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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Page 16

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