April Parish News
ST ANDREWS CHURCH
Services for April
Holy Communion each Thursday at 10.30
31stMarch 10.30 Easter Day Service & Informal Communion
18.00 Songs of Praise
07th 10.0011.00 Family ServiceHoly Communion
10th 10.30 Pram Service
14th 10.30 Morning Praise
24th 10.30 Pram Service
21st 10.30 Holy Communion
28th 10.30 Morning Praise
OPEN GARDENS
DON'T FORGET
St Andrew's Events Committee are planning an
Open Gardens event in Slip End. This is to be held on
Saturday 13th July and will be open to the whole community.
We are also, however, hoping to run a hanging basket
competition at the same time, and again, anyone in the
village is welcome to enter.
Please contact Valerie Church, The Old Bakery, 2 Summer
Street, Slip End, or ring 458443 giving your name, address
and phone number. For online users CLICK HERE to
apply via the online form.
ST ANDREW'S DIARY
May 11th Spring Fair Village Hall
July 13th Open Gardens & Hanging Basket
Comp
ANNUAL WALK IN INNER LONDON
April 20th 2002
A group of people from St Andrew's Church, look forward each
year to an annual walk visiting 7 to 8 churches in the Inner
London area. It is organised by a charity called UNLOCK,
supporting churches in challenging inner city areas. This
year we will be visiting areas around Hackney, Stoke
Newington, Abney Park and Leyton and hope to meet up with our
old vicar, David Bolster, somewhere along the way. It is a
very enjoyable way to spend a Saturday and to learn something
about the problems facing other churches. If you think you
can manage around 9 miles (with refreshment stops in between)
please come along to the Church. You will find all the
details on the notice board.
Do you love home made cakes, buying plants at reasonable
prices, browsing at craft ideas - then why not visit the
Country Craft Market held every Friday morning in Harpenden 9.00
a.m. - 11.30 a.m. situated in the Methodist Church Hall (next
to W H Smiths) in the High street.
Easter week the market will be held on the Thursday instead
of Good Friday, the rest of the year it is open Fridays.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
Did you know that the village has an
After School Club?
It is open during school term time from 3.30 to 6.00
on Monday to Friday in the Community Rooms of the School. The
qualified staff care for the children who enjoy a range of
activities including art and craft, board games, imaginative
play (e.g dressing up, 'schools', cars and garages, train
track, and making dens). We have a TV, radio and computer for
those who need some quiet time, but the children's favourite
activity is often the physical play - outside whenever the
weather permits or in the Hall. We play football, tennis and
rounders, tag and hide-and -seek to name but a few. Who can
go to the club? Children aged from 5 to 12 years.
A majority of the children have working parents but other
children attend for one or two afternoons a week to enjoy the
opportunity to socialise and play with friends after school
for an hour or two, while parents have an extra bit of time
to do what they need to do.
How much does it cost?
£2.50 per hour or part of an hour for each child.
Who do you contact about the club?
To find out more or to arrange for your child to join us
phone Sarah on 01582 415124
Home-Thoughts,
from Abroad
Oh, to be in England
Now that April's there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are
in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on
the orchard bough
In England - now!
And after April, when May follows,
And the white-throat builds, and
all the swallows -
Hark! Where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters
on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops - at the
bent spray's edge,
That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,
Lest you should think he never
could recapture
The first fine careless rapture!
And though the fields look rough
with hoary dew,
All will be gay when noontide
wakes anew
The buttercups, the little
children's dower,
-Far brighter than this gaudy
melon-flower!
Robert Browning
MOTHERS UNION
For those who attended, the Mothers Union
meeting on March 14th it proved to be a very enjoyable
evening. We were 'Celebrating Mothers' with photos, memories,
poems and individual reminders. We had great fun trying to
guess whose mother/grandmother belonged to which daughter and
heard some lovely tales from days gone by. Sue Taylerson had
sent along her mothers Autograph Book and what a delight it
was. The pictures were beautiful and must have taken hours to
complete. Not just content with a quick scribbled signature
in those days - you actually got something worth keeping!
Our favourite poem of the evening was :-
To
a new Mother
Babies grow up, we have learned to our sorrow
So try and leave jobs that can wait till tomorrow.
Children get older, while you are not looking,
And years stretch ahead full of cleaningand cooking.
So quiet down cobwebs, and dust go to sleep,
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.
On April 24th at 8pm at 29 Crawley Close, the Mothers
Union hope to watch a video "Roots and Fruits". All
are most welcome.
"Needlework for the Queens Jubilee"
We have decided to make some kneelers, so if anyone
feels this is something they would like to do please get in
touch with Mary Barker or come to our next meeting on Tuesday
16th April, 7:30pm at 29 Crawley Close. Any one interested in
any of our topics is most welcome to join us
irrespective of being a M.U. member or indeed attending St
Andrews Church.
ALL are most welcome to join us,
Looking forward to seeing you.
Mary Barker
FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The Committee have suggested outings for the
Summer months as followed and have met with the members
approval and support.
June I8th CLACTON ON SEA Self Catering
July 16th BOURNEMOUTH, Meal arranged prior to return
August 27th MYSTERY TOUR with Cream Teas
November 19th LAKESIDE for the SHOPAHOLICS.
Our club attendance hovers around the 45/50 mark, which is
encouraging, but don't let the members put you off, if you
feel inclined to join us
Gerald Dyer (Chairman)
ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION
APRIL
FLOWERS.
Prick out young seedling of half hardy
annuals, pinch off seed-heads from faded daffodils, Plant
gladioli bulbs. SHRUBS AND
TREES.
Water newly planted trees and shrubs during
dry spells. Cover moist soil with black polythene to keep
roots cool. Cut back straggly evergreens such as lavender,
santolina, and winter heathers.
FRUITS
Pollinate wall grown fruit trees by hand, as
they come into full flower.
Mulch between rows of raspberries.
LAWNS
Rake off any thatch of matted material, Spike
with a garden
fork to improve drainage, Mow with blade set high, Apply
spring fertilizer.
GREENHOUSE
During sunny weather, shade young seedlings
with sheets of paper. Keep greenhouse well ventilated by
opening top vents.
VEGETABLES
Plant early potatoes, Sow seeds of peas,
lettuce, carrots and beetroot.
SEADA
We are still trying to find a Restaurant that
will accommodate us for a meal, for the Senior Citizens
Outing to be held on Saturday June 8th, Names will be taken
at the Car Boot Sale on Easter Monday, or you can ring
Gillian on 01582 723109 quoting your name, address, telephone
number, and whether you would like fish & chips or salad.
2ND WOODSIDE BROWNIES
On
Wednesday March 6th, we held a sponsored silence in aid of
McMillan Cancer Relief, the girls had to be silent for 1/2
hour. All you could hear was the pages of their books being
turned over, our thanks to Viv Porter, Joan Duncombe, and
Michael for coming to see fair play, we raised a magnificent
total of £255.00 On Wednesday March 13th, a friend of
Michael and myself came along to talk to the girls about
stargazing, as this is the badge they are working on, he
showed a video he had taken of the moon, through a telescope,
and then asked questions, as the moon was not visible Ray had
brought a large map of the moon, which was placed one end of
the hall, and the girls looked through the telescope at the
other end of the hall. They have written about the moon and
stars, and drawn pictures, and made a game.
Gillian Plummer (Brown Owl)
CADDINGTON W.I. MARCH
On arrival we
were presented with a glass of sherry or orange juice. The
main business was shortened then the evening was handed over
to Mrs M McIlroy acting president and Mrs L Bartlett, Hon.
Sec. for the Members Night. To say it went with a bang would
be an understatement, but more of that later. As last years
minutes were read for our approval, I must admit I had a job
to recall some of the happenings. I don't suppose I am the
only one but it is a good job it is recorded at the time. Mrs
S Coleman was presented with a floral basket for all her hard
work. Each year, a name is chosen and very well deserved it
was Sheila.
As the refreshments were prepared we were given articles by
name to guess when they had been invented. Much more
difficult than you think. The entertainment was a sketch
about a committee meeting, minus the treasurer, being held in
a building that had repairs in hand. The banging got very
invasive and a committee member went out to ask for it to
stop, only to find no caretaker but the treasurer's hold-all
outside the door. Shortly after a very irate treasurer
demanded to know why no one had responded to her knocking and
come to help her when she was locked in the lavatory. "Oh
dear, what can the matter be" sprang to my mind, but I
don't think that was the title. It was a real giggle.
Refreshments were jacket potatoes, coleslaw, cheese, tuna and
sweetcorn followed by After Eight mints, tea/coffee.
Social time had us scratching our heads, trying to put a
price to articles on a tray. There was sweets on one, toilet
goods, drinks, groceries and household goods. It goes to show
if we need it, we purchase, it could be a good buy but does
the price really register?
A big thank you to Members Night committee for a very
enjoyable evening. I'm sure I'm speaking for all the members
especially the main committee who had a night off!
Next meetings:
April 16th Old cooking from Bedfordshire
Speaker Mrs J Dineen
May 21st Annual Meeting
Belly dancer shows us how!
(Meetings at Collingswell Hall 2nd Tuesday in the month)
Patricia Crick
SLIP END PARISH COUNCIL.
Crime figures for February. 2 thefts from motor vehicles. 2
thefts (other). 1 distraction burglary from a dwelling. 1
shoplifting. and 1 theft of a motor vehicle. Please remember
to report all crimes, no matter how trivial they may seem and
please remain vigilant.
UNTAXED MOTOR VEHICLES.
There are a number of motor vehicles in the village
that do not have valid road fund licences. These are not
abandoned vehicles. From March of this year it has been
possible to ring a number - anonymously if necessary - and
report these vehicles and where they are parked. The number
is 473333 and anyone can ring this number to report a vehicle
parked that is not showing a valid road fund licence. The
Police have advised us that they will check as to the
ownership of these vehicles and send out fines for the non-taxation
plus a notice for the amount owed for the current road fund
licence. This is happening now and anyone who does not have
an up to date road fund licence on their vehicle(s) should be
aware of this.
GOLDEN JUBILEE COINS.
It is the Parish Councils' intention to supply all
children of 16 years and under with a specially minted coin
for Jubilee Year. We will be asking Slip End Lower School to
furnish us with a list of all the children who attend.
However, there are more children in the village that also
qualify for this gift. For instance, all those who attend
schools out of the area. Do you know of any children who
qualify? If you do, please e-mail me or contact David Haste
our Parish Clerk, so that we may compile a list. Should you
have any grandchildren, or indeed would like to purchase
coins for yourself, please let us know so that we may include
them in our order. Prices on request.
That being just about it for this month, on behalf of the
Parish Council, keep happy, safe and neighbour-friendly.
Christine Benson. Slip End Parish Council.
ALEY GREEN METHODIST CHURCH
Thank you to everyone who came to our first
Spring Fayre. £580 was raised for Church funds. It was good
to see the church so full of people having fun relaxing over
afternoon tea and picking up a bargain too! Don't forget to
come along to our Good as New Sale on Saturday 27th April at
2.30p.m. Once again the tea room will be open with home made
cakes and preserves for sale.
Date for your diary - May 18th at 9a.m. We are holding a cake
stall outside the Co-op in Caddington in aid of National
Children's Homes.
Yours in faith Ann Meader and all at Aley Green Methodist
Church
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Do
you have some spare time on your hands? Samaritans Purse are
looking for a volunteer to help co-ordinate all the shoe-boxes
in the Luton area for 2002. This is a very worth-while cause
so if you think you might be able to help please contact Sue
Cowell, Editor, and she will pass your details to Sheila
Heaton and Colin Ridgewell, the people who are responsible
for our district.
LAUGHTER
The
warehouse owner decided to make a surprise visit. Walking
through, he noticed a young man lazily leaning against the
wall. "Just how much are you being paid?" said the
boss, angrily. The young man replied, casually: "£200 a
week." The boss pulledout his wallet, peeled off 10 £20
notes and shouted at the young man: "Here's a week's pay.
Now get out and don't come back!" The young man shrugged
his shoulders, pocketed the money, and left. The warehouse
manager standing nearby, stared in amazement. "Tell me,"
said the boss, "how long has he worked for us?"
"He didn't work here," replied the manager, "He
was just delivering a parcel."
Two men are
chatting in the pub. One says: For our 20th anniversary, I'm
taking my wife to Australia." His friend says: "That's
going to be tough to bear. What are you going to do for your
25th anniversary?" The first man says: "I'm going
to go back and get her."
*** If you think you might have any jokes that could be
included in Parish News please let me know. Many thanks Sue.
MURIEL'S DIARY
Hello
to my friends at the Slip End village. I must apologize for
my weeks away but I did find that I had so much to do and did
not realise that I had left my news items for as long as I
did.
Well we did hold the AGM at the village hall in February and
the hall was packed to capacity for people rushing to take on
the office of treasurer chairman and secretary but we decided
after all of the rush to keep the same chairman and treasurer
until the next AGM because it would have taken too long to
show a newcomer the ropes - as the expression goes.!!! We did
however have a change in our secretary and now have Mr. Steve
Fuell who is very experienced into that sort of office, so he
was well appreciated.
Bud, who was our was our secretary for a number of years and
had worked so very hard stepped down and he is a
representative for the senior citizens of the village.
I would like to tell the people in the village that the
village hall is vacant on Tuesday 4th June if there are any
young mums who wish to organise a village party for the
children of the village for the golden jubilee. We did have a
lovely silver jubilee party 25 years ago and it was most
acceptable to the children. All one needs to do is to knock
up a few jellies with ice-cream adding biscuits crisps and
lemonade to give the kiddies that special treat to remember
when they are older.
I would organise it, owing to my love of children but feel
now that I am running out of steam, so come on you lovely
young mums, get together and do a little something for this
special occasion and as I've just said the hall will be free
of charge.
I notice in the March magazine a nice poem - well, it has
given me the idea to write a poem that my mother taught me
when I was 5 years old. She would lay beside me in my little
bed and teach me a line each night. My small granddaughter
Molly has been taught it by me, and she is only 4 years old,
but each time she visits me she loves to tell it to me.
Before I do the poem I would like to thank the people who
have missed my writing and I hope that this letter although
not pacifically for the village hall, this month,. is not too
boring. Muriel
I will look out for more interesting news next month from
Muriel
(Unfortunately - Muriel forgot to print the poem - hopefully
we will get a copy next month. I will look forward to it.)
This might be a good time to let my e-mail contributors
know that my I am having problems with my modem. I hope to
get if fixed before 15th April but just in case please send
any details to David Kingston at davidgoodmankingston@hotmail.com
Thank you - Sue Cowell, Editor
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