Category Archives: News

The 3 Churches Benefice Christmas Tree Festival 2023

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On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December, 2–6pm, The 3 Churches Benefice held a Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets.

St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell
Woodland Beavers Colony
Hoddesdon Women’s Club
Bobtails Playgroup & Teddy Club
St Andrew’s Primary School
St Mary’s Church, St Margarets
Nativity Scene (close up) by Mary Youngman
Nativity Scene (Mary Youngman, Hertford Baptist Church)
Age UK
1st Stanstead Abbotts Brownies
St Andrew’s Card-Making Group
The 3 Churches Benefice Wednesday Coffee Morning
The Three Villages Magazine
Memory Tree
Craft Stall
View from outside

The church looked beautiful all lit up with the trees that had been provided and decorated by local groups and businesses. Powell Funeral Services donated the tree for St Mary’s and Gini Trower from The Wallen Garden kindly loaned two of her wonderful rooted trees. The amazing nativity scene at the altar, made by Mary Youngman and on loan from Hertford Baptist Church, was much admired by everyone. There were some delicious cakes, biscuits and mince pies; a raffle; a scavenger hunt for the children and some lovely craft items on safe.

Rev’d Sarah told us that the whole event was a brilliant success, with over 130 people going along to get in the festive spirit and over £450 raised. These funds will go towards the upkeep and work of the church.

The 3 Churches Benefice would like to thank everyone who helped: organising beforehand, providing and/or decorating trees, making cakes, volunteering as helpers, donating raffle prizes etc. It was a great team effort and there was some lovely feedback from those who came along.

Rev’d Sarah Forrest, Priest in Charge

Farewell to Jackie Spencer

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Left to right: Jonathan Pilkington, Anthony Richardson, Henry Buxton, Suzie Nichol, Jackie Spencer, Andrew Day, Jonathan Trower and Dr Tessa Dormon.

In October 2023, The Trustees of The Baesh Trust bid farewell to Jackie Spencer, the Clerk, after 30 years of service. The Chairman, Mr Jonathan Trower thanked Mrs Spencer for all her work, support and advice over the years and proposed that she is appointed as a Clerk Emeritus. She was presented with a cheque as a token of appreciation from the Trustees, who wish her well with her retirement.

Christina Whellams, Clerk

The Three Villages Magazine: Issue 8 is here!

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The December 2023 issue of The Three Villages Magazine is here and available to purchase for £1 across the three villages. Be sure to pick up your copy!

You can find it at a number of locations including, but not limited to:
St John the Baptist, Great Amwell
St Mary the Virgin, St Margarets
St Andrew, Stanstead Abbots
The Village Pharmacy
The Maltings Coffee House
Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets Village Club
The Red Lion
The Bridge Shop

In this issue, along with all our regular features, you will find the latest in our Local Historic Faces & Places series, the winners of our School Christmas Bauble Competition, a charity focus on Equine Table Top Sales, tips on how to stay well during the winter months and much, much more!

We hope that you enjoy this latest issue.

If you are struggling to get a hold of a copy, please do get in touch and we will see how we can help.

Thank you for your continued support,
The Three Villages Team

Foodbank Donations

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

  • Tinned vegetables
  • Long life milk
  • Jars of sauces – for pasta and rice.

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.

Issue 8 coming soon!

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Issue 8 (December 2023) is now with the printer and will be available to purchase from 1st December at all the usual locations.

In this issue, along with our regular features, you will find the latest in our Local Historic Faces & Places series, the winners of our School Christmas Bauble Competition, a charity focus on Equine Table Top Sales, tips on how to stay well during the winter months and much, much more!

If you struggle to get a hold of a copy, please do get in touch and we will see how we can help.

Issue 8 wraps up our second year of The Three Villages Magazine! If you have any ideas of things you would like to see in future issues, please do drop us an email to print.threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com or using the CONTACT US page.

Thank you for your support!
The Three Villages Team

Soccer School at St Margaretsbury FC

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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?

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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

The 3 Churches Benefice: Warm Welcome Spaces

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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-2023Download

Winning Cover Photograph for Issue 8!

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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

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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-2023Download

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

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