservation Surgery, demonstrating the conservation needs of old documents, maps, photographs, prints and pictures. This is a great opportunity for anyone with old family photographs or parchment deeds or any other valuable documents to come for advice on storage, conservation and repair. This surgery will be held on Friday 22 June 10.00am–12.00pm & 1.30pm–4.00pm. On Tuesday 4 September, the Archive Access Point will host a seminar on House History. This is an ideal course both for the complete

beginners and those house historians who have done some work but need further guidance. The course will take place between 10.30am–12.00pm. Internet Resources for Family History will take place on Tuesday 23 October 10.30am–12.00pm. It is designed for new recruits to family history and those who have an obstinate ancestor and need extra help in finding him! The course will be run by the archivist Allyson Lewis who is well known from her monthly visits to the Archive Access Point. Booking for the courses, except the open conservation surgery, are essential. Tickets are £10 and can be booked by telephoning 01245 244620. Additional information is available from Zofia Everett, Archive Access Point, Saffron Walden Library Tel: 01799 523178. Tue. & Fri. 09.00–17.00, Sat. 09.00–13.00. NN

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Summer 2012 Newport News

HOMES & GARDENS

Gardening with Vic LUPINS

PHLOX

preferable to choose ones you like, when they are in flower at garden centres. They make good cut flowers.

Geraniums

VIC FOWLER

n my last article I discussed those herbaceous perennials belonging to the Daisy family (Compositae). This time I am concluding my comments about these plants, by reviewing those that do not have daisy like flowers. Many, such as delphiniums, lupins and phlox amongst others will be well-known to you.

This is another well known perennial, but some are annuals, so read the label carefully before buying. I have selected some of those that have the R.H.S. Award of Garden Merit. These include ‘Amethyst’ with violet flowers, ‘Fujiyama’ with white flowers and ‘Brigadier’ with pinkish-red flowers. Many of these are fragrant.

These should not be confused with Pelargoniums, which are used extensively for summer bedding and hanging baskets. The true geraniums include many ground cover plants. The following can be recommended: G.clerkei, ‘Kashmire white’ which has white flowers with pale-lilac streaks, G.macrorhizum with magenta coloured flowers. Somewhat taller than most is Johnson’s Blue up to 1ft or more and G.endressiii with rose-pink flowers, height up to 18 inches high.

Hellebores

Paeonies

Lupinus spp are also popular, most are known as ‘Russell hybrids’, including many that are bi-coloured. Two good ones are ‘The Chatelaine’ with pink and white flowers and ‘Chandelier’ that has yellow flowers. There are many others to choose from, so perhaps it is

No garden should be without these. They flower at a welcome time of year in February and March, take up very little room, most being 1ft or less in height and prefer shade, or semishade, but not dry shade. One of the most well-known is the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger. The white flowers are on short stems but it rarely flowers at Christmas. In recent years lots of new hybrids have been introduced. These are readily available at garden centres, although by the time this article is published, most will have finished flowering. If you wish to view the hybrids in the comfort of your home, you could go to the web-site of one of our two major breeders, this is www.ashwoodnurseries.com.

Most of the ones sold in garden centres are large double flowered varieties like ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, it is about 36 inches tall and is one with the R.H.S. Award of Garden Merit. There are many others like this, mostly pink or red. The group also includes ones with cup-shaped single flowers. I particularly like, despite the almost unpronounceable name, Paeony mlokosewitschii, with single lemon yellow flowers. Do not cut the flowers off when they are over because it produces especially attractive seed pods. Once the seeds are ripe the pods dehisce revealing a scarlet red inside, which contrasts with the large shiny black seeds in the centre. This is not an easy plant to find but you could look up the R.H.S. Plant Finder, either at the library or at the R.H.S. web site. NN

DELPHINIUMS

GERANIUMS

PAEONY – ‘MLOKOSEWITSCHII’

Delphiniums These mostly grow to 5-6 ft, so need to go at the back of the border, they require staking and once the flowers fade, if they are cut below the last spent bloom, you may be lucky to get side shoots that produce flowers, even if less splendid than the original ones. They are hungry plants so need feeding with a liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks. Most are hybrids of Delphinium elatum and are usually various shades of blue, pinky red and creamy white. ‘Lord Butler’ is pale blue to lilac, with white eyes. ‘Blue Nile’ is a darker blue and ‘Butterball, is white with cream coloured eyes, ‘Langdons ‘Royal flush’ has pinkish-purple flowers with cream eyes. There are many other hybrids, equally attractive.

Lupins

Newport News Summer 2012

Phlox

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BEFORE

n Saturday 31st March, Kyle Banks cut off his long ponytail and raised over £1,000.00 for The Teenage Cancer Trust. Kyle is well known to Newport Post office customers, where he works, for his long hair and colourful waistcoats. Though the waistcoats remain, the long hair has gone. After 10 years, Kyle decided that the ponytail had to go, and as an incentive to go through with it he decided to raise money for The Teenage Cancer Trust. Customers,

AFTER colleagues and friends responded with incredible support and encouragement, and the hair was cut off at Andrew James hairdressers in Saffron Walden, who performed the ‘operation’ free of charge, supporting Kyle and his charity. Since having his haircut, many customers have returned to the Post office to see the transformation and the new look has received the ‘thumbs up’. Well done Kyle! Kyle wishes to thank everyone for their overwhelming support. NN

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An extract from Newport Parish Magazine, May 1912

n Sunday, April 28th, the Services in the Parish Church were in memoriam of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated “Titanic”, which on Sunday evening April 14th, struck an Iceberg in mid-Atlantic and went down with over 1600 souls on board. Special hymns were sung, while both before and after the hour of Service, a muffled peal was rung on the Bells. The collections were devoted to the Mansion House Fund and amounted to the goodly sum of £9 7s 3d. NN

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COMMUNITY

Newport surgery NICOLA JACKSON (PRACTICE MANAGER)

his surgery treats 8000 patients covering a wide area including Great Chesterford to the North, Elsenham to the South, Little Chishill to the West and Tye Green to the East. It offers a wide range of additional medical services, including diabetic monitoring, minor surgery, travel vaccinations, long term medical condition monitoring, family planning, smoking advice, health promotion and phlebotomy. As a dispensing practice the surgery can dispense medicines to patients who live more than one mile from their nearest pharmacy; the opening of Newport Pharmacy has reduced the number of patients eligible for this service but the surgery can still dispense to roughly 5000 of its 8000 registered patients.

The practice team Dr E.A. Lort qualified at Birmingham University in 1980 with an honours degree. After house jobs in the West Midlands she joined the Plymouth GP training scheme, then followed her husband to Saffron Walden when he joined the partnership at Gold Street Surgery. Whilst bringing up three children, who are now in their twenties, she worked in several local practices as well as Accident & Emergency, school health, family planning clinics and Ear, Nose & Throat. She came to Newport surgery initially as an assistant GP and joined the partnership eleven years ago. Dr J.R. West was born in central Scotland and qualified as a doctor at Dundee University in 1982. Her husband Mike is a research scientist and his work brought them to the south east of England a year later. While living at Buntingford in 1993 Dr West was able to complete her GP training and then worked in several local

Newport News Summer 2012

LEFT TO RIGHT: DR.SS BASRA, DR JR WEST, DR EA LORT AND DR.E WOKO

practices before joining Newport surgery as a partner in 2001. Her four children (including twins) are now in their twenties. Dr S.S. Basra is 40 years old and married with two children. He graduated from Barts in 1996 where he did a Pharmacology BSC as well as graduating in medicine. He has worked in Uttlesford since 1999, initially in Elsenham, and then became a partner at Newport Surgery in 2001 and has worked happily here ever since. Dr E. Woko qualified at St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medical School in Paddington, specialising in diabetes and palliative medicine. He is married with two children and his outside interests include gardening, rugby and golf (though he says that he struggles with golf ). Nicola Jackson is the Practice Manager and joined the team in March 2011. She is responsible for the smooth running of the Practice. This role is very varied and includes planning for the future, dealing with patient issues, administration as well as the more mundane things such as changing light bulbs, getting heating fixed and sorting out blocked drains. The surgery has two Practice Nurses, Sue Cameron and Kirstie Rowlandson.

Sue has been with the surgery for 20 years and is responsible for all aspects of nursing including vaccinations, wound management, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and Asthma checks, management of long term medical conditions, cryo and seeing patients with minor illnesses. Kirstie joined the Practice in 2005 and is also responsible for most aspects of nursing. She is currently on maternity leave.

RIGHT: STANDING, CHRIS DEWEY, VICKI WHITE, HEALTHCARE ASSISTANTS

There are two Health Care Assistants (HCAs), Chris Dewey and Vicki White.

Chris started as a phlebotomist in 2007, and over the following years she has undertaken additional training to become an HCA. Her duties include phlebotomy, ECGs, spirometry, flu, pneumonia and B12 vaccinations, ear syringing, removal of stitches/staples, vascular checks and smoking cessation advice. Vicki joined the team in 2009 as a receptionist/phlebotomist, then undertook HCA training. Her duties include phlebotomy, ECGs, flu vaccinations, removal of stitches/ staples and vascular checks. The dispensary team are responsible for dispensing medicines, maintaining adequate stocks of regularly dispensed items, managing a repeat ordering system and ensuring that the scripts are correctly completed before being sent to the central prescription authority. Jayne Spurgeon is a senior dispenser who has been with the practice since 2008 and is responsible for the day to day running of the dispensary. Hannah Woods joined the Practice in 2010 as a receptionist/trainee dispenser, and is now a qualified dispenser responsible for all aspects of the dispensary. Bobbie Lolley is a qualified dispenser who has been with the Practice for five years, and is also responsible for all aspects of dispensing. Emily Ashenden started in May 2011 as a receptionist/trainee dispenser. She spends some time in reception and the

COMMUNITY

LEFT TO RIGHT: JANE SPURGEON, SENIOR DISPENSER; HANNAH WOODS, DISPENSER; NICOLA JACKSON, PRACTICE MANAGER; EMILY ASHENDEN, TRAINEE DISPENSER/RECEPTIONIST

available when seeing patients. Her husband Peter is the other volunteer; he is responsible for the delivery of prepared prescriptions to the outlying villages.

The future

LEFT TO RIGHT FROM TOP: BOBBIE LOLLEY, DISPENSER; JENNY BRIDGER, RECEPTIONIST; JILL HIGGINSON, ADMINISTRATOR ANNE ROUSE, SECRETARY; LESLEY STOCK, VOLUNTEER; SANDY CAMERON, TRAINEE DISPENSER; JAN WHITE, RECEPTIONIST; SUE CAMERON, PRACTICE NURSE

rest in the dispensary whilst undertaking her dispensing qualifications. Sandie Cameron also joined in May 2011 as a receptionist/trainee dispenser and also has a split role; when not in the dispensary she is usually on the first desk, greeting patients as they arrive and dealing with their problems. The reception team are responsible for looking after patients’ needs, booking appointments, dealing with phone queries, giving test results, registering new patients and administration. Jan White works as a receptionist and has been with the practice for seven years. Kate Rowe has been a receptionist at the surgery for six years. Jenny Bridger is the latest addition to the reception team. Anne Rouse is the secretary, and has been with the practice for ten years. Her main duties include producing referral letters, dealing with patients’ queries regarding referrals, chasing hospital clinic appointments and typing most of the letters. Jill Higginson is the administrator and has been with the practice for seven years. She is responsible for the bookkeeping, general administration, submitting reports to the PCT, dealing with insurance reports and general secretarial duties. The Practice is very fortunate in having two volunteers who help. Lesley Stock comes in to help out with scanning letters and reports into the medical system so that the doctor has the most up to date information

We are in the midst of the biggest changes to the NHS since its inception. The health bill that is currently going through parliament is changing as it goes through the process. What will ultimately be passed is not clear but it is likely that little will remain unchanged. The aim of the surgery is that the patient experience is paramount and we will always endeavour to do our best for our patients whatever the circumstances. NN

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Learn to cook, love to cook, Just Cook Summer 2012 Newport News

Gace’s Farmhouse, demolished in 1880. Reproduced by courtesy of the Essex Record Office.

GACE’S CHARITY This charity exists for the welfare of Newport parishioners. We would like to invite applications for small sums of money to assist Newport residents looking for help with worthy causes. Each application will be thoughtfully considered in strict confidence. Please apply to Margaret Bowker, 45 Cherry Garden Lane, Newport, CB11 3QA (secretary to Gace’s Charity). Charity no. 212284

Newport News Summer 2012

CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

Newport Art Group JANE NASH

demonstrations. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In Frameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will be available on Saturday 23rd to help with all your framing needs. The Primary School has a display of recent art work which is always exciting to enjoy. Admission is free so why not come along to see what we achieve on Wednesdays, and while you are there have a cup of coffee and a piece of homemade cake. NN

ewport Art Group goes from strength to strength, now celebrating thirty-one years of meeting in the Village Hall. It started with half a dozen and now regularly has twenty to twentyfive on Wednesday mornings. People join us from a wide local area to enjoy drawing and painting in the medium of their choice. Our 26th annual exhibition will take place on 23rd and 24th June in the Village Hall. As well as lots of paintings for sale in a variety of styles there will be some craft stalls and wood turning

Village noticeboard BERENICE SMITH

ollowing a recommendation in The Village Plan for a noticeboard to be placed near the centre of the village the Parish Council applied for a grant from Uttlesford District Council Community Project Grant Scheme and was successful in being awarded money towards the noticeboard. The Parish Council has also contributed. At the end of March the noticeboard was put in place in London Road at the corner of Bullfields. Cllr Howard Bowman was assisted by Wayne Hollis, the village caretaker and by Rob Willis who is a local landscape gardener. These photos show some of the work that went

into putting the board in place. The noticeboard is available for anyone to advertise local events. It is not intended as a board for selling items or offering work. Please keep posters no larger than A4 size. The board will be checked regularly for content. NN

Summer 2012 Newport News

PEOPLE

Oliver Wilson The artist in our midst For more photographic information: www.oliverwilsonphotography.co.uk To find out more about Oliver, the painter: www.oliverwilson.co.uk JANIE WATSON

liver is a dynamic dichotomy – that is to say he embodies two very distinct professions, those of photography and painting. His home in Bridge End, Newport, is also a demonstration of this dual approach. The Old Priory is an ancient building set in the oldest part of Newport. Notwithstanding its great age, the Wilsons have managed to make it feel both old and new by a judicious clearing out of some partition walls, an extension which includes a new kitchen and a total lack of clutter. The effect as you enter is one of brightness reflected from the flagstones and warmth from the beams – a good feel indeed. Oliver himself is simply bursting with energy. His words tumble out at great speed in an effort to keep up with his nervous, pent-up brain wherein you suspect there are more ideas queuing to get out than his mouth can express. Luckily,

Newport News Summer 2012

a great deal of what he has to say has already been written down in the many catalogues introducing him and his works which have been shown in exhibitions around the world. Oliver, at 37, has achieved considerable success in the art world and now deals mainly with the Mark Jason Gallery in London. Oliver gained a Fine Arts Degree at Newcastle University and started work initially in the Haymarket Publishing House in London. He was “not enjoying it a lot” and was painting and selling at the same time. So, after such commercial encouragement, he took the plunge to become a full time artist in 2000. He had always been fascinated by baroque art and with it the effect of light and the contrast between reflections off water. He will say that Caravaggio is a supreme influence on him. However, he has developed a unique method of combining photography with his own scientific approach to painting. “I paint a believable element within an abstraction” and he uses water to give “fluidity to create light and movement through the whole painting”. Therefore his conversation is full of references to photo shoots and models who float in an ethereal way through the pools and onto his canvases. He is keen to demonstrate an individual’s relationship between his own image and the water – “Figure studies in a dreamlike world”. He uses the water’s surface to refract the rays of either sun or other lighting and he uses underwater lighting as well to great effect. His work is infused with his memories of baroque ceilings in Italy and the relationship between light and shade. Recently he has become fascinated by an Argentinian theatre company which produces a show called Fuerzabruta (similar to the Cirque de Soleil) and who use a huge backdrop curtain against which acrobatic dancing and other performance takes place. They put on a private show for him so that he could photograph it and he has since produced some very fluid paintings full of swirl and movement which he exhibited under the title ‘Refracted Rococo’ in a one man show at the Square One Gallery. It was a sell out. He has since received many commissions among them one from a boutique hotel near Cannes (Manoir de l’Etang) and one from the Hurlingham Club, London. His paintings are shown at exhibitions all round the world including, for

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example, New York, the Bahamas, Athens, India and Malta and are well received if not sold wherever they go. Prices range from £1,500 to £10,000 depending on the size and complexity of the work. Oliver’s studio was in Fulham but now is in Sewards End. There he paints from his photos which are by then on his computer and he uses many methods to transfer these onto his large canvases. Surprisingly, to me anyway, Oliver also paints portraits which he draws by hand from a photo generally as most people have a major shortage of time. So, among many others, he has painted the directors of the Technical Welding Institute (TWI) in a boardroom scene, the father of a friend in his home with his dogs, and one of his wife, Charlotte, as a Christmas surprise which is the only one of his works hanging in his house. Oliver married Charlotte Dean who he met in London. Charlotte is the daughter of Mike and Evelyn Dean who lived in Briscoe Cottage in Newport and who now live at Sewards End. How often does Newport pull back its sons and daughters? Charlotte commutes to London and is a fine art insurance underwriter at Lloyds of London. They have a four year old son, Lucian (Luca), who will start school at Dame Bradbury’s in the autumn and who played creatively with his dinosaur lego while Oliver talked to me. One day a week Oliver is in sole charge and regards it as one of the pluses of being self-employed and thus having fairly flexible hours. The photography side of Oliver’s life is easy to explain. It is as a wedding photographer and thus is mostly seasonal and at weekends. He loves it, getting totally involved in the great day and producing a lasting memory that will be treasured. He keeps this side of his work totally separate from his painting but enjoys continuing with what was a boyhood enthusiasm for the camera. He hardly needs to advertise at all getting his work mostly by word of mouth and that keeps him busy enough.

He is planning an Open Studio event this summer for the weekend of 7/8th July 2012. and will be at the mosaic gallery in Newport High Street – watch out for further advertising of this event, it will be well worth a visit. Charlotte and Oliver, and Luca of course, consider that they are now properly settled in Newport. Once the garden has finished receiving proper attention they feel that is the home ‘job done’ and plan to stay for the long term. It certainly feels as if they will do just that. NN

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Summer 2012 Newport News

ARTS

NATS ‘Robinson Crusoe & The Pirates’ by Paul Reakes IAN WEST AUDIENCE CRITIC

enjoyed ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ very much. It was refreshing to see a pantomime that departed from the usual plot based on fairy stories. Lovers of Defoe may find that there was not much in common with the book Robinson Crusoe, however, the show was tremendous fun. Robinson Crusoe (Sam Higginson) is from a poor family and is supported by his mother (the Dame – Sean Smith) and his softheaded but lovable younger

A note from NATS A big thank you yet again to everyone involved in the show and all who supported us, especially the backstage crew lead by Isabel Davison. This production was directed by Matt Squirrell and Andy Macmillan, or ‘Mandy’ as affectionately nicknamed by our younger cast members. Their enthusiasm and ideas brought to the panto originality and unique humour enjoyed by both cast and audiences. The Saturday matinee was a showcase for our young up and coming actors who took on several of the main character roles. Their performances were brilliant and their hard work and dedication clearly showed on stage. We have always welcomed new members to our company, and will continue to do so in the future. However, at the present time our junior numbers are at their maximum, so we have a waiting list for any others wishing to join. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us. At the time of this article going to press, N.A.T.S. will have performed a play ‘There goes the Bride’ by Ray Cooney and John Chapman. This will appear in the next Newport News. We also organised a fundraising ‘Burns Night’ which took place on Saturday 25th February in Newport Primary School. Advertised as a ‘Late Burns Bash with Haggis and Mash’ – as Burns Night is traditionally celebrated in January. We entertained 60 people with traditional Scottish food, poetry and dancing. It was a great evening, much enjoyed by everyone present. Requests have been made for a repeat of the evening next year! Importantly, we raised much needed funds for the restoration and improvement of the Village Hall stage where all our productions take place. As we progress both theatrically and technically, so the stage facilities need to meet these needs. Thanks to the Village Hall Committee for the support they continue to give us. Yvonne Hannant

Newport News Summer 2012

brother Willie (Andy McMillan). The Crusoes’ precarious financial position appears to change when Robinson is left his uncle’s fortune. But the fortune consists of a trunk containing an old treasure map. Willie’s sweetheart, Bessie (Lizzie McMillan/Abi Stewart), is the daughter of a sea captain, ‘Bowsprit’ (Matt Squirrell). He is persuaded to allow his ship to be used to sail to the island to find buried treasure and Robinson, Ma Crusoe, Willie and Bessie join the voyage. The evil Capt McBlackbeard (Will Murray), a kilt-wearing Scottish

Brian Harris Complete Fine Quality Restoration/Conservation of all Clocks, Barometers, Furniture etc. pirate, accompanied by his sidekick ‘Patch’ (Lisa Hannant) and a Parrot (Pippa Higham) tries to thwart their plans but the day is saved by a goodhearted pirate ‘The Crimson Hawk’ (Beccy Monk/Ella Williamson) . The panto has a nice twist to the plot at the end as the Crimson Hawk turns out to be Robinson’s sweetheart from the village, Polly Perkins. We are also treated to the undersea world of Queen Neptune (Lyndsey Millington) when Robinson’s ship is blown up by McBlackbeard, and they finally land on an island inhabited by fearsome natives led by the Medicine man (Kyle Banks/Rosie Miller) and an amorous gorilla (Adam Peak). All the leading characters are very well played and get the audience to react and participate to add to the fun in the usual pantomime tradition. There are also lots of children involved who take part in the chorus, as villagers, natives and undersea dwellers, who all get the chance to sing and dance. In total there was a cast of 42! The lighting and music were particularly effective and add to the atmosphere and tension, Thanks to Joe Higham, N.A.T.S. technical director. Overall the show was great entertainment and it was clear that a lot of hard work, as well as talent, were on display. I am looking forward to next year’s production. NN

24 Town Street, Thaxted Essex CM6 2LA Tel: 01371 832832 Established 1956

Summer 2012 Newport News

WORK

The farming year AFTER ANOTHER VERY DRY WINTER THE RAIN CAME AND NOW THE STREAMS ARE RUNNING AGAIN

KAREN FISKE

hile walking on footpaths around the village, you may have noticed some of the changes that have been made to the edges of the arable fields. Grass margins and areas of crops containing wild bird feed have been planted to enhance the area for wildlife. Each hedgerow is a fragile sanctuary for the mammals and birds that live there, by moving the edge of the cropped area away by a few metres and planting grasses, that encourage insects and provide cover, is our way of helping. DEFRA is encouraging this good practice by introducing a stewardship scheme. The farmer gains points for the amount and type of features he puts in place, and is paid for each point as compensation for the loss of crop and cost of installation. The edges of woodland and acutely angled corners can be unproductive and tricky to farm, these areas are perfect for grass buffer strips or areas of wild bird mix, so everyone is a winner! There are conditions that have to be followed regarding the timings of any work done, e.g; grass mowing or hedgecutting/ditching. Traditionally the plough would rub along the side of a hedge to maximise the area for the crop, this means any spray or fertiliser that is applied will

overlap into the hedge. The grass buffer strip keeps this area protected. During some of the year it looks like not much is happening in these areas, but please do not be tempted to walk along them as your presence will be detrimental, and may result in their removal. At Debden Hall Farm we have been in this scheme for five years. The increase in the amount of birds and insects that we have now is very noticeable. When working in the fields you get to see the activity at the edge of the field, I am always amazed to see how the birds and mammals just carry on about their day even with a roaring tractor going up and down. I have seen Kesterels swooping in front of my cab looking for something on the ground as if I was invisible.

STORM CLOUDS BRINGING MUCH NEEDED RAIN. ABOVE: A LOVELY END TO THE DAY

Newport News Summer 2012

CHINESE LANTERNS I am sure most of you will know what these are. Used as a symbol of celebration, there is even an advertisement on the TV with them floating away. But away to where? Does anyone who lights and releases them ever think where they end up? Hedgerows are full of the bits of paper, not much of a problem as it degrades and disappears. But the metal ring that holds the lantern in shape is polluting the countryside, they get into machinery and can be potentially fatal to livestock. If it were made of a fast decomposing material the story would be different. Another problem is the, still burning lantern, ending up on a thatch roof or straw barn, field of ripe wheat or tinder dry grassâ&#x20AC;Ś The picnic concerts at Audley End have marshalls patrolling the evening crowds to confiscate any lanterns they see. If you buy these please think about what happens when they go out of sight.

WORK THIS IS MY FIELD SHELTER, WHICH WAS A VICTIM OF THE WIND IN THE FIRST DAYS OF THE NEW YEAR

The measures we have taken are only a tiny effort compared with the beautiful Freemans Farm next door, but we are proud of the way our scheme has established and look forward to making it even better in the future. NN

AFTER SUCH A DRY SPELL IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE DITCHES RUNNING AGAIN. THIS ONE IS NOT FAR FROM DEBDEN CHURCH AND WAS DRY THREE DAYS BEFORE

DROUGHT The drought in the south east of England has been of great concern to everyone in the farming world, we have had dry season after season for many years now. A small amount of rain will freshen up the grass and make it look ok, but the ground water has been getting lower each year making the natural stores not there when we need them. This is very serious, countries could end up at war over water supplies, like rainforests and fish in the sea we just exploit and use until one day it will be too late. What can we do to help? Well, apart from thoughtful use, thinking ahead. Every time a planning application for a large development of houses is approved how about insisting that the developer invests in the infrastructure of all the services needed. Building more reservoirs and sewerage works, making all new houses totally solar, wind powered, with less demanding energy needs. Why is this not higher profile â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it affects every one of us. In 2011 it was only our heavy Essex clay that saved the crops for us. Farmers on the lighter land to the north of us had a very tough time. In May even wheat was being irrigated where facilities allowed, desperate measures. During the month of April, heaven sent rain has brought smiles to our faces! It has come just at the right time giving the thirsty crops a needed drink. The hosepipe ban seems a bit silly, but after two very dry winters the water table is so low it will take months of rain to make a difference. But for crops and grass on the top of the ground, it is just what was needed.

Summer 2012 Newport News

COMMUNITY

NFGS Head Boy building links with local community RIGHT: THE BIG TIDY-UP

PÁDRAIG CURRAN

xciting, challenging at times, difficult at others, but thoroughly enjoyable. This is how I would describe my experiences of being Head Boy at Newport Free Grammar School since I took the post back in May 2011. I feel privileged to lead such a strong team of Senior Prefects who always endeavour to do their best in their roles. They have planned many successful events throughout the year such as our annual Charities week. The whole Senior Prefect Team is currently planning school leavers’ events, such as our annual school ball in May, as well as organising the distribution of yearbooks and hoodies, for year thirteen leavers. An aspect that is very important to our Senior Prefect Team, is the idea of the community, both within the school and reaching out into the wider local community – encouraging and strengthening links between the school and the village. It has been my personal aim to be the most community minded prefect team that the school has had, and I believe we have managed to achieve this through our work in settingup and running the form, year and overall school councils. We have also worked hard to continue the peer mentoring scheme and many sixthformers and senior prefects are involved in helping younger students with reading and writing through this scheme. Furthermore, the new post of ‘House Captain’, which allows one Senior Prefect to liaise and work with the house to which they have been assigned. Our ‘Big Tidy-Up’ scheme and the mentoring and reading clubs run for younger students, have all allowed Senior Prefects to actively help the local school community. This year we have reached out into the local village community, as we believe that to better link the school

Newport News Summer 2012

and village communities will benefit all. Examples of this include our meeting with the Newport Business Association, The Big Tidy-Up expansion into the village itself, and meeting with people who have connections both with the school and who live in the village. Moving to individual events, back in November 2011 we held our annual charities week in aid of the Essex Air Ambulance and Khandel Light charities. The event has always been very popular and so it was an aim for the whole team to emulate the successes of recent years. However, this year we were disadvantaged even before we had started planning, as the week planned for our ‘Charities Week’ was one day short due to an inset day. Despite this annoyance, we planned carefully in order to make up the money that we would lose due to the loss of a day. Despite this set-back, and after many meeting between Natalie and me and our deputies Joe and Camilla, we decided that the loss of one day meant it was even more important for us to involve the wider community. I emailed Jeremy Rose and the outcome was quite amazing. Within only a few hours, I had received a reply from Jeremy who offered Natalie and me the opportunity to meet with and speak to members of the NBA at their monthly breakfast meeting in the village. Natalie and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity, not only to speak to business representatives, but we also managed to raise over £100 through their generosity. Our visit was widely publicised in the local press too, with articles in the Herts and Essex Observer and the Saffron Walden Reporter to name only a couple. With many events running throughout the week at school including daily cake sales, a school-wide non-uniform day, plus daily events at lunchtime such as ‘New-

BACK ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): MATTHEW GROOM, REECE MCCABE, BENJAMIN STILES, PADRAIG CURRAN (HEAD BOY), JOE MCNALLY (DEPUTY HEAD BOY), BEN WHITE, BEN BURGESS. FRONT ROW: FRITH DUNKLEY, LAUREN POOLE, HOLLIE BRUCE, JESSICA BURLINSON, NATALIE CHANDLER (HEAD GIRL), CAMILLA TEBBETTS (DEPTUY HEAD GIRL), GEMMA ARMORGIE, MOLLY CURRAN, INDIA FIALA.

niversity Challenge’ where a team of students pitted their wits against the staff (and won!). There was also a teacher karaoke event and dress-up days for the sixth-form. We ensured that there was something for everyone. Parents were involved too with a raffle created by gifts donated by local shops and services offered by local trades people such as free cinema tickets, numerous jewellery items, money off vouchers, items of clothing etc. The raffle proved to be very popular and a good fund raiser. We were also invited to speak at the annual Old Newportonian Society dinner in October to set-out our plans for Charities Week, and we received a couple of donations from former students through our work with the society. All in all, this year’s charities week event was the most communityminded since I have been at the school and we were able to forge and strengthen links between the school and the local community. With only a few months left for me in my post and only a few months left until year thirteen students leave NFGS for ever, we still have a lot of work to do. Exams are looming and events are yet to be planned, not forgetting the application process for mine and Natalie’s successors, but with changes that have been made by this year’s Senior Prefect Team and with a strong group in year twelve to take over our work, I both hope and believe that the future for the sixth-form at NFGS and our links with the local community will continue to be strengthened and everyone will be better off for that. NN

COMMUNITY

Walking around Newport BERENICE SMITH

t always surprises and pleases me that I can walk from my front door and soon be in the countryside. There are many circular walks of between four and ten miles around Newport, or for variety it is possible to catch a train or bus and walk back. These are a few of the views I have seen and observations I have made while walking over the past few years. When John and I were coming home one evening in March 1990 on the footpath running E-W NE of Shiptons Farm we saw about a dozen hares on the hill, unaware of us and jumping about. They continued to rush about the countryside, quite often against the skyline, oblivious to our presence while we went up the Bridle Path and turned on to the Byway towards Chalk Farm Lane. On another occasion we rounded a corner at Horsepasture Grove near Wood Hall and met a fox on the path walking towards us. I don’t know who was more surprised but he was obviously very young and not sure what to make of us. He decided we were harmless, and continued on his way past us without hurrying. We often see deer but one occasion that springs to mind was seeing a deer lying next to the fence on the east side of the motorway close to the Railway at Mill Wood near Fuller’s End, no more than six or seven yards away. I never seem to have my camera ready at such times but can prepare for static views some of which are shown here. NN

LEFT: FLOODED COMMON FROM VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK FEBRUARY 2009. TOP: FOOTPATH WEST FROM FRAMBURY LANE TOWARDS WICKEN BONHUNT. RIGHT: TRIG POINT BY FOOTPATH SOUTH OF RINGERS. ABOVE: LOOKING TOWARDS RED LEG PLANTATION FROM THE FOOTPATH BETWEEN ROYSTON ROAD AND DUDDENHOE LANE.

Which? Recommended Provider for home and car insurance Call 01799 522248 for a quote or pop into our office in Saffron Walden to talk to us at NFU Mutual Branch, 27 Fairycroft Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1LZ We do right by you Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.

Summer 2012 Newport News

ENTERTAINMENT

Lime Tree Court Restaurant MADELINE ALEXANDER

aving heard good reports of Lime Tree Court Italian Restaurant, some friends and I decided to pay it a visit for an evening meal. It is owned by Zack and Belina who live in Newport, and it has been open for five months. We were given a friendly reception at the door and shown to the bar to wait for the last friend to arrive. We ordered a bottle of white wine and sat in comfortable armchairs, until we were shown through to our table which was in the large conservatory. Although the restaurant was busy, not least because

there was a 60th birthday celebration going on, the service was good and we did not have long to wait for our food. The menu is comprehensive and customers can choose between a table d’hote or à la carte selection. There is also a separate Lunch Menu from Monday to Saturday with choices of soup, salads, pasta dishes and pizza etc for £6.95. Coffee or tea with a dessert is £3.95 extra. The restaurant is also open in the daytime for coffee and tea, and when I went past today, there was a couple sitting outside enjoying the sunshine in the courtyard. We all chose from the extensive à la carte menu, whilst enjoying the bread, oil and olives we had been given. The menu is divided into salads and starters, meat dishes, fish dishes, side dishes, pasta and risotto, pizzas and desserts. I chose Spigola Arrosto – oven roasted whole sea bass, filled with baby spinach and lemon segments, served with saute spinach and courgettes. One

friend had skate with a prawn and caper sauce and the other had risotto with market forest mushrooms. We all agreed that our meals were delicious. We also had a panna cotta dessert – again very tasty. The prices are good here – varying from about £4.95 for soup to about £19.95 for the most expensive main course. There are a large variety of dishes, many between £6 and £9. We had a very enjoyable evening and wish Zack and Belina all the very best for a successful restaurant. NN

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Newport News Summer 2012

COMMUNITY

Use libraries wherever you are in Essex JILL PALMER

ou’d expect a big county like Essex to have lots of libraries. And we do. There are 73 libraries in Essex for you to use. But what if there is not a library near you? We have a fleet of 12 mobile libraries and one of them brings the service right into your community. Our mobile libraries really are just like a normal library except they’re on wheels. Go up the steps and let the world of Essex Libraries open up for you. Mobile libraries carry a wide selection for adults and for children. This includes fiction and non fiction books and DVDs. They also carry ‘talking books’, large print books and are wheelchair accessible. Mobile library staff are always there to help you with finding what you are looking for. Why not bring a class on board? You can arrange for your Primary or Preschool to visit a mobile library and find

out more about what about what libraries have to offer them. It’s easy for you to find out if the mobile library visits your community. If you have Internet access you can visit our website www.essex.gov.uk/libraries and select the ‘mobile libraries’ option on the left hand side. You’ll find timetables for all our stops. Or simply call us on 0845 603 7628 and we’ll be happy to tell you where and when your nearest stop is and answer any questions you may have about the mobile library service. We’re always trying to make sure that we are sending mobile libraries to the right places and regularly review our service. For queries of this type please contact Darren Smart, Mobile Library Service Coordinator, on 01376 320752

SIOBHAN BALL

We look forward to welcoming you to a mobile Essex library soon. NN After receiving the above article from Jill Palmer I thought that I would check out the mobile library when it next called on its fortnightly visit to Newport (see page 110 for times). I was greeted by the very friendly mobile librarian, Siobhan Ball who told me how much she enjoys bringing books, DVDs, videos and talking books to villages in this area. I promised to remind people of this very valuable service on our doorstep and urge them to use it to ensure its long term continuance. John Gordon

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Summer 2012 Newport News

WORK

Newport fire station

JULY –DECEMBER 2011

RIGHT: CO-RESPONDER HANDOVER IN DECEMBER

NEIL BYFORD OFFICER IN CHARGE

ow, what a difference a few months make, last time I wrote we were saying goodbye to Paul Waters and his family as they moved to Cornwall. Guess what? They are back, yes Paul and his family have moved back to the village, he has taken back his old place at the Fire Station and we are all pleased to see them. Unfortunately due to a few of the crew having to change their primary work commitments we are struggling to keep the appliance on the run 9 till 5 during the week. This means that should you require the Fire Service in an emergency when we are off the run, you would have to wait that bit longer for an appliance from Saffron Walden to attend. The only way that we are going to get over this situation is to recruit more people that would be able to give us that cover during the day. So if you fancy earning a bit more money, are physically fit, able to work as part of a team, enjoy the challenge of being in experiences that you would never have dreamed of, and of course, driving around in a big red Fire Engine, then why don’t you call in at the station any Thursday evening between 7 & 9 for an CAR FIRE ON THE M11

Newport News Summer 2012

informal chat – it may be just the thing you have been looking for. The first call in July was to a Police Car on fire on the M11. As you can imagine there was quite a bit of banter on the appliance as we proceeded to it. When we arrived the officers that had been travelling in the car had managed to put the fire out with their fire extinguisher – I’m sure I could see the look of disappointment on some of the crew’s faces. Saturday 2nd was Saffron Walden Carnival Day and our appliance and equipment had been polished to the highest standard ready for us to join our colleagues from Saffron Walden in the Carnival Parade. Yes, the inevitable happened, three hours before we were due to leave a call came in, not just a run up the M11 and back for a car fire, but to a thatched cottage on fire in Henham. As per service policy to a thatch fire, 4 appliances were sent straight away, Stansted, ourselves and two from Saffron Walden. We arrived a minute behind Stansted and the tiled roof at the rear of the property was well

alight. We hoped we could prevent it from getting into the thatch part of the roof, but when 2 firefighters managed to get into the building wearing breathing apparatus they found that the fire had already travelled along the roof space and had ignited the thatch from the inside. Crews then set about salvaging what we could from the property at the same time as fighting the fire internally and externally. Eventually the fire was brought under control and operations were scaled down as relief crews came and took over. Just before 2pm Saffron Walden and ourselves were released from the incident and that gave us both just enough time to get back, change out of our filthy fire kit and put our normal work uniform on, but unfortunately this did not happen. Half way back we received a priority message to a car fire on the M11 between Stansted and Harlow. On the way back from this call we contacted one of Saffron Walden’s appliances and they said that the Carnival procession had just started leaving the common – there was no time to go back and change so we went straight to Saffron Walden and managed to join up at the back of the procession, just past the Police station. We also attended a number of serious RTC’s this month, one of them being between Wendens Ambo and Elmdon on a Sunday afternoon. When we arrived we found a car containing five people had collided head-on with a delivery van. Two elderly people were trapped in the car, one in the front and one in the back. Two other elderly people were wandering around with minor injuries and shock and a young

WORK RTC IN MANUDEN

girl was sitting on the verge being comforted by the van driver. We were soon joined by an appliance from Saffron Walden, an ambulance and later on by the air ambulance. The ages of the trapped casualties was causing some concern and we set about removing the roof and doors to create more space to treat them and to ultimately extricate them from the vehicle. The rear passenger was removed first and then a short time later we manage to release the front seat passenger. This lady was seriously injured and the doctor worked on her for some time at the scene, before she was taken by the air ambulance to hospital. I am glad to report that everyone eventually made a full recovery. August saw us attending the usual seasonal hedgerows and grass verges on fire, but thankfully none of the large field fires that we have attended in the past. One afternoon as I was combining one of our fields adjacent to Beetle Lane in Widdington, I looked up and saw a column of black smoke coming from the Clavering direction. Within seconds my alerter sounded, I stopped the combine whilst unloading the grain into a trailer, I jumped into my pickup truck and headed to the station. After reading the tip out sheet, it was a combine on fire on the other side of Langley at a place called Gypsy Corner. The other dilemma facing me was the fact that heavy rain was forecast that night and I really needed to keep the combine going. Luckily one of the men carting the corn took over on the combine and a phone call en route managed to get another grain cart driver on the job. When we arrived at the fire it was evident that the combine could not be saved so we turned our attention to the remainder of the field that was now on fire. Luckily the farmer managed to cultivate some fire breaks in the field and it was just a case of damping down. I returned to the combine a couple of hours later and we managed to keep combining until it started to rain at 3am. One of these summer showers was probably the cause of a crash that resulted in ourselves and a crew from Stansted having to cut 2 people out of a car between Clavering and Manuden. Two cars had collided head on and one car had ended up about 500 metres further down the road. Ironically the

driver of this car was not trapped but the two in the other car were. The roof and side of the car were removed and the paramedics moved in to stabilize them. Once they were happy with their condition we removed them on spinal boards over the back of the car. In the early hours one morning we received a call from the police to what was described as a ‘homemade bomb’ burning away in the road in the middle of Clavering. It turned out to be about a dozen aerosol cans taped together in a box that was on fire. We were none the wiser when we left the scene as to what it was all about, someone with too much time on their hands and a

creative imagination I fear. September saw us up and down the M11 attending car fires and RTC’s. We have noticed recently that we have periods when we don’t attend anything on the M11, and then we have four calls on it in one day. It was on returning from one of these calls at 3.00 in the morning that another call came in – the chances of us picking up two calls in a row whilst still on station at that time of the morning are quite remote. This call was to a storage shed on fire along North Hall Road in Quendon. We could see the flames high in the sky as we turned off down North Hall and the owner was attacking the fire using a

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Summer 2012 Newport News

WORK HORSE AT WENDENS AMBO

garden hose. A couple of tanks of water from our appliance and Stansted’s soon had the situation under control. When the alerter screeched into life about 5.00 on a Saturday morning, I leapt out of bed and headed to the station only to be greeted by a wall of thick fog. The call was to a garage on fire at Hamperden End in Debden. The address was quite vague but we had a good idea where to go. We arrived at the location stated on the tip sheet at about the same time as Thaxted’s appliance, but unfortunately due to the thick fog, we could not see very far and could not locate the fire. I contacted control for extra directions and they informed us that the caller had heard us approaching. We were told to go down a farm track for about a mile and turn

Newport News Summer 2012

off at the second electricity pylon and the fire was half a mile down another track from there. With this extra information we were both able to locate the fire quite quickly. It is a good point to remember that if you live in a rural location off the beaten track and have to call the emergency services, the more information you can give the better, and if you are able to do so, send someone to the nearest road to direct them in. When we arrived we found a large double garage and workshop well alight with flames licking up the side of the adjacent house. All the occupants were out of the building so we concentrated in protecting the house and extinguishing the fire. Once we had established that there were no cylinders in the building, we were able to make a progressive attack at it and soon had it extinguished. October saw the introduction of or new ‘gold’ firefighting kit along with new helmets and boots – this is a radical change from the usual dark coloured uniforms that we have traditionally worn. We have now been wearing it for 6 months and are starting to get used to it, apart from the helmets – they are quite heavy and we all seem to suffer headaches after wearing them for a couple of hours or so. We gave them a good test within the first couple of days of issue when we attended a thatch fire at Gt Yeldham. We attended as part of a 4 pump relief, along with Braintree, Coggeshall and South Woodham Ferrers. After a couple of hours pulling the thatch off the roof, the new uniform was completely black. On return to the station it was put out for the laundry van and our second kit put on our pegs, hoping that we didn’t have to attend another dirty call before our kit was collected, cleaned and returned in a week’s time. A horse decided to go for an adventure in Wendens Ambo one morning, but unfortunately ended up falling into a septic tank through a weak concrete cover. When we arrived the horse’s head was just level with the top of the pit and it appeared quite calm. Thankfully it was a disused septic tank which made the situation a lot more bearable. Essex Fire and Rescue have recently invested in a large animal rescue unit and trained certain crews in animal handling at Writtle Agricultural College. The unit is based at South Woodham Ferrers and was dispatched at the same time as us. Unfortunately this was the same day as the Dale Farm evictions and one of the specially trained crews were providing fire cover for the eviction, so the next nearest crew were dispatched from Gt Baddow to man the unit. By the time they arrived we had made the area safe and cleared an access path for the Unimog based unit. A sling and crane were used to lift the horse from the pit and placed it back on solid ground, none the worse for wear. Towards the end of the month we had one of those busy days on the motorway. Just before midday we were called to a multiple RTC between the Wicken Road access and Junction 9 at Gt Chesterford. When we arrived we found 6 vehicles had been in the collision, resulting in two people trapped in one car in the outside lane. We parked our appliance in the fend off position behind the incident to protect the scene as cars were still pushing their way through the crash scene. When appliances arrived from Stansted and Saffron Walden, they closed off the remainder of the lanes so we could work safely. Using our onboard MDT (Mobile Data Terminal) we are able to put a vehicle’s details into it and get a print out of any airbags, gas tension canisters, tension springs, fuel lines etc

WORK

RTC IN WENDEN

that may cause us harm if we were to cut into them. Once we have this information we are able to make an informed decision on where to cut. We also remove all plastic trim from around the A, B & C posts so that we can also see what we are actually cutting. The occupants were then extricated once the roof and doors had been removed, and left in the care of the Ambulance service. No sooner had we got back to station, we were called out again, to another horse. This time it was trapped in its horsebox on the M11 in the tailback from the original accident. It had become agitated and jumped around in the horsebox trailer so much that it had become wedged over an internal dividing door. Once we assessed the situation, it was decided to dismantle the internal framework of the horsebox. With a couple of sets of spanners we set to work, the horse was released, and we even rebuilt the horsebox. The RTC theme seemed to carry on into November with us attending another RTC in Wendens Ambo about 20 yards past the previous location. A mother and daughter had been travelling towards Chrishall when they had lost control and had slid sideways into a telegraph pole. The teenage daughter was out of the car when we arrived and her mother was trapped by the concertinaed side of the car. Again we removed the roof and side to enable the paramedics to have complete access to the casualty. Once stabilised she was taken out over the back of the car on a spinal board. We didn’t have far to go when attending one incident this month. Sue and Ian Vance from Debden Road came across a motorcyclist lying in the road having come off his bike on the Railway Bridge outside the Fire Station one night. Chris Rix from the house nearby also heard the commotion and came out and joined them. An ambulance

was called for the casualty and we were called to deal with the fuel and oil spillage on the bridge. As I came down Debden Road in my car responding to my alerter, I could see a lot of commotion on the bridge and soon realised that this was the incident that we were being called to. By now some of the crew had run up the road from the Fire Station to assist with the casualty. Well done to Sue, Ian and Chris for stopping at the scene and dealing with the situation before the arrival of any emergency services. December brought the launch of the Co-Responder scheme based at Newport and Coggeshall fire stations. Some of the crew have been trained to be able to attend medical emergencies in the local area, mainly dealing with heart and breathing difficulties. They are alerted by a mobile phone call from the ambulance service and attend the station to man a car that has been supplied for the job. An ambulance is still dispatched, but it does mean it is quite likely we could be first on the scene due to our locality. The Fire Appliance still takes priority, so if we are down to a minimum crew on the appliance, we will not be responding to medical emergencies in the car. The cover for this is usually nights and weekends, but this could be extended should we be able to recruit some more cover during the day. Another hindrance that we are experiencing during the day is actually being able to get to the fire station. You may have all noticed the large number of cars that now park along the High Street from Debden Road to Wicken Road, effectively making this a single lane road. We are struggling to get to Debden Road on receipt of a call in our private cars, and once we are in the appliance it isn’t much better – the traffic is often so jammed up that cars can not get out of the way. Early morning ice certainly caught a

few motorists out on the morning of Saturday 17th. ECFRS received dozens of calls to motorists sliding off the road and we experienced the slipperiness of the roads as we travelled to an RTC at Hempstead. An elderly couple had lost control of their car and ended up nose down in a deep ditch. They were not physically trapped in the car, but due to its location and angle, they needed assisting out. Most other local appliances were also out dealing with similar situations. Chimney fires were also quite frequent this month as the temperature dropped and people tried to stay warm. Burning good seasoned wood that is a minimum of a year old, will help to reduce the build up of tar in your chimney. It wasn’t Santa that woke us up on Christmas morning, it was that damn alerter again, this time to a disused factory on fire in Saffron Walden. Saffron Walden were also called to the disused factory in Thaxted Road. It turned out that someone had made some ‘dens’ inside and it was these that were on fire. Crews in breathing apparatus fought their way to the seat of the fire and once extinguished we used our high pressure fan to clear the smoke from the large building so that an investigation could take place. We managed to get back home just in time for Christmas dinner. Boxing Day saw us racing out to a fire in the roof of a house in Henham. Stansted were already in attendance and were unable to locate the source of the smoke seen by the occupier. A thorough search was done using a Thermal Imaging camera but we still could not locate anything. We believe it may have been a light fitting that had burnt out, as there were a number of bulbs not working in the ceiling. The very last call of the year was an RTC on the flyover over the M11 near the Airport. A car had collided with the central reservation, trapping the female driver. With a crew from Stansted, we extricated her and left her in the care of the ambulance service. That rounds up another year’s activities from the fire station. The only disappointment is that we have let our availability slip a bit this year. If you have read this and think ‘could I do that?’. You could be the one to make all the difference – come and see us, you never know you may enjoy it. NN

Summer 2012 Newport News

COMMUNITY

Neighbourhood Watch Metal Theft

ALAN JOHNSON & DERRICK GIFFIN NEWPORT NHW VILLAGE CO-ORDINATORS

Changes in Essex Police To achieve the cuts to their budgets, Essex Police have set about substantial changes to the way it operates. This includes changes to the structure, how officers and staff work, and the number of people employed. This change started from 1 March and we are now in a period when the ideas are put to the test. The good news is that Neighbourhood Policing is being retained with only minor losses. Under the control of local Sergeants, the Neighbourhood Teams are still the point of contact for the public, so we should see very little change in our day to day contacts with our local officers. Feedback to these changes is important and we would encourage you to let the police and ourselves know about any experience you have (be it good or bad) over the coming months. You will find the contact details on the latest edition of the Neighbourhood Watch Observer which your local Co-ordinator will have recently delivered to you.

Neighbourhood Watch across England and Wales are joining forces with police and various telecoms, transport and utility companies to clamp down on thieves, who target metal as their way of making money at the cost of millions. Neighbourhood members are a vital link in the fight against metal thieves. By utilising the estimated 7.9m (and there are 2,300 in Newport) strong membership to report suspicious vehicles or evidence of metal theft to the police or Crimestoppers (on 0800 555 111), the potential for the thieves being caught with the stolen goods is increased. A special edition newsletter, supported by British Telecom is being circulated by the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (England and Wales) to members, partners and MPs to reinforce the message of the importance of being extra vigilant and highlighting what they should be looking for. You can read the newsletter by visiting www.ourwatch.org.uk

We Can Help Over the past year, Uttlesford Neighbourhood Watch has addressed the problem of security devices that will deter burglars entering your home, garages and sheds by offering a range of crime prevention equipment. With the advice from the Crime Reduction Advisor, you can purchase a range of low cost equipment online by visiting the website www.uttlesfordnhw.org.uk and collect your purchases at Saffron Walden

police station. Please let us know if this is a useful service and what other equipment we should make available.

Newport Fete The news that the Olympic Flame is coming to Newport on 7 July and that the Fete and Carnival will take place on the same date is excellent for our community in Newport. Your local Neighbourhood Watch team will be at the Fete, so please come and have a chat to discuss any local crime and community issues you have. With all the excitement of the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Jubilee and the Olympics, you may have missed that 2012 is an important year for Neighbourhood Watch. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary since Neighbourhood Watch first came to the UK and we will be celebrating this milestone during National NHW Week from 16th to 24th June across the country. This is an opportunity to thank all those Newportonians, past and present, who have provided their service to our community. NN

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Summer 2012 Newport News

CHARITY

Kyangala Trust A CHARITY BASED IN NEWPORT THE CHILDREN OF KYANGALA SPORTING THEIR NEW CLOTHES

JOHN HARRISON

www.kyangala-trust.org.uk

he Kyangala Trust (pronounced Changala) was set up in 2010 as a result of two friends visiting the community of Kyangala in Kenya. John Harrison of Newport and Benedict Mwendwa, who grew up in Kenya and whose ancestoral home is Kyangala, visited the community of Kyangala to see for themselves some of the problems being faced by the people of Kyangala. Kyangala is a rural community 2 hours drive south of Nairobi and its local economy is based on subsistence agriculture. The rain in that part of Kenya has been very sparse over the last five years and has lead to the compound problems of poor irrigation for crop growth, a lack of water for drinking, poor health care provision and poor educational facilities for children.

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To Bishops Stortford

Project 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Distribution of Clothes Benedict Mwendwa visited Kyangala in December 2011 and was able to take with him two large suitcases full of clothes collected for the children of Kyangala. This was the only Christmas present most of the children received and they were very grateful and happy as the picture above shows.

DRINKING WATER WELL

2011 During the course of 2011 we held a number of fundraising events that were great fun and effective in raising muchneeded funds to pay for the various projects planned and agreed with the local organising committee in Kyangala. Documentary Film - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Small Actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Saffron Screen showed the film documentary A Small Act which is the true story of Chris Mburu, a Kenyan boy who was sponsored through his education by Hilde Backe a Swedish school teacher. He eventually studied at Harvard and became an international human rights lawyer. Celebrate Africa Evening An evening to celebrate the rich heritage, food and culture of Africa was held in June and consisted of a series of workshops which included drumming, African crafts, face painting and dance. Sponsored Bike Ride This year a number of riders took part in the Essex Countryside Bike ride which started at the Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford and took a 60 mile route through the Essex countryside via Maldon and back to Chelmsford. Wine Tasting & Art Sale This was an event held in Widdington Village Hall and consisted of a champagne reception, a wine tasting run by a Dirceu Vianna Junior, a Master of Wine from Coe Vintners and a sale of art. In 2012 we want to encourage as many people as possible to participate in the blog between the community in Kyangala, especially the school, and the people of Newport, the UK in general and further afield.

2012 There are a number of events being planned in 2012 details of which will eventually be posted on our web site and advertised locally. NN

DIRCEU VIANNA JUNIOR ADDRESSING THE PARTICIPANTS IN WIDDINGTON VILLAGE HALL Summer 2012 Newport News

N Newport ewport B Business usiness campaign c ampaign g gets ets g green reen Bin Bin there… there… Done Done that? that? NBA NBA anti-litter anti-litter campaign campaign environment and encourage tto o help help protect protect tthe he e nvironment a nd e ncourage help Go h elp keep keep iitt llitter-free. itter-free. G o green green with with NBA’s NBA’s top top

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w www.newportbusinessassociation.co.uk ww.newportbusinessassociation.co.uk

A Association ssociation llight ight from from kids kids gets help Newport children gets h elp ffrom rom N ewport c hildren everyone everyone using using our our station station to to slogan: slogan: Bin Bin there… there… Done Done that? that? S Station tation campaign campaign Newport Business Association [NBA] would like to say “Thank you” for the great community support it’s had for its Newport station anti-litter campaign. NBA estimates it has removed over 65 black sacks of litter from Newport station over the year. NBA launched its 'Bin there… Done that?' litter campaign thanks to the hard work of Abigail Ward, aged 13, who designed the poster campaign. Jeremy Rose, NBA founder said: "I’d like to thank all the contributions we had for the competition, with special thanks to Abigail Ward, who was voted by NBA members as the winner. She won £50 worth of Saffron Screen cinema tickets, a family return trip anywhere on the Greater Anglia line and our thanks for helping us launch the campaign.” “Newport station users are urged to dispose of litter responsibly. Litter is not only unsightly, but is also a threat to the environment and wildlife, blocks drains and causes flooding. It can also put NBA volunteers and station staff at risk when removing litter. For NBA, clearing litter diverts much-needed time and resources away from planting and restoring our historic railway station.” Alan Neville, Greater Anglia Area Manager added: “It is a great pleasure to be congratulating a young lady on winning this special Newport Business Association competition. The work of our Adopters and the Newport team in helping to clear the station has been noticed in many quarters, bringing an improved environment for our customers and enabling our staff to focus on Customer Service, rather than having to clear up the mess left by a minority. I am proud to think that this has made Newport an even better place to live. “I congratulate Abigail in a well deserved win – and the prizes she is walking away with. I’d like to use this opportuni y advise everyone that Greater Anglia management will be working ever closer with Jeremy, Tricia and the team in 2012 in some new and exciting initiatives for the station.” Julie Kendall, Saffron Screen Cinema Director, noted: “As a cinema with a strong community ethos, Saffron Screen is delighted to be associated with Newport Business Association’s campaign. Abigail’s poster will help to get the message across that we are all part of the same community and all need to act responsibly where litter is concerned.”

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w www.newportbusinessassociation.co.uk ww.newportbusinessassociation.co.uk

WORK

Coffee for commuters JOHN GORDON

oticing a Commer Camperwagon at the railway station when I was taking my morning walk I stopped to have a chat with the owner, John Mills. John told me that he saw an opportunity when Mark Bradley gave up selling coffee and newspapers at the station, and harnessing his love of coffee with his love for classic vehicles - and a 1968 Commer Camperwagon is indeed a classic - he opened for business last year selling coffee and drinks between 5.30 and 9.30am. He also covers local markets in Saffron Walden and elsewhere. I asked John for a little of his background and he told me that he was born in 1972 in Hornchurch and that he had been educated at Newport Free Grammar school. He currently lives in Berden with his wife and daughter. At 18 he joined the army for four years, serving in the Royal Military Police in Aldershot

and Northern Ireland. He then spent 13 years in the Police in Hackney and at some point learnt to be a carpenter. Wanting to be his own boss he used his woodworking skills to remove the bedding from the Camperwagon and put in a kitchen. He then approached the Railway company, who he found very helpful and set out his stall last November. This has proved very popular with the commuters and he feels that he’s providing a valuable service, which, judging by the number of cups of coffee he sells, he certainly is. NN

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Newport News Summer 2012

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MOTORING

Cars of a certain age JOHN GORDON

RIGHT: ROBERT KNIGHT WITH HIS BOND BUG AND RALEIGH CHOPPER, BOTH MADE IN 1971. BELOW: AN OLD IRON ROLLER ON THE COMMON, BEHIND ROBERT KNIGHT’S WORKSHOP. DOES ANYONE KNOW ITS HISTORY PLEASE?

s you will remember we try and feature a pre 1974 car in each issue, that year being the one in which Newport News was started. This time around I had drawn a complete blank – until I remembered seeing the remains of an old car in Robert Knight’s vehicle repair shop in Station Road. I therefore trotted along to see him and lo and behold, on a pile of vehicle parts he whipped away a dust sheet and uncovered a 1971 Bond Bug. He then told me that he had bought it five years ago, intending to bring it back to life, something he still intends to do but it’s taking rather longer than he originally intended. I asked him to tell me a little about the marque. Apparently when Bond cars were taken over by Reliant they commissioned the well known designer, Tom Karen to design a two seater, three wheeled sports car and this is what he came up with. Some 3200 were made between 1969 and 1973, originally having a 750cc engine, later increased to 850cc. Tom Karen, amongst many other things, designed the Raleigh Chopper bike and early

CLASSICS! If you have a classic car, motorbike, van, lorry or bus (or any other kind of vehicle!), and would like to be featured in Newport News, please get in touch with John Gordon (542090).

ones were painted in the same orange colour as the Bond Bug. There is an enthusiastic supporters’ club, quite a cult following. In the photograph you see Robert standing proudly by his three wheeler Bond Bug and his two wheeler Raleigh Chopper, both made in 1971 and collectors’ items. Whilst on the subject of old vehicles I found the remains of an old roller in the long grass on the Common, just behind Robert’s garage. Does anyone know its history? NN

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Summer 2012 Newport News

HISTORY

The Newport Pottery RIGHT: MRS KALAN IN HER GARDEN BELOW: EXAMPLES OF KALAN POTTERY

EMMA BRADSHAW Article dedicated to Peter Morley

urther to my article in 2010 on the Kalan Pottery originally on the site of what is now ‘The Potteries’ on London Road I received a telephone call from the sadly, now late Peter Morley whom I visited late last summer, where it turned out that he lived next door to the Kalans and knew them well. He explained that he found Stephanie Kalan quite amiable and Toni Kalan a very quiet gentleman who appears to have been the artist whereas Mrs Kalan experimented with new glazes and perfecting the ware. Peter would often help Stephanie with taking the moulds out of the kiln when her eyesight was very bad, Toni having since passed away, and he gave me a photograph of her in her garden along with a couple of saucers and a few pieces of broken experimental ware which I found digging about around the compost heap! Over the years Stephanie gave him a number of items which Peter kindly allowed me to photograph and are shown here. One of which is a fish shaped ashtray which was produced in quantity for a number of restaurants though obviously not economical as they were

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Newport News Summer 2012

all hand made. He explained that there was a rather large exhibition of their work in London at one stage. From the photographs it is interesting to see the wide range of styles and glazes which were applied to their ware. I am still on the hunt for more Kalan pottery, so as ever, if you have items that I may look at and photograph I would be very interested; along with the stories that come with them. I may be contacted on 01799 542447. NN

CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

1st Newport brownies LEANNE AND CYNTHIA

he 1st Newport Brownies have been working towards their Dance badge over the last two terms. The girls had to find out information about two types of dance and the costumes worn, and do a presentation to the rest of the brownies. We made belly dancing belts which had bells on which they wore the following week for their “surprise” Belly Dancing session with Belly Belles. The girls had a giggle learning the moves. They were split into groups and had to create their own belly dance to perform to the others.

We also made Cow Girl hats to wear whilst having a go at Line Dancing. Yee Haa!! The Brownies made their own Tu Tu and learnt a few Ballet steps from Brown Owl! In November we had a trip to see The State Ballet Academy of Minsk perform The Nutcracker at The Harlow Playhouse. The girls where mesmerised by the dancers and couldn’t believe they where dancing on tip toes! After Christmas we all had a Zumba session which we thoroughly enjoyed. The trainer Luiza really worked the girls hard and it was nonstop Zumba all night! I think the brownies slept well that evening, Brown Owl did! Next term 1st Newport brownies will enjoy our annual Pack Holiday weekend away to Thriftwood Scout Campsite in Brentwood. NN

If your daughter is interested in joining 1st Newport Brownies please contact Leanne 01799 543606 or Cynthia 01799 541408 Email: leanne1stnewportbrownies@hotmail.com We currently have a waiting list for under 7’s and Rainbows. Put your daughter’s name down today to avoid disappointment.

Summer 2012 Newport News

EDUCATION

Newport primary school KS1 TRIP TO AUDLEY END HOUSE

FOOTBALL SUCCCESS! Annual 7-A-Side Football Competition

Years 1 and 2 visited Audley End House and had a wonderful time dressing up in Victorian clothes and learning about life behind the scenes in a Victorian household. Louisa wrote about the scullery maid, who was called Annie Chase ‘She had the most horrible jobs ever like gutting the fish and plucking the birds.’

Our boys team won the medium size schools football competition, winning their own pool and going on to beat Elsenham in the semi final and Clavering in the final. The boys really worked together as a team and supported each other throughout the tournament.

KS1 PRODUCTION OF ‘A SNOWMAN AT SUNSET’ (BY NIKI DAVIES) Everyone loves making snowmen, but what happens when there isn’t enough snow? The infants used words and songs about the importance of teamwork to make this a thoroughly enjoyable production.

CHARLEY STARK, HUDSON REES-JONES, DOMINIC BOZIANU, TRAVIS FLEETWOOD, HARVEY LEWIS-BERWICK, CHARLIE WATERS, HARRY HOOD, BRAD MANNING AND REGAN SMITH

The girls team tried very hard, winning 1 out of their 5 games. Rose Anderson injured her shoulder and knee but played on regardless. They too worked very well as a team and are a tribute to the school.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK KS2 Drama Club performed Roald Dahl’s ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at the end of the Spring term. Matinee and evening performances were enjoyed by an audience mixed with pupils, parents, grandparents and family members. Producer & Director Felicity Ratcliffe (Years 3/4 class teacher) was delighted with the children’s acting ability and their commitment to the production. She was assisted by Sam Wilson (KS2 Teaching Assistant) and her daughter and ex pupil Hollie Wilson who supervised the music.

EGYPTIANS – YEARS 3 & 4

EMILY BOWLES, ROSE ANDERSON, GEORGIA BOZIANU, ABBEY FRANKS, MADELEINE NEWITT JASMINE WILSON AND LILY-MAY ANDERSON

Newport News Summer 2012

An ancient Egyptian explorer came to visit years 3 & 4. He told stories of ancient times which the children then acted out. They witnessed an embalming process, made a tomb with hieroglyphs on the wall relating to ‘The Book of the Dead’ which was followed by a funeral march with a coffin! Mrs Ratcliffe has been in touch with the curator of the Cairo Museum who agreed to lend us Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus which is on display in the school foyer.

EDUCATION LIFE IN OTHER COUNTRIES

TALENT SHOW

Years 1 and 2 were visited by Mr Zijdenbos, Lily’s dad, to learn about life in another country – The Netherlands. Mr Zijdenbos shared many insights into life in his home country, including about the languages spoken there, transport, houses, food and school. The children were interested to learn that children in Holland start school the day after they turn 4, but they spend their first few years learning through play, rather than formally learning to read and write! Many thanks to Mr Zijdenbos for coming in and to Lily for teaching us all to count from 1 to 5 in Dutch! Year 1 were also visited recently by Mrs Hultzer, Isabella’s mum, to speak to the children about life in South Africa. Everybody loved the thought of the wonderful outdoors lifestyle there, especially the frequent barbecues! It was interesting, in the light of our recent visit to Waitrose, to think about how much of the fruit we buy is grown in South Africa.The class were also quick to notice that the numbers in Afrikaans are very similar to the Dutch numbers they had learnt before. Thank you Mrs Hultzer for giving up some of your time to visit us.

At Newport we always knew our pupils were wonderful but were totally delighted with the confidence and talent displayed at our Talent Show in aid of Children in Need. Congratulations to Katie Lee and Madeleine Gilbank for being overall winners. Many thanks to the judges and to Mrs Wilson, who donated the winners’ prize. TOP: NATHAN AZAMEDE. LEFT: KATIE LEE AND MADELEINE GILBANK. RIGHT: LILY MAY ANDERSON.

MUSEUM VISIT – YEARS 1 & 2 “How can we learn about what people’s everyday lives were like?” That was the question being answered by Years 1 and 2 this week, when Gemma Tully, Education Officer from Saffron Walden Museum, visited with a wonderful array of Tudor and Victorian artefacts. Some of the children dressed up in Tudor and Victorian children’s clothes, and were surprised at how much the children were expected to be like little adults. Poor Madeleine decided that wearing heavy Tudor skirts was really not much fun; in fact she would have struggled to play at all. All in all, the children had a great time and were able to answer their question well – we can learn lots about what people’s everyday lives were like by investigating objects from the past and thinking carefully about what to ask an expert.

Summer 2012 Newport News

EDUCATION

Newport Free Grammarschool

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Four students from Newport Free Grammar School presented projects in Lyon, France as part of a British Council project. Emma Cousins, Connor McRae, Beth Gregory and Lydia Michaelides, accompanied by two teachers, travelled to Lyon to participate in a final Comenius Multilateral project meeting which has been sponsored by the British Council. The aim of the project was to create a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Virtual Euro Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; so that, over time, all schools involved in the project can click on to buildings within the city and then access information regarding that school and city. The Newport students presented their projects on food, culture comparisons and British Heroes with a European connection.

MAGISTRATES MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION WINNERS! NFGS pupils have been getting a taste of the legal system. 14 Y9 pupils took on the role of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates, court staff and a defendant to take part in the annual mock trail competition. They were given a criminal case involving a scenario in which teenagers are accused of handling stolen goods following an attack on a 66

Newport News Summer 2012

local newsagent. A strong performance from the whole team ensured that proceedings ran smoothly at Cambridge Magistrates Court, beating King Edward VI School and Swavesey Village College in the process.The NFGS legal team will now take part in the next round of regional finals, in Northampton this May. Good Luck! By Anna Flight, 9M

EDUCATION HOCKEY ACHIEVEMENTS Newport has had a tremendously successful hockey season winning 11 trophies. The Year 7 Girls have had an excellent first season with Newport U12s A Team being crowned District Champions, winning the Leys Invitational Tournament (including a 10-0 win against Barnardiston Hall with a hat trick from Lucy Robinson and four from Victoria Hill), which is only the second time the school has won this tournament, and winning all 10 of their school matches by scoring 103 goals whist conceding just 7! The B Team also won their tournament and all of their school matches. The Year 8 Girls have also had a great season. They played 10 games, won 9 and drew 1, scored 41 goals and conceded only 6 and won the Southgate Tournament. The U16 Girls have had an amazing season: they won the indoor championship in a very tight round robin tournament and the County Championship, beating The Leys 3-0 in the final. They became champions of the

East of England, an area stretching from Lincolnshire down to Kent, and, following lots of fund-raising efforts and extra training, despite the illness of captain Claire Wyatt, emerged as the 8th best school in the country. The U18 Girls won the Cambridgeshire Indoor Hockey Championship after a tense penalty

stroke shoot out after the final had ended 1-1. With 25 county players and an East of England player (Claire Wyatt), hockey remains a tremendous strength of the school, thanks, in no small part, to the work of the coaches, including Donna Anderson and Gordon Scott.

JUDO SUCCESS NFGS student Victoria Kerr won a Silver medal in the British Schools Judo Championships on 10th March. Victoria has been doing judo for the last 4 years and she trains 3 times a week. She has now been invited to train at the England regional training sessions. Victoria has had many previous successes, gaining around 30 medals and 8 trophies. Some of these medals have been local competitions but some have had international competitors as well. Victoria has 3 competitions coming up in April and in June she will be fighting at the Kent internationals. After winning a silver medal at the Schools competition Victoria was very happy with the result but thought she could have done better and taken gold instead of silver. Her goal is to get on the England squad.

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Summer 2012 Newport News

CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

Girls Go Out CHRIS MURPHY

s we come to the end of our eighth year Girls Go Out has many new members who have either just moved into the area or have recently retired. Our wide range of interests means there is something for everyone and opportunities to get involved and make new friends. Some of our recent activities include a Christmas Dinner in Widdington where 24 ladies enjoyed a super traditional Christmas celebration and even had a go at beating the locals in their regular pub quiz without success. In the cold winter we sampled Indian food in Newport and Italian in Saffron Walden, which we thoroughly enjoyed. To encourage our creative side we spent an evening sampling mosaic making at the studio in Newport and had an illustrated talk about gardening in containers in Church House. We also spent an evening in Saffron Walden learning how to make

Newport News Summer 2012

jewellery, using buttons! We had a Spanish Evening where we brought tapas to share and had a go at learning enough Spanish to survive on holiday. Not as easy as it sounds. There was much laughing that evening. With the warmer weather there were a number of daytime outings to Ashdon Museum, Marks Hall Gardens and a trip to St Ives on the guided bus for lunch. And to satisfy our intellectual side the Fry Gallery in Saffron Walden put on a special evening for us to appreciate this wonderful art. And a small group went to the Cambridge Arts Theatre for an evening of comedy drama in April. We are planning to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics in the summer with some fun events. So if you think you might like to join in please let us have your email address. We do not have a membership fee or regular meetings. Details and reminders come by email and tickets for events can be purchased from the Post Office. NN

ABOVE: CHRISTMAS DINNER IN WIDDINGTON BELOW: SAMPLING ITALIAN FOOD, SAFFRON WALDEN

To join our emailing list, please send your email address to Jane Murphy janemurphy11@aol.com Look at our message website for our current newsletter https://sites.google.com/site/girlsgooutnewport

PEOPLE

Newportbabies

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Joshua Arthur Powell 23 September 2011

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BABIES! If you live in Newport and would like your babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photograph to appear in Newport News, please get in touch with Gina Holley (543046).

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Summer 2012 Newport News

CHURCH

What do you think about Church? REVD NEIL MCLEOD

he church works for other people but it doesn’t do anything for me! It’s a bit boring! It all happened years ago so it doesn’t fit with today! All of the responses above are some that I have heard most of my Christian life. Yet I believe that the church is extremely relevant to people’s lives today. It is likely that at some point in time most of us are going to be in a church for something, e.g. a baptism, wedding or funeral. We may have been into the church to see children sing or read in an Easter or Christmas service. We may even have gone in just to visit the building and to look around. Churches have been part of the fabric of our society for centuries and, I believe, that it will be part of our society for centuries to come. First and foremost is that the church is here for you! In many villages across the UK the church is the focal point of the community; indeed the church should be and is an integral part of the community. There is a reason it is called the parish church, because it is here for everyone in the parish. In effect everyone is a member of their local parish church. Being part of the community means the church does a great deal for the community and this article will outline some of things that the church is doing. You may be surprised to learn that church IS NOT just about Sunday. As the new vicar of St Mary’s I am looking to expand activities on other days of the week. St Mary’s is the parish church in Newport, which means that it is YOUR church. The gospels reflect the life & times of the Israelite people in the time of Jesus but it is not just history – it matters today;

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Newport News Summer 2012

• Does faith clash with science? Can the creation account in Genesis sit alongside the theory of evolution? I believe that it can. I also think it interesting that scientists, who may have no faith, working on the Hadron Collider, name an unknown particle as the God particle. Maybe there is a suspicion in all of us that maybe, just maybe God exists. • People wonder how there can be so much war & oppression in the world. War and oppression existed at the time of Jesus. The Israelite people were under the rule of the Roman Empire; they knew what it was like to be hungry and knew what it was like to struggle. Women were oppressed; if a woman’s husband died leaving no male relatives the woman would have been cast out to fend for herself. Jesus came into that world to free people from their personal oppression and he is here now in this world to do the same. • People suffer as a result of a natural disaster and suffer from illness. Why does God let so many people become ill and die? Sickness and disease were much more prevalent in biblical times; just read the accounts of people suffering from leprosy. People who had a disability and could not work were left to beg. Yet at that time people clung onto their faith in God, and the New Testament is full of people being healed. Jesus came into that world to bring healing and I believe he brings healing now – I have seen a close relative healed from serious illness. Sadly I have also seen people die, yet God is also there at time of bereavement just as Jesus was with Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus had died. He will be there for you too. The Bible isn’t just a story of long ago; it is about how to be with Jesus today. It is about how to bring God’s love to the community. Did you know that we also visit people irrespective of whether or not they attend church services? You belong to the church because it is the parish church. Such visits are undertaken by members of the church’s Pastoral Care group. We visit, when requested, the recently bereaved, the lonely and the sick. Sometimes just to sit and chat. Prayer can be offered but can be politely declined, although many people value prayer for them when life is difficult. If you would like one of the members of the group

CHURCH CHRISTMAS DINNER

REPAIRS TO THE CHURCH

free time to improve the appearance of the church grounds. This year work will continue to repair the brick and lime mortar wall on the north side of the church and begin repairing the flint wall along the southern side of the churchyard. The church must remain in good condition for future generations. Anyone wishing to help preserve the churchyard can contact Phil on 541251. He will be very pleased to hear from you. The church and surrounding church yard belong to everyone who lives within the village, not just those who attend services. It would be great for more local people to

get involved in looking after it. The building itself needs looking after and in this respect the Friends of Newport Church has been extremely helpful. Last year the church was put on the English Heritage ‘At Risk’ register because of the serious condition of the chancel roof and the staircase near the door. The repairs were to be completed in 2012 but the heating system failed and needed replacing. English Heritage agreed a deferral of their grant to allow our own funds to be rebuilt. Since 2000 the church has re-roofed the nave and conserved the tower. They were the

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to visit please contact the church. We run a coffee morning in Church House every Wednesday and at Christmas we invite people, who might otherwise be on their own, to a Christmas lunch. Last year 7 people sat down to a full Christmas Dinner in Church House. After a glass of something with nibbles, there was soup followed by turkey with all the trimmings. Hattie, aged 5, distributed gifts to people. Meals were delivered to people in the village who were too frail to attend. Everyone had the opportunity to take home a doggy bag. People enjoyed the meal with friends and those providing it enjoyed it too. The church is there for the community no matter how old you are. Everyone will receive a good welcome whether you are single or with someone, whether you are young or not so young. Children and young people form an integral part of the church community. We have two thriving and lively youth groups for children and teenagers. The Sunday Club and SURE groups meet on Sunday mornings during the 10.00am services. Sunday Club is for pre-school and primary school ages from 3 years old and involves singing, music, drama, arts and crafts and story-telling. The children learn about God’s love for them and are encouraged to join in with the activities. SURE is a youth group for young people aged 11 upwards. It follows a similar structure to Sunday Club but the young people also enjoy social activities such as bowling, swimming, etc. All the groups use age-related material. Being part of the groups also means they make new friends as they see young people from other schools. As a church we are looking at how we can build upon our provision for young people and families with Messy Church which you may have been to in the past. This is your church in your community. It is a Grade 1 listed building which needs looking after. Phil Stanley is responsible for managing the repair and upkeep of Church House, the churchyard, gates and surrounding walls. It is extremely rewarding to see the changes and improvements that have occurred within the churchyard as a result of all the hard work done by many in the church and the wider village who have donated their valuable

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Summer 2012 Newport News

CHURCH REPAIRS TO THE CHURCH

first major pieces of building work since 1911. There is a serious backlog of repair and conservation required. The chancel roof has pinholes in the lead and the panels have moved, and needs repair to ensure that the weather is kept out and that various rots and infestations are dealt with. The staircase (spiral, up to the lovely sunny priest’s room over the porch containing an 18th-century library) is just falling away from the side of the building. You can put your fingers through the gaps to the outside. Those walking by the church will see it is cordoned off. The rest of the works are to replace or stabilise crumbling stone, flint and brickwork on the chancel walls, the buttress to the south aisle and the north transept gable. The vestry roof will also be repaired. The lead on the chancel roof, which is about 200 years old, will be recycled, except some graffiti which will be cut out and kept – now old enough to be historical curiosities rather than vandalism! Insulation will also be put in the chancel and vestry roofs. The work will cost £197,000 and

has to start by February 2013. There is funding in place of £121,000, mostly from an English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £91,000. So the current gap is £75,000. This is your church; if you would like to help there is a scheme where donations are multiplied 9 times. The funding is landfill tax credits from local landfill operators. However because the scheme is only 90% funded by the tax credit the landfill company requires a 10% payment from other donors. To get a grant of £50,000 we would need to pay £5000. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Elaine Edwards on 542044 or Neil Hargreaves on 540411. Both would be absolutely delighted to hear from you. And do have a look on the Friends website http://friendsofstmarysnewport.org.uk where there is also a contact email. The Friends of Newport Church has its AGM on June 27th at 7.30pm in St Mary’s church if you would like to attend. You could also help us, and to continue to help your church by

supporting our fundraising events. This year a Beetle Drive has been held in Church House & a jumble sale in the village hall; raising £60 & £900 respectively. Thank you for supporting us so generously. Future events will be held and could include fashion shows or cookery demonstrations. Christmas cards showing the church will be on sale; please contact Berenice Smith on 541498 to place an order. Julie & Ben, a couple in St Mary’s church, were asked to write something for this article. This is what they wrote: “Churches help to bind communities together. They provide fixed points of continuity in an everchanging landscape, linking the generations through shared experiences. It was a privilege for us to hold blessings for our two boys, Reuben (4) and Toby (2), at St Mary’s church knowing that similar services had taken place there for at least 800 years and would carry on being held there for many years to come. Although we are relative newcomers to the village (we’ve only been here 8 NEWPORT years!), our boys have been ‘born and NEWS bred’. It’s lovely to watch them grow, as the church grows with them.” I would love to see anyone of you come into the church even if it just to ask questions; in fact I am hoping to run Alpha Courses in the future for people in the community. Alpha provides a relaxed space where people can ask any of the questions at the start Moving away? of this article or many others that they Want to buy a lasting present for a friend or relative? may have. If you would like to know more then please get in touch with me. For just £10 a year we will send Newport News direct to your door. This Don’t be shy – there are no wrong is for two issues and includes postage and packing in the UK. We are also questions: it is only wrong when you happy tosend Newport News abroad, so please contact us for details of the don’t ask the question itself. We are the extra postage. church for the community. We are your Please contact Susan Vance, Larkfield, Debden Road, Newport, Essex CB11 church and you are a part of it too. 3RU God Bless. NN

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Newport News Summer 2012

CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

The Newport Club SALLEY YATES AND LORNA WARD

warm welcome greeted us when we visited the Newport Club to write an article for Newport News. We were both taken with the warmth of the atmosphere and general size of the club. We sat and chatted to Nicola Hayward, Debbie Baker & Darren Pinnock for a couple of hours. As we looked around we noticed a varying age range in the club, from a baby (who wasn’t drinking!!) with his family to senior members just sitting passing the time together. Newport Club was established in 1919 primarily for the working man to relax after a long day at work. Back then there would have been just a bar. Today there is a fantastic full size snooker table, and you can play darts. There is a fruit machine and also SKY HD TV available. Music is normally playing in the background either from the Juke Box or the TV. The bar sells a range of drinks at realistic club prices, from real ales, lager on pump and in bottles, wine, spirits and cocktails if you are in the mood! The bar staff are quite happy to serve tea, coffee or hot chocolate if you prefer. You can also purchase snacks and fresh rolls at the bar. If it’s more than a quiet drink with friends you are looking for, the club boasts a ladies and men’s darts team, as well as a snooker team, all of which are very successful and the club always welcomes new players. The club try to have regular music evenings, where local up and coming musicians and singers play. They are able to boast that Steve Brookstein sang there before he found fame through the X-Factor. With quiz nights, poker nights and karaoke, Newport Club tries to entertain all tastes! They always welcome new ideas for fun events from family barbeques to more adult horse racing days/nights out. There is even talk of a Cockney night during the Diamond Jubilee. Bingo nights, once popular, might possibly be reinstated too, if there is enough interest. The club has a host

of enthusiastic volunteers, committee members & staff including Darren who runs the bar and Jo who tends the immaculate club garden. Newport club is a great place to meet friends old and new, even if you just wish to walk in alone you will be made to feel part of the club “family”. You will be made very welcome if you pop in to have a look and a drink before deciding on joining. Non members can be signed in by members and the bar staff and regulars will be only too happy to discuss with you the benefits of joining the Club. We joined, see you there!!! NN

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QUIZ

Newport Treasure Hunt STEVE & JACQUI SMITH The idea of a treasure hunt has been used before in Newport and we have to admit that some of the clues from the previous one were reused, albeit in a modified form. However we did take several strolls around the village, notepad in hand, to try and unearth some new material. It’s really quite amazing just what you can find when you really look. The Lancaster bomber weather vane above the garages in Cambridge Road was one of our favourites.

Unfortunately, the day of the treasure hunt fell victim to the typical British weather. There were several quite heavy downpours of rain throughout the day and this seemed to deter all but the hardiest of hunters. However, those who did brave the elements thoroughly enjoyed the event and the refreshments served in church afterwards. We received several requests for another treasure hunt so keep your eyes peeled for news of a new one, hopefully this summer. Why not spend a sunny summer afternoon with your family, strolling around the village at your leisure, and test your own observational skills? Go on give it a go!! Answers will be published in the next edition of Newport News.

Newport News Summer 2012

As you leave the church the first clue is in front of you 1. Who might have met St Paul along the road? Go along the path and past the light 2. Leave the churchyard by Windy’s Gate? 3. Who lived 1928 – 1989? 4. 7 + ? = 1863? Turn left towards next clue 5. Who is remembered by the trunk on Elephant Green ? 6. How many owls are sitting by the moon? 7. Take a seat and add up the total miles behind you Carry on in a northward direction 8. Who do you see when you look ‘This Way Please’? Cross over Gaces Acre 9. Whose Jubilee is commemorated here 1918-1968? 10. How much is a bull? Cross the main road carefully and bear right into Bridge End 11. The dog and duck must have looked at Medusa here 12. What is the number of the bridge? 13. Witch whinging woman might live here? 14. Who do the moths fly around at night? 15. There is an island of this name on the south coast near Portsmouth Now turn around to head back along the main road and the next clue is close by 16. Where did Charles H A Butler live? 17. Which American university is across the way? 18. A Lancaster bomber over Newport weather you like it or not, but where is it? 19. What is 4.3m or 14’3” 20. Our Newport mightn’t be in Wales but this seaside town is Now, a bit of a walk to the next clue. Cross Bridge End and up the hill 21. What’s landed on the cockney cup of tea? 22. Are you backward to go ‘smoor gnidaer’, literally? 23. What colour is this green house said to be? 24. To return the insult, where would you stick your tongue out? 25. Z x 4D = ? 26. Yellow Technology, who’s remembered outside? 27. Was Mary Poppin’s friend Bert a local man? 28. What yellow spice makes Premier Garage secure? Carefully cross Debden Road 29. Name the two sons of Zeus 30. Zeus’ daughter is here somewhere too? 31. Which cathedral city has water on tap? 32. Where might the stone dogs be guarding Abba 33. Where is the 2009 ridge? Turn around and cross back over the main road at the zebra crossing 34. What was established in 1919? 35. Who was the carpenter that left his mark? Cross over Bullfields 36. What do HS do? 37. Is this house a firework? 38. What number gives Traveline info? Turn left up the B1038 39. How many reindeer can you find? Cross over Wicken Road and turn left to go back up the hill towards the church 40. On whom does the light shine? 41. And when did he live? Now turn right for the finish but just one more clue

CHARITY

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PRESENTATION OF CHEQUE TO THE 1ST NEWPORT BROWNIE PACK.

My My first first year year as as your your elected elected D District istrict Councillor Councillor B By yC Cllr llr Jeremy Jeremy Rose Rose , C Conservative onservative C Councillor ouncillor representing representing N Newport, ewport, R Rickling, ickling, Q Quendon uendon a and n Widdington Ward Firstly, Firstly, I’d voted att tthe all tthose hose tthat hat v oted a I’d llike ike tto o tthank hank all he Uttlesford [UDC] elections. elections. Peter Peter Wilcock Uttlesford District District Council Council [UDC] Wilcock [Lib Dem] and were voted ass y your UDC oted a [Lib D em] a nd I w ere v our U DC rrepresentatives. epresentatives. One how honoured am O ne yyear ear on, on, II’d ’d llike ike tto o rrecord ecord h ow h onoured I a m tto o and organisations have rrepresent nd o rganisations tthat hat h ave epresent vvarious arious iindividuals ndividuals a needed myy h help assistance out ssistance in in sorting sorting o ut iissues ssues tthat hat n eeded m elp or or a affected daily Working ass a p public lives. W orking a a ffected ttheir heir d aily lives. ublic rrepresentative epresentative brings deal off ssatisfaction, and only praise b rings a ggreat reat d eal o atisfaction, a nd I ccan an o nly p raise tthe he professional, and helpful, UDC and advisors p rofessional, a nd vvery ery h elpful, U DC sstaff taff a nd a dvisors tthat hat have myy llack off e experience h ave helped helped me me overcome overcome m ack o xperience iin n ttackling ackling orr tthese hese matters. matters. They They have have helped helped me me solve solve difficult difficult o ensuring businesses ssensitive ensitive iissues ssues e hat llocal ocal rresidents, esidents, b usinesses nsuring tthat and organisations have our he right right vvoice oice iin no ur ccommunity. ommunity. a nd o rganisations h ave tthe The most Newport’s hallenging iissue ssue ffacing acing N ewport’s T he ssingle ingle m ost cchallenging must be expanding development e tthe he e xpanding d evelopment llimits ssustainability ustainability m ust b imits ass w well ass ggreen and ield’ a ell a reen a nd ffertile iincorporating ncorporating ‘‘brown brown ffield’ ertile lland. and. The off cconsultation with UDC, March, onsultation w T he ffirst irst rround ound o arch, ith tthe he U DC, iin nM was an Newport and w as a n eye-opener. eye-opener. I know nd know many many people people from from N ewport a across district have say. a cross tthe he d istrict h ave ttaken aken the the time time to to have have their their say. Andrew Taylor, Assistant Director off P Planning and Building A ndrew T aylor, A ssistant D irector o lanning a nd B uilding C ontrol a DC ccomments: omments: “ ad a fantastic fantastic consultation consultation Control att U UDC “We had We h

and are and representations eading a nd cconsidering onsider rresponse esponse a nd a re rreading before preparing draft Local Plan. Public consultation will raft L ocal P lan. P b efore p reparing a d be held enable on proposals. to e nable further further comments com b eh eld iin n June June to “Developing new planning ew p lanning policy policy ffor o the next “ Developing n 15 Council and ouncil rrole ole a nd iimportant 1 5 years years iiss a ccrucial rucial C Residents and businesses businesses should tto o gget et rright. ight. R esidents and engage e ngage in in the the public public consultation consultation to to ensure e are known.” ttheir heir views views a re k nown.” Overall, proposed number off h houses to O verall, tthe he p roposed n umber o be built Uttlesford will be 1,000 ill b e1 ,000 ffewer ew b eb uilt iin nU ttlesford w but it’s it’s important important you you tthan han expected, expected, but have att tthe next Planning h ave yyour our ssay ay a he n ext P lanning Consultation Newport on 20 C onsultation in in N ewport o n2 0 JJune. une. Record and how wish R ecord a ow yyou ou w ish nd ccomment omment h develop over next ver tthe he n ext tthis his vvillage illage tto od evelop o 15 don’t have on’t h ave your your ssay, ay, 1 5 years. years. IIff yyou ou d all may need worry about a ll yyou ou m ay n eed to to do do iiss w orry a bout where be. w here tthe he Town Town Hall Hall sshould hould b e. Your Community. ommunity. Your District Councillor Counc Y our C Your District C Contact ontact me: me: cllrrose@uttlesford.gov.uk cllrrose@uttlesford.gov.u • 541114

Summer 2012 Newport News

ENTERTAINMENT

The ‘N’ Factor (Newport’s got Talent) YVONNE HANNANT

n amazing variety of talents were brought together in St Mary’s church on Saturday 19th November 2011 for a fundraising extravaganza. Starting with a mini Fair in the afternoon offering various chances to win a prize or nab a bargain, we then moved on to the erected stage for a late afternoon of unique Newport showmanship. Guided by our compere, Bill Scott we were entertained with comedy, drama, music, singing, poetry and juggling, villagers of all ages came before us to thrill and captivate their audience. The entertainment began with the church’s very own brass band to start the feet tapping. We were then treated to some children’s poetry read by Beryl Taylor who caught the imagination of the children listening at her feet. Drama followed with Julie and Steve Hancock with a clever twist on the subject of ‘Truth’. Then up stood Nathan Azamede who showed his skills with a Diablo, spinning and catching with great speed and rhythm, he had his audience holding their breath as the Diablo got higher and harder to catch. The atmosphere of the church then grew calm as we listened to Steve Smith on his guitar singing a wonderful rendition of Simon and Garfunkels ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’, it was quite simply brilliant. Drama followed again with Yvonne Hannant and Kyle Banks bringing to life the classroom poetry written by Allan Ahlberg, Yvonne being the rather stressed teacher and Kyle the wayward and exasperating young student! Michael Lovegrove brought to

Newport News Summer 2012

the lecturn the rather serious subject of ‘Capital punishment’, but it was not as it seemed and he gave his audience a very humorous tale to remember. Once again the mood changed as we were treated to a song written and composed by Richard Atkinson on his guitar ‘Tell me your thoughts’; wow, what talent we have in this village. The BBC’s ‘Mastermind’ music then filled the church and Becky Monk was questioned by Mike Webb, but somehow managed to answer the questions in the wrong order, giving the answers one question too late, with hilarious results. The interval followed and the audience and cast were treated to much needed refreshments. Part two started with an excerpt from the play ‘Noises off ’ by Michael Frayn which is presently making a comeback in the West End, but who needs to go to London when you’ve got Newport! The cast included Matt Fyleman, Lyndsey Millington, Will Murray and Becky Monk, Andrea Harrison and Julie and Steve Hancock. Our Compere Bill Scott and his granddaughter Megan then played their brass instruments together showing their talents with the

flugelhorn. This was followed by Beryl Sears who recited a wonderful poem ‘A place of peace and quiet, your safest place’. It was a very calming and restful moment amongst the drama and music. We were then entertained by Olive Higham and Alexander West who gave a very ‘alternative’ presentation of the children’s much loved ‘Horrible Histories’ books. With song, costumes and comedy we were taken back in time in a very quirky and unique presentation! Then, for all the techno buffs Becky and Mike were brought together again with a Ronnie Corbett sketch about Apples, Egg Boxes or X-boxes and blackberries, are these phones or fruits? John Wenham our Church Warden suddenly stood up in the aisles and got us all singing the ‘Flea Song’! It was hilarious, ‘Flea, fly, flea fly flo, Eeni meeni, gasaleeni, ooh aah, ah er meeni’. Dancing down the aisle and clicking his fingers, it was a unique experience for everyone. Behind many doors in Newport hides talent, and Liz West gave us an example of this when she read a poem she had written many years ago. It was a fantasy poem about a wizard who played with the weather and Liz had written it to inspire her dance class. It was truly magical. The show continued with Steve Smith trying to sing ‘Californian

ENTERTAINMENT

‘London by Night’. As the show came to a close I wondered who else in the village has talent yet to be discovered………………? With this in mind we are hoping to present the ‘N’ Factor next year and would love to see more talented villagers participating, so look out for the posters! NN

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Dream’ with a backing group who just kept getting it wrong! How can a professional work with such amateurs? The show had clearly inspired some of our audience as we were treated to two additional songs, Joe Higham came forth with the ‘Canoe’ song involving audience participation, and Dave Tappen sang

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Summer 2012 Newport News

ORGANISATIONS

Home-Start Uttlesford CLAIRE DURRANT

was very lucky when I had my first baby to have a kind neighbour who knew that I had just moved to the area. My family did not live nearby. She could see that I was a little thrown by the experience of first-time motherhood after a successful professional career, and offered me a coffee and a chat whenever I felt I needed it. She didn’t wait for me to call – she knocked on my door to check all was well. I didn’t realise at the time how important her help was to me. I only knew that I would not have so quickly felt confident with my new baby if she hadn’t been around. I did not live in Newport then but in London. Having recently moved near to Newport, I see how different life is in the country but I also see how isolated new mothers can still feel and how many problems can face young families. Many young families today need more face to face support than can be provided by various professional services, especially if they have little access to their extended family – grandparents around the corner, for instance. Home-Start Uttlesford is a scheme in which volunteers offer support, friendship and practical help to families with children under five, uniquely in their own homes. We have lent support to families across the whole of Uttlesford for over 28 years. We help over 90 families and over 200 children each year. Home-Start Uttlesford was set up in March 1984 by Jo Moody. The first office, in Dunmow, was staffed by three: one of this first team was Linda Robinson who is part-time Senior Co-ordinator today, sharing the job with Christine Grierson. Our team has expanded and now includes two other Co-ordinators and two Family Group workers as well as a group of around 50 volunteers. These days, there are many legal pressures and requirements on us and we are supported in running and managing our service by Home-Start UK and by a Board of skilled and dedicated Trustees, one of whom lives in Newport. Our families may be struggling to cope for many reasons: illness, disability, bereavement, debt, depression and social isolation. Home-Start volunteers, who have parenting experience themselves, work to build the confidence and encourage the independence of these families through weekly visits to the family home and practical help. Our volunteers receive preparation training and support from our staff. The purpose of the training course for volunteers is to enable them to accept and share others’ ideas, attitudes, approaches and methods in order to help a parent and family in need. Volunteers give up at least two hours of time each week. Many can identify with the feelings of isolation, loneliness and lack of stimulation that can result

Newport News Summer 2012

from being at home with very small children; some of our volunteers stay with Home-Start for many years! Last year volunteers attended training on Behaviour Support by a Home Setting Liaison Worker for the Schools, Children and Families Directorate of West Essex to help develop their skills for supporting children in their early years. They also received training by St Johns Ambulance on First Aid; how to deal with a number of emergency situations such as unconsciousness, choking and chest pains and instruction on resuscitation. Volunteers are given annual refresher training on Child Protection to ensure that any changes to safeguarding are understood and the requirements met. For 2012 volunteers will be invited to attend a professionally led training session on learned behaviour of infants and young children and another session on supporting a parent with depression. They will also be invited to attend our annual Thank You Day where, this year, there will be demonstrations and a chance to have a go at flower arranging and card making, followed by a buffet lunch. At Christmas the volunteers are invited to join staff at the Christmas meal where there is opportunity for everyone to meet for a social evening. Newport is just one of the many local communities using our service and providing us with excellent volunteer support. Some of our individual Friends of Home-Start come from the Newport area and organise fund-raising events held at regular intervals over the year. If you wish to help us, please contact Tanya Romyn: tanyaromyn@googlemail.com Financial support from Essex County Council, and the Primary Health Care Trust makes up around 45% of our annual funding. The remaining 55% of our funding needs are met from amongst many local charities, parish councils, churches and individual supporters including the Friends of Home-Start Uttlesford. Our website www.homestartuttlesford.org.uk is a source of further news and information. If you would like to receive our newsletter by email, please contact Debbie Flicos at the Home-Start Uttlesford office – 01799 520728. NN

HISTORY

The Silver Jubilee, 1977 CECILIA GORDON

he Silver Jubilee took place in June 1977 and compared with the current build up towards the Diamond Jubilee it seemed a rather low-key affair. Somewhat late in the day the village started to get its act together, a committee of volunteers was formed, headed by the late Ken Pipe as chairman, and it was decided we’d have an Events day with Sports and Sideshows in the afternoon, a barbeque and disco in the evening and a firework display to finish the festivities. Any proceeds made from the celebrations should be divided between the village hall, the recreation ground and the children’s playground where we aimed to buy a roundabout as a tangible memorial of the occasion. The rain started just as the fancy dress competition kicked off. The standard was high and the two judges Annie Butler and Mollie Clarke finally declared Tim Willan (a swashbuckling

Charles I) the winner with a colourful John Bull as runner up. Afterwards everyone rushed into the village hall to warm up. Here the WI served refreshments and hot drinks throughout the day. There was also the primary school’s poster exhibition – no prizes for guessing the theme!...and photographs of Newport in yesteryear to study. Miraculously the rain stopped for the afternoon’s fun and games. This included a tug of war, a knobbly knees competition, and a ladies’ ankle contest amongst others. All the old favourites were there, the greasy pole, the firemen’s straw sack ‘fight’, china smashing – Health and Safety would have had a field day and as it was, one girl fell off the pole and broke her collarbone which cast a bit of a blight on the proceedings. Meanwhile there was much discussion as to whether the disco should be held inside or out. Finally it was decided to risk it outdoors and the evening passed merrily away culminating in a dazzling firework display set up by Paul Fearnham. My chief memories of the day? The union jack waxed cardboard hats the committee wore, whose brims were just deep enough to prevent one’s spectacles from being swamped by rain; the children shivering in the cold in their royal costumes; the general air of bonhomie of people determined to have

BELOW: WITH KEN PIPE (LEFT) AND JOHN GORDON ARE LEFT TO RIGHT, KARL PETERS, NEIL BOWKER, KEITH FRENCH, ANDREW BOWKER, ROY LAMBERT, MARK LAMBERT AND ROBERT NICHOLL

FANCY DRESS COMPETITORS

a good time; a certain gentleman who became so sloshed he was not seen out in the village for 4 days afterwards. Perhaps it wasn’t such a low-key affair after all. NN

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Summer 2012 Newport News

SPORT

Newport sports committee MIKE HANNANT

ewport Sports Committee is the organisation responsible for the day to day management of Newport Recreation Ground and consists of representatives of the organisations that use the recreation ground as well as executive members. In the Winter edition of Newport News I covered the break in and theft of the copper piping and hot water tank. I am pleased to report in this edition that all the repair work has been completed, the insurance company has paid out on the claim and the Pavilion has been in full working order for the last few months. Unfortunately the police have been unable to make any progress in the apprehension of those involved. I would like to thank the Parish Council, and in particular Christine Griffin the Parish Clerk, for their assistance in dealing with the insurance claims and the paying of the repair bills etc. I would also like to thank Chris Rix for managing the repair process on behalf of the Sports Committee. We are now in the process of enhancing the security arrangements at the Recreation Ground and increasing the coverage of the CCTV cameras. The Croquet Club have removed the Leylandii by the entrance to the lawn as a security measure and also to make the lawns more visible from the car park. They are also offering reduced membership fees for Newport residents and I would encourage anybody who is interested to contact the Croquet Club or pop along one day to the Recreation Ground. It is hoped the next major development will be the replacement of the Scout Hut. A slightly larger building than the current one is proposed, on the same site, but contract and lease issues

Newport News Summer 2012

are delaying progress. As I write this article the Cricket Club are preparing for the 2012 season and the various football clubs are completing their fixtures for the 2011/12 season. Only a few football fixtures were postponed this season, thanks to the lack of rain the poor drainage has not been an issue this winter. In fact the problem now is that we need rain in order for the grass to start growing and soften the ground, so that we can get the recently repaired roller on it. Cricket takes over at the ground at the start of April until the end of August or early September. It is unclear at this time what impact the recently introduced hose pipe ban will have on the Cricket and Croquet clubs A local youth football team, Spartak 78, played a number of fixtures at the Rec. this winter and we are looking to develop our relationship with them further. Although they are Saffron Walden based their numbers include Newport residents and it is hoped that their use of the Recreation ground will encourage more Newport youngsters to join them. They are a well established club and run teams for youngsters from under 7’s to under 18. Until recently the Sports Committee managed the Recreation Field under a lease from the Parish Council. This relatively straightforward and simple agreement has now expired. Now that times have changed the new lease, proposed by the lawyers, extends to 36 pages (the previous lease was no more than 4!) and is not appropriate for a local Sports Organisation. In agreement with the Parish Council we are exploring ways that the Recreation ground can continue to be effectively managed and developed, for the residents of Newport, without tying ourselves up in legal knots and incurring legal fees. Members of the public are permitted to use the Recreation ground field and the vast majority are welcome but, as always, there is the small minority who leave litter and do not clear up after their dogs. I would like to thank those members of the public and dog walkers that continue to advise us of misuse and, as I have personally witnessed, clear up other people’s rubbish.

At the Annual General Meeting in January Sandy Shaw stepped down as Secretary of the Committee. He has served the Committee well for many years. I thank him for his dedication over those years and the support he has given me since I was appointed Chairman. Mike Spraget has agreed to take on the role. The organisations that are currently represented on the Sports Committee are: The Cricket Club, Newport Football Club, Ende Dynamos F.C., The Croquet Club, The Scouts and The Youth Club. The executive members, who are volunteers, include Sid Brockwell, Tony Phillips, Mike Spraget (Secretary) and Yogesh Bhagalia (Treasurer). The Parish Council also send a representative to meetings. The Ground, as well as the Rob Nicholl Meeting Room, are available for hire from the Committee and anyone interested should contact Mike Hannant on 01799 541063. If you are interested in joining any of the organisations that use the Recreation Ground please contact the appropriate person listed below. NN

Croquet Club Roy Darling Tel 01799 540998 Cricket Club – Senior Chris Rix Tel 01799 540609 Cricket Club – Junior Alan Williams Tel 01799 541933 Football Club (Saturday) Newport FC Mike Hannant Tel 01799 541063 Football Club (Sunday) Ende Dynamos Chris Warwick Tel 07879001756 Scouts Email: JIKES@hotmail.com Brownies Cynthia Jennings Tel 01799 541408 Youth Club Andrew Yarwood Tel 07714708815

SPORT

Newport football club MIKE HANNANT

he 2011/12 season is nearing completion as I write this article, and it has been unusual in that few games have been lost to the weather, with most fixtures completed by April. Our first team is open to adults of all ages, and have firmly established themselves in the Cambs BIS League, Division 5A. Simon Brace, the manager, is to be congratulated on pulling together a squad that, with only one league game to go, have 20 points (from 19 league games), are unbeaten since Christmas, and have won their last 5 games. Two of these victories have been against local rivals Saffron Dynamos and whilst it has been a team effort, Nathan Cox is currently the second highest goal scorer in the Division with 20 goals. The other team, Newport Veterans, is for those over 35 only (with no upper age limit) and is managed by Nigel Parslow. The Veterans play in the Greene King Essex Vets League, Division 3 North. With one game to go The Vets have 10 points from 17 league games, and if they avoid a heavy defeat by title chasers, Blackmore Royals, in their last game, will not finish propping up the table. Unfortunately the team’s only genuine goalkeeper transferred to his local team and a replacement is urgently required for next season. The current leading goal scorer is Andy Doble who has scored 5 goals, as well as being a part time goalkeeper. Veterans League football rules are slightly different in that each team can play up to 5 substitutes and substitutes can “roll on and roll off ”. Both teams play on Saturday afternoons at The Recreation Ground in the village. The Veterans also entered the Cambs Vets Cup where games are played once a month, usually on the last Sunday morning in the month. Post match hospitality, which is a

requirement in the Veterans League, is provided by Steve and Amy at The White Horse Public House and we thank them for their support and quality food they offer. Regrettably we have been unable to persuade Steve to put on his boots this season, but there is always next season. We would also like to thank our shirt sponsors, Alan and Colin Carr, who have agreed to sponsor a new kit for the 2012/13 season. The kit will have the Costcutter and Carr and Bircher logos. Our end of season awards presentation is planned for 25th May at the White Horse PH and we hope that many former members of Newport FC will come along and share memories. Results, fixtures and statistics can be found on the FA Full Time website where you need to enter the league name and then the Division. The Vets have just returned from their annual tour which took them to Edinburgh. The tour included executive seating at the Hibs v Dundee Utd

VETS TEAM v WHITE RODING, 17 MARCH Back Row: Bruce O’Brien, Paul Schofield, Phil Brockwell, Phil Stapletion, Richard King, Toby Croucher, Colin Cracknell, Conor McCullaugh, Alan East Front Row: Regan Willis, Mike Benton, Colin Pinner, Andy Doble, Mike Hannant

Scottish Premier League match. The fitter members also ran the Sports Relief Mile on Sunday morning. This was a bit of a challenge following visits to several hostelries in the evening. Neil Mordecai was the first home for the Vets outsprinting Richard King and Nick Wilson in the last 100 yards or so with me, Dave Blaylock, Mike Benton and Nigel Parslow following along later, but all in creditable times. The social side of the club will continue throughout the summer, including our popular summer pub crawls on a bike and annual fishing competition held at Clavering Lakes. NN If anyone is interested in joining us please contact Mike Hannant on 07801717091.

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Summer 2012 Newport News

SPORT

Adventurous sailing... ON A BUDGET! RIGHT: RENEGADE AT ANCHOR BELOW: SAILING NEAR HARWICH WITH A FULL CREW OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS

DAVID HIGGINSON 01799 540236

ailing is a great but potentially expensive hobby. If you are lucky enough to be able to afford a sailing yacht, it is often not long until you start to realise that it is gobbling up even more money, or that you don’t have enough time to use the boat relative to how much money you spend on it. You may also struggle to find crew to go sailing with because the family really aren’t that keen! There are alternatives such as going on sailing courses or hiring (chartering) a boat but these also can be expensive options relative to the amount of time you actually get. Having owned a yacht previously I was not keen to get into the commitment of ownership. However last summer I spotted an advert for buying a share in a boat as part of a syndicate. This is similar to a sailing club except all members of the syndicate own a share in the boat. It can then be sailed with other syndicate members or with family and friends. Not many days later, I with a few

Newport News Summer 2012

others, bought shares in a fast cruising yacht based on the River Orwell in Suffolk at a cost each less than a small second hand car. The advantage of a boat over a car is that hopefully if any of us sell our respective shares it will change hands for what we paid for it – unlike a car! The yacht in question is called “Renegade” a UFO 34, built in the late 70’s to a design that could cope with the rigours of serious offshore races like the Fastnet. It has 8 berths (beds), a very large powerful sailing rig with all the necessary safety features for offshore sailing. In the past few years Renegade has sailed to Iceland, Norway, Gibraltar, Spain, France and all around the British Isles. Having bought my share last summer

(2010) I was keen this summer (2011) to make best use of the boat. Therefore in July another syndicate member and I set sail – destination Northern France and Normandy. We did not have an auspicious start since another member had left some very fine single malt on the boat. After giving this whisky some serious attention the night before we set out we did not make a great start south across the Thames estuary and on to Dover. Our sore heads were made even worse due to a lack of wind and the need for extensive use of the engine clattering away in the background! After getting everything ready in Dover to cross the channel, we set off a day later at 6am in order to get the best advantage of the west bound tide. Our good planning paid off as by the time we were off the French coast at Cap Gris Nez we were getting almost 11 knots – a combination of tide and the excellent speed of this yacht design. We planned to go to Dieppe and after a magnificent 15 hours of sailing down the North French coast we arrived, moored up and tumbled straight into the first restaurant on the quay at 9pm. The original plan was to sail further west to Honfleur or Le Havre but the weather had a different agenda for us. Forecasts suddenly changed and there was a force 7–9 heading up the channel. We therefore decided to head back east and aim for Boulogne. In terms of sailing we were not disappointed as we had the benefit of the stronger winds

coming in from the west – however the scale of the seas became properly evident when we approached Boulogne with 25 foot waves crashing over the outer harbour walls! The following day another syndicate member was in contact and that afternoon he caught the 5pm Eurostar from St Pancras and arrived in time to join us for Coq au Vin and some fine red Burgundy. The next morning after a relaxing time drinking coffee, eating croissants we set off across the channel. Hearing of further storms heading our way we detoured to Dover where we stayed overnight and then left early the next morning to arrive back in Suffolk later in the day. So a great use of my share in the boat on a “mini-cruise” as well as a few weekends I have spent sailing around the Essex and Suffolk coasts. The great thing about the syndicate is obviously the combination of having the expenses shared with others; the ability to sail almost when you want unlike having to book a hire boat in advance; able to sail further afield with others and still be able to use the boat for pottering around on a weekend when it is not on a long distance cruise. Having said that, this summer, we have not taken the boat as far as we would have liked as we often did not have enough crew. At present we currently have one syndicate member who has decided to retire from his shareholding so if anyone is keen to get involved in “adventurous sailing on a budget” they are very welcome to ring me for a casual chat –either experienced sailors or complete newcomers. We are also keen to know people who would like to join us as crew as “friends of Renegade”! NN

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Summer 2012 Newport News

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CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

Youth Centre SALLEY YATES AND LORNA WARD

ince our last visit to the youth centre there have been many positive changes thanks to the hard work & dedication of the YC team. The YC now boasts 2 pool tables, one kindly given to them by the Essex Association of Boys & Girls Clubs. It also has table tennis, table football, air hockey as well as computer games (on loan to the YC from Daisy Morrison) and a tuck shop. The kitchen area will be completed very soon, when a new cooker, donated by Epping Forest District Council, will be

installed along with a fridge. To help pay the bills the two music rooms are hired out on a regular basis, one with a drum kit and keyboard. The hall itself can be hired for parties and other functions. Starting in June on a Wednesday evening you can even take dance classes. There will also be a new toddler group starting in June and music lessons will be starting on a Saturday in the near future. If all you need are tables and chairs, they hire those out too! A great deal of fund raising is being organised by the team to help with the bills, the latest venture being a driving challenge which took place on 14th April where Andrew Yarwood drove from Newport to Bury St. Edmunds with only 2 gallons of fuel in his tank. We will let you know how he got on in the Winter Edition. A disco was held in March, it was well attended and £250.00 was raised.

Open days will become a regular feature and they hope this will draw in more young people from in and around the village. They have no plans yet for the Diamond Jubilee, but will be involved in the village fete and carnival. The village fete committee meet at the YC. We cannot forget this would not be possible without the support of the volunteers who help run the YC & local help from Alan Carr, Neil Saville, Rob Kirby, St Mary’s Church & of course the Parish Council to name but a few. The YC are always looking for new ideas for fund raising and support, so if you can spare just an hour here and there or have any ideas yourself then please contact Andrew Yarwood or one of the team. If you are interested in hiring the hall, one of the music rooms or just want to find out what events are coming up please telephone Sharon Davey on 07770 766380 NN

They helped. Can you? Newport Business Association [NBA] needs volunteers for litter-picking and planting herbs for the on-going renovation and rejuvenation of our station. Please do help, as others have done. With your help we’ll transform the station land into a wonderful bee and butterfly friendly habitat. Everyone very welcome to help for an hour or so. We meet every two weeks at the station. Next station day dates are: 10am on 9 & 23 June, 7 & 21 July etc.

www.newportbusinessassociation.co.uk For meeting dates please contact Jeremy Rose on 01799 541114 or e-mail station@c-lutions.co.uk Newport Business Association, The Office, Brown House, The High Street, Newport Essex CB11 3QY

Summer 2012 Newport News

CHURCH

Victorian Gothic PROFESSOR H.T. NORRIS (ABOVE) AND T.S. NORRIS

riving from Debden to Newport, one is struck by the grandeur of St. Mary the Virgin Church tower in the heart of Newport village. The Church and the village are surrounded on every side by an attractive spectacle of fields, woods, and rolling hills. No roving eye can miss this spectacle, be it through the windows of a bus, from an automobile, or from a train travelling to or from Cambridge. The sight of Newport Church tower recalls that of St. Mary the Great Church which stands substantially opposite to King’s College, Cambridge, although in fact both these churches have a different history. Great St. Mary’s tower dates from the years 1593 to 1608, whilst that of Newport Church dates from the year 1858. This tower at Newport Church is but a part of a more extensive Victorian architectural legacy. Records indicate that there was a church in Newport at the beginning of the 12th Century. There is mention of a vicar, Tascelin, in the year 1087 at Newport Church. Between the years 1108 to 1122, Henry I granted the Church at Newport to the college of St. Martin Le Grand in London.1 In the years 1220 to 1240, records indicate that the Church had a cruciform ground plan, with a tower over the crossing,

THE TOWER AT THERFIELD CHURCH, REPRODUCED WITH KIND PERMISSION OF HERTFORDSHIRE RECORD OFFICE.

Newport News Summer 2012

where south and north transepts meet the nave and sanctuary; such a central tower construction is to be found at Bury St. Edmunds cathedral today. The earlier west tower was built at Newport Church in the 15th to 16th centuries, thus rendering Newport Church to be transitional Decorated/Perpendicular in architectural form. The porch was also added in the 15th century. Today, apart from the 15th-century arch and vaulting shafts in the ground stage at the west end of Newport Church, the present west tower dates entirely from the years 1858–1859, although closely resembling its 15thcentury predecessor. The present tower was constructed because the earlier 15th-century tower had been struck by lightning and had become structurally unstable. The west tower, circa 5 metres x 4.8 metres in ground area, is thus relatively recent, except for the tower arch in the vaulting shafts in the angles of the ground stage. The lofty 15th century tower arch is pointed and of two moulded orders, wherein the inner moulded order springs from attached shafts with moulded bases and capitals. The vaulting shafts in the angles of the tower are set between two hollows and are similar to those on the responds of the tower arch.2 The tower at Newport Church comprises from top downwards: a roof construction including set back buttresses, castellated parapet and octagonal castellated corner turrets, associated gargoyles, a bell floor, a bell ringers’ floor with spiral stairwell to an access door at ground level, and a ground region which accommodated the Walker pipe organ since at least the year 1966. The west face of the tower includes a large Gothic arch and an associated wooden door. Newport Church tower, though constructed in the 19th century, has a 14th-century appearance in late Decorated style. The Decorated period extended between the years 1290 and 1350. This masterly building in Newport displays something of the eccentricities and, even more so, the romanticism of the noteworthy architect George Edward Pritchett (1824 to 1912), FRIBA, FSA

THE TOWER AT NEWPORT CHURCH. IT FEATURES PROMINENTLY ON POST CARDS, CHRISTMAS CARDS AND SUCH LIKE PERTAINING TO NEWPORT.

(Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries).3 He was an architect with a Yorkshire background; his family was noted for its construction of Yorkshire chapels and ecclesiastical conversions. His father was an Essex rector who had taught at Charterhouse and sent his son there. Pritchett afterwards became Charterhouse’s architect and surveyor. He lived much of his life in Bishop’s Stortford and had a practice there from 1869, and later also in London. In 1861 he was elected an Associate, and some three months later a Fellow, of the Royal Instutute of British Architects. He was married to Sophie Amelia Barker as reported in Gentleman’s Magazine, 26 May 1864. His work, which has been both praised and scathingly criticized, is to be seen through the entire district of Uttlesford and East Hertfordshire. He also implemented work in more remote areas, for example in St. Stephen’s Church (1855), Cold Norton, south of Maldon. It once had a bellcote which has now been removed. In the same year he rebuilt and made additions to St Thomas’s Church Perry Green, part of Much Hadham and close to the Henry Moore art collection. Another of his architectural projects, the church in High Wych (1861), contains a circular towerlet and was paired with an adjacent school and was stylistically integral therewith; the church and school there may be regarded as displaying considerable architectural sensitivity and creativity, with a mature appreciation of aesthetic detail. In 1867 he drew up plans for Widford Church, and he repaired St. Giles’s Church in Great Hallingbury: his handiwork there dates from the year 1874. In the year 1872, he built Standon School in Hertfordshire.

CHURCH Most significant of all these achievements was the entire rebuilding of St. Mary’s Church, Therfield in Hertfordshire, where he used chancel North and South windows of the old church and where he added an impressive tower in the year 1911, the year before he died. As will be seen from the sketch, the tower at Therfield differs from that of Newport in several details, although a general square format with buttresses was retained, together with castellations. The village of Therfield lies south-west of Royston, and those who are interested in the structure of Newport Church, principally its tower, are encouraged to visit it. As in the case of Newport, this Church was deliberately rebuilt in order to try to reproduce the 14th century in the Victorian era. However, Therfield Church lacks any decorative features such as gargoyles, but it has a spire with a weathercock. His relation Charles Pigott Pritchett designed the neo-Jacobean holiday home for the elderly in Stansted Mountfitchet in the year 1875, with further additions in 1888. The domain of G. E. Pritchett’s church building and restoration extends over a large part of Uttlesford district and East Hertfordshire, although Newport Church tower has played a particularly important part in forming an overall assessment of his work, be it applauded or derided. Newport Church tower is high on the list of Newport buildings which should be preserved and maintained. It is central to the whole character of the village and its ruination would mean the loss of one of the village’s most striking monuments. Great credit should be given to Rev. Griffiths and colleagues who so diligently raised funds for its preservation within the past decade. Victorian documents report the importance of Newport tower to the musical activities at the Church prior to the Walker pipe organ being relocated from a side transept to the tower around the middle of the 20th century. Prior to the Walker organ occupying the tower, there was a singing gallery which lay across the tower arch and had a large ceiled hood. When a band played in the gallery, the congregation in the church turned to face West. For a time, until a sermon challenged the practice, the fashionable folk of Newport took to sitting during these parts of the service, roughly comparable to contemporary

Church, near where a pipe organ was located in Victorian times. NN

introits and anthems. Each Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the musicians and friends held a convivial evening with tobacco pipes and beer in the gallery; the smell of stale tobacco which accompanied the next day’s services was much disliked and it was always held that to complain would be unneighbourly. Thus, in present times, if the Walker pipe organ were completely removed from the tower, and a modern gallery installed for musical purposes, this would return the church to an earlier configuration, as a pipe organ (ex-Bardwell, Suffolk) is now to be found in the south transept of Newport

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THE AUTHORS EXPRESS THEIR THANKS TO HERTFORDSHIRE RECORD OFFICE AND SAFFRON WALDEN TOWN LIBRARY FOR ASSISTING IN PROCURING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THIS ARTICLE.

NOTES 1. NEWPORT, HISTORIC TOWN REPORT, FEB 1999, ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL, PLANNING, ARCHITECTURAL SECTION. 2. PP 200, “THE MONUMENTS OF NORTH-WEST ESSEX”, PP 200, ROYAL COMMISSION ON HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, NORTH-WEST ESSEX, VOL. 1. 3. HIS OBITUARY IS TO BE FOUND IN ‘BUILDER’, VOL. 102 (8), 29 MARCH 1912, PP. 283, 363).

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Summer 2012 Newport News

CHURCH

A warm welcome to the Reverend Neil McLeod NINA JONES

t was a fairly typical half-term Monday morning in the Jones’ household: three of the grandkids, aged 1, 2, and 10 causing havoc and creating a mini-war zone in the sitting room; the husband rushing around, upstairs, downstairs, sorting himself out for a death-defying sky diving trip to northern Spain, the dog barking, the telly blaring, phones ringing, texts pinging, and in the midst of all this, I’m expecting Newport’s brand new vicar, the Reverend Neil McLeod (who, by the way I’ve never met before) to come knocking on my door as, silly me, I’ve arranged for him to be interviewed here so I can write an article on him for this summer’s Newport News magazine!!! So here I am, in the kitchen, trying to create a semblance of tranquility and order in direct contrast to the chaos next door, in preparation for my visitor table cleared, cups ready, chairs decrumbed, that kind of thing – when I hear my granddaughter’s dulcet tones shriek from the other room, ‘Granny, Granny, that man you’ve been waiting for has arrived’. Indeed he had. The Reverend McLeod, dressed smartly with dog collar, stood at my open front door, surveying the scene before him, possibly wondering if he’d made a mistake and wandered into a fee paying creche, but, thank goodness, he did have a smile on his face, and, bless him, he took it all in his stride. Saying hello to the kids, stepping over Lego bricks and crayons and paints, and introducing himself to my husband, the Reverend and I finally made it to the relative peace of the kitchen. And I’ll give the kids their due, apart from a couple of minor interruptions, the two of us were able to spend a very pleasant hour or so getting acquainted with one another, and by the time the Reverend left, he’d already

Newport News Summer 2012

invited me to the pictures (more on that later) and we were like old friends!!! But before we spent time focused on plans for the future, Neil gave me a potted history on his early life and some of the things he had done before he became a vicar. I learnt he was an Essex lad, born in Romford and bred for 44 years in Dagenham. Now you can’t get more Essex than that, can you! He was the youngest of four, and is a twin, but what makes these twin siblings a little different, is that they don’t share the same birthday. Neil’s brother was born half an hour before midnight, and, as Neil said, he made his mother wait a little longer, and he came into the world as the clock struck 25 minutes after the midnight hour. The Reverend then went on to tell me that he was rubbish (his word, not mine) at ‘O’ Levels, did one year in sixth form, regrets in a way that he never went to university, but if the world of academia did not feature high in his life at that point, sport, mainly swimming, definitely did. In fact, Neil had been a champion swimmer in his youth, at one time holding the record for the 100 metres backstroke by doing it in 81.4 seconds. Swimming was so much a part of his life, he was doing it 6 days a week, and amongst the great many aquatic adventures he experienced, one included a three and a quarter mile swim in a Belgian canal near Bruges, at aged 15. On the work front, after leaving school at 17, Neil joined the Co-op bank, based near Aldgate, in East London and remained there for nine years, working as a computer operator, initially, but going on to be a programmer, a systems analyst, and finally, a project manager. The next post was with an IT service, where he remained for 18 years, working in the UK and also in Europe, visiting countries such as Switzerland and Austria, which all sounded pretty thrilling and exciting, but in 2006, Neil made a life-changing decision, and gave up his job, to follow his calling to the Church. He became a full time theological student, attending the Trinity Theological College in Essex, and was there until May 2008. I asked Neil if it had been a ‘road to Damascus’ moment, or had he always known he might join the Church

NEIL MCLEOD’S INDUCTION

ministry. He explained that, in a way it had been all rather sudden and went on to tell me how it all came about. His family, I learnt, had always had strong links with the Church and it featured greatly in his life as he was growing up, but as he approached early adulthood, Neil gradually drifted away and for a number of years he was not actively involved with the Church at all. However, even then, he had always considered himself a Christian, but just didn’t understand what being a Christian really meant. It was Neil’s twin brother, who is a lay reader and had remained heavily involved with the Church throughout, who finally encouraged Neil back to the fold in 1993, after an absence of 20 years! ‘And look at me now,’ exclaimed Neil with a grin, as he sat at my kitchen table in his dog collar, proving a point, I imagine, that it’s never too late, and prodigal sons and daughters can always, but always, return, and be welcomed back by the Church with arms open wide. With Neil now once again a fully paid up member of the Church, he threw himself into it with gusto. ‘But it would take another ten years,’ Neil said, ‘for me to realise what it was God wanted me to do.’ It began in September 2002, when Neil embarked on a course in Christian Studies in Dagenham, part of the Chelmsford Diocese, and it was one day in March, 2003, when Neil got his ‘Damascus’ moment. Wanting some feedback as to how he was doing on the course, and wanting to know if he was truly on the right track, Neil met with

CHURCH one of the course lecturers, who happened to be the curate at Neil’s local church. During this meeting, the curate put the question to Neil, what did God want him to do? ‘At that moment’, Neil said, ‘it was like a tap being turned on in my head. All of a sudden this stuff about being ordained as a priest suddenly came out’. From that moment on, so started the long, drawn out process of Neil looking at the possibilities and the means of how to explore God’s calling. ‘It was not easy,’ he admits, ‘and there were many ups and downs’. First, Neil had to be approved by the Bishop of Barking. Then in February, 2006, he was interviewed at the National Conference by a number of members who sat on the Bishops’ Advisory Panel, and, following a rigorous process, Neil was finally recommended by Conference for ministry training, which commenced that same year. After completing his theological studies, Neil moved to South Wootton, in Norfolk, and was ordained as a Deacon in Norwich Cathedral at the end of June, 2008. He served his curacy – a training post that develops the theory and puts it to practical use – in North and South Wootton for the next three and a half years. Once he had completed his induction in Norfolk, Neil was able to apply for a post as a vicar, and it is at this point, where Newport Parish (and Widdington) now become part of Neil’s story. Following his interview in midNovember 2011, Neil properly arrived in

the village on February 17th this year, settling in to his new house just off the Wicken Road, and becoming licensed as a fully fledged vicar, or, as his official title is given, ‘Priest-in-Charge’. Neil says this is a very exciting time. When I asked him what plans he may have as Newport’s new ‘priest-in-charge’, he stated enthusiastically that he wants to try and make the church an integral part of the village community, for example, linking current events such as the 1st Olympic Torch Committee and Diamond Jubilee with the church, and seeing how it can be involved in all these things in an interesting way. Neil is also a keen supporter of Alpha Courses, and would very much like to get one started here in the village, plus, he states, he would like to ‘spruce up the advertising, making people aware of Jesus, without making it preachy, and forcing it down their throats’. Simply put, Neil strongly believes, ‘People can come to church and find what they are looking for’. As well as encouraging Newportians to come to the fold, Neil loves officiating at weddings, and also sees funerals as being an incredibly important part of his job as a vicar. As he explains, ‘When people are going through a dark time, there’s something so positive about helping them, giving them hope about the Resurrection.’ On the leisure front, Neil loves cooking, and looks forward to entertaining family and friends in his new home. He also enjoys reading, and

will often take himself off in a free moment, weather permitting, to the park, book in one hand, and a bottle of water or Coke in another. He’s also joined the gym, and wants to start swimming again, and exercising more. In fact I’m very impressed when he says he’s booking himself a personal trainer. Already on the right track, he walked to my house, and says he will be doing more of that round the village, as it helps him to get to know his new surroundings much quicker, is good for his health, plus he’ll be able to meet the locals and very much hopes that people will come up and say ‘hi’. They’ll know who he is because he’ll usually be dressed in his regalia, which he make him instantly recognizable. And finally, back to our movie date. This is where both the new vicar and I have something totally in common. We both love the cinema. As we chat about films we’ve seen, Neil brightly comes up with the suggestion of perhaps doing a cinema club here in the village; a monthly movie, and then meeting up afterwards to have a debate about what we have just seen and seeing how the film’s message might link up with a message from the Gospels. ‘What I’m trying to do,’ he says, ‘is to think of different ways to get people to know about Jesus’. Well, I’m not a churchgoer myself, but the Reverend Neil McLeod is a very canny chap. He might not get me to Sunday service just yet, but I’m definitely keeping him to our movie date! NN

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Voices of Newport

DENNIS SAVILLE: PART ONE

ennis Saville was born in Newport, the second of four children of George Saville who worked at the Carnation Nurseries and of his wife Elsie who was a cook at Newport Free Grammar School. The family lived at 5 Bury Water Lane, and apart from a period abroad for National Service, Dennis has spent his entire life living in the village. It is here with his wife Jean that their three sons, Stephen, Martin and Neil have been brought up.

“

I find it difficult to imagine, you know, how we managed when I was a child. Our house in Burywater, next door to where the old poorhouse used to be had just four rooms, each ten feet square. There were six of us, plus a lodger and I do remember that for some time during the war we even had some evacuees with us as well; a young woman with her two children bombed out of her London home. There were on occasions four children in one bed sleeping top to tail – certainly was a squeeze. In fact I often slept at my cousin’s in Bridge End. I’d go there about 8 o’clock in the evening, get up at 6.30 to do my paper

ELSIE SAVILLE NÉE SELL DENNIS’ MOTHER

Newport News Summer 2012

round – I was about 11 at the time – not supposed to do a paper round till 13 but I needed the money. After the paper round I’d go back to my own house for breakfast and then off to school. I went to the council school in Wicken Road. So as you can tell, I spent little time indoors, too crowded for my liking. In fact my sister Ivy, as she grew up, wasn’t often there either. She helped out at Jack Hill’s at Pond Cross Farm and looked after his baby son David. Being outside was never a problem for me. I much preferred it. I loved sport and games – I’ll tell you more about that later. Even when I was at the primary school, I managed to spend a lot of time outdoors. You see I couldn’t sing, so instead I was given an allotment to look after in the school garden and then later I looked after one off Whiteditch Lane. It wasn’t very big, about two and a half rods.1 I grew potatoes, I don’t think I was very successful but it did start my love of gardening which I still have today. Perhaps that’s where Neil gets it from? After school and at weekends especially in the summer, we kids would play out. They’d come from all over the village. We’d play near the ford by the osiers we’d call it – as in willows. Opposite was full of reeds and we’d make bows and arrows, build dens and we always went home with wet feet where we’d been trying to jump across the river. We’d go fishing for tiddlers, can’t do that now as the fish went long ago. We also enjoyed collecting car numbers – remember there weren’t many cars in those days not like now. On Sunday afternoons we’d be in our Sunday best, though I have to say it wasn’t much of an improvement from our everyday clothes, and we would walk to Quendon – probably about three or four of us. We’d each have two numbers and if the number of the next car we saw ended in that

Dennis Saville number, then we’d give a halfpenny to that person. Sometimes I’d get tuppence of a Sunday. Collecting car numbers has always interested me and I remember both Martin and sometimes Neil would have a go as well. Whilst I was working so driving more, I started to collect car numbers more seriously, the old sort, starting with one and then looking for them in chronological order. Do you know I collected all the numbers from 1 to 735 over those years, averaging one a week? We also liked playing up the council yard where they stored the barrels of tar; of course on warm days the tar melted and we’d go home plastered in the stuff. Mother used margarine to take it off our hands and clothes. When it was bad weather, George Rand and I would spend hours playing with his lead soldiers – I wonder if he still has them?

“

SUSAN VANCE

This is the second in our series of Voices of Newport, in which people who have lived in the village all their lives, recount their memories, thoughts and experiences from their earliest recollections through to today. Newport News would like to congratulate Dennis on celebrating his 80th Birthday earlier this year.

We contacted George but unfortunately he no longer has the soldiers but still has many happy memories of going to play with Dennis as a boy.

DENNIS WITH HIS SISTER IVY AGED 6 AND 7 OUTSIDE 5 BURYWATER

PEOPLE

“

Once I do remember my sister Ivy coming home dripping wet with my brother Peter in tow and there he was soaked to the skin. It turns out the river was in full flood and Peter had tried jumping across but fell in and the current dragged him down stream. Sister Ivy ran as fast as she could along the bank and just before he disappeared under the water, she managed to catch hold of him and pull him out onto the bank – he would have drowned otherwise. Something else we used to do. We loved playing Tin Can Copper, a bit like hide and seek but when you’d found someone you had to go onto the bridge, bang a tin can and call out – I’ve seen Dennis Saville behind the tree….. Tin cans, yes that brings back memories. I never had a ball of my own so instead I would take an old tin can and kick it all the way to school. That’s how I perfected my football skills which would be really useful as I got older. We were all pretty fit as kids as we never had a car so we walked almost everywhere but thanks to my paper round when I earned 4s 6d a week, I was able to save and at last had 40 shillings. That’s what we’d call £2 today. I bought a second hand bike from Martin Salter, the brother of Imogen Salter, later Molett. It was a really good one and that became my transport. During the war, they concreted over the ford so that lorries could get across more easily to get to Drage’s Pit. I suppose they were using the gravel to build the airfields round here. They were everywhere. I was only seven when the war started and it didn’t really mean a lot to me. We got the occasional bomb dropped. We kids would then all go out looking for shrapnel. Every day, once we were winning, the papers printed a map of how our troops were advancing on Hitler – propaganda I suppose – and I loved collecting these paper maps. Gravel pits always fill up with water of course and it had to be pumped out but one day, the pump broke and the pit filled up with water, drowning the tractor and the pump. They’re still there today. It became the local swimming pool for the kids after that. Nowadays of course the river is also the outlet for the water running off the motorway. I gather it’s held in holding tanks and then released into the river. You can always tell when this happens as the water then goes black. When I left school I took the entrance exam to go to Cambridge Technical

DENNIS AGED 15 AT CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

GOING OUT TO BAT AT QUENDON HALL WITH JIM PIMLETT 1955

College where I did a two year apprenticeship course in carpentry for Rattee and Kett, the ecclesiastical joiners. I’d have to say, these were the happiest two years of my life. You see I loved learning. I had passed my 11+ exam to go to Newport Free Grammar school. I went for the interview but I didn’t get in – one

of my greatest regrets. Anyway, I did get accepted at the college and so at 14 I started to go to Cambridge every day on the train to learn my trade. It was there that I had the chance to play cricket and became a member of the college team. I also played at Wenden and then later at Quendon Hall where along with

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Summer 2012 Newport News

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my friend Ron Dyer – he later became Reverend Dyer – we received proper coaching. I played for Newport as well. Believe it or not, we used to play on the Common and as you know this floods so this didn’t make for a good wicket. In fact Billy Neil offered a new cricket bat to anyone who could score a century and guess what – I scored 99 but he wouldn’t give me a new bat! I also played football when Newport was in the Bishop’s Stortford league, a really top class one. I had to stop when I was 30 due to injury but I still do a lot of sport, even fifty years later. When the croquet club opened in Newport in 1984, at first I thought it looked rather silly until I had a go and realised it was really difficult and it needed a lot of skill. I then became hooked and joined as a member of the Newport Croquet team. We had a particularly good female player – Debbie Cornelius – who played for the club in the 1980s and she went on to become the top lady player in the world in 1995. That’s something to be proud of.

DEBBIE CORNELIUS PLAYING AT NEWPORT CROQUET CLUB 1980S

INDOOR BOWLS – BOWLER OF THE YEAR 2007/8 AND 2010/11

I still play at the club in Newport but now it’s Golf Croquet which I find more sociable than Association Croquet as you actually get to talk to your opponent. Yes, so I have played sport all my life – tennis – I was one of the founding members of

Newport Tennis Club which is still going strong – snooker, billiards, table tennis and badminton – I used to play with my son Stephen and his wife. I even won a number of trophies for several sports and I now play bowls two or three times a week– anything with a ball. Sport has and I hope always will be very important to me.

“

In the second instalment, we will hear of a great change which occurred in Dennis’ life. NN 1 rod = approx 5 metres

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Summer 2012 Newport News

HISTORY

Studded gloves & dog-chains BARI HOOPER

A GLIMPSE OF THE EARLY OLYMPIC GAMES

The quadrennial period between two successive Olympic festivals was known as an Olympiad, the first of which began to be reckoned from the victory of a certain Coroebus in the foot-race in the year 776 BC; after which time the festival continued at the same regular intervals under both Greek and Roman rulers until it was abolished in 394 by the Christian Emperor Theodosius I, who objected to its pagan associations.

THE EVENTS

he news that the Olympic torch is to pass through the village in July has prompted me to present below a few curious facts about the early Olympics gleaned from the writings of various classical authors.

THE ORIGIN AND LOCATION OF THE FESTIVAL According to the lyric poet Pindar, the ancient Greek festival known today as the Olympic Games, was instituted by Herakles to commemorate his killing of King Augeas and his nephews the Moliones. However, like so many other events of remote antiquity, there is no scarcity of alternative romantic legends to account for its foundation. In point of fact the origin of the festival is enshrouded in the mists of time and all that can be reliably asserted is that it took place at Olympia, a sacred site in Elis, Greece, at four yearly intervals.

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Newport News Summer 2012

The principal source of information on the history of the festival from the Olympiad of Coroebus is the geographer Pausanias, whose writings summarised below, provide a useful list of the various competitions and the times at which they were introduced. From the 1st to the 17th Olympics the only event was the foot-race. It was not until the 18th Ol. (708 BC) that two new events, wrestling and the pentathlon were added. Other events introduced in later years were as follows: 23rd Ol. (688 BC): boxing. 25th Ol. (680 BC): 4-horse chariot race. 33rd Ol. (648 BC): pankration and horse race. 37th Ol. (632 BC): footrace and wrestling for boys. 38th Ol. (628 BC): pentathlon for boys. 41st Ol. (616 BC): boxing for boys. 65th Ol. (520 BC): foot-race for soldiers in full military equipment. 70th Ol. (500 BC): chariot race with mules. 71st Ol. (496 BC): horse-race for mares. 93rd Ol. (408 BC): 2-horse chariot race. 96th Ol. (396 BC): competitions for heralds and trumpeters. 99th Ol. (384 BC): 4-foal chariot race. 128th Ol. (268 BC): 2-foal chariot race. 131 Ol. (356 BC): horse race for foals. 145th Ol. (200 BC): pankration for boys. At no time were all of the competitions listed here contested at any one games and some, like the chariot race with mules, were never repeated.

THE REWARDS The only prize awarded to each individual Olympic victor was a garland of wild olive. From the 7th Olympiad (752 BC) this cherished trophy was cut with a golden sickle from a sacred olive-tree said to have been planted in a grove at Olympia, by Herakles himself.

THE COMPETITORS The scions of noble families could and did compete in the games, but there gradually arose a professional class of competitors drawn mainly from the lower orders. On submitting their names for an Olympic event all would-be contestants were obliged to swear that they were freemen of pure Hellenic blood and guiltless of any acts of sacrilege (after the conquest of Greece by Rome, citizens of the Roman Empire were permitted to participate). Furthermore, they had to prove that they had devoted the previous ten months to preparatory training. On being accepted they were allocated places in their respective events by lot. For the sake of modesty the contestants at the earliest games wore a cloth about their loins, but at the 15th Ol. (720 BC), this item of concealment was dispensed with; it was customary thereafter for all competitors to compete while naked. Although nudity among sportsmen was

or compelled by the severity of his injuries, or through fatigue to concede defeat. In the Greek Heroic Age boxers bound their lower arms and the palms of their hands with thongs of leather, leaving their fingers free. This relatively soft ‘glove’ was still in current use when boxing was introduced into the games at the 23rd Ol. (688 BC), but it was only used for sparring practice. During the games a more fearsome raw oxhide ‘glove’, described by the poet Virgil as being ‘stiff with insewn lead and iron’, was worn. Aptly named the ‘limb-breaker’, it was sometimes further ‘improved’ by the addition of metal studs or nails. The epigrammatist Lucillius describes the head of a boxer who had been severely pummelled with this dreadful weapon, as resembling a sieve. perfectly acceptable to Greek morality, the exposure of the genitals had nevertheless to be done with due propriety. The Hellenic code of decency required that the glans portion of the membrum virile should be covered when a man appeared naked in public. To comply with this requirement every athlete had to tie a leather thong about the tip of the prepuce. Boxers went one stage further by securing the preputial ligature to their loins by means of a cord attached to a thin waistband. The correct name for this shameaverting ligature is angtera, but it was more commonly and jocularly known as a kynodesme ‘dog-chain’.

THE SPECTATORS The games attracted a great number of spectators, all of whom were men and boys. Women, as befitted their subservient rôle in society were strictly excluded, the only exception being a priestess of the goddess Demeter, whose presence was deemed necessary for the religious rites enacted at the festival. The penalty for any other woman entering the games venue was to be thrown to death from one of the precipitous cliffs of Mount Typaeum. One woman who risked this dreadful fate by venturing to be present was a widow named Pherenice. Together with her son, a competitor, she entered the stadium in the guise of a gymnastic trainer. The son won his competition, and while scaling the barrier to congratulate him, the widow’s garment was accidentally raised revealing her sex. However, as her father, her brother and her son were all victors in the games, she was mercifully pardoned. To prevent other women from attempting the same imposture, a law was passed requiring all trainers at future games to strip off on entering their enclosure. The three most violent contests in the early Olympics were wrestling, boxing and pankration. Limitation of space allows me only a few brief words about the last two.

BOXING Boxing in ancient Greece was subject to rules similar to those applied today in the sport, including the stipulation that punches be directed only upon the upper body and the head. Clinging to an opponent and head-butting were not allowed. The boxer most admired was one whose defensive skill enabled him to avoid serious injury to himself while steadily punishing and wearing down his opponent. This ideal remains in modern boxing, but it was much harder to achieve in antiquity as there was no time limit to the bout. Nor were there timed rounds, though sometimes by mutual agreement both boxers took brief rests during the bout. The contest came to an end when a combatant was killed,

PANKRATION A combination of boxing and wrestling, pankration was introduced at the 33rd Ol. (648 BC). The competitors were of necessity men of powerful physique and great staying power, for there were no intervals of rest allowed in the bout. Before commencing the fight the contestants anointed and dusted their bodies with sand, a practice designed to facilitate their getting a secure grip on each other while wrestling. Although boxing was an important element in pankration, the rawhide ‘gloves’ used by pure boxers were not worn as they would have prevented the free movement of the fingers. The bout began with each man endeavouring to manoeuvre his opponent into facing the sun. The first to succeed in this tactical move was then free to capitalize on his advantage by punching or wrestling his opponent to the ground. All-in fighting then continued until one party was either killed or compelled to concede defeat by raising his index finger. One celebrated pankratiast, a Phigalian called Arrhachion, achieved fame throughout Greece by being posthumously acclaimed victor. When contending for the olive garland in the final event of the 54th Ol. (564 BC), his unnamed opponent gripped him about the body with his legs while at the same time putting a sustained stranglehold upon his throat. In desperation Arrachion managed to dislocate one of his adversary’s toes, the pain of which caused him to yield the bout. But the Phigalian’s victory came at the ultimate cost. He died of suffocation at the moment his opponent raised his finger in submission. NN

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Summer 2012 Newport News

SPORT

‘The Cruise of Luna Quest’ BOOK REVIEW JEREMY REED

ric Faber’s ‘The Cruise of Luna Quest’ might suggest a tale about a relaxing trip across the Mediterranean and Atlantic. However it is anything but a gentle sail. It will inspire any sailing enthusiast to contemplate undertaking a greater challenge than their normal sailing exploits. In the first three pages Eric recounts his dubious sailing exploits on his first boat ‘Sally’ – a near collision with anchored boats; running aground on a sandbank requiring the services of the RNLI and a sinking in West Mersea. Any impression one was about to read the story of a competent sailor might now have been dispelled. However we soon learn of Eric’s sailing skills, resourcefulness and determination in the face of very challenging situations. The Cruise of the Luna Quest follows Eric’s purchase in May 2005 of a 1987 38 feet yacht based in Turkey. She required refurbishing and subsequent sailing to the south coast of France in preparation for Eric’s long held ambition to undertake the Atlantic crossing in the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) race from Las Palmas in the Canaries to St Lucia. However as Eric recounts – sailing from Turkey to France in October 2005 via Malta, Sicily and Sardinia proved no mean feat itself. Over a month of challenging winds and all manner of weather conditions, friendly and unfriendly marinas alike, Eric and Luna Quest finally make it to Port Napoleon on the French Riviera. Eric continues a few months later, having fitted a new engine, to sail the boat around the coast of Spain, through the Straits of Gibraltar and onto the Canaries in readiness for the ARC race. However even this relatively straightforward passage was not

Newport News Summer 2012

without incident as this passage from the book demonstrates. ‘A freighter’s navigation lights appeared on the horizon’s dark downwind from Luna Quest. As the lights became more prominent I judged that it was heading straight for me. The angle it made in relation to my bow remained constant which I knew meant we were on a collision course. I expected him to have seen me and change course, but the expectation grew more and more frustrated the nearer he came. I decided that he had not seen me or that he had decided not to see me, expecting me to move out of the way. I considered I could take evasive action at the last minute if required. All attention was now focussed on the navigation lights as they approached. There was no change in the angle on the bow and collision seemed inevitable. I cursed the freighter and changed course. She glided past at a rapid rate of knots. I watched her as she chugged past me. I then remembered my warps (reviewers note:- a warp is a heavy mooring rope that in this instance is being trailed in the water from the back of the yacht to slow the boat down in the storm conditions). Panic seized me as I realised that their lengths from the stern could potentially foul the big ship’s propellers. If they were caught they would without doubt drag Luna Quest under or at best break under the strain or rip the mooring cleats off the deck or at worst haul Luna Quest underneath the freighter where she would be smashed up by the freighter’s propellers. It was too late to start

untying them without risking having my fingers taken off or losing an arm at the moment the spinning propellers would take hold of the warps. I sat there paralysed, expecting at any moment to be subjected to the most horrific accident and possibly death.’ Eric survives this scare and the book follows Luna Quest as she crosses the Atlantic in the ARC race. Eric is joined for the race by his son Edward and Edward’s non sailing friend Philip with all the trials, tribulations and excitement an ocean crossing entails. Following a successful race Eric is joined in St Lucia by his wife Marion for a spot of island hopping round the Caribbean although from Eric’s account I suspect that sailing is not Marion’s ideal holiday. Marion returns to England by air and Eric has the task of sailing Luna Quest from Antigua across the Atlantic once more. On this passage Eric is joined by Brian (a fellow sailor he meets in Antigua) who spends most of the time down below in his bunk being seasick and ill. Once again Eric is forced to use all his sailing skills and knowledge along with many a sleepless night to sail Luna Quest to England. The Cruise of the Luna Quest is a well written and thoroughly enjoyable read. There are occasions when Eric lapses into nautical and sailing terminology which to a non-sailor will be a mystery. However this will not detract any reader from the full enjoyment of Eric’s epic sailing challenge. NN

ORGANISATIONS

Baby Sensory Classes To book your place see our website: www.babysensory.com (search Saffron Walden) Email: cambridge@babysensory.co.uk Or call Juliette on: 07966 789785

Introductory Offer We are giving Newport parents/carers 10 classes for the price of 8 This offer is valid for all bookings made by 30/09/12 and is subj ect to your postal address being in Newport! (Please quote NEW48 on your booking form).

uliette, Emma and the Team are delighted to be bringing Baby Sensory to Newport Youth Centre. This award winning programme has been running nationally since 2006 and we are so excited to be bringing the first ever classes to Newport from June 2012. The programme has been expertly designed by Dr Lin Day, Baby Sensory founder. Dr. Lin Day (PhD Dip. Ed. BSc. PGCE. M. Phil) has worked with babies and young children throughout her career spanning over 30 years. If you have a baby aged between birth and 13 months then this is the class for you. There are all sorts of exciting experiences to share including: fibre optic light shows, bubbles, bells, musical fun, baby signing, puppet shows, amazing light balls and so much more. No two classes are ever the same. The classes provide hundreds of sensory development activities that are great fun for you and your baby to share in the vital first year. The aim of the activities is to build up a vocabulary of sensory experiences (e.g. visual, auditory and tactile), to enhance physical contact (massage, reflexology, touching, cuddling and rocking) between you and your baby and to promote the development of speech through the use of sign language, music, song and puppets. All activities are excellent for developing physical, social and emotional, and language skills, coordination, awareness of the world, a love of music and the concentration so needed for further development. Importantly, there is also the opportunity for you to meet other parents and build that all important support network during this special time in yours and your babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. We look forward to meeting you at The Youth Centre in June! NN

Summer 2012 Newport News

OBITUARIES

Alan George Golding 1912–2011 JANICE HARDING

orn in Brightlingsea 30 September 1912. He later moved to Kirby Le Soken where his Father had a market garden. From 11–15 he went to technical school in Colchester, going by train from Frinton on Sea. At 18 he joined the Tank Corps and served in India on the North West Frontier. On leaving the army in 1937 he joined the London Fire Brigade – at that time they worked an 80 hour week. He married my Mother, Doris, a nurse on 17 October 1938. He was called up in October 1939 and went to Aldershot where he helped to

set up the Army Fire Brigade. Then he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 1st class and moved to Aldershot and became the chief training officer of firemen and wrote the training manual. At the end of the war he joined Mum in Balham, where she had moved with me to live in her Aunt’s house, and rejoined the London Fire Brigade. They remained there until he retired in 1958. I remember he had a garden at Streatham Fire Station where he grew his competition dahlias and kept chickens, selling some of the eggs to the nuns next door! He also had an allotment on Tooting Bec Common. He always enjoyed gardening, growing vegetables and his favourite dahlias. On retiring they moved to a tiny hamlet in Essex called Catmere End, and he worked as a gardener there and in Saffron Walden. In 1964 they moved to a house in Newport, Essex, and he continued to work for many years. My Mother died in 1984, but knowing she was dying, to his horror she put Dad

ALAN (KNOWN AS GEORGE) & DORIS GOLDING (ABOVE)

through a strict regime of cooking, cleaning and cupboard clearing, but it stood him in good stead for his widowerhood. He managed to stay in his own home with his regimented lifestyle, and pottering in the garden, until he was 97 when he had an accident and it was felt he could no longer live on his own. Luckily for us and him, the Dynes had a vacancy and after a five week stay in hospital he was able to move in there. He had wonderful treatment there on his admission which helped him recover his mobility again. He was not a great mixer but he enjoyed his quiet life there until his death on November 3rd. NN

Raymond William Monk 1930–2011 AUDREY WARD (HIS SISTER)

ay was born in Arkesden in 1930, but in 1932 his parents, Laurie and Ellie Monk, bought a bungalow in Frambury Lane and Newport became Ray’s home for the rest of his life. He went to Newport Council School and then later to the Grammar School. From the age of sixteen he worked for Blyth and Pawsey Agricultural Engineers in Saffron Walden. In 1948, his National Service began with a posting to North Wales with the Royal Artillery. However, during training he suffered two broken arms and was transferred to the Catering Corps and became a cook. Ray met Esme Bradford from Rickling

Newport News Summer 2012

about a year before he went on National Service and their engagement followed shortly after Ray was demobbed. Ray was working for Lawrence’s of Sawbridgeworth when an opportunity arose for a job at Stansted Airport with Lakers. In March 1954 and to the delight of both families, Ray and Esme were married at Quendon church. They lived in a flat at Stansted for about two years before buying ‘Sunny View’ in Frambury Lane where Esme continues to live. Ray’s life has been spent as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, living in the village he loved. He has been blessed by having three sons, Michael, Graham and Robert who in turn gave him three lovely daughters-in-law, Lorna, Jane and Kirsten and six grandchildren, Hannah, Lauren, Aronne, Ivan, Saskia and Natalia. Ray eventually became a draughtsman in the flight calibration unit of the CAA, retiring in 1993 after an association with the airport covering the best part of forty years. Ray filled much of his spare time working in his garden or on his

allotment but he also enjoyed walking or sitting quietly on the riverbank with his fishing rod. Unfortunately, Ray did not have a chance to fully enjoy his well earned retirement as it was only a few short years before the Alzheimer’s disease came to haunt his life. The burden of care fell heavily on Esme, albeit with the enormous support from the family. Eventually it became impossible for her to carry on and Ray lived out the last two years of his life being lovingly cared for by professionals, to whom the whole family will always be very grateful. Ray died on October 6th, 2011. NN

OBITUARIES

Lucy Burnell 1994–2011

ucy Burnell, former pupil of Newport Primary School and latterly Newport Free Grammar, died, aged 17, in the early hours of 22nd December 2011, as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic motor accident at Fourwentways on the A11 late the previous evening. Lucy, the youngest daughter of Mark and Diane Burnell of Blackthorn Lodge, Widdington, and younger sister of Lydia, was born in Chester on 18th May 1994, where the family had moved to from their native Yorkshire several years earlier. The family moved to Scotland before Lucy was 2 years old, and she didn’t really remember anything at all about her formative months in England. We always, however, remember her first words. These were not ‘Mum’ or ‘Dad’ or ‘Lydia’ – just when we were starting to get worried if she was ever going to speak, Lucy pointed at a picture on the wall of her bedroom, to confirm it was indeed a painting of a ‘hot air balloon’! The family moved to Edinburgh in late 1995, and until 2004 Lucy and Lydia had an idyllic upbringing in Kinross-shire, rural Scotland, where Lucy, like the whole family, formed lifelong connections, and friendships, that are still as strong today as ever. In 2003, another new job brought the family to Essex, first renting ‘Wonderville’ in Newport in January 2004, which guaranteed the girls would get into their chosen school of Newport Free Grammar, and then to Blackthorn Lodge in Widdington in May of the same year. It was initially a tough time for all three girls, who left behind a lot of love and support in Scotland. It is testament to this special area of NorthWest Essex that Lucy, like the entire family, came to love her life here. Whilst not the most scholarly pupil, she was much loved by her teachers at Newport Free Grammar; Lucy enjoyed her time there immensely, where she surrounded herself with friends for life, many of them via the successful school hockey team, as well as by volunteering to help at school events, and involvement in every exchange to France, Spain and Italy that she was eligible for. Friends were not just from school though – by babysitting locally, working

at the Fleur de Lys, having her own Avon round, and working at Duck End Kennels in Lindsell, Lucy came to be well known by a lot of people in the area, having a smile and a word for everybody – she did not shy away from age or rank; her lovely smile and openness conferred on her a god-given ability to have an engaging conversation with anyone she met. After her sister, and best friend, Lydia, went to Manchester in September 2011 to study Italian and linguistics, Lucy was torn between an academic route post-16, and a desire to enter the workplace. She eventually opted to leave school at the same time as her sister, after one year of AS levels, and gained a place on a National Certificate A-Level equivalent course in Travel and Tourism at Cambridge Regional College. Lucy truly loved her first term at college, and was working to Distinction level by the end of it. At the college, she befriended both her contemporaries and the lecturers, and began to dream of using her considerable people, language and communication skills to carve out a career as either a resort rep or perhaps a trolley dolly. In recent weeks, Mum and I got regular daily snippets of learning from the course work she was completing, and her friends were treated to many cabin crew safety demonstrations! Lucy always loved animals, dogs in particular – after her work experience week at Duck End kennels in Lindsell, she became a full time member of the team of kennel maids there, earning spending money and working happily

and diligently with the small team. Martin, Lucy’s boss, told us he always knew when Lucy was at work, because there was laughter in the building as he approached. He christened her ‘the dog whisperer’ after she brought in one particularly upset and apparently aggressive hound that no-one else in the establishment, including the proprietor, knew how to approach. I never let Lucy forget the time she asked if we could have some ‘quality father and son time’ together – and equally, I will never forget the quality father and son time we had. Just two weeks before the accident, when Mum was on her annual Badminton night out, she railroaded me into going out in Saffron Walden when we dropped Mum off. We had a typical Lucy night out, fitting more into 90 minutes than should be humanly possible – a pint of beer at the Kings Arms, tickets on various charity tombolas (we won one prize only – a giant love heart cushion which Lucy gave to her puppy), a glass of mulled wine, a roast hog sandwich each, all topped off with a pizza. Lucy loved her food – she would try anything and in fact led me, her own father to finally trying snails and frogs legs after nonchalantly confirming in a telephone call to her in France on an exchange that she had not only tried, but enjoyed both. In losing Lucy, Diane, Lydia and I feel like we have lost part of ourselves; Lydia her best friend, confidante and rock for the future, me, my beautiful baby girl, and Di her soul mate and reason for living. The love and support the family has had from the people of Widdington, Newport and surrounding areas – a warm blanket of compassion, flowers, food and friendship – have nurtured us through the darkest hours, and we all want to place on record our sincerest heartfelt thanks to all of you. Lucy was dearly loved by her family, and friends, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She lived every day to the full – her selfless ways, compassion, spirit and kindness remain an inspiration and example to her family, and we hope and pray that, like us, all Lucy’s many friends take on a little part of her beautiful spirit, and preserve it so it continues to light the world for all of us. NN

Summer 2012 Newport News

OBITUARIES

Carol Jewula 1946–2011

arol was born on the 20th of January 1946, she lived with her mother Peggy and father Joseph in the prefabs in Gace’s Acre. Carol was born with Downs Syndrome and when she got to school age the family moved from Newport to Histon so Carol could attend a local special school. Unfortunately Carol’s father passed away and Peggy and her daughter moved to Hempstead. Her mother married once again but tragedy struck again when her second husband and Carol’s step father died. Carol and Peggy moved back to Newport so they could be close to Nan and Grandad Pipe

(William and Ellen, Peggy’s mother and father). A few years later Peggy married Arthur Green, the family lived in Highfields for a number of years. Arthur helped Ken in the electrical shop even after the family moved to Great Chesterford up until his passing 28 years later. Carol was an extremely bright child, very intelligent and full of fun and always playing tricks. She attended the Fairycroft Centre in Saffron Walden where she had many friends but in January 2011 Carol caught Pneumonia and was unable to go any more. On October 26th Carol passed away in Addenbrooke’s Hospital. NN

Dennis (Denny) Walter Palmer 1932–2011 SONIA PALMER (DAUGHTER)

DENNY & MARY WEDDING 1955

ad was born in Belmont Hill cottages, Newport, on 20 April 1932, son of Henry and Beatrice Palmer and brother to Arthur. He went to Newport Primary School and then completed his plumbing apprenticeship with Clayden’s. His National Service took him to Egypt with REME. He was a tough cookie, he boxed for his regiment, and was always game to try something new like riding a camel! He was a keen sportsman too, winning trophies for football (he played for Newport and Clavering). Dad and the love of his life, Mary, were married on 26 March 1955 in St Mary’s Church, Newport. I was born the following year, followed by Ian and Adam, and in between them came a baby girl, Belinda Jane, who sadly was stillborn. Dad was a hard working man, and joined the part-time fire brigade, rising to the rank of sub-officer. When he was

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older, Ian joined him in the fire brigade. Dad was a keen mouth-organ player, as were his father and his brother, and they were always to be heard at family gatherings. He had a beautiful bass voice and would never turn down charities when asked to help raise funds. At a Herts & Essex Hospital fund-raising he had to sing “Surrey with the fringe on top” in an endearing manner to his sister-in-law Monica, and he just couldn’t stop laughing. I think Dad will be remembered especially for his funloving nature and his whistling. He always made sure we had a good Christmas and many a toy was homemade or recycled but looked like new. He could put his hand to anything, including cooking a mean cake! His

skills helped him convert a barn singlehanded for Douglas (John) Gordon, and design a summerhouse for his garden. Our house was always full of animals, cats, dogs, gerbils, rabbits, any waif or stray would be welcome, and Mum and Dad would enjoy nothing more on a Sunday afternoon than taking us all for a walk berry-picking. They also liked the motorbike racing and a treat for us kids was going to the go-kart racing and watching Formula 1. We all have such fond memories of seaside holidays, too. After retiring from the fire brigade and Clayden’s, Dad worked on Ridgeon’s plumbing counter, using his extensive plumbing knowledge and helping many a customer out of a tight spot. As Mum became more disabled Dad looked after her as much as he could. She passed away in 2001 and Dad missed her so much, but he continued to take the dog, Sheba, for walks every day. After that we had a few family seaside holidays at Great Yarmouth with Monica and John, and Dad looked forward to them. Once Dad lost Sheba he started to get quite frail. He died on 10 December 2011, leaving me (Sonia), Ian, Adam, grandchildren Ryan, Kelly, Mike, and Beth, great-grandchildren Jason, Josh and wee Bobby with wonderful memories. NN

OBITUARIES

Edward Hyde 1916–2011 GINETTA SIDDONS (DAUGHTER)

EDDIE HYDE AND DOROTHY DIX NEWPORT CHURCH, 4TH APRIL 1942

lthough Eddie was not born in Newport, the village played a significant part in his early life. He attended Newport Grammar School from September 1927 to July 1932. He cycled to Newport daily from Saffron Walden where he lived in the police station on East Street, his father being Police Superintendent Frank Hyde. On Saturday mornings as Eddie was cycling home from school, he used to see a pretty girl with blond pigtails carrying a music-case after her music lesson with Mr Cooper, the owner of a music shop in Saffron Walden. At the time Eddie did not know that this girl, Dorothy Dix would become his wife. Eddie and Dorothy met at the Farmadine Tennis Club in Saffron Walden in 1937 and for the next five years Eddie made frequent visits to Newport as the couple got to know each other. Even the onset of World War II did not deter Eddie from visiting Dorothy. He was working in the Orderly Room at an RAF station in Kent when he received orders to post somebody to Debden, so he sent himself and a friend, Sam Rothoff. He applied for a ‘living-out pass’ and returned to his parents’ home so that that he could visit Dorothy every evening in Newport. He and Sam used to spend the time with her family singing Gilbert and Sullivan songs around the piano. Dorothy, now aged 97, says that Eddie and Sam played most of the tunes. “When I was a child dances were held in the hall of the Garage which my father and his cousin owned, but as there was no piano ours was borrowed,” she recalls,” I will never forget Mr Yallop playing the piano on the back of the lorry as it was driven off down the road.” Dorothy and Eddie were married in St Mary’s Church, Newport on 4 April 1942 on a typical April day with sunshine and showers. They cut the wedding cake at the Vicarage and then returned to the Dix family home for the wedding breakfast. Their first daughter, Susanne was born on 26 November 1943 and was christened in the church. Susanne remembers being taken over the road in her pram to a stream to see the ducks. Dorothy recalls Susanne, aged three, showing Eddie some plants in the garden when he came home after being demobbed. She heard Susanne say, “Those are echeverias Daddy.” Susanne is not sure if she would recognise them today! During his war service Eddie obtained a commission and arrived in Normandy with his signals unit six days after D-Day. Attached to a Canadian Field Hospital he travelled across France, Belgium and Holland. After peace was declared in Europe he served time in India and Burma. After demobilisation he took up employment in Chelmsford, working initially for the Education Office, then as Administrator for the Writtle Institute of Agriculture and finally as Chief

Administration Officer for Mid-Essex Technical College and School of Art. He and Dorothy had two further children, Ginetta and Julia, eight grand-children and three great grand-children. Eddie was a member of two Masonic lodges in Chelmsford and a founder member of one of them. He was a keen bee-keeper and active member of the local Bee-Keepers’ Association. Eddie and Dorothy enjoyed caravan holidays and for the first five years of their retirement they were wardens on Caravan Club sites in Wales and Scotland. NN

Andy’s Barber Shop High Street Newport Saffron Walden Essex CB11 3PE

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Summer 2012 Newport News

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OBITUARIES

Ronald (Ron) Bingley 1936-2011 JANET BINGLEY (WIDOW)

on was born in Custom House, East London, and when he was two years old the family moved to Rainham in Essex. But when the war really got started Rainham became a hot spot as it was so near to Hornchurch aerodrome, the London docks and industry along the Thames, and so Ron and his mother were evacuated to Clavering to live with a relation. His love affair with this area had begun. His father had stayed in Rainham where he was an Air Raid Warden, and his visits to Clavering

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were rare, but when he did arrive a drink at The Fox & Hounds was always on the menu. After the war Ron returned to Rainham and joined the Merchant Navy when he was sixteen, leaving two years later to do his National Service. He trained in Dorset and after the Korean war was sent to Korea as part of the UN peacekeeping force. He loved it there and often spoke of it. On his demob he worked for the Port of London Authority on customs at the Surrey Commercial Docks. We met in March 1963 at a dance at The Meads Country Club in Brentwood where I lived, and married three years later. By this time Ron had an ambition to be a publican, so after we married we went to work in The Bull’s Eye in Basildon town centre as trainees, and from there we were offered the manager’s job at The Peter Boat in Leigh-on-Sea. We didn’t feel ready for such a busy pub but after a lot of thought we took it on. Ron, at 30, was the youngest manager in the Watney Mann group. We left the pub when our daughter Alison was on the way, and when she was a year old we took the tenancy of The George at Little Hallingbury. It was here that Ron started to race pigeons, and how we coped with it I will never know. While there we bought a cottage that Ron rebuilt and we moved into it just before our son David was born. When he was five we took the tenancy of The Fox & Hounds at Clavering, and it seemed Ron’s life had gone full circle but the move was not a good one, and we came to Newport in 1985, where once again (for the fourth time) he re-established his team of pigeons. He loved the hobby and was known locally as the bird man, but sadly the hobby he loved caused him to be ill – he developed what is called pigeon lung, which is a form of fibrosis. But he had had forty years of pleasure from the pigeons, and also made many friends. We all miss him terribly but even so would not regret what he gained from his birds. NN

OBITUARIES

Peter Ernest Morley

Cambridge & Uttlesford

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eter Ernest Morley was born in 1922 to Annie & Ernest. He was an only child but his cousin Frank lived with Annie & Ernest for some years and they became like brothers. Peter was a fresh faced village boy and was never jealous of the way his parents treated Frank. Peter was conscripted into the Suffolk Regiment in February 1942 aged 20 years and one month and during the war he served in India & Burma. This experience changed him and when he returned he lived frugally with a quiet life style. Peter had no car and never learned to drive but was frequently seen riding his bicycle. When his mother was alive he could be seen, most days, very early in the morning going from Newport to Linton before going to work. Peter lived in Linton until he met Sheila in 1962. When they married they moved into Newport. Sheila later suffered from Multiple Sclerosis and Peter nursed her devotedly for some 20 years until her death on the 25th December 1988. Peter was a bricklayer who worked for English Heritage at Audley End. He was a determined and hardy person who had lots of friends. Frank was his special friend later in life and always on hand to help especially when he had a fall or two. Peter had an old school friend called Vi but they drifted apart, both getting married. After Sheila died they met up again and although Peter asked her to marry him she did not and they lived separately but as companions and friends for many years.

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Peter loved his garden and particularly his vegetables. He didn’t want to be a trouble to anyone and would have been the best father no one ever had. In conclusion Peter’s Soldier’s Release Book says his ‘Military Conduct’ was ‘Exemplary’. And under ‘Testimonial’ it says: ‘A hard working, reliable and trustworthy individual. An excellent type of man in everything’. This seems to sum Peter up very well. Unexpectedly, it also says: ‘Has recently been employed as a Regimental Policeman’. This will be a surprise to many of his family and friends. It’s not something he ever mentioned and there is no indication of how long he did it. The document is dated 31st October 1946. Peter will be missed not least by Vi, Frank & Christine but also by his many friends. NN

OBITUARIES Relatives and friends of recently deceased Newport residents who wish their loved ones to be remembered with an obituary in Newport News are invited to contact a member of the team.

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Summer 2012 Newport News

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OBITUARIES

Kenneth Ernest Pipe

en was born on December 31st 1924 in Norwich, one of six children born to William and Ellen Pipe. When the family moved from Wymondham to Debden, Ken attended school in Newport, and before joining the RAF in early 1942, he joined the Grammar School ATC. While in the ATC one of Ken’s hobbies was boxing at RAF Debden and after enlisting in the RAF he was able to continue with this hobby, winning various trophies. He also wanted to be a glider pilot and had the opportunity to fly in a Miles Magister which was stationed at Debden. After he was demobbed Ken worked as an apprentice at Stamps garage in Newport and went on to drive the NAAFL van in Saffron Walden. He then trained in the electrical field and started up his own business in 1953, renting a shop in the High Street. In 1955 he started dealing in television sets and

moved in 1957 when he bought The Shop at Belmont Hill. Ken served as a Parish Councillor for about 10 years and became well known for his efforts in organising fetes in the village – two of the best remembered were held in successive years. In 1965 some 40 floats took part, and in 1966 which included 65 floats and was opened by TV personality Leslie Crowther. Some eleven years passed before Ken came out of ‘retirement’ and organised the famous 1977 Jubilee Fete which culminated in a magnificent firework display. Ken was an extremely keen member of Saffron Walden Golf Club, playing off a handicap of 16, and received a commemorative plate for a ‘Hole in One’ on the 5th. He was an avid ‘Concorde’ enthusiast, having travelled supersonically some 16 times. Ken rarely took time off from the shop but he achieved a lifelong ambition

when he managed to get to Egypt to visit the grave of his brother Lawrence, who was killed during the war. Around 2001 Ken finally and reluctantly retired and moved from The Shop to Saffron Walden where he lived for four years. He was diagnosed with dementia and after having lived in care he moved to the Meadows Care Home in Haverhill in 2009. Ken was greatly loved and he will be missed especially by his sister Peggy, his daughters Judith and Simone and his son Jamie, together with all the other members of his family and many friends. NN

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H. MANLEY

Newport News Summer 2012