• T H E • T H R E E • V I L L A G E S • News & Information covering Great Amwell, St Margarets and Stanstead Abbotts •
It is with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this afternoon at the age of 96.
It seems only yesterday that we were celebrating The Platinum Jubilee as a community and marking her incredible 70-year reign in style.
Our deepest sympathies go to The Royal Family as we remember Her Majesty the Queen and her tremendous life of service.
The five-day Webster’s site Community Archaeological Dig at Netherfield Lane in June this year has prompted more research by the Heritage Group. They went to view a 2020 AD recreation of a building/shelter from evidence similar to that found close to the site in Roydon Road. It’s of the Mesolithic Age (12,000–6,000 years ago) at Butser Ancient Farm, Hants.
This photo is probably as close as we can get to recreating the Mesolithic Site at Roydon Road. Flint tools were discovered by groundworkers in 1971 when excavating before building a garden swimming pool. Local Archaeologists were called in to discover approximately 1500 flint tools dating to approx 6–10,000 years ago, made by our early ancestors. Their findings also revealed evidence that a shelter built so long ago was against the roots of a large fallen tree. The report is on SALHS website entitled ‘10,000 year old Mesolithic site found at Stanstead Abbotts’, media page 3. Full report can be viewed on the Historic Environment Records at Hertfordshire Archives and Local history.
A full report of the finds from Webster’s Site excavations discovered by more than 50 local villagers (finds including 12,000-year-old flints, Roman pottery from a villa, medieval coins & pottery, Tudor pipe stems and other items of interest to our village history) will be completed soon and be available to all.
These and other finds are adding to recent research in building up a picture of our village beginnings – certainly from 2–3,000 BC and even (surprising news!) of the village in the personal ownership, in 690 AD, of one King Sweafred… of ESSEX! If you are interested in further research in our past, whether from early to medieval history, the group would like to hear from you. Contact historicff@gmail.com .
Dick Dixon, Local History Society Archives & Heritage Group member
The September issue of The Three Villages Magazine has published and is 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:
St John the Baptist, Great Amwell
St Mary the Virgin, St Margarets
St Andrew’s, Stanstead Abbots
The Village Pharmacy
The Red Lion
The Maltings Coffee House
Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets Village Club
We hope that you enjoy this latest issue. If you are struggling to get a hold of a copy, please do be in touch and we will see how we can help.
Thank you for your continued support,
The Three Villages Team
Issue 3 is currently at the printers, which means that in a few weeks it will be available to purchase for £1 at various locations across the three villages.
This issue includes our regular features along with the next instalment of Our Historic Churches series, a report from the recent archaeological dig at Netherfield Lane, articles from the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, The Wombles of Ware Abouts and some really interesting interviews.
If you have any questions about how to get hold of a copy, do please be in touch using the CONTACT US page, or directly by emailing threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com .
Thank you for your continued support.
Since June, a new rota of services has been in place for The 3 Churches Benefice of Great Amwell with St Margarets and Stanstead Abbots. Details are as follows:
June also saw the start of some important new groups and regular meetings.
NEW REGULAR MEETINGS
Monday Coffee Morning
A weekly coffee morning for those who have arrived from Ukraine and their hosts. Meeting every Monday at 10.15am for 1hr 30m at The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church (on Cappell Lane).
Community Hub Drop-in
Are you struggling financially?
Are you worried about how you are coping?
Do you just need someone to listen and point you in the right direction?
Come and have a cuppa with us and we’ll see how we can help. Meeting 10.30am every Wednesday at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets (on Hoddesdon Road).
UPCOMING EVENT
Outdoor Service – 31st July
On 31st July, The 3 Churches Benefice will be holding an outdoor service at The Glebe Field (behind the Parish Hall), Great Amwell. Starting from 10.30am, the service will be followed by a summer picnic. Please do come along and join us – all are welcome!
If you would like to learn more about what is going on within our local churches, please visit the website (www.3churches.net) or go to the A Church Near You page (from the Benefice landing page you can click on a specific church).
If you have any questions or would like to be in touch, please email vicar@3churches.net or admin@3churches.net.
Can you help? We have had a request for help from The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub.
They are in need of the following:
[Please ensure all food items are sealed and in date. Thank you]
Donations can be made to Sue at 8 Millers Lane or contact The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub (07487 350918). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The 3 Churches Foodbank Hub
A local Hub of the Hertford & Ware Foodbank based at St Margarets’ Parish Church
We are a small Christian charity that has been working with young people aged 11–19 in Hertford and Ware over the past 19 years. We work in schools, leading group sessions and one–one mentoring, and we also take a mobile youth centre out in the local area. More information about our work can be seen on our website: www.fhhw.org.uk
We have a vacancy for a Project Director starting in September. Full information is in the attachment or can be viewed online HERE.
FUTUREhope – Hertford and Ware
We are now busy working on the September issue of The Three Villages Magazine and our copy deadline is looming.
Do be in touch if you have a item you’d like to submit. We are particularly looking for:
* A short poem (to fit a half page)
* Autumnal photographs of the local area for the front cover
* Tried-and-tested baking recipes
Please send items to print.threevillagesmagazine@gmail.com by 4th July.
The Three Villages Team
The previous stocks in the St John the Baptist’s Churchyard had deteriorated and the specialist advice was to replace them. Great Amwell Parish Council have employed the local building firm, Between Time, and the stocks have just been put in place.
The children from St John the Baptist School had a first look in, as the carpenters were installing them just as the school visited church for their Pentecost Service. There were some very wide eyes as the children walked past and they were beautifully behaved in church! As they always are… nothing to do with the stocks, I’m sure!
Rev’d Dr Sarah Forrest
Priest in Charge, The 3 Churches Benefice
On Friday 3rd June, in the glorious sunshine, crowds of you came along to the Platinum Jubilee Party held at The Stanstead Abbotts and St Margarets’ Village Club.
A fantastic time was had by all who attended – and there were a lot of you! Live music, a delicious BBQ, dance performances, tombola, cake stall, face painting and ice creams made for a brilliant afternoon of celebration.
Huge thanks go to Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council, The Village Club and the army of volunteers who made it all happen.
The Three Villages 