St. John's Mag - Sept 23

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PETER D HANNABY
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Undertaken
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or email: magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk

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THE VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
September is effectively the start of a New Year for many
people. It is always a busy month with every group and
committee in churches, schools and many other organizations the length
and breadth of the country wanting to hold meetings so that they can make
a ‘good start’. If you read through this magazine you will read of all the
things we are planning to do in Boxmoor over the next month – and
beyond. It can make you dizzy just reading about it all. And thinking about
Christmas – well that will immediately set you in a spin!
So what is it with all this ‘busyness’? Why are we planning all these
activities? And who are they for? As is so often the case, simple enough
questions don’t lead to simple answers. Is all this for the benefit of the
congregations of this parish? Well, yes. We will enjoy taking part in all the
things that are planned for the coming months, whether it be a Patronal
Festival, Harvest Festival, Messy Church, Confirmation Service, Remem-
brance-tide, a Christmas Tree Festival, the Christmas Fayre or a Carol Ser-
vice or any other of the dozens of things scheduled to take place over the
coming months.
But we are not planning these things just for our own benefit. We are
planning them for the benefit of friends and neighbours, and members of
the parish who we don’t even know – yet. We are seeking to invite people
into the Church fellowship, to invite people into relationship with Jesus
Christ. Why? Because having a relationship with Jesus Christ is something
that we value; it is important to us and helps us in our lives, and so we
want others to benefit from that relationship as we do. We want to travel
with other people on a shared journey of discovery, and the sharing of that
journey with other people of faith in our church fellowship is one of the
most important things that we as a church can do.
Cont’d…...

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So the question we should be asking ourselves as you read through all the
events of the coming months is not ‘Do I want to come to that?’ But
rather, ‘Who am I going to invite to come with me to this or that event?’
By approaching things from this angle we start to engage in the most
fundamental activity of the Church – namely MISSION.
Every Blessing,
**********
Prayer for September 2023
Dear Father in heaven,
September is a time of change, a change of season, changes in many areas
of our lives as a new term begins and new opportunities present them-
selves. It can be a time of challenge and uncertainty for many of us as well
as excitement. Thank you Lord, that You never change, Your promises
never change, Your Holy-Spirit inspired Word never changes. You are
constant and rock-solid, always.
Help us to remember that You make all things new when we put our trust
in Jesus, You give us new life and new ways of understanding, but help us
also to remember that You never contradict Your revealed self. Help us
always to check out our thinking with what You say in Your Word. Help us
to be faithful to You as we take each step forward, each new day.
In Jesus name, Amen
By Daphne Kitching

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PARISH DIARY FOR SEPTEMBER 2023
Enquiries regarding baptisms weddings or marriage blessings are
always welcome.
Please contact the Vicar.
Morning Prayer is said Daily at St John’s at 9.00am.
You are most welcome to join the clergy in prayer.
Evening Prayer is said privately for the life of the Parish unless details are below.
St John’s is open daily 9.30am-5.00pm for private prayer
(10.30am-5.00pm on Saturdays)
The Parish Eucharist and worship resources will continue to be recorded and
made available at www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk/suspended-services-resources
Fri 1 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 3 Thirteenth Sunday of Trinity
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am All-Age Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
Mon 4 11.30am Funeral - Angela Jarman St John’s
2.00pm Burial of Ashes - Marjorie Walker St John’s
7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s
Hall
“The Boy with No Name” - speaker: Denise Chenelle
Tues 5 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s
Hall
Wed 6 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thur 7 10.45am Mountbatten Communion Mount-
batten
Lodge
11.30am Burial of Ashes - Ronald & Pamela Groom St John’s
8.00pm Wedding Rehearsal St John’s
Fri 8 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s

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Sat 9 All day Beds & Herts Bike ’n Hike All churches
12.30pm Wedding - Fiona Creese & Paul Mc Donald
St John’s
7.30pm MaSJ Concert: Alexander Ardakov -
Piano Recital featuring works by Chopin
& Rachmaninov St John’s
Sun 10 Fourteenth Sunday of Trinity -
Sermon Series on Mission & Evangelism
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Holy Communion St Stephen's
12noon St John’s Lunch -
booking essential St John’s Hall
Mon 11 2.00pm Poetry Group 53 Beechfield Road
Tues 12 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
11.45am Burial of Ashes - Vincent Keen St John’s
Wed 13 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thur 14 Holy Cross Day
Fri 15 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 17 Fifteenth Sunday of Trinity -
Sermon Series on Mission & Evangelism
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist including Holy Baptism
St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
6.30pm Choral Evensong St John’s
Mon 18 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
“Why I Climb” - speaker: Jo Rhoden
Tues 19 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
8.00pm Church Meeting: PCC St John’s Hall

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Wed 20 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
3.00pm Friendship Tea St John’s
Hall
4.00pm Baptism Preparation St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm MaSJ Board Meeting` Office
Thur 21 St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
10.30am Mountbatten Communion Mount-
batten
Lodge
Fri 22 12.30pm MaSJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
John Wyatt organ
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 24 Sixteenth Sunday of Trinity -
Sermon Series on Mission & Evangelism
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
Mon 25 8.00pm Church Meeting: Fundraising Committee tba
Tues 26 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s
Hall
8.00pm Church Meeting: Communications Committee
tba
Wed 27 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
Fri 29 St Michael and All Angels
12.30pm MaSJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
Hiu Lam Lo clarinet with Kerry Waller piano
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 30 7.30pm Harvest Quiz St John’s
Hall

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The Hemel Symphony Orchestra became the heir to the Dacorum
Symphony Orchestra when the latter closed in 2018. The DSO had been in
existence for nearly 46 years and made a significant contribution to the
musical life of the area under its founder and conductor Tom Loten. After
it gave its final concert in St John’s in November 2018 most of its
members wanted to continue to play together and a new orchestra was
formed. As the HSO we gave our first concert in January 2019; for the
remainder of that year we presented a number of successful concerts and
the orchestra began to establish itself as a worthy successor to the DSO.
As we all know, the covid pandemic wreaked havoc with community life
and it wiped out most of our activities after two splendid performances of
Carmina Burana in early 2020, which was followed by the first lock-down.
We resumed rehearsals (socially-distanced) in 2021 and gave our first
post-pandemic public performance in January 2022. Since then, the
orchestra has consolidated its progress, culminating in a much-
appreciated, sold-out film music concert last June.
We planned to perform in Italy (near Rome) in 2020, but this had to be
abandoned owing to the pandemic; we hope to visit northern Italy in the
autumn of 2024.
Much of what we have achieved is down to our inspirational principal
conductor, Claudio Di Meo, who has an international reputation and a
busy schedule. We are fortunate to have him. Rehearsals are often hard
work, but always rewarding and enjoyable. The orchestra has a warmth
and friendliness which is often noted by guest players.
Having already performed several times at St John’s, we are pleased to be
working closely with the church for the 2023-24 season, and we are going
forward with a plan to make the HSO St John's “orchestra in residence”.
Next year we hope to participate in 150th
anniversary of the dedication of
the church. We aim to continue to develop other local ties, particularly
where young musicians are concerned.
The Jennifer Worth Literary Trust, which supports choral music at St.
John's, had a long history of association with the DSO and continues to be

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very generous in its support of the HSO.
St John’s will be the venue for each of our four concerts next season. We
are excited about our repertoire, which will include well-known favourites
like Vltava by Smetana (November) and the Bruch No 1 Violin Concerto
(February), as well as wonderful though less familiar items such as
Malcolm Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances (May) and Arutiunian’s Trumpet
Concerto (July). It would be a pleasure for us if you come to hear us at any
or all of these concerts.
We are always looking out for new players, particularly strings but also
trombones. Contact us through our website:
https://www.hemelsymphonyorchestra.com/contact/
**********
Prayer of thanks for teachers
Dear Father,
Thank you for teachers. Thank you for their gifts of knowledge and com-
munication. Please give them patience and understanding in their work
and most of all the wisdom to listen to you and to be directed by your
Kingdom values. Thank you for Jesus – the best teacher of all. Help us all
to learn from Him that greatest of all lessons, that you are the living God,
His Father and ours, and that you love us and want us to know you.
Father, as we pray and trust in the name of Jesus, our teacher and Lord,
may that close knowledge of you become our reality. Amen.
SMILE-LINES
Off to school
Mother to young daughter after first day at school: “Well, dear, what did
they teach you today?”
Daughter: “Not much. I’ve got to go back again tomorrow.”

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Autumn Sermon Series: Mission and Ministry
During September and October the Ministry Team will be running a Sermon
Series on Mission and Ministry. Following in the footsteps of Christ, the Church is
called to proclaim the nearness of God’s Kingdom; forgiveness in the name of
Jesus, and life and love for all people. Often, we – The Church – are not very good
at telling other people about the Good News we have inherited. The sermon
series will hopefully give us some food for thought and some helpful tips for shar-
ing our faith.
Choral Evensong
Choral Evensong resumes on Sunday 17 September, 6.30pm. Many say to me
how much they miss this simple service and the glorious sound of our choir.
Now’s your chance to come and let the beauty of worship wash over you as we
come into God’s presence.
Advance notice that next month, Sunday 15 October, The Venerable Charles
Hudson, Archdeacon of St Albans, will be our visiting preacher.
Harvest
Writing in the basking heat of July it doesn’t seem possible to be thinking about
Harvest, and yet the fields are turning golden and the farmers are bringing in the
harvest. As usual we shall offer to God our thanksgiving for his gifts in creation
and those who bring-in the harvest.
Our celebrations will include a special All Age Eucharist on 1 October; a Quiz
Night on Saturday 30 September at 7.30pm; a monetary collection for the Bishop
of St Alban’s Harvest appeal to provide Chickens for families in Uganda; and a
produce collection for DENS and our local Food Bank.
St Francis Patronal Festival and Open afternoon: Sunday 8 October
On Sunday 8 October at 4.00pm there will be Sung High Mass with Benediction in
celebration of the Patronal Festival of St Francis, Hammerfield. All are welcome to
join in giving thanks to God for the life and ministry of St Francis of Assisi, and for
the witness of the Church in that part of the Parish. Refreshments will be served
after the Service. Guest preacher will be announced. The service will be preceded
by an Open Afternoon at St Francis, beginning at 1.30pm, combined with Cream
Tea. Please do come along and support.

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Confirmation Service
This year there will be a Deanery Confirmation Service at St John’s on Sunday 26
November at 6.30pm. If you are interested in being confirmed, or would like to
explore what this means, please speak to the Vicar. 4 people have already
expressed an interest in being confirmed. Dates for preparation sessions are
being confirmed.
Junior Church – All things Junior
Thank you to our Junior Church Team for organising the Tiny Tots Picnic during
the School Holidays and to the various families that attended.
Tiny Tots resumes this month with the first session on Tuesday 5 September,
9.30am–11.00am. Stay and play, refreshments, followed by age appropriate
worship. Open to all pre-school aged children and their parent/carer.
Sunday Junior Church resumes on Sunday 10 September during the Parish
Eucharist. All children are invited to a special time in the Hall where Jesus, his
disciples, and the basics of our faith are explored in an age-appropriate manner.
Primarily for children aged 4+, but younger age children are invited to attend
with their parent/carer.
A reminder that our next Messy Church (open to all ages but especially children)
will be on Sunday 22 October, 3.00pm – 5.00pm with the theme: God’s Marvel-
lous World – fun, craft, games, food, and worship for all the family. Please do
invite your neighbours, family, and friends so they don’t miss out on the fun.
Bike n’ Hike
The arrival of September heralds another Bike ‘n Hike in aid of Beds & Herts
Historic Churches Trust. Andy Fisher and Mark Harbour will once again be cycling
round as many churches as possible on Saturday 9 September and inviting any-
one else to join them (including me!). Last year they managed well over 20
churches. All sponsorship money is split 50:50 between the Parish and the
Churches Trust so please be as generous as possible. Incidentally, Canon
Malcolm Grant (one of our assisting priests) is the chairman of the Trust.
Thank you to…
Our flower arrangers, who, throughout August (and the year) have provided
some truly stunning floral displays to adorn our churches. They always brighten-
up our worship and give a sense of connection with both departed loved ones as
we remember them in flowers, or wedding couples who have exchanged vows in
our churches. If you would like to sponsor an arrangement on a given date
please speak with Julie Boyce. Thank you, flower arrangers, for your creativity
and for sharing your talents with us.

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REMEMBERING DEREK FROST
It was with sadness that we learned of the
death recently of Derek Frost at the age of
90. Until they moved to Kent eleven years
ago both he and Doreen had been active,
faithful and well-known members of St
John’s congregation for a good number of
years. Throughout that time I was especially
grateful to Derek for his services as a Server
at the 8.00 am Holy Communion, a duty he performed with dedication
and devotion. He is perhaps best remembered for his work as a consci-
entious and efficient PCC Secretary. His time coincided with the debates
surrounding the plans for a new church hall and the re-ordering of the
west end of the church and their construction, and the minutes of these
PCC meetings provide an invaluable record of these historic events. He
resigned in April 2003 when he was succeeded by Garth Bridgwood.
Taking over from Jean Stevens, Derek took on the position of Chair of
the Communications Committee, which he undertook until moving from
the area in 2012. He did many tasks behind the scenes, but whatever he
did it was carried out quietly and without fuss. A thoughtful, kind and
generous man, he had a twinkle in his eye and a lovely sense of humour.
They decided to move from Boxmoor to Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells
to be near their two sons who lived nearby and their daughter whose
home was in West Sussex.
Derek and Doreen had known each other since school days and it was
particularly poignant that he should die on the morning of his 70th
Wedding Anniversary. His funeral service took place at their local Parish
Church of St Peter and St Paul, a church they attended and said had
many similarities to St John’s. We send our warmest good wishes and
deepest condolences to Doreen at this very sad and difficult time.
Graham Gibbs

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17. - 15 -

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HALLS FOR HIRE
ST JOHN’S HALL - Well equipped hall suitable for use by special interest
groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and special occasions.
Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary on 07939 226977 or email:
hallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and availabil-
ity.
ST STEPHEN’S HALL, CHAULDEN - (opposite Tudor Rose) - Sunny Hall with
tiled floor suitable for dancing and exercise groups as well as being ideal for
children’s parties. Please contact Jean on 01442 257023 for further
information and availability.
ST FRANCIS HALL, HAMMERFIELD - Well equipped hall suitable for use by
special interest groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and
special occasions. Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary by email: stfran-
cishallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and
availability. More urgent queries can be handled by leaving a message on Paul
Davies mobile phone: 07802 442908
Please Note: St. John's Church PCC cannot accept any responsibility for goods or services

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In the comfort of your own home
Call Graham Spendlove, MCFHP, MAFHP
Qualified Foot Health Professional
Book now 07799 033974

20. - 18 -
Herts Musical Memories deliver vibrant, therapeutic music
sessions designed to help connect people to their memories
through singing. The group is aimed at people worried about
their memory or their voice, those living with dementia, their
carers, or anyone who likes to sing and have fun - everyone
is welcome!
The Hemel group meets on Tuesday afternoons at
St George's URC Hall. For more information please call
07515 633486.

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Are you an eco warrior?
I found this chart in The Refill Pantry, Berkhamsted. It was actually a
bingo challenge for ‘No plastic July’. However it’s too late to qualify for
money off their products but it’s never too late to become an eco warri-
or! Good luck. There is also a local refill store in Boxmoor, at Byron’s
the chemist with not only hand wash, laundry detergent, shampoo and
conditioner but a great array of nuts, seeds, cereals, pasta, rice and Oatly
milk. The Green Team - (Dee Fisher)

22. - 20 -

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Looking ahead to Events and Fundraising at St John’s this Autumn
Well, it is September already, and the children have gone back to school,
so the season of major fundraising begins at St John’s. Between now and
Christmas some of our major events will be taking place and a lot of work
will be going on behind the scenes to ensure these are a success.
This year’s Countdown-to-Christmas Fayre will be held on
Saturday 18 November and the popular and well-established
Christmas Tree Festival will take place from Friday 15 December to
Tuesday 19 December. And don’t forget the Harvest Quiz Night on
Saturday 30 September!
In order to run these events, which raise vital funds for the Parish, we
need as much support as we can get. So, don’t stand aside, but please
get involved and help the organisers do their job! Don’t be shy. The
more the merrier.
Further details of what is needed will emerge as time goes by, in future
editions of this magazine, in the weekly Newsletter, on our Facebook
page https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsChurchBoxmoor and on our
website www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk but if you think you can help, just
let us know.
Anne Lyne

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'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the July Music
Percentage Club draw:
Noel James 1st £15
Carole Lewis 2nd £8
Marion Cowe 3rd £4
If you know of someone who would be interested in joining the Music Percentage
Club and supporting Music at St John’s in this way there are forms in church or
please contact Mark Harbour on 01582 841019 or see him in church.
Dorothy Freeman (1924-2023)
Dear Dorothy, We miss you so much.
Dorothy was a remarkable lady. Always positive: always cheerful: never wanting to
be a nuisance and always willing to be useful. Even as the age of 99 she insisted on
helping with the washing up!
Dorothy came to live in Boxmoor to be near her daughter, Helen,
following the sudden death of her husband at a very young age. She soon became
a valued member of St. John ‘s church and took part in as many activities as possi-
ble – the Poetry Group, the Women’s Fellowship, Holiday at Home, and lots of
fundraising activities. When it became more difficult for her to walk into
Boxmoor, Dorothy decided to worship at St. Stephen’s where she became a very
valued member of this congregation. She rarely missed a Sunday and right up to
the age of 99 continued to read the lesson – beautifully – and help with the coffee
after the service. I think one word to describe Dorothy is “indefatigable”.
Up until the last few weeks she lived in her own home. Her very close family loved
her very much and gave her a full life, and her daughter, was always there for her.
She finally decided to move into a care home where I visited her the week before
she died. Even on this occasion she had nothing but praise for everyone involved
and chatted happily to me about her new life. But within in a week she had died.
She is certainly now with her Lord, where she wished to be. May she rest in
peace.
Jean Garner

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OCTOBER 2023 - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the October 2023 edition of the magazine
is Sunday, 3rd September.
You can e-mail direct to magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk or leave articles in
magazine pigeonhole or deliver direct to 27 Beechfield Road. Please note any
articles sent by email should be in A5/A4 format (MS Word or MS Publisher
preferred). Thank you. Sally Bates, Editor, Tel No. 266912 or Mobile 07792
768236.
PLEASE NOTE
Website for St John’s Boxmoor is:
www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
E-mail: office@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Website for Music at St John’s is http://masj.org.uk
Facebook Page: St Johns Church, Boxmoor
NEWSLETTER: If you would like to receive a copy of the weekly Newsletter by
e-mail, please contact Alan Munford - alan.munford@btinternet.com with your
e-mail address and he will arrange to send it to you.
Please send any items for inclusion in the Newsletter to the Parish Office at the
email address: newsletter@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
SUBSCRIPTION TO MAGAZINE
If you would like to receive a copy of St John’s Parish Magazine on a regular
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News from the Choir Vestry
Here follows an update on the choir as we head into the next academic
year. The period leading up to Christmas is invariably the busiest with
many services, several involving the choir. After Christmas we continue
with regular evensongs but are also usually working towards a special one
for Passiontide. What work this will be in 2024 is still under discussion.
Unfortunately it hasn’t yet been possible to reinstate a choir for morning
services. The reasons for this are numerous, but in the end comes down to
the lack of availability of enough singers to maintain a consistent workable
“unit.” Sunday has become is a family day and indeed several key choir
members now have small children with them on Sunday mornings. For the
moment I anticipate we’ll continue to focus on special services at which
really good quality choral music can be reliably delivered.
The choir as it appears at Choral Evensong might look to the regular
congregation like a stable and consistent body, with the same individuals
invariably present. And thus it is, which helps enormously in creating a
distinctive “St John’s Sound.” There is a very loyal and able core of singers
many of whom have been in the choir for many years. Along with this
group – round about 10- there are friends who are mostly active members
of other churches which do not have a choir, or not a regular choir - about
6, - and then 2-4 paid singers (mainly men) according to the repertoire we
are performing. Therefore at evensong, the choir is usually about 20 or so.
Although there is an annual PCC budget for music, St John’s Choir is
fortunate in enjoying additional financial support through occasional gifts
from individuals and subsidies from companies such as Worleys, from
MASJ and in particular from the Jennifer Worth Trust. Together this
facilitates high-quality music making not only at the monthly evensongs
but also through a number of quite adventurous projects such as the
Mozart Requiem (earlier this year) and our exciting orchestral carol
service, which are beyond the scope of all other Hemel churches, and
indeed of most Parish churches. I am pleased to report that a number of
extra singers have joined the core group within the last year or so, and
they are very welcome. We are always keen to hear from possible new
members! Cont’d.

27. - 25 -
Why not come to a rehearsal and just listen- most Fridays at 7 pm. They
are very friendly affairs.
If you have not been to any of our choral services please consider giving
them a try. The Anglican Choral Evensong form of service has led to many
brilliant settings of the regular texts, and we make an effort to take on
even challenging Cathedral-standard music.
If you attend on the first Sunday morning of each month you will have
heard our developing junior choir, resplendent in their blue T-Shirts, led
by Helen. The rehearsals are great fun, at 5.30 pm alternate weeks, and
usually include some eats!
Coming up will be Choral Evensong in September and October, with a
special Advent Choral Service in late November. The choir also sings at
the Annual Memorial Service on November 5th
. December will bring the
Orchestral Carols on 17th
and the Midnight service on 23rd
.
Do come and hear us, and please speak to me on any Sunday if you might
like to join us. There is no formal audition, though basic music reading is
helpful, if not essential. We do not have a rigid “must be there every
rehearsal” policy, rather leaving it to individuals to attend enough
rehearsals to take part confidently. There is always a rehearsal on the day
for choral evensong at which all participating are normally expected to
attend.
Though perhaps different from the past, and from the conventional
church choir, the choir vestry is very much alive with activity and filled
with enthusiasm.
Keith Beniston
Director of Music
(August 2023)

28. - 26 -
THE PICCOTTS END WALL PAINTINGS
Earlier in the year I compared the Coronation of King Charles III on 6 May with
that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. 70 years ago lavish preparations
were made to celebrate the occasion, both in Westminster Abbey and along the
five mile processional route, which made it so memorable. As well as the first
known successful ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hilary and Sherpa
Tenzing. 1953 is remembered for a diverse range of headlines which made the
news in that year. It began tragically enough in February with the disastrous
East Coast floods which stretched from Lincolnshire to Canvey Island in Essex,
claiming many lives and making 30,000 homeless, while in July a truce was
signed bringing to an end the Korean War in which British service personnel had
taken part. On the sporting front, Cambridge won the Boat Race beating Oxford
by eight lengths; Blackpool played Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup Final,
winning by 4 goals to 3, with Sir Stanley Matthews receiving his only Cup Final
medal; at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships the Americans held sway with
Vic Seixas being the Men’s Champion and Maureen Connolly taking the Ladies’
Title something “Little Mo” was to do on a number of occasions; and England
won the Ashes, beating Australia in the Fifth Test Match at the Oval, making it
the first time this had happened since 1932-33. In Hemel Hempstead people’s
imagination was captured by the headline in the local Gazette that late medieval
wall paintings of unusual quality had been discovered in a cottage at Piccotts
End.
It came about following the death of Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Finch, the lady who had lived
in the cottage for many years and had rented it from Arthur Lindley, the owner
of the nearby petrol station. He began work on the cottage and found hidden
behind six layers of wallpaper and a sheet of coarse hand woven linen in one of
the bedrooms five pre-Reformation Catholic religious paintings. Later investiga-
tion revealed that the floor of this upper room was an insertion, and that the
wall paintings continued lower down. Two other panels were found in the room
below heavily coated with plaster and whitewash.
Structural work on the house showed that the whole row of cottages must have
been one establishment of some importance, a high barn like building construct-
ed of wattle and daub on a heavy oak frame with a steep pitched thatched roof
and a sloping ground floor made of reeds. The layout consisted of two bays with
rooms above, a medieval Great Hall open to the roof and with double doors at
one end perhaps leading to kitchens. A recent report produced by the Oxford
Dendrochronology Laboratory conclusively dates the construction of these
Grade 1 listed cottages to the second half of 1527. Cont’d.

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Evidence of slight distortions of painted lines over cracks in the oak beams as
they dried in situ, reveals that the paintings were executed very shortly after the
property was built, before the beams had fully dried out.
The paintings were probably on display for a very short time due to Henry VIII’s
Reformation in the 1530s. Most of the faces had been carefully scratched out
which could have happened during the Reformation or in the reign of his son and
successor, Edward VI, who in 1547 prohibited religious devotional imagery in
domestic properties. They would certainly have been concealed by this time,
just as wall paintings in churches were painted over with whitewash.
Fortunately, Arthur Lindley realized the importance of his discovery and commis-
sioned a report from one of the leading experts of the time from the British
Museum, E. Clive Rouse, who wrote a detailed account of the paintings.
In the centre panel is a painting of Christ in Majesty, blessing with one hand and
holding the Orb in the other. On the right is the Baptism of Jesus in the river
Jordan by St John the Baptist with an Archangel in the background holding
Christ’s clothes as Jesus is wearing just a loincloth. John is identified by the
camel skin he is wearing, (the head of the camel and a hoof can clearly be seen).
On the left is the Pieta (the Virgin Mary holding the dead Christ) in front of a yel-
low Cross. In the extreme left hand panel is St Peter holding the Keys to the Gate
of Heaven, but also depicted in his role as the first Pope wearing the Papal Tiara
and holding the Papal Staff. On the extreme right is an image of St Clement, the
third successor to St Peter, with his symbol of the Anchor on each shoulder and
in Papal regalia. The two lower panels contain the figures of St Catherine of
Alexandria with her wheel and sword and St Margaret of Antioch emerging from
the dragon. Their gabled head-dresses, fashionable in the early Tudor period
help to date the paintings. A blank oblong space in the lower wall suggests there
must have been some sort of permanent fitting here, such as an altar.
The purpose of the building is not definitely known. The nearby Monastery or
College of the Bonhommes at Ashridge may be a clue to their existence and the
cottages could have been used as a pilgrims’ hospice or resting place. Ashridge
was on the “pilgrim trail” because it housed a supposed holy relic - a phial of the
blood of Jesus - and such hospices were part of the medieval scene. St Albans
Abbey contained the shrine of the first English Christian martyr, attracting many
pilgrims and it is possible they combined a visit there with one to Ashridge, stay-
ing overnight at Piccotts End. (The then route from St Albans joined the High
Street in Hemel Hempstead at Cherry Bounce).

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The cottages have another claim to fame. In the 1820s Sir Astley Paston Cooper,
surgeon to George IV, came to live at Gadebridge House. His professional help
was constantly sought by local people and he decided to set up the first “cottage
hospital” in the country on the site of these cottages at Piccotts End. The West
Herts Infirmary opened on 1 January 1827 and there was no charge for the
patients. In 1829 35 in-patients and out-patients were treated there and it
became evident that a larger building was needed so a new infirmary was built
in Marlowes opening in 1833 in what is now known as Cheere House.
On a personal level, I have connections with Piccotts End as it was where my
paternal grandparents lived and I have many happy memories of visiting them
as a child and young adult. As they knew Arthur Lindley well and lived just along
the road, it was as a nine year old that I was taken to see the wall paintings in
the first weeks after their discovery.
I am sure there are a good number of local people who now do not know of
their existence as the cottage is still in private hands, but the general public can
view these unique paintings during the Heritage Weekend in September. It is
strictly by appointment only and must be done in advance online. Please see
below:
Event Times
Saturday 16 September: 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 & 1500
Sunday 17 September: 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 & 1500
Booking Details
Pre-booking: Required
Please book through Eventbrite
Go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-days-at-piccotts-end-
paintings-16th-17th-september-2023-tickets-598347161467?
aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Access
It is possible to fully appreciate the paintings from downstairs and there is also a
mezzanine floor from which visitors can get a different perspective - however,
this is up a steep set of stairs. Access to the property involves 3 steps up from
the car park.
If you have any queries please email Karen on info@piccottsendpaintings.uk, or
call on 07830 176431. Or call Janet on 07771 637735.
Graham Gibbs

31. - 29 -
Saturday 14th October 2023, 6.30pm at John's Church, Boxmoor, Hemel
Hempstead. The concert will be a celebration of the work of one of the
UK's most prolific and successful composers of Christian musicals, Roger
Jones, who is recognised and celebrated worldwide for his rich and
varied repertoire of (to date!) twenty-four musicals, and for his teaching
on life and worship in the Holy Spirit. This year marks fifty years since he
composed his first musical, 'Jerusalem Joy', in 1973, and the concert
programme will feature one specially-chosen song from many of
Roger's musicals and will be jointly conducted by Roger himself
and Sarah Moreton (conductor, Joyful Noise).
All proceeds from the concert will be shared between Christian Music
Ministries and The Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted.
The key contact details for tickets and for enquiries are as follows:
Tickets £12 (under 16s free).
Web: www.ticketsource.co.uk and search for Musical JOY! Email: joyful-
noisehemel@gmail.com
Tel: 07929 645179 (Sarah Moreton)
Congratulations to the Revd. Lizzie Hood (Vicar of Holy Trinity Church,
Leverstock Green and former Curate at St John’s) and husband Tom on
their Ruby Wedding Anniversary which was on the 6 August 2023.

32. - 30 -
at St John’s
in the month July
HOLY BAPTISM
16 July Florence Shelley Elizabeth Ranner Shrubhill Road
16 July Kelsey Louise Restall Cemetery Hill
May the Lord of his great mercy bless these children and give them
understanding of his wisdom and grace.
HOLY MATRIMONY
There were no weddings in July
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
4 July Barry Whittle Fletcher Way
24 July Anthony Dunn Catlin Street
25 July June Edith Baxter The Lodge
Nursing Home
25 July Pauline Joyce Burke Adeyfield
May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
6 July June Daphne Beeson Semphill Road
13 July Marie Gweneth Meset Grovehill
22 July Doreen Ethel Janes Wing
30 July Joyce Dorothy Prestedge Long Chaulden

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36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor