PARK STREET AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
NEWSLETTER - No 77, SPRING 1998
available in booklet form to members via post - please note, the most current issue will not be shown on this page
EDITOR: MR. JOHN BAKER, 40 PARK STREET LANE, PARK STREET, ST. ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE.
GENERAL WEBSITE EDITOR: BEN WILKINSON - paulwilkinson@hotmail.com
ARTICLES SIGNED ED. OR EDITOR ARE FROM JOHN BAKER. MOST ARTICLES WHICH ARE NOT MARKED WITH A NAME ARE FROM JOHN BAKER. B.W. REFERS TO THE WEBSITE EDITOR.
ST. STEPHENS PARISH COUNCIL
This is a reminder to all parishioners that Council meetings will take place on the third Thursday of each month (barring the month of August when there is no meeting). Meetings commence at 8.00pm.
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PARK ST. AND FROGMORE SOCIETY'S NEW YEAR EXHIBITION
The society's exhibition was held in the Old School Hall in Branch Road. The weather was foul for the whole twelve hours we were open but nevertheless there was not one point when we did not have visitors.
We had sections on wildlife (including a quiz), watercress growing, gravel digging, the Abbey Flyer train service, local business, industry and the proposed new village hall. We also covered each of the three villages, Park Street, Frogmore and Colney Street; with associated displays on our schools, Handley Page and our pubs. A great deal of new material was contributed by residents. We were able to show some old cine film and there was some video footage taken in the gravel pits. In addition the society is soon to have some pages on the internet [well, the PSRA beat you to it, eh? On a serious note, we will publish their address as soon as we learn it.BW.] and visitors were able to explore the progress to date on a computer simulation.
There were several old school photographs on display and during the course of the exhibition our visitors managed to identify fifty-four of the children.
Cyril Martin's maps and some large aerial photographs were displayed in one of the Old School's guest rooms. This was an excellent exhibit which impressed all who saw it. Cyril's maps, which are now more than twenty years old, cover Park Street and District in pre-roman times, the 17th century and the Edwardian villages as they were in 1910.
We were pleased to welcome a significant contribution from Mandy James from Redbournbury Mill. Her display was both interesting and delicious because she brought with her freshly made bread and rolls, baked with the mills own flour.
Happily there have already been some spin-offs from the exhibition. We have been invited to display some of our material at Redbournbury Mill on one of their open days, and we have had a donation of maps used for the M25 public enquiries. These will be useful as historical reference documents. We have been given a number of photographs, including one of the Park Street Tyres building when it was still a shop and some taken in Park Street Lane and Lye Lane during the construction of the M25. We have also been given a half pint mink bottle from Brown's Dairy which used to be situated by the Lamb pub. The bottle was dug up with other builders rubble from a garden on the Handley Page estate, How Wood in 1954.
We must thank the museum of St. Albans for the loan of a selection from the Alf Gentle Collection. These were shown a total of ten times in the twelve hours that the collection was open and the museum has gained some slides of the old Gas Works which fit in nicely with those in the Alf Gentle Collection.
A big thankyou to all those who contributed to the work of arranging and setting up the displays and particularly to those who left donations of money.
To support current work we need to fill som gaps in our records and will be grateful to be allowed to copy photographs of the area. They do not have to be works of art, it is the information which is important not the artistic merit. In particular we are looking for photographs of Penn Road before it was made up when a white picket fence seperated it from How Wood. A photo of Shadbolts shop, set back in How Wood before the new shopping parade was built, would be very interesting and we would also like photos of Brown's dairy, their delivery cart and horse.
Tony Stevens
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BACK NUMBERS
The library service of the Hertfordshire County Council has, for some time, been collecting editions of local newsletters - that produced by us comes into that category.
Having searched amongst those which I had saved I was able to let them have back numbers down to No45 and a few odd ones to 24. In other words, newsletters issued prior to Summer 1987 are needed to complete the folio.
Should you have any of the above mentioned copies and you would care to dispose of them, please get in touch with me and I shall arrange for their onward journey. My address and telephone number can be found on page 1 of the newsletter or at the top of the internet page.
John Baker
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PARK STREET NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
The growth of the Watch proceeds apace. The pace is not as quick as would be wished, but nonetheless, the growth is steady. Nigel Read, are community officer (sadly no longer an active beat officer, as is noted elsewhere in this newsletter) said that good progress had been made during the few months of the Watch's existence.
In order to give some idea of progress we set out in the next paragraphs extracts from the co-ordinators' and open meeting held on 11th March 1998. In most instances you will have heard it all before but, and in particular where security is concerned, a gentle reminder can do no harm.
1. All front doors should have security chains fitted. How Wood DIY will fit free of charge any such chain purchased from them. Unless you know who is calling, always put on the security chain before the door is opened.
2. Beware of bogus callers. PC Read said that there is available from the Post Office a green post card on which numbers of the utilities can be recorded so that anyone claiming to be from one of these utilities can have his credentials checked.
3. Never leave your car unlocked even when standing on the driveway, and never leave anything which would tempt a wrongdoer to break into the car.
Various other matters were discussed including the question of discounted insurances on properties and contents for members of recognised neighbourhood watch schemes.
430 Households have so far joined the scheme out of a possible 1,250. Currently there are 40 co-ordinators. Another 40 are needed. It is reckoned that each co-ordinator should have twenty dwellings to look after. 27 roads are yet to be covered.
For more information please telephone Bryan Ferris on P/S 872234.
John Baker
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STICKY FINGERS
Sticky Fingers, which meets in the Village Hall each Friday from 1.30pm to 3.00pm, caters for toddlers up to school age together with their mothers (or carers). All are welcome. 75p per adult. Refreshments provided. A telephone call to Frankie Smith on 768527 will provide you with any further information.
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COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER
Should you not already know, I am sure that you will be sorry to learn that our Policeman, Nigel Read, has been withdrawn from active service in Park Street and will be serving on the community desk in St. Albans.
Some eighteen months ago Nigel injured a shoulder whilst on duty. The person whom he had to arrest became violent and caused this injury, from which Nigel has not yet fully recovered. Medical evidence showed that he would not be able to carry out his duties should he find himself in a similar situation in the future. I believe that I can safely say that we shall miss his friendly face and approach. Sadly, that is life!
John Baker
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held on Tuesday 21st April 1998 at 8.00pm in the Village Hall, Park Street. Should you have any matter you wish to have discussed it would be helpful if you could advise the Hon. Secretary by 16th April. That matter can then be placed on the agenda under 'Any Other Business.' Questions will also be taken from the floor.
At the time of going to press it is understood that all officers and committee members are offering themselves for re-election. The committee is in need of more members. If you feel like becoming a member there is room for you.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of the 1997 Annual General Meeting
3. Report of the Chairman
4. Report of the Acting Hon Treasurer and presentation of accounts
5. Election of Officers
6. Election of Committee Members
7. Election of Hon Auditor(s)
8. Any Other Business
Please bring your membership car with you. We shall be please to see you. Refreshments will be served.
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CARTOON (see seperate web-page)
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BULB PLANTING
Every year for many years Trevor Gurd, together with helpers has taken a dozen pupils from How Wood School and, armed with digging instruments, planted bulbs in available vacant spaces in and about Park Street. As these bulbs are supplied free of charge by the Parish Council, they have always been planted therein.
It was suggested that the rule could be broken and bulbs be planted in that area of Park street which is outside the Parish. The City Council was approached and happily agreed to this suggestion. So it came to be that last Autumn the junction of Mount Drive and Watling Street received attention courtesy of early rising members of the PSRA committee.
It is hoped that the daffodils have brought a little pleasure into the lives of the residents who live in the area.
John Baker
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POETIC INTERLUDE
A fine cat was Ben
He had silky black fur
And then he had kittens
So they called him Ben Hur
B.W.
Old Hertfordshire Prescription for Cold Prevention
Now 'tis the season of coughing and chills
Harken ye how to escape from these ills
'Twas not from the damp as was formerly tolde
But from other folks germs ye be catching the colde
Prevention 'tis said is better than cure
So go fill your 'at with som farmyard manure
Then wear ye the hat through all the day long
And none will approach for the terrible 'pong'
Ethel Martin
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For those who wish to try this prescription, which is entirely free of charge, please telephone P/S 873469, when arrangements will be made for you to collect as much manure as you wish.
Should the cure or, should I say, the prevention not work, the material, well stood, serves as an excellent garden fertiliser.
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GARDENS, PATIOS AND POT PLANTS
At this time of the year, when the garden soil is drying out, spread som blood, fish and bone meal organic fertiliser around plants and fork into the top surface. This will give needed nutrients to established plants for the Summer and Autumn months ahead. Do not spread heavily or too close to delicate plants.
For potted plants that are showing signs of poor or no new growth and vitality, remove the plant from its pot when soil is dry or damp and examine the root structure. If roots are tightly packed around the sides and base areas of pots, repot in the next size pot, teasing some of the outer roots out into new compost added to the pot. Ensure no gaps are left around roots. Keep the plant moist to encourage new root growth. Remember, new compost only contains active nutrients for the first five or six weeks after planting and liquid feeding with Maxicrop will supplement the reduction in plant food after this initial period.
Patio tubs should have been emptied of old compost, washed clean to prevent carrying any plant disease over, and can now be filled with new All Purpose Compost, ready for this year's selection of annual plants. Plant up patio tubs and gardens at the end of May, when most hard frosts have gone. Remember to water plants regularly after initial planting and during hot Summer days.
As I said all last year, more useful help and information can be gained locally at the local horticultural store in Drop Lane, Bricket Wood any Saturday afternoon between 2.00 & 4.00pm. The serving staff will be only too pleased to help with gardening tips or answer most gardening problems.
Eve R Green
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LOCAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY GROUP VISITS
St. Stephens Horticultural Society has arranged three visits for 1998. Tickets for these visits are available from the Trading Store, Drop Lane, Bricket Wood each Saturday between 2.00 & 4.00pm.
· Saturday 4th April - Ryton Organic Gardens - £15.00 (This ticket price includes a three course meal and a one-and-a-half hour guided tour.
· Saturday 6th June - Kew Gardens - £10.00
· Saturday 19th September - Wisley Royal Horticultural Society Gardens - £8.00
Time and place of departure and approximate return time for each visit will be available from the Trading Store.
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PARK STREET VILLAGE HALL
It will not be known whether the bid for funds has succeeded until the end of May. Until then we have to hope.
On Saturday 25th April 1998, Vera Clark is organising a Jazz Dance at the Hall. Tickets are available. This is not a disco. The band is 'live' and has, as I understand, its own following. As there will be no bar, it is sugested that you bring your own refreshments.
A telephone call to either Mrs. Clark (P/S 875130) or Dick Downs (P/S 768642) will give you any further information.
Park Players will be presenting on 1st July 1998 a play entitled 'Tomb with a View!' July 1st is a Wednesday but it is hoped that the play will be staged on more than one night, which it will be if the groups who have the hall booked on a regular basis will give up their respective bookings. I have no doubt that Dick will 'sweet talk' them into so doing.
The kitchen, which now complies with EU standards (no, it's not a joke! B.W.), is being altered and improved. When the modification is completed it will also serve as a small meeting room.
Dick, who is chairman of the committee, also doubles as booking clerk. The committee is looking for someone who would be prepared to lend a hand by taking on this job.
John Baker
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BARBECUE
The barbecue will again this year be held in the garden of 141 Park Street Lane, thanks to the courtesy of Ian and Vi La Riviere. For your diary the date is Saturday 11th July 1998.
Cost of tickets will be announced at a later date. Hope to see you on 11th.
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SWAN CARE
There has been nothing spectacular to report since the Christmas issue of the newsletter. Since then I have collected only £10.00 from the sale of tin foil. That sum is being held until the next transaction.
Foil is coming in very well. Residents of Chiswell Green are now contributing. Every little helps. Thank you Chiswell Green!
Again I repeat my please. PLEASE NO PLASTIC! Some silvered plastic to the eye appears to be tin foil. It ain't! A quick test is to crush in your hand if you suspect. Foil will remain crushed, plastic will not.
John Baker
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CONGRATULATIONS
We are delighted to offer our congratulations to Tony Clarke of Orchard Drive on his being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year's Honours List. This honour was presented to him by HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace at the investiture in February.
For the better part of his working life Tony was involved in the industrial relations field and also in various voluntary organisations.
Since his retirement in 1993 Tony has remained working in the voluntary field including One World Agency, which aids Third World community projects
Apart from being a CBE, Tony is also a Knight of St. Gregory, a papal award, which he received from the hands of Cardinal Hume.
We are pleased that his good works have received official recognition.
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LOMAX BURSARY
The Lomax Bursay will be awarded in June 1998 for the encouragement of young people, individual or in groups, who live in the parishes of St. Stephen's; St. Albans; St. Luke's; Bricket Wood or Holy Trinity, Frogmore and are in need of assistance to further their interests in the arts, music or sport. A minimum of £150.00 will be available.
Those interested should apply by letter, making detailed proposals and enclosing a letter from a sponsor or referee who knows them well, to the Secretary of the Trustees, Dr. E. G. Coker, 10 Westfields, St. Albans, Herts. not later than 30th April 1998.
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BALFOUR NEWS AND FOOD
We do not, in the normal way, make comment on local retailers' activities unless we believe that it is in the interest of our members so to do. In this instance it is felt that you would like to know what is happening at 26 and 28 How Wood.
Balfours is combining with How Wood Grocers and expanding into, what is today known as convenience shopping. The two shops will also be made into one unit.
The Post Office will be relocated in what is currently the cool cabinet area of the grocers.
Manager Alan Collins and Assistant Manageress Lorraine Wilson offer their apologies for any inconvenience which you may suffer during the alterations and hope that you will bear with them during the reorganisation, which is expected to last until the middle of May.
When all work is completed the shop will begin opening seven days a week and hours will be extended to 6.00 am - 10.00 pm. The hours of the Post Office will not change.
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BROWNIES
Nearly 50 years ago, the 1st Park Street Brownie Pack was formed for young girls between the ages of seven and eleven.
As the population in this village grew, it became necessary to form a second pack. So, in 1983 the 2nd Park Street began in the Scout Hut, Birchwood Way. The waiting list for Brownies continued to grow and ten years ago a 3rd Pack was started in the Old School, Branch Road.
Brownies have continued to flourish in Park Street and we have been able to accommodate any girl in the village wishing to join, and have been able to offer a place to girls in the Rainbow Pack (started in 1991 for girls aged five to seven).
These organisations are run voluntarily by people with busy lives but time to devote to the needs of young children.
Guiding today demands time and energy, but is very rewarding and great fun. We are frequently needing new helpers as Guiders move on. Could you help run a Brownie Pack? If so, and would like to know more, contact Chris (Bricket Wood 670700) or Sandra (Park Street 872782).
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CALLING ALL EX-PUPILS OF HOW WOOD SCHOOL
How Wood JMI School will be celebrating its 30th Year by holding a Summer Party on Sunday 5th July 1998 fro 2-7pm.
There will be lots of attractions to entertain you and the children. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun and celebrate the anniversary. Lets hope this event will be will be as well supported as last year, when we raised much needed funds for the school.
Watch out for posters and flyers around the village for ticket details near the time. In the meantime, we hope you will put a note in your diary and support this community event.
Vanessa De Roy, How Wood School PTA
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THERE HAS BEEN FAR TOO MUCH OF YOURS TRULY IN THIS EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER. SURELY SOME MEMBERS HAVE A STORY TO TELL OR A SUBJECT AROUND WHICH ONE CAN BE WOVEN.
PLEASE LET ME HAVE YOUR STORY BY 14th MAY.
John Baker
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END OF NEWSLETTER ISSUE 77
ISSUE 78 WILL APPEAR ON THIS WEBSITE WHEN ISSUE 79 IS DELIVERED TO MEMBERS