Author Archives: Anna Bond

Winning Cover Photograph for Issue 8!

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…

© Eric Skilton

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

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.

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

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!

Harvest Festival was a wonderful day held on Sunday 8th 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

St Margaretsbury Fireworks Display

The Annual St Margaretsbury Bonfire & Fireworks Display is on Sunday 5th November at the Recreation Ground, St Margaretsbury, Herts SG12 8EH.

Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy this annual night of firework fun!

What is on offer?
• On-site parking (until full)
• Catering truck
• Kiddies mini fun-fair
• Hot mulled wine stall
• Licensed clubhouse bar

What are the timings?
(Timings are approximate)
Gates open at 4pm
Bonfire lit at 6:30pm
Fireworks at 6:45pm
Ends at 7:15pm

How much are tickets?
£20 Family of 4
£8 Adults
£5 Under 14
FREE Under 3

No booking required – pay on the door (cash or card).

Baby Loss Awareness Week, 9–15th October

Local Sands supporter The 3 Churches Benefice will be giving bereaved families in Great Amwell, St Margarets and Stanstead Abbotts the opportunity to come together this Baby Loss Awareness Week, 9–15th October.

Sands, the charity that leads Baby Loss Awareness Week, works to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families. The Week is a time for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, to remember much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.

This special week is represented by its blue and pink ribbon logo, this image has been the inspiration to create Ribbon Displays up and down the UK, in every community, inviting those who have experienced loss to come together and remember their babies.  

The 3 Churches Benefice is hosting a Ribbon Display outside St Andrew’s Church and opening the church on Sunday 15th October from 12–4pm to support their Ribbon Run, which will take place at 1pm that day. They are putting together a team that plans to walk the 5km circuit from St Andrew’s to raise funds for Sands. Walkers and Runners welcome! To donate, visit their webpage HERE.

The loss of a baby or pregnancy is heart-breaking, and this is happening to families across the UK everyday. During Baby Loss Awareness Week, The 3 Churches Benefice wanted to create a special display to remember all the babies lost, whether recently or long ago.  

All money raised from the Ribbon Run will go to Sands, so they can continue to support families and reduce baby deaths, by investing in research and championing better maternity care. For anyone who needs the support of Sands you can find more information on their website www.sands.org.uk. 

Quiz Night for St John the Baptist Heating Replacement Fund

Come along to an evening of quiz fun in aid of St John the Baptist Heating Replacement Fund on Friday 13th October, 7pm for a prompt 7.30pm start, at Great Amwell Parish Hall.

Please see the attached poster for more information.

For tickets, contact Bryan Brace 01992 447845 / bjbrace122@gmail.com or Richard / Margaret Mellor on 01920 460474 / richardmellor@btinternet.com.

The Big Quiz Night for Tearfund

Join The 3 Churches Benefice for an epic evening of poverty-beating, community-building fun! Every penny raised will go to Tearfund, who work tirelessly to fight extreme poverty throughout the world.

Saturday 7th October
7pm
The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots

£5 per person
Teams of up to 8 people
Bring your own drinks & snacks

Get tickets in advance from Rosemary (rosemaryijames@virginmedia.com) or Janet (jdance50@yahoo.co.uk)
Or purchase (in cash) on the door!

See the event poster:

To learn more about Tearfund and the important work they, you can watch this video below or visit their website HERE.

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