ASHWELL YEARBOOK 2020 - Published March 2020 by Ashwell Parish Council Distributed free to householders and businesses in Ashwell The thirty first ...
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ASHWELL
YEARBOOK 2020
Published March 2020 by Ashwell Parish Council
Distributed free to householders and businesses in Ashwell
The thirty first year of production
1
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Welcome to the 2020 edition of
the Ashwell Yearbook
T he Yearbook celebrates yet another year in the life of our
village. I hope it will bring to mind the good things that have
gone on around us in the past twelve months and inspire you to
Contents
take fullest advantage of what Ashwell has to offer, now and in Ashwell Parish Council 2
the year to come. It should be a good read too! Community Groups 14
I would like to thank all the members of the Yearbook Working Education 24
Group and contributors for their hard work in producing this Sport 28
quality publication. Many do this year after year and it is their Youth Organisations 33
efforts that ensure it is of such a consistently high standard.
This group includes parishioners as well as parish councillors. Charity Groups 36
This edition has been led by Norton Mahy. I would also like to Young Ashwell 40
acknowledge the work of David Short who previously led the Weddings 46
Yearbook Group for many years. Thanks to him, by the time he
retired from the Parish Council in 2019, the Ashwell Yearbook Anniversaries 48
had become and has remained a publication of which the whole Gallery 50
community can be proud The Bill Family 52
What is more, in Ashwell we are lucky to have a range of Clubs and Societies 56
businesses, many of which have supported this Yearbook’s Church and Chapel 62
production by taking adverts in it. We would like to thank them
From Our Registers 67
for this and to remind you, the reader, that they rely on your
custom. As the saying goes, ‘What you don’t use, you lose’. So Events 70
please bear in mind, if you fancy some personal pampering, are Ashwell Weather 79
looking for a special gift or just need something fixing up, there
Those we have lost 82
could be just the thing for you right here.
Other Local Services 85
Classified Directory 87
Yearbook Team:
Mark White Norton Mahy, Team Leader, Parish Council representative,
Chairman, Ashwell Parish Council Clubs and Societies reports
Gill Field, Production management
Margaret Budgen, Photography
Annual Parish Meeting Laura Brooks-Payne, Advertisements
Madeleine Legg, People reports and Directory
25th March 2020 - 8 pm at the School Julie Darts, Sports reports, Young Ashwell
(big hall) All Welcome Julia Mitchell, Education reports
Agenda Eileen ten Hove, Church and Chapel reports
1 To approve the minutes of the 2019 Kay Hoskins, Charity Group reports
Annual Parish Meeting Debbie Toombs, Proof reader
2 Matters of report from the 2019 Cliff Jenkinson, Events and Community Groups reports and
Annual Parish Meeting General Editor
3 Chairman’s Report
4 Financial Statement Disclaimer
5 Reports from Parish Council including Any views expressed in this publication are those of the
working groups authors and are not to be taken as representing the views of
6 Reports from others the publishers, Ashwell Parish Council.
7 Parish Affairs
Signed Front Cover: Ashwell Village Museum, newly restored,
November 2019.
Photo: Margaret Budgen
Mark White
Chairman, Ashwell Parish Council Yearbook Design: Parkes Print and Design
01767 603 930
Please remember to bring your copy of the 2020 www.parkesprintanddesign.com
Ashwell Yearbook with you.
(Background). Photo by Peter John Gates
3
Ashwell Parish Council
Chairman’s Report Parish Councillors
Elected May 2019
I will begin with a comment about Parish Council numbers
and it seems to be becoming a bit of a tradition. Though there
should be twelve members, there are now only six – down
by one in comparison with last year. What is more, two are
newcomers to the job. Fortunately, enthusiasm compensates
to some degree for lack of numbers.
However, rather than staying constant, our workload seems
to be increasing. To a large extent we must thank the Clerk
and her Deputy for taking on many, if not all, of the day-to-day Mark White Martin Hoffman
tasks involved in Parish activities. CHAIRMAN VICE-CHAIRMAN
33 West End Spire Furlong, 3 Newnham Way
☎︎07977 099951 ☎︎742567
Fortunately, we are also lucky in the support we get from ✉︎mark.white@ashwell.gov.uk ✉︎martin.hoffman@ashwell.gov.uk
parishioners as volunteers or Working Group members.
The Group that produced this Yearbook is a good example,
though I have to say that support often comes from the ‘usual
suspects’. They are greatly appreciated and we could not do
without them but new faces would be very welcome. I hope
the articles here might inspire you to get involved if you are
not already.
Council meetings are your chance to find out what is going on
and may give you ideas about how you can join in. They are
every first Wednesday of the month at 8:00 pm in the Parish
Rooms. Graham Lee David Sims
Spade Acre, 59 Ashwell Street 92 Station Road
Looking ahead, we want to make Ashwell a still better place ☎︎743126 ☎︎742151
✉︎graham.lee@ashwell.gov.uk ✉︎david.sims@ashwell.gov.uk
to live, work in and visit. So, in addition to encouraging our
usual activities and events to go from strength to strength,
we have the long-term project to replace the Pavilion. It is
an ambitious and admittedly costly project but it will provide
a more versatile building that will meet our social and
recreational needs much better in the future.
We expect the Neighbourhood Plan to go to North
Hertfordshire District Council in the coming year. Once
it is passed over, the final stage can go ahead and, if that is
successful, our Plan will become part of the District’s policy.
The version we pass over will incorporate lessons learnt in Gemma Allan Norton Mahy
Chain Cottage, 50 Gardiners Lane 40 Silver Street
dealing with recent planning applications and the advice of a ☎︎07779 266191 ☎︎07740 923338
specialist consultant, so it should be a tool to give us some say ✉︎gemma.allan@ashwell.gov.uk ✉︎norton.mahy@ashwell.gov.uk
in how new development happens in Ashwell.
Finally, a reminder about the defibrillator in the telephone Clerk: Jane Porter
box next to the Rose and Crown. Using it does not need any ✉︎clerk@ashwell.gov.uk
training and the instructions provided are simple and easy to
follow; the machine tells you what to do. All that is required Deputy Clerk: Laura Brooks-Payne
is a clear head. ✉︎deputyclerk@ashwell.gov.uk
Cllr Mark White The Parish Council Office is at
6a Back Street, Ashwell, Herts SG7 5PE
Chairman, Ashwell Parish Council ☎︎743706
www.ashwell.gov.uk
2
Information about the Parish Council Parish Council Meetings in 2019
T o access current information concerning the Parish
Council and the Ashwell community, or to sign up to
receive regular email updates on specific items of interest,
D uring 2019 the Parish Council met every month on the
first Wednesday of the month in the Parish Room. Parish
Council meetings are open to the public and parishioners
please visit the Ashwell website: www.ashwell.gov.uk attending were invited to contribute during the agenda item
‘Parish Affairs and Open Forum’, timed to be held at 8:00 pm.
Alternatively, contact the Clerk, the Deputy Clerk, the Reports relating to other local bodies, including the Village
Chairman or individual councillors. Council meetings are
Hall, the Museum and the School, were heard during these
minuted as soon as possible after they have taken place and
draft minutes are put on to the website: www.ashwell.gov.uk. open sessions, as well as anything concerning matters such
An archive of approved past minutes can also be found there. as local policing and youth facilities.
Every month a summary of the Parish Council meeting
appears in the ‘Parish Council Matters’ section of the Ashwell
Village News. Copies of this summary are also displayed on Local Government Responsibilities
the main Parish Council notice board by the Rose and Crown
and on the small Parish Council notice board in the bus
shelter in Station Road, opposite the War Memorial. Who does what and whom to contact
T
If important issues arise newsletters are published and he three tiers of local government – Parish, District and
delivered to every household.
County – supply most of the services provided in towns
and villages. For details of services provided by Ashwell
Parish Council please see pages 2-10, for North Hertfordshire
District Council and for Hertfordshire County Council please
Parish Council Responsibilities see page 85. Reports from our County and District Councillors
appear on page 12.
and Reports
Planning Minutes of the Ashwell Annual
Parish Meeting
P arish councils, by statute, have to be consulted on all planning
applications even though their recommendations do not have
to be followed. All planning applications received by Ashwell T he minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting, held on
Wednesday 27th March 2019, are available on the Ashwell
Parish Council are discussed, where controversial, at an on-site website – www.ashwell.gov.uk - or from the Parish Council
meeting of the Planning Committee when the applicant and Office, 6a Back Street, ☎︎743706.
any other interested parishioners are asked if they would like to Draft minutes of the 2020 meeting will be posted as soon as
speak to the proposal. All applicants are advised of the meeting possible after the meeting.
by letter. All Parish Council meetings are open to the public.
Small Gains, Allotments & Football Field
Parish Council Representatives and
Trustees on Other Bodies
I am not sure if it’s global warming but the last two or three
years have more or less been the same - either heavy rain
or drought. It’s either too wet to look after crops or you need
Cllr Gemma Allan liaises with Ashwell Primary School and to water your plants every day to prevent them from dying.
reports to and from the Parish Council on relevant matters as Despite this, several plot holders managed to grow some very
needed. good plants in 2019.
Cllr Martin Hoffman is the Chairman of the Trustees of Vandalism was a real problem at the beginning of the year,
Ashwell Village Museum in his own right and reports to and with damage to the allotments and football field but with the
from the Parish Council on relevant matters as needed. help of the Accies and PCSO Chris Brabrook vandalism has
stopped at the moment.
The Chairman, Cllr Mark White is the representative of the
Parish Council in matters relating to the Village Hall. There may be vacancies for a plot. Anyone who is interested,
please contact the Parish Clerk (☎︎ 743706 or email ✉︎ clerk@
Cllr Mark White, is also Chairman of the Ashwell Village ashwell.gov.uk) or ☎ 742151 or ✉︎david.sims@ashwell.gov.uk
Trust. The Trust owns the Cottage Garden, which is managed
by a group of volunteers (see pages 18 and 22 for reports). Cllr David Sims
3
A Greener Ashwell
T he Parish Council has for a long time been concerned
that trees have been felled in the village which should
not have been and, as North Herts District Council has been
The Parish Council will shortly be planting trees and hedges
on its land, which will help Ashwell to become a greener
and more climate-friendly village. We also look forward to
under-resourced in various departments, the Parish Council hearing from anyone in the community who can help in the
has had to look for help elsewhere. That is why we have protection of Ashwell trees. Please see the article on this
joined the Woodland Trust and are in touch with various subject on page 23.
other organisations to enable us to obtain help and advice on
the protection of trees in Ashwell. Cllr David Sims
The Ruddery from Station Road. Photo by Ashwell Parish Council
Can you help us with the 2021 edition of the Ashwell Yearbook?
We need volunteers to join the team and contribute to the production
process by, for example, collecting contributions and compiling the directory.
We are particularly keen to find someone who has some knowledge of graphic
design and related software or who is willing to get some experience in this
area. A good eye and enthusiasm would be a great asset to us. The software we
use is QuarkXPress, which is a fairly standard computer aided design package,
with drag and drop, and pre-defined formats which can be customised, etc. Is
anyone up for this challenge?
We are a friendly group and if you think you might have the time and skills
to become part of it, Norton Mahy would be delighted to hear from you:
40 Silver Street | 07740 923338 | norton.mahy@ashwell.gov.uk
ASHWELL YEARBOOK 2021
4
Highways Liaison Keeping Ashwell Tidy & Attractive
T he County Council is responsible for matters relating to
highways. Please report to the County any problems with
the roads, street lighting, verges, overgrown hedges, etc. Page
A s well as maintaining the Recreation Ground, the Springs,
St Mary’s Churchyard and the Cemetery, the Parish
Council helps to keep other parts of the village attractive.
85 contains contact details, as do the green cards that the We have a member of staff for 6½ hours a week to “top up”
Parish Council distributes. Councillor David Sims maintains the service provided by the District Council. He picks up
contact with Hertfordshire Highways and meets regularly litter, sweeps the footways and does minor works in our
with our County Councillor, Steve Jarvis, and his Highways twitchels. When necessary, he also does additional hours on
representative to lobby on matters that concern our Parish. maintenance tasks to our property. The landscape contractor
that helps our Grounds Officer maintain the Recreation
The Parish Council has lobbied the County Council for a Ground, the Springs etc, works on other small areas around
number of road safety improvements and maintenance the village including Carters Pond, Merchant Taylors Green,
works for the benefit of Ashwell parishioners. We are and the bank in Silver Street, to supplement the verge cutting
grateful for the hard work of County Councillor Steve Jarvis done by the County Council Highways Department.
on these, and also the support of District Councillor Tom
Tyson. Yellow lines to control dangerous parking have been
installed (with more on a wish list). At the time of writing,
other improvements awaiting installation are:
• A 20mph speed limit in the core of the village
• Restricted time parking spaces outside retail
outlets in the High Street and Mill Street.
Other issues on the ’wish list’ have been discussed but are
dependent on funding. Some projects may benefit from future
housing development (Planning obligation/Section106)
money. Included are:
• Safety improvements at the War Memorial junction,
which is dangerous for cyclists
• Extra pavement and a cross over point to improve
pedestrian safety in Station Road (safer routes to
school for children)
• Changes to the road layout at West End, to widen
the footway and slow traffic
• Improvements to prevent obstruction and damage
to property at the Silver Street ‘pinch point’.
The County Council Highways department is responsible for Members of the Border Ramblers demonstrating how to use one of our Parish
maintaining the verges in the village. After lobbying by local benches. Photo by Norton Mahy
residents and the Parish Council, Highways undertook much-
The Parish Council has also added small touches to enhance
needed hedge cutting in Station Road by the garage and at
our environment: the village sign in Station Road celebrating
the Claybush Road junction by the rear of the school. Parking our eleven-hundred-year heritage, and the one in the centre
issues at this junction are being discussed by our County by Carters Pond. There are benches in Ashwell’s immediate
Councillor and the school. The Speed Indicator Device (SID) surroundings, so those out for a stroll can pause and take
in Station Road has provided speed and volume data that in the view. Our contractor keeps them clear by cutting the
continue to give cause for concern and a second SID has been grass on the verges around them.
requested for further along by the Sunnymead Orchard and
Shire End Close junctions. In an effort to keep litter to a minimum there are bins
provided by the Parish and emptied every four weeks by the
Safety on the A505, particularly at the Odsey junction used District Council. Please do not put in dog waste or soiled
by many residents, continues to be of concern. The Parish nappies, as they could be there for some time! There are a
Council supports our County Councillor in lobbying for further ten bins exclusively for dog waste, so one should be
improvements. Again, there is a wish list but funding will be nearby at any given point. We all very much appreciate the
an issue. dog owners who use them.
Cllr David Sims Cllr Norton Mahy
5
Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Arbury Banks
What is a Neighbourhood Plan? The Iron Age Hill Fort, which is surrounded by a fence, and
A neighbourhood plan is new type of plan, introduced the land approaching it are under private ownership. It is a
by the Localism Act 2011. Neighbourhood plans are scheduled Ancient Monument which means that both the fort
prepared by the local community and can include itself and its setting are protected by law.
planning policies. The policies must be consistent with
national and local planning policies and cannot be used The Parish Council has provided, in agreement with the
to prevent development. relevant authorities, the footpath signage and the information
panel but have little influence on anything else. However, last
What influence does a Neighbourhood year I did report that the Chilterns Board have a project called
Plan have? Beacons of the past: Hillforts in the Chilterns Landscape. They
Following consultation, an examination and a successful have commissioned an investigation into the chain of hillforts
referendum, a neighbourhood plan will become part of along the line of the Chiltern Hills, including a LiDar Survey,
the statutory development plan and will be used when which will show in great detail any evidence of ancient
determining planning applications. development in the area.
More information can be found on the NHDC website
https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/planning/
planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning
T owards the end of 2018 the Neighbourhood Plan (NP)
Working Group submitted a draft NP Report to North Herts
District Council (NHDC) as a pre-submission consultation
(Regulation 14). The draft report was based on village feedback
from the various consultations undertaken as part of the NP
process. The response from NHDC highlighted a number of
process and procedural requirements that the Working Group
felt too inexperienced to deal with. So, a professional planning Arbury Banks
consultant has been engaged to help us with re-drafting the
Report. Fortunately, the consultant’s costs are being met by Unfortunately for us, the survey started at the far end of
grants available to fund NP preparations. the Chilterns and, at the time of writing, we still await
interpretation and publication of the findings from our area.
In the Summer the Leader of the Working Group, David I would suggest that those interested check the website www.
Short, decided to stand down for health reasons after five chilternsaonb.org to find out the latest situation as it may
years, during which he has guided the Group in making reveal some very interesting information. The group leading
tremendous progress on Ashwell’s draft Plan. Members of the project is publishing regular newsletters with details of
the Working Group and the Parish Council thank David for his events and activities. The results that I have seen (not of our
major contribution in taking the Plan to its current stage. He area of course) show some really spectacular findings.
is succeeded by Parish Councillor Graham Lee, with Norton
Mahy as Deputy Leader. Cllr Martin Hoffman
By the time of the 2020 Parish Meeting it is hoped that the
Regulation 16 submission to NHDC will have been made. This
stage effectively places Ashwell’s NP in the hands of NHDC
for final consultation and examination, prior to submission Volunteer Organisers
to the Inspector for assessment. If successful, that will be
followed by a referendum of Ashwell residents to accept or Needed
reject the Plan.
Can you or your group take the
During 2019 NHDC have approved Planning Applications for
44 houses in Ashwell, including 30 units on the controversial lead on the 2021 Spring Clean?
Claybush Road (AS1) site. The Parish Council, NP Working
Group and local residents vigorously resisted this latter Routes, timetable and access to equipment
application, supported by our District Councillor; but the are all available and are supported by the
pressure on NHDC to build homes eventually prevailed Parish Council.
unfortunately. Once agreed in a referendum, the NP will give
us a little more leverage to oppose inappropriate development Useful tips and contacts will be provided by
here in Ashwell in the future.
the team who have organised this event in
The latest status and a copy of the final or draft Neighbourhood previous years – AND IT’S FUN!
Plan will be available on the Parish Council website:
www.ashwell.gov.uk Please contact Norton Mahy
norton.mahy@ashwell.gov.uk
Cllr Graham Lee
6
Recreation Ground, Pavilion,
Public Rights of Way – Footpaths Playground and Public Toilets
M indful of the actual or potential impact from
housebuilding, the Parish Council intervened with the
aim of preserving existing footpaths and/or vegetation on
A s many of you are aware, we are looking at adding new
equipment to that already in place in the playground.
These new pieces will be geared towards the older children
the following sites during 2019: in our community and will, we hope, give them somewhere
safe and fun to burn off all their energy! As so often in these
• Former Cooke Engineering site. The HCC officer has been cases, this is a relatively slow process, but I’m hopeful the new
made aware of damage to the verge adjacent to the site and apparatus will be in place by summer 2021. Thank you to all
the developer has been requested to carry out the agreed the kids and parents whose input has been indispensable in
planting. This will be pursued as, at the time of writing, the this process. We massively value the opinions of the younger
work is still outstanding. members of the village, especially seeing as this project will
• No.1 Newnham Way. The HCC was asked to ensure that benefit them directly.
the developer respected the location of the Partridge Hill
boundary and not to create any further damage to the The existing pavilion has served the village well since it was
adjacent highways verge. built in the 1960s but for some time it has been recognised
• Hunt’s Close (field between the Ruddery and Lucas Lane). that it is sadly beyond its ‘best before’ date. It no longer
Although this is currently only a potential development (at meets the required standards nor the needs of a thriving and
pre-App stage) the Parish Council’s preference is to ensure growing population. Its rather tired and scruffy facilities,
that the Ruddery, part of the ancient Icknield Way, is kept despite best efforts to maintain them, are not welcoming or
as a rural, tree lined track (see photo page 4), rather than encouraging to users who wish to engage in sporting and
being ‘tarmacked’. community activities.
A number of other footpaths have benefited from vegetation
cut-backs to improve their use, and the Ashwell Street
(West) BOAT has been re-surfaced with loose, weathered,
road planings, which should be more durable and resistant
to pot-holing than the usual crushed concrete.
HCC has just launched a new app to access public rights of
way throughout Hertfordshire, available via:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/
pressreleases/hertfordshire-rights-of-way-map-now-
available-at-your-fingertips.aspx 1960s Paviilion given a boost for replacement. Photo from Parish Council archives
In general, the Parish Council has good communications In the latter stages of 2019, our vision of for a replacement
with the County Council’s officer for Rights of Way (called pavilion took a significant step forward. As a result of the
the Countryside Access Officer), particularly in respect permission given by NHDC for 30 new houses on the Claybush
of various specific works such as surface repairs and the Road site, an obligation must be paid by the developer
cutting back of vegetation, which it is the responsibility of towards a community project. At short notice the Parish
the County Council to undertake. Clerk managed to pull together the necessary documents to
put in our request for the maximum sum of £75,000 and this
Any Ashwell resident with concerns about Public Rights of Way has been approved. This funding will be combined with the
in Ashwell can contact HCC using their ‘Report a Fault’ page. £40,000 already allocated to renew the public toilets. There
seems little point renovating the current toilets alone, as the
Cllr Graham Lee pavilion itself would be unlikely to last as long as the new loos!
☎︎ 743126
In November we formed a committee dedicated to the
building of this new pavilion. This includes members of
the Cricket Club, Football Club and Ashwell Accies and has
already received the invaluable (and free!) advice of a local
If you would like to see your organisation’s architect who has vast knowledge in the building of pavilions.
report and photographs in the next edition This committee is currently looking at additional funding we
of the Ashwell Yearbook then, before the can bid for in order to make this a project a reality.
end of November 2020, please contact: In other news we have fortunately not had too many
additional poo-bag-gate issues but we remain vigilant for
Parish Council Office ☎︎743706 further occurrences. Once again, we would like to extend
our thanks to George Keightley for his continued support in
or ✉︎clerk@ashwell.gov.uk inspecting the playground for us.
Cllr Gemma Allan
7
Returning to the SSSI, it is important that it is treated as such and
The Springs not as a pretty garden. This is why the great band of volunteers
that we depend upon know and adhere to the guidance which in
some cases means leaving areas of what I call “weeds”. I am by no
W hen checking the Springs I often wonder what life was like here
500 or 1,000 years ago, before the brewery buildings came
and went! Apart from providing water, what activities went on?
means a gardener! Sometimes areas have to be left rough or at
least controlled rough, which explains why every walkway is not
trimmed to the same standard as town parks. We rely on groups
of volunteers who make up a small number of working parties
The activities, as I frequently report, continue to flourish and throughout the year. Anybody who is interested, especially those
there is difficulty in avoiding repetition of this report year by year. who use the Springs regularly, would be most welcome to come
The usage of the area continues to increase for all ages, and there along. Please contact the Parish Clerk if you can help.
are regular activities, such as the Duck Race etc, which continue
to flourish, together with people of all ages enjoying what they As I have mentioned before, these volunteers have been ably led
want to do, ranging from resting and taking in the environment to by Martin Lush whose input has been essential over many years.
energetic games. Sadly for us, but of benefit to his own health, he is to retire from
active duty and he really has been a godsend to the village with
The flow rate and purity of the water is of interest to all, and the his knowledge and enthusiasm. I would also like to acknowledge
reports from the Environment Agency are encouraging. There the input of Trevor James, whose expertise and guidance we have
has only been one dip in the flow rate, and I know that regular greatly benefited from over many years.
readers are aware that because of our status as an SSSI (Site
of Special Scientific Interest) the flow rates must be maintained. The Springs are used by many people both from the village and
The Environment Agency enables the rate to be maintained elsewhere, some making a day of it from quite some distances
in periods of drought by pumping water from the Weston away. It is always a sadness to see evidence of vandalism, such
Hills aquifer to support our flow. Some other sites do not have as destroying the log seat and various other needless damage as
this facility but ours is vital in this respect. The quality of the well as seeing people throwing litter on the ground despite being
water is tested regularly and passes all such examinations. The very close to the generous supply of bins. There are only a few
implication of being an SSSI also means that we must look after who do this as the vast majority are extremely helpful.
the environment as a whole, ensuring that the site is maintained
according to various criteria. We have regular inspections to I usually like to end with a little humour from the Springs. Many
ensure this. The flora and fauna are cared for, the trees are of you have asked me the identity of the 87-year-old lady nipping
appropriately managed and we have a regular, two yearly across the stepping stones who I have mentioned previously. My
inspection to ensure this. lips are sealed. This year I would like to quote from one of the
comments of the safety inspectors who advised that one of the
waste bins “had a very slight lean on it.” If only everything was
that easy!
Cllr Martin G. Hoffman
Ashwell Cemetery
T he Parish owns the Cemetery in Station Road. It is managed
and maintained by the Parish Council who employ a regular
The Springs
The safety of the public is also monitored, for which we have
an annual RoSPA inspection. The tree inspections give expert
recommendations on management, with timescales for actions
to be carried out. So far, there has been no evidence of Ash
Dieback disease which I usually only talk about in whisper! Does
that mean it will eventually come here? Who knows, as there is
no way of predicting it, apart from regular inspections. There is no
treatment and there is variation on what action should be taken,
depending upon which ‘expert’ advice you take. Some are now
recommending you do nothing other than remove any obvious
hazards. If we have to, we will do the most appropriate thing.
8 Chapel of Rest. Photo by Neville’s Funeral Servicecontractor for grounds maintenance and commission tree
works as necessary. There is space for both full burials and the War Memorial
interment of ashes. Preferential rates are charged for
parishioners and for those who have previously lived here. For
interments or the reservation of plots, please contact the Parish
Council office. Details are also on the website www.ashwell.gov.uk T he War Memorial is maintained by the Parish Council in
partnership with the Ashwell Branch of the Royal British
Legion. A volunteer keeps the ornamental planting looking
The Chapel of Rest is available for small services through the superb and the Parish Council employs a contractor to cut
tenant, Neville Funeral Service, who lease it from the Parish the grass. Last year the original hedge at the rear, which had
Council. Following their redecoration of the building and the become very overgrown and infested with ivy, was replaced with
refurbishment of the original Arts and Crafts furnishings, the new yew planting. This will continue to be watered until the
chapel makes a suitable venue for those wishing to hold both a plants are well established. The two beech trees on either side
small service and an interment at the Cemetery. Please contact of the memorial had also become too large and were pruned.
Neville’s for details (see their advertisement on page 53). Many have complimented the British Legion and Parish Council
on the new openness of the area and the greater prominence
The Parish Council is always pleased to receive suggestions given to the memorial itself.
or observations to help us in the management of Cemetery.
Cllr Mark White , Chairman, Ashwell Parish Council Parish Clock
☎︎743706 ✉︎clerk@ashwell.gov.uk
St Mary’s Churchyard T he Parish Council is responsible for the clock on the church
tower.
Lock Up
A s I think most people realise, the Parish Council continues
to look after the trees and the boundaries of St Mary’s
Churchyard and employs a contractor to cut the grass regularly.
This is because it is ‘closed for burials’. The Parish Council is
also responsible for the Cemetery in Station Road. The Parochial
Church Council is responsible for other Churchyard matters
T he Parish Council is responsible for the Lock Up. A friendly
neighbour keeps an eye on it.
so, as stated before, the Parish Council is not responsible
for the gravestones, the tombs or the lych gate. The working
relationship between the two councils is excellent.
The Parish Council commissions an inspection of the trees every
ASHWELL PHARMACY
two to three years and this enables us to budget in advance 22 HIGH STREET ASHWELL 742250
for any likely expenses. Also, tree issues can present suddenly, www.ashwellpharmacy.co.uk
which explains why there is a fairly substantial budget put
aside for such eventualities. This money comes from the parish Opening Hours
precept, paid by us all as part of our local council taxes. Dealing Open ALL DAY weekdays from
with big trees can be a very expensive business!
9.00am - 6.30pm (5.30 on Tuesdays)
Funds are also gradually being set aside for any works that and 9.00am - 1.00pm on Saturdays
might be needed in the future to the boundary wall in Mill
Street. The Parish Council is taking a pragmatic view on this • Friendly, Professional Service
and if a sudden problem develops it can only be resolved
• Advice on Minor Ailments
within the available budget. It is appropriate that we pray
this doesn’t descend upon us soon; but an examination of the • Holiday Requirements
amount set aside will show the steps which have been taken • Full Travel Vaccination Clinic
by the Parish Council.
• Health & Diet and much more
Meetings take place regularly between the Parish Council • Gifts, Cosmetics, Fragrances
and the Parochial Church Council to anticipate, we hope, any
likely issues. • Approved “Vichy Agent”
• Diagnostic Services (Cholesterol, Diabetes)
Cllr Martin G. Hoffman
• Yearly Medication Use Reviews
• Photo Developing
Flyposting is unsightly.
If you see any out-of-date posters • Extensive range of veterinary products
available & veterinary prescriptions filled
please help by removing them.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY PHARMACY
www.ashwell.gov.uk
9Financial Report
The Parish Council from time to time also sets by money for
large items of maintenance or occasional projects. In the coming
T he Parish Council is in some ways like a small business and
that means there are many different demands made on it.
The core team is made up of only six councillors (when there
year the accounts will contribute to allocated reserves for any
major works that might arise on the Parish Clock (£1,000) and
the Churchyard fences, gates and walls (£1,000). £5,000 will be
should in fact be twelve), a part time Parish Clerk and Deputy included for the replacement pavilion project.
Clerk. What is more, we must also acknowledge that a very
significant proportion of its work is carried out by often unsung Overall next year the budgeted increase in spend of £1,695 on
volunteers who willingly give their spare time. 2019 – 2020 will also cover increases in the cost of employees
(up 2%) and grounds maintenance contracts (up 3%).
However, it would be unfair to expect volunteers to undertake
detailed and time-consuming administrative tasks such as On the other side of the accounts, the main source of income is the
record keeping and reporting, managing contracts, maintaining precept, which is the sum North Hertfordshire District Council
an IT system and complying with legal requirements, which is collects along with the council tax. The amount each household
why the clerk and the deputy are paid roles. The Parish Council will contribute is related to the total number of households in
also employs a part time Environmental Cleansing Operative Ashwell that pay the full council tax and, of course, the amount
and a Grounds Officer to look after our public spaces. of the Parish’s budgeted spend less other income. For a band D
household this will be £92.39 in 2020 – 2021, compared with
Our ‘business’ next year is planned to have a turnover of £94,585 £89.96 previously (2.7%). This is owing to a combination of
though in reality it is a much bigger undertaking than this budget a 2.5% increase in budget and a small net fall in our tax base,
figure suggests because of the unpaid effort put in. The nature owing to an increase in single person households in the village
of spending in the budget is very similar to the actual spend this that have a reduced bill (0.2%).
year. What we do as a community through the Parish Council
continues and is described in the articles on preceding pages The charts below are an at-a-glance guide to where the money
concerning the Recreation Ground, the Springs, the Cemetery, will come from and go to in order for the Parish Council to function
allotments at Small Gains, the Parish Clock and grounds in 2020 – 2021. Being both accountable and transparent,
maintenance in St Mary’s Churchyard. There are grants to local the Parish Council makes its accounts and supporting details
organisations such as the museum (£1,000). We work with available to the public. For further information you can go the
the District Council and the County Council to make Ashwell’s website https://www.ashwell.gov.uk/ or contact the Clerk,
interests heard and we contribute financially to support routine Mon-Thurs between 09:00 – 13:00 at: The Office at Bear Farm,
street cleansing and some highways initiatives. 6A Back Street, SG7 5PE ☎︎ 01438 743706 ✉︎ clerk@ashwell.gov.uk
Annual Budget for 2020-21
Income - Total £94,585 Expenditure - Total £94,480
St Mary’s Churchyard
Grounds Maintenance
The Lock Up, Merchant 7% Streets Support
Taylors’ Green, the Parish 6%
Clock, the War Memorial
2%
Small Gains
0% Administration
The Springs (including office and office
2% staff, audit, insurance,
website, professional
Recreation Ground memberships, room hire)
20% 50%
Cemetery
6%
Yearbook Production
5% Village Grants
2%
(excludes any spend from grants, section 106 claims and reserves)
Parish Council Accounting and Audit
In accordance with statutory requirements, the Parish Council submits an Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR)
to an external auditor at the end of the financial year (March 31st). Each year a 5% sample of councils is selected for intermediate
review, which is a more in-depth examination of their accounts than usual. In the 2018/19 reporting year Ashwell was included
in this sample. After examining the return and supporting accounts the auditors, PKF Littlejohn LLP, concluded that, “In our
opinion the information in Sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR is in accordance with Proper Practices and no other matters have come
to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.”
The Parish Council also commissions an Independent Internal Auditor to inspect its accounts and ensure that it follows the
proper practices and procedures required by law. Copies of the return and supporting documents, including annual receipts and
payments and a bank reconciliation, are on the website or available from the Parish Clerk. Statements of monthly receipts and
payments are published on the website, appended to the Council minutes shortly after each meeting.
1011
Hertfordshire County North Hertfordshire District
Councillor’s Report Councillor’s Report
M atters relating to roads and paths have dominated the
visible work of the County Council this year. At the time
of writing, it appears that there has been some progress in
T ime has flown by since the council elections in May and
I’ve been enjoying my role as a member of North Herts
District Council. The elections saw a change of administration,
dealing with potholes, with most roads in rather better repair with Liberal Democrats and Labour agreeing a joint working
than a few years ago, in particular the edges of many roads. Of arrangement. A strong focus has been placed on becoming a
course, by the time you get to read this it is entirely possible more welcoming and inclusive council, engaging with residents,
that the winter weather will have changed this position! community groups and local businesses.
The highways locality budget, which allows me to decide One of the first challenges I faced was the planning application
how £90,000 is spent on highway projects around the area for the Claybush Road development. I worked intensively with
I represent, has now paid for the completion of the yellow Parish Councillors and concerned residents to present the case
lines at junctions identified by the Parish Council and the against this application when it finally came before the Planning
introduction of a 20mph speed limit across most of the village, Control Committee in September. Sadly, our efforts were in vain,
which should come into effect at the start of April. our task made harder by the fact that the site had already been
designated for development in the Local Plan.
Discussions have continued about what can be done to improve
the safety of the A505. Like much else related to changes to New housing will inevitably be built in Ashwell in the years to
roads, this has taken a great deal longer than is reasonable but come. I share the concerns of many about the erosion of Ashwell’s
seems to be progressing slowly towards making some fairly green spaces and believe it’s essential that any proposals address
limited changes. There have been repeated suggestions that the real needs of the village and respect its rural character.
the “gaps” which allow turning should simply be closed, but
I have opposed this and I believe that the highways officers Earlier this year, the District Council became one of the first
understand that this would not be acceptable because of its local authorities to declare a climate emergency, and pledged to
impact on Ashwell and the other villages. introduce a number of measures to help reduce carbon emissions.
In November I presented a motion to the Council calling upon
Although highways are the most visible of the council’s Affinity Water and the Environment Agency to take action to
activities, they are only a relatively small part of its work. protect the area’s precious chalk streams – especially the River
Something like £400 million of the budget of around £800 Ivel, which is supposed to rise at Ivel Springs Nature Reserve in
million is spent on providing services to elderly people and Baldock but has been dry for well over a year. I’m pleased to say
adults with disabilities. Nearly another £200 million is spent that my motion was passed unanimously. Fortunately, Ashwell
on services for vulnerable children and children with special Springs is protected by an agreement with the Environment
educational needs. In both cases, current limits on funding Agency guaranteeing that a constant flow from the springs is
mean that only those with the highest levels of need can be maintained. It would be fantastic if a similar arrangement could
helped but there are growing numbers of people who qualify be made to protect the Ivel.
for help of this sort. This places an increasing pressure on
what the council can do in other areas. The Council has a new Cabinet Environment Panel, at which
members of the general public and campaign groups are invited
On a more positive note, like every other County Councillor, to make presentations and discuss their ideas with Councillors
I have a budget to provide grants to local organisations and in a public forum. It has proved to be a great way for people
community groups. I try to use this to help start new initiatives to address the Council directly, raise awareness of a variety
rather than to fund on-going costs. Let me know if you think of environmental issues and suggest schemes and practical
there is a local group that might benefit. Please get in touch if measures the Council could adopt.
you want to know more or if there are issues that you think I
might be able to help with. The NHDC website at www.north-herts.gov.uk has been made a
bit more user-friendly and is a handy source of information. You
Steve Jarvis, County Councillor can also use it to report problems such as missed bin collections
www.stevejarvis.org.uk and fly-tipping. Otherwise, please feel free to contact me by email.
☎︎ 01438 727122
✉︎steve.jarvis@hertfordshire.gov.uk Tom Tyson, District Councillor, Arbury Ward.
✉︎tom4arbury@gmail.com or
✉︎tom.tyson@north-herts.gov.uk
12Established since 1980
Recommendations and References Available
Housing Association Approved Contractor
NICEIC Approved Electrical Contractor
For:
All Building Work including
New Builds
Extensions and Renovation Work
Garage and Loft Conversions
Bathrooms & Kitchens
Supplied & Fully Fitted
Plumbing
All Types of Carpentry Work
UPVC & Timber Replacement Double Glazed Windows & Doors
Supplied & Fully Fitted
Including:
• Conservatories
• Bi-fold Doors
Tel: 01462 659884 - 01767 631046
Mob: 07760 241922
Email: sdbrownb@aol.com
www.sdbrownbuildingcontractors.co.uk
13Community Groups
O ne of the many factors which make Ashwell such a vibrant
and happy place is the high level of voluntary contributions
made by Ashwellians towards organising community groups
and projects. You can read about the achievements of these
groups and projects in the following pages. The Parish Council
is very conscious of the value of this work and would like to
take this opportunity of thanking all those involved.
If you would be interested in volunteering to help the
community yourself, please see page 23 at the end of this
section of the Ashwell Yearbook for a list of some of the
possible ways in which you might become involved.
Ashwell Village Museum
As you can read from the
Operation Stop Rot report,
the Museum has had a
momentous year. The
renovation work has meant
much upheaval but we have
tried to keep our normal
routine going as well. In
preparation for the builders, Ashwell Museum before renovation. Photo by Peter Greener
our first task was to clear the
entire old part of the building oil painting from 1959, and ‘Cricket Team’, a fine example of
- something that had not been her larger pottery tableaux. We were intrigued by a large flat
canvas bag with leather straps inscribed ‘Major W A Fordham’
(who lived at Ashwell Bury), which after much detective work we
done since the museum opened in 1930. We retreated to the discovered was an Army Bed Roll.
far end of the Museum, packing everything neatly into stacks
of boxes and making a cosy little office. Our smaller Museum We have been given sets of documents which are no longer
remained open, with the bonus of free entry. With the work legally required to be kept by householders. The Museum offers
completed, we now have two beautiful rooms which offer us a a constant archive while people come and go. If you feel you have
great opportunity to refresh the way we present the collection. a little gem of Ashwell history but do not wish to part from it,
we should have the means of recording it for posterity. We have
We have been able to carry on the day-to-day business of running acquired, with the aid of a grant, a special scanner which makes
the Museum because so many volunteers have put in hours of the copying of documents easier and has opened up many new
work. We have been keeping up with our social media presence, ways of using our resources.
not only on Facebook but also on Instagram, Twitter and the
Museum’s online catalogue and community archive. There are Many thanks must go to everyone who has had a hand in
work groups on Monday evenings when you can often meet the making the Museum what it is today, especially with the extra
Archaeology team washing and sorting recent finds. On Tuesday effort needed this year: the trustees, the curatorial and research
afternoons we document, display and conserve the collection volunteers, the Friends association, the cleaning team and
but on the second Tuesday of the month we hold our popular fundraisers, all of whom form the heart of the Museum.
‘Makers at the Museum’. This involves a talk by an enthusiast and
a look at related items from the Museum, followed by a practical It takes all sorts of skills to run the Museum to modern standards
session and a cup of tea. Subjects have included dolls houses, and we have room for many roles to be filled. We started in 1930
scrapbooks and bookbinding and more are planned. You are and, with a solid and stable building, will continue to look after
always welcome to drop in to share your memories or find out Ashwell’s heritage for future generations. It is your history in
more about Ashwell. your Museum.
The flow of new exhibits, all closely related to Ashwell, has
continued to delight and surprise us. Herts County Council
Peter Greener, Curator
✉︎peter@ashwellmuseum.org.uk
decided to dispose of their School Art Loan Scheme by selling
most of it or finding appropriate homes, like us, where possible.
We were given two pieces by Marie Whitby: ‘School Hour’, an
Sarah Talks, Assistant Curator
✉︎sarah@sarahtalks.me
14Operation Stop Rot 2019
The Rescue of Ashwell Village Museum
A n open meeting was held on 6th September 2018 by the
present Trustees to announce that it would be necessary
to carry out extensive repair work on the original part of the
was phased. For example, the first amount was structured so that
with our contribution we were able to carry out Phase 1 which
enabled the drawings, quantities and all the necessary needs for
Museum, where we had discovered long-term issues that for many the building to be calculated and plans drawn up. The full cost
years had been dealt with only by low-grade maintenance. For of the project was estimated at £176,000.
example, in the mid-20th century it was considered appropriate
to deal with problems such as leaks using concrete infill etc, and North Herts District Council generously donated £46,000 from
there was little money available to do much else. However, if this their Community Facilities Capital Grant Funding Scheme, again
deterioration continued, the entire wooden framework of the after we had satisfied the criteria of what had been independently
building would be at risk, as would the Museum artefacts. raised for the project by the village community.
A preliminary survey had shown rather frightening results! So in Without these two large grants, despite all the local input we
the summer of 2018 the Trustees decided to “take the bull by the would not have been able to pass the starting line and we are
horns” and eliminate the continuous rotting.
extremely grateful to Historic England and NHDC. After a great
deal of work by those volunteers who maintain the Museum, the
The estimated costs of about £200,000 were shared with the
area was cleared to enable the builders to commence work which
public meeting in September. Accurate costing and builders’
was signified by the erection of scaffolding and a covering which
estimates had not been carried out yet but we had to start
protected the building. This was on 10th June 2019.
somewhere! The meeting expressed clearly the enthusiasm
of the whole community to “rescue” the Museum. One of the
questions someone asked was, “How much money was currently
available?” to which the answer was “Nothing”; and that is where
it all began.
First things first: we needed a very good architect and we got one.
Three firms, all recommended by Historic England, bid for the
job and we awarded it to Peter Rawlings, which has turned out
to be an excellent choice. Next, we needed a very good builder,
sympathetic to old buildings. We received quotations from four
companies recommended by Historic England. Valiant Builders
were chosen. Their previous work in Ashwell was there for all to
see and they proved to be a great team to work with. Nothing was
too much trouble and the issues discovered during the renovation
were always overcome with the minimum of fuss.
And the final ingredient we needed was MONEY to pay for it all!!
Grants were applied for, but these days it is not a case of filling
in forms and waiting for the money to arrive. No such grants are
available unless there is evidence of a considerable cash input by
the applicant. We had some extremely helpful and highly skilled
people helping with our grant applications. Best of all, we were
able to demonstrate the commitment of the whole community.
That open meeting showed just how much expertise, talent,
kindness, determination and generosity exist in Ashwell. Before
the chairs were cleared away at the end, people were signing up
to register their support and all sorts of offers of help were coming
in, which was unbelievable.
The people of Ashwell village overall produced over £40,000
from donations, auctions, public performances and other events,
sales, gift aid and the list goes on and on…. All this was carried out
with aplomb and everyone concerned quietly gave of their time Building covered with scaffolding and plastic. Photo by Peter Greener.
and efforts. The challenges occurring during these fundraising
events were dealt with by those concerned with no complaints Work continued through the summer and autumn and the site
and that is to be greatly admired. was amazingly clean. There were lots of comments from residents
noting this. Regular meetings took place between the architect,
Returning to the grants, we were successful in obtaining a grant builders and representatives from the Trustees. Throughout the
of approximately £130,000 from Historic England. Trudi Hughes, project, materials as near to the originals as possible were used
from the Cambridge office of Historic England, was extremely or replicated, including a final exterior limewashing to protect the
helpful and supportive to us throughout the project. This grant completed work.
15Friends of Ashwell Village Museum
T he Friends of the Museum support the Trustees and
Curator in the day-to-day running and upkeep of the
Museum. During 2019 we helped with fundraising to
support the Restoration Project. Thanks to all our Friends and
supporters who have helped in any way. Full details of the
Restoration Project will be covered elsewhere in this book
but we would like to acknowledge all the support the Friends
have received from the whole community.
One of our first extra undertakings was to serve the Sunday
teas in the Parish Room during the winter months, starting in
October 2018. This raised about £1,000 for the restoration fund.
Information meeting. Photo by Peter Greener.
We are doing this again this year and have been encouraged by
the footfall. We also did teas at the URC in August.
All those carrying out fundraising projects continued raising
money… The builders carried on building… (How easy it all
appears when writing this down!!). And the end result was that During 2019 we ran a successful coach trip to Stratford-
the building works were all finished on time on 15th November upon-Avon where about 30 of us enjoyed a production of The
2019 and within the available budget and the Museum reopened Taming of the Shrew at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.
on Sunday 8th December. Unfortunately, we had to cancel a proposed trip to London
owing to lack of support.
Our speakers during the year were Jackie Embury, who
enlightened us with an interesting talk on the Ashwell Shops;
and Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews from North Herts Museum
Service, holding our attention with a fascinating lecture
on the “The Icknield Way: Ancient Trackway or Medieval
Fantasy?” To end the year, we welcomed Paddy Lambert from
Oxford Archaeology who spoke about the recent excavations
at Wimpole Hall. Proceeds from these events have helped us
enormously so many thanks for your support. We continue
to assist financially any Museum project which requires
additional funding, such as a new computer system.
Our AGM will be in March and on April 23rd we will visit The
National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire by coach. Please
contact us if interested. Details will be in the Ashwell Village News.
We continue to provide all the volunteers who open the
Museum on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays and any
other times when we need to open. We have 28 regular
volunteers and ten who assist in the cleaning of the Museum.
A huge Thank You to them all. Obviously, life was rather
different for our volunteers during the building works but we
Museum after completion. Photo by Peter Greener. managed to stay open throughout.
It all seems a matter-of-fact, so easy, which of course it wasn’t. Our Treasurer David Hall is always happy to help you become
One of the most difficult tasks in writing this synopsis of what a Friend of the Museum. We also welcome anyone who wants
went on is the glaring omission of so many people who did so to volunteer. Please contact Karen Mills or Jill Powell.
much for the project. The Trustees and everyone associated with
Ashwell and the Museum are aware of the input and hard work
The Opening Times of the Museum are 2:30 to 5:00 pm
made by so many, and to attempt to mention all your names and
on Sundays and Bank Holidays. We also open for the Book
the roles you played a would be impossible. We hope nobody is
Swap Café on the second Saturday of the month 10:00 am to
offended by this.
12:00 noon.
Martin G Hoffman, Chairman of the Trustees
Jill Powell, Chairperson ☎︎742318
☎︎742567
Please note where I use “approximately” it is not because we didn’t know but
David Hall, Treasurer ☎︎743799
makes this presentation easier to understand. At all times we knew the costs and Karen Mills, Secretary ☎︎742155
projected spend to the last penny!!
16You can also read
