Newport News, No 86, Winter 2016

VALUAT I ON YOUON PROPER R TY

UNDER R ONE ROOF

NEWPORT NEWS, WINTER 2016

FMAREE RKET

NewportNews WINTER 2016 • No 86 • £2.50

www.newportnews.org.uk

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ISSN 0956-487X

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The Newport News team and some regular contributors (all are volunteers) managing Editor John Gordon, The Old Maltings, High Street, Newport, CB11 3PQ (542090) email: john@newportnews.org.uk

John Gordon

Miranda Pender

Barney Miller

Anthony Tuck

David Evans

Editor Barney Miller, 2 The Courtyard, High Street, Newport, CB11 3PQ (540173) email: editorial@newportnews.org.uk Joint history Editors Anthony Tuck 8 Cherry Garden Lane (543833) David Evans Cotefield, 19 Wicken Road (540235)

Mark Pender

Tricia Rose

Angela Archer

Max Rollin

Neil Hargreaves

Advertising Miranda Pender (540465) John Gordon Max Rollin Berenice Smith David Thear Lin Stephenson Directory John Oswin Smith (541498) Berenice Smith (541498) Salley Ann Yates (541609)

Lin Stephenson

Sarah Potter

Alison Lecky

John Oswin Smith

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Treasurer Mark Pender Baby Photographs Gina Holley (543046) ‘Newport News’ by Post Sue Vance, Larkfield, Debden Road, Newport, Essex CB11 3Ru (540322)

Sue Parrish

Andrew Blatt

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Karen Fiske

Neil Byford

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Roz Saggers

Janie Watson

Don Alexander

Julie Fuller

‘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

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

David Thear

Beverley Dear

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Olga Bak

Elaine Murphy

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, and we may also publish them online.

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If you want to advertise in ‘Newport News’ please contact John Gordon (542090) or Miranda Pender (540465). advertising@newportnews.org.uk Artwork supplied in PDF format is preferred, however we can also design adverts for you.

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DESigN, LAYOuT & PrODucTiON Barney Miller – www.design-mill.co.uk (540173) Cover: ‘A walk to Newport’ by Nikki Sims (see page 23)

ISSN 0956-487X Winter 2016 Newport News

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EDiTOriAL

23

Contents rEguLArS

3 6 8 39 40 43 44 52 54 60 62 72 79 99 106 113 118 118 119 120

Welcome Newport snippets Newport neighbours 100 years ago ...

Legal Column: Know your rights...

Quick prize crossword WiN £25 Parish Council report For the young, or not so young!

District councillors report Cars of a certain age The farming year Newport fire station Newport babies & weddings Good moaning, Newport Neighbourhood Watch Newport directory Our representatives Newport diary Travel information List of advertisers

ThiS iSSuE ChURCh

A mystery solved... and a mystery remaining 83 New memorial wall 109 St Mary’s update

ClUBs & oRGanIsaTIons Bingo Knit & Natter Group Newport Youth Club 1st Newport Brownies NATS: According to Rumour Girls Go Out Walden Bikers

CoMMUnITY 5 16 20 36 41 41 42 58 59 70

EDUCaTIon

24 My first week at JFAN 64 Mentor a young person at JFAN 100 Newport Primary School

7

hIsToRY 14 30

33 34 46 66 105

Memories of Shortgrove Audley End: The Ackerman Collection Newport Local History Group Memorial lnscriptions Brick buildings in Newport A Roman amulet Chalk Farm Quarry

oBITUaRIEs 109 110 111 111 112

Charlie Frederick Bennett Gordon Kenneth Wheeler Keith Ingham Arthur Butler Patricia (Pat) Wawn

14 30

PEoPlE

32

17 18 80 82 84 90 91

66

49 50 68 70 92 102

Celebrating 60 happy years Two original residents Being a paper conservator Calling all Jan’s mums Barry Heaton’s photos Voices of Newport: Megan Saville

sPoRT 94 95 96 97 98

Newport Sports Committee Croquet Club Cricket Club Football Club Tennis Club

25

hAPP BirThDY AY

TRaVEl

A plan for Newport Photos of Reynolds Court Newport in the pink... and the green!

Supplying Newport with energy The Local Plan Education in Essex Traffic survey Summer resurfaced Wedding dress event Policing in Newport

28 29

Canoe the Danube New routes & holiday destinations

WoRK 22 26 27 86 88

Art: Its positive impact on the mind Brexit: all doom & gloom?

An Aladdin’s Cave Driving a Coach & Horses through Newport 25 years on...

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100 2

Newport News Winter 2016

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91

EDiTOriAL

WELcOmE JOhN gOrDON MANAGING EDITOR

BArNEY miLLEr EDITOR

A

nother six months has passed and much has happened in that time. In August the redevelopment of Reynolds Court officially got under way with the demolition of the western wing and rebuilding to bring it up to modern standards. It seems only yesterday that Reynolds Court was built in 1974 with 31 flats, it having been the long held dream of Councillor Jack Reynolds, and it has enabled many residents to remain in the village. When finally completed the new version will consist of 34 one bedroomed flats, seven two bedroomed flats, a guest suite and a hair and beauty salon, all set in landscaped grounds.

Early in October the Hastoe Housing Association development commenced at the north end of the village; it will provide 34 affordable houses, hopefully for the children of local residents, an idea which has proved so successful with the building of Bowker Close at the south end of the village.

The actual building is being done by Marfleet Construction and they hope to finish by November next year.

Also in October two new bus shelters were erected, financed by a Section 106 agreement with Bloor Homes, who recently completed the development nearby.

Whilst on the subject of property generally, Neil Hargreaves and Jo Parry have brought up to date the ongoing map and list of planning applications which have been passed, given conditional approval or where the result is still pending. The total is 391 houses at the time of writing. Of these, the three largest are 94 by the Recreation Ground, where the decision is pending. And on Bury Water Lane 85 houses, a residential care home of up to 50 beds and 90 flats and

bungalows have been approved with conditions. This compares with the requirement of 30 to 70 for a “Key” village, which is what we are. The local plan has once again been put back for a few months. The final draft was to have been March 2017 but we don’t know the revised date.

Meanwhile further developers hover in the background.

Continuing over the last six months, in June there took place a seven day automatic traffic survey about which Christine Murphy has reported fully in her article in this issue. This contains valuable information about the nearly

“84% in London Road were travelling at over the 30mph speed limit”

nEW BUs shElTER

90,000 vehicles which passed through our village along the main road in the 7 day period starting June 21st. From the tables you will see that 75% in Cambridge Road and 84% in London Road were travelling at over the 30mph speed limit, including one who was travelling between 90 and 100mph!

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Winter 2016 Newport News

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I was very pleased to hear that a further four residents have volunteered to serve on the Parish Council, making ten out of the permitted eleven.

It would be wonderful if someone would be prepared to fill the one remaining vacancy as there are so many vital issues to be discussed and decided upon, not least the Neighbourhood Plan. You do not have to be a Councillor to join the Neighbourhood Plan committee, just someone who is interested in the village, has a little time to spare and a measure of common sense. Please do consider it. Both the Parish Council and the two District Councillors work extremely hard on our behalf and are deserving of our support.

Incidentally I was very impressed to hear that Councillor Ted Denyer has completed 25 years on the Parish Council, including a year as Chairman.

Congratulations and thank you!

Another item which springs to mind is the application by Network Rail to

“Councillor Ted Denyer has completed 25 years on the Parish Council, including a year as Chairman” close or divert the three footpaths across the railway line on the grounds of safety.

Whilst on the subject of the railways, it was confirmed in October that Abellio Greater Anglia have been granted a nine year franchise for operating trains in East Anglia. They have announced great plans for investment in new trains, faster journeys, more services and the improvement of stations. As a first step they have provided cycle parking facilities at all their 131 stations.

The Church has built an attractive Memorial Garden and held a very successful tea party to celebrate the

Queen’s 90th birthday in June.

Congratulations to Steve Todd and Fiona Strachan of the Old Kiora cafe and all involved with the Walden Bikers for raising over £6000 for the Essex Air Ambulance in their first two years.

We are very pleased to have been able to make grants totalling £1500 to three local charities. Newport News is a nonprofit making organisation and as such tries to distribute such profit we make, retaining sufficient reserves to finance four issues of the magazine. We would like any applications for funds to reach us by August 1st each year please.

Well done to Lin Stephenson, Neil Hargreaves and Barney Miller for producing the village maps notice boards, one by the station and the other by the entrance to Bullfields. They are designed to help visitors find the various roads and main features in the village.

May we end by wishing our readers a very happy Christmas and a most prosperous New Year. NN

NewportNews DO YOU HAVE SOME SPARE TIME? Want to get involved in our award-winning magazine?

We are always looking for people to help with the production of ‘Newport News’. Budding writers, photographers, financial experts or in particular anyone who can help with advertising. This involves simply ringing a handful of our existing advertisers twice a year and taking any instructions.

If you would like to get involved talk to one of the team or contact John Gordon on 01799 542 090 or email: john@newportnews.org.uk

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Newport News Winter 2016

cOmmuNiTY

A plan for Newport (and Quendon & Rickling) WE NEED YOur hELP

DAViD mAYLE

t

here seems to be widespread agreement that the UK needs to build more houses; what to build and where to build it are, however, rather more difficult questions. These decisions are typically made by the Planning Committee of a District Council. Parish Councils have an input to that process but sadly little influence, with the result that many people feel that they have little voice in the way in which development unfolds.

The Localism Act of 2011 provides a mechanism for us to have a greater say, opening up the possibility of development in directions which we consider the most appropriate, rather than merely the most profitable.

This involves the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan. Such a plan is not to meant to compete with Uttlesford District’s Local Plan; rather the two documents are intended to be complementary, but if done properly they will provide us with a voice with which to say what is important for the future of where we live. And this time it will be listened to.

An effective Neighbourhood Plan cannot be something drafted by a committee in a smoke-free room.

If it is to work, it will need to pass muster with an independent quality

inspector, & she or he will need to see evidence that it is supported by the community. The only way this can happen is if the community is involved from the beginning – i.e. now!

To get things moving, a small steering group has been convened. It includes residents, plus members of the parish councils, district council and local business. The group is deliberately drawn from Quendon and Rickling, as well as from Newport.

The role of this group is not to create a great Neighbourhood Plan, but to help facilitate the creation of such a plan. The more involvement from the community, the better – and more effective – it will be.

We need your input and your ideas; residents, businesses, landowners, community organisations. In short, everybody. Initially there will be questionnaires seeking your views, displays, a website, Facebook and the village magazines. Although there is guidance regarding what constitutes a good Neighbourhood Plan (remember: it does need to satisfy an independent inspector), it is still largely up to us.

What matters to you?

What needs to change?

What needs to be retained?

What would you like to see in the future of Newport, Quendon & rickling?

Don’t let the future of our villages be imposed, let’s help to make it the future we want.

Email: steering.group@nqrplan.org www.nqrplan.org Look out for the leaflet that will come through your door and please like our facebook page. All offers of assistance will be very gratefully received. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News

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LETTErS TO ThE EDiTOr rAiL crOSSiNgS

Dear Editor, Over recent years there has been much fuss made over the danger of rail crossings, particularly following the tragic events in Elsenham and other crossings in East anglia.

In Newport we have seven crossing points, for such a small village, two of which are directly crossing the rail tracks and one of these crosses into school grounds. Is it not about time these two crossings closed?

Doing so would not only improve safety on the railway but would also remove the incessant noise pollution which blights the east side of the village. I can’t imagine these crossings would be widely missed as they do not appear to connect the village to anywhere particular.

I have heard rumours that Network Rail are closing a number of crossings and it would be beneficial to the village if these two were on the list.

Ken Sims, Newport

ThE grEAT WAr

Dear Editor Just a quick line to congratulate Jeff Bines on an excellent publication about Newport’s Great War fatal casualties, which I have only just found.

You asked for any corrections etc. I noticed that under 1917 you placed C J JuDD in the Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment. This is incorrect: the

AWArD-WiNNiNg ‘Newport News’ has won another award at the annual Cambridge Magazine Awards, to add to it’s collection. unfortunately we were not allowed to enter the main category this year, having won GOLD last year, but we did win ‘Best Previous Winner’.

On the giving side ‘Newport News’ has donated the annual First Prize to the winner of the Best Community magazine in Essex. This is organised by the Rural Community Council of Essex, (RCCE) in conjunction with the Essex Weekly 6

Newport News Winter 2016

regiment is the York and Lancaster Regiment. This is a mistake made by a large number of people, even specialist historians who should know better. However, this does not detract from your excellent publication John Sly, medal News Editor: You can see Jeff’s excellent booklet online at: www.newportnews.org.uk

church PuLPiT

Dear Editor, I am an American on vacation in your wonderful country, and last week I had the pleasure to visit your fine church. The things I like best are the coloured glass windows, the treasure chest and the pulpit.

A guy I met in the church told me that the pulpit is not liked by some folks and a few years ago the pastor even wanted to get rid of it. Wow! I live in Barper, Ohio, it’s only a small place with a population of only 82 souls, mostly descended from German immigrants who came to the uS in the 1890s. Our church is a clapboard building built in 1934 by the son of the late Cyrus T Possen, founder of Possen’s Poultry Feed. Our church may be small but our Lutheran Episcopalian Pragmatist pastor the Rev Otto ‘Kleine’ Kerl, pulls in quite a crowd every Sunday. He is a small man and preaches from an upturned barrel in true country style. So it crossed my mind that if you and this year it attracted around 40 entries from over 100 members.

We have given the award since 1979 and this year it was won by AMBO, the magazine for Hempstead, Radwinter and Great and Little Sampford. The prize was awarded on 20 July 2016 at West Street Vineyard, Coggeshall and the event was generously hosted by the Essex Weekly editor Julian Read.

Opposite is a photograph of the awards ceremony. On the left are Dave Smith and Sue Collins, editor from AMBO being

Newport folks don’t like your pulpit we Barpers would be happy to buy it from you and ship it across to the uS. That pulpit would look real cool in our church and we would treat it with the respect that it merits. And I’m darn sure we could raise the money from the Possen family. So how about it you guys? ron rouchese, Ohio, uSA

NEW gOSPEL hALL (see above) Dear Editor, A new gospel hall is nearing completion in London Road on the former site of AJ Clayden building company.

This is for the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church who own the freehold of the property and will be using it for their Christian worship only and not for secular or other activities. A public noticeboard will be displayed giving relevant contact information and times of meetings, and members of the public are encouraged to visit the church’s website for further information at www. plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org.

As well as a place of public worship, there are families that will attend services that have enjoyed living for some years in the village and the immediate area.

The support of the community, parish and council in granting the permission for this facility is much appreciated by the trust and congregation, who wish to be good neighbours and of benefit to the local area.

Adrian Worrod & Stephen Brock presented with the award by Nicholas Charrington, chairman of the RCCE with the Rt.Revd Roger Morris, Bishop of Colchester. Newport News is very proud to be associated with the RCCE and Essex Weekly in helping spread the concept of local magazines.

BATTLE Of hASTiNgS Readers will no doubt have seen the publicity about the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, which took place 950 years ago, on October 14th 1066.

The re-enactment took place over the weekend of October 15th/16th 2016.

Edward the Confessor, the King of England since 1042, had died without an heir on January 5th 1066, and on the following day Harold Godwinson was crowned king as Harold II. But his claim was disputed, notably by duke William of Normandy and by Harold Hardrada king of Norway who was supported by a renegade English noble, Tostig. Both claimants invaded England in 1066. William had gathered together an army in France and after a long wait for the right weather conditions he landed at Pevensey in Sussex on September 28th 1066. Just prior to this Harold II and his army, who had waited around all summer for William to invade, had had to march hurriedly northwards to confront Harold Hardrada,who had attacked York and defeated the Northern Earls at the Battle of Fulford on September 20th. Harold arrived from his forced four-day march and defeated and killed Hardrada on September 25th at the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York. Harold then had to do another forced march, back to the south coast to confront William. The battle on 14th October lasted from 9am till dusk, and William emerged the victor; Harold was killed, traditionally by an arrow through his eye.

As part of the commemorations of the events of 1066, English Heritage organised a re-enactment of Harold’s army’s ride from York to Battle, Hastings. It started on September 25th and arrived in time for the anniversary of the battle on October 14th, travelling 20 miles a day. Anthony Tuck had heard that the army was due to pass through Newport on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 5th. We therefore placed ourselves strategically by the Leper stone with camera to hand. Eventually six horses and riders, with pennants and flags flying, rode through the village. We followed them until they left the village by the Old London Road on their way to Waltham Abbey and ultimately to Battle Abbey and the battlefield itself.

John gordon & Anthony Tuck

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Winter 2016 Newport News

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PEOPLE

Newport neighbours LONDONROAD and its neighbour, Taormina, had both been built in 1965. I left Mark, marvelling at his remarkable energy.

Tormina JOhN gOrDON

A

s regular readers will remember, in every issue since 1989 I have visited a few houses in the village, talked to the owners and taken a photograph. I am working my way down the west side of London Road. For this issue I started at

Theydon house Mark Jackson and Sue Rowlatt Mark told me that he was born in Sawbridgeworth in 1964 and went to school locally, leaving in 1981. He said he had never been unemployed since the age of eight, helping the milkman, doing a paper round and working for the famous bicycle shop of Nick Thake.

However his real work started in 1982 when he went to work for the Prudential, gradually rising up the ladder until he felt ready to cast off on his own, which he did in 1993, starting M.D. Jackson Financial Services, which continues to this day very successfully, though acting now mainly as a mortgage broker.

Mark came to Newport in 1989 when he bought 47 Cherry Garden BELOW: TIA JACKSON ON HER HORSE, FRAZZLE

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Newport News Winter 2016

TOP: MaRK In FRonT oF ThEYDon hoUsE ABOVE: MaRK anD hIs WIFE sUE

Lane, where in 1997 he was joined

by Elaine Puddephatt and they had a daughter, Tia, born in 2000. Tia went to the Primary School and the former Newport Free Grammar School; she is now at Writtle Agricultural College and keeps a horse at Sawston.

Mark’s business prospered and in 2003 he bought Theydon House.

Two years later Elaine moved back to number 47 and Mark was joined by Sue Rowlatt. She was born in Edmonton in 1964 but grew up in Arundel. She has done a wide variety of jobs but is now firmly embedded in the legal world, working for a firm of solicitors.

She has three children and one grandchild. She and Mark love living in Newport, with Tia shuttling between her two parents. Mark is a very keen gardener, which you can instantly tell by looking at his immaculate property.

Mark told me that he had bought the house from Peter and Margaret Hearne when they moved to Saffron Walden in 2003 after 29 years in the house. I well remember the Hearnes, as they had both been such pillars of the community. When I rang Peter to check some dates he reminded me that Theydon House

Mark and Jo Trust I then went next door to Taormina where I found Mark and Jo Trust and their two children, Kate born in 2002 and Tom in 2006. I started off with Mark (all six foot eight inches of him!) and he told me that he was born in Lowestoft and went to school there. He then went to Sheffield University and studied Biomedical Chemistry, and upon graduating joined Abbotts, and later Pfizer, moving to Gilead Sciences in 2013, which brought him to this area.

It was whilst at Abbotts that he met Jo Dodds. She was born in 1977 at Chatham, her parents living in the Isle of Sheppey. She was educated in the area, leaving school at 18 after her A levels. She then went to work for Abbotts where she met Mark, eventually marrying him in 2003. In 2013 they moved to East Anglia and bought Taormina in the following year. They have done a tremendous amount to it. Both children go to the County High and Jo works as a teaching assistant in Saffron Walden, a job she loves. They very much appreciate living in Newport for its excellent transport links and cannot speak too highly of the County High.

Before they bought the house it was lived in by Susie and Peter Annis for eight years. I remember that Rosemary Seabrook, who sold all the Newport News advertising space during its first five years, lived at 2 Braeside as it was then called. She had then sold it to John and Daphne Dunn, but I haven’t been able to establish the exact sequence.

Next door to Taormina is a substantial newly-built house which when I called in September was for sale.

ToRMIna

PEOPLE at Eversleigh on the other side of London Road, did a swap with the Challoners in 2014 and exchanged houses. John Challoner had retired and was looking to downsize, whilst the Cooks were wanting more room to expand and achieved their objective at a stroke with seven bedrooms, a very large garden and masses of room to entertain.

Sarah Cook told me that she was born in LEfT: MaRK anD Jo TRUsT righT: KaTE TRUsT anD TIM TRUsT

Braeside Robert and Sarah Cook Here I met Robert and Sarah Cook and their son Dudley, plus Sarah’s widowed father, Robert Rotheram, who was staying with them but lives mainly in Surrey. Before going to see them I had brushed up on the history of the house through the back numbers of Newport News and learnt that the house had been built by Staines and Trott in 1901 for Sydney Charles Barnard (1858-1942). It remained in the Barnard family for 87 years until the death of Sydney’s grandson Stewart in 1988 at the age of 63. A couple lived there briefly for a year before it was bought by John and Fiona Challoner, who lived there happily for 25 years. There then comes a twist in the tale in that Robert and Sarah, then living

righT: RoBERT, DUDlEY anD saRah CooK WITh RoBERT RoThERhaM In ThE MIDDlE BELOW: BRaEsIDE BOTTOm: MaRY anD sTEWaRT BaRnaRD DaTED 8Th MaY 1976

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PEOPLE 1973 in Harold Wood, but in 1986 the family moved to this area and Sarah went to the Margaret Dane School in Bishop’s Stortford and later to Newport Free Grammar School.

Upon leaving school she studied Fashion and Textlles for three years in the west country before joining Molton Brown, the luxury toiletries company. After a while she moved to Penhaligons, becoming CEO at the age of 35. She is now the CEO of Aspinals, which deals in luxury leather goods. Altogether her career has been most impressive, taking in beautiful products, global travel and a place in the world of fashion and luxury, all achieved by hard work and talent.

Next I turned to Robert who was born in Cambridge in 1975 and lived in Saffron Walden, going to the RA Butler school and then on to Newport Free Grammar School, from whence he studied Art and Graphic design at the Southampton Institute. In 1986 he took a delayed gap year, travelling round the world, after which he spent three years doing web design. He then took another career break for six months for more travel before returning to England.

At this point he met Sarah and four years later they were married in the same church in Shropshire where three previous maternal relations had wed.

In 2008 they came to live in Newport at Eversleigh and in the same year young Dudley was born. He now goes to Newport Primary School. Sarah catches the train to London whilst Robert looks after the spacious house and grounds and their son Dudley. He is also writing a book, about which I expect we will hear more in due course.

I left a very busy and high achieving family who love living in Braeside.

chesterton Gill Warburton Here I encountered Gill Warburton, who invited me in and furnished me with a welcome cup of black coffee.

She then proceeded to tell me about her most interesting life. She was born in 1946 in Plaistow, her father being a housing officer for the GLC who had seen war service on the Atlantic convoys. He died two years ago aged 97. Gill was one of a family of three. Her brother has now died but her sister, ten years younger than Gill, lives in Saffron Walden.

modern jazz. She is also a healer, a qualified reflexologist, masseuse and aromatherapist. Add in gardening and looking after the forty fish in her pond and you have a very busy lady.

chestnuts

ChEsTERTon ABOVE: GIll WaRBURTon

Gill went to Stratford Grammar School but had to leave at 16 as her mother was ill and she had to help bring up her sister. Sadly her mother later died in 1965. Gill then started off training to be a nursery nurse and then went to work at BP in the accounts department. She met her husband, Colin Warburton, at a youth club. He was an accountant and Investment Manager for Richard Tompkins of Green Shield stamps and Argos fame.

They married in 1968 and lived in a number of houses in this area. They had four sons, Simon, born in 1971, Keith in 1972, Nick in 1979 and Richard in 1983. All four went to Newport Free Grammar School and all four live and work in Cambridge, the youngest three in the same firm.

Sadly Colin and Gill parted company in 1993, though I was interested to hear that Colin still comes to Christmas lunch every year. Gill has only just retired from working at her sons’ business where she helped out in many different roles. She also has many different roles in her leisure hours, a volunteer for East Anglian Childrens’ Hospices, going to ballet classes, singing in various choirs and studying

ChEsTnUTs

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Newport News Winter 2016

Behind Chesterton there is a substantial house built by Ed Bishop who lives at 1 Hill View and is building a number of similar houses in the area. I understand that Chestnuts is lived in by Stephen and Louise Blight and their five children, but they did not wish to be interviewed.

Behind Chestnuts is a further house in the early stages of erection.

Willow chase, formerly Willowcroft I well remember exploring the foundations of this property, very well built by John Brown in the late 1960s, and exclaiming at its very size.

I believe that John Brown himself lived in the house for a year or two.

Around 1969 a Mr Cearns then had it briefly before our own Arthur Powell and his then wife Maureen bought it in 1971, bringing with them their ten year old daughter, Lisa. They put in a swimming pool and Arthur told me what fun they had entertaining their friends and neighbours. A smile broke through his face as he recounted having over a hundred friends and relations down from London, an enormous success. After ten years Arthur and Maureen moved to Sparrows End

WIlloW ChasE ABOVE: ARTHuR POWELL (SECOND FROM LEFT)

PEOPLE Farm but then sadly he and Maureen parted company. I later met Maureen and she kindly lent me an aerial photograph of the property taken in 1973, shown here. Much has changed since then as the pool has been moved and extra houses have been built.

As far as its later history is concerned, the Powells were succeeded

by Harry Linney for a year or two, followed by two very short-term owners before Norman Bishop and his wife Brenda arrived in 1984. They sold it in 2012 and there are now new owners who did not wish to be interviewed.

Salix On the road frontage is another new house, Salix, which was built on the site of an old wooden house which had belonged to a master at the Grammar School, Major Frank Walker, nicknamed ‘Camel’ at the school, who taught there from 1919 to his death in 1965. It was then sold to John Brown, and Willowcroft was built in the extensive garden. I just remember that it was covered in dead ivy and looked rather woebegone.

salIx

aged 80. Mollie herself died in 1984 aged 64. She did an enormous amount in the village during her 35 years here.

Behind the White House are two new houses, built last year by Unique Construction of Bishop’s Stortford. I believe that the one on the right had not been sold in September but the one on the left, Allium, has been bought:

Allium Dean and Eleanor Burroughs moved in recently and are very pleased with their new house. I went to see them and was ushered into a pristine house with beautifully polished floors and they told me about themselves.

I would dearly like to see a picture of it. I hope to catch up with the owners of Salix in the next issue.

The White house In the 1973 aerial photograph of Willow Chase there is a rather smaller house in the bottom left hand corner, which is The White House. I wasn’t able to make contact with the present residents but I do remember some former owners. The first was Mollie Tennant who came to the village in 1949 with her parents, Norman and Elizabeth Tennant. Norman died in 1960 aged 68 and Elizabeth in 1967

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PEOPLE keen cyclists and Dean rides to work. They both go to the gym and also get plenty of exercise when walking their yellow Labrador, Molly.

Little rising

allIUM ABOVE: DEan anD ElEanoR BURRoUGhs

I was delighted to hear that Eleanor is the youngest of the six children of Janet and the late John Willson of 45 Frambury Lane (it always gives me great pleasure when I hear of the younger generation returning to their roots in the village). Eleanor was born in 1973 and went to Newport Primary school followed by the County High. She left there at 16 and went on to Harlow College before going to work for a law firm as a paralegal.

At the same time she did a degree on a part time basis, which involved a day a week on day release and two evenings a week doing evening classes, qualifying as a solicitor in 1998. I was most impressed by this achievement which must have involved considerable sacrifices. She now works for Stanley Tees dealing with conveyancing, after 11 years doing criminal work.

Dean told me that he was born in 1972 and grew up in Loughton where he went to school, leaving at 16. He underwent a five year apprenticeship in Electrical Installation, again involving work and day tuition. He and Eleanor met in a night club in Harlow and married in 1995.

They lived locally from 2001 when they moved to Newport into one of the old Police houses, The Lilacs.

Interestingly Dean told me that he had found the footings of the old cottage which had been demolished when the Police houses had been built.

In 1999 their elder son Morgan was born, and two years later there followed Drew. Both boys went to the Primary School followed by Newport Free Grammar School, now Joyce Frankland Academy.

All the family like living in Newport and find it very friendly. Eleanor likes being near her mother and the rest of her family. Both Eleanor and Dean are

Neil and Katrina Bond Little Rising is a most individually styled early 20th century house, supposedly designed by the architect of the Bishop’s Stortford cinema erected in 1913 in the art deco style, now demolished. I knocked on the door and found Neil and Katrina Bond, who ushered me into the wainscotted sitting room and introduced me to their daughter Charlotte, aged 10.

Neil explained that he was born in 1966 and was brought up in Harston, near Cambridge, and educated at Melbourne Village College followed

by Hills Road 6th form college. He then read Computer Engineering at Manchester University before going to work for Logica, doing Defence and Space. He is now the Chief Technology Officer at M.S. Amlin which keeps him very busy indeed.

Neil came to Newport having provided himself with a railway timetable and a map, and calculated that Newport was the most convenient place to live. In 1997 he chanced upon Little Rising, a three bedroomed house with a very large garden. He snapped it up and gradually converted it into a five bedroomed house.

We then switched to Katrina, who was born in Catterick in 1963, her father being in the army. The family moved around a fair bit, including three years in Singapore

lITTlE RIsInG ABOVE: nEIl, KaTRIna & ChaRloTTE BonD

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Newport News Winter 2016

and a time in County Durham. She went to Liverpool University where she read Physics and Electronics. She then did three years in Medical Physics and auditing systems. It was while she was at Axa in Bristol that she met Neil in 2001. They married in 2004 at Parklands in Quendon and thus Katrina came to live at Little Rising.

In 2006 Charlotte was born, and she has taken after her parents in being interested in science; she goes to St. Mary’s in Cambridge. Katrina helped at the Primary School, where she used to take cookery classes. She is also a keen bellringer and was Bell Captain at Saffron Walden. She even has a set of eight bells in a separate room in the garden for practising, something I didn’t expect to find in Newport.

I mentioned that I had met Nigel and Jenny Lesmoir-Gordon who had lived there from 1987 for ten years. Nigel was a film maker of distinction and Jenny a psychodynamic councillor. Prior to them were Carolyn and Christopher Thurlwell who had bought Little Rising from Dr Kennedy and his wife when they moved to Saffron Walden in 1980.

And so I finished the latest instalment of my circumnavigation round Newport having once again met a most interesting and varied selection of residents. I am constantly amazed at the vast amount of talent there is within our population. NN

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hiSTOrY

memories of Shortgrove iNTrODucTiON BY ANgELA ArchEr

ThE hall In FoRMER DaYs, GlIMPsED ThRoUGh TREEs

WiTh ADDiTiONS frOm BrucE muNrO AND ThE LATE BArrY hEATON

50 Years Ago – The Burning of Shortgrove hall 50 years ago, one night in June 1966, Shortgrove Hall was destroyed by fire. Eric Byford can never forget the extraordinary sight as Newport’s fire brigade raced up the hill – the Hall ablaze, flames shooting out from every window. A dozen fire engines from near and far fought the fire all night, but they were hampered by problems of water supply, and although the wings were fairly well preserved thanks to the skill of the firemen, the middle of the Hall was completely gutted.

The Butler family had bought Shortgrove Hall in 1938, but after the war, finding it too large, they built the house they called Le Pavilion nearby on the estate. They moved into that and in 1963 they sold the Hall. Unfortunately the company which purchased it later ran into financial difficulties, and some two years later the Hall was sold on to Geoffrey Allen, a ‘property developer’ (and friend, it transpired, of the Kray twins), who apparently planned to turn it into a casino, meanwhile insuring it for £150,000.

In January 1977, nearly eleven years after the fire, justice finally caught up with Mr Allen. The Daily Mirror reported: “For more than twenty years, Geoffrey Allen had been haunted by a plague of mystery fires. They had swept through caravans and cottages worth only a few hundred pounds, and country mansions and a stately home insured for hundreds of thousands. During that time Allen collected huge sums of money in paid-up insurance claims”. He was sent to gaol for seven years and ordered to pay costs of £750,000. (His death was reported in Newport News in 1993.)

After the fire, ownership of Shortgrove Hall changed hands again and again, but restoration plans eventually had to be abandoned and in 1980 it was demolished.

The bricks were sold to Roger Whittaker

righT: ClEaRInG UP – BaRRY hEaTon TooK ThIs PICTURE ThE DaY FolloWInG ThE FIRE. BERnaRD BYFoRD Is aT ThE ToP oF ThE laDDER, TED GIlBEY BEloW. ThE laTE aRThUR BUTlER WRoTE In nEWPoRT nEWs “MY MosT VIVID RECollECTIon ThaT nIGhT Is oF a FIREMan PERChED 120 FEET UP on a laDDER oVER ThE ToP oF ThE hall, hosInG WaTER DoWn onTo ThE RooF: a VERY BRaVE Man.”

for the wall of Quendon Hall, where he lived at the time. The first house built to replace the Hall did not survive for very long and was itself replaced by a new Shortgrove Hall, designed by architect Chris Cowper of Cowper Griffith Associates for the Scruby family, who moved in in 2001. It is a handsome, dignified yet practical house, well suited to life in the 21st century.

A fireman remembers by the late Barry heaton (reprinted with his family’s kind permission from the summer 1991 issue of ‘Newport News’) At the time of the fire at Shortgrove Hall I was serving as a retained fireman for Newport Fire Brigade. I seem to remember it was 2.30am on a Sunday morning when the alarm bells rang. We then had these bells fitted in our homes, and when calls were received we would throw our clothes on – trousers and pullovers which would be kept near the bottom of the bed – rush downstairs, grab any transport (in my case my faithful push bike), and proceed to the fire station, this all being done in two or three minutes.

When I arrived at the fire station Eric Byford already had the lights on and was taking down the message. I threw the folding doors back and finished putting my gear on. Eric shouted to us that the fire was at Shortgrove Hall. You don’t

have many seconds to think at a time like this, but a few of us thought it strange, fire at Shortgrove, the buildings had been empty for some considerable time and Mr and Mrs Charles Butler were living in their new house close by. The Hall itself was now owned by a Mr Allen who lived I believe at Duddenhoe End. I don’t remember who was driving on that call, but at that time of the morning things were very quiet both on the road and in the village.We drove through the main gates past the Lodge and over the old bridge, and then in front of us, between the oak trees, was a scene we shall never forget.

The whole building was ablaze, from one end to the other; on every storey flames were pouring out of every window, with very little smoke.

ThE RUInED hall PhoToGRaPhED soME YEaRs aFTER ThE FIRE

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Newport News Winter 2016

hiSTOrY

At this time we were all thinking about water, both main supplies and emergency. On arriving some crew were employed coupling up to the mains, and the rest of us rushed round the back to the swimming pool and Mr Butler’s fish pond. I don’t remember if we obtained water from the swimming pool but we did get water from the fish pond. Unfortunately after using it for the fire and draining it back into the pond it had lost its oxygen content and eventually the poor fish perished.

On opening a large door at the side of the building Philip Gooden and I found about twenty or so Rentokil drums against a door. We proceeded to remove these outside as they were particularly inflammable. We knew that the caretaker was on the premises, but he had already evacuated and thrown his bedding and other gear out of a back window onto the lawn.

Other appliances were arriving by this time from Walden, Stansted, Thaxted and all surrounding areas, including a T/L turntable escape ladder from Cambridge. But unfortunately we could not prevent the main building being destroyed, as it had gained a considerable hold by the time we arrived.

“We continued fighting the blaze until full daylight, when Mr and Mrs Butler asked us into their kitchen for refreshment, a very kind offer as they were both very upset at the loss of the old house they had lived in for many years.

“We then returned to the fire station, and a few hours later, on the Sunday afternoon, I believe, we returned to damp down, whereupon I took the chance to take a few slides of the scene.

“Eventually the building had to be demolished – another great landmark of Newport gone forever. Having been born in the village I have a lot of happy memories of Shortgrove: the wonderful

fancy dress parties in the Parish Hall (now the Studio) organised by the Montagus when they lived at Shortgrove; the dances up at the Hall in the excellent ballroom, the fetes etc. over the years. Sadly now all is gone, apart from the grand coaching and stabling block and clock tower.

“While we were making sure every part of the rubble was extinguished, the forensic department from Scotland Yard arrived to collect any clues as to the origin of the fire. Unfortunately we had destroyed with our hoses the ash deposits which might have been useful to them, but our first task had been to extinguish the blaze.

“I had many interesting years with the Fire Brigade, some quite amusing. They must encounter a great number of diverse incidents now, especially with the close proximity of the M11 and Stansted Airport.

I wish them all the very best of luck in their job and I’m sure I speak for the rest of Newport village. You do a terrific job of work – well done, lads!”

Something of Shortgrove Bruce munro’s recollections As a Newport Grammar School pupil from 1944, not long after my arrival I became aware that beyond the parkland that could be seen from the Ryder playing fields, there was a stately home, a mansion, that’s all I knew. Later I learned that the splendid blue Bentley that was sometimes parked at Newport Railway Station, where each morning I alighted, belonged to that great estate, Shortgrove.

Shortgrove, the home of the Butler family from 1938, was acquired in 1963 by, I believe, a manufacturing company which was to use the place for research, but never occupied it and in 1966, or thereabout, it was purchased

by Geoffrey Allen, a property restorer and speculator who lived locally in, amongst other places, Little Chesterford Manor and in Hempstead Hall.

The Saffron Hotel, which belonged to a City Chartered Accountant, Cecil Brown and his artist companion, Bruce, was run with some style and panache and was

the Venue on some Saturday nights for Dinner Dances. I was in a party at the Saffron one Saturday. There, also dining that evening, was Geoffrey Allen with a group of guests that included the Kray twins. As I remember, it was then he told us he had bought Shortgrove, which would have a new lease of life as a Hotel and Casino. The American actor and gambler, George Raft, would be involved.

On the night of, I think, June 11th, a Saturday, Shortgrove was on fire. Geoffrey Allen, in London in the Colony Club, Berkeley Square, was dining with a party that included the said George Raft, when he received a call to tell him of the fire.

The next day, Sunday, when news of this disaster was spread abroad, I called at the Eight Bells for a lunchtime beer, where I met George Harriet who farmed Nuns Farm at Catmere End. He suggested a drive to Shortgrove. Here was the saddest of sights – this splendid Queen Anne mansion, a smouldering, jagged, sculpture.

Truly heartbreaking. One fire engine, with its dedicated crew, remained and whilst we were there Geoffrey Allen drove up.

I suppose we passed the time of day and commiserated with him on this tragedy.

“To relieve the pain, dear reader, George Raft was asked how he had lost his fortune. ‘Wine, song, women and the rest I spent foolishly’ was his response.” NN POSTScriPT: Eric Byford remembers that some years after the hall was finally demolished, another fire alarm was received from shortgrove. It turned out that part of the cellars were on fire. he suspects that when the hall was finally demolished some of the rubbish had found its way into the cellars and later caught fire.

Winter 2016 Newport News

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cOmmuNiTY

Photos of reynolds court LEfT: REPREsEnTaTIVEs FRoM UDC, loVEll, saUnDERs BosTon, nEWPoRT PaRIsh CoUnCIl, as WEll as ThE REsIDEnTs, aTTEnDED ThE GRoUnDBREaKInG CEREMonY aT REYnolDs CoURT, nEWPoRT (PICTURE UDC) BOTTOm LEfT: UDC VICE-ChaIRMan CllR GEoFFREY sEll, nEWPoRT WaRD MEMBER CllR nEIl haRGREaVEs, CaBInET MEMBER FoR hoUsInG CllR JUlIE REDFERn, nEWPoRT WaRD MEMBER CllR Joanna PaRRY, anD UDC hoUsInG ManaGER JUDITh snaREs (PICTURE UDC) miDDLE: ThE haPPY CoUPlE aRE DoUG MalIns, UDC DEVEloPMEnT ManaGER anD REYnolDs CoURT TEnanT JoYCE BoaTMan BELOW: CaKE MaDE To looK lIKE ThE nEW BUIlDInG

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Newport News Winter 2016

cLuBS & OrgANiSATiONS

Bingo The Newport Organisations Committee SuE PArriSh

Newport Organisations committee This Committee dates back to 1958, when it was set up by a gentleman called Edwin (Eddie) Guile. During the 1950s when Newport Village Hall was being built, funds became low, so for further developments, improvements and additions, he formed a rescue committee which consisted of representatives from other organisations in the village.

funds for the Village hall Eddie and the committee decided that a way to raise money would be to run a weekly bingo session, to be held every Thursday evening. It was a great success, due to the dedication of the committee, particularly Mr Stan Short who put a lot of effort into the running of it (he was the Treasurer and Secretary from 1958 to 1983 when he sadly passed away). Vital funds were donated to keep the hall running.

After the Village Hall’s official opening in 1960, it was found that more space was required, so Eddie and his team set about helping to raise more money. As a result of their tremendous efforts and further grants from the Ministry, the annexe (the one on the right as you face the stage) was built and opened in 1964.

The bingo is still going strong today and 2018 will be its 60th Anniversary, such a brilliant achievement by all officers and committee from past to present. NN

Please come and join us every Thursday evening for a traditional game of Bingo at Newport Village hall. last book sold 7.55pm. (You must be 18 or over to play.) Great cash prizes!

Refreshments of tea and coffee available for 50p with a biscuit.

ThE PrESENT cOmmiTTEE BAcK rOW LEfT TO righT: ROBERT MYALL (ACTING TREASuRER), RAY KEMP & MICHELLE BAXTER (COMMITTEE), ADAM GOODWIN (CHAIRMAN & BINGO CALLER), PETER COLLINS (VICE CHAIRMAN & BINGO CALLER). frONT rOW LEfT TO righT: JANET BOND, LIZ AFFLECK AND SHIRLEY LEE (COMMITTEE), AND SuE PARRISH (SECRETARY & BINGO CALLER).

ABOVE: FuN ON THE FLOAT IN THE 2012 CARNIVAL, AFTER THE OLYMPIC TORCH WAS CARRIED THROuGH THE VILLAGE BY JAMIE OLIVER

Edwin (Eddie) guile Eddie Guile was born in 1906 at Gardeners Cottage on the shortgrove Estate, his father, another Edwin Guile, being head gardener for sir Carl and lady Meyer. It was his father who started the Carnation nurseries, with the intention of growing carnations for sale to fund lady Meyer’s many public-spirited activities. In about 1921 Mr Guile senior was able to buy the nurseries, and in due course his son took them over.

Eddie’s public service began during the war in the a.R.P., when he would tour the village on his bicycle after an air raid signalling the all clear with a hand bell. after the war he became a councillor both in the Parish and the old saffron Walden Rural District Council, he was a manager of the village school and a trustee of The Men’s Club (now known as The newport Club) and the Gaces Charity.

LEfT TO righT: STAN SHORT, STAN PALMER (CHAIRMAN AND BINGO CALLER 1961–2007), DESIREE DuPREY (TREASuRER 1983–2012, SECRETARY 1983–1989), JOHN WEBB (TREASuRER 2012–2014, SECRETARY & BINGO CALLER 1989–2014.

OThEr cOmmiTTEE mEmBErS WErE: COLIN COuLSON (CHAIRMAN AND CALLER 2007–2009), HuBERT LAW, MAY HOLLAND, SuE SAVILLE, OLIVE SERIES, MRS B. MARSH, ALBERT & PHYLLIS WEBB, BILL, BuT MORE RECENTLY KATH PARRISH WHO ALSO HELPS. APOLOGIES FOR MISSING ANYONE!

A Big ThANK YOu TO Our hELPErS AS WELL – KArEN STOKES, rON WOODThOrPE, BriAN EThEriNgTON – WE APPrEciATE YOur hELP!

Winter 2016 Newport News

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cLuBS & OrgANiSATiONS

Knit & Natter group chriS murPhY

W

hen we were asked by St Clare’s Hospice to produce something for the Maze Festival in Saffron Walden in August this year we agreed without having a clue what we might produce. In the past we have knitted 60 jumpers and 30 balaclavas this year alone for the village in Kenya that the Church supports and we have made many memory mufflers for Alzheimer sufferers locally in support of a request for ways of stimulating touch. We have also made baby clothes SaffronCurtainsNewportNews130x120_Layout 1 for the neo-natal ward at the Rosie

in Cambridge. This time however it was to be a group project. In the end about 20 people were involved fi08/03/2011 rst making15:59 a basePage from1 16 knitted

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Newport News Winter 2016

squares joined together like a quilt.

Then on top we knitted roads and a railway all leading to St Clare’s Hospice.

Then on to the map went houses, a castle, farm, a river and trees, allotment and church. The final touches were animals and vehicles of various sorts.

In all the wall hanging/play mat measures 1.2 metres square.

It will go into the new room at the hospice following the maze festival. We hope they like it.

The group meets every Thursday morning in Church House. The natter bit consists of tea or coffee and cake. The knit bit is always looking for a challenge for charity. From time to time we have someone to talk to us and we do give money to help good causes as well.

If you think you would like to be involved just turn up any Thursday about 10am for a couple of hours. You would be very welcome. If you don’t knit we do have some who sew but we are always willing to teach those who wish to learn. Small children are welcome to come along with you as well. NN

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cOmmuNiTY

Newport in the pink… and the green!

BELOW: BaGs hUnG on PosTs

NEiL hArgrEAVES WRITING AS A DOG OWNER

BELOW righT: DoG Poo sPRaYED PInK on a PUBlIC FooTPaTh aFTER haVInG alREaDY BEEn sTEPPED In

t

he parish council dog poo spraying initiative started in the spring with four residents armed with fluorescent paint spray to highlight the problem to the non picking up dog owners.

The results during the summer have been very successful, particularly in the centre of the village, such that the sprayers generally were able to leave the big cans at home. The paths out of the village, which were the worst affected, have also seen a big improvement, particularly by the Recreation Ground and the path up the hill behind the station. A few areas however showed less improvement, such as the path immediately past the sewage works. This probably takes the most traffic and also dog walkers park by the UDC depot. So the District Council signage in the photo was put up in July to reinforce the message, but was cut down and removed three months later. Readers can speculate for themselves on the motivation, and the character, of the person who did this.

In the Autumn there has been some recurrence, although not to anywhere near the previous level. I think this is a combination of owners, not having

seen any recent spraying, ‘forgetting’, and also darker mornings and evenings when they think they will not be seen. So the sprays are out again. There has also been some success with those owners who haven’t got the idea that the bags must go in the bin, and not be hung on bushes. The

“Bags must go in the bin, and not be hung on bushes”

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Newport News Winter 2016

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abandoned bags get sprayed as well There have been some comments that the spray colour is worse than the dog poo. The response is that it does work and it stops people stepping in it. Prior to this initiative dog owners were routinely clearing up after the irresponsible ones. Obviously this doesn’t solve the problem and so when it all got sprayed instead, everyone saw the true extent. The spray is biodegradable, although it does sometimes get down cracks in tarmac and takes a while to go – it is easily shifted with water and a stiff brush.

The biggest spray painters are however Essex Highways, utility companies, and now cycle event organisers, who recently added a fetching shade of purple to the varied colour palette of our roads and pavements! NN

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Winter 2016 Newport News

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ArT

Art: Its positive impact on the mind NiKKi SimS

l

ast week a client came for a lesson and decided to paint a flower. It was a rather good painting of a flower, a funky abstract style in gorgeous shades of greens and smoky blues. The painter, an animated conversationalist, entertained the small class of fellow students for two hours and sipped coffee between tales of summertime adventure and of hilarious misunderstandings, accompanied by vigorous, frantic arm movements in the direction of her canvas.

By the end of the session the flower had been redesigned, redrawn and

22

Newport News Winter 2016

recoloured many times. The student used the remaining paint on her palette and completely covered the flower with a thick, opaque layer of grey acrylic.

Suddenly noticeably serene, she packed away her materials, thanked me for the lesson and we said goodbye.

You may imagine I would be disappointed that this student didn’t advance or complete a piece of work but it seemed to me that the art itself was less important to this individual than the creative process. Many times in fact I see the positive impact of drawing and painting on a person’s mood.

It is so rewarding to see a client arrive at the studio a little distracted or visibly stressed by some event, or a tiring week’s work and after some moments preparing a canvas, setting out paints, I observe the simple process of putting brush to canvas, pens to paper produces a kind of magic. Shoulders drop, features soften, and by the lesson’s end I see renewed energy and relaxation.

I am thinking of another client , who as a teenager burned her sketchbooks, full of artistic promise, in a desperate rage. Many years later this woman took the courageous step of taking up art with me and slowly built up confidence and skill , building on the artistic language which had remained hidden inside her for many years. The personal sense of achievement her paintings, sketches and prints deliver is really exciting to see. Her art sits alongside her everyday activities on the walls of her kitchen, her hall and her living room. On a piece of wall above the toaster sits a small plaque. “ An Artist cannot fail, it is a success just to be one” One particular man I teach was encouraged to attend lessons by his wife because the stress he encounters running their business was worrying her. Her passion, cooking , gave her a wonderful creative outlet and she felt he could experience a similar calm from his interest in drawing.

On the subject of arty quotes, Pablo Picasso said “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life”. All I can say to that, is sometimes I unlock the studio door, inhale the unmistakeable scent of oil paint (my preferred medium), cotton , linen, paper and pencils and I find myself transported into a world far

away from the worrying global news delivered daily on a loop by the radio or newspaper, the day to day anxieties surrounding work, the inane internal dialogue surrounding meal choices and chores, the socially anxious ‘downloading’ of adolescents. Covered in paint, standing in front of my easel and seeing shapes and colours dance before my brushes I feel un-dusty, pencil-sharp, at the same time calm and optimistic.

I didn’t always have a healthy relationship with Art. At the age of three and a half, my mother, herself an artistic type, decided to enter me and my two siblings into the Daily Mail newspaper colouring competition. I remember sitting on the patio next to my older brothers colouring in Rupert Bear for all I was worth. My seven year old brother produced an amazingly neat and competent piece of colouring and mum was impressed. I was not. Drawing was MY thing. Wasn’t I the one who had allegedly drawn before I could talk?

Wasn’t I the one who had so thoughtfully frescoed the freshly decorated walls of my brothers’ bedroom with my family

ArT

nEIl haRGREaVEs

portraits? Didn’t I sit patiently in dress-shop changing rooms with my books and pens while my mother and her sister endlessly tried on outfits? My brothers were sporty, good at building dens, climbing trees, playing football and riding bikes. And they were really, really funny. I was none of those things, but I knew I could draw. Without much calculated malice, more of a revolting instinct, I grabbed a scarlet pencil and executed a passionate and lurid birds nest over my brother’s entry. Mum was incensed. I was ashamed. My entry was promptly withdrawn and my brother given another crack at the prize, which to this day I don’t recall, the prize being very secondary to the task.

Looking back I was clearly missing the point. I loved art so much I wanted to own it. I can’t own the process of creating art, It’s more of a permission, allowing it to work its magic .

Interestingly the brand of concentration felt while painting not the tense, screwing-up-of-the-face sort (more an absorbed sideways-sticking-out-of-the-tongue sort), enables relaxation by way of hijacking the mind and body at the same time and pushing the peripheral thoughts out to make way for much more exciting ideas. Using the hands it is then a question of attempting to convey those feelings and images inside the mind to a space in front of the eyes, outside of the mind. As I write it sounds exhausting but weirdly, it’s not. Similarly, if I am in the middle of making a portrait and painting a smiling mouth for example, I will catch myself mirroring the expression of the person in the photo. Alone in the studio I am grinning like a idiot at my canvas, so absorbed am I in the task.

Sporting types say that apart from the obvious benefits of exercise for our hearts, lungs and waistlines, the ‘feel good factor’ (endorphins are supposedly the happier, more helpful brand of hormones we get to experience) produced by a run round town, a game of badminton or just an hour of yoga can leave us feeling energised and more able to cope with the hectic pace of life. Art is a bit like sport in that sense, without the need for a shower afterwards or the aching knees. Having said that I did teach someone once to whom advice was offered to ‘lean back a little from the painting’.

I watched in horror as she leaned back so far she fell over backwards and clean off the chair. She was unharmed thank goodness apart from a couple of bruises.

Accidents in the studio, mercifully infrequent apart, the process of creating art is calming and a great antidote to stress. I challenge any man, woman or disaffected teenager to feel cross after an hour or so of painting, it’s just like a magic dust-blowing spell. Humdrum Expelliamus! NN

‘A WALK TO NEWPOrT’ BY nITa WhITE (same title as Nikki’s Painting) Enfolded in scarves, warm socks in boots, mittened hands in pockets. Walking briskly to speed the blood, beneath a cold blue cloud-scudded sky. Playing a solo game of hopscotch traversing frozen ruts in the hard mud on side tracks from the woods. The turn towards home, straining to see timeless houses from another world, caught, as a breath, between frozen Cam and clattering viaduct from another age.

The speeding dogs hurtle past then hesitate, turn, to watch my direction, almost falling over each other in their eagerness, halting as one. Then, reassured, flee onwards again, in their imperative to nowhere.

Crisp, crackle underfoot; frosty, knife-sharp air, breath making warm patterns in the freshness. Burning cheeks, snow competing with hoar frost on tree and bush. Brittle twigs wait to crack, at a moment’s notice, stiffened by the frost, sparkling where pools of sunlight fall, promising warmer days, sundrenched walks, children on bikes, all laughing faces and lacewing strewn hair. Now, alone apart from my careering panting companions, in a seeming infinity of light and space, stillness and quiet permeate the soul.

The peace is shattered as twelve proud chimes escape the tower: a message to hurry our return. Standing on high, watching the centuries pass, unchanged amidst the growing sphere of the village, counting the minutes and telling the hours, the church clock calls us home, to promises of good company and a hot Sunday roast.

Our LOVELY cOVEr

BY NiKKi SimS nikki is a london trained artist whose previous career in textiles influences her expressionistic and textural style. her fine art pieces and portraits appear in private collections in the UK and France and holland. she currently exhibits at the saffron Walden Gallery and the alexander Morgan Gallery in Epping and has produced paintings for chemotherapy centres and co-runs art retreats to promote relaxation. she is currently represented in International Contemporary artists Vol xI. nikki combines her passion for art with a love of teaching and runs classes from her studio.

Signed A4 prints of the cover painting ‘A walk to Newport’ are available for £20 contact: nikkisimsart@gmail.com ThE saME VIEW oF nEWPoRT on WhICh nIKKI’s PaInTInG Was BasED Winter 2016 Newport News

23

EDucATiON

my first week at JfAN ArchiE miLLEr

t

rying or doing something new can always be scary; even the thought can be terrifying and you just think to yourself why does there have to be change, things are fine as they are, aren’t they? Yes, it may be terrifying but when the time comes, when you feel amazing, you won’t regret it in a million years. Endings are a mixture of emotions, they are the end of something great but later on the start of something even better.

My new beginning at JFAN began on Monday as I excitedly strode along the pavement with my old friend Josh towards the school, reached the school hall with a mixture of nervousness and excitement; my

S.W.H

adventure was about to begin. After my second lesson, my nerves turned into excitement for the year ahead, including the variety of subjects and teachers; something which we didn’t have at our old school. For example on Monday alone we had Maths, a subject in which I had been very confident in at primary school, English and even Technology a subject which I was nervous about as I had never done before. At the end of the day I was wondering what Tuesday would have in store for me.

In fact, Tuesday had a lot in store for me: not just the lessons like Science where we found out what various symbols meant or PE where we were introduced to rugby, JFAN style; but also meeting different teachers.

Another nice teacher I met on Wednesday was Mr Delarre, who teaches Geography; he is blind and had his guidedog with him in the classroom nicknamed Inky Winky who sat underneath Mr Delarre’s desk and slept throughout the whole lesson. Because we didn’t study languages much at primary school I was extremely excited to start in the language department, a delight which I experienced in Mr Rumsey’s Spanish lesson.

On Wednesday our fingerprint payment system started working. A clever system whereby you buy food without handing over any cash, a system which I was looking forward to using before I started at JFAN. Talking of food, on Thursday, we had food technology where we were told we would be making fruit salad in a couple of weeks. Despite being a fairly basic recipe I was excited to make my first dish at school and learn the technical skills behind it.

By Friday, I felt I had a achieved something brilliant: made loads of new friends, adapted to a new environment, and found my way around the school from lesson to lesson and to finish the stunning week off we had double art, a subject which I love. My organisational skills took a leap on Friday too when I found out how to use ‘Show My Homework’, a clever computer app, showing what and when my homework is due.

Trying or doing something new can be scary but I realised in my first week at JFAN that change is good and not everything has to be terrifying and I’m now looking forward to the rest of my first term in this new chapter.

JFAN is now that ‘something even better’ in my life! NN

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Newport News Winter 2016

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Winter 2016 Newport News 25

PEOPLE

Brexit: all doom & gloom?

A

s we enter the winter months, now is a good time to sit back and take stock of what has happened across the residential market over the summer. The biggest news of the past six months of course was Brexit, and what this would mean for our industry. Despite the Referendum result, Cheffins has had a busy and successful autumn and summer season.

Naturally the few days after the Referendum many felt vulnerable and were unsure what the consequences of the result were going to be, however, confidence returned to the market swiftly. The main driver in the weeks following the Brexit announcement was a rush of a backlog of buyers and sellers who had been sitting on the fence, waiting for the Referendum result. As the UK economy stood firm and share prices returned to previous levels, both buyers and sellers alike realised that not all was doom and gloom in the property market, especially in an area as popular as Saffron Walden and the surrounding villages. The majority of people took a pragmatic view

Bruce King

on the Brexit and understood that in a matter of days the market would be returning to business as usual. Brexit or no Brexit, anywhere south of Cambridge has continued to thrive as a result of exceptionally high demand. Traditionally the mainstay of commuters to and from London, our region’s market has changed vastly in the past two years. With the growth of the Cambridge Phenomenon, in Saffron Walden and surrounding villages, prices have skyrocketed recently, up by around 15 per cent in the past two years, mainly due to the chronic shortage of supply.

Close to Cambridge, the new buying force in the area is the academics, working on the nearby biomedical campuses who are moving to the area with the likes of Astra Zeneca, Google and Amazon, all of which have taken office and lab space in and around Cambridge.

Approximately a third of buyers interested in properties in Saffron Walden are those who work in Cambridge or on Science Parks situated around the town. Despite the political landscape across 2016, we have seen the best market ever experienced in recent times and we predict that prices for the strongest properties in the most desirable locations will continue to rise. NN

Kitchens

by Goddards Interiors

Traditional or contemporary, wood or laminate, we will work with you to create your dream kitchen. And, when the design has been finalised, project manage the installation through to completion.

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Telephone: 01799 522581

W W W. G O D D A R D S I N T E R I O R S . C O . U K

26 Newport News Winter 2016

WOrK

An Aladdin’s cave

I

had the pleasure of visiting ‘The Costume Company’, run by two enthusiastic ladies, Amanda Crabb and Jemma Macfadyen who have a passion for dressing up. Amanda YVONNE hANNANT showed me around their premises which are set in the grounds of her house in Arkesden. Being involved in Amateur Theatrics and responsible for organising the costumes I took on this assignment with relish.

Where to begin? On entering I was immediately surrounded by every type of costume you could need for any event where you need to dress-up. Any era, any place in the world and you can be transformed, historic costume from Tudor to modern day, television and film characters (ladies, you could turn your partner into Poldark!), military and Goodwood revival, children’s re-enactment, theatre and pantomime, evening wear for ladies and gentlemen including vintage dresses, shoes, hats, bags and wigs. A box of props can also be hired if you have a photo booth for an event and wish to don glasses, wigs and hats for unique and fun pictures.

There are many opportunities, particularly in this area where donning a fancy dress is an essential part of the event whether it be for a new year’s party, a 70s night or a Halloween extravaganza. Amanda and Jemma love to see photographs of their clients all dressed up and these are displayed in their shop. If you wish to hire costumes from The Costume Company it is advisable to book an appointment with them by telephone or online. They offer flexible daytime, evening or weekend appointments.

I asked Amanda how this venture began: both ladies, who like nothing better than dressing up for an evening of fun, regularly visited a costume hire shop in Royston called K’s Costumes.

This was run by Jennie Joyce for 20 years, she was a costume maker and her family were involved in theatre, her son was a ballet dancer. However, she disclosed to Amanda and Jemma that she wished to retire but didn’t want her unique stock to be split up and lost but would rather it continue to be available to clients. What an opportunity for Amanda and Jemma to indulge their passion and continue with Jennie’s legacy. With their previous business background to support this venture they opened their Costume Hire Company in May 2016. It has been very successful and previous customers of K’s costumes are very happy to travel to Arkesden knowing that the same choice and customer care is available to them. If you don’t usually enjoy dressing up but are required to do so for an event then a visit to ‘The Costume Company’ will change your mind as with their assistance and enthusiasm even the most reluctant client will be delighted with their authentic and original costume.

It is always pleasing to see successful local companies, and to have an excellent costume hire shop literally on our doorstep can only be encouraged and supported. Amanda and Jemma would be delighted to offer Newport News readers a 30 percent discount on the hire of a New Year’s Eve costume if booked by 22nd December. So indulge your alter ego and dress up! NN

THE COSTuME COMPANY

The costume company Telephone: 01799 551182 E: info.thecostumecompany@gmail.com www.thecostumeco.co.uk Facebook: /thecostumeco

Residents

love where you live

for Uttlesford

essex County Council election Anthony GeRARd Prospective R4U Candidate for the Stansted Division

Newport resident and local businessman Anthony Gerard will be standing for this area in the May 2017 County Council Elections.

Anthony is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has over 30 years experience in international sales, marketing & business development. He is keen to use his extensive experience to effectively represent the interests of residents of Elsenham, Newport, Stansted and surrounding villages at County level.

He would love to hear your thoughts and concerns about our local schools, roads, transport and social care.

Anthony Gerard 07927 366 150

anthony.gerard@residents4u.org

www.Residents4U.org

Winter 2016 Newport News

27

TrAVEL

canoe the Danube BELOW: JEREMY, NICK & MIKE

JErEmY hAS ALSO PrODuc ED ThiS ViDEO

‘Newport in 90 seconds’

https://youtu. be/ f2ZPzNkQXi0

JErEmY rEED

A

fter I returned from cycling to Australia in March 2015 my thoughts turned to what to do next...obviously. I thought about some form of river adventure but where and how.

The Nile? The Amazon? Perhaps I would stick to Europe. I had enjoyed cycling through the EU countries. What was the longest river in Europe? The answer was the Volga (c3600km) but that flowed mainly through Russia and I didn’t speak Russian. The second longest (c2500km) was the Danube which flowed from Germany to the Black Sea passing through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Perfect.

I decided to make the trip using a canoe or kayak but at that stage of the planning I didn’t know the difference and hadn’t sat or paddled in either one.

I started my research. I mentioned the challenge to a friend who said he was interested. My brother was also potential crew. And so it was that in the middle of August having purchased two 16ft canoes and all the necessary equipment for such a trip 3 elderly gentlemen drove to Ingolstadt in Germany with the canoes on the roof of their cars.

On August 19th we launched our loaded canoes into the Danube and started to paddle. For the next 52 days the weather was incredibly kind to us

28

Newport News Winter 2016

with warm sunshine and light winds and only the occasional wet and windy day. We paddled through Germany stopping at riverside villages and small gasthauses for breakfast or lunch. In the evening we would wild camp or, if possible, find a camp site or local kayak club who would allow us to camp in their grounds. We entered Austria and noticed a distinct change in attitude of the people. They would ignore our friendly waves and even look in the opposite direction. They were not as helpful either. We entered a marina with a view to stopping and buying some provisions in the nearby town. “Could we possibly leave our canoes here for a short while?” We asked the marina manager. “Nein. Verbotten”. He replied.

This became our lasting impression of Austria. Unfriendly, unhelpful people and many things VERBOTTEN! Paddling through Slovakia and Hungary became tedious. There were no attractive riverside villages or gasthauses,

just mile after mile of river bank lined with trees and little else. Unless you count the millions and millions and millions of discarded plastic bottles either floating or washed up on the banks and riverside beaches. It was a depressing sight.

A typical day consisted of rising at dawn, packing away, invariably dew soaked, tents and loading the canoes.

Two hours of paddling and we would boil water for a cup of tea/coffee.

Another 2 hours of paddling and it was lunchtime (a cup-a-soup). By 3pm or 4pm we would be on the look out for a suitable wild camp spot - flat grass where we could pitch tents and plenty of firewood. Supper was invariably a one pot slop of pasta surprise.

On our journey through various countries (not Austria) there were moments of kindness shown by many people. On our first day in Hungary we stopped at a small bar on the river bank in a small village. We had no Hungarian currency. The female owner who spoke excellent English drove us into the town to the bank cash point. As we sat in her car she explained she had a sister who now lived in Rayleigh Essex and that was why she spoke such good English.

Our biggest pleasure of the whole trip was our experience in Serbia, once we had registered our presence. The country is not in the EU and therefore not part of the Schengen open border agreement. We reached Mohacs in Hungary and had to check out. At the border patrol office we were taken to 5 different offices with the paperwork we had completed at reception. An hour

TrAVEL later we were paddling towards Serbia.

At Apatin in Serbia (42km from the border) we met Jovan the manager of the local small marina. He explained the process for entering Serbia and helped us through the entire process. Firstly we had to pay a boat tax of 65euros cash per canoe at the local post office. It was now late Friday afternoon and the post office would not be open till Monday. We therefore had an enforced two days in Apatin. Not such a hardship as the town boasted its own brewery! The receipt would be taken to the Border police where 4 registration forms per person would be completed. Then each 4 page form would be copied 4 times and we would be given one copy to be kept until we checked out of Serbia. Interestingly this was the first and last time the form saw the light of day. It was never asked for again. Whatever happened to the other 3 copies I have no idea. The Danube forms the border between Serbia (left bank) and Croatia (right bank) for a time and we were warned we would be unable to visit Croatia unless we checked out of Serbia and checked in to Croatia each time. Given the bureaucracy of entering

Serbia we were in no hurry to even contemplate a visit to Croatia. We would stay on the left until we reached Bulgaria.

As we paddled through Serbia we met numerous friendly people who allowed us to camp and offered us glasses of Rakia (the local liqueur) often for breakfast! We visited Novi Sad, Serbia’s second city, which we found delightful and would definitely recommend.

By Oct 5th we had paddled Serbia and, with a heavy heart, checked out with no problem. We crossed the border mid afternoon and were immediately stopped by a Bulgarian Border patrol boat.They would not allow us to go any further until we checked in and they could not complete the process on their boat. We would have to go to the Border patrol office at Vidin 40km away. This was too far to paddle in time. They tied our canoes to the side of their patrol boat and took us to the nearest village - Novo Selo. Here they explained only one of us would be allowed to enter the town to buy provisions but only if accompanied by one of their border patrol officers. We could camp near the pontoon where they moored their boat.

The next morning we paddled to Vidin and checked in. Two hours later whilst paddling down the river we were stopped by yet another patrol boat who insisted on seeing our paperwork. Frustrating.

The rest of the trip, till Oct 11th, proceeded smoothly. By now the weather was beginning to change with the odd cooler showery day. My paddling colleagues were feeling the strain and had had enough. We would be stopping at Ruse in Bulgaria having paddled 1,995km. There was only 495km (c1012 days paddling) to the Black Sea but I would not be able to make it alone. I had a contact in Romania who advised me it would be unwise and unsafe to paddle alone into Romania and the Romanian Danube delta system. The challenge to canoe to the Black Sea would be a failure.

A disappointing and frustrating end to what was otherwise a great adventure.

For more information on this trip, blogs and videos please visit www. canoethedanube.wordpress.com We paddled in support of The Joshua Tree charity. There is a justgiving web site at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/JPR61 NN

New routes & holiday destinations With a fabulous airport on our doorstep, it’s frustrating when many of the best holidays don’t appear to be available from stansted. as such, it’s excellent news that the well-respected airline Jet2 will be commencing its new service from stansted in the spring! already the UK’s 4th largest airline, with over six million seats available for 2017, their expansion means a welcome new arrival to our region. launching from their new base here at the end of March, they have selected some really popular routes to choose from.

Both Barcelona and Dubrovnik are superb short-break destinations. More interesting still, is that’Jet2holidays’, the package holiday arm of the airline, is now offering a superb range of summer holiday destinations from stansted, giving us greater choice from here than ever before. local families should be delighted.

Daily flights have been scheduled to the spanish islands of Ibiza and Majorca, as well as to Malaga and alicante.

Flights to Faro mean that Vilamoura and albufeira on the algarve in Portugal are now accessible too. You can also choose to head further south to the Canary Islands and Cyprus. The Greek islands of Kos, Zante and Rhodes have family friendly resorts while Croatia is an exciting new addition on the holiday map. The good news is that “Jet2holidays” has a generous baggage allowance, include free airport transfers abroad, have loads of free child places on offer and flexible payment terms when you book with an appointed agent. You can secure your holiday with a just a small deposit per person while availability and prices are still good. absolute Travel in stansted Mountfitchet is an appointed Jet2holidays agency meaning you can enjoy the very best deal as well as the very best service. There are additional benefits to booking with your local specialist agent, rather than booking online. The holiday options from stansted these days

are perhaps better than ever, so whether you’d like to book your dream destination or are simply looking for a late deal to the sun, you’ll find plenty of choice at a price you can afford!

A huge range of holidays, flights, short-breaks, cruises, travel insurance, car hire and all things travel are available at your local independent ABTA travel agency. contact Absolute Travel in Stansted on 01279 648 900 or visit www.absolutetravel.uk for further details. Better still, call in to see us on chapel hill to pick up some brochures and have a chat.

Winter 2016 Newport News

29

Audley End

A stroll around Audley End – more postcards from The Ackerman Collection

1

DAVID EVANS

M

ost of the used cards in this article were franked between 1904 and 1910.

They therefore show this locality towards the end of the Victorian/ start of the Edwardian periods.

Our walk begins on the slightly elevated part of the Cambridge Road just beyond the junction with Audley Road.

2

CARD 1: This is the classic photo location for the mansion which is a much reduced and altered remnant of the palatial Jacobean house built by the first earl of Suffolk around 1605.

This shows the west elevation of the Mansion and the lake designed

by Capability Brown. Note the distant spire of the Church at Saffron Walden.

A short distance to the north we come to the Grade 2 listed Bull lodge and gate. This was a secondary entrance and is now the exit for present day visitors to the house and gardens.

CARD 2: An unused card published

by Guy of Saffron Wladen. Bull Lodge was designed by Thomas Rickman in 1834 for the 3rd Lord Braybrooke, who wished to emphasise the Jacobean character of the mansion.

Continuing through the gates we pass the magnificent late 16th century stables built of red brick with gabled wings at each end. It is listed Grade 1 and behind it lie the stable court and the restored kitchen gardens.

CARD 3: This shows the south elevation of the stables which is stiil in use, the lake and bridge. Over 100 years later the view is unchanged.

Crossing the stables bridge we skirt the domestic range on the north side of the mansion and continue to the high ground to east of the house. The formal gardens behind

30 Newport News Winter 2016

3

HISTORY

the U shaped east elevation of the house are protected by the ha-ha designed by Capability Brown.

CARD 4: This post card was franked in July 1908 and shows the mansion house and the high ground to the west beyond it. The parterre garden was established in the 1830’s and has been extensively restored by English heritage.

Proceeding beyond the house to the principal entrance to the park we reach the Grade 2* Lion Gate which dates from 1616. In 1786 the Coade stone lion was added.

Crossing Audley Road we reach the estate Village of Audley End. CARD 5: This used card was franked in 1908. Audley End Village was part of the estate. It was remodelled as part of ‘improvements’ by the Braybrookes to the principal entrance to the mansion via the Lion gate. The village was reduced to the present tranquil single street which was occupied mostly by estate workers.

The street runs south to a magnificent range of Tudor brick buildings which was the hospital of the former Walden Abbey until the dissolution of 1538.

CARD 6: The Abbey, Audley End now known as St Mark’s College. It was acquired by Sir Thomas Audley, the Lord Chancellor, along with the Abbey and was subsequently used as Alms Houses and later as farm buildings. In the 20th century it was restored as retirement homes for retired clergy. Subsequently these Grade 1 listed buildings were extensively modernised by the Chelmsford diocese as a Residential Youth centre and are now available as a conference and events centre.

Returning to Audley Road we turn west and cross the Adam Bridge to return to the starting point of our circular walk.

4 5

6

Thanks to the Ackermans of Quendon Court for permission to use part of their collection for this article. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News 31

church

A mystery solved... and a mystery remaining PICnIC ConCERT

NEiL hArgrEAVES Treasurer, Friends of St Mary’s Church

t

here has been excellent progress on the Decorating Fund and a year after launch it now stands at just over £10,000.

fund raising events The wedding dress event in May (see report on page 59), made a surplus of over £1,300 which I think was the largest amount ever raised in one go.

And in August on a gorgeous warm evening we sat picnicking in the churchyard listening to Cameron Smith on cello and Ashley Blasse on guitar playing a variety of music from Bach to Hendrix. The birds flying around the tower of the church added to the atmosphere, and the church building radiates the warmth soaked up from the sun. During the interval we enjoyed strawberries and cream and there was a bar running throughout the evening.

The Decorating Fund target is £110,000 and a good start has been made but there is a way to go, so we are looking for more people to support the fund in particular by setting up standing orders – there are leaflets in the church and details on the website www.friendsofstmarysnewport.org.uk

Work to be done High level repair work still needs to be done before we can do decorating. In the last Newport News it was reported that an application had been made for funds to fix the last area of defective roof on the church – the C15th south transept.

It was a rather generous government scheme specifically for repairs to roofs of listed churches. Unfortunately it was heavily oversubscribed and we didn’t make the cut and the fund is now closed.

Attention then turned to the eight clerestory windows in the nave. These all need to be taken out and the iron and

lead repaired, some glass replaced, cleaned, stonework sorted out and put back. The cost would be roughly £40,000 but the key funding body Churchcare, as well as having onerous and possibly expensive documentation requirements, wanted 50% funding to be secured before they will look at the application.

Referring to them as ‘key’ is because once you have a major donor agreed other smaller donors tend to follow their lead. At present the Friends have about £9,000 towards this (separate from the Decorating Fund) so we will look to other potential donors first.

The sundial In the last issue there was a photo of the sundial over the porch. The first line of text above it is ‘Many be well paid for abusing(?) time’. But the second line has become unreadable and there was a request to see if anyone knew what it says. Nobody has come up with an answer and Google has the first line as unique, the only reference being back to itself. However, Angela Archer dropped off a clip from NN No 50 showing that it was moved from the old primary school to the church in 1911. The first letter looks like a D so my guess is Latin, Deus... but I think it will just have to remain a mystery.

in the ‘I’ newspaper an expert on church graffiti, Matt Champion, published a similar photo. It was a ‘just a minute, we’ve got one of those!’ moment. I sent him the photo and he said it is a ritual protection mark commonly known as a hexfoil, or ‘daisy wheel’. ‘A symbol designed to ward off evil, and stop malign influences entering the building. The symbols were very much part of the medieval church, and operated in tandem with the traditional prayers. A sort of physical enhancement of the spiritual protection generated by prayer. In post medieval architecture they are often located near doorways or windows – essentially areas through which ‘evil’ could enter a building. You have a very nice example there’. NN

We have a hexfoil!

This geometric design is in the Priest’s Room by the door. The architect thought it might be a draft done by a glazier or mason but it didn’t correspond to anything. However in an article in April hExFoIl

32

Newport News Winter 2016

hiSTOrY

Newport Local history Group

I

n August the Group arranged a visit to Stow Maries airfield near Maldon, the only complete surviving First World War aerodrome in the ANThONY TucK, country. It was established chAirmAN exactly one hundred years ago, in September 1916, as a base for the Royal Flying Corps engaged in home defence. A number of the original operations buildings remain, though some have been restored.

The programme of talks resumed in September, and at the time of going to press we have had one meeting, when Richard Thomas gave a talk on the Stort Navigation. Under an Act of Parliament in 1766 the river Stort was canalised from Bishop’s Stortford to its junction with the river Lee at Rye House, near Hoddesdon, a distance of about 14 miles. The promoters of the project hoped to improve transport links, especially for the malt trade, between this area and London, and the completion of the project was followed by the development of a number of schemes for canals further north, including through Newport, but none of them was ever realised. There is now a pleasant and gentle walk along the banks of the Navigation.

In late October John Walter, of the University of Essex, will talk about the Civil War in Essex, and on 24th November Tony Morton will talk about Uttlesford Woodland. We have a full programme of talks for 2017, including the Morant

Lecture jointly with the Essex Society for Archaeology and History. Details appear in the panel below.

In September the Bishop’s Stortford office of the Herts & Essex Observer closed, and along with other local history societies in the area we were invited to take unwanted back copies of the newspaper from the office.

We collected about 200-225 copies dating from the 1950s, which I hope will provide snippets of news about Newport in the 1950s for publication from time to time in this magazine. (The newspaper itself continues to appear.)

Early in October a few of us watched English Heritage’s re-enactment of king Harold’s march 950 years ago from Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire to his defeat at the Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066. A small group of men wearing appropriate costume and mounted on horseback passed through Newport on their way from Linton and Audley End to Little Hadham and then on to London and Hastings. A report and photograph appears elsewhere in this issue.

I am stepping down as Chairman of the Local History Group this December, after twelve and a half years, and my successor will be elected at the AGM in December. I have thoroughly enjoyed it all, I have learnt a great deal, and I should like to thank everyone, members and nonmembers, for all their support over the years. NN

mEETiNgS fOr 2017 Thursday 26 January: Sean Lang, The Cambridge Bonfires – Girls, Bikes and Lord Kitchener.

Thursday 23 february: Mike Sutherill, World War II Airfields in East Anglia.

Saturday 11th march: Ben Cowell, Some Essex Country Houses and their Owners. This is the annual Philip Morant lecture, sponsored by the Essex Society for Archaeology and History, and it will be a joint meeting of the Local History Group and ESAH. It will be at 2.00 p.m. (Please note the change from the usual day and time for Local History Group meetings.)

Thursday 14th September: Peter Turrall, History of Marconi.

The Victoria history of Essex: Newport

Thursday 26th October: Michael Rimmer, Angel Roofs in East Anglian churches.

The book contains 190 pages, and has both colour and black and white illustrations. It is priced at £12, and if ordered by post there is a charge of £3 for postage and packing.

Thursday 23rd November: Hilary Walker, Living in Saffron Walden in the 18th Century. (The first of two talks, the second of which will be given early in 2018.)

Further details of these talks will be sent to members shortly before each meeting. All meetings except the meeting on 11th March are at 8.00 pm in Church House. Admission is £2 to nonmembers, but free to members. Please contact Anthony Tuck for further information. Telephone 01799 543833.

Copies can be obtained from: Anthony Tuck, 8 Cherry Garden Lane Newport CB11 3PZ (01799 543833), or from the Tourist Information Centre in Saffron Walden, from Hart’s bookshop in Saffron Walden, or from Heffers bookshop in Cambridge.

Copies can also be ordered from the Victoria County History of Essex Trust, Pentlow Hall, Pentlow, Essex CO10 7SP. If bought from Anthony Tuck or the VCH Trust, please make cheques payable to ‘Victoria County History of Essex Trust’.

Winter 2016 Newport News

33

CHURCH

Memorial Inscriptions St. Mary’s Church DAVID EVANS

A

poet once wrote of a great mausoleum as a ‘place where no man goes before he must’.

Yet despite the morbid associations, graveyards or churchyards especially country ones can be much more than repositories of human remains.

Newport is fortunate to have a beautiful ancient church and a large well maintained churchyard. Both are excellent locations for quiet contemplation of one’s mortality and remembering relatives and friends who have passed on. On a sunny day the churchyard can be a delightful place just to sit and enjoy the tranquillity of the area, view the wild life including jackdaws, the occasional heron and latterly a soaring red kite. Passers-by cutting through to the village, mothers with young children, dog walkers etc. all add to the interest.

The memorials in the church and the graveyard are diverse in character. In terms of materials the great majority of monuments are of stone but in the church there are also monuments in brass and glass. In the chancel on the north wall there is a fine group of marble monuments. The oldest is for Giles Dent who built Shortgrove Hall and his wife Dame Alice Brograve.

Adjacent is a fine group of memorials to members of the Smith family who owned Shortgrove for most of the 19th C. The most notable is that of Joseph Smith who was secretary to William Pitt the younger during his period of office up to the latter’s early death. Other mostly marble memorials record the passing of mainly lesser gentry and a burgeoning middle class of prosperous farmers and tradespeople. The church also has two good brass memorials the most notable being that of the Nightingale family neither of which is

34 Newport News Winter 2016

accessible. The east window of the south transept contains a high quality stained glass memorial to Robert M Tamplin, son of the vicar, who died in an act of selfless heroism at Exeter in 1887.

In the churchyard the great majority of memorials from before the 19th C. are those of the gentry and prosperous tradesmen. The reason was the high cost of durable stone which does not occur in this region. The great majority of agricultural workers could only afford wooden boards of very limited durability. This began to change in the Victorian period with the increasing importance of the mercantile classes and also the arrival of the railways which made durable stone accessible at a lower cost. By the early part of the 20th C stone memorials became the norm with the prosperous classes using marble and the less well-off, limestone or sandstone with incised or applied inscriptions.

It is clear that the Churchyard had few, if any, really florid graves though there were a number of elegant ones – notably those provided by Sir John St Aubyn as memorials to his personal servants. One unusual stone includes a large ‘fouled anchor’ a wellknown nautical symbol and is a fine example of the stonemason’s art. It is on the grave of a Sargent Instructor in the Royal Marines Light Infantry.

There were numerous crosses etc but many of them have fallen or been removed for safety reasons. In the mid 20th C many stones were removed

from their original position due to settlement. This has left some areas virtually denuded of tombstones.

Additionally, prescriptive regulations were introduced covering the size, colour and shape of headstones and the amount of lettering allowed. Their impact is clear in the latest extension to the graveyard which exhibits much less variety than the older parts.

All the memorials share a common feature – an inscription. These usually contain a statement of date of birth and death and age and often other information which goes beyond that which can be found in the parish register of burials. Registers contain information defined by regulation but do not include either the location of the grave in the churchyard or any epitaph/inscription. The following examples show some of the information which can be observed: the memorial to Giles Dent and his wife reveals that he built the first house at Shortgrove in 1684; that of Mary Older states that her father, Lt John Wells R.N., served at the pivotal battle of Trafalgar and that of Dr Alexander Smith shows his grandson J Alexander Clover was killed while attempting to escape from a POW camp and is buried at Tripoli.

This supplementary information is very important to genealogists and local historians alike. The recording and dissemination of this kind of information provides threads to connect families resident in Newport

CHURCH

with their antecedents. It also helps those now dispersed elsewhere to reconnect with their ancestors and in many cases their tombs. It also connects Newport to surrounding parishes and events in the wider world.

Newport has been fortunate in that during the 1970’s, Douglas Browning a pupil at Newport Free Grammar School was interested in the tombs at St Mary’s and began to list the inscriptions. His pioneering article in Newport News in 1979 was the first such publication specific to Newport and aroused keen interest. During 1982 & 1983 members of the Newport Local History Group began a systematic programme of recording the inscriptions, checking the earlier lists and making a plan of the graveyard. Their data was published by Newport News as Memorial Inscriptions, St Marys Church, Newport, Essex with an introduction by Bernard Nurse. This immediately became an indispensable work of reference

and the stock of that booklet is now virtually exhausted. This work noted the disappearance of some graves and the erosion of the inscriptions recorded

by Browning of others to the point of illegibility. That emphasises the values of such publications to posterity.

Since 1983 most burials have been made in the new extension on the west side of the footpath running north through the Churchyard. Around 170 burials have already occurred in that extension in addition to a smaller number in the pre-existing areas. In late 2015 members of the Local History Group decided that it was timely to update Bernard Nurse’s edition.

The recording process of the whole churchyard was undertaken in 2016

by Angela Archer, David Evans, John Gordon and Anthony Tuck including help by Sandra Amos. A fully revised listing has been produced and draft commentaries, maps and indexes generated. The new edition will include

an appendix on the War memorial and some colour illustrations. The target is to publish the new edition under the Newport News imprint in early 2017. The design and layout of the new edition will allow for easy updating of the data lists and for digital publication in the future. NN

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COMMUNITY

Supplying Newport with energy RIGHT: FIGURE 1

Prof. HARRY Norris (ABOVE) & Dr. TIM Norris

C

irca 300 to 400 years ago, Newport had a far smaller population and was also more self-sufficient and sustainable for its resources than in contemporary times; its primary energy sources were bio-fuels (e.g. mostly wood), wind power via a windmill for grinding grain, and water power via a water mill for providing mechanical power for various purposes. Animal fat was used for candles for lighting purposes. Moreover, horse-drawn wagons and horses were a primary mode of transport, as well as people walked. Solar energy was employed for drying things. Even despite such limited access to energy, Newport’s population was able to build a very fine parish church that still stands today, and also to establish a fine grammar school.

At a notable distance from Newport, wind was used for propelling ships at sea.

Later, in the 1800’s, coal became more important as a new energy source for Newport, providing steam railway transport thereto and heating in domestic premises in winter. Such steam railway transport enabled Newport to grow in size, and also provided its inhabitants with an enhanced standard of living, as goods could be transported to and from Newport. Even later in the 1900’s, oil and gas became available, and the railway was converted from steam-based-propulsion to oil-based propulsion, eventually to electricallybased propulsion; moreover, electrical supply to domestic premises became commonplace, and a huge increase in automobile ownership occurred. During this period from the early 1900’s, the focus of Newport inhabitants shifted from an inwards-looking village-based perspective (centred on the church building) to a contemporary outwardslooking perspective, wherein many

36 Newport News Winter 2016

inhabitants of Newport now have their work, their recreation and their shopping activities remote from Newport village (town), despite living in the village (town).

Many contemporary intellectuals consider such a technological evolution as merely a process of ever-increasing «energy-fluxdensity» as a function of time. However, a very real and pertinent question is whether or not the Western World can continue to expect an ever-increasing energy-fluxdensity as a function of time, in view of issues of fossil fuel reserve depletion and anthropogenically-forced climate change due to combustion of coal, oil and gas.

When we first moved to Newport around the year 1970, the concentration of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the Earth’s atmosphere was circa 300 p.p.m. (parts-per-million). Prior to the world’s industrialization, the concentration of Carbon Dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere was circa 200 p.p.m. At the present time, the Carbon Dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has risen to circa 400 p.p.m., and now increasing at a rate of 3 p.p.m. per year. Although hard to quantify, we have noticed a distinct change in the growth pattern of trees and hedges during the past 40 years since having moved to Newport, as a result of the Carbon Dioxide concentration having increased in the atmosphere from circa 300 p.p.m. to 400 p.p.m.; plants absorb Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere to grow their structural elements, for example trunks, branches and leaves. Clearly, contemporary habits of fossil-fuel burning

cannot continue for a long time into the future without serious consequences.

As a result, our present way of life is likely to change greatly in the future.

During the past 40 years, we have become aware of the work of Dr Richard Duncan (director of the Institute on Energy and Man) and his Olduvai Theory (The Olduvai Theory: Energy, Population, and Industrial Civilization, The Social Contract, Winter 2005-2006). His theory is that, without some remarkable new energy technology becoming available, human industrial civilization as we presently know it is a rather short term 100 to 150 year affair, including a growth phase during which energy-per-capita (e) is increasing, followed by a brief plateau phase during which energy-per-capita reaches a maximum, followed by a decline phase during which energy-per-capita is reducing. The reduction in energy-percapita during the decline phase arises on account of continuously-increasing world population, when fossil-fuel energy reserves become increasingly expensive to access (i.e. depleted) as well as physical limitations concerning anthropogenically-forced climate change becoming significant. Our own assessment is that we are presently at a transition between the aforementioned plateau phase and the aforementioned decline phase. Fig. 1 attached was devised by Dr Richard Duncan and provides a graphical representation of the temporal changes in energy-per-capita (e) occurring with time.

Although the precise shape of the curve

COMMUNITY in Fig. 1 may be disputed, the existence of the three aforementioned phases is not in dispute, unless some new form of abundant inexpensive energy source suddenly becomes available to human society. It is worth noting that, at the transition from the growth phase to the plateau phase, namely circa year 1970, there was a period in which remarkable human scientific achievements occurred, for example the NASA Appollo 11 mission to enable mankind to walk on the Moon; today, NASA could not financially afford such a space programme at all.

The shape of the energy-per-capita curve in Fig. 1 is interesting to consider; during a period from year 1930 to year 2020, there has been a generally increasing energy-per-capita (e) that has seen a large increase in the standard of living for Newport’s inhabitants. Financial markets such as Wall Street and the London Stock Exchange have experienced economic growth during this period, and have come to expect the economic growth to continue into the future. Since the year 1970, when there was a transition from the growth phase to the plateau phase, the US dollar was brought off the Gold standard to become a fiat currency, to allow monetary instruments (Keynesian economics et al.) to stimulate economic growth in the world, for example by way of quantitative easing (QE). However, it is becoming increasingly clear, with contemporarily nearly 0% interest rates and huge amounts of quantitative easing and increase in debt, that monetary instruments are no longer very effective, being largely inflationary in nature (i.e. more money chasing after a limited number of goods and services). Asset bubbles are thereby often created in various trading markets that are not representative of physical reality.

In the 1960’s, it was thought that (fission) nuclear power would provide the world with energy after fossil fuels were depleted. This notion has been perpetuated to contemporary times via the IAEA, with the present UK Government recently deliberating on whether or not to construct Hinkley Point C and Bradwell C nuclear power stations. Germany has decided to move away from nuclear power to use more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Nuclear accidents such as Windscale, Chernobyl, Three Mile Island (Harrisburg) and later Fukushima Dai’ichi are still very much

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COMMUNITY remembered by people. The recent triple reactor meltdowns at Fukushima Dai’ichi, and reactor-4 spent fuel pool fire caused huge releases of radioactive pollution into Japan, into the Pacific Ocean and also into the earth’s high-altitude jet stream; had the wind been blowing in a different direction when the Fukushima Dai’ichi accident occurred circa 5 years ago, the then Japanese government would have contemplated the evacuation of 40 million people from Tokyo, so serious was the accident. The task of trying to ameliorate the Fukushima Dai’ichi site is likely to take centuries, during which considerable irreversible poisoning of the Pacific Ocean will have occurred. However, contemporary mainstream media seldom reports on the Fukushima Dai’ichi situation, preferring to concentrate on latest popular celebrities and events that have an entertainment value. Fukushima Dai’ichi has little entertainment value to mainstream media, in view of the grim situation being faced there in Japan.

At present, despite conventional (fission) nuclear power having only provided a minority of electrical power in certain advanced industrial societies for a period of circa 50 years, it is estimated that there are presently 145000 tonnes of high-level nuclear waste in existence, that has to be stored safely for 100000 years or so; a solution for safely storing this dangerous nuclear waste has yet to be devised, although storing it underground has been proposed. It is estimated that there are circa 60000 tonnes of Uranium Hexafluoride that are presently being stored at the Urenco Capenhurst (UK) site (source of information: http://closecapenhurst.org.uk/). If this high-level nuclear waste were to be spread thinly around the Earth’s surface, it would kill all life on Earth, so toxic and dangerous is this waste. Clearly, conventional (fission) nuclear power is not a viable solution to maintain energy-per-capita for the human population in the longer term, because of the aforementioned waste problem. Some experts argue that the nuclear industry made a bad choice pursuing a Uranium U235/U238 to Plutonium P239 fission route (mainly to support atomic munitions manufacture), rather than pursuing a Thorium Th232 to Uranium U233 fission route; the Thorium (Th) fission route (i.e. Dr Alvin Weinberg et al.) potentially generates nuclear waste that only needs to be stored

38 Newport News Winter 2016

for 300 years before normal unprotected handling of the nuclear waste can be undertaken (for example, in an event of an unconventional Thorium LFTR apparatus being employed, or in an event of deep «burn» of Thorium fuel being utilized in a conventional reactor design by employing fuel rods filled with Thorium fuel pellets wherein the cladding of the fuel rods is fabricated from Silicon Carbide to withstand a higher total radiation flux exposure than conventional Zirconia or stainless steel fuel rod cladding).

However, the present nuclear industry is so entrenched with its present type of fission technology, that it is extremely difficult suddenly for the present nuclear industry to adopt another technology completely. Thorium is interesting because there are over a million tonnes of Thorium ore (monozite) in the Telemark region of Norway, potentially enough to power the world at present energy utilization rates for thousands of years.

Conventional fission nuclear power is fundamentally flawed, because: (i) the fission process results in generating highly dangerous nuclear waste products (e.g. Actinides and radioactive noble gases); and (ii) nuclear criticality has to be maintained in operation (i.e. controlling the fission reaction at the threshold, just prior to causing a nuclear explosion).

If only (i) or (ii) pertained, conventional nuclear fission power may not have been so questionable, but the fact that both (i) and (ii) simultaneously pertain is fundamentally bad engineering. This assessment applies, however sophisticated the safety systems that may be used to try to safeguard operation of a given nuclear reactor. By comparison, who would contemporarily use a Mercuryarc rectifier for rectifying an alternating electricity supply, when a contemporary Silicon rectifier can do the job much more safely and cleanly; mutatis mutandis, who would use dangerous conventional nuclear fission power based on MOX fuel or enriched Uranium fuel, when renewables (such as wind, solar, tidal, ocean wave, geothermal) and energy storage technologies can do the job much more safely and cleanly (and cheaply)?

Fusion power, using Tokomaks and laser-triggered thermal inertial containment technologies, has been difficult to make work technologically and has every prospect of generating

rather expensive electricity in comparison to contemporary renewable wind and solar power generation systems. It has been said for many years that power generation from such fusion technology is only “50 years away”. However, for as long as we can remember, the use of such fusion technology has always seemed to have remained “50 years away”! We may not have 50 years to wait, that is the reality in view of the implications of Olduvai Theory.

From the foregoing, you will be able kindly to appreciate the challenges faced by our present UK government regarding maintaining energy-per-capita of the UK population, and that the way of life for inhabitants of Newport may change radically within the next 50 years from what we experience today.

It is estimated (from United Nations sources) that when the standard of living approaches an equivalent of 2 kWh of energy per day per person, population growth stabilizes. However, trying to supply the present World population of circa 7 billion people each with an equivalent access to energy of 2 kWh per day represents a huge technological challenge. In major countries such as India and China, this technological challenge is readily appreciated, and new nuclear reactors are presently being constructed in these major countries.

In conclusion, when we consider the sustainability of the way of life to which we have become accustomed in Newport, over a longer term period, there are clearly major challenges ahead, and it should not be taken for granted that we will automatically be experiencing an everincreasing standard of living in future.

In practicular, will the aforementioned decline phase in energy-per-capita be chaotic, or will it be a graceful orderly managed decline? Recycling will be essential in future, and moving to more endurable energy sources than coal, oil and gas will be an important issue.

Should Newport Parish Council consider installing a modern wind turbine on Windmill Hill to supply Newport with energy in a sustainable manner in future ... ? An advantage is that such a wind turbine can be removed at a later date, without causing any major environmental damage, or without resulting in the generation of any nuclear waste that must be safely stored (somehow, i.e. yet to be devised) for 100000 years. NN

hiSTOrY

100 years ago...

2

BEVErLEY DEAr

A

nother trawl through the newspapers from 100 years ago provides a fascinating glimpse into life exactly a century in the past, with advertisements for farming supplies, details of the latest film being shown in Saffron Walden – a stirring, patriotic adventure story or a feature about life on a tropical island or a jungle perhaps.

Interspersed with these light-hearted features however, we see lists of the men killed or wounded on the front lines. here is a small selection of the articles, cartoons and stories both happy and sad, of how life carried on back home.

1 According to the Walden Weekly News, “The Great Drama ‘The Grey Horror’ was a picture worth seeing, and was appreciated”. According to the Internet Movie Database, this film was released in 1915 and starred Joseph W. Smiley as advocate Ellis and Lila Leslie in a dual role as Betty Parr and Betty’s mother, but sadly there are no details about the story. They announced that at the weekend there would be a showing of ‘The Broken Coin’ (1915) which features Grace Cunard as Kitty Gray and Francis Ford as Count Frederick. There are no details of the plot, but it sounds fun. They also promised “three nights of Charlie Chaplin, which is always popular”.

3

2 In contrast, there is news of fallen and injured war heroes. Private G. Law was mentioned among the wounded and there was a touching letter sent by the parents of a soldier from Haverhill, writing from the Somme: “I am in the best of health, although my nerves are a bit upset after my recent experience in the trenches, or over the trenches I should say, for I did nothing but go over the top last week.”

3 Another letter, sent in by Mrs, J, Clayden from Haverhill, described a lucky escape: “I think I should consider myself very lucky to be alive now after what I went through last Friday morning. I shall never forget it.”

A shell burst as the German soldiers were bombarding the village where they were billeted and he was only five yards from an explosion but somehow miraculously escaped unhurt.

4 Cartoon ‘The Crack of Doom’ (courtesy of Punch) refers to Conscription which was brought in by law in January 1916 and put into action in March.

5 The newspapers contained lists of requests by people who claim that they cannot run their businesses if their staff are called up. A farmer made application for his horse keeper to be exempted but was refused, while a threshing machine attendant was granted six months. A stud groom was refused but a builder who worked alone was exempted, though only for two months.

These reflected the importance of the agricultural economy, but there was apparently no guarantee of being spared.

5

6 Finally, in the report of news from Newport, it was reported that the roll of honour for the Grammar School stood at one hundred, with five fallen in action: Lieutenant S. Barthropp, Corporal Webb, Privates Charlie Barker, John Cann and Fred Sell. NN

6

1

4

Winter 2016 Newport News

39

LEgAL cOLumN

Know your rights…

ThE cONSumEr righTS AcT 2015 reasonable care whilst downloading).

Even if it was free of charge!

Deliveries and late deliveries ANDrEW BLATT & PAuL SuTTON

t

here are lots of laws that are made to protect you as a consumer. The most recent was the Consumer Rights Act 2015. It began on the 1st October 2015 and includes digital content (e-books, music downloads, games and such like material). It replaces three major pieces of legislation, the Sale of Goods Act, Unfair terms in consumer contracts regulations and the Supply of Services Act. What does this mean for you? You have rights when you buy goods and they turn out to be faulty or not as expected. Most people know that goods have to be as described, have to work as described and have to meet the expectations of a reasonable person bearing in mind how they are advertised. If a lawn mower fails to cut your grass then (generally) you can return it and ask for your money back. In some instances you can ask for an item to be repaired.

Most of us are aware of this.

However with the growth of the internet there were “holes” in the old law so the law has been updated. Some highlights.

Digital content

Much like physical goods, digital content must be fit for purpose, of satisfactory quality and as described by the seller. If your digital content falls foul of any of these, you have the right to a repair or replacement.

If this is impossible you can ask for a price reduction of up to 100%.

The seller is also liable if any device or other digital content you have gets damaged as a result of your download (as long as you took

40

Newport News Winter 2016

The seller is responsible for your goods up until they are in your hands, or appointed friends. This means the seller is responsible for the courier’s actions. When it comes to late deliveries, unless agreed, 30 days is the maximum period of time. If after 30 days you still have not received your goods you can either terminate the purchase and get a full refund (if it was time sensitive). It is always a good ploy to say when ordering something that you require it within X days as “time is of the essence”.

If it was not time sensitive you can still cancel but only if a delivery time cannot be agreed.

Services

A service contract is covered by the Consumer Rights Act which means if anything goes wrong with the service you are protected. With this in mind all services must consider the following. ● The trader must use care and skill. ● Any information said or written down is binding if the consumer relies on it. ● If a price is not agreed beforehand, the final price must not be inflated as to the service provided.

That is the service provider can only charge that which he normally would have charged ● Unless a timescale is agreed, the service must be carried out in reasonable time.

‘However with the growth of the internet there were “holes” in the old law so the law has been updated’

‘The Consumer Rights Act will protect you from unfair terms in a contract’ If the service falls below what is expected, you will have the following remedies made available to you. ● The trader should either redo the work or perform the whole service again at no extra cost or inconvenience. ● You can claim a refund depending on how severe the failings, up to 100% (within 14 days).

unfair contracts

The Consumer Rights Act will protect you from unfair terms in a contract, examples of this are. ● Hidden fees and charges. ● Limiting your legal rights. ● Disproportionate default charges. ● Excessive early termination fees.

If faced with any of these you should complain to the trader.

30 day right to reject

Any product deemed unfit for purpose can be rejected within 30 days (from the time you buy it). After which you will not legally be entitled to a refund and then only a repair or replacement.

When the 30 day period is over you have to give the trader one opportunity to repair or replace the goods.

If an attempt to repair or replace is unsuccessful you can have a full or partial refund if you want to keep it.

Within six months and beyond

If a fault is found within six months of purchase the trader has to prove the fault was not there at the time of purchase.

After six months the burden is on the consumer to prove the goods were faulty at the time of purchase.

Good luck with all your disputes! NN

cOmmuNiTY

The Local Plan

t

hree exhibitions have been held across the District to lay out the options for the Local Plan, these have been well attended and useful points for public engagement. The next stage is for all UDC Members to be fully briefed by planning officers before public meetings of the Planning Policy Working Group, Cabinet and most importantly Council when a decision will be made about site allocation.

The recommendations in the Plan including for site allocation should be based on evidence and planning regulation.

As residents will have seen the

potential additional sites in Newport are already the subject of current planning applications.

Uttlesford Council is very conscious that the village of Newport has already taken a significant proportion of new development and we will continue to work closely with the Parish Council and the community for the future of Newport and the neighbouring villages. howard rolfe, Leader of uttlesford District council

Education in Essex

t

he standard of education in Essex has improved immeasurably over the recent past and in the last four years we have seen the percentage of schools that are rated by Ofsted to be good or outstanding rise from 67% in 2013 to almost 92% today, above the national average. Uttlesford is no exception with all of the secondary schools being good or outstanding and 43 of the 46 primary schools enjoying a similar rating. This compares very well with our neighbouring counties where Cambridgshire, Suffolk and Norfolk continue to face challenges.

Having said that, education has this year been regaled with proposals from Government that seek to alter the basis in which the sector operates. A recent white paper set out an intention to significantly reduce the role of Local Authorities in their oversight of schools within their area by ensuring that all schools became academies by 2022. At Essex County Council we have generally supported the shift to schools becoming academies where it is applicable, however, as with all things, the devil was in the detail of the paper. Within the small print, there was a proposal to discontinue payment of the grant which Local Authorities use to fund the support services that they provide to schools by May 2017.

Clearly this left a significant hiatus between the removal of the grant and the establishment of the last academy.

If all that were not enough, we now have a reformed government and a new

Secretary of State bringing forward the publication of a green paper “Schools that work for everyone”. The headline item is the extension of existing and establishment of new grammar schools. This is likely to be extremely contentious with parents and education specialists holding strong views on both sides of the argument and it will be interesting to see how this debate unfolds. Notwithstanding that, this paper does again contain a number of details within the small print that are unlikely to be generally aired within the media. These include an intention to ensure that the expertise of all types of school is shared more generally.

This extends to Independent schools as well as Academies, maintained and special schools. Who says that the marvellous work that independent schools do should not be available to a child at a comprehensive: that the broad curriculum of vocational subjects available within the comprehensive should be denied to grammar school children and of course we would all want the rigor and discipline of the grammar school to be available to all.

Essex County Council will be seeking your views on all this and I look forward to hearing what you think about selective education over the coming months. ray gooding, Essex county council member for Stansted

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Winter 2016 Newport News

41

COMMUNITY

Traffic survey June 2016 Chris MURPHY

D

id you wonder what the leads across the road both north and south of Newport Village on the main road were all about for a week in June this year 2016? Well, one of them was an automatic traffic count on the B1383 Cambridge Road, Newport commencing Tuesday June 21st 2016 for seven days.

It recorded all types of vehicles and over the weekdays Monday to Friday a total is shown. There is also a total for all seven days, which included Saturday and Sunday. Here are some thoughts about what I discovered from the tables.

The survey was conducted north of St Leonards Close about 50 metres south of the 30mph sign. In theory all vehicles should have been doing a maximum of 30mph at this point. The Joyce Frankland Academy was in full session on these dates during the weekdays and is about 300 metres south of the survey point. Over 1000 children arrive at this school each morning between 8am-9am and leave again between 3pm-4pm.

The survey shows that on weekdays coming into the village southbound there are 2 peak periods, not surprisingly at 8am and again from 3pm-6pm peaking

42 Newport News Winter 2016

at 5pm. In the morning at 8am for a total of 5 days there was an average of 587 vehicles for an hour with 536.4 of them being cars. This is almost exactly the same again at 4pm when there was an average of 583.2 vehicles with 547 being cars. The peak at 5pm had an average of 672 vehicles with 647.4 of them being cars. This then fell 33% by 6pm.

Speeding, ie over 35mph, was most common on Saturday and Sunday early morning between midnight and 7am when traffic volumes were very low. And most people slowed down during all seven days coming south into the village and therefore past the school at 30-33 mph.

Leaving the village going north there was some speeding up to about 35 mph.

However, there is evidence that about 15% of the cars coming into the village even at peak traffic volumes were travelling at about 36mph on weekdays past St Leonard’s Close. There were, therefore, about 88 cars each day at 8am-9am and again at 4pm5pm Monday–Friday, approaching the school at a speed, which would kill a child. There is evidence that some were travelling at speeds higher than 40mph.

The tables show that leaving the village going north on Cambridge Road on average on each of the 5 days at 8am-9am were 662 vehicles of which 614 were cars. Surprisingly this is an increase compared with coming into Newport. However, there were far fewer vehicles leaving Newport at 5pm, 531.6 of which 506.2 were cars. At 3pm and 6pm figures are the same as southbound.

Speeds are slightly higher than going

south probably as housing decreases and the 50mph sign becomes visible.

However, again, evidence shows that 15% of vehicles were travelling in excess of 38mph going north. This means that at 8am-9am about 88 cars were exceeding the maximum speed by 8mph or more and at 4pm-5pm it was 82 cars.

In total then, on average for each of the surveyed weekdays along the B1383 at St Leonard’s Close, between 8am-9am weekdays more than 165 cars were travelling at speeds in excess of 36mph and between 4pm-5pm more than 160 cars were also travelling at speeds in excess of 36mph.

It is suggested that a digital solar sign should be erected at a point near here to encourage drivers to obey the speed limit. Anyone exceeding the limit would light up a sign suggesting that they slow down at this point like the one on entry to Saffron Walden.

Given the number of children around at those times it is my view that it is very dangerous along that road immediately around the school with so many vehicles above the maximum speed limit by St Leonard’s Close. To check if this is a problem when pupils arrive and leave school a traffic survey in front of it needs to be undertaken.

(I haven’t looked at the one on London Road yet. It is likely to be less significant as firstly the school is some distance away and traffic coming down Wicken Road turns left towards Saffron Walden from the hinterland and turns right towards Clavering up Wicken Road from Saffron Walden.) NN

WiN

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AcrOSS

DOWN

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Winter 2016 Newport News

43

cOmmuNiTY

Parish council REPORT ANDrEW YArWOOD Chairman, Newport Parish Council

New councillors In the last edition I wrote that the Parish Council urgently needed new councillors and urged residents to consider standing for council.

I am delighted to report that four residents have stepped forward and have been co-opted to the Council: Stephen Ayles, Howard Potter, Oliver Wilson and Rory Grant.

Training In early summer councillors attended a course regarding planning matters and specifically gained some valuable advice on how the most advantageous way to comment to extract positive outcomes in our role as consultee, and how to bring out the most pertinent points.

Councillors agreed that this was useful and we would retain the services of the Local Council Public Advisory Service (LCPAS), who ran the course to advise the Parish Council where we need assistance on future planning matters. We have reserved funds for advice in our budget for 2016/17. Also in the year previously we had need to consult with lawyers, planning and flooding experts.

Planning matters The Parish Council has looked back at historical guidance and statements received from certain Uttlesford District Council Officers. Our training course highlighted a number of items that were either incorrect or misleading.

The Council feels that taking advice from the LCPAS in future will be a better use of time and money and our comments will be more positive and effective. We also consult other specialists from time to time.

Newport continues to receive the attention of developers in regards to large scale projects and a steady

44

Newport News Winter 2016

stream of applications for smaller numbers of homes. Also, now permission has been given by UDC for big sites on the north west end of Bury Water Lane, one developer Cala, has approached the Parish Council.

Readers of Newport News may recall that, some time ago, your council decided that it would not meet in private with developers. This decision was taken to ensure transparency in council dealings with developers.

However, developers are encouraged to attend our public council meetings.

Occasionally developers are reluctant to discuss their intentions with us at public meetings. In these circumstances the council will meet in private but only with the approval of the council after discussion at a public council meeting.

Reports of these talks must be presented at the following public council meeting and made available on our website.

Such a meeting was held with Cala.

This was to attempt to influence and build dialogue with them. Once again we try to get the best possible result for Newport. We opposed this development but the decision went against Newport. At the time of writing Cala have communicated with us and taken time to listen to and discuss our specific issues, such as highway, sewage and flooding concerns. The last of these meetings in September was also attended by several residents.

As a direct result of our training course your council’s comments on planning applications have become better structured – we explicitly state what we require to be done – and ensure planning policies are adhered to. We have a policy of requesting extensions to consultation periods to allow the council to seek professional advice and to consider our response more fully.

All our comments can be found attached to the Parish Council Meeting minutes and also on the UDC planning system.

collaboration and Partnership The Parish Council has also formed a collaborative partnership with our District Councillors Jo Parry and Neil Hargreaves. This helps our District and

Parish Councillors avoid duplicating comments at UDC Planning Committees. Also, the most affective strategic approach is discussed.

This partnership extends outside of planning matters where our shared objective is to avoid duplication, thus obtaining the best possible results for Newport. There are a great many areas where it is very difficult to get anything done, taking this collaborative approach does enable us to achieve some positive outcomes.

Neighbourhood Plan Cllr Jo Parry is leading our effort to create our own Neighbourhood plan, to be supported by the vice chairman, Howard Bowman. Once complete this document carries some weight in saying what Newport wants. The village will receive updates and presentations periodically. Please let us know if you would like to be involved in producing this important document, for there is much to do. Newport needs your help – please contact the clerk.

Safe footpath to the recreation ground I met with County Councillor Ray Gooding and Newport Primary Head Teacher, Sharon Lester in early summer to talk about the council, and the school’s concern about the safety of children and other residents who walk from the Primary School to the Rec. We all agreed that a solution would be to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic. I worked on a proposal that would achieve this which I presented to Ray Gooding, Sharon Lester and the Parish Council.

The Council has now applied for grants to help us put the plan into action.

At the time of writing I am working on an idea to expedite this project.

Parking and Driving close to the Primary School May I ask that residents and parents who drive on the track especially at peak school periods do so with care, and park in correct locations, not at the school gates, nor on the corner of Frambury Lane.

The Head Teacher and I have noted of late a considerable amount

cOmmuNiTY

the same. As unpaid elected officials we have a tough, though sometimes rewarding, role. As Westminster continues H&S Hairstyling.pdf 1 not 07/04/2012 13:12 to remove local funding this does get easier.

NN

of dangerous driving and parking. Some people apparently believe it’s acceptable to drive up onto the path on Frambury Lane – it is not. Neither is it acceptable to park across the junctions. Photographs will be taken of anyone doing so and these will be passed to the police for further action.

25 Years as a councillor Cllr Ted Denyer has been a member of this council for some 25 years. Residents may be aware that Ted has been unwell during the summer. He is recovering, and we hope this continues. I do want to thank him for his service to us all on this council.

C

M

uDc community Achievement Award Scheme The Parish Council has an opportunity to make nominations for the above award and this year nominated Mr. John Gordon for founding Newport News and his valuable contribution to other village committees/organisations over many years. The award will be presented by the Chairman of UDC at the Council Offices on 30th November.

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

concluding points 2016 has been extremely busy, we remain thankful for our staff, Christine, Jessica and Wayne for all that they do for Newport. I would also like to thank my fellow councillors for

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Winter 2016 Newport News

45

HISTORY

Brick buildings in Newport The Georgians, HIGH STREET, NEWPORT

Peter Minter

I

n addition to the numerous timber-framed buildings in Newport, the village also has a substantial number of 18th century buildings either built entirely of brick or with brick facades to earlier structures. In April this year Peter Minter, who is the owner of the Bulmer Brick and Tile Company (near Sudbury) visited Newport to examine some of these buildings and give his opinion on the date and character of their brickwork. The bricks produced by his company are hand-made, using traditional methods, and have been used in restoration projects by national heritage bodies and also by private owners. Several of us accompanied him on his walk around the village, starting at The Georgians and ending up at Shortgrove, and he set out his conclusions about the buildings he examined in a letter to John Gordon, an edited version of which is reproduced here with his kind permission.

“Our perambulations could only pick out the more obvious points, but there was a definite theme to the whole walk.

I start with a number of questions.

One, what inspired the sudden burst of brick façades along Newport High Street? Was it a new-found wealth?

Was it purely fashion? Was it road improvements? Had brick become readily available and affordable?

One can only hazard a guess. What is evident is that there was a very good brickyard somewhere in the close vicinity and they must have been making bricks for some time to achieve the quality we saw.

The Georgians. This I think was possibly the best overall example we looked at: there are a whole range of points one can comment on. I think the bricks were local. The clay is most probably alluvium and sourced close

46 Newport News Winter 2016

to the river. A brickyard at the north end of the village may have been operating in the 18th century. As the rebuilding of Shortgrove Hall took place in the 17th century it is very likely, and the skills could have been well established by the 18th century.

The marks on the bricks suggest that they were making and pitching them in the time-honoured manner (that is on the angle – we refer to this as ‘on the skink’). This method had developed when brick making was only an occasional operation and the sites were in operation only for short periods.

However, by the mid-18th century things were changing fast and yards became more permanent, encouraging the development of improved techniques. One of the first was the way the brick was ‘pitched’ when first made. Now, instead of setting each brick at an angle to its neighbour, the bricks were pitched in a straight line, each one parallel to the next. (A brick when first made may have some 20% of its mass made up with water and will be far too soft to move or have another brick placed on top of it.) After a day or two, depending on the weather, one can go back and place another row on top. It is now that the fresh brick can be marked as the gap between each brick will have increased as the original row dries and shrinks, leaving a wider space to be bridged by the new brick.

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, and into the middle of the

18th century, the usual system was to place the brick ‘on the skink’, but now conditions brought about a change, and the straight row system was adopted, resulting in the marks running down the length of the brick. This change is normally considered to have happened around 1740-60. It is the earlier marking we see on the Georgians, but as we progress north up the High Street we see the marks changing.

The bricks are still coming from the same source and are the same size, all suggesting that the time spread is not large, but enough to effect the change.

The other detail which is very characteristic of the work on these properties is the pointing. This is recognised as ‘Penny Struck pointing’, and is created by running a small wheel along the lime mortar bed joint before it has begun to harden. This creates a shadow effect, giving the illusion of thinner joints and more precise brickwork.

It is unfortunate that attempts have been made on some of the properties to re-point, but those

MONKS BARN, HIGH STREET, NEWPORT

ThE lInKs, BElMonT hIll

doing the work failed to understand what they were doing, and their attempts have undermined the whole original effect. The wrong mortar has been used and the line is scratched into the joint, just leaving a thin line which fails to create shadow and is rather crude.

A key element in the brickwork of this time is that it was showing off the brick, and efforts were made to select bricks of a matching colour. However, in one case there are a number of dark headers in evidence, created by exposure to greater heat, where the bricks have been placed near the fire channels. At the Georgians there is a nice rubbed and gauged string course with a cut and rubbed cyma recta moulding used along the bottom course, selected and cut, I suspect, from the brick being used. (Cyma recta is moulding that is concave in its upper part and convex in its lower part.)

At either end of the façade there is a nice pilaster with cut moulded capitals and a decorative oversail course below the parapet, all nice and very fashionable at the time.

Monks Barn. This is another interesting building, though much altered and the nogging has been replaced more than once, I think! The timber work suggests a building of the mid-15th century, and this was borne out by the dendro dating reported in the last issue of Newport News. Brick nogging was certainly not common at this point as bricks themselves were used sparsely: it was more usual to have a wattle and daub lime plaster infill, and the size of the bricks now in evidence suggests that they are of a later date. The earliest known example of brick nogging is the 1465 gatehouse at Hertford castle, and fifty or sixty years later, when brick nogging became more common, the timber studs were prepared especially to allow the bricks to be housed in between, and special bricks were made for the purpose. The nogging is even more likely to have occurred in the 17th century.

The Links. Again, an interesting building, with a number of points worth commenting on. The façade is well-designed, very much in the late 18th century style; care has been taken to achieve symmetry, and a yellow Gault facing has been used for the front elevation (it was becoming popular at that time). The brick size does not fit the size of the time and must have been made outside the immediate area – possibly in the Royston area - because of the type of clay used.

The flanking wall on the north side is of red brick matching the type we see all along the street, and with the longitudinal pitch mark giving a date of around 1760-70.

(The building dates from 1774-75.) One observation is that the red bricks are much darker than those we saw along the street, suggesting that they may have been bricks that were rejected during the selection process when choice was being made for the more fashionable houses where it was desirable to achieve an all-over even red appearance.

The bricks seen as grade-outs were no doubt a cheaper alternative, off-setting some of the cost of the façade.

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Winter 2016 Newport News

47

HISTORY ANTHONY TUCK AND PETER MINTER BELOW: THE GATES TO SHORTGROVE

Gates to Shortgrove Hall. When we reach the entrance to Shortgrove Hall we are confronted by another example of inappropriate restoration.

The right-hand pillar is original, re-pointing having taken place on the ordinary work but with the gauged rustications still in excellent condition. The re-pointing is not the best but it is in sympathy, whereas the left-hand pillar has been rebuilt using a metric brick which is quite wrong, not only in size but also in colour and texture. The correct bricks have always been available!

The rustications have been rebuilt using the originals, but the lime mortar has been used too wet and is smeared across the faces, leaving an unsightly appearance, but considerably better than the wide joints on the rest of the work. A pity.

Elephant Green. Our return walk took us back towards the church and past a small piece of rubble wall construction on the east side of Elephant Green between the Newport Club and Cheshams. We had seen a number of sections of wall during the day, but this part had by far the highest number of differing bricks – evidence of the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

One, however, caught my attention: without being able to examine it fully

48 Newport News Winter 2016

this may be pure speculation, but it does appear that it could be of late Anglo-Saxon origin. This is consistent with other evidence suggesting that there was an Anglo-Saxon church on the site of the present church, but the brick would have to be taken out of the wall to examine it in more detail to have any chance of a positive identification.

The Village House (formerly known as the Star and Garter). On the corner of Wicken Road we paused at this building, which was formerly a public house. The brick is a Cambridge Gault and it most likely arrived by rail, therefore making it post 1845.

The type of brick (an extruded brick) was not being made, as far as I am aware, before about 1860-80, but then these bricks were finding their way, mostly by rail, to places far and wide.

As a final observation, there are a number of fine 18th and 19th century brick façades in the village, but recent attempts to re-point have detracted from the appearance of a number of them. One needs to stop and think before action of this nature takes place. Why do we need to re-point?

Elephant Green

Has the existing pointing failed?

Are there a number of bricks that require replacing? Are there structural problems? If we are going to re-point, do we understand what the original pointing looked like and why it was pointed in that manner in the first place? When we start, are we aware of what mortar to use? And how may we best achieve a close match?

It can all be done with virtually no extra cost, but with a huge lasting benefit both visually and structurally. Newport is certainly not alone, nor a bad example!

Finally, I list some brickwork sites around Newport, and maybe there are others as well: Little Henham, 1660, still operating in 1840; Widdington, 1857; Wendens Ambo, 1876-77, still recorded in 1912-17; Rickling, 16631728, also recorded in 1826 and again in 1843-97. This would appear to have been a well-established yard and would have been capable of producing a high quality product throughout the time frame we were looking at.

There is also a reference to tiles being made at Ugley as early as 1440.” NN David Evans adds: “I have seen a letter indicating that the yard at Rickling was stocking a large number of bricks for the extension of Shortgrove Hall. Also W C Smith was very keen on special bricks as used on estate buildings such as Parsonage House and had moulds made for them.”

The Village House (Formerly known as the Star and Garter)

PEOPLE

Celebrating 60 happy years righT: ThE Doll’s hoUsE MaDE

BY DEsMonD. iNSET: sUsannE anD DEsMonD In CoURTInG DaYs. BELOW LEfT: MRs lIlIan ChoRlEY, sUsannE’s MoThER, Who Was WEll KnoWn In nEWPoRT FoR ManY YEaRs.

DESmOND & SuSANNE hOLLAND

W

here shall I begin? It has to be Newport.

Desmond was born in Saffron Walden and lived in Frambury Lane, Newport.

My family were evacuated from London, first staying at the school house in Wendens Ambo, where my great-aunt was headmistress, then moving to a stable flat at Shortgrove while my parents bought a piece of land next to the Coach and Horses and built a bungalow which they called “Die Opstal”, which means Homestead in South Africa where my mother, Lilian Chorley, was born.

Desmond went to the local school (Mr Bayley was headmaster), then on to the High School in Saffron Walden where he was head boy. I went to the Friends School in Saffron Walden, then to St Mary’s Convent in Bishop’s Stortford. As a youngster Desmond helped his Uncle Wally at Pond Cross Farm, was a boy scout and when he was older played cricket for Newport as a wicket keeper. He joined in the Old Time Dancing at Church House and was a member of the Newport Players pantomime group run by the Vicar, Mr Humphries, and my mother, Mrs Chorley.

I was a Girl Guide, member of the church choir, and also joined the pantomime group and Old Time dancing.

We both remember the fêtes in the Vicarage garden, the May Queens, a Hill-Billy American band playing on the Common and so much more.

Desmond did his National Service in the RAF, training for Air Traffic Control and moving to the parachute school at Weston-on-the-Green. He has been in the wine trade all his working life, starting at Scruby’s in Saffron Walden, then with Gilbert Reeves in London, Victoria Wine as Regional Manager, then Allied Domeq. We moved house six times as he was promoted, from Bristol, Lydney, Kingstone, Byfield, Camberley and Thorrington. I was a ‘stay at home’ mum, then when our children left home I took a job at a china shop in Banbury - now I have a lovely collection of fine china and crystal.

We both have many hobbies. Desmond plays golf, loves gardening and carpentry - we have several pieces of furniture that he made, pride of place going to my beautiful ‘Georgian’ doll’s house. We both love

to travel, visiting over 30 countries - Australia, China, Bali, Borneo, USA, Canada, Norway, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Egypt to name a few. My hobbies include photography, gardening, entertaining, embroidery, jig-saws and of course furnishing my doll’s house named “Holland House”, and I took up skiing at 50! Now we enjoy river cruising in Europe.

When Desmond retired he joined the French “Confrerie des Chevaliers du Sacavin”, continuing his interest in wine, as Commandeur-Chef du Cuisine & Echanson, choosing wines and arranging dinners at Vintners Hall and AGM and lunches at the Liberal Club in London.

We have three children, Christopher, Karen and Nicolas, four grandchildren, Claire, Timothy, Emily and Lucy, and one great-grandson, Theo. Every five years we host a family garden party, and this year 55 guests celebrated our daughter Karen & Brian’s 30th wedding anniversary - and we look forward to our own 60th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News

49

PEOPLE

Two original residents cherry garden Lane JOhN gOrDON

H

earing that there were two residents of Cherry Garden Lane who had been there since the houses were first built in 1970, I went to see Pauline Potterill at number 9 and Michael Martin at number 43.

Pauline, my first interviewee, opened the door of her exceedingly neat home and welcomed me in. She told me that she was born in Dagenham in 1941, where she went to school, leaving at 15 to become a dressmaker. She continued in that job until she got married in 1969 to Derek Potterill, who was 36. Rather ahead of their time they had met through a marriage bureau. Derek had been a fireman on the steam trains but later had a market stall in Bow and then became a car salesman, eventually retiring in 1998. Sadly he died in 2012 aged 79.

I asked Pauline how they happened to come to Newport, and she told me that one day in July 1970 Derek had come home after work announcing that he had seen an advertisement for a new development in Newport being built

by Federated Estates. He immediately beetled up to the site office in Frambury Lane, where two caravans had been parked in which the early arrivals slept the night and were given rolls by the company for breakfast the next morning.

Rather to his surprise Derek found that he was second in the queue. In the morning he put down a ÂŁ50 deposit on the list price of ÂŁ4,575, and number 9 was theirs, though at the time it was but a concrete slab. But in October that year they were able to move in.

Derek and Pauline were very happy there and in 1975 their son Keith arrived.

He went to the Primary School, where Pauline became one of the dinner ladies, eventually retiring in 2000. At 11 Keith went on to the County High school, leaving at 16. He later married and

50

Newport News Winter 2016

PaUlInE PoTTERIll anD MIChaEl MaRTIn

lives in Bedfordshire, working as a laboratory technician.

Pauline told me that she has been very happy in Newport. She finds it a nice friendly place where everyone talks to you and there is always time to stop and have a chat.

I then walked over the green to one of the houses opposite, number 43, where Michael Martin opened the door and asked me in. Michael told me that he too was born in 1941 and hails from North London. He went to school in Winchmore Hill, leaving at 15 to go into the car repairing business. In 1963 he married his first wife, Janet Cook, and they moved to Harrow where Michael got firstly into the removal business and later became a lorry driver in the drinks trade.

He and Janet had a daughter, Diane, and he is now a proud grandfather of two girls and has two great grandchildren.

In 1970 he too responded to the Federated Homes advertisement for reasonably priced homes

in Newport, and was able to buy number 43 in January 1971. He and Janet were later divorced in 1986 and in the same year he married his second wife, Barbara Ellis, though sadly this marriage too later came to grief.

Michael is currently waiting for a replacement knee. He loves living in Newport, finding the countryside lovely and the people very friendly. His hobby is really transport and he loves going on steam train excursions.

Another interest are his twelve fish in a pond in the garden, over which he keeps a watchful eye.

All in all I much enjoyed meeting these two long term residents of Newport who have each clocked up nearly fifty years of residence. If there are any other original owners of the Cherry Garden Lane estate do please let me know, either the Federated Estates or Fairview developments. NN

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Winter 2016 Newport News

51

chiLDrEN

fOr ThE YOuNg, Or NOT SO YOuNg! (Oh yes you are! Oh no I’m not!)

LOcAL PANTOmimES This year you can find the following pantomimes in the local area. Please check dates and times yourselves.

JuLiE fuLLEr

Y

es it is Pantomime time of year. From November through to January there will be pantomimes performed not only in the best theatres in the land but also in village halls across Britain.

Audience participation is a very important part of a pantomime. The audience are encouraged to boo the villain, argue with the dame (who is always played by a man) and warn the principal boy (who is always played by a girl).

Slapstick is another important part of any pantomime - throwing custard pies, people falling over, lots of very silly costumes and an animal (usually a horse or a cow) which is played by two people in costume.

Music can be original but is often well known tunes with re-written lyrics. At least one song is a well known one that the audience is encouraged to sing. Although the jokes in pantomimes are mainly aimed at children, who are often invited onto the stage, some jokes are deliberately aimed at the adults in the audience. NN

This year your Newport pantomime is

Ali Baba and the forty Thieves

52

Newport News Winter 2016

● Dick Whittington is at the Arts Theatre Cambridge and at the Mercury Theatre Colchester ● Beauty and the Beast is at Harlow Playhouse ● Jack and the Beanstalk is at the Civic Theatre Chelmsford and at Clavering Village Hall ● Cinderella is at the Rhodes Bishops Stortford ● Sleeping Beauty is in Saffron Walden

PLuS, YOu hAVE YOur VErY OWN PANTOmimE iN NEWPOrT! Enjoy whatever you go to see this festive season!

EArLY PANTOmimES Pantomimes have been popular since the early masques of the Elizabethan days.

It also developed from the Italian commedia dell’arte Early pantomimes were silent – just dancing and gesture.

Oh NO WE hA VEN’T! Newport Village hall

friday 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 28th January 2017 (see page 85)

Pantomimes have been performed in Newport since 1999

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The homes will be built to AECB silver construction standards with a view of creating homes that are sustainable to the environment and cost effective to run for those who live in them.

The development is composed of 25 properties for rental including flats, 2, 3 and 4 bed houses, and bungalows.

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Winter 2016 Newport News

53

cOmmuNiTY

District councillors report objective manner have in the end not been fulfilled. Here is an extract from a letter sent in October to the Inspector by the R4U leader Cllr John Lodge:

Current Applications Approved 34 15 1

DISTRICT COuNCILLORS NEiL hArgrEAVES & JOANNA PArrY Written by Neil hargreaves

Dawn french visits Newport The new council chief executive was our guest for an afternoon during the summer.

After refreshments at Dorringtons we took her on a walking tour, to the primary school, up to Whiteditch Lane, through JFAN and via the very narrow Cambridge Road footway back again. We covered some internal issues, such as our council email system where you can’t attach a document! But generally we illustrated planning and infrastructure matters. For example, where we think officers don’t challenge developers claims, like the ‘easy’ walk from Whiteditch Lane to the primary school. And the buck passing between Essex Highways and UDC where both agree a lane is unsuitable for development but Essex still give a ‘Recommend’ and UDC refuse to challenge them. On the way back to Walden she experienced our road congestion at school time, and as a special treat on a hot day I took her down to our smelly overloaded sewage works. UDC treats Anglian Water as an independent consultee like the Environment Agency, when actually they are a monopoly profit making supplier. Recently AW has admitted (as reported by Hyder Consulting in 2010) that the sewage works is full, but the planning system is not enforcing action.

more senior management changes UDC has a new Head of Planning, Gordon Glenday, previously at Brentwood Borough Council. The senior legal officer Michael Perry has retired and there is currently an interim Head of Legal Services

The Local Plan process Promises that the new Local Plan would be developed in an open and

54

Newport News Winter 2016

MaP oF PlannInG aPPlICaTIons

Pending Decision Refused

‘..the UDC Cabinet… at the end of Call for Sites – Local Plan 1 1 12 July 2016 notified all parish councils Not included 1 2 of their preferred strategy and Unsuitable 3 5 2 preferred housing allocations. as 15 at that date however large parts Sewage 15 works 15 90 + of the evidence base were still care JFAN home 3 5 outstanding, and in numerous 84 2 Additional 10 units cases the terms of reference had 1 at Reynolds Court not even been approved by the 10 Planning Policy Working Group. so for example we have seen no air quality appraisal, although the 142 142 main town, saffron Walden, is largely an aqMa, there is no Gypsy Surgery and Travellers study, no habitats 1 1 10 Regulations assessment, no health 1 1 Impact assessment, no affordable 1 housing Contribution, no up7 200 -to-date housing sites Viability 1 1 assessment, no Infrastructure Primary School Development Plan, no Transport 46 study nor Comparative Transport 94 + commercial study and no Water Cycle study. units as far as we are aware, no Comparative 4 1 Quarry + sustainability assessment has ever even been commissioned, and indeed 1 no “reasonable alternatives” for the 1 purposes of paragraph 182 of the 1 nPPF have even been identified…

Not to scale We have raised these concerns, and the response from UDC has been to cancel 11 the next scheduled PPWG meeting, set 24 for 6 october 2016, on the basis there is “nothing for it to discuss”. I believe that the principal reason is to avoid further had been factored in to the airport figures PPWG minutes recording these concerns was initially avoided, but under further being reviewed at the next Examination. questioning the answer was ‘No’. I suspect the effect on Stansted of a new runway at At a workshop councillors were shown Heathrow has also not been considered. a draft Transport Assessment which We were shown the ranking of the we were asked not to share, and that three possible sites for new settlements.

UDC is not required to provide any Factors, such as access to transport, more Travellers Sites – a change from were scored, but the same weighting was two years ago. One of the main factors given to trivial matters as to fundamental underlying the housing figures and the ones. This methodology was strongly proposed location for new settlements is criticised at the meeting, including by an optimistic forecast of 9,000 new jobs at one of the R4U members of the Planning Stansted. Only 900 new jobs were forecast Committee. Typically it is R4U and elsewhere throughout the district, with LibDem councillors asking the questions, Cambridge’s explosion of businesses and but a significant number of Conservative extensions at Addenbrookes not given ‘back benchers’ also raised major concerns. weight. My question as to whether Brexit

cOmmuNiTY lIsT oF PlannInG aPPlICaTIons (CoRRECT aT TIME oF PRInT)

REFEREnCE

aPPlICaTIon

DECIsIon

hoUsEs

UTT/15/1869/FUl

land west of london Road Erection of 94 residential dwellings with flexible mixed use building, open space, landscaping and new access

PEnDInG

94

UTT/16/0459/oP

Residential care home facility (up to 50 beds) together with an extra care development (up to 90 units comprising of apartments and cottages) all within Use Class C2; associated communal facilities.

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

90

UTT/13/1769/oP

land at Bury Water lane Erection of 84 dwellings, with open space, play area, allotments

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

84

UTT/15/2364/FUl

land west of Cambridge Rd Construction of 34 affordable dwellings with roads, parking and open space

UnDER ConsTRUCTIon

34

UTT/14/1794/oP

land opposite Branksome Whiteditch lane outline application with all matters reserved for 15 residential units (incorporating alteration to access road and garage position previously approved under UTT/13/2973/FUl

alloWED on aPPEal

15

UTT/14/3266/oP

land south of Wyndhams Croft, Whiteditch lane outline application for the erection of 15 dwellings

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

15

UTT/15/2512/oP

land at holmwood, Whiteditch lane Erection of 12 no. dwellings with all matters reserved except access.

alloWED on aPPEal

12

UTT/16/1290/oP

Bricketts london Road demolition of existing dwelling and erection of up to 11 dwellings

PEnDInG

11

UTT/15/2574-8/FUl

hillside & land to rear of Bury Water lane. Erection of 5 detached dwellings (5 applications)

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

5

UTT/16/2538/FUl

Redbank, Bury Water lane Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 5 dwellings

PEnDInG

5

UTT/15/2160/FUl

Police station, london Rd Demolition of existing offices. Erection of 4 flats with parking

UnDER ConsTRUCTIon

4

UTT/16/0738/oP

Rear of Bury Grove Whiteditch lane, outline application with all matters reserved for 3 no. detached dwellings

PEnDInG

3

UTT/15/1664/FUl

land Rear of Branksome Whiteditch lane Removal of existing structures and erection of 2 no. detached dwellings and garages

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

2

UTT/15/1942/FUl

land adj Bury Grove Whiteditch lane Erection of a pair of detached dwellings and garages

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

2

UTT/16/1756/FUl

Tudhope Farm Whiteditch laneErection of 2 no. new 4 bedroom detached houses

PEnDInG

2

UTT/13/1951/REn

land between 161 & 163 Cherry Garden lane Renewal of permission for 1 dwelling

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/13/2784/FUl

land adj Braeside, london Rd Proposed new dwelling & double garage

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/14/0278/FUl

land at 29 Cherry Garden lane Erection of 1 terraced dwelling

CoMPlETED

1

UTT/14/0443/FUl

land west of White lodge, london Rd new 5 bedroomed house

CoMPlETED

1

UTT/14/1639/FUl

land adj holmwood Whiteditch lane Proposed new dwelling (plot 2 ).

Revised Design to planning approval UTT/13/3234/FUl

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/14/1708/FUl

Two storey five bedroom house with detached garage/carport and associated access. land north of hope Cottage Whiteditch lane

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/14/2136/FUl

Proposed dwelling and garage, Tudhope Farm Whiteditch lane

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/14/3297/FUl

land north of The Potteries, london Rd Erection of dwelling and garage

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/14/3815/FUl

land adj holmwood, Whiteditch lane Erection of 1 detached dwelling with detached garage (alternative scheme to that approved under planning permission UTT/13/2553/FUl

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/15/2152/FUl

land at Bishops Way (rear of Willow Chase), london Rd Proposed dwelling & garage

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/15/3022/FUl

land south of Tudhope Farm Whiteditch lane, Erection of 1 no. 6 bedroom detached house and double bay cart shed.

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/16/0280/FUl

Branksome Whiteditch lane,Part demolition and extension of existing dwelling and erection of 1 no. new dwelling together with cartlodges and access

aPPRoVED WITh ConDITIons

1

UTT/16/1140/FUl

land adjacent Tudor Cottage Bury Water lane Proposed dwelling and detached garage

PEnDInG

1

UTT/13/1037/FUl

Distaff, Belmont hill Erection of 1 dwelling

CoMPlETED

0

UTT/13/1718/oP

hillside and land to the rear of Bury Water lane Residential care facility,5 respite care bungalows, 40 separate assisted living units

REPlaCED

0

UTT/14/3506/DFo

Carnation nurseries, Cambridge Rd Construction of 21 dwellings

CoMPlETED

0

UTT/15/3423/FUl

Bricketts london Road, Proposed demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 3 replacement dwellings and garages.

REPlaCED

0

totAl The draft Local Plan was to be presented to the Planning Policy Working Group (PPWG) on 25 October, approved by the UDC Cabinet the following day and by the full Council on 8 November.

Amazingly, prior to any agreement, ‘decisions’ on whole new settlements, and interviews with the responsible Cabinet member, were released to the media on 19 October, then put on hold the following day and council meetings cancelled.

At the time of writing there is no

391 information on revised dates so R4U have called an Extraordinary Council Meeting to ensure the issues are aired in public and remedial action confirmed.

Newport in the Local Plan The draft Plan includes over 400 Newport housing permissions and applications, a few already built, against a requirement of 30–70 for a ‘key’ village. All the other additional sites put forward by their owners in the ‘Call for Sites’ have been excluded. A

late removal was the field south of Bricketts (the last house on London Road) which was considered for 24 houses. Bricketts itself is the subject of an application for 11 houses. The removal was over concerns about ribbon development along the B1383. Newport, Quendon, Ugley and Stansted have, or will be, extending along the road. Do look at the old A120 towards Dunmow for an example.

An area excluded is the land from Wicken Road round to the primary school

Winter 2016 Newport News

55

COMMUNITY narrow footway along Cambridge Road

and beyond. In a recent meeting with the Parish Council, Countryside Properties, seeking to build a large estate around the allotments, announced that it was in the Local Plan. Jo Parry, who is on the Plan Working Group, produced the Plan map to prove them wrong and they were politely sent on their way.

This does not of course stop them or anyone else from submitting applications.

So it is very much in Newport’s interest to have the Local Plan agreed so that we get some certainty over what land should and should not be built on. Work has started on a Neighbourhood Plan for Newport, Quendon and Rickling and this will also have significant weight in planning decisions

New street naming policy On a lighter note, what is wrong with the street names Bridge End, Chestnut Court, Pond Cross Farm, Pond Cross Way, Willow Vale, Bullfields, Elephant Green, Gilbey Green, The Maltings, Gaces Acre, Meadowford, Nursery Gardens and The Spinney?

The answer is that, if presented as new names, they would be barred under a new UDC road naming policy. Parish and town councils were not consulted and it was passed by the Cabinet despite an R4U councillor asking them not to. It would have banned several words including ‘The’, punctuation marks, words of more than three syllables, names of more than two words, and several popular endings such as View and Way and End. It also listed 19 topographical endings which officers were interpreting as compulsory, and helpfully explained for example what a Crescent is, and that a Square is a square. This is why the new Granta Mead became Granta Mead Close, despite failing another requirement not to be similar to Granta Close in Gt Chesterford.

Fortunately I was able to call the decision to the Scrutiny Committee which sent it back to the Cabinet who accepted the policy as flawed. However, four months later no new policy has appeared. Newport will shortly have a lot of new roads to name.

Applications approved and pending The London Road application for 94 houses and a commercial unit remains undecided, now a year beyond its target determination date. The issues noted in the summer edition of Newport

News remain outstanding, although the latest news is that it has been given a ‘Recommend’ by the planning officer and comes before the Planning Committee in November. UDC policy is that the development should contribute £440,000 towards sports provision, but requests for this to be added as a condition, or volunteered as works in lieu for the Sports Committee, have been ignored by the developer and the UDC officer. Note that the owners offer to donate land for the primary school is not philanthropy. It would be in lieu of the substantial cash contribution required by Essex Education.

Permission was granted in 2013 for the greenhouse site on Bury Water Lane for a 120 bed care home, 40 assisted living units and 5 respite care bungalows. A replacement application was approved in September 2016 for a 50 bed care home and 90 flats and bungalows.

Joyce Frankland Academy The NFGS Trustees proposal for a housing estate between the cricket ground and the railway was not included in the draft Local Plan. It involves selling land from the Sixth Form along Bury Water Lane to Cambridge Road and north bordering the cricket ground. While it is welcome that the Trustees seek to use their land for the school it would mean losing the school’s largest car park, which would need to be relocated at their own expense (where?), and losing the only level road access onto the north campus. It might also block access for any further school development or other buildings on the north side. Another year group is to be added and two alternative building plans have been produced to accommodate it. One proposal is on the front lawn in front of the music suite and the other near the Sixth Form, which would appear to clash with the land sale.

Concerning safety and the narrow footway along Cambridge Road, Essex Highways say they will not install a new footway. It would involve a complex bridge and the road level was raised in the C18th so there would be significant costly engineering, and a pinch point by the Toll House means there would still be a narrow section. I have suggested to the Head and the Trustees an alternative footpath on school land coming out onto Gaces Acre, which would only need a simple bridge and would provide a safe footway to the northbound bus stop and to the pedestrian crossing. Essex

looked at it, considered it feasible, but did not want to fund it. However the school has £300,000 available for safety works via an agreement relating to the Cala Homes 84 house development on Bury Water Lane so this might provide a solution to a problem which has defied attempts at resolution for many years.

Updates The full details for the new railway bridge signage have been agreed

by Essex. Some of the wording is I think not optimal but they refused to deviate from their rules. However, they will be a lot clearer, and a few signs considered ineffective will be removed The project is budgeted at £67,500 and involves all the signs on the main road and the diversion routes. I have been chasing for an implementation date.

The speed survey to determine if the village meets the criteria for Vehicle Activated Speed signs was completed during the summer at more realistic locations than were used in the previous survey in 2013. There is an article about the results in this issue of Newport News on page 42 and confirmation has just been received that the VAS criteria have been met.

New Homes Bonus Our allocation remains at £3,000 per councillor for this year, so please make requests while the scheme is still available! NN

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Winter 2016 Newport News

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COMMUNITY

Summer resurfaced Jeff Bines

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t seems a long time ago since we enjoyed an Indian summer during September, the first in a number of years. Peaceful sun bathing, for those lucky enough to take advantage, was disturbed for many residents of Newport by road resurfacers. So what was it all about?

With no advance notice men appeared, reportedly filling cracks in the existing surfaces, and disappearing as soon as they had arrived. Days later, a large vehicle scrapped along the kerb lines grubbing up an eighteen inch wide strip, which was filled with an asphalt type material.

A couple of weeks later notification arrived saying ‘Phase one” of the project was about to start. I called the telephone number listed on the notification querying the phase one part as we had, to my mind at least, already had two phases carried out. I was told this was a mistake and that the resurfacing would be taking place on the day mentioned

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in the note. This, however, was not the case. Instead the large vehicle arrived again and tore up what had previously been laid! Leaving us wondering if our Rates were being well spent. More time drifted by and road closure notices went up at the end of the road. The team duly turned up on the morning stated after a night of thunderstorms and reported they could not carry out the work as planned because of the weather but that they would be back the following Monday.

Sure enough, and true to his word work began to complete the resurfacing.

The new road surface would be something called Micro asphalt surface, an amalgam of an eleven percent emulsion, one percent cement, water and rock applied to a depth of 3-5 mm. The whole thing was done by a machine made by the German firm Schaefer Technic in what was virtually a single operation. First the vehicle’s tank was filled with a liquid mix and the aggregate. As the vehicle moved along the road it damped down the surface as augers fed the mix into a spreader box. From here the mix was put onto the surface with a rubber strip levelling it off as it went. Once the entire road was covered all that remained was to repeat the operation in the opposite direction which provided a second coat of material to complete the job and which could be driven on in 20 minutes.

The end result is a surface that settled in a couple of weeks to a fine finish. It is one of the most cost effective systems of resurfacing and should last for thirty years, providing the council doesn’t allow anyone to come to dig it up! NN

cOmmuNiTY

Wedding dress event JiLL ScOTT

A

huge thank you to all who supported the Wedding Dress Event in Church on Friday 20th May. From the original idea, through a small working party and the support of a number of church family friends we had a tremendous evening. We were able to wonder at over 60 dresses covering every decade (bar the 1910’s), with the oldest being from 1908, the newest from 2015.

We had slinky silky ones from the 20’s, and 30’s. The 40’s, and 50’s had more material available and showed the influence from film and royal bridal events whilst the 60’s even brought a dress with a touch of the King’s Road, Mary Quant

era, alongside more traditional dresses with trains and more embellishment. The 70’s and 80’s were well represented with more romantic hooped, floaty, frilly styles. The 90’s through to the present day moved on to even more elaborate creations.

We had a compere for the evening, Sue East, and 20 or so dresses were displayed on tailors’ dummies scattered up each aisle. The models - some wearing their own dresses, others their mother’s and grandmother’s entered from either transept which had large screens covered in black

material on which we were able to display still more dresses.

A musical backdrop was produced and one large floral display was complemented by bunting and wedding hats draped around pillars and window sills.

120 guests enjoyed a glass of bubbly and canapés and we also held a raffle. We made over £1,300 pounds for the Church decoration fund – a truly worthwhile event.

Thanks again to everyone who supported us. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News

59

cArS

cars of a certain age 1976 MoRGan 4/4 BELOW: TIM & VIVIEn WIllIs

JOhN gOrDON

o

nce again I have had to cheat slightly. I am finding it increasingly difficult to find cars made before 1974 which are owned by residents of Newport, so this issue’s entry is a 1976 Morgan 4/4 belonging to Tim Willis. Tim now lives in Wimbish, but formerly he lived in Newport for over 30 years and indeed was on the Parish Council from 1979 to 1987, being chairman for the last two years.

Born in 1946 in Broxted, one of the five children of a stockbroker, he was educated at King’s School, Ely. Upon leaving school he had a number of interesting jobs before

starting Willis Toys in 1972 at the Old Forge in Newport’s High Street. He was then living at Ringers in Debden Road, where he remained until 2005, when he moved firstly to Widdington and later to Wimbish.

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He is now happily retired and lives with his second wife, Vivien. Between them they have seven children and 17 grandchildren, so they are kept very busy indeed.

I asked Tim about the Morgan, which he has just had renovated and repainted by Robert Knight, who has made a beautiful job of it. Tim told me that he was only the second owner and had bought it when it was two years old in 1978. It has given him enormous pleasure during his 38 years of ownership and has proved utterly reliable, a fact which Vivien readily confirmed. NN

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Winter 2016 Newport News 61

WOrK

The farming year AuTuMN 2016

RollInG anD aPPlYInG aVaDEx

KArEN fiSKE

t

here have not been many years when the whole of harvest, cultivations and autumn drilling have been virtually uninterrupted by bad weather. This was the case this year, but it followed a wet June meaning poor weather to make hay. Many of the first cut ryegrass crops were lost, and the window when the quality is at its best is a small one and the soggy ground made for rotting forage. Later maturing first cut and second cut have made up for the loss as stocks are very good this year.

Grain prices have been very poor for the 2016 harvest, not due to Brexit, but we will have to wait and see about that one. World grain price is just low – crazy when so many are starving but disaster ridden countries do not have the money to feed their people.

charity clay shoot The start of the summer was kicked off by our farm hosting a charity clay pigeon shoot. This event was held in Debden Park and was run in aid of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Essex Air Ambulance – both worthy causes. We had 400 people entered and the sun shone, and it was the perfect day. Clay traps were situated in areas which gave a great challenge to the skills of each contestant. After the last shot was fired the scores were added up and we

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Newport News Winter 2016

all sat down to lunch, which amusingly was a case of spot the checked shirt!

footpaths I am sure you can remember, in the spring issue, I mentioned the work that was underway to the footpaths at Ringers. Most people I have come across thought it was done by the council, no, it was the landowner – the council provided the stone for the top but that is all. We cleared, dug out the mud, refenced and resurfaced a large stretch of the hill from Debden Road almost to the new bridge that crosses over to the Shortgrove Estate. I really feel the area has been transformed and we are very happy with the results. Sadly there was one person who did not like the fence redefining the official footpath, and chose to cut the wire completely open in two places so they could continue to walk where they wanted. We repaired it and I hope they now understand where the path is. On a brighter note I have had many positive comments from walkers that I have met and on ‘Newport Newsline’ – thank you to those people who now enjoy it and stay on the path.

crop damage Growing oil seed rape has been very popular for many years – it is processed into vegetable oil and has many health benefits over other oils.

As well as being grown in the UK it is also the cheapest on the shelves.

But the fields of bright yellow are shrinking as growers move to other break crops that are hardier, such as linseed (pretty blue flowers). Pigeons and slugs are very partial to the green leaves of oil seed rape, in a wet year the crop grows fast and can take a level of attack, but the recent dry autumns slows growth and many hundreds of acres this year have been

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wiped out already. If the crop gets past this attack then the flea beetle will lay its eggs in the leaves, and as the flowers develop it hatches and eats them. The chemical that was used as a seed dressing, which coated the seed before drilling (neonicotinoids) to kill this pest is no longer available.

Other methods mean we now we have to blanket spray the whole field up to five times more than before. The cost of this makes it unviable and mostly unsuccessful, so for the time being you will notice its absence.

BELOW: ClEanInG oF DITChEs BETWEEn FIElDs, WIlD FloWERs, PollEn anD nECTaR MIx soWn FoR WIlDlIFE, CUTTInG a hEDGE

WOrK illegal hare coursing This is an ongoing problem for anyone with land adjacent to a road. Our area is perfect for hares and we have a healthy population. People who choose to break the law drive round and round each field herding the hares towards one end, then set their lurchers after them. The dry ground has been great for travelling on the fields, as farmers have moved any entrance barriers so they can farm the land there is a way in and out. Sadly it is not only the hares that suffer, the pursuing dogs are often poorly looked after and they are likely to be abandoned in the field if unsuccessful.

Crops are driven over and damaged. If you see illegal hare coursing while you are in the countryside then please call 999 and report it giving the location.

Badgers The subject of badger overpopulation is always going to be a difficult one. They are protected and have a determined following of admirers. However they have increased in huge numbers and cause considerable damage to gardens, railway embankments, and arable fields. On our farm we have a badger set in almost every field, but 20 years ago there were only two on our farm.

The sets are not always at the side of the field, and we have a few places where they have huge holes 20m in.

Now it is common for us to see many badgers in broad daylight, and they have a new confidence now there are so many of them. Years ago there were lots of hedgehogs – remember seeing the poor things flat on the road?

Nowadays it is rare to see one, alive or flat, due possibly to the fact that the enormous badger population is very partial to eating hedgehogs. NN

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EDucATiON

Mentor a young person at JfAN LiZZi rAWLiNSONmiLLS, PrOJEcT cOOrDiNATOr

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of their dedicated Mentor Coordinator, mentors plan activities which offer their mentee a break from the stresses of exams, or from difficult relationships at home or at school. They play golf at the driving range, grow fruit and veg at the allotments, go on dog walks and bike rides, and to art galleries and rugby matches. As the relationship grows, mentors also offer support with GCSE revision, or help their mentee apply for work experience placements, sixth forms, FE colleges or apprenticeships.

The mentee gets a trusted adult friend – someone from outside their family they can chat to, rant at, celebrate with, and learn from. The mentor gets the immense privilege and fun of working closely with a young person. They get to listen, to learn, to share and to advise.

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Newport News Winter 2016

Since establishing the Saffron Walden project in 2014, we have recruited and trained thirty prospective mentors, and worked closely with the County High School to identify young people who could particularly benefit from a mentor to stand with them as they complete their school careers and make decisions that will shape the rest of their lives. Now, with over 300 hours of quality one-to-one time clocked up by our mentors and mentees, XLM SW is expanding into Newport! For the first time this year, pastoral leaders at Joyce Frankland Academy have also been invited to refer young people to the project, and we’ve been delighted to welcome prospective mentors from Newport and the surrounding villages to our 2016 training course.

If you think you might like to get involved, find us on facebook (www.facebook.com/xlmsw), send us an email (xlmentoringsw@gmail.com), and look out for notices about the next training course. NN

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Winter 2016 Newport News 65

HISTORY

A Roman amulet BARI HOOPER

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n the summer of 1999, while examining a stream-bed running through the parishes of Wicken Bonhunt and Newport, I chanced upon a few sherds of Roman pottery.

Domestic pottery dating from the time of the Roman occupation of Britain is far from rare in north-west Essex, but what added a little extra interest to this particular discovery was finding among the sherds a small copper-alloy pendant amulet cast in the form of a clenched right hand with the tip of the thumb protruding between the first and second fingers.

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A double row of multiple segments at the wrist represents either the decorated hem of a sleeve or a two-stranded bracelet. The reverse is plain.

This type of amulet, known to folklorists as a mano fica (fig-hand), is an analogue of an ancient manual gesture (still used in Continental Europe and elsewhere as a contemptuous sexual insult) in which the thumb represents the phallus, the index and middle fingers the vagina.

Its name is derived from the Latin ficus (fig-tree), the succulent fruit of which in the Greco-Roman world was allusive of the female pudenda. The Roman poet Ovid (43 BC–18 AD) tells of a man making this gesture on the eve of the fertility festival of Liberalia, not as an abusive sign directed at a third

person, but as protection for himself from any nocturnal spirit he should chance upon.

Whoever wore the Newport amulet must similarly have felt the need for protection, not from insubstantial phantoms of the night, though I doubt they would have been welcomed, but from a malevolent possessor of the Evil Eye. That some people supposedly have the power, voluntary or otherwise, of harming people, domestic animals, crops or even inanimate objects upon whom their gaze alights is an almost universal primeval belief. From as early as the third millennium BC the Assyrians, Babylonians and Sumerians all cherished the delusion. And from

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66 Newport News Winter 2016

HISTORY the number of direct and indirect allusions to the phenomenon in the Old Testament it is evident that the biblical Hebrews were similarly familiar with the superstition. The injunction “Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye.” (Proverbs 23 : 6), is probably the most oft quoted example.

The conviction that the eye of certain individuals is a potent locus for hostile magic was especially prevalent among the Greeks and Romans. The first glance from the possessor of the Evil Eye was widely believed to be the most injurious, and the Greeks reasoned that if the malevolent gaze (ofthalmos baskanos) could somehow be averted, no harm would follow.

In the classical world humans were not the only supposed possessors of the Evil Eye. The grasshopper, on account of its prominent eyes, was also thought to be a source of ocular mischief. It was this belief in the malevolence of its gaze that inspired the Athenian tyrant Peisistratos (561527 BC), on the principle of ‘fighting fire with fire’, to display an image of the grasshopper before the Acropolis.(5) The ofthalmos baskanos of the human fascinator, he reasoned, would become perpetually fixed in a staring match with that of the diminutive insect, thus freeing the Athenians within the immediate vicinity of the Acropolis from the threat of being perniciously overlooked’. The Romans (who derived their word fascinatio (fascination, bewitching), from the Greek baskanos) similarly adopted the ‘fighting fire with fire’ remedy by the more practical method of manufacturing large numbers of personal amulets bearing depictions of the Evil Eye. They also adopted another method of protection, that of distraction. Acting upon the notion that nothing attracts curiosity like obscenity, they created a comprehensive series of amulets the impropriety of which they reasoned would successfully distract the eye of even the most potent fascinator from its target. The Newport amulet is one such protective device. Although some people at the present time might consider it to be offensive, by Roman standards it is the least egregious of the great quantity of amulets employed against ocular fascination, the majority of which were modelled on the erect phallus, an anatomical feature invested

by them with semi-divine status.

Because of their immaturity babies and children were considered to be particularly at risk from ocular bewitchment. Protection for babies was effected by their wearing tiny phallic amulets and coloured threads about their necks. Freeborn male children were afforded protection by the ‘bubble’ (bulla prætexta), a pendant consisting of a pair of hinged and clasped concave plates within which was enclosed a favoured amulet, usually a miniature phallus.

The bulla of a boy of the patrician class was usually made of gold (bulla aurea), and as such it served both as a prophylactic and token of the elevated status of the child’s family. The bulla prætexta was worn until the boy came of age, a variable period between the ages of fourteen and sixteen years of age, at which time the juvenile toga (toga prætexta) was discarded in favour of the toga of manhood (toga virilis). In some instances the bulla after being discarded was consecrated to the household divinities (lares domestici). The bulla was not worn by

girls, their protection took the form of a belief in the existence of the Evil Eye did not cease with the collapse of the Roman Empire, it is still current in many countries, particularly in the middle-east. Even in Italy, in some of the more remote rural communities there are still credulous individuals who have no hesitation in attributing any misfortune that befalls them to a jettatore – possessor of the dreaded malocchio. And as anyone who has glanced in the windows of an Italian tourist shop will be aware, modern examples of the mano fica made of plastic, wood and metal are readily available for anyone fearful of being ‘overlooked’. Although many shopkeepers are cognisant of the original purpose of the mano fica amulet, some rather than allude to the feared malocchio, evasively refer to it as a ‘lucky charm’ (portafortuna). NN Roman sources: Juvenal, Iuvenalis saturæ; Persius, Persi saturæ; Ovid, Fasti, III, l Macrobius, Saturæ Ovid, Fasti, III. 771, Persius, Persi saturæ, II, 33.

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PEOPLE

Being a paper conservator ALiSON LEcKY

Disaster recovery!

Salvage expert!

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magine you have a precious tome, dating from the 17th century, and you discover to your horror that every page including the leather binding is riddled with worm holes and the slightest touch is likely to cause further disintegration – what do you do? Panic? Or rather a better solution would be to turn to Sara Lennox-Cook.

Sara can turn her talents to repairing books, wallpaper, works of art etc.

She is a freelance paper conservator who runs her small business, straddling

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Newport News Winter 2016

between Newport where her mother lives and her home in Cambridge.

Originally from Wendens Ambo, on the death of her grandfather, Sarah’s mum moved into her father’s home.

Sara is a busy mother of four children and her husband is a Horticulturalist.

Apart from undertaking smaller commissions, Sara’s major ongoing project is working on the library and archive material for the Law Society in London; repairing 19th century Victorian leather bound books so that they can go back on display to be used by members and supporting their digitisation programmes by making sure the material is safe to be handled. Conserved books are then stored in boxes designed to prevent further damage. Sara also travels to London to collaborate with other conservators to work on projects for a major London library. How many books can Sara conserve? About 200 books per month can be refurbished.

PEOPLE Skills and techniques – repairing ‘dog ears’ and hard backs and restoring ‘losses’ Hard back ‘boards’ (covers) that have come adrift can be glued back on using a Japanese paper hinge and wheat starch paste which is long lasting, doesn’t discolour and is flexible.

Japanese paper which has a neutral pH is expensive and can cost from £8 to £20 per sheet. It comes in various shades and thicknesses. Japanese paper is pasted out first with the wheat starch paste, applied to a tear or weak area, then left to dry between a non-stick paper and blotting paper. Japanese paper is applied either as a tissue or as a tougher paper dependent on the damage and the paper being conserved.

A lot of the techniques used by Sara are derived from Chinese scroll mounting and Japanese conservation; traditional wooden bowls from Japan for mixing the wheat starch paste, sieves for sieving the paste to get a lovely, smooth texture and a different assortment of brushes for applying water or paste or pounding. Pounding is used to apply wet lining paper onto the back of the artefact e.g. a map which is then left to dry on felt. To wet large sheets of Japanese paper for lining fragile items, they are sprayed with water. For washing prints, watercolours or even 19th century newspapers, Sara will use a long rectangular sink.

Paper can also be bleached but bleaching is a last resort as the acidity that comes from the bleach has to be neutralised.

Pigments can flake e.g. off wallpaper so a chemical is sprayed on to consolidate the pigment. Moulds and silverfish can graze on the surface of wallpaper creating a ‘lace curtain’ which has to be supported. Watercolours can be stained so the painting can be first sprayed with water to relax it. As some colours pigments/inks can change or be lost in water or in bleaching, Sara goes to great lengths to test them and protect them by adapting conservation treatments accordingly to prevent loss e.g. floating a painting on the water to draw out staining might be safer than full immersion although slightly less effective. Inevitably some colours can change, be washed off or bleached. If there are missing drawings (‘losses’), Sara will try to get an exact match of colour and pigment but as a default she will retouch using water colours.

A conservator has to tread a fine line between an ethical conservation approach (putting the object first) and the demands of the client where retouching the reduction of a certain colour may be required if a certain offensive stain must be removed at all costs!

Sara has conserved paper made from papyrus and the oldest manuscript she has worked on was made from birch bark from the 6th century.

A dirty and dangerous business!

Leather book bindings can be quite acidic which makes the leather disintegrate; the resulting acrid dust which may also be contaminated with mould spores could be hazardous if inhaled and it mustn’t get onto hands or it would make the paper dirty. To avoid these perils, Sara wears a dust mask and uses a trunked extractor fan in her workshop.

The large book that I alluded to in my opening paragraph was leather bound but the binding was badly disintegrated and its pages were riddled with holes possibly caused by burrowing worms and/or gnawing rats or mice and as the fragile pages were handled a shower of dust comprising rat faeces and ‘frass’ (insect excrement) was generated.

Piece of late 1700s fragile wallpaper from a French chateau now supported with a view to its being mounted and framed

Becoming a paper conservator As a post graduate, Sara studied for an MA in Conservation of Works of Art on Paper at Camberwell College of Art. Because her first degree was not science based, she was taught chemistry and art history in her first year. For her second year, she undertook a research project. After gaining her MA, Sara worked for a fellow conservator, spending 3 months at the Conservation Centre in Liverpool and subsequently started work for the Law Society. Sara is a member of the Institute of Conservation, ICON. Should anybody be interested in finding out about a career as a paper conservator, please contact the Editor so that you can be put in touch with Sara. NN

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Winter 2016 Newport News 69

cOmmuNiTY

Policing in Newport LiN STEPhENSON

In the process of writing this article, I spoke to our Police and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst. I wanted to know what actions he has taken since coming to the post in May.

Police and crime Plan His main priority has been putting together the Police and Crime Plan, which by the time this article comes out, should be in place. A key focus is a more local and visible police presence. In Saffron Walden, we will have a local policing team consisting of Chief Superintendents, Inspectors, Sergeants, ‘beat’ police, PCSO and specials. In addition, as you would expect, there are fast response vehicles and teams that will respond to 999 calls and assist major crime units that operate across the county.

We are lucky to live in a low crime area, however we do have crime. We pay our taxes and are entitled to feel safe. If you can hear shouting and screaming going on what should you do? If you see an obviously abandoned car left outside your house who do you report it to?

When did you last see a police officer on patrol in the village? Who do you contact if you see a crime being committed? Where can you find a police officer to talk to? These and so many other questions are frequently being raised in the village. As the village continues to expand and more people are moving in and through the village, policing, or the apparent lack of it, is of great concern to us all. Antisocial behaviour may not seem a high priority but it is the small things that can grow into something more serious.

In the ‘old days’ you would have called on the village ‘bobby’ who would have ‘had a word’ and the situation would usually have been resolved.

Changes to police funding mean that this is a luxury we can no longer afford. Special constables for each

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village should help to address this problem and will be appointed in the near future. Their responsibilities will include getting to know the village and the people who live and work in it.

Recent articles in Newport News (Issues 82, 83 and 84) have highlighted the many changes happening with policing in the area.

New Police Station in Saffron Walden The police station in East St, Saffron Walden has been closed for several months now. What has replaced it?

A new police station has recently opened in Saffron Walden Council Offices. It is currently (October 2016) run by two police staff who can answer most of your concerns or refer you to someone who can. It is intended that during November / December 2016 a new ‘station’ will be fully operational, beside the Council offices, with Inspectors, Sergeants, Constables and PCSO’s.

Officers will be based here, working in shifts to provide cover 24 hours a day.

To keep officers out on the beat and not confined to an office, 2000 Galaxy notepads have been purchased which has enabled officers across the county to record their notes more efficiently.

Time spent out in the community is time well spent. Much better than sitting in an office typing up notes.

We have to rely more on local volunteers, such as neighbourhood watch, and the general public being the eyes and ears on the ground. We all have our part to play in reporting issues that we believe the police need to know about. Local authorities and organisations like the council or

social services should be your first port of call for most anti-social acts.

We all know that prevention is better than cure. We also know how important it is for the community to feel they know who they can turn to. To this end it is intended to reintroduce visits by officers to local groups such as schools, and youth groups. We look forward to this happening in the near future.

This approach will be augmented by the special constables based in each village, ideally someone who lives there.

Recruitment is ongoing so if anyone would like to put themselves forward then please use the website to make contact with Essex police for more details.

We hope that this will be in place soon.

The police are operating on priorities and perspective. A dispute with your neighbour will have a lower priority than someone being attacked in their home with a knife.

You may feel that the old ways were best. Sadly in the modern climate a police officer on your doorstep is not always possible. The police have to work with what they have. Police officers are as frustrated as us with the situation.

It is up to us all to try and help them.

We will have to see how this new system works. Perhaps we can return to this topic in the next few issues of Newport News. NN

TO cONTAcT ThE POLicE

EmErgENcY: When life or property is in danger: Dial 999 NON-EmErgENcY: ● use the online service www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online ● Call the non-emergency number 101 or alternatively 01245 491491 ● Call at a Police Station – Saffron Walden Council Offices, Mon–Fri, 9.00am–5.00pm ● use the minicom service on 01245 452828 We have a Neighbourhood Watch team in Newport – see page 106 roger hirst (above right), The Police and Crime Commissioner, wants our views and comments on the Police and Crime Plan, so please write to him at: Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, 3 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1Gu

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71

WORK

Newport fire station

January–June 2016

P1 in action

NEIL BYFORD OFFICER IN CHARGE W84 NEWPORT

JANUARY The first 2 calls of the year were to Full Emergencies at Stansted Airport, planes landed safely on both occasions and we were soon back home. The next call was to a chimney fire in Debden, it was going well when we arrived with flames coming out of the chimney, we set about damping down the fire in the hearth and then checked over the rest of the chimney stack with our Thermal Imaging camera (TIC). Once we were happy that it had not spread we cleared up and made our way back.

The following day we were out in floodwater helping motorists out of a flood near Shipton Bridge Widdington.

Just after 6 am we were called to a person stuck in his car, when we arrived we could see 2 cars floating in the road, Ollie Ford and myself waded into the water to reach the cars, we hadn’t gone far before we had the water filling our boots, the occupant of the first car was more concerned about how his car was going to be rescued and assumed we were going to carry out this task. He wasn’t too impressed when I pointed out it was a job for a recovery firm but we could take him with us to the fire station to warm up and organise recovery, he refused our offer and was going to wait with his car, the occupant of the second car took up our offer and we led him back to the appliance, by now the other gentleman changed his mind and came with us. Once back at the station and he saw us taking all our wet kit off and emptying all the water out of our boots he started to be a bit more grateful for what we had done.

We were a bit surprised when we read the call out sheet for a call we received just after 5 in the morning, it was to a car on fire in Wicken Road and the driver had been attacked, we could see the car blazing away as we

72 Newport News Winter 2016

came down the hill out of the village, it was half a mile the other side of the motorway, on the side of the road was a man stumbling around with obvious wounds to his head and face. While the crew got on with extinguishing the fire I went and checked on the driver, we got him into the back of the appliance and Neil Saville checked him over before a paramedic arrived.

It transpired that he was flagged down by 2 men standing next to a car on the side of the road, they initially asked for a lift to Cambridge, after being told he was not going that way they attacked him from both inside and outside of the car and dragged him out where he was beaten further with possibly a golf club, they then set the car alight that they were in and stole the victim’s car and sped off, the car had been used off road across a field, possibly either hare or deer poaching, both men appeared drunk and had Irish accents.

Just as we were packing up from this incident we were called to fire alarms sounding at Joyce Frankland Academy, when we arrived we were met by the caretaker and told he set the alarm off by accident.

Our New recruit Stefan attended his basic training this month, this follows an assessment day that he attended before Christmas, on this assessment day he would have completed a bleep test to level 8.6, carried out some job related strength tests, and taken some written and oral tests. Stefan received a good report following his 2 weeks, yet he is not allowed to ride on the appliance until he has attended a number of evening training sessions.

February This seemed to be a month that training was the topic of the month, some of the station attended a co-responding training course to enable more of us to attend co-responding calls along with first responders and paramedics. We now have a car based at the station that we can make a blue light attendance to Cardiac arrest calls only, the type of calls that we will be attending in the future will probably be a lot broader once the 6 month trials are over, at present 6 fire stations in Essex are taking part in the trials, 3 using cars, Newport, Ongar and Coggeshall, and 3 using fire appliances, Colchester, Basildon and Frinton. Stefan continued with his weekly training and assessments, while Neil Saville, Dave Lewis and myself attended our annual ‘Incident Command Verification’ (ICV) test.

Every Officer from Leading Firefighter up has to take this annual test to ensure they are competent and qualified to be in charge of an incident ensuring as safe an outcome as possible for both the general public and ourselves.

One part of the test is being shown a computer model of an incident starting, and based on your decisions, depends how the incident progresses.

We also made over 100 house visits this month offering fire safety advice and discussing any pressing issues.

The end of the month we attended a multi-agency exercise at the Lakeside Shopping Centre, It was a simulated terrorist attack and involved over 400 members of the public representing shoppers. Our role was to go in with a paramedic in each team to treat

WORK Crews taking part in A terrorist Exercise AT Lakeside

casualties, the paramedic would identify the severity of the wounds and then the fire medics (basically us) would treat and leave or treat and evacuate them, depending on severity of the injury and the level of threat.

We also attended the usual RTC’s, fire alarms etc. during the month.

March At the start of the month we attended a fire in a derelict school in Stansted, when we arrived Stansted’s appliance was already in attendance and the crew had managed to get into the building and locate the seat of the fire, we assisted with locating and setting into the nearby fire hydrant and then 2 of the crew went into the building to assist in extinguishing the fire, this is not the first time we have attended fires at this premises and we have been back twice more since.

When we arrived at the scene of an RTC at the junction of North Hall Road and the B1383 just south of the village we were confronted with cars everywhere, luckily no one was trapped or seriously injured, we tended the

SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER

injuries until an ambulance arrived, and made the vehicles and incident safe before we left. We had only just got back to the station when we were called to a multiple RTC with reports of persons trapped on the M11, when we arrived we found 5 cars scattered all over the lanes and blocking the motorway between Wicken road and Junction 8 Stansted, many people were wandering around in a state of shock so we pulled our appliance across the motorway to prevent any of them from

being run over, one person was still in her car and was complaining of back pains, once she had been assessed by paramedics it was decided that she could be assisted out of her car and no cutting or spreading was required.

Early next morning saw us heading off to another RTC with 1 person trapped, this was on the road between Elsenham to the back of the airport, Stansted’s appliance was already in attendance when we arrived and they had stabilised the vehicle, the driver

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Winter 2016 Newport News 73

WOrK oUTBUIlDInGs DEsTRoYED In BERDEn BELOW: CaUsE oF FIRE

was trapped in his van following a collision with a tree on a sharp bend, it was decided that the best option would be to take him out through the back of his van, we used some of the new rescue equipment that we now carry on our Heavy Rescue Pump and very soon had the rear bulk head removed to gain access to the driver from the back, the seat was then removed with the driver still on it and he came out the back of the van.

When we arrived at a chimney fire in Arkesden it was apparent it was a bit more than just a chimney fire, the elderly gentleman came to the door and we could see the flames in the room behind him as well as flames coming out of a hole in the roof where the chimney once was.

The chimney fire had been so intense it actually caused the metal chimney to buckle and fall into the neighbouring garden and burning residue then fell into the house setting fire to the carpet, luckily it had only just escalated to this as we pulled up and we were able to extinguish it immediately.

APriL We were called to a car fire on the M11 just before the Stansted junction and we realised that Stansted’s appliance was not attending with us, we assumed they were either on another call or off the run, it was a dull wet day and the occupants of the car, a family with young children, were basically stranded on the side of the motorway

in deteriorating weather, we made a decision to take them the mile to the service area so they could make themselves more comfortable in a safe environment, just as we dropped them off we found out where Stansted’s appliance was, they made a priority call over the radio for an extra 2 appliances to a call they were attending, on receipt of that call ourselves and an appliance from Saffron Walden who were on the M11 with us were both ordered to the fire. It was an extremely large pile of wood chip and other buried delights at an unofficial site in Elsenham. This was a deep seated fire confined to about half an acre of a 10 acre field, the heap was about 6 metres tall and adjacent to the M11, and just to make it a bit more interesting it was on top of the fuel line to Stansted Airport, the fire service has an arrangement with a company called Extreme Rescue to supply diggers and operatives at these types of incidents, they were contacted and arrived with a couple of 360 diggers.

They managed to dig a firebreak to try and isolate the burning area from the rest, we attended a couple more times over the next week and Stansted have made regular revisits as the fire is still burning underground and occasionally breaks out on the surface and this is still the case as of today 10th October.

A couple had a lucky escape when they tried to turn into the village hall car park in Clavering, a car came round the corner and hit them side on, pushing the car into the hedge. We received a

call to persons trapped, when we arrived it wasn’t as bad as it appeared, the driver had recently undergone heart surgery and was understandably reluctant to move much until he was checked over by a doctor, his passenger was also relatively unscathed but unable to get out due to his side of the car being stuck in the hedge. Once a

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Paramedic arrived he was found to be ok to get out of the car, we assisted him out and he was taken away for further checks.

The last call of the month saw a classic car going up in flames, we were called just after 9 in the morning to a Poly tunnel on fire in Berden, as this is usually quite a basic Lanham and Company structure of plastic sheeting over usually a metal frame, we 1986-2011 Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors were a bit surprised to see black smoke billowing up as we 9 Great Chesterford Court London Road travelled out of Newport up the hill towards Wicken Bonhunt Great Chesterford and realised it must be more than just a poly tunnel on fire.

Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1PF When we arrived we could see the full extent of the fire, there T 01799 530223 F 01799 531362 indeed had been a poly tunnel on fire, unfortunately it had E info@lanham.co.uk been covering a workshop and storage area, which was now W www.lanham.co.uk 100% alight, Stansted’s appliance arrived very soon after us and managed to get connected into a fire hydrant and supplied our appliance which by now had 2 jets working form it. We managed to prevent it from spreading to an adjacent caravan but unfortunately could not prevent the classic car from being gutted, we found the cause of the fire was down to a heavy advert_v_1.indd 1 object being on top of an electrical lead, it had probably been on top of it for up to a year or so, gradually causing damage at the point of contact until eventually failing dramatically.

25

14/04/2011 13:18

mAY The first call of the month was to a ‘house on fire’ in the village, when we arrived we could see smoke billowing out in the back garden, but it soon became apparent all was not as it seemed.

The elderly occupant had been making himself something to eat and then popped upstairs, forgetting for a moment his cooking on the stove, which burnt itself to a crisp, filling the house with smoke. On spotting the smoke his neighbours did the right thing and called us out, we sat him in the garden and gave him some oxygen as he had taken in some of the smoke.

The next call was to a fire at a property in Wendens Ambo, a family returning from their holiday got a shock as they turned into their drive, smoke and flames were erupting up from a neighbouring property less than a metre form their wooden structured house, luckily they had the presence of mind to use a garden hose on it until we arrived. The fire was caused by sparks from a bonfire setting fire to a shed which then spread quickly due to it being covered in Ivy. Luckily the quick intervention of the garden hose prevented it from spreading to the house.

We then had a run of full emergency calls to Stansted Airport, ranging from a panicking passenger to a bird strike.

When we received a call at 2.30 in the morning to a large fire in the Widdington area we all had a fairly good idea of what it may be, and as we climbed up Ox Croft Hill out of the

Winter 2016 Newport News

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WOrK CaR In FIElD nEaR ClaVERInG BELOW: nEIl saVIllE aT RTC In ClaVERInG

village our fears were confirmed, we could see that the fire was on the Carr & Bircher site again. We were all too aware of what the problems are with waste pile fires and how long they can go on for, I made pumps 6 straight away so that we could hit hard and fast to prevent it penetrating too far into the pile, so appliances from Stansted, Bishops Stortford, Thaxted and 2 from Saffron Walden were sent to join us, while 2 appliances stayed on site the others ferried water to us from nearby hydrants, staff that were on site also did a tremendous job in pulling the heap apart with diggers so we could get to the seat of the fire, incredibly we managed to get it all extinguished by about 10 in the morning which is extremely quick for a fire of this nature, so well done to all those involved, we made a revisit in the evening to ensure no hotspots were left, the cause of the fire was believed to have been a spark from a chimney on site that was burning waste wood to provide hot water.

A couple of days later we were sent back to the woodpile at Elsenham again as fire had broken out on the surface, a couple of tanks of water saw it made safe for another day or 2.

About 5.00 in the morning we were called out along with Stansted to outbuildings on fire near Elsenham, when we arrived one building was completely engulfed in fire and 2 others were about 50% alight, the owner was on site but was very vague about what was in the buildings and was acting quite strangely, no matter what we asked him he did not know what was in them and insisted that it was his wife who used them, and she was away on holiday. After noticing the large amount of potting compost and bags of fertiliser on the premises, along with the fact he didn’t look much like a keen gardener, along with the distinctive sweet smelling smoke, we all had a fair idea of what was probably in the

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buildings, this was confirmed when I managed to get into one of them before the fire got to it, inside was a silver foil tent with a heater and some healthy looking green plants, on finding this we passed the info onto our control room and just as were pulling out of their drive a Police car pulled in.

A girl had a lucky escape when she rolled her car on the road between Clavering and Manuden on her way to work. It had gone about 100 metres across a field and came to a rest on its side, trapping her inside, luckily she could reach her mobile phone and was able to call the emergency services, cars passing by on the road were unable to see the car so would not have been able to raise the alarm. We removed the roof by cutting it open like a tin can and folding it down, the paramedics were then able to reach her and assess her injuries, apart from cuts and bruises there did not appear to be any serious injuries, she was put on a spinal board before removing her from the car as a precaution due to the number of times the car had rolled.

JuNE When a builder parked his new truck outside a premises that he was working on in Clavering he probably didn’t envisage it being written off at the end of the day, well that is unfortunately what happened, for some unexplained reason a driver lost control of his car on a fairly straight stretch of 30 mph road, he went onto the opposite side of the road and collided with the nearside of the Pickup truck and then the verge, leaving both vehicles written off.

On a sunny Sunday evening we were

called to Standby at Bishop Stortford Fire Station, thinking that they along with neighbouring stations must be out at a large fire, we were quite surprised to find that they were all out on flooding calls, there had been terrific thunder storms around the Buntingford area, after a couple of hours we returned to a dry sunny Newport.

On a hot blistering day we received a call to a fire in a WWII bunker off Debden Road, I knew exactly where the bunker was as it was on the edge of one of our fields, but unfortunately the only way to get to it would be to walk about half a mile from the road, so off went Stefan and Ionut through the sweet smelling bean field with back pack sprayers to put out the fire.

The next fire wasn’t so sweet smelling, whilst going about their round in Manuden, the dustmen noticed flames and smoke coming out the back of their dustcart. Stansted and ourselves followed them to a farm yard where they emptied the contents of the morning takings so that the fire could be extinguished.

A call was received to a lorry with chemicals leaking from it on the A120, when we arrived appliances from Gt Dunmow and Stansted were already in attendance and assessing the situation, Dave Lewis was in charge of our appliance and managed to point out to them just as they were about to put back the ‘chemical incident’ message that would send all sorts of specialist vehicles from across the county racing to the scene, that this was actually prilled nitrogen fertiliser, the same as we use on the farm, all that is required is a bag to sweep it into and something to block the hole in the 1 tonne bag that was leaking.

Well that’s a summary of the last six months calls, some run of the mill and others a bit more taxing, but whatever we are called to we will deal with, we have never come back from a call yet without sorting the problem, well if we can’t sort it who else will?

If any of you reading this think this could be for you, come and see us on a Thursday evening or contact me anytime, we are still looking for a minimum of 2 people to join the team.

Next time I hope to tell you about our new dynamic mobilising system that has just been introduced and I would like to tell you we have no more vacancies. NN

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Newport Parish Council is always happy to support Newport News

Current Councillors:

Don Alexander Stephen Ayles (Vice Chairman) Howard Bowman Ted Denyer Judy Emanuel Rory Grant Joanna Parry Howard Po er Oliver Wilson (Chairman) Andrew Yarwood

Waterloo House High Street Newport Essex CB11 3PG 01799 542541 Parish office open 10 – 12am Monday – Thursday

Clerk: Chris ne Griffin

newportparishcouncil@hotmail.co.uk

Treasurer: Jessica Bowen

Mee ng dates are usually held on the first Monday of each month. Please see the Parish Council website for dates. All mee ngs are held in Church House and commence at 7.30pm. Agendas are always placed on the village no ceboards (at the parish office and on Belmont Hill, opposite the White Horse).

www.essexinfo.net/newport-parish-council

PEOPLE

Newport babies

WEDDiNgS

Photos to Gina Holley (543046) or email to: editorial@newportnews.org.uk

hAD A BABY? Email us your photo to feature in the next issue.

nce r Isla Va OktobeAug 16 20 ust 20

gETTiNg mArriED? Email us your photo to feature in the next issue.

Amber Grace An Turner 28 August 20n 16

Gemma Hannant married Robin Linacre at St Marys Church Newport on the 3rd September.

The reception was at St. Mark’s College in Audley End, and they had a 3 week honeymoon in Borneo.

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cLuBS & OrgANiSATiONS

Newport Youth Club (NYc) mATThEW YArWOOD AND hArrY DELLOW

nEW aREa FoR olDER MEMBERs

WhEN: FRIDAY 7.00–9.00pm (9.30pm FOR OLDER CHILDREN) cOST: FREE!!* WhO: AGE 9-11** WhErE: NEWPORT RECREATION GROuND (JuST PAST NEWPORT PRIMARY SCHOOL ON FRAMBuRY LANE) cONTAcT: ANDREW YARWOOD 07714 708 815 * Note some events may carry a small charge. ** Year 4 pupils as they become 9 during the academic year, then after Easter all of Year 4 can come up.

t

he opening times for NYC have had to change (see above) due to changes with our volunteers. We like other groups find it difficult to attract new helpers, and from time to time this can affect what we do. Volunteers are much needed and very welcome.

Summer evenings Our young people have been enjoying the dry evenings and have been playing lots of sport. The Essex Boys and Girls Clubs kindly provided 8 weeks

nEW EqUIPMEnT

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Newport News Winter 2016

of sporting activities with coaches.

Especially popular was Archery, as well as cricket and table tennis too. Almost everyone got involved and some learnt some new skills. Special thanks to Will and the team at EABC. Thanks also to Shirley and Andrew Lee who organised some rounders evenings.

We have also created a new area for older members to spend time, and the youth club has bought some new gaming and music equipment.

of what they would like to do. Our first meeting opened with ‘onesie’ night (yesterday as we write this)!

Each evening we try to have a specific activity available in addition to our usual stuff. We will be letting members know what we have planned. And you can see recent pictures on our Facebook page – any questions please let us know. NN

/Newport-Youth-club

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cLuBS & OrgANiSATiONS

1st Newport Brownies LEANNE JENNiNgS & cYNThiA JENNiNgS

1

st Newport Brownies have had a fun summer term ‘Out and About’ We started the term off by our annual Pack Holiday weekend away to our favourite campsite Thriftwood in Brentwood. The girls arrived Friday night full of excitement, for most this was their first brownie holiday and first time away from their parents. The Brownies unpacked and made their beds. Once it was dark we went outside to explore the campsite with our torches.

Saturday morning arrived along with beautiful blue sky and sunshine. Sun hats and sun cream on we enjoyed a full day of activities including Inflate-a-bull, Water Roller, Peddle Boats, chocolate fountain, making chocolate lip gloss and of course the brownies favourite a visit to the tuck shop!

Saturday evening we all dressed up (yes leaders as well!) in our Scrumdiddlyumptious fancy dress outfits for our Charlie and the Chocolate factory Dinner Party.

After dinner we played some themed games then headed out to the Campfire and sang our hearts out!

Sunday morning the brownies completed their chores and had a session on the Climbing wall. A very well done to all of the brownies who completed the wall especially those who conquered their fears. At the end of camp we had a few tears, tears from brownies that didn’t want to go home and wanted to stay on brownie camp forever!

This term we have been working towards the Brownie Out and About badge. We have enjoyed various activities out and about. We had fun and games outside on the recreation ground playing sports and doing races, went on a Penny Hike around the Village following a penny.

Heads was left, Tails was right. We went round in circles

and ended up at the Diana Sell playground where the girls had a fantastic time playing on the equipment.

One evening we had some help from Mrs Hedgehog’s husband and made ‘smores’ on the BBQ. Yummy!!!

Brown Owl organised a trip to Stansted Airports Aerozone Education Centre. The brownies learnt about the history of the airport and met a pilot from Titan Airways; dressed up as fire-fighters, police, cabin crew and pilots.

We then went to the viewing platform and watched planes taking off and landing and waving to Ryanair pilots!

We finished the term with an outdoor cinema in Brown Owl’s garden... well it was supposed to be outside but it ended up being too sunny!! So we quickly packed up the equipment and made our way to the Scout Hut. Lots of popcorn and sweeties eaten!

Just to put some rumours straight.

1st Newport Brownies is part of Saffron Walden District. If your daughter is currently a Rainbow in the village you CAN join our Brownie unit after your Rainbow adventure if you wish. It is your choice. NN We currently have a few spaces and a waiting list for under 7’s including Rainbows. We run Friday’s during term time. If you are interested in joining please contact: leanne Jennings – (h) 01799 543606 (M) 07971 961 915 (E) leanne1stnewportbrownies@hotmail.com Cynthia Jennings – (h) 01799 541408

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Newport News Winter 2016

church

New memorial wall richArD ATKiNSON

f

or a number of years the Diocese of Chelmsford has not permitted individual memorials in the churchyard for those who have been cremated, but now a Memorial Wall has been constructed in the new churchyard at St Mary’s in Newport, where the names of those whose ashes are to be interred, can been inscribed so that their lives may be remembered. There is also a book of remembrance, on view in the church, in which an entry can be made.

Our sister church of St Mary’s in Widdington also has a memorial wall and our wall is based on their original design, and in that connection Anthony Gold has been kind enough to offer his encouragement and advice during the project. The wall was constructed recently by George Alexander, who was born and brought up in the village, and has been finished to a very high standard. Be sure not to miss the fine flint work on the reverse of the wall!

The central slate plaque was made and inscribed by Whitehead and Day of Saffron Walden, who also supplied the individual slate plaques, and they have been very helpful and patient throughout the two years of the project.

Thanks are due to those who attend the Wednesday Coffee Morning meeting each week in Church House, as their contributions met the considerable cost of the large circular central plaque.

The Parish Council has also been kind enough to contribute to the cost of the wall, with the remainder of the funds being raised by the regular contributions of the church family. So thank you to everyone.

The Memorial Wall is 5 metres long with a height of 1 metre and there are 80 slates which can be inscribed

with a name and date. At the foot of the wall there are slate chippings to enhance the appearance, and in due course, Portuguese Laurel from Saggers will be planted in the two prepared beds. These enclose the area in front of the wall, which is reserved for the interment of ashes in individual plots.

During my visits to the churchyard, I have become aware of the importance of this peaceful place to many folk, and I hope that in the years to come the presence of the Memorial

Wall will also encourage families to visit, to pray and to reflect with fond memories in this holy place.

If you would like more general information about the Memorial Wall and its construction and intended use, then please speak to Richard Atkinson (01799 540179), however if you have a specific request for an interment of ashes and inscription, then please contact Neil McLeod our vicar (01799 540339). NN

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cLuBS & OrgANiSATiONS

NATS According to Rumour A rEViEW Of ThE NATS PErfOrmANcE ON 23 JuLY 2016

BY ALAN BYWATErS

t

here’s nothing quite like a good comedy to bring in the Saturday night audiences and send them home with a happy smile on their faces. And the NATS performance on Saturday 23rd July certainly had them laughing, if not reeling in the aisles on occasions.

Finding an appropriate script for a small amateur society is always a challenge and NATS took a risky decision in searching the web for new material which was not only achievable theatrically, but that would also have crowd appeal. Written by the relatively unknown Robert Scott and published

by Lazybee Scripts, ‘According to Rumour’ fulfilled the first criterion if not quite hitting the mark for the second. With a cast of eight (nine if you count the twins twice!) it meant that virtually every acting member of NATS had something to do.

Steve Dunn took the lead as Carter, recently divorced and determined to celebrate in high style. He awakes after a heavy night drinking with chum Roger (Matthew Fyleman) to be confronted with a scantily clad Kitty Kat (Becky Monk). Not wanting

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Newport News Winter 2016

the young lady to be present when his sister Emma (Lizzie McMillan) arrives with their mother Harriet (Nina Jones), Carter does everything in his power to try and eject the poor girl.

Roger has a soft spot for Emma and makes an embarrassing hash of trying to play for her, to no avail of course.

While all this is going on, Carter comes across a carrier bag stuffed with cash in his fridge and has no recollection as to how it got there, although he suspects Kitty Kat has something to do with it. Enter into the melee the inquisitive (nosey!) mail lady Ashley (Yvonne Hannant) with the daily mail delivery. Noticing the front door ajar and concerned about why, she makes her way into the flat and stumbles upon aforementioned stash of cash.

Emma’s love interest is the local copper Logan (Will Murray) who, it turns out, is Kitty Kat’s brother and a little more involved with that bag of cash than we are first led to believe.

Harriet’s helpers are the twins Maxine and Martine (Jacqueline Pullen) who, being of foreign extraction have little grasp of the English language.

Some fine comedic moments here whilst the bewildered cast sort out what was said and what was meant.

Perhaps the funniest aspect of this show was one which is so typical of our time, the reaction to the ringing of the mobile phone. Whenever the sound effect played, everyone went diving into purses and pockets to see if the call was for them. Inevitably, they were all disappointed with the

exception of Logan who was being ‘kept up to date with progress’ on his latest case. Nicely played.

Some tight directing by Lesley Kryzwon kept the whole thing moving along at a jolly pace although there were a few fidgety moments from the audience who were perhaps, a little bewildered by parts of the plot. But that though, is what British farce is all about, complete hokum and lots of fun!

So, what next for NATS? Two things were apparent from this performance.

Having worked together on a number of productions now, the cast members were clearly at ease acting with each other and showed a level of affinity that only this experience can bring.

More importantly, NATS has proved itself capable of putting on productions of a more challenging nature. We are blessed with some of the world’s finest playwrights and their plays are of the highest standard. Indeed, many are within the capabilities of amateur companies and have higher audience appeal. Am dram comedy always brings in the locals, if only to

cLuBS & OrgANiSATiONS

Performing a play for NATS

by Yvonne hannant

It is always a challenge to find the right play which is suitable for the number of actors we have, the age of the actors involved and a script with a set that can be produced on the village hall stage. We always have our intended audience in mind and take into account their preferences for entertainment and the play genre which always leans towards comedy. also being an amateur company if mistakes are made it generally adds to the comedy element!

We aim to provide an evening of entertainment suitable for an audience of 14 years and over, with tables and chairs set out ‘Café’ style and a licensed bar available to help the evening along.

This year we toyed with a couple of script possibilities but knowing the theatrical abilities of our cast the script was chosen which would give our actors the best character interpretations.

I was given my first comedy character role which I took on with relish. My apologies to all village see friends making fun of themselves.

But a quality production from the pen of a skilled playwright will have wider appeal, both for audiences and performers, some of whom I suspect would like an opportunity to develop their abilities further. NN

post people who saw my post lady interpretation which I portrayed with much theatrical license.

We are always looking for and welcoming new members to our society.

If acting is not your genre there is always lighting, sound, costumes, props, director and many more roles required to put on a successful production. Please do not hesitate to contact us at natstheatrical@hotmail. co.uk. We are particulary looking for any young people who are interested in receiving theatre lighting and technical tuition.

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Winter 2016 Newport News

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Driving a coach & horses through Newport Jon, lUCY anD BaBY IsaBElla WITh Ian WaRnER (oWnER)

SArAh POTTEr

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Newport News Winter 2016

KaREn BoUCh, WalDEn loCal

I

f the statistics are to be believed, four pubs are shutting every day in the UK, marking the highest closure rate since 1904, when 10% of pubs were forced to shut up shop. Whilst longer serving residents of the village will remember a time when Newport was served by many more watering holes than today, we are most fortunate to still be in possession of two pubs and the Newport Club. Many of our neighbouring villages are not nearly so lucky and yet a recent study published

by York University found that villages with a thriving local pub have more community spirit and stronger local businesses. Controversially the report’s authors went on to conclude that a village pub can be even more important to village life than the local parish church.

The Coach and Horses has appeared on these pages on a number of occasions over our forty two year history and continues to be a place where villagers meet, drink, eat, socialise and celebrate the milestones of life. From its origins on the old mail coach run from London to Cambridge and as the pitstop for the capital’s racegoers enroute to Newmarket, it has a rich and varied history which has spanned the centuries.

“The Coach” as it is affectionately known by many welcomed a new manager just over two years ago and we were delighted when he invited us to visit to talk about the pub today. As many readers will be aware, the pub has been owned for the last ten years by Sarah and Ian Warner (who is also second chef at The Coach) and who also own and manage the Duke of York in Saffron Walden. After a varied and interesting

career in the industry, Jon Luis who had been working at the Duke, was asked by the Warners to manage The Coach. In Jon’s words, “It fitted at the right time” as his wife Lucy had been the Head Chef there for the five years preceding this.

Jon and Lucy now run the pub together, with Jon as the front of house and Lucy running the kitchen and producing a varied and changing menu of delicious cuisine. They are supported by a loyal team of staff, made up of locals and a backbone of university students who return during vacation times and to assist when the pub is especially busy.

Jon hails from Norwich, describing himself as Norfolk born and bred. He met Lucy whilst she was studying at art college in the city and after a period of time running “The Bluebell” in Hempstead, they moved to New Zealand.

Lucy had gone there to run a “start-up” business, a restaurant in Nelson, with an old friend. Jon went out there to work too, but as so often in life, events overtook things and he found himself aged twenty eight looking after the three young children of Lucy’s business partner. This time as a “manny” was as he describes diplomatically “most unexpected” but it stood him in good stead for his future running The Coach where no two days are ever the same, and where friendliness, flexibility, hard

work, dedication and determination are all essential tools of the trade.

Jon and Lucy love living in Newport.

Last year, they welcomed their beautiful daughter Isabella into the world and tell me that they are so happy that she has such a lovely place in which to grow up. They are full of praise and thanks for the welcome they have received here and feel very lucky to have the locals that they have. They have many patrons who support them throughout the year, alongside those who periodically frequent the pub, such as families who bring their children to play on the infamous pirate ship in The Coach’s garden during the summer months. Jon appreciates that the pub is not necessarily the drinking hub of the village but he has a loyal band of regular drinkers as well as all those who visit to enjoy a meal with family, friends or colleagues. Jon is clearly hugely proud of what Lucy has achieved with the food. She has huge attention to detail and high standards which speak for themselves. Keeping the food consistently excellent, especially in terms of presentation is something which is tremendously important to Lucy and she ensures that these standards are kept between her as Head Chef and the other chefs in her team.

Jon tells me that there is no such thing as a typical day although he has a

WOrK

ThE WEDDInG RECEPTIon oF ChaRloTTE RosE & DEan BIRCh aT ThE CoaCh anD hoRsEs In JUlY 2014

GaYnoR aRMI TaGE

routine to keep everything ticking over well. There is much to do to keep the place running efficiently and effectively.

Tasks can range from watering the glorious hanging baskets that we all enjoy as we drive down the Cambridge Road during the summer time to something as mundane as cleaning the pub loos on Christmas Day when the regular cleaner has a well deserved day off! He clearly loves his job and his outgoing, friendly and personable nature, understandably make him a very popular and likeable character. I am sure that his past career as an estate agent where he was used to interacting with people and quickly building their trust help him on a daily basis. He explains that you have to embrace this kind of job as your social life and that in turn you have to be accepted into the social life of those who regularly pass through the doors of the pub. He describes his regulars as friends and clearly finds it easy to integrate himself into conversations where desired and to identify quickly with people.

BELOW: GaYnoRFEsT

The Luis family is clearly as at home running events as they are running the pub day to day and already have a host of bookings for 2017. These range from weddings to christenings, to anniversary parties, to birthdays and more sadly funeral receptions. Groups from the locality and those from further afield frequent The Coach for various events throughout the year. Walkers and rambling groups can be found using the facilities before a morning excursion and then returning for lunch several hours later. Similarly U3A from both Cambridge and Bishops Stortford hold regular lunches there. Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s and Mothers’ Day are all catered for ably by Jon, Lucy and their team. Many readers will have been

to or heard of Gaynorfest, a thoroughly original and hugely successful event which has taken place during the last two summers. Whilst in 2015, it was held as the private birthday party of Newport resident, Gaynor Armitage, by 2016, it had turned into a village wide event.

Jon explains that it had always been his plan to hold an event of this type at The Coach and this summer’s extravaganza saw over 250 people attending an all day music event, with eight bands providing entertainment, delicious food and drink and a charity collection for Arc (Animal Rescue Charity) in Bishops Stortford, in memory of the late Cherry Mitchell, a much missed Newport resident. When I spoke to Gaynor herself, she described the occasion as fantastic and was full of praise for how well Jon and Lucy had run such a successful event. A similar day is planned for June 2017 and Jon tells me that he hopes that this time it will incorporate a beer and cider festival too.

Jon is very community minded. A keen footballer in his youth, he is now signed up with Newport Vets and is part of the committee for this year’s fireworks.

Whilst the pub is clearly his life, he is keen to give something back and be part of village life outside of the business which he runs. Both he and Lucy and Ian and Sarah would like to thank the village for the continued support its residents have shown to them. 2017 promises to be another busy and exciting year for The Coach and we wish them much continued success and happiness. NN

The Coach & Horses NEWPORT Tel: 01799 540292

Email: gov@coachandhorsesonline.com

OPENING HOURS FOR FOOD

Monday–Thursday: 12 noon–2pm, 6pm–9pm Friday & Saturday: 12 noon–3pm, 6pm–10pm Sunday: 12 noon–3pm (3 Roasts, Vegetarian dish & Fish)

Large garden with children’s pirate ship Venue for parties, weddings, christenings, etc

Winter 2016 Newport News

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25 YEArS ON...

Alan Carr & Newport Village Stores

JANE murPhY

righT: alan CaRR, anDY CollIER-MaYs, Tasha CaMP, BEV BaKER, nIC soRREll, anDY PaRsons, sanDY MInChIn

25

hAPPY BirThD AY

C

ould it really be 25 years since our last ‘interview,’ when Alan had recently opened Newport Village Stores? Apparently so; and we recently enjoyed a good catch up and reminisce.

It was hard to know where to start, so I asked Alan to define three life changing events in the shop’s life that have occurred during the past 25 years.

Firstly – the introduction of the National Lottery; which we all now take for granted. Initially Newport Village Stores was not considered to have a big enough footfall to be considered as a retailer and it took Alan a couple of years to convince the lottery powers that be that his shop was worthy to be an outlet.

Newspapers and magazines – which we also perhaps forget to appreciate and be grateful for – but at the beginning newspaper selling was a closed shop so it was a big breakthrough when Alan got his licence to sell – although Health and Safety laws, together with the very hefty newspapers of today, have made delivery service almost untenable and sadly delivery boys and girls are consigned to history Lastly and most recently, the Post Office; over the years Alan has had to develop and reinvent the shop – he took a real gamble when he assumed responsibility for Newport’s Post office, but it paid off and has been exceptionally successful. However, it was not at all easy to set up and he succeeded in spite of Royal Mail management training.

“Flying by the seat of his pants” for several weeks, Alan said that the staff all did amazingly well. The Post Office section of the shop evolved almost without them realising it and now the service we are offered is excellent, with queues kept to a minimum due

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Newport News Winter 2016

to efficiency – for instance the only cheque transactions are for road tax and everything else is via credit or debit card.

In 2000 Alan bought a second shop in Harlow, which he later sold in 2007 and has some pretty hair raising tales to tell of his time there. He says it was a real eye opener – for instance contending with violence and more than 200 convictions for shop lifting in a year – but it was a very interesting time of his life, and although he experienced some tough times, it was poignant that he commented that some of the offenders came good. However, no one in the village, and in particular a group of diners in Radhuni, will never forget that our own Village Stores stores experienced a hugely traumatic attack, also in 2007, when the shop was ram raided by a masked gang in a 4x4.

Tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused when the cash machine was dragged clean through the front of the shop, sheering the gas main as it did so. In characteristic unruffled style Alan reported that the raiders had been caught almost immediately and he had the shop up and running within a day – thanks to the support of his amazing staff.

Alan considers that he was fortunate

to be living with his lovely mum Jo, back in 1991. She sadly passed away back in 2008 and is greatly missed by her family and many friends in Newport. Whilst setting up the shop Alan was also renovating his house in Thaxted. It was a hard slog – at the age of 27 he took a big gamble in starting up ‘Londis’ – later to become Costcutters and latterly Nisa! As well as a 19% loan (who remembers those excrutiating interest rates?) - 4% above base rate as he was such a bad risk, Alan worked all hours and every evening on his own - and “dreamt of fridges!” – but it was great fun and he really enjoyed that time Alan married Tracey in 2011 and they have been together for 23 years; they enjoy living at Shortgrove and their daughter Katie, who also lives in the village, has just finished her biology degree. Alan said he’ll have a go at most things and enjoys lots of ski trips with Tracey, as well as being a keen golfer and a member of Saffron Walden Golf club.

Even more significantly, in recent years

WOrK he has completed the London to Paris bike ride on three separate occasions with another Newport resident, Kel Ryan, in order to raise funds for Action Medical Research. Alan said the last trip was the most gruelling, cycling 80 to 90 miles per day and on one occasion 140 miles in one day! Alan has taken over the reins from Chris Rix as President of Newport Cricket Club and also enjoys a game or two of very competitive snooker over the road at the Club. He says he has cut back on his working hours and feels that as we get older we work more efficiently and of course priorities change. He has a two acre garden which keeps him and Tracey very busy too – although he admits his contribution is mainly as grass cutting operative!

Strange to think that in 1769 Newport had 8 grocers’ shops, two butchers, a baker and twice weekly markets held on Elephant Green. Two hundred years later the last of those 8 stores, Waterloo Stores, closed down, but there is no doubt that Newport is very well served by our village stores, which itself has changed and developed to meet our varying needs during the past 25 years.

sanDRa BoUsFIElD, JaMEs sMITh & EMMa BEnTlEY

The shop is staffed by friendly and professional people, many of whom are local, Bev Baker helped set up the shop and she and Andy have been the managers for the past 10 years. Alan’s sister Glynis has been his administrator from the outset, and Sandra Bousefield from about a year into trading. Natasha and Alia, two of the younger members of the team would have made their first visits to the shop as toddlers!

We ended our conversation by putting

the world to rights and discussing the significant changes taking place in Newport’s changing landscape. We both agreed that affordable housing is a big priority in Newport and Alan is encouraged by the planned development in Cambridge road, almost opposite his house. We also are very much aware that the past 25 years have gone by in a flash and those early days, when Alan had never even so much as cashed up a till, a distant memory. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News

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cLuBS & OrgANiSATiONS

girls go Out PAT PLEASANcE

t

he Girls Go Out group has seen some new events and repeats of some old favourites so far this year. In April several ladies repeated the guided bus trip to St Ives where we enjoyed a stroll through the market and around the lovely town. This was closely followed by a new event, a trip to the Royal Opera House Production Workshop in Purfleet. A guided tour around the warehouse revealed a vast array of costumes and scenery used for their productions in Covent Garden. Another new event for the group was a trip to Wicken Fen Nature Reserve where we spent the day strolling along the broadwalks and catching glimpses of many birds but also the Highland cattle and Konik ponies. Another first was a guided walk, led by Alison, which took us to view some hidden away sculptures in Cambridge.

Events in Church House this year included belly dancing, a quiz and a talk by Linda Robinson MBE, founder of the local Homestart charity in Uttlesford, and for which Linda received her MBE. We had an hilarious account from Linda who

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Newport News Winter 2016

ABOVE: EnJoYInG TEa & CaKE aT sT IVEs. righT: RoYal oPERa hoUsE PURFlEET. BELOW: WICKEn FEn.

told us of her experience of receiving her MBE from Prince William. We were able to make a donation of ÂŁ70 to this wonderful local charity. We also held our annual midsummer supper in Church House this year and again made donations of ÂŁ100 each to the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit at Addenbrookes and the Meningitis Now charities in memory of our dear friend Wendy Coulson, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Most events are for ladies only but occasionally partners or family members are included, and future trips where partners will join us include theatre trips and hopefully a repeat of the guided ghost walk in Cambridge. A newsletter was recently issued listing autumn and winter events. If you have some ideas for new events or would like to join us on any event then please do get in touch. Contact Lin Stephenson

at linstephenson@btinterent.com.

You just need to register an address or email so that you can receive the newsletter and updates, then come along as little or as often as you like.

There are no membership fees, just a small charge to cover the event costs. Tickets for some events are sold in Nisa with posters displayed at the noticeboard by Bullfields. We look forward to welcoming ladies of any age who enjoy meeting others, want to learn or experience something new or just want to make new friends. NN

cLuBS & OrgANiSATiONS

Walden Bikers fiONA STrAchAN

W

alden Bikers celebrated their second anniversary on Tuesday 9 August 2016.

Mike Radcliffe, a fitness instructor based at the Lord Butler Leisure Centre, initiated the group in August 2014 with a small ad in the local press. 18 motorcycle enthusiasts attended the first meeting. The group soon moved to Newport and now has more than 300 members. Riders of all ages, bikes and abilities meet on the second Tuesday of each month, all year round, from about 6pm at The Old Kiora in Newport. You don’t even have to have a bike as lots of folks come by car, especially in the winter months.

Good quality fish and chips are available from The Village Chippy (which you can also find on Frambury Lane on Wednesday evenings). Our lovely tea ladies dish out hot drinks and home-made cake. Another stalwart of the group Mike Wheeler initiated some classy Walden Bikers’ stickers, t-shirts and other merchandise which is provided at cost by Steve Burgess and Lorna Ward of SB Printing. Activities have included a bike show organised by Roger Abbott of Saffron Motor Show fame, ride outs, a charity auction and the chance to swap bike magazines, spares and advice.

Mostly bikers just like to enjoy hanging out with other bikers.

The group’s charity is the Essex Air Ambulance. In just two years we have raised £5,625 from donations for tea and cake, the sale of raffle tickets and club merchandise. There is no cost to join or attend meetings.

“Like” the Facebook page “Walden Bikers” to join online; come along for a cuppa and bike related chat. NN saFFRon WalDEn REPoRTER

THE WALDEN BIKERS HAD THEIR SECOND ANNIVERSARY MEETING IN AuGuST WHICH ATTRACTED OVER 300 BIKERS. THEY HAVE RAISED OVER £6,000 FOR THE ESSEX AIR AMBuLANCE. Winter 2016 Newport News

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PEOPLE

Barry heaton’s photos BEN AND JOE DEBNAm

N

ewport has had its fair share of heavy snowfall over the years and our Grandpa captured many images of the village during the winter months. However, few readers may remember nearly 12 inches of snowfall back in mid-December 1981, causing a white Christmas and some heavy drifting across the surrounding countryside.

Memories at this time of year are often blurred by a few glasses of festive cheer and that particular Christmas was no exception.

Yuletide drinks at the Coach and Horses, followed by an enormous family roast lunch with all the trimmings, left our grandfather wanting a breath of fresh air. Despite the added ballast of a Christmas meal – not to mention the drifting snow, cold wind and thickening fog – off he set from our home in Bury Water Lane, towards the council yard in the direction of the chalk pit. Our mother decided to catch up and keep him company and left home ten minutes later.

She followed the footprints in the snow, which eventually led to the edge of the pit, which was not fenced off as it is today.

But there the footsteps ended and peering down the bank into the icy water she suddenly began to fear the worst. It was getting dark, the wind was beginning to bite and the fog worsening by the minute.

She searched the pit’s perimeter to no avail, then walked towards Mile End by the M11 – still no luck and no more footprints.

After nearly an hour’s searching our mother arrived home – still none the wiser as to Grandpa’s whereabouts and by this stage in a bit of a panic. That was until she walked into the sitting room to see my Grandpa sat drinking a cup of tea! It turned out that he had never gone to the pit and had taken an entirely different route. He’d been home for some time and felt much better for his short walk around the block, although the same could hardly be said for our mother! Mind you, to this day we wonder whose footprints ended suddenly at the edge of the pit. NN

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ABOVE: hEaVY snoWFall In 1970. righT: PaT hEaTon (BaRRY’s laTE WIFE anD oUR GRanDMoThER) hUGGInG a snoWMan.

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SPORT

Newport Sports Committee MIKE HANNANT

N

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.

The Sports Committee operates as a sub-committee of the Parish Council. The terms of reference are that the Committee is responsible for maintaining the playing areas and the Pavilion whilst the Parish Council are responsible for the car park, boundaries

and general areas. The Scouts, Youth Group and Croquet Clubs will all have individual leases for their buildings and, in the case of the Croquet Club, their enclosed playing area.

The main issue for The Sports Committee remains the request for Planning Permission to build 94 houses on the boundary. It is now over two years since the original application was made and, at the time of writing, Uttlesford District Council have not made a decision. The Sports Committee officially objected to the Planning Application primarily on the basis that there was no provision in the application for any additional sporting facilities and the application therefore does not comply with the Uttlesford Open Space, Sport Facility and Playing Pitch Strategy, document of January 2012. This document states that for this Planning Application the sum of £478,000 should be set

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94 Newport News Winter 2016

aside for Sport and Recreation. Plans to increase Car Parking and provide a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), on the land between the Recreation Ground and The Primary School, are on hold until a decision is reached and actual funding levels are known.

A number of Planning Applications within the village have been approved but unfortunately Uttlesford District Council have not seen fit to enact any Notices whereby developers are required to provide funding for additional village resources, such as improving The Recreation Ground and Playing Grounds, as a condition of granting planning permission.

The Parish Council are actively lobbying Uttlesford and hopefully some funds will be made available.

This was the process whereby Saffron Walden Town Council were able to assist in the funding of new changing facilities at the Herberts Farm football complex. The changing rooms at Newport are now over 20 years old and in need of refurbishment/ upgrade and this is being looked into but funding will be the key issue.

As English summers go 2016 was one of the better ones and cricket was played most Saturdays, the rounders team played on Tuesday evenings and The Croquet Club was used extensively.

Unfortunately Newport Cricket Club were unable to run a Sunday team for the 2015/16 season but one of the cricket nets was resurfaced. The playing surfaces benefitted from their annual application of fertilizer and weed killer in the spring and remain one of the best surfaces in the area.

Newport FC have formed a men’s Sunday morning football team (FC Newport) and they will play at The Recreation ground on Sunday mornings for 2016/17. Spartak FC will be using The Recreation Ground on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons and Newport FC will continue to play veterans matches on Saturday afternoons.

It is also pleasing to report that we continue to see only low levels of vandalism at the Recreation Ground and long may this continue. I am

SPORT

Croquet Club sure this is due to the installation of security cameras that have recently been extended and improved. We are grateful to the local police who send a patrol to the Recreation Ground.

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. The litter bin near to the pavilion is well used and requires emptying at least weekly by volunteers. I would like to thank those public spirited 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.

The organisations that are currently represented on the Sports Committee are: The Cricket Club, Newport Football Club, The Croquet Club, The Scouts and The Youth Club.

The executive members, who are volunteers, include Sid Brockwell, Mike Spraget (Secretary) Yogesh Bhagalia (Treasurer) and Sean Fleetwood who represents Spartak 78. The Parish Council also send a representative to meetings and this is currently Howard Bowman.

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

Ernie Turkington

Golf Section Season 2016

T

he lawns have been in excellent condition throughout the year and the strength in members continues. We have participated in the Croquet Association Open Day this year. The lawns continue to be busy on club days, Monday and Wednesday, and the Tuesday group continues to play both Golf and Association Croquet.

We have also dedicated Friday afternoons for members to play singles golf croquet and are looking forward to coaching sessions next season.

As usual there are always members at hand to assist with interpreting the rules of the game or giving coaching advice.

League The club enters two sides in the East Anglia Handicap League, Newport

Oaks and Newport Elms. Both teams play five matches each against the other clubs in their section. The first match was against each other which Oaks won. Oaks finished fourth in the league and Elms sixth.

A team was also entered into the Level Play League which was thoroughly enjoyed by those who participated. This season the team improved on last year’s results and managed a win against Bury.

In Club Tournaments There are three in club tournaments the Potters Pot, a singles tournament, Gordons Goblet, a doubles Tournament and the In-Club Tournament for the Roger Ivill Trophy. Colin Carr won the Roger Ivill Trophy beating Jim Potter in the final. John Sibson and Chris Minett won the Gordons Goblet Competition and Ernie Turkington won the Potters Pot Competition.

Events This year saw a number of Clubs and Associations making use of the club facilities and as is our usual custom several Newport players were available to encourage the visitors to get to grips with the intricacies of the game.

We look forward to another successful season next year. NN

Croquet Club Roy Darling, Tel 01799 540998 Cricket Club Chris Rix, Tel 01799 540609 Newport Football Club Mike Hannant, Tel 01799 541063 Scouts Email: JIKES@hotmail.com Brownies Cynthia Jennings, Tel 01799 541408 Youth Club Andrew Yarwood, Tel 07714 708815 Colin Carr and Jim Potter at the final of the Roger Ivill cup competition on October 13th when Colin defeated Jim 7 - 4, 7 - 5 at the Newport Croquet Club.

Winter 2016 Newport News 95

SPOrT

cricket Club ArThur POWELL & BErNiE fOX

W

hat a roller coaster of a season 2016 proved to be. For the first time in the club history, Newport CC were victorious in the final of the Boardman’s Davies Cup, beating Aythorpe Roding in the final at Bishops Stortford on 19th July.

Newport won the toss and elected to bat on a very good wicket, scoring a competitive 150 for 5 off their 20 overs. In reply, Aythorpe Roding started well but then the Newport bowlers started to take control with Adrian Baker 3 – 34, Matt Williams 3 – 35, Ben Powell 2 – 17, Billy Powell 2 – 27 Aythorpe Roding were all out for 108 in the 17th over. It was a good team performance with Newport captain Billy Powell receiving the Man of the Match award for his contribution of 58 runs and 2 wickets.

“It was a good evening for the Club and so good to see so many people from Newport coming along to show their support” It was a good evening for the Club and so good to see so many people from Newport coming along to show their support. It’s fair to say that we all enjoyed the barbecue during the match and a few celebration drinks afterwards. The trophy is now proudly on display in the White Horse Pub who have provided the post-match hospitality for the club members throughout the season.

If only this success could have

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Newport News Winter 2016

NEWPOrT cricKET cLuB TEAm AND mAScOT: WiNNErS Of ThE BOArDmANS DAViES cuP 2016. BaCK RoW: Bs PoWEll, D WooD, a BaKER, W InGhaM, M WhEElhoUsE, M WIllIaMs, T PRICE FRonT RoW: J hIll, J CUlPIn, Ba PoWEll (CaPT), a hIll. J hIll JnR

been repeated in the league. The 1st XI lost their first two games but soon recovered and started on a good winning run which saw them climb to the top of the league where they stayed until the end of July.

Unfortunately they were less successful from then on in and lost the last four games, finishing in third place, so no promotion again this year. If we are going to challenge for promotion next season we will need to strengthen the side throughout the season to achieve consistency. So if you would like to join us even if you’re only available for part of the season, please contact Arthur Powell or any other club member.

The 2nd XI had a very difficult season with many games being lost due to cancellations for various reasons mainly from the opposing teams. From the end of July they had no match for four weeks. Despite all of this, they still maintained a high degree of commitment and tremendous team spirit and good hearted banter, engineered mainly by Tim Garner and all the players on WhatsApp. Thank goodness we merged the 2nds with Rickling CC long may the relationship continue. NN

fuND rAiSiNg We managed to raise the funds to relay the outdoor net at the ground and it is now in use but we would like to see more players there on practice nights. ● We were successful in obtaining a grant from the England and Wales Cricket Board for new furniture in the clubhouse. ● The next project is to raise £1500 for the renewal of the electric scoreboard which we need to have in place by the beginning of next season. ● We are holding a Golf day on 8th October at Barkway Golf Club and a Dinner Dance with live music on 12th November at Saffron Walden Golf Club. ● THANK YOU to all the local people and businesses that have helped and supported us, without your help we would not be able to keep cricket alive in Newport. By the time you read this article it will be the festive season so we wish you all a very MERRY XMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

SPOrT

football Club SEASON 2016/17

A

s mentioned as a possibility in the last Newport News edition, we are delighted that Newport has finally managed to field a non vets adults team after a very long absence. cOLiN PiNNEr Chairman Newport The new team, is managed by Football Club Steve Howlett and assisted by Darren Pinnock plays in the Terry Read North West Essex Sunday League Division 1, and at the date of writing this article they had already secured two wins.

It has taken a long time to find people to take on the challenge of running an adult side, and we hope with the existing structure of the Club and the help and advice of our long term secretary and servant (!) Mike Hannant they will be a great success.

We would like also to field a non vets Saturday team, so if you are interested….please contact us.

Meanwhile the Club’s existing two vets sides (over 35’s & over 45’s) continue to thrive numerically and early results, show great promise for the season.

A brief history for those who may wonder how the Club ended up with two vets sides and no adult side….many years ago (over two decades!) Newport fielded a first eleven, a reserve team and a separately run Sunday side. As a number of the players insisted on playing on past traditional retirement age, they were blocking the arrival of new younger players, so it was decided we would form a veterans team, 35 plus, but vanity and stubbornness entered the debate, and we entered this side into a non vets league. This also allowed us to play one or two under 35s so we weren’t always outpaced !

The team was a great success, with players such as myself, Bruce Ingham, Ken Fox, Richard King, Kevin Banks, Trevor Woolacott and Bob Geen also joined by ex White Horse players such as Phil Brockwell and Mike Hannant to name a few! Our first game was against Sawston in the Cambs League. Promotion followed twice…(oh and a relegation).

The remaining Newport teams sadly were hit by the fall in interest of Saturday junior football, but the Vets thrived. Reality did arrive though and we joined a legitimate vets league, and when we got too old for that, we managed to find an over 45’s league!

From the original players from that Sawston game, age and competition from new 45 year old players has whittled our numbers down as active players. Most of us are nearer our pensions than 45. Mike Hannant and Phil Brockwell still play. Alan East, though of Vets age at the time of the first game, remained with the non vets side for a while and is still a registered player. I played a little last season.

One thing that doesn’t change, is the reliance of the Club on Mike Hannant, who just about does everything. We are very grateful and amazed at his patience and dedication.

Paul Schofield is the Club Treasurer and it’s great for the Club to have a high flying TV personality in the position (well he was the adjudicator on the early Lottery Results programme!).

The annual Club tour was a great success thanks again to Phil Stapleton, who is the Club’s financial investor (ie he runs the Club’s Lottery syndicate – strangely from a luxury yacht in Bermuda).

We aim to be a friendly and welcoming Club to our existing and new members. Details about joining can be found by calling

BAcK rOW LEfT TO righT: JaCK WooDCoCK, JaMIE WRIGhT, DanIEl sMITh, ChaRlIE hoBDaY, nEIl ThoRPE, sTUaRT sMITh, MIChaEl FaBoYInDE. frONT rOW LEfT TO righT: MaTT MaYnaRD, RalPh PaRKER, sTEVEn hoWlETT, ollY WooDCoCK, BRUCE laWlER, naThan PREsTon, REGan WIllIs, JIMMY IRVInG. ManaGER: DaRREn PInnoCK

(yes you guessed it…) Mike Hannant. Alternatively come along to training on a Wednesday evening at 8.30 on the Astroturf at Joyce Frankland School or to a game at the Recreation Ground.

Post match hospitality on Saturdays is provided by Jo and Jane in The White Horse and Darren pulls the pints for the Sunday team in Newport Club. Thanks to them for their support. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News

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SPOrT

Tennis Club oUR nEW ClUBhoUsE

DArEN cOLES

I

t’s been a busy summer period for the club, particularly in recent weeks with the installation of our new clubhouse/shelter which had been planned for the last 18 months.

I’d like to thank the Stansted Airport Community Trust, Nisa whose financial support helped us meet the costs and I’d like to thank the Parish Council for their support and the Gaces charity for giving us the opportunity to extend the club space on the acre and finally Margaret Bowker (sec Gaces Charity) for helping the club with access for the contractors.

The new shelter pictured has already been put to good use for our finals weekend and will I’m sure provide an excellent facility for our matches, providing shelter to juniors and parents whilst they’re being coached.

LTA Affiliation The club continues its LTA membership which provides various benefits for the club and our members. These include: club Insurance (public liability), a court booking system, entry into the yearly Wimbledon ballot, access to LTA sanctioned tournaments, ranking etc.

This summer we were given 3 pairs of tickets for the Wimbledon Championships – if you’re a BTM member it’s now time to ’opt in’ to the 2017 ballot.

Essex Small clubs League After winning the Essex Small Clubs’ premier division last summer, Newport’s men’s team have maintained their form. With 9 out of the 10 matches played so far, we are in a three club tussle for the title. With plenty of enjoyable tennis to be had over the summer months it’s been another successful season.

Team from - Sean Murphy, Daren Coles, Lewis Naughton, Emlyn

Pritchett, Paul Kent, Pete Cannon, Matthew Cave, David and Harry Stark, Ashley Morrison, Peter and Ollie Toms.

The Mixed Team managed to play all 10 summer fixtures on time thanks to the sunny weather. We won 8 convincingly against Henham, Clavering, Roydon and Harlow. Elsenham however provided much stiffer opposition. We lost narrowly to them away and then managed a draw at home. We are currently top of the league, but Elsenham might win overall if they manage to get all their matches played. Overall it’s been fun, competitive tennis with friendly people.

Those who played for the team over the summer were: Pete Toms, Daren Coles, Paul Kent, Matthew Cave, Ashley Morrison, Lewis Naughton, Pete Cannon, Emlyn Pritchett, Sean Murphy, Clare Jackson, Sue White and Serena Skerrratt.

club competitions To celebrate our new facility we recently held a finals weekend and the winners were...

President’s trophy Nick Chastney and Paul Kent beat Peter Venus and Lewis Naughton.

Junior competition Charlie Stark beat Sam Philip.

nICK ChasTnEY anD PaUl KEnT

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Newport News Winter 2016

Golden Jubilee Trophy Sean Murphy & Paul Elilio beat Sue Quick and Lewis Naughton.

coaching Coaching for both adults and children is provided by coach Ollie Toms who is a fully licensed Level 3 LTA coach (DBS checked and first aid qualified). His aim is to provide social and competitive tennis for people of all ages and abilities in a friendly and enjoyable environment.

Novice players of any age are always welcome and club membership is not needed to join a coaching programme.

A Cardio tennis session has also been added to the club schedule on Wednesdays from 2–3 pm please contact Ollie for further details Tel: 07917 652014 Email: ollie@olliestennis.co.uk Twitter: @olliestennis www.olliestennis.co.uk We look forward to welcoming everybody to our lovely village facility. NN membership rates are very reasonable Adults £40 Juniors (under 16) £12 Students over 16 and still studying £16.50 Family two adults, plus child (under 16) £92 See our website for more details https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ NewportVillageTennisclub

sEan MURPhY & PaUl ElIlIo (3RD anD 4Th FRoM lEFT) BEaT sUE qUICK anD lEWIs naUGhTon

EDiTOriAL

good moaning, Newport Dear NN I am a busy Mum and each morning I take the time to walk my children to school as a healthy alternative rather than taking the car. It frustrates me that on our route we are often forced out onto the road to dodge overgrown foliage due to unkempt hedges and trees. To make matters worse my children often run along the grass verges or grassed areas only to tread in dog mess!!! I have often read in the NN about concerns about dog mess and the appeals you have made for dog walkers to clear the mess up, please please please can you mention it again? Would you also mention the problem with the overgrown hedges and trees that are blocking pathways making it necessary for us to walk on the grass areas and then subsequently tread in the dog mess?

Thank you (name withheld)

H

ere at Good Moaning HQ much discussion and correspondence has been had with regard to dog poo. It has been mentioned frequently on this page. We have tried to encourage dog owners to walk their dogs using all the public footpaths and byways we have so closely available to all the village. It has come to our attention that dog poo is being spray painted on the countryside around us too. Whilst we would always ask that dog owners do not leave their dogs’ poo in a place that could cause a health hazard, in the countryside it is least likely to cause a nuisance, surely spray painting it is unhelpful? Having spoken to several dog walkers in the area, all have said that if their dogs poo in the middle of a footpath on a country walk they

BADgEr

BY JO cuNDALL Badger lived in Newport for all of his near 19 years from 8 weeks old and he believed he was top dog of the village as he strutted round it hopping and skipping.

He was a happy dog, obedient, disobedient, stoic, humble and he loved to be loved. Badger came everywhere with me, not because he wanted to, because I wanted him too.

The past year he started going downhill, sight loss, slight deafness and sadly this was the start of his dementia, where in his last 6 months it consumed him, he would stare at walls, walk round in circles and seem very confused. At this point he needed a lot of extra love and care.

In the end I had to make the decision to let him go, the worst decision any pet owner has to endure. RIP Badger, Oct 20 1997–May 11 2016. My best friend, my companion. NN

move it to the hedge or edge of the path/byway with a stick or by some other means. Yes, it must be bagged and disposed of if the dog has pooed on a pavement or driveway or someone else’s lawn, but why are we being chased across the countryside?

Our paths around the village are somewhat being taken over by overhanging trees and overgrown hedges. We assume this is the responsibility of the property owners? If not, who is responsible and who should be contacted?

Won’t it be interesting to see what happens to the newly laid tarmac on School Lane and Bury Water Lane once they are shut once again for refurbishments and improvements? Will the roads be taken up and laid again? We will be watching. NN

Editor: Please see the article on page 20 regarding dog poo. It is only sprayed pink when on public footpaths and is likely to be stepped in.

Please let us know if you have something you feel could be mentioned in the next edition of Good Moaning, newport.

If you have any minor or major irritations concerning the village, please write in & express your thoughts, opinions or 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: editorial@newportnews.org.uk

NewportNews DO YOU HAVE SOME SPARE TIME? Want to get involved in our award-winning magazine?

We are always looking for people to help with the production of ‘Newport News’. Budding writers, photographers, financial experts or in particular anyone who can help with advertising. This involves simply ringing a handful of our existing advertisers twice a year and taking any instructions.

If you would like to get involved talk to one of the team or contact John Gordon on 01799 542 090 or email: john@newportnews.org.uk

Winter 2016 Newport News

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EDucATiON

Newport Primary School

BELOW: sUMMER 2016 & sUMMER 1986

PhoTo: TEMPEsT

ABOVE BAcK rOW: l-R a WIllIs, a nElson, l YaRWooD, J RIsK, P KIDManBRoWn, J PIGG, M TollERTon, C FRanKs, a MaYo, h CREasY, l hoWE, l ZIJDEnBos , h WIllIaM-PoWlETT, W GIlBanK, l aDaMs, M GIlBanK, M BaRKER, h BoWEn, K lEE, a hUnTER, l WIlKInson, I hUlZTER, a sTonE, h lInDsEll, G aYTon, C DoRBIn, C MaYo, T WhEElER 5Th rOW: G hollIDGE, s GalDo, T sTERlInG-hEnDRICKs, D MInChIn, l MoRGan, M sUMMERlEE, l WanT, E KnIGhT, a PaTEl, a EManUEl, l CaVE, R sMITh, K WEEKlY, M KITChEnER, M BhaGalIa, h CoaTEs, E hoWaRD, W CUllY, a hUGhEs, C saVaGE, K hoWlETT, T WaTERs, K sERER, o ClaRK, E WIllIs, E sTonE, a BaRns 4Th rOW: E TonG, a lEE, G KnIGhT, E sMITh, M saVIllE, E BooTh, T hasElDEn, l GoRDon, R shERWIn, F lE MonD, h GIlBanK, C WIllIaMs, l MoRGan, UnnaMED, R BolDEn, F BaRKER, C sTaRKE, B loDGE, a PIGG, E hall, h PRICE, W MInChIn, P TollERTon, D CooK, C ToDD-WICKEns, F lE MonD, h soWTER, W BaTEs 3rD rOW: E MInERs, I shERWIn, B MaRTIn, h BUTChER, I EManUEl, K CRoUChER, C BoWEn, J MooRE, o WhEElER, E PREsTon, D BRaCKsTonE, M PaYnTER, I MaYo, l WIllIaMs, h WIlson, K RoKEBY-hoolE, l MooRE, E MURPhY, R allEn, I CoTTon, M WoRRoD, M BRoWn, T TonG, V TonG, n aMoa-saKYI, R MoZDEn, C GoRDon 2ND rOW: T GalDo, C PoUlTER, D PETTY, s BannInGTon, h saVIllE, l PEREIRa, J WaTERs, C CaRTER, o sIMs, B WEEKlY, a saMMons, M MooRE, F KEllY, UnnaMED, a BolDEn, n WanT, a sUllIVan, J TUMElTY, M BRannan-sMITh, o KaPalKa, M PRITChETT, P hollIDGE, B saVIllE, h KEllY, G CUllY, s BUTChER, J PRETTY, a PETTY 1ST rOW: R PURCEll, n CRaCKnEll, l MCKEE, a MERRInGTon, l BaRKER, T RIsK, B hollIs SEATED: E FRasER, K hoWlETT, B JollEY, C BRooKs, R ZIJDEnBos, a nash, s ElVE, J BoWEn, o nEWnhaM, T sMITh, E nIChols, s lEsTER, a WooD, R sMITh, a MCCaRThY, s WIlson, s EllIs, a loVE, E WIllIaMs, E WaDDInGTon, T ManGan, a RoWlEs, M KaPalKa FRonT: l MIllER, M MERRInGTon, J MooRE, a EDWaRDs, M CaRTER, s FaZZanI, E RoaCh, C BooTh, a WhITE , G WIlson, R FRasER, R MaThaIs, T BaTEs, n PREsTon, M CoTTon, R BRaCKsTonE, R sIMs, E BEnson, D CRoUChER, I WElls, a sMITh, E BRanD, B shERWIn, l CRoWThER, C RUTTER

BuiLDiNg WOrK We have a new Early Years Foundation Stage classroom, have refurbished an existing classroom and have a staffroom CRanE extension.

VIEW FRoM In the Spring of this year building works commenced at the school. Working alongside Chartered Surveyors, Wilby & Burnett from Saffron Walden and main contractors, Associated Installations from Dagenham the school embarked on a 16 week build programme with a contract value of £453,066 funded by Essex County Council.

With Health and Safety of pupils, parents and staff being paramount, the school created a temporary 100

Newport News Winter 2016

entrance and exit for pupils with the main entrance being hoarded off for visitors.

Internally, the works were separated from the school to maintain security and safety with the contractor liaising closely with school staff each day.

Children and adults watched as the foundations were poured and the building quickly began to take shape. A very wet spring initially hampered progress but this was quickly returned to programme. There was a stir of excitement when a crane arrived to lift the roof steels into place!

The brand new Early Years classroom, refurbished Year 2 classroom and staffroom extension was handed over on time, on budget and to specification all ready for the new Reception class pupils to commence their formal learning journey in September.

Year r

hArVEST fESTiVAL

A packed hall of parents and pupils celebrated Harvest Festival led by Reverend Neil McLeod. The school had asked for donations of nonperishable goods to go to uttlesford Foodbank. The foodbank provides emergency assistance to residents in uttlesford who, for whatever reason, are unable to purchase food for themselves and their dependents. Parents, pupils and staff responded with 158 kilos of supplies which were very gratefully received. Since opening, the foodbank has given food to over 103 individuals and Newport Primary School are very proud to support this worthy cause.

ArT DAY

The whole school enjoyed a day of art at the beginning of the Autumn term with a focus on collage. using different techniques; the children created displays for the communal areas based on their Autumn term topics.

Year r chose The Hungry Caterpillar for their display glueing, sticking and making shapes.

Year 1 looked at houses – different types and styles and they used different materials, colour shading and created layers for visual effect.

Year 2 topic for this term is ‘under the Sea’ so they created a watery, fishy display.

Year 3 studied the Stone Age. They researched ideas and, taking inspiration from cave paintings,created a collage by making their own paper and adding art using pastels and charcoal.

Year 4 are looking at Romans. They researched and designed their own mosaics, weaving coloured paper to make intricate patterns.

Year 5 looked at Space and produced planet like artwork using coloured tissue paper.

Year 6 looked at the story of King Midas and used a range of collage techniques including quilling and embellishing to produce pictures linked to the story. NN

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Winter 2016 Newport News

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PEOPLE

Voices of Newport SuSAN VANcE

‘Voices of Newport’ is a series of interviews with people who were either born and bred in the village, or who have been long-term residents here. They tell us about their lives, their families, their experiences and the changes they have seen growing up here in Newport.

Megan Saville

o

nce again we hear from someone who has lived most of her life in Newport. Megan Saville was born in Clavering in 1925 and came to live in the village when she was just six years old. She has in fact a very special claim to fame because she has lived continuously in the same house in Newport for 85 years. We wonder if there is any other villager who could challenge this record? megan: From my name Megan and the name of my house Nolton Cottage you might guess that I have Welsh connections. In fact my Mother Gwendolyn came from Bridgend in Wales. unfortunately her parents died when she was young so she left Wales and so never learned to speak Welsh. My initials are G M Saville, as

nolTon CoTTaGE 2016, WITh sYMBol sTIll shoWInG sIR FooT-MITChEll’s InITIals

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Newport News Winter 2016

GWEnDolYn ChEshaM – MEGan’s MoThER

my full name is Gwenda Megan, though everyone knows me as Megan. I wasn’t born in Newport but not far away in Clavering where my Father, William Chesham came from. He worked as a secretary in the Officers’ Mess at Debden Aerodrome. One thing I do remember is how difficult it was for him to get to work in the winter when it snowed. Debden Road would be completely impassable and he would then have to go into Walden and get to the Airfield that way.

I well remember as kids sledging down the hills by the Meads near Debden Road. We don’t seem to have those sorts of harsh winters these days – thank goodness! My parents bought Nolton Cottage in 1931. It was my Mother who renamed the cottage to remind her of her Welsh roots. The cottage had been built in 1914 and Sir William Foot Mitchell from Quendon Hall who was MP for Saffron Walden in the 1920s had owned the land. I believe Quendon Hall used to own a lot of property in Newport.

I was one of four children and the only daughter. My three brothers were Lewis, Gordon and George and I had a very happy childhood and was very close to my

WIllIaM ChEshaM – MEGan’s FaThER

parents. After I married my husband, Albert George Saville, always known as Sammy, we continued to live here at Nolton Cottage.

That would be in 1956 here in the church in Newport. After we were married, we had made an offer to buy a cottage on the other side of the main road but on this particular Sunday our future plans were shattered.

MEGan anD saMMY VIsITInG nolTon In WalEs

ThE WEDDInG oF MEGan anD saMMY 1956 aT sT MaRY ThE VIRGIn nEWPoRT BELOW: MEGan WITh hER son ColIn as a BaBY

PEOPLE

Residents for Uttlesford

Newport’s

love where you live

District Councillors

Every weekend we went for tea at Sammy’s parents and on this particular day someone was waiting for us at the garden gate when we got back. I knew something was wrong and when I heard the news I was so shocked.

After we had gone out earlier, my Mother had sat down in her usual chair in the corner and she just never woke up. For her to die at 72 was very upsetting for all of us and of course after that my Father asked us to stay which we did and we looked after him till he died in his mid 80s. So we never bought the other cottage and instead I have now lived here for over 85 years.

I started school in Clavering but then came here to Newport Primary and then went to the Girls School in South Road in Saffron Walden. I didn’t really understand why my Father sent me there but I suppose having three brothers around me all the time perhaps he thought it would be good for me to have the opportunity to mix with girls.

I used to bike there. When I left school at 14 I went to work for the flourmill at Audley End. Holland’s Mill it was called and my job was to bag up the flour. Later I went to work at the Co-op here in Newport where the Indian restaurant is today. Of course working there was very easy for me. Took me no longer than five minutes to get there. I was there till I retired at 60. I would like to have carried on and you can now but in those days women had to take retirement at 60.

Cllr Neil Hargreaves and Cllr Joanna Parry are Newport’s two District Councillors.

They represent everyone in the Newport ward at the district council, and work with fellow councillors of all parties.

Please contact them if you need help with any council matters.

Neil Hargreaves 07854 687748 Joanna Parry 07905 103174

In the war my three brothers were in the services. Funny to think that one was in the British army, one in the RAF and the other in the Royal Navy. So all three services and luckily they all came home safely.

I always loved dancing, still do but at 91 I can no longer foxtrot.

The Foxtrot was my favourite dance. I used to go to dances in Saffron Walden almost every week and that was how I met Sammy. He was a carpenter and worked for Rattee and Kett. He worked all over the area - Harlow, the Cambridge Colleges and ended up working at Addenbrookes Hospital. He hung many of the doors there.

And of course we never had to have any workmen in the house as Sammy did everything here and loved his garden. That has been a great change in my life since I lost him. I like to keep everything in good order so now I have help in the garden and the house and have found tradesmen to do odd jobs for me here at Nolton Cottage.

We were married for almost 59 years and for as long as we were

cllrhargreaves@uttlesford.gov.uk cllrparry@uttlesford.gov.uk

www.Residents4U.org

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Winter 2016 Newport News

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saMMY MEGan anD ThEIR son ColIn on nEW YEaR’s EVE In aUsTRIa In 1992 BELOW: soME oF MEGan’s FaVoURITE PEnGUIns

PEOPLE

when I came to live here and people go out to work more and work away from the area but I have enjoyed living in the village and I like my house. I am very comfortable here.

I had first met Megan many years ago when I was a regular customer at the Co-op where she worked. It was therefore very interesting to find out more about her and her family and to visit her delightful home in the centre of the village with its lovely cottage garden.

Megan has been very enthusiastic and I would like to thank her for all her help in writing this article for Voices of Newport Newport. NN able, we used to go dancing twice a week. We took Ballroom dancing lessons in Bishop’s Stortford and also went dancing in Cambridge, Saffron Walden, Clavering, all over. We just loved it. In 1959 our son Colin was born and I don’t know what I would do without him. He visits me regularly and always keeps an eye on me. I go and stay with him and I love seeing my three grandsons, William, Henry and Theo.

They are big boys now but it is lovely having a family. I am very lucky and I also have good neighbours. But I find being alone difficult.

I lost my parents long ago. My brothers have all gone and when Sammy went nearly two years ago I realised then what it is like to be lonely. Loneliness is a very difficult thing. But I have my memories. Apart from going dancing Sammy and I went on lots

of holidays. We went to Portugal, Austria, and lots of different countries. We both loved travelling.

You might think it funny me having penguins all round my room but I’m just fascinated by penguins. I watch any programme I can about them. I particularly like they way they walk.

They waddle along.

They are very funny. I suppose I would love to have been an explorer really then I would have been able to visit the Antarctic to see them.

Newport is a much bigger village than

ExTRaCT FRoM ThE aRTIClE on nolTon CoTTaGE 1989 BY John GoRDon, ‘nEWPoRT nEWs’

FIREWORKS ALL THE YEAR ROUND

✱ PARTIES ✱ WEDDINGS ✱ BIRTHDAYS ✱ CONCERTS TEL: (01223) 264563 FAX: (01799) 541415 6, Wicken Road, Newport, Essex, CB11 3QG

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Newport News Winter 2016

hiSTOrY

chalk farm Quarry

a MassEY FERGUson TRaCToR DRaWInG DIsC haRRoWs To loosEn ThE ChalK, PhoToGRaPhED aRoUnD 1990.

BELOW: Ron FREnCh

rON frENch

M

y grandfather, C.W. French, bought Chalk Farm (previously called Jubilee Cottage), with 55 acres of land, in 1921. He purchased it from the Rt Hon the Baroness Strathcona (then owner of Debden Hall and estate) and the price he paid was £1,300.

Chalk Farm Quarry, or the Chalk Pit as it was always called, was in use many years before the current excavations.

In the 19th century or possibly earlier there were small workings when lime was used for building and decorating purposes as well as for agriculture.

On the site there used to be a lime kiln.

Chalk and combustible material (wood or coal) was put into the kiln in layers and fired. After some time, probably several days, the chalk had broken down to a fine powder, i.e. lime. When mixed with water this produced lime wash or distemper.

The lime was extracted from the bottom of the kiln and taken up for use. The area around the base, being underground, was ideal for storing potatoes as the temperature was constant.

In the early 1950s my father, who had taken over the farm after his father died in the 1930s, engaged a consultant to examine the area to determine its geology. This was obviously favourable,

as the ground was leased to Thomas Moy Ltd in 1954. Very large earth-moving equipment was used to remove the soil from the surface so that the chalk could be chopped using disc harrows. The chopped chalk was scraped by tractordrawn scrapers to a conveyor, where it was filtered to remove flints and large particles before being conveyed to the stockpile. It was then loaded onto lorries for delivery to fields all over Essex and the surrounding counties. In the early days all lorries had to be weighed on the weigh bridge at the entry/exit of the quarry. I remember the equipment, which was huge and had two engines, the smaller one being used to start the main engine.

A new lease was agreed in 1977 with Leicester Lime Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Needham Chalks Ltd., and in 1985 the lease was assigned to Needham Chalks. In 1990 after some investigations and

allIsTER EaDY aT ThE ConTRols oF a John DEERE MaChInE WITh an ElEVaToR/sCRaPER WhICh CoUlD TaKE EIGhT Tons oF ChalK aT a TIME. righT: allIsTER EaDY, snaPPED ‘on ThE JoB’ aRoUnD 1990.

family discussions, the Quarry was sold to Needham Chalks, who are the current owners.

One of the stalwarts of the chalk pit was Allister Eady, who was Manager of the quarry for many years, often working on his own (which would not be allowed these days, as he was using heavy machinery). (See Newport News for June 1980 (no.

13), page 77, for Janie Watson’s article “A Slice of Hillside”.)

There used to be many lorries passing Chalk Farm which created a lot of dust, and I remember this made my mother’s life more difficult. This continued until a new access was made from the Widdington road alongside the railway line to the site in 1993.

A new area of field next to the old workings was uncovered around two years ago, but I understand this is not quite as good due to a number of soil pockets. However there is potential for many more years of extraction if required. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News

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cOmmuNiTY

Neighbourhood Watch fraud and scams – ‘Take five’ campaign

ALAN JOhNSON & DErricK giffiN NEWPOrT NhW ViLLAgE cO-OrDiNATOrS

Police update The Police and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst was appointed in May and within the first few months in post, he set out his priorities. He emphasised that he wanted the citizens of Essex to comment on these priorities before committing to a Policing Plan for the next four years. His priorities were: • More local, visible and accessible policing.

• Crack down on anti-social behaviour.

• Be tough on domestic abuse.

• Reverse the trend in serious violence.

• Tackle gangs and organised crime.

• Protect children and vulnerable people from harm.

• Improve safety on our roads.

We must now await (at the time of writing) for this Plan to emerge, but many will welcome the commitment on the first two priorities; more visible policing and tackling anti-social behaviour.

But we are bound to question how these will have achieved after the savage cuts in policing numbers which have significantly impacted on a low (but not a NO) crime area such as Uttlesford.

The officers, known as the Community Policing Team, will at be based in Saffron Walden when they move into the new Police Station in The Lodge within the Council offices in London Road.

So let’s see what happens in 2017, but one thing is certain – the job that Neighbourhood Watch does will be more important than ever.

New telephone number for power cuts We’re all familiar with the 999 Emergency phone number, as well as 101 for non-emergency contact with the police and 111 for non-emergency medical help. We now have a new number 105 that enables you to report and find information when there is a power failure (cut) to your home. This will connect you directly with UK Power Networks who are responsible for the cables and wires to your home (although you pay for the electricity you use from a choice of electric supply companies (British Gas, EDF, Eon, etc) and it is these companies that bill the customer for the energy they use).

UK Power Networks also operate a Priority Services Register for customers with special needs (and this includes those of pensionable age and those with children under five in their household). You can read more about these services using the link: http://bit.ly/1c3CkOO and please add 105 to your Newport Information booklet you received earlier this year.

106

Newport News Winter 2016

Neighbourhood Watch is supporting the launch of a major new campaign designed to tackle financial fraud.

The campaign ‘Take Five’ aims to put consumers and businesses back in control with straight-forward advice to help prevent financial fraud and encourage people to take a moment.

It is designed to remind people that it pays to “stop and think”.

Take Five is the first national campaign to be backed by all the major banks and other financial service providers across the UK. A spokesperson for the banks said “The industry is already taking action on fraud, last year our members stopped £7 in every £10 of fraud taking place. However, we know that criminals are getting increasingly sophisticated in their tactics and that’s why we are launching Take Five. We want everyone to take a moment to pause and think to help stop fraud.”

The campaign is asking everyone to help protect themselves from financial fraud by remembering some simple advice: 1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full password – it’s never okay to reveal these details.

2. Don’t assume an email request or caller is genuine – people aren’t always who they say they are.

3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine bank or organisation won’t mind waiting to give you time to stop and think.

4. Listen to your instincts – if something feels wrong then it is usually right to pause and question it.

5. Stay in control – have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for information.

Keep up-to-date There are ways in which we can be even stronger, and these involve better ways of keeping in touch.

• Weekly NhW Bulletin – simply complete the form below and return it to us. You can also apply online by visiting our website www.uttlesfordnhw.org.uk/joinstart.html • You can also sign up for Essex Community Messaging (ECM). This is a messaging system offered by Essex Police and you can apply through this link on the website www.essex.police.uk/contact_us/community_messaging.aspx for more information please speak to your co-ordinator or call Alan on 01799 543153. i want to receive weekly NhW bulletins (by email) Name: Address:

Postcode: Phone: Email: Details are in held in accordance with the Data Protection Act and are not passed to third parties. Please tick box to agree permission to pass your details to your local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and add these to the NWN database.

Please return to: Alan Johnson, 4 Tenterfields, Newport, Saffron Walden, CB11 3uW, or email: nhw@acjohnson4.plus.com

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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

Winter 2016 Newport News 107

PEOPLE

Calling all Jan’s mums JEREMY ROSE

N

ewport’s retired community midwife, Jan Menell, has written and published her first novel, Waiting for Charlie, about rural life and village affairs during her time in Littlebury Green.

Her editorial debut tells how Maggie Edwards, a midwife, and her boyfriend, Robert Groves escape to the country to experience the challenges of rural life, encouraged by their elderly neighbour, Charlie Watt.

Maggie, despite her sadness following several miscarriages, continues to teach for the NCT, and pursue

her midwifery career. The story is enhanced by their involvement in village activities. The ominous arrival of hare coursers and a spate of burglaries affect the whole community.

Eventually Maggie rejoices in pregnancy again, but her delight is mixed as Charlie Watt is slow to recover from a fall – a matter of concern to everyone…

Well known author Rosanna Ley (best-selling author of Last Dance in Havana and The Saffron Trail) says: “A charming story of a village community full of action, intrigue and emotion.

Jan Menell has used her experiences as a working midwife to inform this tale,

and her observational skills, to cleverly depict the lives and personalities of the colourful characters living in the village.”

Jan now lives with her two dogs, two miniature donkeys and fifty plus chickens. She has had a menagerie of animals, gifted or found, in need of homing and tolerated by her late husband. Jan has been a parish and district councillor for over forty years since moving to her village and still teaches for the federation of antenatal teachers. NN

l To order a book (£8.99 paperback or £18.99 hardback), with free delivery, contact Tricia Rose, with payment details: Milton Publishing, 23 Bowker Close, London Road, Newport, Essex CB11 3BQ or order on-line at: www.miltonpublishing.co.uk

NewportNews DO YOU HAVE SOME SPARE TIME? Want to get involved in our award-winning magazine?

We are always looking for people to help with the production of ‘Newport News’. Budding writers, photographers, financial experts or in particular anyone who can help with advertising. This involves simply ringing a handful of our existing advertisers twice a year and taking any instructions.

If you would like to get involved talk to one of the team or contact John Gordon on 01799 542 090 or email: john@newportnews.org.uk

108 Newport News Winter 2016

FOR BOOKINGS

Please contact Camilla Brackstone

Email: camillalloyd@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: 07949 639 114

church

St mary’s uPDATE rEVD NEiL mcLEOD

A

s I write this article it is just over four and a half years since I was licensed as Priest-in-Charge at St Mary’s Church here in Newport. I can still remember the service so clearly, and I remember the vast number of people that were there to welcome me. It was amazing! I stood by the door for ages shaking hands with people as they either left or came to speak with me. Prior to moving here I had only ever driven through Newport twice; travelling to and from St Mark’s College at Audley End. That was for a weekend in which myself and several others walked through what would happen on our selection conference for ministry.

Little did I know then that God would

bring me back to just down the road.

Yet I love living in Newport. It is such a lovely community, and for me it is easy to get onto the M11 either northbound at Duxford or southbound at Bishops Stortford. There’s even a train service into London which means I now enjoy days out in London being a tourist rather than a commuter. I realise that the make-up of the village is changing, and will possibly change even more as new planning applications for housing is put in place but who wouldn’t want to live here. It is great!

We have two fantastic schools both of which I am involved with – a governor at the primary school and I hold a lunch club at the academy, and Oliver’s Lodge nursery.

We have two good pubs, both of which I have enjoyed personally, although I have yet to make it to The Newport Club. Our shop & post office is a great little store which I often nip into, as is the chemist next door. The Radhuni indian restaurant is a favourite of mine and of people who come to see me, and don’t even get me started on Dorrington’s cakes. Then there is Roz & Roger’s garden centre from which I have got some lovely flowers for different occasions. Yet all of this is just scratching the surface for there are

parts of the village with which I have had no engagement: the Bowls Club, the Youth Centre, the Fire Station, the hairdressers & barbers. There are also groups that operate in the village like the scouts & guides which we’ll be seeing again on Remembrance Sunday, and the Art Group to name just a few. We also have a very good Parish Council; indeed Andrew is one of those who welcomed me at my licensing service.

You can hopefully see why Newport is such a fantastic place to live. Well I would like to celebrate that! Next year I am proposing that we hold a service in the church to celebrate the village of Newport, and I would like as many different parts of the village to be represented. I can see so many possibilities: a display from the Art Group, a display from the primary school, a song from the academy choir and so much more. I would love it if organisations & businesses got in contact with me via email on mcleod444@btinternet. com to sign up to be a part of the celebration.

I haven’t got a date as yet so look for further information to come out from the church.

Newport isn’t just a place; it’s the people as well. I invite the people to come together to celebrate the great village of Newport where we live & work. NN

OBiTuAriES

charlie frederick Bennett 1921 – 2016 DArrEN PiNNOcK

C

harlie was born in Highbury on the 1st of September 1921 and was one of seven children. He joined the army at the outbreak of WW2 and served in many countries during the conflict. He met Chico Chandler, who was later to become his brother-in-law, and they formed a great friendship which carried on through the many years that followed.

He was a VERY committed family man and would always send money back to his mum whenever he could during the war - family was always very important to Charlie as all his relatives will bear out.

Following the war he married his sweetheart Rosie in August 1947, who sadly passed away in November 1998.

They had two children, Brenda and Brian. After Charlie retired from his job as a manager at Rentokil, after 23 years of service, Rosie and Charlie moved to Cherry Garden Lane, Newport, and they loved the village life. They soon joined the Newport Club, where Charlie became a committee man and a life member. He also joined the local British Legion and was always present on Remembrance Day

at the church, alongside Brian Pavitt.

Charlie had a massive amount of compassion towards others and helped so many in the village during his time here, including Reg Dutton, Harry Camp and Phil Cooper to name but a few. He had so many friends in the village and most have a story about Charlie. He was heavily involved with several football teams including being the Chairman of Newport Side Pacific for five years.

Charlie had several interests, he was a lifelong Arsenal supporter, he loved his fishing and had a collection of Bell’s collectable whiskies that were the envy of many! He also loved a bet on the horses, a pint and a glass of scotch (Canadian club was a favourite). After Rosie’s death he spent more time out and about as he felt lonely at home; it was now that he started a card school with Phil Hunnings, Colin Baker and others, more to get him out of the house than for financial gain!

When his health deteriorated in 2014, it was decided he should move to Kent to be nearer to his daughter Brenda and her husband Dave, who did much for him to keep him as happy as he could be.

He enjoyed some lovely days out with them, returning to Newport regularly

and to see his sister Hetty, who still lives in Rickling. Charlie also stayed quite often with his son Brian, and always loved being surrounded by family.

He will be so sorely missed by his two chidren, ten grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren and the vast army of people who knew Charlie as a staunch friend.

You will be missed, my friend. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News

109

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Newport News Winter 2016

OBiTuAriES

gordon Kenneth Wheeler 1923 – 2016

G

ordon was born in Elephant Green, Newport, to Winifred & Sidney Wheeler on 13th November 1923, a true Newport lad.

He went to the village school at the junction of Wicken Road and School Lane, leaving when he was 14 to work as an errand boy for Mr Saggers, the grocer. His best friends at that time were Jimmy Clarke and Basil Johns.

The Second World War came, and at 18 years old, in 1941, Gordon joined the Essex Regiment. After training at Brentwood Barracks, he was posted to North Africa.

The troop ship that he sailed on, however, was torpedoed in the Mediterranean. He was rescued and sent to Gibraltar, where he served for some months before being dispatched to Italy, where he took part in the invasion and fought at the battle of Monte Cassino. There he was captured and sent to Germany as a prisoner-of-war.

Eventually he was released by the Canadian Army and returned to England.

He was next posted to Holland, where he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Whilst in Holland he met a young Dutch girl called Geertruida (Trudy) Van Der Linden who was working as a nurse in the army camp medical centre, and they fell in love.

After the war, Trudy came to Newport and they were married here in St Mary’s Church in 1947. They set up home at first in Wicken Road, later moving to Gace’s Acre, where they lived all of their married life together. They had one son, Michael, who was born in 1949. The family enjoyed many good holidays back in Holland.

Gordon had a number of different jobs. He was a farm worker, a newsagent and a baker’s roundsman, but his prize job was working at Stansted Airport. He worked for Aviation Traders Engineering Ltd in the service hangars, helping to maintain passenger aircraft. He did this until 1983, when he retired.

Gordon was also the Scout and Cub Leader of the 1st Newport Scout Troop from 1962 to the mid 1980s. His son Michael says that he stepped in as leader originally to stop the troop from folding, but it became his greatest passion in life and he was known to many Newport

boys as Skip.

Sometimes they camped in Shortgrove.

Gordon liked everything to do with the military and aircraft.

He would take Michael to watch Spitfires taking off from RAF Debden, and he loved to go to the Duxford Airshow.

After his retirement Gordon spent many years caring for his wife Trudy, who sadly died in 2008, aged 82. Gordon continued on his own until 2015, when it became too difficult for him to live alone.

He then moved to Humfrey Lodge in Thaxted until he died on 29th April 2016 at the age of 92. His friendly face will long be remembered in Newport. NN

gOrDON WhEELEr

BY SuSAN VANcE I first met Gordon when I interviewed him as part of the Voices of Newport project. He fitted the bill perfectly having been born and bred in the village and apart from the war period, had spent his life living and often working in Newport itself.

He was so enthusiastic and so helpful, supplying me with lots of fascinating information and photos for the article. It really was a delight to work with him. When the article was published he rang to thank me and to say how happy he was to see his life story in print. For his was also a love story with his beloved wife Trudy.

But my abiding memory of Gordon will be the look on his face when I gave him a copy of a photograph taken in 1914 of his Granny Wheeler with her family outside Ringers Cottage, kindly supplied by Linda and Simon Bush the then owners. His excitement and happiness were palpable.

I was very sorry to hear of Gordon’s death but very glad that I had had the pleasure of getting to know such a truly nice gentleman. NN

OBiTuAriES

Keith ingham 1950 – 2016 WiLL iNghAm

N

ewport always had a special place in Keith’s heart. He was born in Devon on 21 October 1950. He moved to Newport as a young boy when his dad, Bill Ingham, was appointed Head of the Primary School and moved to the village with his wife Rose. The family lived for many years in the School House in Wicken Road and Keith could often be found practising his football skills in the Primary School playground. He was one of five children.

He had an older sister, Denise, and was big brother to Bruce, Lorraine and Roy. Keith attended Newport Grammar School and excelled at many subjects

including maths and sport. His was a very familiar face around the village, with holiday jobs including delivering the post and working at the Nursery. His gift with maths led him to pursue a successful career in accountancy until he retired in 2013 through ill health.

Keith loved playing for the local football team, where he was well known for his team spirit, scoring goals and celebrating wins and losses with enthusiasm in The Star & Garter. He also played hockey for Saffron Walden.

Keith married Lesley after meeting her at his dad’s school, where she was doing her teaching practice. They lived in Wales and then returned to Essex, settling first in Manuden and then back in Newport with their two children Will and Charlotte, who both also attended Newport Free Grammar School. Keith was a very active ‘touchline dad’, supporting Will in all of his sports, and regularly turned his hand to making the Newport cricket team teas.

Later in his life Keith moved to

Arthur Butler 1937 – 2016

A

rthur Butler was born on September the 24th 1937 in Chelsea, London. He was the son of Charles Hubert Archibald Butler and his mother was Johanna Pemberton Jackson.

He was educated at Summerfields Prep School and Eton College, where he was a cox in the Eton rowing Eight.

In 1955-1957 he did National Service in the 17th and 23rd Lancers and achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

He was nearly called to fight over the Suez Crisis in 1956 which would have been the 1st Oil war but the conflict de-escalated before it came about.

Arthur went to Cirencester between 1957 and 1959 where he qualified as a chartered Surveyor and where he formed the Jazz band the Aristocats

Bishop’s Stortford to be close to Will and Charlotte and his two grandchildren, Thomas and Joseph, but still returned to Newport to have a drink at the Working Men’s Club or White Horse.

Keith passed away at Princess Alexandra hospital, surrounded by his family, on 24th April this year.

And so Keith ends his journey back here in Newport, the village which has meant so much to him over the years. He is buried in Newport, alongside his mum, dad, sister Den and brother Bruce. NN

aRThUR BUTlER WITh hIs TWo GRanDChIlDREn, Dan anD alICE WooDs

of which he was the drummer.

They played at many parties in London and it was one of his main passions throughout his life.

In the early 60s he joined his father’s stockbrocking firm ‘Mitten and Butler’ founded in 1932 and he became junior partner. In 1968 he married Anne Mary Claire Churchward by whom he had three children, Edward, Juliet and Harriet. In 1969 his father Charles Butler handed down Shortgrove Estate, which he succesfully farmed for about 50 years.

One of his main passions was pheasant shooting and he ran a shoot at Shortgrove for 45 years. He also hosted a local cricket team called the Flycatchers for matches at Rickling Green and was a good opening batsman.

He met Susan Hobaday in 1985 and had many happy years with her spent between London which he loved and Shortgrove.

Arthur was a very kind, generous man and he will be greatly missed by his many friends and family and is survived buy his second wife Susie, 3 children, 3 stepchildren, 2 grandchildren and 7 step-grandchildren. NN

Winter 2016 Newport News

111

OBiTuAriES

ChURCh hoUsE nEWPoRT

Patricia (Pat) Wawn, D.L. 1924 – 2016

aVaIlaBlE FoR hIRE Ideal for Meetings Parties & Club activities Contact Yvonne hannant 01799 541063 hannants@aol.com for availability & rates

IN PICTURE FRAMERS

TELEPHONE

01799 540833 112

Newport News Winter 2016

FRAME

for a Friendly Reliable Service

P

at Wawn was born on 30 June 1924 in Essex, and lived in the county all her life. Moving to Quendon in 1966, she was a member of Saffron Walden Rural District Council from 1970, representing Quendon and Rickling. She was then elected to the newly established Uttlesford District Council in 1974, with an enlarged constituency that included Widdington.

After losing the seat by 9 votes in 1976, Pat joined Essex County Council in 1977, representing the Stansted Division that included Newport and Clavering. Up until her retirement from the County Council in 1989, she served as Chairman of Libraries, Museums and Records and the Countryside and Conservation Sub-Committee.

She also served on the numerous committees such as Education, Planning and Social Services. In addition she also represented ECC on the Stansted Airport Consultative Committee, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and Hatfield Forest.

It was during her chairmanship of the Countryside and Conservation Committee that she worked tirelessly on the preservation of footpaths, ancient woodland and historical homes and barns. When she retired from ECC in 1989, her energy was channelled towards the launch of the Essex Heritage Trust in 1990. In recognition of her work, she was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Essex in 1996.

She was appointed Governor of Newport Free Grammar School

in 1978, and in 2004 the Wawn Pavilion was named in her honour as thanks for her efforts in enabling the joint venture between the school and Saffron Walden Hockey Club to fund the astro turf hockey pitches.

During her later days, she still had time to devote to the Saffron Walden Library and Museum, and remained a Governor of Rickling Primary School until 2006, when she stood down after 35 years.

Pat is survived by her two children, Christopher and Susan, who still call the area home. 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.

DirEcTOrY

Newport directory Clubs, organisations and services in alphabetical order PLEASE TELL uS Of ANY chANgES TO ThE DirEcTOrY: JOHN OSWIN SMITH (541498) BERENICE SMITH (541498) SALLEY ANN YATES (541609) ADAS (Alcohol & Drugs Advisory Service): Free information, help & advice, ring Harlow (01279) 438716. One-to-one counselling & Group Work offered at Harlow.

Counselling/play therapy for users’ children also available in Harlow. Email: admin@ adasuk.org www.adasuk.org Age uK Essex: Advice & Information Service (01245 346106) on most matters concerning older people, e.g. residential care, housing, benefit payments. Mobile toenail cutting service (01245 423333). Advocacy service for hospital patients in several hospitals, including Princess Alexandra, Herts & Essex, and Saffron Walden Community (01279 641930), also in community at large.

Commercial services include insurance, Aid Call, funeral plans, energy services, legal services, independent financial advice & holidays (01245 264499).

Paid help with housework & shopping (01279 454304). www.ageconcernessex.co.uk Allotments: Don Alexander (540133).

Rental from October 2015. £24 pa for a full plot, £12 for a half plot.

Alzheimer’s Society, Dunmow office Services throughout uttlesford. Free help and support for people with dementia & their carers. Voluntary & Community Centre, Dunmow Business Centre, 4b Twyford Ct, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 1AE (01371 872519). Hours Mon–Thurs 9.00am–3.00pm.

Home visits can be arranged.

Email:uttlesford@alzheimers.org.uk. www.alzheimers.org.uk/uttlesford.

Art group: Wednesday mornings 9am– 12.00 in Village Hall, for informal painting & drawing. Enquiries: Mrs Jane Nash (540716).

Babies & Toddlers group: See Toddler Group.

Baby clinics: 9.30–11.00am alternate Fridays in Village Hall (check during the holidays).

Contact: 562928.

Badminton club: Tuesdays throughout year, at Lord Butler Leisure Centre, 8.00– 10.00pm. Contact: Oliver Dyball (540442).

Moderate standard. New members welcome.

Benefits Agency: For queries about Jobseekers Allowance ring 0844 496 8000.

Bingo: 8pm Thursdays, in Village Hall.

Chairman Adam Goodwin. Phone 07779 031757 or email slinkyneo@me.com Book-A-ride: See uttlesford Community Travel.

Book reading club: Contact Joanna Parry, 01799 542575.

Email: joannajparry@gmail.com

Bowls newport & saffron Walden Indoor Carpet Bowls Club: Tuesdays 8pm–10pm, Newport Village Hall. First Tuesday in September to the last Tuesday in April.

New recruits needed. Contact: Phil Phipp (541310) or Ron French (540406). quendon Bowling Club: Contact Ron French (01799 540406).

Boys’ Brigade (1st Saffron Walden): Meets Tuesday evenings at the Baptist Church Hall, Audley Rd, Saffron Walden with 3 age groups: Anchor Boys, 6–8 years and Juniors 8–11 years, 6.30–7.45pm.

Company Section 11–18 years and a seniors group to 19; meeting between 7.45 & 10pm. Contact: Mike Turner, 106 Goddard Way, Saffron Walden (523905).

Bridge club: Mondays at 7.00pm for 7.15pm in the Fleur de Lys, Widdington.

Contact: John Mears (01279 814727). A friendly Club playing duplicate bridge.

New members of any standard most welcome. Partners can be arranged.

Brownies: 7–10 years.

First Pack, Fridays 5.30–7.00pm at Scout Hut, Frambury Lane. Contact: Leanne Jennings (543606 or 07971 961915), Assistant: Cynthia Jennings (541408) email: leanne1stnewportbrownies@hotmail.com

second Pack, Wednesdays 6.00–7.30pm at the Village Hall, Station Road. Contact Sue Howard (540789).

Email: sue.x.howard@hotmail.com Rainbows, 1st newport: 5–7 years. At Village Hall, Station Road, Weds 5–6pm, term time only. Leader Sue Howard (540789).

Buffy Bus: Cherry Garden Lane, Newport from 9.15am until 10.30am, every Wednesday during term time and at half terms. £2.50 per family at playleader’s discretion. Contact: Rosie Juhl 522130.Check website to confirm availability during bad weather www.buffybus.co.uk.

Email: rose.juhl@btconnect.com Bus Enquiries: Traveline (0871 200 2233) 7am–10pm. Timetables available from Tourist Office, Saffron Walden. carers: For support and information for unpaid carers contact Action for Family Carers 01621 851640 email: info@ affc.org.uk For breaks for carers and help with personal care contact Leading Lives 01473 406777 email: info@leading lives.org.uk childline: 24-hour free confidential counselling and support service for children or young people (0800 1111).

Benten & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants www.benten.co.uk

We are a friendly, well established firm, based only in Saffron Walden, but large enough to deal with most accountancy and taxation matters.

In particular, we can explain all the new requirements imposed by Self Assessment of Income Tax. If you would like a short consultation (without obligation), please contact Richard King.

Abbey House, 51 High Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1AF Telephone (01799 ) 523053

Winter 2016 Newport News

113

DIRECTORY Childminding: For any information about childcare and related activities, speak to Essex County Council Families’ Information Service (Freephone 0800 0556874, email: fis@essex. gov.uk) who will provide appropriate contact.

Chiropodists: Sue Leech, will visit people in their own homes (07881 942836). Toe Nail Cutting service at GP surgery 540570 for appt.

Chiropractors: Stansted Chiropractic & Back Pain Clinic: 01279 815336. Saffron Walden Chiropractic Clinic: 01799 516517.

CHURCHES Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin: Vicar (also Widdington, Quendon and Rickling): Reverend Neil McLeod (540339) Verger: John Barry (540454 Churchwarden: Vacancy Treasurer: Steve Hancock 543247 Newsletter Editor: Carolyn Atkinson (540179); Bell Tower Captain: Vacancy Friends of Newport Church, Treasurer: Neil Hargreaves (540411). http://friendsofstmarysnewport.org.uk SERVICES: The whole family is welcome.

Children’s Corner available at 11am services.

Contemporary forms of service are used unless stated.

First Sunday 11am Common Worship Family Communion Second Sunday 11am All Age service Third Sunday 11am Common Worship Holy Communion

Fourth Sunday 8am 1662 H/C 11am Morning Worship Fifth Sunday 11am H/C First Wednesday of month: Midweek Communion 1662 H/C 11.00am.

Fourth Sunday of month: Messy Church at 3.00pm.

Young People’s Groups SUNDAY CLUB 8–11yrs every Sunday except 2nd 11am SURE 11–14yrs every Sunday except 1st 11am and 1st Saturday 4pm UNSURE over 14yrs 1st and 3rd Sundays 7pm Up-to-date information is on the Church Notice Board, or in the Church Newsletter.

Coffee Morning at Church House, mainly for retired people, from 10am to 11.00am on Wednesday mornings.

Church House: Bookings: Yvonne Hannant (541063), email: hannants@aol.com.

United Reformed Church, Newport, 55 Wicken Rd: Contact Secretary: Brenda Johnson (540034).

Minister: Caroline Vodden (524416).

Services: Abbey Lane URC, Saffron Walden.

Newport Guild: 2nd Tuesday 2.30pm a social meeting for pensioners.

All welcome at any of these activities.

Celtic Communion 3rd Sunday Afternoon service with tea and coffee 3pm Quiet Day 11am–4pm see notice board for dates. Second Saturday in month.

NewportNews BE IN OUR AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINE Newport News is published twice a year and has a circulation of 1,600. It is distributed FREE to every household in Newport, as well as being sold in outlets in the surrounding areas and Saffron Walden. Send us your news, articles, ideas, letters, wedding & baby pictures, or anything else that you think will be of interest.

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DEADLINES: Summer issue: 1 April, Winter issue: 1 October.

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114 Newport News Winter 2016

Cinema: Saffron Screen at SW County High School. Ticket prices, daytime £6.70 (concessions £5.80, 18 and under £4.30).

Evenings £7.70 (concessions £6.90, 18 and under £5.50). Tickets available in advance from SW Tourist Information or at the Box Office which opens 30 minutes before each screening. Free parking. For film information or to book online visit www.saffronscreen.com or call 500238.

Citizens’ Advice: For impartial, free, confidential and independent advice on any matter affecting a citizen. Barnard’s Yard, Saffron Walden (618840). Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9.30am–3.30pm. www.adviceguide.org.uk.

Email: bureau@uttlesfordcab.cabnet.org.uk Cricket Club: Contact Bernie Fox 07538 854577. New players very welcome, – coaching will be provided. Practice from early April, just turn up: Thursdays at Recreation Ground 19.00–20.00; Juniors Tuesdays 18.00–20.00. There are matches on all Saturday afternoons through the season, spectators welcome.

Croquet Club: Contact John Gordon (540293).

CRUSE (Cambridge & Uttlesford): Counselling care for the bereaved.

Contact on 01223 302662. Helpline 01223 633536 Mon–Fri 9.30am–1.30pm.

Email: cambridge@cruse.org uk Cubs: See Scouts.

Dancing Classes: Footlights Theatre Dance School: Principal Emma Lane AISTD (01279 451017 /07921350468. Thurs: Ugley Village Hall.

Classes include Baby ballet, pre-school introduction to dance, Modern, Jazz & Tap and singing.

Dentists The Dental Surgery: 6 London Road, Saffron Walden (523194). Open 8.30–17.00 Mon–Friday. Hygienist Weds 09.00–17.00 & Fridays 09.00–16.20. Taking new private and NHS patients. Emergency work on registered patients (private every day; NHS weekdays only; for weekend emergencies use PCT number on answerphone).

Karin Hallgren – The Hallgren Clinic: Neville House, Station Road, Wendens Ambo CB11 4LB (540333) (and 61 Harley Street, London).

Private Dental Practice including dental implants, veneers, treatment of gum disease, teeth whitening and general Dentistry (Carys Halsall). www.hallgrenclinic.com Disability Information Line: 0844 4121770 (manned weekdays 10am–4pm, answerphone other times). www.disabilityessex.org, email info@disabilityessex.org.

Doctors: Surgery: Frambury Lane, Newport.

Appointments can be made up to four weeks in advance, between 08.10–12.00, & 14.30–17.00 Mon–Fri. Some emergency appointments possible on the day within these times. Weekends and bank holidays the emergency doctor service 111. The Surgery is open to make appointments and collect prescriptions 08.00–18.30 Mon to Fri. Tel: 540570 day & night (also 540696 except at night, weekends & bank holidays).

Dog problems: Strays, fouling etc. Contact Mrs Sue Knight, UDC Animal Warden (510594). Email: sknight@uttlesford.gov.uk Eating Out in Newport: Coach & Horses 540292. White Horse 540002.

Radhuni Tandoori 542777/542999. Coffee

DIRECTORY at Dorrington’s during shop opening times, Mon–Fri 7am–4.30pm Sat 7am–4pm.

Fish and Chips in Frambury Lane layby Weds 17.00–20.00 07837 531397.

Electricity: Emergencies & loss of supply: 0800 7838838.

Emergencies: Village Emergency Coordinator Ted Denyer (542554).

Deputy Emergency Coordinator Tom Archer (thra321@aol.com).

See also Flood Emergencies.

Essex County Council: Highways and Transportation West Area Branch (including public rights of way): Goodman House, Station Approach, Harlow CM20 2ET. Street lighting owned by ECC and all other matters connected with roads & transport (0345 6037631). Helpline for all County Council matters (24 hours) 0345 7430430.

Essex County Council Social Care: For full assessment of care needs or alter existing arrangements on a long-term basis, or make day to day adjustments of an existing arrangement contact 0345 6037630. Social care for children and young people 0345 6037627. Protection Line for children and vulnerable adults.

0345 6061212 (out of hours number).

Essex Record Office Archive Access Point: At the Library (Market Place), Saffron Walden, upstairs on left. Tues & Fridays 9am– 1pm and 2–5pm; Sat 9am–1pm. (Tel. 523178; Fax 513642; email zofia. everett@essex.gov.uk).

Essex Volunteer Line: See Volunteer Centre Uttlesford.

Family Lives (formerly Parentline): Confidential phone helpline for parents of over 5s. Mon–Fri 0808 802 2222. www.familylives.org.uk Flood Emergencies: Co-ordinator: Parish Clerk (542541). Deputy Coordinator Ted Denyer (542554).

Flower Club (Newport & District): Third Wednesday of every month, except August and December, 7.30pm for 8pm demonstrations in Ugley Village Hall.

All welcome. Contact: chairwoman Barbara Higgins 550411.

Football Club (Newport): New players contact Mike Hannant (07801 717091).

Footpaths Association: Saffron Walden group offer guided walks on 3rd Sunday of each month from 2pm. Contact Peter Arscott 541646 or George Turner 540878.

Gace’s Trustees: Local charity to help Newport residents. Enquiries, in confidence, to clerk to the Trustees Mrs Margaret Bowker, 45 Cherry Garden Lane (540737).

Gas: Gas escape – Freephone 0800 111999.

Gibson’s Charity: Local charity based in Saffron Walden. Enquiries, in confidence all day, Mon, Wed & Fri 513914. Answerphone for other times.

‘Girls Go Out’: Contact Lin Stephenson, email: linstephenson@btinternet.com Guides, 1st Widdington: Thursdays 7–8.30pm at Widdington Village Hall.

Guider: Sally Brown (540926). Email: widdingtonguides@yahoo.co.uk Gym: Clavering Mon–Fri 7am–noon, 3–8.30pm, Sat 8am–noon, Sun closed.

(551195). www.getupngogym.co.uk Health Visitor: Saffron Walden Health Clinic (562928). Attends Toddler Group on 2nd and 4th Fridays in the month.

Health Information: See NHS Direct.

Hearing Help (Essex): Help & advice for the hard-of-hearing. (Note: does not repair hearing aids.) To arrange a home visit or for information contact 01245 348440.

Home Care Organisers: See under Essex County Council Social Care.

Home Start: Voluntary organisation offering practical support and friendship to families with pre-school age children who might be experiencing difficulties.

Contact: Home Start Office Mon–Fri 9–1.30 (520728). Volunteers always needed.

Website www.homestartuttlesford.org.uk.

Hospitals: Saffron Walden Community Hospital, Radwinter Road, S. Walden (562900); Addenbrooke’s, Cambridge (01223 245151), Accident & Emergency 01223 217118; Herts & Essex, Bishop’s Stortford (01279 655191); Princess Alexandra, Harlow (01279 444455), Accident & Emergency 01279 827000; Rosie Maternity Unit, Addenbrooke’s (01223 217617); Fulbourn (01223 218605, visiting times flexible – make prior arrangements with the ward nurse).

Jobcentre Plus: If looking for work phone 0345 604 3719 which will put you in contact with the appropriate local office (either Braintree, Cambridge, Harlow or Haverhill) where personal discussions can be arranged.

Website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.

Karate School: 4yrs–Adults Fridays 5.30pm–8.15pm at Village Hall. Also at Clavering, Stansted and Henham. £5 per lesson. Contact: 0781 6488834 claire.kemp@yahoo.co.uk Knit and Natter: Every Thursday 10–12 noon in Church House. Knitting for charities. Contact Julie Hancock 543247 Lettice Martin Charity: Clerk: O. Dyball (540442).

Libraries Mobile: Vans call at Gace’s Acre 9.20– 9.40am and the layby at the top of Frambury Lane 3.15–4.30 pm alternate Tuesdays from June 7th. www.essex.gov.uk/libraries Saffron Walden Library, Market Place (0345 603 7628). Open Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9am–6pm, Wed 9am–1pm, Sat 9am–5pm.

Local History Group: Contact Anthony Tuck (543833) Lord Butler Leisure Centre: 522777 Meals on Wheels: For advice ring 0845 6037630.

Medical Appliance Loan Service: Provided by Saffron Walden Lions Club.

Wheelchairs, walking frames and other equipment available at short notice.

07761 602678 between 9am and 9pm.

MIND: Weekly drop in centres. Tues 10.30am–12.30pm, Baptist Church Hall, Saffron Walden (Contact Lois Sparks 07854 732475); Wednesday 10am–12 midday, United Reformed Church Hall, Dunmow (contacts Lois as above). Also a befriending scheme for those unable to attend centres. Volunteers always welcome. www.mindinwestessex.org.uk Mothers & Toddlers Group: See Toddler Group.

Multiple Sclerosis Society: East Herts & West Essex Branch. Contact 07880 828858. Drivers and helpers welcomed. Fundraisers needed.

National Childbirth Trust (NCT): Contact Saffron Walden Information Line 20300 330 0700 or email: SaffronWaldenAndDistrict@nct.org.uk www.nctsaffronwalden Neighbourhood Watch: Village coordinators are Derek Giffin (543622) and Alan Johnson (543153).

Newport Amateur Theatrical Society (NATS): Treasurer: Yvonne Hannant (541063). Email: natstheatrical@hotmail.co.uk.

Newport Club, The: Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs 6–12.30am; Fri 6–11.00pm; Sat 12 noon–12.30am; Sun 12 noon–9.00pm.

Fully licensed bar. New members welcome.

Snooker, darts, big screen sports, live music and many other social events.

Tel. 541149, www.newportclub.org Newport History Recorder: David Evans (540235).

Newport Newsline facebook group.

This group is for members to post local events, issues, news and things of interest in and around Newport. Residents and people with a connection to Newport are welcome to join by going to https://www. facebook.com/groups/newportnewsline/.

Newport Youth Club: Newport Rec, Frambury Lane. Friday’s 7–9pm for ages 9–11 (or 9.30pm for older young people).

Contact Andrew Yarwood on 0771 4708815.

Rooms available to hire, especially for children’s parties, etc. Contact Sharon Davey 0777 0766380.

Boxing Club: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 7–8pm (7–14yrs), 8pm–9pm (adults).

Contact Tony Kanau 07944 572408.

Newport Youth Theatre: 8–18years Tuesdays 5–7pm in Church House.

Contact Val Brogden (551981) or 07411 384409 email vbroggers@gmail.com.

NHS Direct: 24 hours/7 day confidential health advice and information line (111).

Winter 2016 Newport News 115

DIRECTORY Osteopaths: Saffron Walden Osteopathic Clinic, 21 Debden Road, Saffron Walden (524628).

PALS (Patients’ Advice & Liaison): West Essex clinical commissioning group, Email: weccg.comments@nhs.net, 01992 566122/3. Different phone numbers apply to other organisations, e.g. Addenbrooke’s 01223 216756. Princess Alexandra 01279 827211. Clinical commissioning group 01245 459459, NHS England (GPs, Dentists and Pharmacists 0300 3112233).

Parentline: See Family Lives.

Parish Council: See ‘Our Representatives’ and advert. Ordinary Council meetings at Church House, first Mon in every month.

All meetings open to public unless the chairman asks the public to leave.

Parking Problems: If there is a problem with vehicles parked dangerously near schools, on yellow lines, on pavements and grass verges with adjacent yellow lines, and blocking dropped kerbs contact the Parking Partnership, email: parking@colchester.gov.uk or telephone 01206 282316.Where the vehicle blocks a pavement and there are no adjacent yellow lines, or the zigzags of a pedestrian crossing contact the Police.

Pharmacy: Opening Hours 9.00 am– 1.00 pm & 2.00–6.00 pm Mon–Fri and 9.00am–1.00 pm Sat. Tel: 540968, email: newport.pharmacy@intrapharm.com Pilates: Monday 12 midday–1pm, 6.00–8.00pm (please check), Wednesday 9.30–10.30am & 7.00–8.00 pm. Marion Faber Room, Village Hall. Book with Tricia Ackron (541683; mobile 07715 528755).

Email: tricia.ackron@gmail.com PLAY GROUPS Newport: Oliver’s Lodge at Primary School, Frambury Lane, Mon–Fri 8am–6pm. Tel: 540709.

Debden Pre-School: at Debden Village Hall.

Contact 07845 101809. Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 9–12.45pm. Manager Sam Reynolds.

Wendens Ambo Pre-School: Monday and Wednesday 9.15am–3.00pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.15am–12.15pm, with lunchtime available 12.15pm–1.00pm. Ages 2 to 5 years. Contact: Village Hall (07543 651343). Manager Clare Green. SWOP Saffron Walden Opportunity Playgroup for children with special needs. Weds 10-12am at URC Abbey Lane SW. Contact; Sally James

116 Newport News Winter 2016

01371 855927 email sallyjames@btinternet.com www.swoplaygroup.org.uk Police: Non-emergency service: 101. In emergency dial 999. Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Police, British Transport: To report anything ring 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016. In emergency ring 999.

Pond Common Charity: Clerk: O. Dyball (540442).

Post Office: In Newport Village Stores (Nisa). Opening hours during shop times.

(541991) Postal Collections: Last posting times at P.O. Weekdays 16.45, Sat 11.15. High St Postbox Weekdays 17.00 Sat 11.30. Station Road Weekdays 16.15 Sat 11.15. Wicken Road and Bridge End Weekdays 9am, Sat 7am.

Rail Services: See information on page 111.

Railway Station (vandalism): Ring Crimestoppers (0800 555111), or British Transport Police (0800 40 50 40) or text 61016.

Recycling: Clothing and shoe banks on Newport Station car park.

Relate (N. Essex & E. Herts): Relationship & family counselling available in Saffron Walden. For appointments or more info, ring 01245 258680 Mon–Thurs 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–1pm, 24 hr. answerphone Email admin@relate-northessex.org Residents for Uttlesford: Contact Neil Hargreaves (540411) or Joanna Parry (542575).

Rounders for ladies: Contact Mel Diggins 01279 850533, mobile 07768 464043.

Royal British Legion – Clavering, Newport and District: President: Jack Livings 550539; Secretary: Peter Bevin (01279 777583). Meetings 2nd Wednesday of every month, at The Bull, Langley 8pm.

RSPCA: Animal emergencies and general enquiries (0300 1234 999 or 0300 1234 555). www.rspca.org.uk Saffron Screen: See Cinema.

Saffron Walden Museum: Museum Street, S/W (510333). Nov–Feb Tues–Sat 10am–4.30pm, Sundays & Bank Holidays 2–4.30pm. March–Oct Tues–Sat 10am–5pm, Sundays & Bank Holidays 2–5pm. Adults £2.50, Concessions £1.25, under 18s free.

Website: www.saffronwaldenmuseum.org

Samaritans: Linkline 08457 909090.

Cambridge branch, 4, Emmanuel Road, Cambridge CB1 1JW (10.30am–10.00pm) (01223 364455) www.samaritans.org/cambridge SCHOOLS Joyce Frankland Academy, Newport: Head teacher Gordon Farquhar (540237).

Email: admin@jfan.org.uk www.jfan.org.uk Parents Association: Chairman: David Watts dpwatts69@gmail. com; Treasurer: Janet Dixon.

Newport County Primary School: Head: Sharon Lester (540055). www.newport.essex.sch.uk Email: admin@newport.essex.sch.uk Friends of Newport Primary School: Chairperson: Judy Emanuel (543487) Email: Friendsofnewport@ymail.com Saffron Walden County High School: Headteacher Caroline Derbyshire (513030), www.saffronwalden.essex.sch.uk.

SCOUTS (1st Newport Essex) Beaver Scouts: 6–8 years. 5.45–6.45pm Mondays, Jikes Hall Scout Hut, Frambury Lane. Contact: Kym Elliston Email: kymelliston@btinternet.com Cubs, 1st Newport: Mondays 6.45–8.15pm, Jikes Hall Scout Hut, Frambury Lane.

Contact Helen Howett (0743 208 0441).

Scout Troop: 101⁄2 –151⁄2 years.

7.30–9.15pm, Wednesdays, Jikes Hall Scout Hut. Contact Seb Walker.

Sports Committee: Chairman Mike Hannant 541063.

Social Services: There is no office in Saffron Walden. Contact: 0845 6037630 Sports Pavilion: Mike Hannant 541063 Email: mikehannant@aim.com Stansted Airport: For aircraft noise and track complaints ring freephone 0800 243788 (quoting your postcode to pinpoint aircraft), or contact stanstednoiseline@stanstedairport.com Stop Stansted Expansion Campaign: Contact 01279 870558 www.stopstanstedexpansion.com Swimming: Lessons for children 9 months– 7 years. Contact Rebecca Baynes (541591).

Telephone Kiosks: Wicken Road and Station Road.

Tai Chi for beginners: Tues 9.30–11am, Newport Village Hall £10 per session.

Contact: Stephanie Shambrook 07881 592126 Email: stephanieshambrook@live.co.uk Talking Newspaper: Saffron Walden, Bishop’s Stortford and District. Tapes delivered weekly. Saffron Walden contact Paul 07949 201612 email: desmond.atkins@ ntlworld.com. Bishop’s Stortford and District contact Richard Barnett 01279 651270 email: familybarnett24@hotmail.com www.bstalkingnewspaper.co.uk 01279 505654 (answer phone) Tennis Club: Chairman: Daren Coles, 14 Gaces Acre 07969 338522 email Daren.coles@gsk.com https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ NewportVillageTennisClub Tennis Courts (Newport): Please book in person at Nisa, the Village Stores. Nisa

DirEcTOrY are no longer taking telephone bookings.

Charges for non-members £5.00 per hour per court, Juniors (u16) £2.50 per hour per court. £10.00 returnable deposit for the key, all payable at the Village Stores.

Toddler group: Fridays 9.30–11.30am, in Village Hall. Contact: Cecile Alexander 07957 820832, facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/pages/NewportMother-Toddler-Group. Charge £1.50 per session for first child, 50p per session for each subsequent child.

Toy Library: Annual membership £2.50.

Preschool toys & videos from 25p for 2 weeks’ hire. Fortnightly on Mondays 10am– 12pm, New Life Church, Shire Hill, Saffron Walden.

Contact: Jenny Tobitt (Email Contact@ teddiestoylibrary.org). See website www.teddiestoylibrary.org for session dates.

Tourist information centre: For details of what’s on in uttlesford.

Market Place, Saffron Walden (524002).

9.30–5.30 Mon–Sat April– October, & 9.30–5pm Mon–Sat November– March.

Email: tourism@saffronwalden.gov.uk Train information: Times and fares for all national services 08457 484950, 24 hour service (charged at local rate). Also on internet at www.nationalrail.co.uk. Customer Services: Abellio Greater Anglia (0845 600 7245) for tickets, group travel, information for disabled people, suggestions, complaints & lost property. www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk united reformed church, Newport: See under CHuRCHES. uttlesford community Travel (Book-Aride): Door-to-door transport for those who cannot use public transport. Contact 01799 519008) (9am–1pm). www.uttlesfordcommunitytravel.org.uk uttlesford council for Voluntary Service: uCVS Office, The Old Police Station, 45 Stortford Rd, Gt Dunmow, Essex CM6 1DQ (01371 878400). Office open 9am– 4pm, Mon–Fri. www.cvsuttlesford.org.uk uttlesford cruse: See CRuSE. uttlesford District council: Chief Executive Officer: Dawn French. At Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4ER (S/W 510510): Chief Executive’s Dept., Planning Dept., Finance Dept., Community Services Dept. (latter comprising Housing & Building Services, Amenities and Environmental Health).

Open: Mon–Thurs 8.30am–5pm, Fri 8.30am–4.30pm. www.uttlesford.gov.uk Volunteer centre uttlesford: c/o uttlesford District Council Offices, London Rd CB11 4ER. Open Mon–Thurs, 9.30–1.30 (510524).

Email: volunteer@volunteeruttlesford.org.uk www.volunteeruttlesford.org.uk Veterinary Surgeons: Mercer & Hughes, Devon Lodge, Radwinter Road, Saffron Walden (522082 or 521406), surgery hours Mon–Fri 9–10am and 5–6.30pm; Mon & Wed 2–3pm; Sat 9.30–11am. Paul & Tina Davey, 7 Mortlock St, Melbourn.

Surgery hours Mon–Fri 9–11am and 4–6pm Sat 9–11am for appts 01763 262696.

Women’s institute: Meets in Saffron Walden on 1st Thursday evening in the month at Abbey Lane uRC Hall. Contact Sue Harris 513791. Afternoon meetings on 3rd Weds at 2pm in the month in the Garden Room. Contact Beryl Ihm 502512.

Village hall management committee: Booking Secretary: Camilla Brackstone, email: camillalloyd@yahoo.co.uk or call 07949 639114.

To download booking form and for list of charges, visit www.newporthall.org.uk.

WATEr anglian Water: Emergencies & general enquiries (24 hr) 0800 771881.

Account queries 0345 7919155. affinity Water: 0345 3572407.

Thames Water: 0800 714614.

Cambridge Water: 01223 706050.

Weightwatchers Forest Hall School, Stansted, Mondays 7pm.

SW Town Hall Wednesdays 10am. Contact Jo Ranson 543555.

Wood green Animal Shelter: (near Royston) 01763 838329. Open 7 days a week.

Visitors 10am–4pm (rehoming closes at 3pm).

Youth club: See Newport Youth Centre.

Zumba Excercise classes: Wednesdays 7.00–8.00pm at Newport Youth Club with Andrea Rigg, 07872 966 828. Thursdays 10.30–11.30 in the Village Hall with Luisa, 07842 213554 or lmcurbelo@hotmail.com

Cars and vans … straight to the point GREAT VALUE CAR AND VAN HIRE AT

WENDEN GARAGE WENDENS AMBO SAFFRON WALDEN (NEAR AUDLEY END STATION)

TELEPHONE 01799 541456 FREEFONE 0800 0933 587 BUSINESS OR PRIVATE RENTAL

BY THE DAY OR WEEK

Winter 2016 Newport News

117

DirEcTOrY

Our representatives member of Parliament: Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP House of Commons, London SW1.

Direct Line 020 7219 5214.

(Switchboard 020 7219 3000) Saffron Walden Constituency Office: The Old Armoury, Museum St, Saffron Walden (01799 506349).

UK Independence Stuart Agnew, 25 Regent Street, Great Yamouth, Norfolk NR30 1RL (01493 856744) email: ukipeastadmin@intamail.com

members of European Parliament: Conservative David Campbell Bannerman 153 St Neots Road, Hardwick, Cambridge CB23 7QJ (01954 210333/07796 225237) email: offie@dcbmep.com Vicky Ford 153 St Neots Road, Hardwick, Cambridge CB23 7QJ (01954 211722) email: office@vickyford.org Geoffrey Van Orden Conservative Office, 88 Rectory Lane, Chelmsford Essex CM1 1RF (00 322 284 5332) email: geoffrey.vanorden@ep.europa.eu labour Richard Howitt The Labour European Office, unit 3, Frohock House, 222 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 3NF (01223 240202) email: richard@richardhowittmep.com

Patrick O’Flynn, 90a Bridge Street, Peterborough PE1 1DY (01733 891640) email: patrick.oflynn@ep.europa.eu

Newport Parish councillors: Andrew Yarwood – Charirman (07714 708815) Ted Denyer – Deputy Chairman (542554) Don Alexander (07813 167208 ) Howard Bowman (07956-289622; handsb@sky.com) Judy Emanuel (543487) Joanna Parry (542575; jjp.npc@gmail.com) Stepen Ayles (540271) Rory Grant (contact via 542541) Howard Potter (contact via 542541) Oliver Wilson (contact via 542541)

Tim Aker, 64a Orsett Road, Grays, Thurrock, Essex RM17 5EB (01275 415650) email: tim.aker@ep.europa.eu

uttlesford District councillors: Neil Hargreaves, Queen’s Court, High Street, Newport CB11 3PF (01799 540411, mobile: 07854 687748) email: cllrhargreaves@uttlesford.gov.uk

The Parish Council should consist of eleven members. We therefore have one vacancy. If you would like to fill the vacancy, and have at least half a day a week available please contact one of the Parish Councillors, or the Parish Clerk to find out more.

Parish council clerk: Christine Griffin, Parish Council Office, Waterloo House, High Street, Newport CB11 3PG Tel: 01799 542541 Email: newportparishcouncil@hotmail.co.uk

Joanna Parry, Midsummer House, Belmont Hill, Newport CB11 3RD (01799 542575, mobile: 07905 103174) email: cllrparry@uttlesford.gov.uk

Parish council Treasurer: Jessica Bowen (contact via the Parish Council office on 542541).

Essex county councillor: Ray Gooding 260 Birchanger Lane, Birchanger, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts. CM23 5QP. (01279 813103)

Newport diary

Apologies if we have missed out any events or meetings (or if there are any errors or changes since we went to press).

For other Church Services see the Directory.

For Parish Council meetings see their advert. call Barney miller on 540173 or email barney@design-mill.co.uk to add any new meetings.

118

Newport News Winter 2016

mONDAY 12.00–1.00pm 5.30–6.30pm 7.00–9.00pm 6.00–8.00pm 6.30–8.00pm 7.00pm 7.30–9.30pm TuESDAY 9.20–9.40am 9.30–11.00am 2.30pm 3.15–4.30pm 7.00–9.00pm 8.00–10.00pm 5.00–7.00pm WEDNESDAY 9.00am–12noon 9.15–10.30am 9.30–10.30am 10.00–11.00am 5.00–6.00pm 5.00–8.00pm 6.00–7.30pm 7.00–8.00pm 7.30–9.15pm 7.30–10.00pm 7.30pm for 8.00pm ThurSDAY 10.00–12noon 10.30–11.30am 4.30–7.15pm 6.30–8.30pm 7.00–8.30pm 7.00–9.00pm 8.00pm friDAY 9.30–11.00am 9.30–11.30am 4.15pm 5.30–7.00pm 5.30–8.15pm 7.00–9.30pm SATurDAY 4.00pm SuNDAY 08.00am 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am 11.00am 3.30pm 7.00pm

Pilates Beaver Scouts Boxing Club Pilates (please check) Cubs Bridge Club Line Dancing

Newport Village Hall Scout Hut, Frambury Lane Youth Centre, Frambury Lane Newport Village Hall (please check) Scout Hut, Frambury Lane Fleur de Lys, Widddington Newport Village Hall

Mobile Library Tai Chi Newport Guild Mobile Library Boxing Club Indoor Bowls Newport Theatre Group

Gace’s Acre (alternate Tuesdays from 7 June) Newport Village Hall united Reform Church (second Tuesday in the month) Frambury Lane (alternate Tuesdays from 7 June) Youth Centre, Frambury Lane Newport Village Hall Church House

Art Group Buffy Playbus Pilates (also 7.00–8.00pm) Coffee Morning Rainbows (1st Newport) Fish & Chips Brownies (2nd pack) Zumba with Andrea Scouts NATS Newport Flower Club

Newport Village Hall Cherry Garden Lane (during term time) Newport Village Hall (please check) Church House Newport Village Hall Frambury Lane Newport Village Hall Newport Youth Club Scout Hut, Frambury Lane Newport Village Hall ugley Village Hall (third Wed in month, not Aug or Dec)

Knit and Natter Zumba Exercise Class Footlights Theatre Dance School Youth Club, 9–12 yrs Guides (1st Widdington) Boxing Club Bingo

Church House Newport Village Hall ugley Village Hall Newport Youth Centre, Frambury Lane Widdington Village Hall Youth Centre, Frambury Lane Newport Village Hall

Baby Clinic (Check 562928) Newport Toddler Group Ballet and Tap Dance Classes Brownies (1st pack) Karate School Youth Club, 12 yrs upwards

Newport Village Hall Newport Village Hall Church House Scout Hut, Frambury Lane Village Hall Newport Youth Centre, Frambury Lane

YouthGroup/SuRE 11-14 yrs

Church/Church House (1st Saturday in the month)

Holy Communion Service Service Sunday Club 8–11 yrs SuRE 11–14 yrs Messy Church uNSuRE 14yrs+

St. Mary’s Church (4th Sunday of month) St Mary’s Parish Church united Reformed Church (not 1st Sun in month) Church/Church House (not 2nd Sunday in the month) Church/Church House (not 1st Sunday in the month) St Mary’s Parish Church (4th Sunday in the month) Church/Church House (1st and 3rd Sundays in the month)

DirEcTOrY

Travel information We have listed some of the transport options from newport – for more information on buses and trains, call Traveline 0871 200 2233.

TrAiNS (from 00 Xxxx 2010) Valid from sunday 11 December 2016 to saturday 13 May 2017. Beware of changes because of engineering works.

JOhN OSWiN SmiTh

GoING SoUtH

From newport to Bishop’s stortford, harlow Town, Tottenham hale and liverpool street Approx journey times (minutes): Bishop’s Stortford 15–17, Harlow Town 26–28, Tottenham Hale 44–49, Liverpool St. 61–67, Stratford (Sundays) 70

BuSES* These are the times as at 7 november 2016.

There may be changes, please check.

301

Bishop’s Stortford – Stansted Mountfitchet – Widdington – Newport – Audley End Rail Station – Saffron Walden (High Street, Hospital, Tesco’s).

Mondays to saturdays.

Times from Station Road, Newport: To Saffron Walden 08.20 09.27 10.27 12.27 13.27 14.27 16.27 17.27 18.27’ To Bishop’s Stortford 07.37 09.20 10.20 12.20 13.20 14.20 16.21 17.21 18.21

11.27 15.27

Mondays to Fridays 05.41 06.13 09.43 10.43 16.43 17.13 20.43 21.43

06.43 11.43 17.43 22.43

saturdays 05.43 06.43

then forty three mins past each hour until 22.43 then 23.13

07.13 12.43 18.13 23.13SS

07.43 13.43 18.43

08.13 14.43 19.13

08.43 15.43 19.43

09.13 16.13 20.151

sundays 08.13 then same mins past each hour until 23.13. The 22.13 goes to Stratford and the 23.13 terminates at Bishop’s Stortford. To get to Liverpool Street off the 22.13 and 23.13 change at Bishop’s Stortford.

GoING NoRtH

From newport to Cambridge 11.20 15.20 19.14

additional Buses to and from Joyce Frankland academy.

To Saffron Walden schooldays 08.15 (444) 15.20 (417, 418, 419, 438) saturdays 09.50 (59) 13.44 (59) from Saffron Walden high Street schooldays 08.00 (60) 08.07 (417,418) 08.18 (438) 15.12 (59) 15.25 (444) saturdays 08.52 (59) 12.58 (59)

DEmAND rESPONSiVE TrANSPOrT SAffrON WALDEN ShOPPEr (from 1 June 2016) SB13 is no longer running, however Demand Responsive Transport have a new service. You need to phone to request to use the service in either direction (to and from Saffron Walden), at least two hours in advance of travelling. Call Arrow Taxis on 01621 874411. Concessionary Bus Passes valid. Charges to Saffron Walden are £4.50 or £6.50 return (16 years and over), and for a child £2.50 single, £3.50 return (aged 5 to 15 inclusive). Tuesday and Fridays only Calls at Frambury Lane, Newport, at 11.36am, reaches High Street Saffron Walden at 11.50, Tesco Store at 12.00.

Returns from Tesco Store at 14.15, Saffron Walden High Street at 14.25, reaches Newport at 14.42. *Over 60s travel free on all buses during off-peak hours (Mon–Fri 9.00am–11pm, all day weekends & bank hols). Details at uDC Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden. Telephone: 01799 510561.

Approx journey time 22–29 minutes Mondays to Fridays 06.12 06.27 10.27 11.27 16.57 17.45 21.27 22.27

06.59 12.27 18.15 23.27

07.41 13.27 18.45 00.27TS

08.00 14.27 19.15 00.57S

08.30 15.27 19.45

09.00 15.55 20.15

09.30 16.27 20.30

saturdays 06.27 and then 27 minutes past each hour until 00.27 Sun & 00.57 Sun sundays 08.57 then same mins past each hour until 23.57 NotES All Southbound trains call additionally at Elsenham, Stansted Mountfitchet, Sawbridgeworth, Harlow Mill, Roydon, Broxbourne & Cheshunt, except Monday–Friday trains at 05.41 (not Harlow Mill), 09.13 and 17.13 (not Roydon),16.13 (not Sawbridgeworth, Harlow Mill & Roydon), and 16.43, 18.13, 19.13, (all not Harlow Mill & Roydon).

All Northbound trains call at Audley End, Gt Chesterford, Whittlesford & Shelford on their way to Cambridge with the exception of the 00.57 Fri/Sat night and trains on Sunday up to 22.57 which do not call at Shelford.

For further information, details of current train running and engineering works: www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk TS SS

Tuesday–Saturday morning Calls Seven Sisters instead of Tottenham Hale

S Sun

Saturday morning Sunday morning

1

Change at Audley End (20.18–20.25) and Stansted Airport (20.40–20.45) for Harlow Town (21.00), Tottenham Hale (21.17) and Liverpool Street (21.31).

TAXiS First Class Cars 01799 541048 (mobile 07732 403573) Maximum fares for taxis, carrying between 1 and 4 passengers: 7am to 10.30pm Mon to Sat – up to 1364yds £3.20, additional miles £2.10 per mile (10p per 83yds). 10.30pm to 7am Monday to Saturday, all day Sunday £4.80 for 1364yds, then £3.15 per mile (15p per 83 yds).

for public transport information (local buses, national buses, and rail transport) call Traveline 0871 200 2233

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OUR DEDICATED SALES PROGRESSORS TAKE MORE SALES THROUGH TO COMPLETION

What we have • Experience in negotiation • Local knowledge of the market • Great reciprocal relationships with local solicitors, surveyors and contractors

What we do

• Exceptional knowledge of the sales process

Passionate about property since 1825

• Work in your best interests • Carry out checks to ensure your buyer is in a position to proceed

Tina Gazzard Sales Progressor

• Chase missing paperwork • Resolve any legal issues swiftly • Facilitate surveys • Arrange additional reports, such as damp and electrical

Cheffins is the leading estate agent in the Eastern region with a network of offices strategically positioned in Saffron Walden, Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket and Haverhill. Our London office team complement our regional expertise by offering exposure to buyers and sellers in the capital. The team at

• Keep you up to date with progress

Cheffins has an unrivalled depth of experience and you can expect a superior personal and professional

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service delivered with integrity. With a proven track record in buying, selling and letting residential

• Manage expectation

property in Saffron Walden and the surrounding villages, we can help open the door to your new life.

• Work closely with all parties in the chain

www.cheffins.co.uk t: 01799 523656

• Increase the chances of completing your sale

london

| saffron walden | cambridge | newmarket | haverhill | ely

To find out more please call 01799 520520 or email walden@mullucks.co.uk today

24 Church Street, Saffron Walden, CB10 1JW

Bruce King

Max Cutsforth

Ben De’Ath

Director

Sales Manager

Lettings Manager

MNAEA MARLA

MNAEA MARLA

BSc (Hons) MNAEA MARLA

We also have offices in Bishops Stortford, Great Dunmow and Epping estate agents

| auctioneers | valuers | surveyors

VALUAT I ON YOUON PROPER R TY

UNDER R ONE ROOF

NEWPORT NEWS, WINTER 2016

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NewportNews WINTER 2016 • No 86 • £2.50

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Murdochs Solicitors & Estate Agents

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“Having a solicitor under the same roof helped immensely and saved a lot of time and phone calls”

Our expert team offer friendly service and an easy solution to selling your property.

“My home was sold very quickly and efficiently with a real ‘can do’ attitude, how refreshing!!”

Murdochs Solicitors also offer general legal advice including: ■ Wills & Probate ■ Residential Conveyancing ■ Company & Partnership Law ■ Civil Litigation ■ Employment Law

■ Commercial Property ■ Insolvency ■ Commercial Litigation ■ Solicitors Regulation ■ Family Law

FIXED FEES AV AILABL E

We have offices in London, Stansted and Newport (Newport office by appointment only) To arrange an appointment please call

01279 813318

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or email: info@murdochspropertyshop.co.uk 1 Station Road, Stansted, CM24 8BE

www.murdochspropertyshop.co.uk www.murdochslaw.co.uk Head office: Murdochs Solicitors, 45 High Street, Wanstead, London E11 2AA. Murdochs Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA number 52683. The professional rules governing our lawyers can be found at rules.sra.org.uk.

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