St. John's Magazine - November 22

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PETER D HANNABY
Painter & Decorator
Interior and Exterior work
Undertaken
For competitive quotations
Please call
Mobile: 07765 250092
Home: 01442 288956
MAGAZINE ADVERTISING COSTS
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are eleven issues per year with double issue in December/January.
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To discuss your requirements or for further information, please
contact Sally Bates, 01442 266912 or 07792 768236
or email: magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk

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THE VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
A common theme in my letters to you of late has been
change. As a society we are going through a period of
immense change and instability: a new monarch after 70 years of faithful
service; prime ministers and governments coming and going like revolving
doors; political decisions being made and unmade with alarming frequency;
high inflation and energy costs leading to an increase in the cost of living;
changes to our national immigration policy; unions bringing industrial
action against employers and inevitably disrupting our everyday lives.
It is tempting to want to retreat and hide-away hoping that it will somehow
all be made well. It is also very easy for us to watch from the side-lines and
criticise what is going on. The danger with both these positions is that we
become slightly detached from what is going on believing that it is some-
one else’s mess or problem. It’s not. It’s our mess and problem. We might
not have made it, but we are now living with it.
Nations and people, throughout history, have endured similar turbulent
times. When Jesus was preaching and teaching in Palestine 2000 years ago
there was political unrest due to the Roman occupation. St Paul in his
letters to the early Church sought to encourage folk through these difficult
times – and much of his writings are still pertinent to this day. For instance,
in his letter to the Romans, he exhorts us to pray for our leaders as they
have been entrusted with authority from God. As God’s people in this
generation, I hope that is what we will be, and are, doing. Praying for our
leaders – they can certainly use it! Prayers for wisdom, unity, integrity,
compassion, honesty, humility, and guidance would not go amiss.
Politicians, like us, are human beings and will make mistakes. It’s what they
do when they make them that matters. But we can also hope that through
wise counsel they make fewer mistakes in the first place. Nobody is
perfect. But we can trust that God, who is the pioneer and perfecter of
things, can transform even the most horrible of situation into something
that is life-giving and a blessing. Cont’d….

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I encourage you to make November a month of prayer for our nation and
our leaders.
Every Blessing,
Autumn
He arrives in a coat of many colours,
Flame, gold, russet and brown,
Autumn appears with dancing feet
Crunching on leaves the wind has blown down.
Rustling and bustling, friend with the wind,
Whistling and blowing and whooshing around,
Creating a carpet of multiple colours,
Teasing the leaves as they fall to the ground.
Mellowing fruits and ripening corn,
Autumn’s bounty for us to share,
Our God of provision, providing, sustaining
Whatever the season, His presence is near.
By Megan Carter

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PARISH DIARY FOR NOVEMBER 2022
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
Tue 1 All Saints’ Day
9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
11.30am Church Meeting: Bereavement Group
St John’s Hall
8.15pm Church Meeting: Junior Church Zoom
Wed 2 All Souls’ Day - Commemoration of the faithful departed
10.00am All Souls’ Holy Communion followed by coffee
during which names of departed loved ones are
remembered St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Requiem Mass for the departed St Francis’
during which names of departed loved ones are
remembered
Thur 3 8.30am-4pm Dacorum Music Service/MaSJ Music Making Day
St John’s
Fri 4 12.30pm MaSJ Lunchtime Concert: Star Flutes Flute Quintet
St John’s
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 5 8.00am Pray Hemel 20th
birthday St George’s URC,
Long Chaulden
11.30am Wedding Blessing - Kevin & Georgina Lane
St John’s
7.30pm Hemel Symphony Orchestra Concert St John’s
Cont’d….

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Sun 6 ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY
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
4.00pm Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving
St John’s
Mon 7 10.15am Hemel Hempstead School Year 7 class visit
St John’s
7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
“Dogs for good” - Speaker: Lydia Martin
Tue 8 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
Wed 9 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee
St John’s
11.45am Hemel Hempstead School Year 7 class visit
St John’s
12.45pm Hemel Hempstead School Year 7 class visit
St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thur 10 9.15am Hemel Hempstead School Year 7 class visit
St John’s
10.15am Hemel Hempstead School Year 7 class visit
St John’s
Fri 11 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 13 Remembrance Sunday
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
9.30am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
11.30am Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance
St John’s
3.00pm Messy Church St John’s
Mon 14 10.15am Hemel Hempstead School Year 7 class visit
St John’s
Tue 15 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 16 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
12.45pm Hemel Hempstead School Year 7 class visit
St John’s
3.30pm Friendship Tea St John’s Hall
4.00pm Baptism Preparation St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 18 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 19 10am-2pm COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS FAYRE St John’s
Sun 20 CHRIST THE KING: Sunday next before Advent
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
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
6.30pm Deanery Confirmation Service St John’s
Mon 21 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
“My Life in boxes” - Speaker: Ethel Pack
8.00pm Church Meeting: Fundraising Committee Zoom
Tue 22 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
8.00pm Church Meeting: Communications Committee
Zoom
Wed 23 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Church Meeting: Finance Committee Zoom
Fri 25 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 27 ADVENT SUNDAY
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
6.30pm Deanery Advent Service St John’s
sung by the choirs of the Deanery
Tue 29 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
11.15am Church Meeting: Hall Committee St John’s Hall
Wed 30 St Andrew, Apostle
10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’

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All Souls’ Services Wednesday 2 November
There are many in the Parish who have lost loved ones, both in recent years and
in years gone by. Although they have died, our prayer and certain hope is that
they live on with Christ in his eternal Kingdom. Names of departed loved ones will
be read out at both the 10.00am Service of Holy Communion at St John’s and at a
Requiem Mass for the Departed at St Francis at 8.00pm on Wednesday 2 Novem-
ber. You are invited to light candles in memory of departed loved ones and,
should you wish for names to be read out to, please provide these on the relevant
form at the back of our churches.
Annual Service of Remembrance
Over the past year the Ministry Team has taken, or assisted with, many Funerals
and Memorial Services of parishioners. At our Annual Service of Remembrance, to
be held this year on Sunday 6 November at 4.00pm, we shall be inviting friends
and families of those who have died to remember their loved ones before God
and to give thanks for their lives. If you have lost someone this year but we were-
n’t involved in their funeral, or would like to attend and remember loved ones
who have died in previous years, you will be more than welcome.
Countdown to Christmas Fayre
Our annual Christmas fundraiser will soon be upon us. Please do come along and
support our Fayre on Saturday 19 November, 10.00am-2.00pm. Donations of
things to sell will be greatly appreciated. For more details please see the Weekly
Newsletter.
St Francis Patronal Festival
During a moving and uplifting celebration of High Mass and Benediction it was
good to be able to give thanks for, and pray for the life of St Francis’ Church
within the life of the Parish. Around 30 people attended and the service at with
Mother Alice Jolley gave an excellent sermon.
Earlier in the day St Francis’ hosted an open day with refreshments which was
well attended and supported. Over £400 was raised for church funds.
We are very fortunate to have 3 churches of different styles within the Parish and
it was great to be able to celebrate this diversity.

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Deanery Confirmation Service
On Sunday 20 November at 6.30pm St John’s Church will host a Deanery
Confirmation Service during which Bishop Christine Hardman (former Bishop of
Newcastle) will Confirm 6 members of our congregation and ca 20 folk belonging
to neighbouring parishes. This is a milestone moment on the journey of faith for
these people and I ask that as many of our regular congregation are present to
support them in their public profession that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour. Please
pray for them in the coming weeks as they make this public declaration of faith.
Sermon Series
Throughout September and October the Ministry Team have given sermons on
the Sacraments of the Church. I hope this has been informative as well as helpful
for your pilgrimage of faith. Not everyone will have been able to be in church
every week so the collected work will be published in a small booklet for those
who would like to catch-up on what they missed/need help with insomnia/would
like to re-read a week.
Sunday 27 November – Advent Sunday
Advent Sunday marks the beginning of a new Church Year and the beginning of
the Church’s countdown to Christmas: Advent, during which we are encouraged
to think about how we can best prepare ourselves to welcome the Son of God as
he comes among us as the babe of Bethlehem. To help us in this thinking we
begin the year with an Advent Procession – like a Carol Service but with music
and readings to help us reflect on the coming of Christ, at 6.30pm at St John’s.
For the last couple of years, during the height of the pandemic, this service has
been only available online. We are excited that this year it will be returning in
person – and with the addition of choirs and individual singers joining our choir to
lead the music. Please put this date in your diary for what will be an excellent way
to start the new Church year.
Remembrance Sunday
The Council and local branch of the Royal British Legion are once again organising
the Civic Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. A
Parade involving veterans, local uniformed organisations, a detachment from RAF
Halton, and Civic dignitaries will take place along with the usual wreath laying.
Acts of Remembrance will take place at all our churches. Timings at St John’s will
be:
9.30am Parish Eucharist
10.50am War Memorial for Civic Act of Remembrance
11.30am RBL Service of Remembrance

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Messy Church
A reminder that our next Messy Church (open to all ages but especially children)
will be on Sunday 13 November, 3.00pm – 5.00pm exploring the story of
Joseph… and his amazing technical coat! A time of 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.
Thank you…
To Canon Liz Hughes who gave an excellent sermon at October’s Choral Evensong
where we were encouraged to Welcome the Stranger. Liz’s work as Chaplain at
Luton Airport gave her a unique perspective on what it means to welcome a
stranger with hospitality and humanity. It was particularly good to hear about her
work with Ukrainian families fleeing their homeland the week after our Ukrainian
family took up residence. If you missed the service and/or should like to hear Liz
again a recording of the service is available on our website.
Watching and Waiting…
Advent is traditionally a time of watching and waiting for the coming of Christ.
We know he is to be born on Christmas Day, so in the preceding weeks we take
time to lookout for the signs of his coming among us. This is often done in prayer.
During Advent I would like us to try again to committing to sitting or kneeling in
contemplative quiet for 5 minutes before the Service begins. This time will be
triggered by the organ playing before the Service. I hope you will find this time
helpful to your journey of faith and our celebrations this Christmas.
Parish Christmas Card/Flyer
Once again, as a Church we will be wishing every household in the Parish a Happy
Christmas by giving them a Christmas card which includes all our Service times on
it. If you are able to help distribute these cards, please collect a ‘distribution
route’ from the back of St John’s which will be available very soon. Thank you in
advance for helping share the Good News of the birth of Jesus with all who live in
the Parish.
Christmas Plans 2022
During the height of the pandemic our celebrations of Christ’s birth needed to be
modified to be fit for purpose. Some of these adjustments have been helpful,
other less-so - but they did enable us to worship together safely. This year,
although Covid-19 is still with us, we are returning to something more like
‘normal’ with full-capacity seating (no social distancing), singing, refreshments
but with the continuation of the free ticketing for the most popular services.
Cont’d…..

13. - 11 -
Ticket availability will go live on 1 December and is highly recommended for our
busiest services.
27 November 6.30pm Advent Procession
No ticket required
18 December 6.30pm 9 Lessons & Carols
Ticketed
20 December 6.00pm St Francis’ Carols
No ticket required
Christmas Eve 2.30 & 4.30pm Christingle Services 1&2
Ticketed
6.30pm Crib Service
Ticketed
11.30pm Midnight Mass
No ticket required
Christmas Day 10.00am Parish Christmas Eucharist
No ticket required
Christmas Tree Festival 2022 – 16–20 December
Building on innovations introduced because of the pandemic, and with the
ability to reintroduce some of our traditional practices, the Christmas Tree
Festival will offer more trees than ever – both inside church and outside. Over
30 trees will be lit/decorated in a bid to bring some festive cheer to our commu-
nity. Admission to church on Friday and Saturday, Monday and Tuesday £2.50
per adult, closed on Sunday for worship. The trees will remain lit until 5 January.
The Outside Carols round the Trees last year was such a success we shall be
doing this again. Therefore on Saturday 17 December at 2.00pm come along to
St John’s Churchyard – whatever the weather – and sing your favourite carols.
We intend to create the feel of a continental market by selling Glühwein and
Hot Dogs – all in accordance with government regulations. If you are able to join
I look forward to seeing you.
SMILE-LINES
How well do you know your spouse?
At a seminar on Marriage, the minister was stressing how essential it is that
couples discern what is important to their partner. He challenged the men: “Can
you even name your wife’s favourite flower?” Baffled silence followed, until one
husband nudged his wife with a hopeful smile and hazarded: “It’s MacDougall’s
Self-Raising, right?”

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15. - 13 -
Countdown-to-Christmas Fayre
Saturday 19 November 2022, 10 – 2 pm
The Fundraising Committee are busy planning the
Countdown to Christmas Fayre 2022. Held in St John’s
Church and the hall, it’s always a fun and bustling
event – a chance to pick up a few early Christmas
presents, buy homemade cakes and jams, have a
quick lunch and chat in the hall, with some fun games
for young and old. The theme this year is ‘Sparkle’
and we’ll be festooning the Church accordingly!
To make this a success we NEED A LOT OF HELP
from the wider congregation – it’s very much a
team effort! Specific requests for help will be
made, but if you think you can help on the day or
contribute in other ways, please let Cathy Shaw
(catharineshaw@hotmail.com) or the Vicar know.
One particular request is for our knits and crafts
stall – our Knitting Circle always produce lovely
things each year and we are wondering whether
there are others out there with craft talents, who
could contribute a few handmade items for sale?
We’ll be using the revised layout devel-
oped last year to get a better flow
around the Fayre – a (not very strict!)
‘one way system’ so people do not have
to bunch in a narrow aisles – gives a bit
more space to look at what’s on offer,
and will help us minimize any risks from
COVID and winter bugs.
All in all, we are getting excited – please come along and help us sparkle!

16. - 14 -

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

19. - 17 -
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20. - 18 -
SMILE-LINES
More real-life notes left for milkmen…
• Please knock. My TV’s broken down and I missed Coronation Street
last night. Maybe we could talk about what happened over a cup of
tea?
• My daughter says she wants a milkshake. Do you do this before you
deliver, or do I have to shake it at my end?
• Please send me a form for cheap milk, as I have a baby two months
old and did not know about it until a neighbour told me.
• Milk is needed for the baby. Father unable to supply it.
• Please leave no milk today. When I say today, I mean tomorrow, as I
wrote this note yesterday.

21. - 19 -

22. - 20 -
TWENTY YEARS OF LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
by Nicholas King
Twenty years ago, on 5th October 2002, the first of the Music at St John’s
Friday lunchtime concerts was given by myself on the old Davies organ (or
what remained of it by then). The concerts were started to help raise
funds for the new Church hall, and featured established artistes, capable
amateurs, upcoming younger performers and local schools, and were run
jointly with the New School of Organ Studies, whose share of the
proceeds went towards providing bursaries for organ students. By happy
inspiration of Paul Hughes, then Vicar, light lunches were offered to
increase the social appeal of the occasion. Three seasons of concerts
were offered each year, and almost £10,000 was raised towards the costs
of the hall before its financing could be signed off in 2007.
The MASJ label was initially no more than a marketing device. It was in
2005/6 that Music at St John’s was itself established as a limited company
with charitable status, to promote the engagement and outreach of the
church within the local musical community. The hall having been paid off,
primary attention turned toward funding the new Nicholson organ, the
contract for which was signed on Boxing Day 2007, and the NSOS kindly
diverted their share of the proceeds towards that eminent purpose.
Sadly, the School was subsequently wound up.
I had the privilege of organising the concerts until the end of 2014, when
Paul Davies took over. I’d like to pay tribute to his work in sustaining
them since then; it’s not an easy job, as I well know. The winter series had
already been abandoned, because of poor attendances at an inclement
time of the year, but the summer and autumn series have continued to
attract appreciative audiences. Amongst the more memorable events
have been a concert for eight hands on two pianos, a rare viola recital,
and a performance of Walton’s Façade with Peter Garner narrating to the
accompaniment of piano duet.
In 2013, a decision was taken to broaden the deployment of proceeds
towards providing bursaries for young local musicians, building on a
bequest from the late Joyce Ralphs. Cont’d….

23. - 21 -
Around thirty young musicians have benefitted from these bursaries to
date. The new organ was finally paid for in 2018, and alongside continu-
ing to fund the bursaries, proceeds are also now placed towards
supporting special events in the musical life of the church.
The anniversary was marked by a concert given by myself on 30th Sep-
tember, including a piece from that first concert, and another from the
inaugural recital given on the new Nicholson organ by Paul Hale on 22nd
November 2011. Other repertoire reflected the 150th birth anniversary
of Ralph Vaughan Williams, and the 200th birth anniversary of César
Franck.
We are grateful to regular patrons of these concerts, some of whom have
been with us unstintingly throughout those twenty years. If you have not
sampled them, why not give them a try?
Photo by kind permission of Paul Davies

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'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the September
Music Percentage Club draw:
Nicholas King 1st £15
Gina Harbour 2nd £8
Richard Lyne 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. Mark Harbour - on behalf of MASJ
Bibles for Children
It is now 25 years since Ted Hudson founded this charity. He had just retired and
needed a project to fill his time. He recalls that in the middle of the night he was
given the vision of using all his experience and resources to offer every boy and
girl in every Primary School in the United Kingdom the opportunity of having their
very own Bible.
The first presentation of Bibles took place in St. Mary’s Primary School in
Timsbury, Somerset in January 1977 and now, annually, some 30,000 children
receive Bibles in over 500 schools throughout the country. To date 685,000
children have received a Bible in over 2,300 schools. What an achievement!
Andrew Masters has worked tirelessly over many years to visit our local schools
and I am sure you are interested to know that 20 schools in Hemel Hempstead
regularly receive Bibles every year –more than any other town in the country!
We must be very proud of Andrew’s efforts. These Bibles are all paid for by dona-
tions from local churches and private individuals and we at St. John’s support
Andrew in his work.
All at Bibles for Children go forward in faith to continue the work of bringing God’s
Word to young hearts and minds. With the world as it is today there has never
been a more important time for young children to have the opportunity of owning
their own Bible.
Jean Garner

25. - 23 -
DECEMBER 2022/JANUARY 2023 - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the Dec. 22/Jan. 23 joint edition of the
magazine is Sunday, 6th November.
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
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Please send any items for inclusion in the Newsletter to the Parish Office at the
email address: newsletter@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
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If you would like to receive a copy of St John’s Parish Magazine on a regular
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26. - 24 -
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF HEMEL HEMPSTEAD AS A NEW TOWN - THE
CONTROVERSRY CONTINUES
Last month I outlined the twists and turns of events which followed the
proposal that Hemel Hempstead should become a “new town.” The Min-
ister of Town and Country Planning, Mr Silkin, met members of the
Borough Council and addressed residents at a Public Meeting on 19
November 1946 prior to the Public Enquiry in December, which ensured
that the controversy continued well into 1947.
The crux of the case at the Public Enquiry held on 2, 3 and 5 December
1946 appeared to be that Hemel Hempstead had agreed to expand, but
that it was one thing for the town to develop in the manner it wanted to,
and another for someone else to dictate the terms. It was therefore
advocated that the Minister should take pains to secure that the rate of
development in Hemel Hempstead was not too rapid in order to ensure
that no wholesale demolition or inconvenience occurred.
On 4 February 1947 the draft order was confirmed with modifications
reducing the designated area to 5,910 acres. Immediately, the Hemel
Hempstead Residents’ Protection Association decided to take action and
voiced its aim of appealing with success in the High Court against Mr Silk-
in’s intention of going ahead with his proposals. The Association agreed
to entrust the legal proceedings to three of its most prominent members,
all local residents - Mr Henry Fletcher, Mr Nathaniel Micklem and Mr S. G.
Stanbridge - who would make the appeal as individual inhabitants of
Hemel Hempstead. These people, who all came from long-established
and respected families in the district, had from the outset been adverse to
the borough’s expansion and had continually urged Hemel Hempstead to
fight the new town order. Accordingly on 17 March 1947 an application
was made to the High Court challenging the validity of the designation
order on the grounds there had been no proper consultation with the
local authorities as required by the New Towns Act. Mr Silkin claimed,
however, that the meeting he held at the Ministry in July 1946 with six
members of the Borough Council constituted a conference within the
meaning of the Act, but this discussion was, in fact, held prior to the New
Town Bill becoming an Act of Parliament.

27. - 25 -
The local Residents’ Protection Association were no doubt encouraged by
the initial success with which Stevenage’s new town order had just been
quashed in the High Court by Mr Justice Collins, and the whole town
followed with great interest the intricacies of the case, the outcome of
which would act as a pointer to the result of their own legal battles. At
that time many people regarded Stevenage as a New Town Test Case
which it though might even go to the House of Lords before a final legal
decision was given. Speculation was further increased at the end of
March when the Minister met with success in the Court of Appeal. Would
this mean a major setback for Hemel Hempstead’s appeal? It was general-
ly believed that the Protection Association would withdraw its appeal and
cut it losses. But the Association was not to be daunted by this manoeu-
vre and pressed on with its plans. Early in April the Executive Committee
met to discuss the latest position and a few days later a General Meeting
was convened in St John’s Hall, at which members were informed that
there was a good case to fight on legal grounds. The inevitable decision
reached was that the case in the High Court should continue. The Appeal
was timed to be heard on 21 April, and a vigorous campaign for recruiting
new members was immediately put into action, together with a request
that strong financial backing was required from all supporters to increase
the Association’s funds.
At last the stage was set for the drama to be enacted, for, whatever the
verdict of the High Court action would be, it would have lasting influence
on the future role of Hemel Hempstead was to play. It was to be prema-
ture preparation for at the last moment the case was postponed until
July. It was heard on 14, 16 and 17 July 1947 before Mr Justice Morris,
and was concluded on 30 July. The single issue involved was that the
alleged meeting in July 1946 was not a consultation within the meaning of
the New Town Act, but evidence was produced at the trial on behalf of
the Minister to illustrate that a consultation had taken place at a private
meeting in the Town Hall immediately before the Public Meeting on
19 November and on other occasions. A clear indication of what the deci-
sion would be was given by the Attorney-General, acting on behalf of the
Minister, when he declared in his final speech: “These Designation Orders
must unhappily mean hardship for the few, it may be that the village of
Hemel Hempstead (in fact an historic town) must die in order that Greater
London may live.” Cont’d…..

28. - 26 -
Judgement was delivered by Mr Justice Morris at the Law Courts,
London, on 30 July 1947 when he announced that the appeal had failed.
The fate of Hemel Hempstead was sealed - she was to be developed as a
new town. The Residents’ Protection Association disbanded and Mr Jelli-
coe, who had been commissioned to prepare an outline plan for the new
town, was able to progress with his task. Only here and there shades of
opposition persisted with such isolated incidents as some local farmers
announcing their intention of defying Mr Silkin by refusing to allow Min-
istry agents access to their land to carry out preliminary work in connec-
tion with the New Town.
Problems didn’t stop here. Mr Jellicoe’s proposals, illustrated by a
model, were exhibited in the Town Hall (in the High Street) from 30 Sep-
tember to 14 October 1947, in order to give the local residents an
opportunity to study the Plan and make criticisms and suggestions.
About 7,000 people visited the Exhibition. The main criticism was that
too much demolition was involved. Before the Outline Plan could be
presented to the Minister of Town and Country Planning for approval
two matters caused delay by requiring revision - the planning of the
town centre and the siting of schools. It was, therefore, not until the
summer of 1949 that these points were settled and the revised plan was
exhibited between 13 and 31 August, being submitted to the Minister on
25 August 1949. This second showing of the Master Plan also produced
a further outcome: a local enquiry was held from 15 to 22 November
1949. Protests were registered on behalf of Hemel Hempstead Borough
Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the North West Metropolitan
Regional Hospital Board, three local industrial firms and some private
residents. These disputed whether Hemel Hempstead should be a new
town, siting of the new railway station and central shopping area, the
demolition involved, and the financial implications generally. Nearly a
year elapsed before the Minister’s comments were received in June
1950, suggesting a reduction in major road works and an increase of
residential density. The Corporation accordingly revised the Master Plan
and in May 1951 it was published and a month later the Ministerial
verdict was forthcoming, approving the Master Plan. Cont’d…..

29. - 27 -
The delay in final ministerial recognition and approval obviously proved a
great hindrance to the progress of Hemel Hempstead becoming a new
town, and meant that work would have to be undertaken at a greatly
accelerated pace. Some approved construction work, however, had
taken place in the meantime of the Adeyfield neighbourhood. One
feature of the Master Plan was the proposal for what is called the Ayles-
bury Radial Road, which about 40 years later came into existence as the
A41 by-pass.
Now the events surrounding the inception of Hemel Hempstead as a New
Town have largely been forgotten by any of the original older population
and are unknown to those who have come to live here since.
Graham Gibbs
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING ON TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2022
The PCC met in St John’s Hall on Tuesday evening 20 September 2022, chaired by
the Vicar. He was glad to report the continuing growth of the numbers at the St
John’s main Sunday service. Attendance at the daughter churches was also hold-
ing firm.
While he totally respected the individual decision of everyone on whether to
take communion from the chalice, he noted that the numbers of those now
doing so had increased almost to pre-pandemic levels. There seemed to be a
feeling that things had returned to normal after the pandemic, but we must not
lose sight of the fact that Covid was still with us, and caution was still needed.
The Vicar felt that the memorial service for the late Queen had hit just the right
note. There were seven confirmation candidates in the pipeline and the Junior
Choir and Junior Church were back in action. The proposed pastoral reorganisa-
tion in the Hemel Deanery no longer affected us directly as Warners End parish
had opted to remain part of the Hemel team parish.
From his talks with the Archdeacon, the Vicar said that the diocese was aware of
the low ministerial provision for Boxmoor parish, but said they were unable to
help. Likewise, they accepted that the parish boundaries within the deanery
needed updating but looked to the deanery itself to come up with a solution.
Cont’d…..

30. - 28 -
Chris Angell was warmly welcomed back after his recent illness. He said that the
current financial position was quite favourable in the circumstances, but it would
be a huge challenge to set a balanced budget for next year given rising prices
and the cost-of-living crisis which was likely to affect giving.
The Churchwardens reported that we finally had the green light to house a
Ukrainian family in the Curate’s house in Beechfield Road. They were going to
move in over the weekend of 8 October and volunteers for various tasks were
called for. A defibrillator had been purchased and was shortly to be installed
inside the entrance to St John’s Hall. Job Rombout was in touch with the poten-
tial donor of a CCTV system to the church.
Discussing the Mission Action Plan, the meeting considered the limited feedback
from the congregation on the future of the choir and on courses and spiritual
education. Rosie Shaw gave a presentation on St John’s progress towards
becoming an ECO church. She drew particular attention to the survey her group
had compiled which captured the current situation. Rosie confirmed that we had
signed up to be a member of the Dacorum Climate Action Network.
The Vicar reiterated his call for job descriptions from key job holders so that
succession planning could be progressed. There was discussion on possible ways
of celebrating the 150th
anniversary of the St John’s church building on 7 April
2024. Jean Garner made a plea for volunteers to help with the Christmas Tree
Festival, noting that, unless some came forward, it would not be possible to hold
it at all this year. The Vicar explained that the idea of holding a Grand Draw this
year had been abandoned due to a very slow take-up of tickets by potential
sellers and the cost-of-living crisis.
The meeting approved new rental rates for the church halls for next year. The
cost-free loan of a full-size grand piano was agreed – it would make St John’s
church a much more attractive concert venue.
Reports were received from all the PCC committees and daughter churches. St
Francis’ Hall had missed out on a lucrative booking to be a Covid vaccination
centre because of the lack of disabled access. The Churchwardens were looking
to see if anything could be done about this without incurring great expense.
This is of necessity a brief summary of the meeting, but if anyone on the Parish
electoral roll would like to see the full minutes of this PCC meeting, then the PCC
Secretary would be glad to provide them.
Richard Lyne
PCC Secretary
01442 260998
pccsecretary@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk

31. - 29 -
Christmas Tree Festival 2022
Friday 16 – Tuesday 20 December
“This is Christmas”
A plea for your help!
Christmas is coming round again. Before we know it, the
Season will be upon us. Preparations are in hand for this
year’s Christmas Tree Festival. The theme will be simply
“This is Christmas”, allowing plenty of scope for the imagi-
nations of the tree decorators to run riot, with possibilities
of themes religious, secular, musical, family, snowmen,
Father Christmas, presents, to name a few.
The Christmas Tree Festival is a very large operation to run, and the Fundrais-
ing Committee will need a lot of help, in the setting up, in the actual day to
day running of the Festival, and in the taking down again. Last year, unfortu-
nately, the set-up, in particular, became a burden for the few stalwarts who
turned up. Please, we need all the help we can get! The Vicar and Church-
wardens have plenty more important tasks at this time of year than putting
lights on the trees! Don’t be shy, - the more the merrier. A good working
team makes all the difference. The first outdoor tree, for example, goes up
on Advent Sunday, and from that point help will be needed. Alan needs a
team to help with the cabling, which is no small task. The rest of the trees
arrive on Friday 9 December (previously they arrived on a Monday) and by
that time the cabling and the boards must be in place, and much more, so this
is a call for all hands on deck. If you can help, please let Jean Garner, Alan
Munford or the Vicar know. Help us make this our most successful Festival
ever.
In 2020 due to the demands of the pandemic, there were only a few trees
inside the church, but for the first time we installed trees outside in the
church grounds, brightly lit, shining a light in the darkness. Last year there
were more trees both inside and out. The outside trees have become an
important part of our Christmas witness in the wider community. We hope
that the 2022 Christmas Tree Festival will still have the same impact on the
community, showing the Light of Christ in the World once more, also to bring
some Christmas cheer.

32. - 30 -
at St John’s
in the month of September 2022
HOLY BAPTISM
18 September Noa Penelope Petchell Horseshoe Close
May the Lord of his great mercy bless this child and give her
understanding of his wisdom and grace.
HOLY MATRIMONY
3 September Aimee Elizabeth Hart & Gary Restall
16 September Nanette Cashmore & Glen Gary Tadman
O God, our Father, whose greatest gift is love, bless those, we ask you,
who within your presence take each other in marriage.
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
12 September Brenda Margaret North Northridge Way
14 September Wendy Jean Treversh Christopher Court
May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
15 September William James Scott Crabtree Close
22 September Beryl de Gruchy King St Albans Hill

33. - 31 -

34. - 32 -

35. - 33 -
We Remember
The Somme, Dunkirk and Passchendaele
Cause us to think of times of war,
When men and boys went bravely out
They fought, some died and returned no more.
They gave their all that we should live,
We never should forget such cost,
Remembering with thankful hearts
Our freedom gained as lives were lost.
Another Man gave up His life,
Another war, another fight,
With all mankind held fast in chains
As darkness fell as black as night.
The cost was high, a sinless life
To break the chains and set us free,
The Lamb of God on Calvary’s cross
Paid that price for you, for me.
By Megan Carter

36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor