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TRANSCRIPT
Benefice Profile
Page 1
Contents
Welcome Page 1
We are Praying for a Rector Who …. Page 2
And in Return, We… Page 2
Introduction and Location Page 3
The Benefice Page 4
Where We Are Going Page 4
Worship Page 5
Bayford & Brickendon Parish Pages 6 – 9
Essendon Parish Pages 10-12
Little Berkhamsted Parish Pages 13-14
Ponsbourne Parish Pages 15-16
Closing Prayer Page 17
Welcome
Thank you for taking the time to read our Benefice Profile. Our aim is to give you an understanding of our
parishes and a taste of what it might be like to be a part of our church family. We hope that it will enable
you to consider prayerfully our vacancy and we look forward to meeting you should you decide to apply.
Page 2
We Are Praying for a Rector Who……
Will be a caring and empathetic priest with a listening ear,
valuing worshippers of all ages and with differing degrees and styles of faith.
Has enthusiasm and confidence, keen to engage with the challenge of attracting young families, children
and youth into our congregation and to maintaining our active engagement with our 3 church schools.
Has the management & delegation skills needed to keep our Benefice of 5 churches running smoothly.
Appreciates the value of collaboration, desiring to discern and develop the skills of others.
Will value our group identity, seeking to widen and deepen its vision and mission
whilst acknowledging the individual characteristics of each Church.
Will nurture us in our faith through strong spiritual leadership and teaching.
Understands the special demands of Rural Ministry and the nature of village life.
Appreciates and encourages the use of technology and social media as a tool of mission.
Has the wisdom and perception to see the needs we have which we may fail to see,
and who will bring his or her own gifts and experiences to the role.
And In Return, We…...
Recognise that in a Benefice such as ours, spread over 5 villages, the Rector must have energetic and
dependable support. We have four PCCs, 3 Lay Leaders of Worship and 2 in training, licensed across the Group
(see Diocesan Web-site), and lay support from congregations who are ready and willing to get behind a new
incumbent.
Recognise the importance of work life balance and do not expect you to be always on call, and for you to take
time off and holidays. We would encourage and give financial support for you to refresh your own spiritual
well-being and professional development.
Provide paid administrative support. Days and hours can be structured to suit your requirements. During the Vacancy the office continues to be maintained and is currently always open on Fridays and on other days on an ad hoc basis.
Provide a centrally located Rectory that was the family home of the previous incumbent for the last 25 years. It is situated on a generous sized plot of land and is a bungalow with 4 bedrooms and an office.
Page 3
Introduction
The Benefice of Hartford Hundred (West) was established on November 1st, 1976 as a “united benefice”
combining the four parishes of Little Berkhamsted, Bayford & Brickendon, Essendon & Woodhill, and
Ponsbourne (Newgate Street), with its centrally located Rectory in the village of Little Berkhamsted. In the 42
years since then, the group has developed a coherence and a distinct identity whilst retaining the individuality
of the separate churches. The balancing of these two forces we see as a strength. The Rector is the lynch
pin.
A Churchwardens’ Council meets 4 times a year and other inter–communication is achieved through a
monthly parish magazine and weekly pew sheets. We have a limited web presence and see this as an area
for significant growth along with use of social media. We attend each other’s services to some extent and
support each other’s social events. When needed we share organists and choristers. This sharing has
become vitally important for a benefice in a vacancy.
All four parishes pay their Parish Share.
A Local Ministry Development Team with representatives from each Church, operates as an “enabling” group,
in partnership with the PCCs. Its aim is to support the Rector, to promote a two-way flow of information and
ideas and to protect, given the rural nature of each parish, against isolation.
For example, the Team’s advice has led to improvement in the structure of PCC meetings, resulting in sharper
focus and more efficient, mercifully shorter meetings.
Most important of all are the friendly relationships between the officers and congregations of the 5 Churches.
This provides a springboard for a widening and deepening of our togetherness in new and possibly un-
envisaged ways. Fertile ground for a new incumbent.
Location
Only some 20 miles north of London
and just west of the county town of
Hertford and close to Hatfield, Welwyn
Garden City and Potters Bar, the
benefice benefits from excellent train
links which can have you in London in
just under half an hour. The M1, A1,
A10 and M25 are all a short drive away
providing convenient access to the
rest of the country and all the villages
within the Group benefit from a regular
bus service. Luton, Stansted and
Heathrow airports are under an hour’s
drive away.
The area is very popular for walkers,
horse riders and cyclists; sometimes it
can take a while to navigate from one
village to the next along the country
lanes.
There is a wide range of social and recreational activities both in the villages and the surrounding areas,
covering all ages and interests. Education provision is excellent at all levels.
Page 4
The Benefice
An area of 15.6 square miles
Where Are We Going?
We aspire to:
Attract a new generation of worshippers across our communities and increase congregation
numbers
Continue and strengthen the links with the church schools in the villages
Widen the scope and appeal of our services
Make our churches relevant to the youth of today
Use technology and social media as a tool of mission
Widening our outreach into the community in a more structured way. For example relaunching the
Bereavement Group
Hartford Hundred
Group
Bayford
Brickendon
Essendon
Ponsbourne
Little Berkhamsted
Sunday Club
Choir
Holiday Club
Mid Week Holy Communion
Tiny Tots
Harvest Lunches
Gardens Open
Prayer Share
Foundation Governors
Local Ministry Development Team
Mid-Week Holy Communion
Churchwardens’ Council
4 PCCs
Christmas Tree Festival
Crib & Christingle 9 Lessons & Carols
6 Open Churchyards 5 Churches 4 Parishes
Assemblies/Harvest/End of Term
Coffee Mornings
3 Church Schools
“Friends” of the Churches
Bellringers
Group Magazine
Weekly Newsheet
Christmas Praise
Baptism & Marriage Preparation
Resident
Non-
Resident
Bayford &
Brickendon46 11
Essendon 76 24
Lt. Berkhamsted 16 8
Ponsbourne 11 21
149 64
Electoral Roll
Page 5
Worship
Sunday services are traditionally held during each month as follows:
1st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday
8.00 am
Communion*
Little Berkhamsted
9.30 am Communion Essendon
Communion Bayford
Communion Ponsbourne
Communion Little Berkhamsted
9.30 am
Family Service Ponsbourne
Family Service Essendon
Matins (BCP) Essendon
11.00 am Communion (BCP) Brickendon
Matins (BCP) Little Berkhamsted
Family Service Brickendon
Family Service Bayford
Evening
Tea Service* 5.00 pm
Little Berkhamsted
Evensong 6.30 pm Essendon
April-September
When a 5th Sunday occurs in a month, a Group Communion Service is held at 10.15 am, on a rotating basis.
During August a single Group Communion Service is held at 10.15 am every Sunday, again rotating through the Group.
A Sunday Club for children meets on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays in the month at 9.30 - 10.30 am in Essendon Church Room Weekday services are held as follows: Wednesday 9.30 am Holy Communion at Essendon
*During the Vacancy we are unable to offer the 8.00 am Communion and the 5.30 pm Tea Service.
Occasional Offices
On average there are each year about 25 baptisms, 8 weddings and 30 funerals. Wedding couples are also
invited to attend a marriage preparation course.
Other Services
All 5 churches have Communion on Easter Day.
Harvest services are held in all five churches during
September/October.
The Group Remembrance Service rotates between the churches.
Christingle Services are held in four out of the five churches.
Nine Lessons and Carols are held at 3 churches, Midnight
Communion at 2 and Christmas Day Services at all churches
except Bayford.
End of term school services at Bayford, Essendon & Ponsbourne.
Essendon Pet Service 2018
Page 6
BAYFORD AND BRICKENDON PARISH
Location The villages of Bayford and Brickendon are approximately
a mile apart separated by a small valley through which runs the railway from Hertford to London and the site of Bayford Station. The road between the two villages was constructed to enable access to the railway which opened for passengers in 1924. Prior to that date there was no direct access between the two.
Community Properties in the Parish are largely privately owned but include some privately rented accommodation
and some social housing. There are no plans for development within the village boundaries and there are relatively few families with small children. The villagers represent a broad mix from a variety of backgrounds.
Worship Both Churches have an ageing but stable congregation with average attendances of 15 each. Each church
has an organ with a member of the congregation who can play during services. Bayford has a choir of one and is actively looking for new members. Brickendon being a smaller church is not blessed with choir stalls. The Christingle Service is held at 5.30pm on Christmas Eve at Bayford and is always standing room only with well over 200 attending, not only from all over the Group, but surrounding areas as well.
Our Mission Action Plan
GOALS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS Bayford
The Friends to continue fundraising for the roof.
Completion of an area of reflection in the churchyard.
Brickendon
Renovation of church furnishing to be completed, such as candlesticks which are currently having different sconces fitted to prevent wax dripping on to the floor.
Renovation/repair of the Cross in the churchyard is currently in hand.
Joint Goals
Congregation numbers – we will explore over the next 12 months worship in popular local comparable churches to gain an insight into best practices to attract larger congregations.
Vacancy – we will maintain the smooth running of the two churches during the Vacancy.
5 YEAR PRIORITIES Bayford
Roof repairs and associated fundraising Brickendon
Explore extension/improvements (vestry enlargement/meeting room addition) to Brickendon Chapel to benefit the congregation and community and a possible tie in as a quiet day retreat. We are currently investigating costs associated with obtaining planning permission.
Joint Goals
Continue exploring ways to increase congregations.
The PCC consists of 11 members plus the Incumbent and both Churchwardens. It meets 4 times a year and has a
very experienced Treasurer and a Secretary who is also one of the Hartford Hundred West Group’s Administration Officers. The very experienced Brickendon Churchwarden is also the PCC’s Safeguarding Officer. The PCC enjoy cordial relations but are happy and able to challenge each other where necessary.
Ecclesiastically Bayford and Brickendon and its PCC have a warm and friendly cooperation with the other four churches that make up the Hartford Hundred Group.
Page 7
Bayford Unlike the other villages within the benefice, Bayford was a private village between 1757 and 1945, owned initially by William Baker although in time the family changed its name to Clinton Baker.
The estate was sold by the family in 1947. Bayfordbury mansion was later acquired by Hertfordshire County Council and the University of Hertfordshire. They built Bayfordbury Observatory which is regarded as one of the finest teaching observatories in the country, assisted no doubt by the fact none of the surrounding villages have any streetlights! Regular open days/nights are held giving the local population an opportunity view space through the telescopes.
The Parish Church of St Mary stands about a quarter of a mile north of the village. There was certainly a Chapel in Bayford before 1366 and prior to 1867, Bayford was one parish with Essendon though separated geographically by the parish of Little Berkhamsted. Following independence from Essendon the earlier church was replaced by William Robert Baker of Bayfordbury by the present grander building faced with Kentish ragstone in the style known as Victorian Gothic. It was consecrated in April 1871. The church retains memorials from both of the previous churches including a 15th-century font and the tomb of Sir George Knighton who died in 1612 and now forms part of the north wall of the chancel. The elegant interior includes some beautiful stained-glass windows. William Yarrell (1784-1856) whose extensive
writings on natural history are now kept in the British Museum is buried in the churchyard.
The open and well-maintained churchyard has a surrounding wall and ha-ha which are listed and in need of repair, the most urgent of which are in hand as agreed by the PCC. There is a fully consecrated extension to the churchyard that has yet to be used; the maintenance is currently covered by a generous benefactor.
The church was re-roofed in 1992 and many of the tiles on the north side have now laminated and urgently need replacing. As all the tiles are faulty the whole roof needs to be replaced. Negotiations are currently continuing with the tile company who admits the tiles were faulty.
The church otherwise is in reasonable repair and has toilet facilities, heating and a sound system and is open daily to visitors. There is limited parking.
The Friends of St Mary’s was established in 2008 both to raise money and to organise community events. Since then we have had successful fundraising initiatives which have helped us to undertake improvement projects at the church, including the installation of a sound system and the provision of cushions for the pews.
In the last 18 months the Friends have been revived and 2017’s Jam Jar Challenge raised £1600. The “Yarn Bombing” of this year’s Village Gardens Open Day with a knitted children’s trail was a hit, with the knitted animals to be auctioned at a Cheese and Wine evening in the Village Hall in October.
Ideas for future events include afternoon tea in the churchyard, a safari supper, a candlelit supper in church, coffee mornings, concerts and a Christmas treasure hunt.
Page 8
Bayford School is a Voluntary Controlled Church of England Nursery and Primary School with a recommended capacity of 118. The school is Ofsted graded “Good” and attracts pupils from a very wide catchment area with many, not only from outside the parish, but also well outside the benefice.
The School Hall is used for Acts of Worship and our previous minister visited the school on a weekly basis to lead Collective Worship on Tuesday mornings. We would wish this to continue with the new incumbent.
Our churchwarden is also a weekly visitor to the school when the children enjoy hearing Bible stories.
The Church is represented on its governing body, both by the incumbent when in situ and by the churchwarden, both of whom are Foundation Governors. The distance the school is from the church and the lack of pavement
on the road leading to the church are two of the reasons regular worship is held on school property (another being the weather). The school does however hold its end of term services at the church and holds its Harvest celebration there. The Christmas and Easter services are very popular with both the children and parents with standing room only for late comers.
There is a display in the church of art work and/or poems by the children, up-dated 3 times a year. The school has a very close relationship with the village pre-school. The latter, started in 2010, is very successful and rated “Outstanding” by OFSTED.
Gardens Open Day was started to raise funds for the church roof in 1988. It is held every two years in June and has over a dozen gardens open to the public, from very small to very large. Tea, cake, live bands (steel/Jazz etc.), ploughman’s lunches and, of course, ice cream are also a huge feature of the day. The church also serves afternoon tea and has visiting singers, musicians and organists providing day long entertainment for visitors. The event has grown and is now hugely popular with this year’s event attracting over 2000 adults (children go free). Just under £32,000 was raised, half of which goes to the church. In recent years these monies went into general parish funds and therefore contributed to the Parish Share, but, with the urgent need again for a new church roof, they will need to be set aside for that.
Social/Clubs/Societies
The Bayford Memorial Hall (village hall) built in 1913 hosts most of the village social events due to its position in the centre of the village. The daily Pre-School is held there and the Bridge Club, Judo Club, JKA Shotokan Karate Club all meet weekly. Dog training sessions are also held weekly and a Jazz Club performs monthly on Friday evenings. The Village Hall is always very busy including private parties (children’s) at the weekend.
There is a cricket club which plays on the cricket field at one end of the village. This is also the venue for the very successful Harvest Lunch, open to all in the parish and held annually after the Harvest Service. Many attend the lunch and enjoy the social occasion but do not necessarily attend the church service. The funds raised from the lunch are split 50/50 with the church and the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal.
Page 9
Brickendon
Centred on a traditional village green and a friendly village pub, there is an active community with several clubs and activities.
Brickendon Grange was built by Benjamin Cherry in 1859 and is now a golf club designed by CK Cotton. Fanshaw’s mansion, built in 1885 by Henry Wilson Demain Saunders, is now the headquarters of the Institute of The Motor Industry. The former manor house at Brickendonbury was used as a spy training centre during World War II as Station XVII of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and is now home to the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre of the Malaysian Rubber Board.
The Chapel of Holy Cross & St Alban is located on the eastern side of the village of Brickendon in a delightfully tranquil setting.
In 1932 Brickendon was transferred from the parish of All Saints, Hertford to the parish of Bayford. The field in which the chapel was to be built was marked by the setting up of a large oak cross in 1931. Designed by the architect W.F.Haslip, who had previously converted an old timber barn into a chapel, it was built in 1932 in the “Arts and Crafts” movement using timber cut from trees on the Brickendon estate, with funds donated by Constance Demain Saunders and her mother Minnie Kingsley.
The pews came from Ely Cathedral where the builders of the chapel were also carrying out alterations. The chapel was consecrated in 1933. The font was originally a sundial designed by Demain Saunders in 1885 and the altar a side table from the Demain Saunders’ house in Brickendon, carved by George Swain. There is an open, well-maintained churchyard and ample parking.
Social/Clubs/Societies
The Fanshaws Room (Village Hall) hosts most of the village social events due to its position in the centre of the village. There is a Book Club, Friendly Club and Gardening Club, plus Table Tennis, Whist Drive and Pilates classes. Petanque/bowls can be played at the Farmer’s Boy and there are tennis courts to hire on the edge of the village.
The annual village fete held in September is always well attended.
Page 10
ESSENDON AND WOODHILL PARISH
The village of Essendon lies on the B158 and is surrounded by Green Belt countryside. It has the most challenging hill
in Hertfordshire for cyclists and the area attracts walkers. The parish includes several hamlets, a permanent Traveller
site and a golf course. A Greek Orthodox Church (formerly C. of E.) is on its southern border; the churchyard (St Mark,
Woodhill) there is still part of St Mary’s parish.
A core of villagers has lived here all their lives, resulting in a supportive network of family and friends and a strong
sense of community. However, high house prices and little housing development make it difficult for the children of
long-standing residents to remain in the village.
The village has a Church of England (V. C.) primary school (OFSTED “Good”) with a Children’s Centre in its grounds, a
playground, a village hall, a cricket field with an all-weather tennis court, a forge and, within easy reach, 3 pubs. Social
groups include a cricket team, tennis and bowling clubs, WI. and garden allotments. The community spirit is clearly
seen in action at the annual Village Day.
Our MAP is largely focused on widening and deepening the Church’s role in this community.
Our Church
St Mary’s is in a Conservation area in the middle of the village. It is very much part of the village’s identity.
The church was probably founded in the 13th century. The tower dates from the 15th century.
The church as it stands today was rebuilt in 1883. The chancel and portions of the east end were destroyed by Zeppelin bombs in 1916 but speedily rebuilt. The church was completely re-roofed in the 1980s and the fine tower restored in 2012. It houses a peal of eight bells, the oldest dating back to 1681.
One of the two baptisteries formerly housed a black basalt Wedgwood font, one of only three made. It is hoped to again display this treasure.
A splendid stained-glass window, commissioned by the bell ringers, and designed and executed by a local stained-glass artist, celebrates the millennium. Figures of bell ringers are depicted against a view of Essendon and its church on the hill as seen from the A414. Two small bats can just be spotted.
The 2015 quinquennial inspection found the church to be in excellent shape.
The beautiful, well-maintained churchyard is still an open churchyard; a recent gift of land ensures that it should remain so for the near future.
An adjacent church room with modern facilities enables a Sunday Club to
flourish and provides a pleasant, comfortable venue for meetings and small
social events, including the weekly Drop-in coffee morning. It has the potential
for more varied use.
Page 11
Our Worship
Attendance is stable, with an average attendance at ordinary Sunday services of 41 persons. Special services
(Feast days, Christingle, Harvest, Pet service etc.) draw much bigger numbers. The Wednesday Communion
(BCP) has a regular attendance of 7 upwards with coffee afterwards.
We are blessed with a loyal and supportive congregation but a wider range of ages in our pews is an
important goal. Newcomers to the parish have a hand-
delivered “Welcome” pack.
Services are both modern (Common Worship) and traditional
depending upon the particular service. A monthly Evensong is
held from Easter till October and Compline in the winter
months.
We have a small, effective choir and a fine Willis organ.
Making the Easter garden
Our Particular Strengths include:
Strongly supportive laity including 2 churchwardens and a Churchwardens’ Team of 6; full, rotating
PCC; 3 Deanery Reps; rotas for sidesmen’s duties, readings and intercessions.
A warm church (complete overhaul of heating in 2016) and a sound system with loop.
Lively Sunday Club with 2 committed leaders.
Very active “Friends of St Mary’s”, both in terms of fund-raising and in its contribution to the social
life of the village. Events include biennial Gardens Open Days, Safari Suppers, Quiz evenings, Jazz
evenings, and the annual candlelit Christmas supper in the church.
Experienced team of bell ringers and a hand bell group.
Sunday Club gardeners The Bell ringers
Excellent links with our village Primary School - a strength to be maintained and built on.
Page 12
Essendon C of E voluntary-controlled Primary School
The School was rated “Good “by OFSTED in 2017
“The strong Christian environment of this school develops in pupils
a positive attitude …………… There is a strong family feeling
based on Christian values.” SIAMS inspection 2015
Our previous Rector, a foundation governor, not only took assemblies when called upon but was closely
involved in pastoral care and sat on various committees, including the Personnel Committee.
The other foundation governor, a Sunday Club leader, monitors Special Needs and, as a “critical friend, visits
the school frequently and accompanies classes on outings.
A small, “thespian” team from our congregation takes “Open
the Book” (enacted Bible stories) into the school each half
term. If our new incumbent has a theatrical streak he or she
would be a very welcome addition.
The whole school “experiences”, over half a day, in the
church, the festivals of the Church year, with teachers and
congregation members working alongside each other.
End-of-term Services and carol concert held in the church.
The school web-site posts Church news and the Sunday Club
termly schedule.
School pupils experiencing Pentecost
Our Map
Our Vision
A caring, Christian community
at the centre of village life
Our Priorities over the next 5 years
Increase the numbers at regular services
and Sunday Club
Strengthen mission outwards, working
with children, Essendon School and the
youth of the parish
Continue to maintain the church,
churchyard and church room to the
highest standard
Our Goals for 2018/9
Maintain momentum during the Vacancy
Build on the success of last year’s Pet
Service
Bring more long-term planning to the
Family Service
Hold a morning workshop for children in
each of the half-term breaks (to replace
the temporary lapse of the Summer
Holiday Club, owing to the Vacancy)
Increase the average attendance at each
Service
“We continue to think
ourselves lucky to have such
a good relationship with St
Mary’s that we can work
closely together even
without a Rector to support
us.” Headteacher. May ‘18
Essendon Head May
Essendon Head May,
2018
e
ESSENDON hEAD
Page 13
LITTLE BERKHAMSTED PARISH
The parish of Little Berkhamsted including the hamlets of Howe Green and Epping Green is in the middle of the Hartford Hundred West Group of Parishes.
Although it can trace its past back to Saxon times and perhaps beyond, Little Berkhamsted’s greatest claim to fame is that it was here that William the Conqueror accepted the surrender of the City of London after the Battle of Hastings.
The most notable landmark is almost certainly Stratton's Tower (also known as "Stratton's Folly"). It is a 5 storey, 97 ft. tall observation tower near the centre of the village. It was built in 1789 for John Stratton, a Gentleman, who lived at "Gay's", since renamed The Gage. Legend has it that John Stratton was a retired Admiral and that he wanted to see ships in the Thames; however, he was a non-conformist and, as such, would have been unable to hold a commission under the Crown and the story is certainly nothing more than fiction. The earliest known reference to the building describes it as a "Prospect Tower". After being derelict for more than 100 years, it was restored and converted to living accommodation in 1971.
The church of St Andrew is in the centre of the village. It is thought that there
was a church here in Saxon or Norman times. Mention of an 'old church' was made in 1225 and the first recorded Rector was appointed in
1227. The wooden bell tower was added in the 14th century. The Lombardic lettering on one bell suggests it was made prior to 1400; the other two are dated 1621 and 1718. In 1831 the north aisle was added and in 1857 the whole of the outside was clad in the Kentish ragstone we see today. In 1897 the interior was extensively renovated and the south porch added. In 1962 further restoration and alteration was carried out. Since then there has been a full restoration of the bell tower and removal of pews around the font creating a more serviceable space for baptisms and other social events.
The cleared side chapel is used on Mondays in term time by the Tiny Tots play and story group and at other times is used for church related meetings. The interior has been redecorated in the past year and now has full toilet facilities and a small kitchenette.
There is an open churchyard and Conservative Cabinet Minister Reginald Maudling (1917–79) and his widow Beryl are buried here.
The church is open daily to visitors.
Worship
During the Vacancy the monthly 8 am Communion Service and the Tea Service have regrettably been suspended and we hope they may be reinstated in the future.
We have an ageing but stable congregation with average attendances of 20 which includes a couple of families. The organ is played at every service by volunteers from within the group and the bells are usually rung by a member of the PCC.
Page 14
The PCC
The PCC consists of 12 members plus the Incumbent and Churchwarden. It meets 4 times a year usually at the church and has a very experienced Treasurer and experienced secretary.
Mission Action Plan (2017)
Goals for the next 12 months
To hold at least 2 coffee mornings in the next calendar year
To continue participation in village activities to highlight the church’s place in village life
To produce an information pack for new residents
Longer term goals
To sell some pews and re-order church layout
To re-plaster walls and redecorate walls and ceiling
To increase the congregation by at least 2 per annum
To increase regular givers by at least 2 per annum
The Mission Action Plan is due to be updated.
Housing/Community
There are no plans for development within the village boundaries and properties in Little Berkhamsted parish are largely privately owned. The population represent a broad mix from a variety of backgrounds and there are many families with small children. Most of the Primary aged children attend either the school at Bayford, Essendon or Ponsbourne.
There is a thriving shop, two public houses (the Five Horseshoes and The Beehive at Epping Green), a playground and a sports field. Little Berkhamsted has many cycle paths, footpaths and bridleways.
Social/Clubs/Societies
Little Berkhamsted Recreation Committee is responsible for overseeing fundraising and recreational activities in the parish and our churchwarden is its chair. Regular events include the annual Christmas Ball, summer fete, churchyard teas/bring and buys and BBQ’s. At the village hall there is Table Tennis and Master Art Classes as well as the usual private functions. The Christmas Pantomime is always a highlight of the social calendar and has been performed in both the church and the village hall. The cricket club is situated at the sports field.
Village Shop
Little Berkhamsted has a thriving village shop (the only one in the group) selling all the usual basics plus locally grown/made produce and fresh bread and cakes, along with seasonal themed products.
With the road through the village very popular for commuter traffic they have tapped into the regular passing trade and offer hot pasties and tea and coffee.
Page 15
PONSBOURNE PARISH
The Village is called Newgate Street, derived from the New Gate on the way leading to Hatfield Park. Newgate Street
and the hamlet of Tyler’s Causeway is regarded as a “sustainable community” by the Local Planning Authority with the
benefit of a twice daily Bus Service to Hertford and Cuffley, 2 pubs and a Restaurant and a small Post Office 2 mornings
a week (The only one in the Group). It remains within the Civil Parish of Hatfield and there is no individual parish
council unlike the other villages in the Group; it is in the Newgate Street and Wild Hill Ward of Hatfield Town Council.
The church of St Mary, Ponsbourne is located in the centre of
Newgate Street Village. Together with the school next door, the
church is at the heart of a community, and the spire is at a height
matched only by radio masts for miles around.
Built in 1848 from Bath stone and known originally as St Mary's
Tolmers and then as St Mary's Hatfield, the church was enlarged in
1858 when the present Walker pipe organ and the tower with
steeple were added. A new chancel, organ chamber and vestry
were erected in 1887.
The church was originally in the parish of Hatfield until Ponsbourne
St Mary parish was created in December 1912 and adjacent land to
the south was consecrated as a burial ground in November 1913.
The name “Ponsbourne” was taken from the park situated to the
east of the church.
There is a strong musical tradition and the 1858 Walker Organ underwent a full restoration in 2013 with several
subsequent recitals and concerts. There is a small choir at all regular services.
The Quinquennial Inspection Report August 2015 concluded the church is generally in sound condition and
is well maintained. There is a redundant entrance to the former boiler room which requires further temporary or
permanent repairs, if work to the proposed WC extension is not commenced. There are no such facilities available
currently. A Lottery Grant Application in 2017 was not successful.
A visit to the Church, the School or the Village Hall situated at the heart of the village will show how much the people
of this small community care for each other and for the places where they live, meet together and worship.
Community Growth only commenced in the 20th century with social housing first provided by Hatfield RDC (now
WHBC), 12 houses in 1929 and a further 16 houses in 1954, followed by a limited amount of private house building.
Currently 1 new mansion and 6 new detached houses are under construction.
Ponsbourne and Tolmers; formerly two large houses set in Parkland Estates with Farms. Both have had a wide variety
of uses; educational, hospital, hotel and training; Tolmers has now converted to residential while Ponsbourne has
been unoccupied for 3 years.
There is a Village Hall with 1 badminton court, a stage, meeting room, kitchen and playing field (Hatfield Town Council).
A pre-school uses the hall on weekdays. Regular activities include table tennis and there are 2 tennis courts and a
children’s play area.
Community fund raising by an annual Mayfayre (over 50 years) is a joint effort between Village Hall, School and Church.
The PCC currently has only 4 members.
Finance The year 2017 incurred a small deficit but we have reserves CCLA Deposit Funds £14833 unrestricted and
£2896 Restricted.
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School A Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary, role
90. OFSTED rated as ‘Outstanding’. The school was built in 1858 and
included the School Masters House and opened in 1860. The CPAS
continue to hold the House in Trust for the benefit of the Church. It
has been leased to Hertfordshire County Council who are “holding
over” since expiry of the lease. PCC financial stability is threatened
by the prolonged negotiations. School staff and 80% pupils are not
resident in the parish. Most come from recent housing
developments in neighbouring Cheshunt.
The School has no assembly
hall and must rely on the use
of the Village Hall and the Church for some activity space. There is further use
of the church for plays, presentations as well as additional special services such
as End of Term Services etc. On Monday mornings a Collective Worship
Assembly is held in the Church followed by coffee and biscuits (provided by
church) for parents and carers who also attend this event.
Friends of St Mary’s each year organise the Christmas Tree Festival over
3 days to mark the beginning of Advent; this attracts inventive and original decoration of about 16 trees, including
major contributions from other parishes and organisations. Homemade Christmas puddings and cakes are on sale,
together with marmalades, jams and preserves. The latter are also available throughout the year. The annual Harvest
Supper in October held in the Village Hall has an attendance of 40 -50. The Village Coffee Morning held in Church on
the first Monday of every month attracts some 15 -25 people.
Mission Action Plan (From our 2015 MAP)
Our Looking
Things about our local community
We give thanks for being part of the Hartford
Hundred Group
We have strong links with Ponsbourne St Mary’s
CofE Primary School
The village is in a beautiful setting, but need to help
the village manage possible changes
e.g.; the future of Ponsbourne Park
Three things we have seen about our church
Many parents connected with the school see
Monday morning assemblies and School
communions as their ‘Church’
The people of Newgate Street appreciate the
Church’s presence although they don’t attend very
much
Strong Musical tradition
Our Discerning Vision (for Five years’ time)
To continue to be a caring congregation reaching
out to the community we serve. To strengthen our
faith and learn more from each other. We would
like to create greater flexibility in our church
building so that it becomes more user friendly.
Priorities (for the next Five years))
To find new officers and leaders to ensure the
continuance of the church
To build toilet and kitchen facilities to create
flexibility in the church building
To work towards a stable financial situation
Goals (for the next year)
To grow in faith and encourage leaders
To celebrate the festivals even more as celebrations in the community
To improve the level of planned giving
The increased involvement of others in the ‘Friends’
Page 17
Heavenly Father
Be with all those who use this profile and help them as they reflect on whether
this is the right place for them to serve you.
Be with our parishes through this period of vacancy and may your Holy Spirit
guide all those involved in the selection process, as we endeavour to discern
who you are calling to serve alongside us in this place.
Amen