ASHWELL YEARBOOK 2019 - Published March 2019 by Ashwell Parish Council Distributed free to householders and businesses in Ashwell The thirtieth ...
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ASHWELL
YEARBOOK 2019
Published March 2019 by Ashwell Parish Council
Distributed free to householders and businesses in Ashwell
The thirtieth year of production
1
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2
Welcome to the 2019 edition of
the Ashwell Yearbook
Contents
O nce again, sincere thanks to David Short and his team for
the production of yet another excellent Ashwell yearbook.
The contributions made by villagers to this record of life
Ashwell Parish Council 2
Community Groups 14
in Ashwell throughout the year reinforce the message of
community woven into this yearbook and allow us to share Ashwell Village Museum 18
it with all our residents. Thank you one and all for playing Education 24
your part. Sport 28
Youth Organisations 33
As always, we ask that you continue to support the local
Charity Groups 36
businesses who so generously support this yearbook. Without
their help it would not be published so please do show your Young Ashwell 42
appreciation by ‘buying local’ whenever you possibly can. Gallery 46
Huge thanks are due to our Deputy Parish Clark, Laura, Weddings 48
who worked so hard to bring together all our advertisers in Centenaries 52
support of this, your Ashwell Yearbook of 2019.
Clubs and Societies 56
Church and Chapel 62
From Our Registers 67
Ashwell Show 68
Events 70
Mark White
Chairman, Ashwell Parish Council Ashwell Weather in 2018 77
Those we have lost 78
Other Local Services 86
Classified Directory 2017 87
Annual Parish Meeting
Wednesday 27th March 2019 Yearbook Team:
8 pm at the School (big hall) David Short, Chairman, Parish Council representative
Cliff Jenkinson, General Editor, Events and
All welcome Community Group reports
Gill Field, Production management
Agenda Margaret Budgen, Photography
1 To approve the minutes of the 2018 Bill Bowkett, Young Ashwell Editor
Annual Parish Meeting Laura Brooks-Payne, Advertisements
2 Matters of report from the 2018 Julie Darts, Sports reports
Annual Parish Meeting Kay Hoskins, Charity Group reports
3 Chairman’s Report Eileen ten Hove, Church and Chapel reports
4 Financial Statement Madeleine Legg, People reports
5 Reports from Parish Council including Julia Mitchell, Education reports
working groups Alice Sparkes, Clubs and Societies reports and Directory
6 Reports from others Christina Winters, Assistant Editor
7 Parish Affairs
Disclaimer:
Signed Any views expressed in this publication are those of the
authors and are not to be taken as representing the views of
the publishers, Ashwell Parish Council.
Front Cover: Ashwell Theatre Club and Ashwell WI
march through the High Street on At Home
Mark White day in honour of the Suffragettes. Angela
Chairman, Ashwell Parish Council Glennon and Geraldine Watling stride out.
Please remember to bring your copy of the 2019 Photo: Chris Frazer Smith
Ashwell Yearbook with you. Yearbook Design: Parkes Print and Design
01767 603 930
www.parkesprintanddesign.com
(Background). Photo by Peter John Gates
3
Ashwell Parish Council
Chairman’s Report Parish Councillors
Elected from May 2015 until May 2019
Firstly, thank you to those villagers who have sent us such
positive feedback for the work done on our War Memorial. As
you know, it has been cleaned, the tall beeches cut back so as not
to snag the flag pole, and, by the time you read this, the hedge will
have been replaced. The old hedge had been overrun with ivy
and elm suckers and was very difficult to keep tidy.
Bizarrely, fewer car emissions and therefore cleaner air in the
village, have meant that the memorial requires cleaning more
frequently. However, all the hard work that was put in last year
ensured that the village War Memorial really did look splendid for Mark White Martin Hoffman
Remembrance Day and the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice. CHAIRMAN VICE-CHAIRMAN
Thanks to all who contributed to this effort of restoring the 33 West End Spire Furlong, 3 Newnham Way
memorial as a fitting tribute to our fallen. ☎︎07977 099951 ☎︎742567
✉︎mark.white@ashwell.gov.uk ✉︎martin.hoffman@ashwell.gov.uk
Have you looked at our new village website? www.ashwell.gov.uk
It has been completely revamped and grateful thanks go to
Graham Lee for championing this. It is now much clearer and
easy to navigate, and is the place to visit to find out about life and
activity in Ashwell.
You will find a directory of businesses and groups within the
village; information about local landmarks and amenities; a
news section; parish council information and meeting minutes;
and full updates on planning and public consultations.
Graham Lee Madeleine Legg
Why not make life easier by signing up for updates from the Spade Acre, 59 Ashwell Street 59 High Street
website? Go to the website and you will find a box to enable you ☎︎743126 ☎︎742385
to sign up for latest email updates. That way, any new information ✉︎graham.lee@ashwell.gov.uk ✉︎madeleine.legg@ashwell.gov.uk
will drop straight into your inbox and save you searching for
it. We are keen to make this service as inclusive as possible so
urge you to sign up, and to help any neighbours who may be less
handy with computers to do the same. Our Clerk and Deputy
Clerk, Jane and Laura, have worked hard to create content that
villagers will find useful. Please do show your support by signing
up for updates so the website really can keep everyone informed.
There will be Parish Council elections in May. It is vital to the
upkeep and sustainability of our community that fresh ideas
are part of our Parish Council meetings. To achieve this, we
always need new blood with new ideas and an approach that
will support our journey into the new decade. To really work Bridget Macey David Short
for our village, the Parish Council needs representatives from 3 Orchard View, Sunnymead 59 High Street
across the community. Please consider giving something back to ☎︎743733 ☎︎742385
your community by offering your time and service to the Parish ✉︎bridget.macey@ashwell.gov.uk ✉︎david.short@ashwell.gov.uk
Council. We have one meeting per month and very occasionally
an extra one. Some of the old, experienced councillors will
be staying on and therefore will be available to support any
newcomers. Clerk: Jane Porter
✉︎clerk@ashwell.gov.uk
Being a councillor is rewarding work, and enables you to play a
part in shaping the look and feel of the community where you Deputy Clerk: Laura
and your family live. Brooks-Payne
✉︎deputyclerk@ashwell.gov.uk
If you’d like to stand for the Parish Council, please do have an
informal chat with Jane Porter, our Clerk, to see what is involved. The Parish Council Office is at
6a Back Street, Ashwell, Herts
Cllr Mark White David Sims
SG7 5PE
Chairman, Ashwell Parish Council 92 Station Road ☎ ☎︎743706
☎︎742151
✉︎david.sims@ashwell.gov.uk www.ashwell.gov.uk
2
Information about the Parish Council Parish Council Meetings in 2018
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 2018 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
Chairman or individual councillors. Council meetings are
Reports relating to other local bodies, including the Village
minuted as soon as possible after they have taken place and
draft minutes are put on to the website: www.ashwell.gov.uk. Hall, the Museum and the School, were heard during these
An archive of approved past minutes can also be found there. open sessions, as well as anything concerning matters such
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
the main Parish Council notice board by the Rose and Crown
and on the small Parish Council notice board in the bus Parish Council Responsibilities
shelter in Station Road, opposite the War Memorial.
and Reports
If important issues arise newsletters are published and
delivered to every household.
Planning
Local Government Responsibilities 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 Parish Council are discussed, where controversial,
Who does what and whom to contact
at an on-site meeting of the Planning committee when the
applicant and any other interested parishioners are asked if
T he three tiers of local government – parish, district and
county – supply most of the services provided in towns
and villages. For details of services provided by Ashwell
they would like to speak to the proposal. All applicants are
advised of the meeting by letter. All Parish Council meetings
are open to the public.
Parish Council please see pages 3-9, for North Hertfordshire
District Council please see pages 12-13 and for Hertfordshire
County Council please see page 12.
Miscellaneous Amenity and Other
Character Areas
Parish Council Representatives and
Trustees on Other Bodies
I n addition to the larger sites, mentioned elsewhere, the
Parish Council also owns, for the parish, land at Carter’s
Pond (around the new tree opposite the Museum), the triangle
Cllr Madeleine Legg is appointed by the Parish Council as
one of the Trustees of the Moss Cottage Homes (see pages 14- of land at West End (between Newnham Hill, Hinxworth Road
15 for 2019 report). She is currently the Chair of the Trustees and West Point) and Merchant Taylors’ Green in Gardiners
and reports back to the Parish Council. Lane. The Cottage Garden belongs to the Ashwell Village
Trust and is managed by a working group of volunteers (see
Cllr David Short liaises with Ashwell Primary School and separate report).
reports to and from the Parish Council on relevant matters
as needed.
Cllr Martin Hoffman is the Chairman of the Trustees of
Ashwell Village Museum in his own right and reports to and
from the Parish Council on relevant matters as needed.
Flyposting is unsightly.
Reports were received throughout the year from Cllr Mark If you see any out-of-date posters please
White in relation to the Village Hall.
help by removing them.
The Chairman, Cllr Mark White, is also Chairman of the Ashwell www.ashwell.gov.uk
Village Trust. The Trust owns the Cottage Garden, which is
managed by a group of volunteers (see page 14 for report).
3
Parish Council Elections 2019
Parish Council elections are due to be held on Thursday 2nd May 2019. They are
run by North Hertfordshire District Council who are the electoral authority.
If you have thought about putting your name forward for election but are unsure, here are some questions and answers
that might help you to make up your mind.
1. Q How much time does being on the Parish Council take up?
A
There is a meeting of the Council on the first Wednesday of the month and committee meetings as necessary. Other
than that, it depends on the responsibilities you have on the Council.
2. Q I am 18. Can I stand?
A Yes.
3. Q I do not live in Ashwell but I have a business here. Can I still put my name forward?
A Yes: if you have a business in the parish or live within three miles of the parish you can stand.
4. Q I was not born in the UK. Can I stand?
A If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom and meet the criteria mentioned above, then you can.
5. Q I am interested but I have not lived in the village for very long. How do I get my name known?
A You are allowed to put out flyers and put up posters to tell people who you are and what you believe in.
6. Q How long is the term of office for a parish councillor?
A 4 years.
7. Q How many councillors are there on the Council?
There are 12 places. If more than that number stand, there is a poll. If fewer stand, then there is no poll and those
A
who have been nominated are automatically elected.
8. Q What happens if no one stands?
A If not enough people stand, then the work of the Parish Council is taken over by the North Herts District Council.
9. Q Do I get paid? What about expenses?
Parish councillors do not get paid. Expenses incurred in performing duties as a councillor can be reclaimed from
A
the Parish Council.
10. Q Why do you have to be elected?
Government, both national and local, is democratically organised and depends on everyone in the area having the
A
right to vote for the person(s) they think will serve them best.
11. Q Can councillors guide Ashwell into the future?
Yes. And that is exactly what the parish needs – people who can get on with the day-to-day job but also have a
A
vision of the future. Twenty years ago, the Parish Council set up a think tank to look into the type of village we
wanted in 20 years’ time. Since then there has been the Ashwell Village Design Statement and the Parish Plan. The
Neighbourhood Plan has the potential of being very important for Ashwell from now until 2031.
12. Q Is it political?
Ashwell Parish Council never has been, and we hope it will never be, run on a party political basis. You do not have
A
to belong to a political party to be a councillor.
13. Q Do you have to know a lot about legalisation and money?
No. The Clerk to the Council guides councillors, but any knowledge you do have of finance, legal matters or Ashwell
A
and the local community will be of benefit to the Council.
14. Q Why does the Council have to meet in public?
Parish Councils have to be transparent and so all their meetings, other than very occasional ones that are usually
A
discussing sensitive money matters, are open to the public.
15. Q Don’t you get moaned at all the time?
Councillors have to take decisions for the whole parish, not just for their friends. This means that at times you will
A
have to be responsible for decisions that are not popular. Some people will react.
16. Q Isn’t it boring?
A Like all organisations, it has its moments. However, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
17. Q Can I have influence on other tiers of local government?
Parish councillors can have some influence, especially when we have County and District Councillors who work
A
closely with the Parish Council.
18. Q Give me two reason why I should stand.
A 1. It helps you shape the Ashwell that you want to live in.
2. It is fun to be at the heart of decision making in Ashwell.
Your Village Needs You
4
Highways Liaison
T he County Council is responsible for matters relating to
highways, and any problems with roads, street lighting,
verges, overgrown hedges etc should be reported to them
(see page 86 for contact details; these are also on the green
cards distributed by the Parish Council). Up to May 2019 Cllrs
David Sims and Bridget Macey are the representatives for
Hertfordshire Highways and meet with our County Councillor,
Steve Jarvis, on a regular basis to lobby on matters of concern
to the parish.
Details of the County Councillors’ locality budgets can be
found at:
www.hertsdirect.org/hertfordshire/CouncillorLocalityBudgets
T hanks to regular meetings with Steve Jarvis and his
Highways Department representative, Gary Henning,
the Parish Council has had some success in lobbying for
improvements. Some of these have been funded by the Parish
Council and some by Cllr Jarvis from the highways locality
budget, which is allocated to all County Councillors.
Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) are now in place in Station
Road and Newnham Hill. New hard surfacing (called
Grasscrete) and extra kerbing to protect verges have been Speed Indicator Devices in Station Road and Newnham Way.
added to the footway in the High Street by Dixies Barns and Credit: Parish Council archives
opposite Dixies Meadow. Other safety measures for Station
Road, particularly for pedestrians, have been the subject of we hope that these will meet the County Council’s criteria
many discussions, and we hope for action soon. The pinch- without extensive engineering measures. Parishioners
point at the school end of Silver Street continues to cause frequently raise their concerns relating to the speed of traffic
problems, with regular incidents of large vehicles getting and its impact on road safety, particularly for pedestrians and
stuck, damage to property, and an ambulance having to cyclists. The Parish Council continues to support our County
reverse the length of the street. As inconsiderate parking is Councillor in his efforts to achieve safety improvements on
the main cause, ways of restricting this have been proposed. the A505, and we await the result of recent proposals for a
The Parish Council has been supportive of proposals for roundabout to serve the Odsey junction.
improvements and additions to the pavement in the section
of Ashwell Street leading to the rear entrance of the school. Cllr David Sims
As ever, funding is the main constraint for all such projects.
Parking problems are an issue regularly raised by
parishioners. Restrictions in the form of yellow lines are, at
the time of writing, in the planning stages for five locations Small Gains
around the village. More sites may be considered following
assessment of these. In support of our retail businesses the
Parish Council has also provided funding for the installation
of restricted time spaces at three locations. A llotment holders had a difficult year in 2018, what with
the drought and then heavy rain. Yields were down, with
plants requiring daily watering in the drought just to survive.
Routine maintenance is the responsibility of the County
Council’s contractor and we encourage parishioners to report Vandalism has decreased, thanks to the efforts of our Police
any issues directly to them (for details of how to do this, see Community Support Officer, Chris Brabrook, the Parish
page 12). The Parish Council regularly asks for contractors Council and the Ashwell Academicals (Accies) Football Club.
to be reminded of their obligation to undertake routine
maintenance tasks, such as refreshing worn white-lining, The Accies continue to keep the football field and hedgerows
repairing pot-holes effectively, clearing gullies and cutting to a high standard.
grips where roads should drain into fields. We also regularly
remind residents of their obligation not to allow vegetation There may be vacancies for an allotment plot. Anyone
to overhang the public highway. interested should contact the Parish Council office (☎︎743706
or email ✉︎clerk@ashwell.gov.uk) or me, please.
Traffic speed and volume assessments for a 20mph limit
within the core of the village have been carried out, and Cllr David Sims ☎︎ 742151
5
Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan Arbury Banks
T
What is a Neighbourhood Plan? he Iron Age Hill Fort at Arbury Banks is a scheduled
A neighbourhood plan is new type of plan, introduced by Ancient Monument and is thus protected by law. It is on
the Localism Act 2011. Neighbourhood plans are prepared private land, surrounded by a fence. Following consultation
by the local community and can include planning policies with the landowner and English Heritage, the Parish Council
and land allocations. The policies must be consistent with has installed signage and is now supporting further initiatives.
national and local planning policies and cannot be used
to prevent development. There are some forthcoming exciting events in that Arbury
Banks forms part of the Chilterns Conservation Board project:
What influence does a Neighbourhood Beacons of the Past: Hill Forts in the Chilterns Landscape. The
Plan have? project includes the use of a process called LiDAR, which is a
Following consultation, an examination and a successful very advanced form of laser scanner, capable of mapping large
referendum, a neighbourhood plan will become part of areas quickly, especially those covered in dense vegetation.
the statutory development plan and will be used when More details about this process can be found on the internet.
determining planning applications.
Below is an example of the difference between a normal
More information can be found on the NHDC website photograph and one using the LiDAR process, which is quite
https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/planning/
a spectacular advance.
planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning
N eighbourhood plans go through a series of hoops before
they are accepted as part of the planning process, as
laid down in legislation. This means that the local planning
authority cannot just forget about it. A neighbourhood plan
has to be taken into consideration when assessing a planning
application, and ours will be with us until at least 2031.
During 2018 we made good progress towards completing our
own Ashwell Neighbourhood Plan. Having gone through the
stages of registering, drawing up what we were looking for,
and using three surveys to consult with residents, we then
pulled it all together in a draft plan.
The next stage was the consultation with the parish on
the draft plan. We did this for the stipulated six weeks in Aerial photo of the map below.
September and October 2018. The responses then had to
be analysed and the plan redrafted to reflect the responses
made by you, the people of Ashwell.
When this has been achieved the Ashwell Neighbourhood
Plan will be delivered to North Hertfordshire District Council
together with two documents: one giving the basis on which
we have written the plan, and the other the reasons why we
have responded as we have to the consultation comments.
The District Council then takes over and appoints an examiner,
with our consent, who has to ensure that the plan fits in with
national legislation and the District Council’s Local Plan, and
that there is evidence to support the policies drawn up and
justification for the decisions taken in the final draft.
When the examiner reports back there are bound to be more
changes to be made and the District Council has to hold
another six weeks of consultation. Following any redrafting LiDAR laser scanning process showing a more complex hillside shading than
that needs to be done, there has to be a referendum to was possible before. Copyright Chilterns Conservation Board.
demonstrate that people in Ashwell agree with the plan.
If we do, then the plan will go to a meeting of the District Unfortunately, this particular image is not of Arbury Banks
Council for adoption. From then on, the policies in it will help because we are at one end of the Chilterns and the project is
determine planning applications.
working all along from the other end. Any information they
produce on Arbury Banks will be published on the Ashwell
There is more work to be done, but after some years the end
is now in sight. website as it becomes available: www.ashwell.gov.uk
Cllr David Short Cllr Martin Hoffman
6
Recreation Ground, Pavilion,
Public Rights of Way – Footpaths Playground and Public Toilets
T he Parish Council has successfully applied for a grant
from the Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Parish
Paths Partnership (known as P3) to update and reprint the
T he exceptionally cold weather in March 2018 caused
pipes to freeze in the pavilion. The structure of the
roof enabled strong, easterly winds to penetrate behind the
Ashwell footpaths leaflet. Copies are available free from the eaves, freezing the water even though the pipes are lagged.
Parish Council Office, Rhubarb & Mustard and other outlets. The damage caused meant we had to mend pipes, replace a
The map can be viewed on the wall adjacent to the Rose & ceiling and decorate part of the kitchen. Our thanks to users
Crown; a copy has also been provided for the school. of the pavilion for their help and patience while the work was
carried out.
In June 2018 the Parish Council was consulted by the
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) definitive map officer On a much happier note, Ashwell Cricket Club made a
regarding a proposal for an additional right of way in the magnificent job of redecorating the pavilion, turning the dull
parish of Newnham that would link with the Ashwell brown into white boarding with green framework. We have
network via a bridleway. The Parish Council responded had many encouraging responses, and our thanks go to all
positively to this proposal but cautioned that steps should those volunteers who made it happen.
be taken to avoid misuse by off-road vehicles and bikers.
Looking ahead, this much-loved building is coming to the
The Parish Council also encouraged HCC to consider creating end of its life, and repairs are needed frequently. I hope that
other extensions to existing routes, particularly where this Parish Councils of the future will find a way to replace it with
would complete circuits and avoid the need to use roads. a more efficient version.
The Parish Council has been advised by the HCC Rights of Last year the potential danger of cricket balls landing in the
Way officer that the future status of the path which runs playground was brought to the attention of the Parish Council.
alongside the Cooke Engineering development, a designated Following a RoSPA report, the Council has purchased special
Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT), has proved tricky from a netting that can be erected around the playground during
practical and legal perspective, but a decision was reached cricket matches. We are most grateful to volunteer George
within HCC in the autumn of 2018. Its status remains Keightley, who continues to inspect the playground area
the same (a BOAT) but, to avoid the multitude of future regularly and feeds back ideas for equipment.
potholes, it was decided that the route to the houses should
be tarmacked by the site developers to HCC standard and The exercising of dogs on the recreation ground is a continuing
then in the future maintained by Hertfordshire Highways, problem. In fact, dog excrement has been found, bagged, on
by agreement with HCC Rights of Way. the football field. If the owners of these dogs can be identified
we can arrange for a visit from North Hertfordshire District
In general, the Parish Council has good communications Council officers who investigate incidents of dog fouling.
with the County Council’s Rights of Way officer, who is also
known as the Countryside Access Officer, particularly with We now have a sum of money identified by NHDC to upgrade
respect to various specific works, such as surface repairs the toilets. Because the pavilion needs constant maintenance,
and the cutting back of vegetation that are the responsibility we are looking at the feasibility of a stand-alone unit with
of the County Council to undertake. disabled access. Now we have the funding, we can make
progress with this public asset.
Any Ashwell resident with concerns about any public rights
of way in Ashwell can contact HCC using their Report a Cllr Madeleine Legg
Fault page.
Cllr Graham Lee
☎︎ 743126 Minutes of the Ashwell Annual
Parish Meeting
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting,
If you would like to see your organisation’s held on Wednesday 28th March 2018, are
report and photographs in the next edition available on the Ashwell website,
of the Ashwell Yearbook then, before the www.ashwell.gov.uk, or from the Parish
end of November 2019, please contact: Council Office, 6a Back Street, ☎︎743706.
Parish Council Office ☎︎743706 Draft minutes of the 2019 meeting will
or ✉︎clerk@ashwell.gov.uk be posted as soon as possible after
the meeting.
7
The regular tree survey commissioned by the Parish Council
Environmental Cleaning was also good. As I have explained previously, every tree has an
identity number in order to check for any disease or weakness.
There was only one tree about which we had suspicions of Ash
W hilst North Hertfordshire District Council is responsible
for street cleaning and sends the road-sweeping lorry
once a month, the Parish Council has an employee to enhance
dieback disease, and this was dealt with. There is so much
published and talked about concerning this disease and there
appears to be no doubt that it is spreading, according to the
this and to clean other areas such as the Springs and Cemetery. experts. I’m not an expert by any means, but I seem to be getting
the message that ‘slash and burn’ is less likely to be needed than
it was with Dutch Elm disease. We shall see.
Ashwell Cemetery Apart from the professionals who look after the trees and grass
etc, there is an enthusiastic and extremely valuable group of
volunteers, under the direction of Martin Lush, who look after
T he parish owns Ashwell Cemetery, which the Parish Council
maintains. The Chapel of Rest is leased to the undertakers,
Neville Funeral Service, but can be hired through them by
the overgrowth, both in and out of the water, and generally keep
the area well controlled. It is, after all, wild, and we must aim for
a balance between that and the ability to allow visitors to have
families for services. For interments, memorials or the purchase as much access as possible. Sadly, as in many other situations,
of plots, please contact the Parish Council office. volunteers are becoming fewer. PLEASE think about whether
you could help, because a few hours every now and again are
Of special note this year was the refurbishment of the invaluable.
cemetery’s Chapel of Rest. Designed by Sir Albert Richardson
(1880–1964), it is in the style of the Arts and Crafts
movement, with its emphasis on traditional craftsmanship.
The successful refurbishment, undertaken by Neville’s, was
completed in time for Ashwell at Home and many residents
and visitors took the opportunity to visit the chapel.
Again, the challenge this year has been grass cutting and
keeping the cemetery maintained; dry weather, followed by
heavy rain, resulted in rapid grass growth, which outpaced
the schedule. Following last year, we do not intend to change
the contract in 2019 but will keep an eye on the schedule.
My continued thanks to friends and families who visit the plots
of their loved ones and make suggestions or observations to
help us in the management of the cemetery.
Cllr Madeleine Legg
The Springs
W ater continues to flow through the Springs as it has done
for thousands of years. Despite the drought this year,
the flow rates were maintained, which are so important to the
preservation of the Ice Age flat worms and the SSSI (Site of Sadly, this report ends by reporting an increasing and disturbing
Special Scientific Interest) status. Some of you will remember trend of unsavoury use of the Springs late in the evenings by some
that, in order to support the water flow, there is a lifelong noisy groups, after which drugs paraphernalia and bottles have
agreement with the Environment Agency for them to carry out been found. This is totally unacceptable, especially when such
an emergency top-up if necessary. You only have to look at some debris could be found by toddlers and other young people. The
of the smaller rivers around here to see how many dried out police are aware of this and carry out ad hoc visits whenever
during 2018, whereas our daily measured printout looked most possible, but they can be helped by a telephone call to 101 if you
impressive. Thus, the paddling, mini-netting and the now annual see any of this activity. Yes, some of you will remember that this
duck race went on unaffected. Overall there appeared to be an was how my report ended last year. It is so sad to have to repeat it.
even greater number of visitors than usual in addition to the
regular villagers at the Springs. Usually I like to end on a light-hearted note about what I have seen.
The best this year was a young boy, well supervised by his mum,
I have drawn attention in the past to litter and rubbish left sitting in the water, alternating between smiling and waving at
around. Well, of course, there is always a certain amount, but mum and then furiously attempting to clear the ‘accident’ he had
there was much less than in previous years. Our grounds officer deposited in his trunks whenever she wasn’t looking!
had a significant helping hand in relation to this. The statutory
inspections, which are compulsory because of our status as an Cllr Martin Hoffman
SSSI, were all very good, as was the RoSPA inspection.
8The Parish Council continues to manage our dog waste bins
St Mary’s Churchyard on behalf of the village. It is not done by NHDC. We pay for
the bins to be emptied regularly. Your continued help in this
matter is greatly appreciated so that we keep our village of
T he Parish Council looks after the trees and the boundaries
of St Mary’s Churchyard and employs a contractor to cut
the grass regularly. We are not responsible for the gravestones,
Ashwell a lovely place to visit.
Cllr Bridget Macey
tombs or the Lych Gate, which is the very old original access to
the Church. You will see that we have replaced the gate along
Church Path, which was old and very rotten. Such items do not
come cheaply (£1,760).
War Memorial
All the trees in the Churchyard are included in the Parish
Council survey in order to enable a close watch on their
condition. As explained previously, big tree work can be T he War Memorial is maintained by the Parish Council
in partnership with the Ashwell Branch of the Royal
British Legion.
expensive, which is why a reasonable sum has to be kept in
reserve for any sudden emergency. The regular surveys help
to limit some disasters, but one never knows what might
happen in a severe storm. The wall in Mill Street is always Parish Clock
under observation but at the moment there is nothing serious
that needs attention.
Meetings between the Parish Council and Parochial Church
Council continue regularly and are always very agreeable.
T he Parish Council is responsible for the clock on the church
tower.
Cllr Martin Hoffman Lock Up
Street Furniture and Dog Waste Bins
T he Parish Council is responsible for the Lock Up. A friendly
neighbour keeps an eye on it.
P arishioners will have noticed that several litter bins around
the village have been replaced. All bins now have notices
attached to them requesting that no bags of dog waste (or
soiled nappies for that matter) should be placed in them. As
the North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) contractor
ASHWELL PHARMACY
empties the bins only every four weeks, using them for dog 22 HIGH STREET ASHWELL 742250
waste or soiled nappies is unhygienic and unacceptable. www.ashwellpharmacy.co.uk
Opening Hours
Open ALL DAY weekdays from
9.00am - 6.30pm (5.30 on Tuesdays)
and 9.00am - 1.00pm on Saturdays
• Friendly, Professional Service
• Advice on Minor Ailments
• Holiday Requirements
• Health & Diet and much more
• Gifts, Cosmetics, Fragrances
• Approved “Vichy Agent”
• Diagnostic Services (Cholesterol, Diabetes)
• Yearly Medication Use Reviews
• Photo Developing
• Instant ID, Driving Licence Photos
• Full Travel Vaccination Clinic
• Extensive range of veterinary products
available & veterinary prescriptions filled
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY PHARMACY
These are litter bins- no dog waste please
9Financial Report reserve. The Accies junior football club (Ashwell Academicals)
funds most of the costs for the sports field at Small Gains and
volunteers regularly contribute to any works needed at the
allotments. Expenditure on maintenance of the pitches at the
Parish Council Budgets and the Parish Precept Recreation Ground used by the adult footballers, the Accies
and the Cricket Club has been increased and has kept the grass
The Parish Council is responsible for the expenditure that in a good state. Netting to protect the playground from any risk
provides a range of village facilities. These include the of stray cricket balls was provided by the Parish Council. The
Recreation Ground (with the pavilion, playground and public redecoration of the pavilion was done by volunteer cricketers
toilets), the Springs, the Cemetery and Small Gains (with and has been much appreciated.
allotments and a sports field). The Parish Council also maintains
the War Memorial and the Parish Clock, and funds the grounds A high percentage of expenditure goes on administrative costs
maintenance in St Mary’s Churchyard on behalf of the village. It (insurance, telephone/broadband, office rent and consumables,
also looks after the Lock Up, the old village prison in Hodwell, employing staff). An enhanced website was launched in 2018
and Merchant Taylors’ Green in Gardiners Lane and, with the and is set up as an information base for the whole village, not
help of a volunteer, Carters Pond, the green space opposite just the Parish Council. The Clerk and the Deputy Clerk (both
the Museum. It provides litter bins, dog waste bins and public part-time) are based in the office at Bear Farm in Back Street,
benches, and supports the District Council’s street cleaning rented from the Ashwell Housing Association. The Parish
activity by employing an operative to top up the basic service. Council also employs an Environmental Cleansing Operative
Grants are also made to support local organisations such as the and a Grounds Officer.
Museum, and working groups for particular topics or activities,
e.g. the Neighbourhood Plan Group and the Litter Pick group, The costs of providing facilities and running the Parish Council
also to fund one-off activities such as the 2017 street party. would be far higher were it not for the major contribution
The production of the Yearbook, by a working group of parish given freely by volunteers, both parish councillors and others.
councillors and parishioners, is, in most years, cost neutral The Parish Council continues to welcome all offers of volunteer
thanks to advertising from local businesses and significant input; these are all much appreciated.
volunteer input.
Supporting other authorities/organisations
Parish councillors, co-opted and working group members, and North Hertfordshire District Council is responsible for street
many other volunteers all contribute their time and skills freely; cleansing and employed a new contractor from May 2018. The
they make a significant contribution and hence keep the costs of Parish Council has again made budget provision to continue
providing community facilities down. to enhance this service by employing an Environmental
Cleansing Officer. The Parish Council also installs litter bins
The main regular source of income for a parish council is the and continues to fund separate bins for dog waste.
precept. Ashwell Parish Council sets a budget every year
in December and North Hertfordshire District Council is Hertfordshire County Council is responsible for roads and
responsible for collecting the sums due from each household, highway safety. To progress the proposals for junction protection
along with the other council tax in the following financial year. (yellow lines) and waiting restrictions (timed spaces outside
Other income comes from charges made for the use of parish retail outlets) the Parish Council has provided £4,700. Funding
facilities, e.g. the cemetery and allotments, and from rent from has also been provided by County Councillor Steve Jarvis from his
the sports clubs who use the pavilion. The Parish Council also Highways Locality Budget. The Parish Council continues to lobby
applies for grants and other funding where possible. for other safety measures and works to address parking issues.
Aside from its annual revenue budget, the Parish Council also has Budget for 2019-20
an allocated reserve. This includes funds set aside for specific In setting the budget for 2019-20 parish councillors have
projects where money may be carried over from one financial again allowed for expenditure to ensure the continued
year to another, and provision for any unexpected expenditure smooth running of the Parish Council and for it to fulfil its
arising, e.g. emergency tree work, by-elections or legal fees. responsibilities to provide and maintain village facilities.
Providing and Maintaining Parish Facilities In 2019-20 there will be additional expenditure on employed
In 2018-19, as in previous years, funds were spent on staff. Extra funding has also been included to support specific
supporting Parish facilities with significant amounts for the village amenities, including a further £1,500 for the landscaping
Cemetery and the Recreation Ground, including the pavilion works at the War Memorial and £2,000 for development at
and the public toilets. It is hoped that the claim to NHDC for the Playground. £2,000 has been allocated for a grant to the
release of funds held under the Planning Obligations scheme Museum and £1,000 has been added to the allocated reserves
will allow new and enhanced toilet facilities to be provided in for any works arising to the Parish Clock. There will be no
the near future. The complete replacement of the pavilion has increases to the charges made for the Cemetery or for the
also been discussed but significant external funding would be allotment tenants or for the clubs that use the facilities at the
needed for this. The cost of maintaining the Springs is kept low Recreation Ground and at Small Gains. These had all been
thanks to the high level of volunteer input; funds are set aside amended last year.
in an allocated reserve in case additional professional input is
ever needed. The War Memorial was cleaned again in time for As usual, the income to support the proposed expenditure will
Remembrance Sunday. Funding for the major works to replant come in part from premises rents and fees but mainly from
the surrounding hedge had been put aside in an allocated the Parish Precept. This has been set at £79,000 for 2019-
1020 and will be collected by NHDC as part of the Council Tax Expenditure
along with the District, County and Police charges. The Parish
charge for a band D household will rise from £74 in 2018-19 EXPENDITURE £
to £90 in 2019-20. Although the level of Parish tax charged to
each household has had to rise to support the expenditure, the Administration (including office and office
Parish Council is of the view that this will still represent good staff, audit, insurance, website, professional 45600
value for the range of facilities that are provided for the village. memberships, room hire)
All financial details available at www.ashwell.gov.uk Village grants 2800
Yearbook production 4000
Website development 0
2019-20 BUDGET
(as set in December 2018) Cemetery 5100
Recreation Ground 16075
The Springs 1940
Income
Small Gains 685
INCOME £
Precept 79000 The Lock Up, Merchant Taylors' Green, the 3600
Parish Clock, the War Memorial
Yearbook 4050
Recreation Ground and Small
Gains 3210 St Mary's Churchyard grounds maintenance 6700
UDGET (as set rents
in December 2018)
£ %
Cemetery fees and rents 5675
79000
Yearbook 86
production
Streets support 6285
TOTAL 919354050
Website development4
TOTAL 92785
Ground and Small Gains rents Cemetery
3210 3
Recreation Ground
fees and rents 5675
The Springs
6
Small Gains
Total Annual Budget for 2019-20*
The Lock
91935Up, Merchant
100 Taylors' Green, the Parish Clock, the War Memorial
St Mary's Churchyard grounds maintenance
Streets support
Total
Income Annual Budget for 2019-20 Expenditure
Annual Budget for 2019-20
Recrea.on Ground
Cemetery fees and
INCOME St
St Mary’s Churchyard
Mary's Churchyard EXPENDITURE
and Small Gains Grounds Maintenance
rents
rents (£92,000) The Lock Up,Up,
The Lock Merchant
Merchant
grounds maintenance Streets support
Streets Support (£92,000)*
Taylors’ Green,
Taylors' thethe
Green, Parish
Parish
Yearbook Clock, the War Memorial
Clock, the War Memorial
Small
SmallGains
Gains
Administration
Administra*on (including
(including
TheThe Springs
Springs office
officeand office
and staff,staff,
office
Precept
audit,
audit,insurance,
insurance,website,
website,
professional
Recreation Ground
Recrea*on Ground professional
memberships, room hire)
memberships, room hire)
Cemetery
Cemetery
Yearbook produc*on Village
Villagegrants
Grants
* excludes grants, section 106
* excludes claims
grants, and expenditure
section 106 claimsfrom
andreserves
expenditure from reserves
Parish Council Accounting and Audit
In accordance with statutory requirements the Parish Council submits an Annual Return to an External
Auditor at the end of the financial year (March 31st). PKF Littlejohn LLP concluded that the accounts were ‘in
accordance with Proper Practices and no other matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern
that relevant legislation or regulatory requirements have not been met’. An independent Internal Auditor is also
commissioned to inspect the Parish Council’s accounts. Checks are made to ensure that the proper practices
and procedures required by law are being adhered to. The Annual Return includes a Statement of Accounts,
an Annual Governance Statement and an Internal Audit report. Appended to this are additional documents,
including receipts & payments, and a bank reconciliation. Copies of these can be found on the website (www.
ashwell.gov.uk) or requested from the Clerk. Throughout the year, monthly statements are issued that include
details of all receipts and payments for that month. These statements are published as an appendix to the
monthly council minutes, copies of which are made available at meetings and posted on the website. Details
are also always available from the Clerk.
11Hertfordshire County Council at junctions around the village. It has also funded the first stage
of a 20 mph speed limit, planned to cover most of the village. In
2019/20 we have planned, among other projects, to resurface
Bacon’s Yard and a section of the pavement in Back Street,
General Enquiries
complete the 20 mph limit and design a solution to the narrow
☎︎0300 123 4040 or ✉︎www.hertfordshire.gov.uk
pavement and speeding traffic at West End.
Education
The County Council has oversight of educational provision in I have also been pursuing proposals to improve pedestrian
Hertfordshire, including schools and child protection. facilities around the junctions of Station Road with Ashwell
Contact: ☎︎0300 123 4043 Street and Walkdens, paid for by funding from the developers of
Free School Meals Walkdens and Philosophers Gate.
To apply for free school meals ☎︎0300 123 4048
Fire and Rescue Service In addition to these schemes, I have been discussing proposals
Contact: ☎︎999 in an emergency; to improve the safety of the A505 (and in particular the Ashwell
or for non-emergencies ☎︎666900 for Station junction at Odsey) with the County Council’s highway
Baldock & Letchworth Fire Station, Weston Way, Baldock; safety experts. I hope that this will result in a proposal to build
or ☎︎01438 202554, for the District Office. a roundabout at the Odsey junction, although that will then
Fire safety enquiries ☎︎0300 123 4046 present the challenge of securing the necessary funding of
several millions.
Highways
Maintenance of roads, pavements and street lighting is the
Working with parish councils is an important part of keeping in
responsibility of Hertfordshire Highways. Faults, including any
touch with local people and their concerns, so I try to attend as
problems with grass cutting in the summer, should be reported
many meetings of Ashwell Parish Council as possible.
to them online.
Go to: ✉︎www.hertfordshire.gov.uk then click on the ‘Potholes
Additionally, every County Councillor has a budget for grants to
and faulty street lights’ picture – or 0300 123 4047
community groups and local organisations.
Bus Passes
To apply for or renew a bus pass 0300 123 4050 Please get in touch if you want to know more or if there are issues
or go to: ✉︎www.hertfordshire.gov.uk then click on the ‘Bus that you think I might be able to help with.
passes’ picture.
Emergency out of hours contacts Steve Jarvis, County Councillor
Children’s social care emergency, out of hours service www.stevejarvis.org.uk
☎︎0300 123 4043 ☎︎ 01438 727122 ✉︎steve.jarvis@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Adults’ social care emergency, out of hours service
☎︎0300 123 4042
For North Hertfordshire District Council services North Hertfordshire District Council
please see next coloumn.
For Police and other local services please see page 86.
General Enquiries
✉︎www.north-herts.gov.uk
or ☎︎474000 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday)
Hertfordshire County Textphone: 474800
Councillor’s Report Payments Service
☎︎0300 456 0535 (24 hours a day)
Out of Hours in an Emergency (homelessness, environmental
health, street cleaning, parks, public buildings, car parks)
O ver the last year, I have had the pleasure of talking to many
people from Ashwell and working on ways to deal with some
of the issues which concern them.
☎︎0300 777 4125
Weekend Noise Call-Out Service
(1 April to 30 September, 8:00 pm-3:00 am Friday and
Saturday nights only)
Roads and pavements are the County Council service which most
☎︎0300 777 4125
people see, but the council also has important responsibilities
Planning
providing social care for elderly people, adults with learning
The responsibility for planning matters is held by the District
disabilities and vulnerable children. The demand for social
Council. The planning officer responsible for Ashwell at North
care is increasing rapidly for the very good reason that people,
Hertfordshire District Council can be reached on ☎︎474000
particularly those with disabilities which would once have
or ✉︎planning.control@north-herts.gov.uk.
limited their life expectancy, now happily live much longer; but
some of them need a lot of care and assistance. It is also becoming If parishioners write to the District Council with comments,
increasingly difficult to find staff willing to do this sort of work, either in favour of or against a planning application, Ashwell
which means that the costs are increasing as well. Parish Council asks them to send copies, please, to the Parish
Council Clerk so that these comments can be taken into
The need to provide these services and their increasing cost consideration by parish councillors when they meet.
inevitably has an impact on the money available for the rest of Street Cleaning
the services that the County Council must provide. This is the responsibility of the District Council. A sweeping
lorry visits and public litter bins are emptied every four weeks.
Like every County Councillor I have a budget for local highway Additional visits are made to clear fallen leaves in the autumn,
repairs and improvements. This year this has funded yellow lines with manual sweepers where needed. If you feel that additional
12visits are needed, or that any work is not being done properly
then please report it online at ✉︎www.north-herts.gov.uk
or by ‘phone to ☎︎474000 (office hours) or
☎︎0300 777 4125 (out of hours).
Refuse Collection
• Food waste (small brown caddy) is collected weekly.
• Recyclable material - glass, cans, cardboard, brown paper and
plastic other than rigid plastic or plastic bags (large, grey
bin) and paper (blue/black box) - is collected fortnightly.
ASHWELL’S BIG SING
• Household rubbish which cannot be recycled (purple bin) is
collected on the alternate fortnights. *Adults Pop Choir*
• Garden waste (large brown bin) is no longer collected free of
charge. To register and pay for this service, £40 per year at
8-9pm every Monday
the time of writing, go to ✉︎www.north-herts.gov.uk/waste Ashwell Village Hall
and recycling/garden waste collection service. Garden ————————————————————————————————————————
waste is collected on the same day as recyclable waste.
At the time of writing the normal refuse collection day for
Ashwell is Monday, except in Bank Holiday weeks.
KIDS
To report a missed bin collection, go to ✉︎www.north-herts.gov.uk HOLIDAY SCHOOLS
or ‘phone ☎︎0800 328 6023 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Fri). *Sing, Act, Dance & craft*
For Hertfordshire County Council services please see page 12.
For Police and other local services please see page 86. Ages 4 - 13
Easter School: Mon 8th - Thurs 11th April
North Hertfordshire District Summer School: Mon 5th - Fri 9th August
Councillor’s Report
CONTACT ALEX TO JOIN!
07903 058 568
By the time you read this, the Local Plan should have been finalised
and be due for approval, if not already voted on by the full North ASHWELLSTAGESCHOOL@GMAIL.COM
Hertfordshire District Council. I had hoped that the plan would Facebook.com/ashwellstageschool
be further along at this point, but the public examination took
longer than anyone anticipated, with the inspector requesting
further evidence from the planning department, following issues
raised as part of the examination.
What I do know at the time of writing is that the total numbers
and the site allocation have not changed, which would have
disappointed many residents. I know many people worked hard
and made their views known on a number of sites within Arbury
Knowing
Ward, notably the site in Bygrave/Baldock and the Claybush Hill someone
site in Ashwell. I am looking at the main modifications that have
been proposed by the inspector, and will be responding to the is always
public consultation on this, starting in January 2019.
there gives
The other issue that has been high on my list over the past year me hope
was the introduction of the new waste and recycling contract.
I know that the first six months of this caused a great deal of Talk to us any time you
like, in your own way, and
concern and annoyance to some of the residents in Ashwell,
off the record – about
where there were problems with bins not being emptied when whatever’s getting to you.
they should have been. I can only say that this should not have
happened and that the Council is looking at this process to ensure
116 123
Free
that we learn the lessons from this contract. The Council did This number is FREE to call
01462 455 333
* (Local)
vote in November 2018 to extend the current brown bin contract
period by three months, recognising the difficulties people had jo@samaritans.org
had, so the renewal of the brown bin contracts will happen in samaritans.org
August 2019 instead of May. visit us – 5 Nuns Close 1EP
Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5
There have been some exciting events in Ashwell over the last 12
months and they are growing in popularity. A big thank you to all
residents who help in any way with these through the year.
As always, if you have any issues that you would like me to raise,
please do not hesitate to get in contact with me.
Janine Paterson, District Councillor, Arbury Ward. A registered charity
☎︎ 4918802 ✉︎Janine.paterson@north-herts.gov.uk North Herts Caller Awareness Advert A5P - Freecall female.indd 1 22/09/2015 12:42:00
13Community Groups
Ashwell Village Trust
T he Ashwell Village Trust exists to promote the permanent
preservation, for the benefit of the general public and the
inhabitants of the Parish of Ashwell, of lands or buildings of
beauty or of historical interest, or of ecological or scientific
importance within the Parish, and generally to protect and
preserve the character and amenities of the Parish for the
benefit of the public.
T he Ashwell Village Trust is the charity set up in 1986 to
replace the Hertfordshire Buildings Preservation Trust,
in which the Cottage Garden was originally vested from its
formation in 1968. The Trust is ultimately responsible for
the Cottage Garden, which is admirably looked after by a
group of volunteers who meet monthly. The Chairman of the
Trustees is the Chairman of the Parish Council (at present
Mark White). Two other Trustees are appointed from the
Parish Council (at present Bridget Macey and David Sims).
Five other Trustees are drawn from the village
Ashwell Cottage Garden
Artist: Chrissy Harrison; Photo: by Margaret Budgen
such good shape. We are now looking forward to continuing
2 018 was another successful year with wonderful weather
once the very cold spring was out of the way. I was
surprised and very honoured to be asked to take over the role
in 2019.
If you have an hour to spare once a month new volunteers
of volunteer leader from Liz Moynihan who after fifty years are always welcome to come and join us. Please contact
rightly considered she had earned her retirement, though she me by ‘phone or email to be added to the circulation list for
is still helping out. To commemorate the 50th anniversary receiving details of dates.
of the founding of the Community Cottage Garden a garden
party was held, acknowledging not only Liz`s unstinting Ken Coyne, Volunteer Coordinator
devotion to the garden but that of current helpers and past
participants too. An exhibition of the history of the site ☎︎743723
was organised and set up in the Museum to celebrate their ✉︎kencoyne@hotmail.co.uk
achievement. A fruit tree was planted in the garden to mark
the event. I thank all those who organised and helped in
putting it all together.
Moss Cottage Homes
In addition, a cat seat was donated to the garden from the
Whitby sisters and now has pride of place at the end of the
garden. The cottage garden planting continues to flourish
with colour and variety throughout the seasons. The
T he cottages were built in 1904 by George Moss in memory
of his mother, Frances, and continue to provide homes
for six of the older residents of Ashwell. The residents are
volunteers have done a sterling job on keeping the weeds at independent and the cottages’ location in the middle of the
bay and the more vigorous subjects in check, all helped by village gives them easy access to shops, churches, the surgery
a welcoming cup of tea or coffee. The work has included and all village facilities.
a major trimming of the rear boundary where some of the
larger shrubs and climbers had become overgrown. We were very sad this year to lose Gwen Pack, who was a
resident for nine years. She is greatly missed.
To assist the Ashwell Museum Restoration Appeal Fund it is
proposed to have a plant sale, garden book sale and coffee During the year extensive maintenance tasks were
morning in June 2019 so members will be potting up any undertaken and wired smoke alarms were installed. The
spare / unusual stock for the event. So, thank you to all those electrical installations in all the cottages have been inspected
who have worked so hard on keeping the Cottage Garden in and electrical equipment PAT tested.
14You can also read
