Anna Bond

Author Archives: Anna Bond

Soccer School at St Margaretsbury FC

Posted on Nov 15, 2023 by Anna Bond Leave a comment

St Margaretsbury has re-established their Soccer School! Catering to Boys and Girls from 3 to 8 years in age, these coaching-focused sessions aim to instil a love for the beautiful game. The children are encouraged to develop their skills in a non-competitive environment, while embracing the values of teamwork, discipline and fair play.

Ex-Spurs Player Luke Steel, who sadly suffered a career-ending football injury, has since built up his own successful youth academy and has partnered with our Soccer School to prepare two U7s sides ready for the 24/25 season to complement the existing youth teams. It offers a pathway for children, moving from fun non-competitive to competitive football to achieve their best.

If you’re interested, contact Luke on 07508 727912.

Can you help the Foodbank?

Posted on Nov 13, 2023 by Anna Bond Leave a comment

The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub is in need of donations, specifically:

tinned meat, fish, soup, rice pudding and custard;
Christmas treats biscuits and chocolates, including advent calendars.

Donations can be dropped off on Wednesday morning between 10.30–11.30am at St Margarets’ Parish Church or to Sue Webb at 8 Miller Lane, Stanstead Abbotts.

Any donations are gratefully received.

Lyn Paddon, The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub Manager

Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society Event

Posted on Nov 9, 2023 by Anna Bond Leave a comment

The next Stanstead Abbotts Local History Society event is taking place tomorrow night (Friday 10^th November), 7.30pm at The Parish Hall in Stanstead Abbotts.

Lee Prosser will be giving a fascinating talk on ‘The Royal Kitchens at Kew’.

Members go free. Non-members only £3, which includes refreshments.

Neighbourhood Watch Walk and Talk

Posted on Nov 7, 2023 by Anna Bond Leave a comment

Your local Police Community Support Officers will be doing a walk and talk through Stanstead Abbotts at 11am tomorrow (8^th November).

If you would like to come along and talk about any concerns or issues you may have within the community, as well has come for a nice walk through our lovely village, we will be meeting outside the front of The Red Lion pub at 11am.

We hope to see you there.

Megan DaCosta, Police Community Support Officer

Police Contact Advice
* Telephone 999 in an emergency where there is a danger to life or a crime is in progress.
* Telephone 101 for non-emergencies where police attendance is required, to report a crime or to report any other incidents.
* Alternatively, visit www.herts.police.uk/contact to report a non-emergency crime online or chat to a police operator live via our web chat service.

Event

The 3 Churches Benefice: Warm Welcome Spaces

Posted on Nov 6, 2023 by Anna Bond Leave a comment

Once again this year, The 3 Churches Benefice are offering Warm Welcome Spaces to those who are in need over the cold winter months.

There will be two Warm Welcome Spaces running each week:
Coffee Morning on Monday mornings
9–11.30am at The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots

The Community Hub Drop-in on Wednesdays
10.30–11.30am at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets

Go along and share a cuppa in these warm, welcoming and free spaces. Everyone is welcome!

See the poster…

warm-welcome-spaces-2023 Download

Winning Cover Photograph for Issue 8!

Posted on Nov 1, 2023 by Anna Bond Leave a comment

We are pleased to announce the winning cover image for Issue 8 of The Three Villages Magazine, which is due out at the start of December!

The photograph featured on the cover this time is by Eric Skilton. Here is it…

We asked Eric to tell us a little more about the photograph and himself…
The photo was taken during last winter using an iPhone. It was at the Amwell Nature Reserve near the Bittern viewing point. It was not long after a heavy snowfall, but before it fell off the trees. It’s actually a colour image; it’s just that there is very little other than black and white.

My wife Janice and I have lived in Stanstead Abbotts (actually St Margarets) for nearly 14 years, having moved from Cheshunt. We are both retired; I was a structural engineer and Janice a social worker. We love the village and everyone around us is so friendly; it’s a great place to live. I spend a great deal of my time walking and chasing balls of various sizes (golf, tennis, padel etc.).

Thank you to Eric for kindly letting us use this striking and wonderfully wintery image.

If you haven’t done so already, get your copy of Issue 7 before it disappears! If you are having trouble getting hold of a copy, please do let us know and we will do what we can to get one to you.

Thank you for your continued support,
The Three Villages Team

County Councillor Report October 2023

Posted on Nov 1, 2023 by Anna Bond 2 comments

In October, County Councillor Eric Buckmaster, who represents the Parishes of Sawbridgeworth, High Wych, Eastwick and Gilston, Hunsdon, Widford, Wareside, Stanstead Abbotts and St Margarets put together a report.

The report includes some interesting points and important information, so please do give it a read.

county-councillor-report-oct-2023 Download

If you have any questions or concerns relating to the report, you can contact Councillor Eric Buckmaster directly as follows:
Landline:  03001237457
Mobile:  07578 170303
Email:  eric.buckmaster@hertfordshire.gov.uk

A Christmas Carol at St James’ Church

Posted on Oct 25, 2023 by Anna Bond Leave a comment

Where: St James’ Church, Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire
When: Wednesday 29th November at 7pm

On Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean-spirited and miserly old man, is visited by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley. Shown visions of Christmases Past, Present and Future he is offered one final chance of redemption… But will he take it?

This Christmas, audiences are invited to celebrate the festive season as critically acclaimed theatre company This Is My Theatre brings Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol to life in a stunning one-act adaptation.

Packed with charm, cheer and, of course, plenty of carols, our production is sure to spread joy and warm hearts this Christmas!

Written by Charles Dickens
Directed & Adapted by Sarah Slator
Music by Simon Stallard

Running time: Approximately 85 minutes

“Full of festive cheer… as faultless as ever!” – Lynn News

“Ramped up the festive feel-good with melodic carols and outstanding performances… Another 5-star presentation from this gifted team!” – Sussex Local Magazine

Tickets are selling fast!

Book your tickets now at…
https://www.thisismytheatre.com/stanstead-abbotts

Harvest Festival 2023: Thank you!

Posted on Oct 23, 2023 by Anna Bond One comment

Harvest Festival was a wonderful day held on Sunday 8^th October 2023. There was a lovely service at the Old Parish Church of St James, which was full of people all there to celebrate the harvest. The church was beautifully decorated.

After the service, there was a lunch organized by Gini and Jonathan Trower in the Haybarn at Stanstead Bury Farm, Stanstead Abbotts. The food was delicious and it was a really joyful event for the community.

Special thanks go to:

Joe and Mo Howlett and the High Street Allotment holders – East Window and Altar Baesh Chapel
Nicholas Buxton and Easneye Estate – North window Baesh Chapel
Lucy Isham and Stanstead Abbotts Beaver scouts – North Window Baesh Chapel
Vanessa Murphy – South windows in Nave
Suzy and Tony Richardson – Entrance
Kate Green and GIng – Porch
Anne Sauntson – Altar and Pulpit
Aaron Griffin and Emma Clark who have grown much of the produce at Stanstead Bury
Louise Hedger of Vintage Afternoon Teas for the cake display

Thank you to everyone, especially Gini and Jonathan Trower and their helpers, for all the hard work that was put into making this a special event for the Benefice and the wider community.

The 3 Churches Benefice