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Please Move Me!

Remembrance ‘on the Green’ Saturday 11th November 2011. A dull day but a good crowd 

of British Legion members, lead by Norman Chalmers (holding the wreath in the top 

picture), president of the Farnham Common branch, and with many wearing service 

medals. Members of the public included pupils and staff from the local Montessorri 

school (on parade in the lower picture) with, l to r, Alan Mabbott, Howard Gibbs, with 

Flag, Wynford Phillips, Norman Chalmers and Peter Price. Traffic on the busy A355 was 

halted for the customary 2 minutes silence.

LANDMARK TO EYESORE 

Development Disgrace! 

Recently I heard a talk by the Editor of 

the Farnhams Magazine, given at a 

meeting of the Third Age Luncheon 

Club, after which I had the temerity to 

remark that the magazine reported on 

events that had already taken place. I 

suggested the magazine look forward 

and be the catalyst for change. I was 

referring to the proposed removal of 

‘The Thatch’, in its prime a delightful 

feature playing no small role in the 

awarding of past Best Kept Village 

trophies. To remove this famous 

representation of the village and 

replace it with an office block is a 

sacrilege we should fight with every 

fibre of our loyalty. 

Offices we have in any number - 

thatched cottages we have but one. 

Added to which we lose the use of the 

Green to accommodate builders’ 

portacabins as offices and storage 

whilst committing this crime (for over 40 

weeks we are told, but that is 

debatable). A charming corner at the 

entrance to the village will continue to 

be scarred for months if not years. 

How on earth did this get past the 

Planning Committee who probably have 

no idea what we are talking about, not 

living in the area themselves And 

where does the Parish Council stand 

Is it beyond the wit of the ‘men’ of 

Farnham Common to band together 

with the British Legion, the Carol 

Singers, the muscular foresters of 

Burnham Beeches and any others who 

value our environment to work out a 

way of moving the Thatch onto the 

edge of the Green permanently (After 

all former Farnhams men succeeded in 

moving the pump at Farnham Royal!) 

And to pay for moving our landmark 

gem Could we not have collecting 

boxes for daytime shoppers and nighttime 

diners to drop donations into The 

builder must find another way of storing 

his tools and paperwork rather than ruin 

our lovely little Green and the Planners 

should be told in no uncertain terms by 

the Parish Council that what they have 

permitted will not be tolerated by the 

villagers. In this way the Farnhams 

Magazine can look to and change the 

future rather than impotently lament the 

loss of our outstanding feature. 

We can appoint a “Thatch Day” for all to 

rally on the Green - and get what the 

majority of the villagers surely want 

Your comments please and then action! 

We Third Age Luncheoners will 

encourage all you youngsters to keep 

Farnham Common on the map as a 

‘pretty village with a Thatched Cottage 

on the Green’. 

Joan of Arc 

Editors Note: The name of our correspondent was 

supplied but is withheld. All comments please to the 

editor, contact details on page 4. 

3

THE FARNHAMS Magazine 

Sharing Life in our Community 

THE FARNHAMS Magazine magazine is published bi-monthly by the United Benefice of Farnham 

Royal with Hedgerley at 80p per issue. The June and December issues are supported by the Parish Council 

and delivered to every home in our community through the Benefice distribution network. In addition, the 

February, April, August and October issues are available through annual subscription. Each issue is also 

available for purchase from local newsagents, the Library and other shops. All six issues contain village, church 

and council news, together with details of local organisations and businesses. If you have any comments or 

contributions, either as an individual, an organisation or a business, the Editor will be delighted to hear from you. 

THE FARNHAMS Magazine magazine aims to be inclusive of all views and organisations. Views 

expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editorial board. 

Farnhamswebzine (www.farnhamswebzine.org.uk) is the companion internet publication published by 

the same editorial team. 

Managing Editor and Chairman: Revd Graham Saunders (643233) 

Editor: John Winyard (642120) 

Webzine Editor: Heidi Hodgkins (642195) 

Editorial: Jenny Harper-Jones (643872) 

Advertising Sales & Production: Barrie Luscombe (645900) 

Distribution - FC West Karen Goodall (642165) 

Distribution - FC East Marian Fisher (647758) 

Distribution - FR /Directory Linda Somerville (644642) 

Parish Council Representative: Trevor Clapp (643623) 

Treasurer Michael Lowton (642174) 

Subscriptions Catherine Moore (669617) 

Webzine Picture Editor David Gray (0759 593 1982) 

Staff Photoghaphers: John Archibald, Jim Williams, David Gray 

Advertise in THE FARNHAMS 

Please contact Barrie Luscombe, Advertising Sales, on 01753 645900 

Advertising rates are; per page (180mm x 120mm) b/w £50 colour £100, per half page 

(90mm x 120mm) b/w £30, colour £60 and per quarter page (90mm x 60mm) blw £20. 

Initial setting-up fee £20 per advertisement. Advertising is accepted on a minimum annual basis. 

Webzine carousel advertising from £60 per annum for magazine advertisers. 

Circulation is c 4000 homes in Jun & Dec and c 1000 homes in Feb, Apr, Aug & Oct. 

Contributions and Copy Dates 

Copy dates of the next two issues of THE FARNHAMS Magazine are 

February 24 th for the April issue and May 4 th for the June issue 

Publication is targeted at the beginning of the month of issue. 

All articles and photographs should be sent to The Editor, 

The Farnhams Magazine, Orchard Cottage, One Pin Lane, Farnham Common, Slough, SL2 3RA 

Email: john@winyard1.demon.co.uk Tel: 642120 

4

February 2012 Farnhams Index 

News Update 

Inside Cover Story – “Please Move Me!” 3 

Dear Friends – Play the cards! 8 

District Column 11 

Diane Needham’s Last Parish Patch 12 

Letters to the Editor 23 

Royal British Legion 30 

Police Report 66 

Farnham’s Fusion 35 

Farnhams Webzine 

S8 

Community Library Update 46 

Distributors & Contributors Party 49 

Hedgerley W I 61 

Community Library Update 46 

It’s An Open Door 63 

Templewood WI 70 

Information 

Publishers and Publication Details 4 

Registers 26 

Church Information 40 

Parliamentary & Council 

S3 

Thank You 61 

New Subscriptions 35 

Farnhams Life 

Remembrance Day November 11 2 

Farnham Common Junior School 69 

Open Gardens Day 75 

Parish Patch Reflections 24 

And Diane’s Successor 29 

Open Spaces, Open Minds 32 

Farnhams Society 57 

Hedgerley Historical Society 51 

Nativity – Farnham Common Infants 55 

Nativity – Little Beeches Montessori 80 

Hedgrow Harvest 7/70 

Further Afield 

A City Walk - Berlin 74 

Local Tables – The Black Horse, Fulmer 45/77 

Favourites 

Jackie’s Cook Book 31 

Farnhams Archive 73 

Jottings From The Potting Shed 62 

Potts Poem – Boxing Day 58 

Dizzies Dictionary 61 

The BIFF Directory 39/42 

This month’s covers: Now disgracefully abandoned by property developers the previously attractive and iconic 

welcome to Farnham Common. Winter wrap design by Jon Willcocks. 

Hedgrow Harvest, (see page 70) From l to r, Mark Frater, Parish Councillor Bob Milne, 

Mr Wilks and son Joshua ‘hedging’ on behalf of 1st Hedgerley Scout Group, John Conen and 

Douglas Morris representing the Farnhams & Hedgerley Horticultural Society, Barrie Luscombe 

and Alan French. Both Mark and Alan are Burnham Beeches Rotarians who have 

masterminded the Dell Community Orchard. 

7

‘Play the cards!’ 

Dear friends: 

The beginning of a New Year is a 

traditional time for reflection on the 

direction and purpose of life. We look 

back at the old year with its good and 

bad experiences and we look forward to 

the New Year wondering how life will 

unfold. We reflect on how we have fared 

with the cards that life dealt us during 

2011. What have we learnt How have 

we grown as human beings Are we 

realistic about life’s rich pattern 

Remember these words from William 

Blake’s ‘Auguries of Innocence’: ‘Man 

was made for Joy & Woe; and when this 

we rightly know, thro’ the world we 

safely go.’ We may look back on some 

very bad experiences and I know for 

some folk life has dealt some very 

harsh cards. Naturally people wonder 

where God is in such bad experiences 

and having had some pretty bad 

experiences myself I do sympathise 

with such views. 

8 

However, I am aware that too many folk 

have unrealistic expectations of how life 

can bring happiness. Some folk invest 

every week in the expectation that a win 

on the lottery will bring happiness and 

great fulfilment. But we might wonder 

why some of the richest folk are the 

unhappiest and how some of the 

poorest folk on this earth can smile the 

biggest of smiles! The important issue 

is not the cards dealt by life but how we 

play them. The cards that life deals are 

often beyond our control yet we still 

struggle to control the cards rather than 

progress the way we play them. It is no 

wonder so many folk are not content 

with life. 

So how do we play the cards that life 

deals The main principle is to be 

confident in ourselves and to realise 

that we are special and that we can 

make a difference. Each one of us has 

huge potential for life but so many of us 

either don’t know this or have never 

believed this because nobody has ever 

encouraged us or nurtured us! The post 

1st World War Theologian Paul Tillich 

wrote a book called ‘The Courage to be’ 

in which he described the courage to be 

ourselves as ‘self-affirmation in spite 

of’. In other words we remain confident 

in who we are despite the cards that life 

deals. It is not our good or bad fortune 

that makes us who we are but how we 

handle life. 

But where is God in all this An easy 

conclusion is that when bad things 

happen God is thought of as absent or 

even non-existent. But think about this; 

if ‘who we are’ is about how we handle 

the cards that life deals, so our faith 

should be regarded in the same light. 

Cont’d on page 11

Cont’d from page 8 

My faith doesn’t depend on my good 

fortune but on my relationship with God 

through Jesus Christ. My faith does not 

change the cards that life deals but it 

does strengthen me and give me a 

depth of meaning and purpose that 

makes sense, irrespective of what is 

happening around me. 

Finally, I often reflect that it is good not 

to take ourselves too seriously and 

become too intense about life. Life is to 

be lived in the best way we can with the 

cards that life deals. Our main task in 

life is to learn how to love. When we are 

on this journey of love we begin to know 

more about ourselves, each other and, 

of course, our God. 

I like this honest assessment of New 

Year’s Day by the Haiku poet Kobayashi 

Issa: ‘New Year’s Day…Everything is 

in blossom! I feel about average.’ 

With every blessing for 2012 

Graham 

THE DISTRICT COLUMN 

Lightening Our Darkness 

Following complaints about the state of 

the lights on the A355 I began to look 

into the problem in early November. 

My own inspection counted 14 failed 

street lights in Farnham Royal and 

Farnham Common. Some were 

particularly concerning such as at the 

bus stop by the infants’ school, since 

any accident here would likely be 

serious. 

The District Council does not maintain 

street lights (County is responsible for 

main roads and the Parish for other 

roads) but I became involved because I 

was told some lights have been out of 

action for two years or more. Obviously 

something had to be done. 

I found that the County Council - 

Transport for Bucks (TfB) discontinued 

night inspections several years ago for 

reasons of cost and now rely on the 

public to report faults. This can be 

difficult since not all the lights are 

readily accessible to the public. Also 

you need to know the unique numbers 

of failed lights, many of which are not 

visible. Furthermore, every lamp post 

should have a Helpline notice but 

several were missing or illegible. 

TfB tell me they are taking the problem 

seriously. I had expected repairs to have 

been completed by Christmas but some 

work is still outstanding. Hopefully 

everything will have been fixed by the 

time this magazine goes to print. 

There seem to be no such problems 

with lights maintained by local parish 

councils where the work is contracted 

out and contractors are obliged to 

conduct night inspections and fix faults 

within five working days. Money is 

short, but even so TfB might do well to 

learn from their example. 

David Anthony 

11

DIANE NEEDHAM’S 

LAST PARISH PATCH 

A happy new year to all Parish Patch 

readers 

2012 brings some changes to The 

Farnhams magazine. This is my last 

Parish Patch after 16 years – but it is 

time to move on to other challenges. I 

will certainly miss the opportunity to 

bring the parish news to residents, and 

to encourage the community to bring 

their views to the parish council. 

However, I will be passing my pen to 

parish councillor Trevor Clapp who, I am 

sure, will bring a new and different look 

to the column. 

Christmas in the Broadway 

There were two events which marked 

Christmas in The Farnhams in 2011. 

The first was the switching-on of the 

new-look lights in the Broadway. 

Congratulations must go to Bill Youel 

who managed, against all odds, to get 

agreement from Bucks County Council 

for their installation. They were well 

received by residents and certainly 

brought a festive air to the shopping 

parade. Many thanks, too, to the 

retailers who added their own lighting 

decorations, making it a really attractive 

local shopping centre. The second 

event was the ever-popular Carols on 

the Green, run again this year by the 

Rotary Club of Burnham Beeches, to 

whom the council extends its thanks. 

Some 150 people gathered on 

Kingsway Green for mulled wine and 

mince pies and all seemed to enjoy 

themselves (see pictures on page S1) 

joining in the singing on a cold, but fine 

and dry evening. There were some 

comments that it was rather dark in 

some areas of the green so that will be 

a point to consider for next year. 

Proposals for new 

facilities in Temple Dell 

There was animated discussion at the 

November meeting regarding the 

proposal for a community arts facility 

and/or community shelter in Temple 

Dell. This culminated in a proposal to 

consult residents about the scheme 

devised by parish councillor Trevor 

Clapp, for an open air covered space 

available for a multitude of activities. 

The vote was split and the issue is 

unlikely to be on the agenda again in 

the near future. 

Developments at Farnham Park 

A planning application is being 

considered for the development by 

Baseball and Softball UK (BSUK) of the 

lower part of Farnham Park, adjacent to 

Park Road and Parsonage Lane. This 

will provide the first purpose-built 

12

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The subscription issues of the Farnhams 

magazine are Feb, Apr, Aug and Oct. 

To subscribe and have the magazine 

delivered for the rest of 2012 the price 

is £2:40 and for 2102/2013 just £5. 

Send a cheque (payable to The 

Farnhams magazine) or cash (a fiver 

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14

facilities for this sport in the country and 

it is hoped to make the Park into a 

national centre with the support of 

Sport England. Softball has been 

played at the Park for the last five years 

and is increasingly popular. It is a 

summer sport and it is unlikely that 

floodlights will ever be needed. If 

planning is agreed, installation will take 

place between March and November 

this year. 

Now a note for your diary. 

AN OPEN INVITATION 

THE PARISH COUNCIL 

INVITES ALL RESIDENTS TO 

THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2012 

8.00 PM, 

FARNHAM ROYAL VILLAGE HALL 

Meet and ask questions of your 

parish, district and county 

councillors, catch up with the 

news, put your views forward 

Coffee will be served 

after meeting 

No more bin bags 

District Councillor Bill Lidgate and Chris 

Marchant, Executive Head of 

Environment SBDC attended the 

November parish council meeting to 

explain the reasons behind the decision 

to stop supplying bin bags to residents. 

This move has saved SBDC £60,000 a 

year which goes towards the £200,000 

of savings needed this year which has 

also meant the loss of a member of 

staff and a reorganisation of services. 

It was considered that the loss of the 

free bin bags was better than cutting 

litter picking services. The amount 

residents now pay for the refuse service 

has gone down from £50 to £43.40 per 

head. Notices about the changes were 

sent out with the calendars and 

featured on the District Council’s 

website. Residents are required to 

continue using black bags rather than 

use personal wheelie bins or other 

kinds of plastic bags. Looking to the 

future there is a possibility that wheelie 

bins will be introduced to all households 

in 12-18 months, with food collections 

every week and recycling and residual 

waste collected fortnightly. 

Beeches Road residents 

parking permits 

The informal consultation of residents 

in Beeches Road resulted in 27 replies 

from a total of 40 properties. 13 wanted 

one permit per property; 10 wanted two; 

three disagreed with the proposal and 

there was one ‘don’t know’. 16 wanted 

the permits to be 24/7; seven wanted it 

restricted to weekdays only. Bucks 

County Council has advised that they 

want to extend the double yellow lines 

along the road for safety reasons, 

particularly to stop parking on 

pavements and to ensure that the road 

offers free movement of traffic. The 

parish council has agreed to support 

the residents, who are aware that they 

may be liable to pay some of the cost of 

asking BCC to take this scheme to a 

formal consultation. 

Choice of venue for 

Diamond Jubilee party 

After some discussion it was agreed 

that a decision on Diamond Jubilee 

15

celebrations would be taken in January. 

To date Burnham Beeches had offered 

East Burnham Common and the café 

as a possible venue for an event on 

Bank Holiday Tuesday. Brenda Cox, 

Farnham Common Junior School had 

previously made a similar offer using 

the school fields and nature garden. It 

was pointed out that it would not be a 

good idea to have competing events. A 

suggestion was made to form a 

committee to co-ordinate the 

programme. Volunteers will be needed 

to help organise any events that take 

place – if you interested in helping in 

any way please contact parish clerk, 

Hilda Holder. 

Police consultation on 

neighbourhood boundary changes 

Thames Valley Police have requested 

the parish council’s views on a 

consultation paper proposing reducing 

the neighbourhood teams in South 

Bucks from the current nine to four. The 

Farnhams will be combined with 

Burnham and Dorney/Taplow. It is 

stated that this will not result in a 

reduction of neighbourhood staff and 

the same number of police officers and 

PCSOs will cover the same geographic 

area. By amalgamating a number of 

smaller neighbourhoods and reviewing 

shift patterns, the aim is to ensure that 

each neighbourhood has better 

coverage seven days a week. County 

Councillor Trevor Egleton commented 

at the meeting that the Chief Constable 

has said she remains fully committed to 

neighbourhood policing and would be 

cutting back office staff and senior 

management rather than compromise 

on this. 

Boundary Copse and Ingrams 

Copse…and the Guide Hut 

On completion of final discussions the 

parish council will take the assignment 

of lease on both Boundary Copse, 

Farnham Royal (adjacent to A355 and 

Bishop’s Orchard) and Ingrams Copse, 

Farnham Common (access from 

Langton’s Meadow and Parsonage 

Lane) previously leased to the 

Woodland Trust. A new 14-year lease 

has been agreed with the Guides for the 

Guide Hut in the grounds of Farnham 

Common Sports Club. A change has 

been made which allows the guides to 

sub-hire the room for community 

purposes. 

Community Orchard moves forward 

The Community Orchard Steering 

Group has agreed two events in the 

orchard for 2012 – a Blossom Day on 

April 29th (to herald spring) and an 

Orchard Day on 22nd September with 

apple juicing and country crafts and 

stalls. Volunteers will be needed to help 

organise any events that take place – if 

you interested in helping in any way 

please contact parish clerk, Hilda 

Holder. It is important that the orchard 

remains a live project and is used by 

schools and the community for 

educational and leisure events 

throughout the year. 

. . . . fruit tree grafting course 

The first course organised on behalf 

of the orchard is a fruit tree 

grafting course which will be held at 

Burnham Beeches Office on Sunday, 

February 5 from 10 am to 4 pm. The 

day is free with a charge of £1.50 for 

each grafted tree you take away with 

you. Space is limited so booking is 

16

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essential. Contact Helen.read@dsl. 

pipex .com or 646699 (evenings). 

Last but not least… 

A new slide has been added to the 

playground facilities in Farnham Park – 

don’t forget that the playground is open 

every day and the council hopes that 

parents and children from both 

Farnham Royal and Farnham Common 

will make full use of it. Parking is 

available. 

PLANNING 

Applications Refused: 

High Trees, Elm Close, FC Oak 

reduced by 35 per cent. Reason: The 

applicant has not had the tree inspected 

by an expert and simply wishes to 

reduce the tree to improve sunlight 

reaching the garden. Loss of light is not 

an actionable nuisance…not considered 

sufficient justification for works that will 

be extremely damaging…and will 

dramatically reduce its amenity value… 

acknowledged that the decline of the 

tree will need to be managed…expert 

advice should be sought. 

The Yew Tree, Collinswood Road, FC 

Covered canopy to provide BBQ area: 

Reason: The site is located within 

Green Belt and this is considered an 

inappropriate development. 

Old Oak Farm, Parsonage Lane, FC 

Hay barn: Reason: …site lies within 

Green Belt …there is a presumption 

against the erection of new buildings 

….it has not been adequately 

demonstrated that it would provide 

facilities that are reasonably necessary 

…over-development of the site. 

Land at Jesmond, Beeches Drive, FC 

Detached dwelling house with integral 

garage and construction of vehicular 

access. Reason:…development would 

overlook rear garden and rear windows 

of Little Keisers to an unreasonable 

degree….would appear obtrusive and 

overbearing when viewed from Little 

Keisers… two first floor roof lights 

above attached garage would overlook 

rear garden and rear elevation of 

Withytrees…height of dwelling and 

proximity to western boundary would 

appear over-dominant and obtrusive 

from rear windows in Jesmond. 

Applications Permitted 

Dair House, Beaconsfield Road, FR 

Cedar – reduce canopy. Cedar – 

Reduce overhanging branches 

6 Corner Cottages, Park Road, FR 

Canopy roof to front bay window and 

porch 

Staneacre, Church Road, FR Single 

storey extension between house and 

garage. First floor rear extension 

Willows, Cherry Tree Road, FR Part 

single/part two storey rear extension 

and extension to roof to provide 

additional accommodation 

Malindi, Elm Close, FC Oak - remove 

five small branches 

St Mary’s Farnham Royal Church of 

England School, FR Retention of 

three storage containers 

Birch House, 8 Woodland Glade, FC 

Two storey side extension 

Wychwood, Elm Close, FC Oak – 

crown thin 

Glenthorne, One Pin Lane, FC 

Installation of solar panels to roof of 

single storey side extension and roof of 

two storey rear extension 

Spindlewood, Templewood Lane, FC 

Redevelopment of site to provide two 

detached dwellings and one detached 

garage 

19

10 Forge Drive, FR Single storey front 

extension and part single/part two 

storey rear extension 

Heathersfield House, 2 Oakridge 

Place, FC Single storey rear extension 

Beech Wood, One Pin Lane, FC Front 

porch and front floor side and rear 

extension 

New Applications 

Readers will note that the year starts 

with a number of proposals for new 

housing developments and for felling or 

major pruning of trees within gardens. 

Cut Heath House, Parsonage Lane, 

FC Redevelopment of site to provide 

four detached dwelling houses and 

detached garages 

The Annexe, 29 Mayflower Way, FC 

Sub-division of annexe extension to 

form independent dwelling 

Land adjacent 24 Langtons Meadow, 

FC Detached dwelling and construction 

of vehicular access 

Hope Cottage, Kingsway, FC 

Development of land adjoining Hope 

Cottage to provide one pair of semidetached 

dwellings and construction of 

vehicular access 

Hope Cottage, Kingsway, FC 

Demolition of existing property and 

construction of three detached 

dwellings and construction of vehicular 

access 

Land adjacent High Gables, Rectory 

Close, FR Detached dwelling and 

extension to existing garage to provide 

double garage for new dwelling 

Emily Jubb Hall, Rectory Close, FR 

Redevelopment of site to create three 

detached dwellings incorporating 

integral garages 

Land adjoining 2 Badgers Wood, FC. 

Detached dwelling house with 

construction of vehicular access, 

landscaping and parking (resubmission) 

40 Mayflower Way, FC Two storey front 

extension, front dormers, part single 

storey/part two storey rear extension. 

First floor side/rear extension 

Farnham Park Playing Fields, 

Beaconsfield Road, FR Provision of 

one baseball and three softball pitches 

with ancillary facilities including fencing 

and dugouts 

Old Oak Farm, Parsonage Lane, FC 

Certificate of Lawfulness for moveable 

structure to be used in connection with 

the keeping of horses. 

Chapel Cottage, Caldicott School 

Crown Lane, FR Single storey 

extension 

Ingrams Copse, Langtons Meadow, 

FC Fell Oak; Beech; Holly 

Farnham Common House, 

Beaconsfield Road, FC Crown reduce 

T1 Horse Chestnut, T2 Plane 

15 Long Close, FR No 2 Limes – 

reduce crown; Pine - remove lower 

branches, Apples trees – fell, Oak – 

trim back neighbour’s side. 

32 Cranwells Lane, FC Fell two beech 

trees 

Rear of 54 Langtons Meadow, FC T1 

Oak –crown reduce by two metres 

54 Langtons Meadow Certificate of 

Lawfulness for proposed vehicular 

access 

Norfolk House, Christmas Lane, 

FC Single storey extension to 

accommodate 1 bed flat and internal 

alterations to flats 3,4,5 and associated 

parking 

Diane Needham 

20

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21

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 

Farnhams Society New Blood 

The Farnhams’ Society was formed 35 

years ago in 1977 to celebrate the 

Queens Silver Jubilee and we are now 

approaching the Diamond Jubilee. 

When it was formed the Society 

membership was comprised of 

individuals and families in the 

Farnhams who wanted to assist in 

improving local amenities, stimulate 

interest in the locality and organise 

various social activities. For various 

reasons we have seen the membership 

of the Society decline by 30% in the last 

few years. Some of our events, the 

theatre trips, Christmas supper, dining 

group and the walks are popular, but we 

find that we are not catering for the 

wider community. By contrast the recent 

development of the Community Library 

has garnered support from a broad 

cross section of the community and is 

well supported by our members. 

If we are to continue as a separate 

entity we urgently need an influx of new 

blood into the Society and on the 

Management Committee - including 

most importantly a Secretary. The 

current Committee would like to hear 

from people who believe that they could 

develop and improve the Society, even 

in a small way, so that it can carry on for 

a further 25 years. If you are interested 

in taking on the challenge and would 

like to join the committee or lead the 

change please contact me on the 

number below. 

If we are unsuccessful in attracting new 

blood onto the Committee and 

strengthening the Society then we may 

have to consider its future. The next 

Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday 

15 May 2012, at 8.00pm in Farnham 

Common Village Hall, where a decision 

will have to be made. 

Mark Frater 

Chairman (646699) 

Beeches Car Parking 

In the December magazine, Diane 

Needham asked for comments on the 

Burnham Beeches car park charges. I 

am happy, in principle, with charges 

being applied but would suggest that for 

daily users, including many dog 

walkers, an annual pass option would 

be appreciated. Black Park, run by 

SBDC, offers this option. Daily charges 

are £2.50 (recently increased to £3.50 

for weekends and bank holidays) but an 

annual pass of £45 is also available. 

Jeremy Beloff 

Riots Remembered 

Please pass on my sincere gratitude to 

Revd. Graham Saunders for his 

intelligent and insightful piece in the 

October edition. Living in such 

privileged surroundings, it is very easy 

to shake a disapproving fist at the 

criminal actions of those that took part 

in the unfortunate events without 

attempting to engage in the real debate 

of ‘why’. I am not a religious person, 

and if I am completely honest I began 

reading the article with slight 

trepidation, disposed as I am to hearing 

religious persons of popular standing 

providing, what is to my mind, rather 

23

eactionary analysis on contemporary 

issues. The brilliant final paragraph, 

challenging the reader to engage with 

the very framework of modern 

consumerist life – ‘Is it time to look at 

the way we live’ created much scope for 

further debate and thought both within 

and with friends. I live away from the UK 

and found watching London burn on TV 

deeply moving and upsetting. I am 

proud to have such a thought provoking 

and intelligent comments coming from 

the privileged community in which I was 

raised. 

Russell Coombes 

PARISH PATCH 

REFLECTIONS 

16 Years Of Progress 

I started writing my parish column in 

1996 after co-option to the parish 

council. Duncan Stewart was the 

council chairman and John Newton, 

magazine editor, succeeded in 2002 by 

John Winyard. Rev’d Michael Smith was 

rector with Rev’d Graham Saunders 

taking over as priest-in-charge in 2002. 

There have been many changes since, 

in the magazine committee, in the 

parish council and, of course, within the 

Farnhams. Inevitably there have been 

sad times with the death of several 

councillors, including Duncan Stewart, 

Frank Foulds, Douglas Churchman and 

Bryan Matthews, and happy times with 

the appointment of new and 

enthusiastic residents keen to become 

involved with the community. 

The role of parish clerk has changed, 

too, as we now have a parish office 

open to all when previously clerks 

worked from home. Over the past 

sixteen years the clerks – and there 

have been six – have been of particular 

help to me. The magazine, too, has 

changed and will doubtless change 

again in June 2012 when a new editor 

(yet to be announced) takes over from 

John. 

The parish column, which became 

Parish Patch, has recorded the many 

developments that have moved The 

Farnhams forward into the 21st century. 

The installation of the floodlights at 

Farnham Common Sports Club; the 

building of the MSA at Junction 2 of the 

M40 and the changes to the A355 

including traffic lights at One Pin Lane 

were all controversial items. 

Planning has always been the topic that 

raises the strongest feelings and since 

1996 there have been major 

developments at Cranwells Meadow 

and Devonshire Green, as well as a 

high degree of infill housing. The 

Broadway has changed dramatically 

with new office and retail buildings and 

the demise of some well-loved 

independent retailers yet the shopping 

area is very much holding its own. 

Two major supermarket outlets, a Costa 

coffee shop, a popular Italian 

restaurant, a gift and design shop and a 

24

With this voucher you can redeem 

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MOOREPilates offers: 

• 4 Week Introduction Matt Classes 

• Ongoing Matt Classes at beginners, 

intermediate and advanced levels 

• Pre/postnatal and Mother and Baby 

Classes 

• One to One Private Reformer Sessions 

MOOREPilates will help you to 

discover how you can: 

• sculpt your body 

• improve posture and alignment 

• look and feel better 

• slimmer and more toned with 

strength and flexibility 

For more information call Sam Moore on 

07715182474 or visit our website at 

www.moorepilates.co.uk 

You can find us at the West Wing Arts Centre, 

Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AY 

25

FROM THE REGISTERS (November & December 2011) 

Baptisms: 

St. Mary’s Hedgerley 

St. Mary’s Farnham Royal 

St. John’s Farnham Common 

Freya Sallie Clark 

Tommy Rokas Tinkler, Tula Bona Tinkler 

Isabel Xanthe Berry 

Matilda Rose Martin 

Dylan George Ketteley 

Ellie Catherine Andrews 

Harry Richard Provis 

Weddings: 

No Weddings were conducted in the United Benefice Churches during November and December 

2011 

Funerals: 

St. Mary’s Hedgerley 

Hazel Vincent 

Crematoria & Cemeteries: 

Freda Armstrong Peter Ball Charles Hall Maurice Cox 

At the Christening of Matilda Rose Martin are Revd. Gordon Briggs, who conducted 

the service at St Mary’s Church Farnham Royal on 27 th November. Holding a sleepy 

Matilda Rose is father Adrian Martin and wife Lisa. 

26

Attention To Detail 

NICEIC registered 

Domestic Electrical Installer 

All Domestic Electrical Works 

Wiring & Rewiring 

Extra Sockets & Lights 

Security & Outside Lighting 

Electric Showers 

Fans 

Bathroom & Shower Room 

Design & Fitting 

Plumbing 

Tiling 

Decorating 

References Available, Free Estimates And Brochures 

Telephone: 01753 574644 Mobile: 07774 718 376 

Email: a.td@hotmail.co.uk 

27

Sensational Food, Stylish 

Surroundings, Sensibly Priced 

Our New Menu 

Monday – Friday: £5 Lunch 

Daily changing menu 

Monday Nights: Pizza Night 

Our legendary homemade pizzas £6 

Tuesday Nights: Steak Night 

A selection of steaks from £10 

Relaxed Sundays 

The Emperor’s famous roast lunches 

two courses £12.95 

The Cherries, Beaconsfield Road, 

Farnham Common, Slough, SL2 3HU 

Tel: 01753 645908 Mobile: 07756 178170 

Email: martinpcox@hotmail.co.uk 

28

pre-loved fashion outlet have added 

much needed new life to the retail mix. 

In its outlook the parish council has 

always worked hard to be innovative 

and to ensure that it implements ideas 

that help improve the area for residents. 

The new playground at Farnham Royal 

and the introduction of floral 

decorations and Christmas decorations 

have been widely praised. 

The work put in by many people, 

including the police, to start a youth 

club to help encourage young people 

off the streets was a major topic in 

several issues of the magazine, as was 

the introduction of a conservation area 

in Farnham Royal. Carols on the Green, 

started in 2001 by Sally Goodman, has 

gone from strength to strength and is 

now a much loved community event at 

the start of the festive season. The 

Farnhams strength lies in its community 

and this was highlighted during the past 

year when the community orchard was 

planted, sponsored and supported by 

many local organisations. At the end of 

2011 the community formed a 

management committee, with Michael 

Mills as chairman, to take over the 

running of the Library which was 

threatened with closure due to cost 

savings by Bucks County Council. 

There’s been so much to write about 

that one column six times a year was 

hardly room enough to capture the spirit 

of the place in which we live. It has 

been a privilege to record all these 

events. I must give a big thank you to 

the editor and magazine committee for 

their support and to you, our readers, 

who have been so kind in your praise of 

Parish Patch. 

Diane Needham 

AND DIANE’S 

SUCCESSOR 

Reflecting Residents Views 

I have served three years on the Parish 

Council. I first moved to Farnham 

Common in my late teens, over 30 

years ago now, and after a spell living in 

London and getting married, moved 

back 15 years ago to restore a house in 

One Pin Lane. I am an architect and 

qualified last year as a commercial 

helicopter pilot arranging tours over the 

Capital. In my spare time I have a 

joinery workshop and together with 

Jane keep bees on a few sites in the 

village. 

29 

I joined the Parish Council with the

objective of promoting the 

comprehensive consultation of matters 

that affect Parishioners. This followed a 

period where, for one reason or another, 

I felt the views of residents were not 

being fully reflected. From my training I 

am particularly interested in the way 

that planning policy is changing and 

how this affects us all. 

One way to start some interaction in the 

villages, I thought, was the creation of 

the new Parish Council website. This 

launched in 2009. Disappointingly, 

however, the vibrant interaction through 

the forum has yet to materialise. 

Perhaps it is too time consuming for 

people to use, or maybe I am barking 

up the wrong tree. Maybe residents 

really have nothing on their mind and 

are happy with things in the Farnhams. 

If you think differently then visit the 

forum or come along to one of the 

council meetings. So, the website, 

Parish Patch and now we get even 

more up to date with our Facebook 

page. It is a promising year ahead! 

Trevor Clapp 

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION 

Armistice Report And Poppy Result 

The Armistice Day and Memorial 

Services went very well. A dull day for 

the 11th with 50-60 people on The 

Green and many came on to the Stag & 

Hounds for tea/coffee and biscuits, for 

which we thank the new landlord Alan 

for his hospitality. 

Alan refused our offer to pay for this and 

said it would be his own donation to the 

Legion. It was nice to see youngsters 

from the nearby nursery laying their 

crosses, but I would like to see them 

earlier to play a full part in the 

proceedings. Hedgerley had a 

congregation of well over 100 on the 

Sunday including Scouts and Beavers, 

all very smart when lining up outside 

the church in the winter sunshine. Our 

trumpeter was very good and I 

understand she is the daughter of the 

lady who played last year. Farnham 

Common also saw a good congregation 

and a trumpeter to play the Last Post 

and Reveille. I have been advised that 

the two week Poppy Collection figure 

raised by our three villages was 

£16,111.87, just a little short of 2010 

but still a magnificent sum. Well done, 

Cherry and David, his various helpers, 

pubs, offices, shops, etc. and all 

collectors who went door to door. 

The really good news is that David 

Marriott will still be assisting us on the 

Poppy Appeal for 2012, with perhaps 

the help of a small committee, along 

with his wife Cherry. Stoke Poges 

contributed £5,000 and once the shops 

are completed even this figure will be 

passed. We have had our AGM and 

there are no changes in Committee and 

Officers. Stamps have been coming in 

regularly - once again we thank Minesh 

at the Londis shop for accepting them 

for the Legion. Now for 2012. The 

Annual Dinner, the first item for which 

notices will soon be sent, is on February 

25th. A Happy New Year to you all. 

John Cooper 

30

JACKIE’S COOK BOOK 

Di Ball’s Goulash Soup 

When we ski in Austria I can guarantee Johnny will have goulash soup every 

lunchtime - he loves it! This recipe is the nearest I've found to the authentic 

taste of the Austrian version! Serves 6 - 8 

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 tbsp. oil 

• 2 tbsp. butter 

• 2 Ibs. lean casserole steak, cut into small cubes 

• Salt & pepper 

• 2 medium onions 

• 1 green pepper (chopped fine) 

• 3 garlic cloves (minced) 

• 2 tablespoons sweet paprika 

• 1 16 oz. can plum tomatoes (blended in blender) 

• 1/4 tsp. caraway seeds 

• 1 bay leaf 

• 2 pints beef stock 

• 8 fl. Oz. water (boiling) 

• 2 medium potatoes (finely diced) 

• 2 large carrots (finely diced) 

• Sour cream for serving (but not necessary) 

METHOD: 

Heat oil & butter in pan until hot. Season beef with salt & pepper. Brown in small 

batches and remove from pan. Reduce heat to low. Add onions, green pepper and 

garlic and cook slowly for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add paprika and 

cook another 2 minutes. Return beef to pot, add remaining ingredients. Bring to 

boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 - 1 1/2 hours until beef is tender - 

adjust seasoning. The soup is much better if made a day in advance and some 

people put a few squeezes of lemon juice. When serving add a swirl of sour cream. 

Jackie’s Cookbook is a tribute to an extraordinary career in catering and proceeds from its sale go to Oxford 

Radcliffe Leukaemia Research. The broad range of recipes presented, covering soups, starters, snacks, salads, 

main courses, desserts, cakes and cookies also makes an interesting insight into the informal, the 

international and family lifestyles of the 21st century Farnham Commoner and Royalist. Ideal for all with 

an interest in food and its preparation. If you would like a copy and help raise funds for Leukaemia 

research just send a cheque for £10 per copy, payable to Mr S Smith, and mail to the same name, 

29 Mayflower Way, Farnham Common, SL2 3TU with your full name and address. You may also email 

JackiesCookBook@casanovanora.co.uk 

31

OPEN SPACES, OPEN MINDS 

Going Away And Coming Back 

I don’t know about you but going away 

on holiday is one of the highlights of the 

year. I’ve just returned from a break with 

‘She who must be obeyed’, and ‘She 

who must be obeyed junior’. 

However, it often seems like such hard 

work getting ready to go. The problems 

start with getting the suitcases out of 

the loft. They seem to always be stored 

in the most inaccessible place at the 

back, just past the bag of books from 

my schooldays which I will never look at 

again, but at the same time I can’t bring 

myself to throw away. 

Once the suitcases have been 

extricated Houdini style, the elaborate 

game that is ‘packing to go on holiday’ 

begins. It’s the usual affair. 

Me: socks, boxers, t-shirts, jeans, 

jumpers, trunks, 2 pairs of shoes, done. 

Wife: outfit in case it’s hot / cold / mild / 

rain / snow / fog / posh / informal / nice 

restaurant / matching shoes / bag / 

jewellery / hair straightners, (even I 

know about the hair straightners)! And 

then there is packing for our 2-year-old 

daughter. 

Me: Er she’ll need some clothes and 

maybe a coat 

Wife: Pretty outfits, her special teddy, 

her special blanket, her special 

nightdress, something for the car 

journey, something to help her sleep in 

an unfamiliar bed, and every medicine 

known to man. 

When this assault on the suitcases 

begins I get the honour of lugging what 

appears to be three times my own body 

weight down two flights of stairs 

accompanied only by helpful cries from 

the wife of ‘Mind the paintwork’! 

Then, just as I think we are done, I get 

the dreadful news I hear every time we 

go on holiday. “Right” (Whenever a 

sentence begins with “right” I know the 

next hour of my life is taken), “We need 

to clean the house from top to bottom, 

there is nothing worse than coming 

home from holiday to an untidy house”. 

I briefly consider saying, well actually I 

can think of several things, not least 

having to clean a house from top to 

bottom when you are exhausted and 

just want to go on holiday, but I see the 

look of determination in her lovely eyes 

and my finely honed self-defence 

mechanism kicks in. 

Well, we finally got away, and had a 

tremendous time, and I must confess it 

was equally lovely to come home to a 

tidy house. Now I just need to put the 

suitcases in the loft, probably best if I 

put them out of the way at the back . . . 

Jon Morris 

32

FARNHAMS FUSION 

All Those Interesting Bits That 

Make A Really Fine Brew 

Congratulations to Mrs Eileen Eames of 

Devonshire Green in Farnham Royal 

whose correct entry received for this 

year’s Ansell Prize Crossword was the 

first to be received from amongst those 

submitted. A cheque for £25, 

sponsored by Ridgwell Windows & 

Conservatories, is on its way to Eileen. 

Naomi Arnold, reports Farnhams 

Webzine’s new Sales and Wants 

Page. The increasingly popular and 

much visited Farnhams’ Webzine is 

now offering yet another service to 

Villagers with the launch of its ‘Sales 

and Wants’ page. Along with local 

news, community information, 

restaurant comments, events, and local 

life details - now Villagers can post 

details of any items for disposal, either 

‘looking for a good home’ (namely free 

of charge), or for a quoted price, and – 

at the same time – items wanted can be 

listed as well. 

This service will not only help Villagers, 

but also save on landfill too, as 

unwanted items may now find new 

homes, and not have to be disposed of 

as rubbish. All that is needed is to fill in 

the form on the ‘Sales and Wants’ page 

of the Webzine, www.farnhamsweb 

zine.org.uk Couldn’t be simpler. 

Ruth Potts invites you to The Third 

Age Lunch Club, great medicine to 

chase away those post Christmas 

blues. Meetings at the Brian Jubb Hall, 

Victoria Road, Farnham Common on 

the first Wednesday of each month at 

12.45pm for a 1.00pm start. 

A light lunch (costing £2.50) is served, 

and is followed by a talk. The next 

meeting is on February 1st when 

Richard Mills will talk on the subject ’30 

years under several Dr Who’s’. If you 

survive Richard’s Daleks then the diary 

dates for future meetings are on March 

7th and April 4th. 

Remember the Charles Warner 

Memorial Trust (Registered Charity 

Number 284232) helps young people 

further their education and careers 

by providing financial support to help 

educational pursuits. This includes the 

provision of tools, instruments or books, 

to undertake travel and generally 

prepare for and enter a profession, 

trade, occupation or service. 

Applicants for 2012 Awards can apply 

to the trustees to be considered for an 

award if you live, work or go to school in 

Farnham Common, Farnham Royal, 

Britwell or the parish of St Michael’s 

Whitby Road, Slough. The upper age 

limit is 25 on May 1st 2011. The closing 

date for applications is March 31st 

2011. Enquiries for donations and 

applications to Mrs Olive Craddock, 37 

Ingleglen, Farnham Common, Slough, 

SL2 3QA 

Slough Rotary Club are thrilled 

to announce the launch of two 

quite different entities. First their 

new website, to be found at 

www.sloughrotary.org.uk Under the 

overall theme of ‘opening doors’ the site 

welcomes businesses, families and 

individuals to come in and find out what 

35

Rotary is all about and what the Slough 

club has to offer. Businesses are 

encouraged to participate in the club’s 

activities in supporting the community 

and charity work as sponsors. 

Families and individuals are invited to 

join in the many and varied social and 

other functions organised by the club 

and the door is open should you be 

considering helping or joining as a 

member. Also in December Slough 

Rotary opened their first shop, right in 

the centre of Slough High Street 

(opposite the cinema and adjacent to 

River Island). And what is the shop for 

You may ask, not to sell but to give 

away books. Do take a look next time in 

Slough you are bound to come away 

with something of interest and value. 

We are delighted to welcome Barry & 

Vicky Thompson as the new pastors 

at The Community Church (which 

meets at Farnham Common Infant 

School every Sunday morning at 

10.15am). They have a young son 

Josiah and have been Assistant Pastors 

in a church in N Yorkshire for the past 

ten years. They are looking forward to 

living and working in Farnham Common 

and being actively involved in the local 

community. 

They will join Caroline Bunclark 

(Children’s and Family Worker) on the 

staff team. The Community Church run 

a number of activities in the village - for 

more information contact the Church 

office in Ashley House, The Broadway, 

FC or visit www.farnhamsandhedgerley 

.2day.ws 

Further to our announcement in the 

December Farnhams magazine that 

John Winyard is stepping down as 

Editor following the April 2012 issue 

we are making good progress 

towards filling the vacancy. Already a 

new Editor has been appointed 

commencing with the April issue 

2013. This leaves us with five issues 

from June this year to next April to 

arrange cover. Two years ago, 

anticipating the challenge of filling 

this IMPORTANT VOLUNTARY 

COMMUNITY ROLE for the 

Farnhams the Editorial Board 

introduced two additional positions, 

that of News Editor and Features 

Editor, reporting to the Editor. The 

position of Features Editor has also 

been filled for the 5-issue 

interregnum. So, two rather exciting 

roles remain, that of Editor, running 

the show and liaising with the printer, 

and that of Editing the news pages 

(about 50% of the book). Each is for 

a fixed term, the 10 month 

interregnum. It would be most helpful 

if these roles could be filled in time to 

publish the April 2012 edition, which 

commences February 27th. In this 

way, full training will be provided by 

John, who will also be available for 

consultation throughout the period. 

Applications are now sought for 

these two posts, which could be 

handled by the same person. For 

further information and job 

description please talk in the first 

instance with Graham, Email: 

revghs@gmail.com and Tel: 643233. 

Editor 

36

Bucks Home Library Service volunteers, who keep Buckinghamshire’s housebound readers 

supplied with books, were presented with an ‘Ulverscroft Foundation Certificate of Merit’ lst 

November to mark at least a decade of delivering books. Pictured is Farnham Royal’s Shirley 

Woelfell (second from right) a volunteer since 2001 and WRVS member since 1974, who 

visits 3 people in Farnham Common & Hedgerley. The Home Library Service is run in 

partnership between WRVS and Bucks County Council. 

Outside The Broadway’s latest retail premises, White Ribbons, is the launch party Pat 

Manning, Amanda Craddock, Gerry Lejeune, Llyn Kalinowski and store manager David 

Macklin. White Ribbons is the fundraising outlet for Berkshire East and South Bucks 

Women’s Aid, the charity which helps victims of domestic violence and abuse. The opening 

was accompanied by a £2000 cheque presented to the charity from Slough Rotary Club. 

37

NEWS FLASH 

Now doing 

Motorbike MOT 

tests by appointment 

38

The Farnhams Magazine 

All New BIFF Directory 

Free with the February 2012 Issue 

BIFF ‘Buy in FC and FR’ celebrates our local businesses and services and 

acknowledges that some of the very best suppliers are on our doorstep. A drive to 

Slough, Beaconsfield or Gerrards Cross and back can be 10 miles ‘on the clock’ or £5 on 

your shopping budget before you start. It’s all here, just for the looking and what fun 

it is discovering just what a friendly and knowledgeable bunch our local suppliers are. 

Farnham Common, Farnham Royal and Hedgerley – all you need just where you need it. 

To update your entry or add a new one, it is a free service, go to 

www.farnhamswebzine.org.uk or email our Directory Editor, at: 

linda@lsomerville.eclipse.co.uk 

The BIFF Directory is published in the August and February issues of The Farnhams 

magazine. The Directory in the webzine, www.farnhamswebzine.org.uk is always up 

to date and contains additional information. 

POLICE 

Thames Valley Police 999 Use only in cases of emergency 

Burnham Police Station – Call Centre 08458 505 505 

Stomp Road, Burnham, SL1 7LP Open Mon – Fri 9.00-16.00 

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 to anonymously make a report 

LIBRARY - Victoria Road, FC 0845 230 3232 

(www.buckscommunitylibraries.org/farnham-common) 

Monday 

Closed 

Tuesday 9.30 – 19.00 

Wednesday 

Closed 

Thursday 9.30 – 17.00 

Friday 

Closed 

Saturday 9.30 - 13.00 

HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND RECYCLING CENTRE 

Crow Piece Lane, Burnham Tel: 01296 382307 

08.00-18.00 during British Summer Time/08.00-17.00 during British Winter Time Closed 

25th and 26th December, and 1st January 

PETROL STATION - HUGHES OF FARNHAM COMMON - 01753 609595 

07.00 - 21.00 Mon – Sat 08.00 - 21.00 Sun 

POSTING TIMES – FINAL COLLECTIONS 

Farnham Common Post Office M-F 17.00 Sat 12.30 

Hedgerley Post Office M-F 17.15 Sat 12.00 

Wellington Street, Slough M-F 19.30 Sat 13.00 

VILLAGE HALLS 

Farnham Common Village Hall Marilyn Rolfe 07736 890877 

Brian Jubb Hall, Victoria Rd, FC Richard Try 01753 662938 

Emily Jubb Hall, Rectory Close, FR Marie Edwards 01753 648115 

Farnham Royal Village Hall Richard Westover 01753 646952 

Hedgerley Memorial Hall, Kiln Lane Sue Livingston 01753 647227 

Hedgerley Scout Hut, Hedgerley Hill Mark Broadgate 01753 643119 

Hedgerley Youth Club Hut, Hedgerley Hill Nicola Morgan 01753 891480 

St Anthony's School Hall, FR School Office 01753 645828 

39

CHURCH INFORMATION 

THE UNITED BENEFICE OF FARNHAM ROYAL WITH HEDGERLEY 

ST MARY’S FARNHAM ROYAL 

08:00 am HOLY COMMUNION (2nd & 4th Sundays) 

11:00 am PARISH COMMUNION 

11:00 am FAMILY EUCHARIST (3rd Sunday) 

ST JOHN’S FARNHAM COMMON 

08:00 am HOLY COMMUNION (1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays) 

09:30 am PARISH EUCHARIST (Sunday School) 

ST MARY’S HEDGERLEY 

11:00 am PARISH EUCHARIST (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th Sundays) 

11:00 am FAMILY PRAISE (4th Sunday, except Easter, August and Harvest) 

ST MARY’S HEDGEHOGS TODDLERS GROUP–Thurs in termtime 9:45 at Scout HQ 

CLERGY 

The Revd Graham Saunders The Rectory, Victoria Rd, FC 643233 

The Revd Gordon Briggs 52 Freemans Close, Stoke Poges. 662536 

The Revd Helen Chamberlain 18 Frensham Walk, FC 646380 

The Revd Jan Clark 55 Cranwells Lane, FC 646546 

Church Office St John’s Vestry, Victoria Rd, FC 644130 

Open Usually Wednesdays 9.30 a.m – 12.30 pm 

Email: office@unitedbenefice.demon.co.uk 

Website: www.farnhamroyalchurches.org.uk 

For enquiries about Baptisms, Banns, Weddings, etc, please make an 

appointment with The Revd Graham Saunders 

Church Wardens 

St Mary’s Farnham Royal 

St John’s Farnham Common 

Mr Innocent Shams 574877 Mrs Charlotte Morrison 882588 

Mrs Pat Briggs 662536 Mr Richard Try 07881 903817 

FARNHAMS AND HEDGERLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH 

Sundays: 10:30 at FC Infants School – Inquiries: Jonathan Dobbs 646577 

Fridays: 10-11:30 am ‘Popin’ for parents and toddlers - FC Village Hall 

Children’s and Families Inquiries: Caroline Bunclark 07901 001 578 

ST ANTHONY’S FARNHAM ROYAL 

Mass: Saturdays 6:30pm Sundays 8:00am and 10:15 am 

Inquiries to Father Richard Moroney 643320 

FREE METHODIST CHAPEL 

Sunday Gospel Service 6:00 pm Prayer Time 7:45 pm Tuesdays 

Inquiries to Alan W Gaskell, Stand-by and Lay Preacher 645368 

40

Sainsburys Local The Broadway, FC 01753 648509 

Tesco Express The Broadway, FC 01753 648534 

Londis Hedgerley Hill, Hedgerley 01753 643086 

Londis Farnhams Pump, FR 01753 643189 

Hairdressers: 

Anbers The Broadway, FC 01753 643259 

Blank Canvas The Broadway, FC 01753 645992 

Farnham Common Barbers The Broadway, FC 07826 787727 

Marino FR 01753 526662 

Home Interiors/Gifts: 

The Handyman The Broadway, FC 01753 644961 

Aztec Tiles The Broadway, FC 01753 646077 

Home and Interiors The Broadway, FC 01753 644961 

Ivory White The Broadway, FC 01753 644925 

Kitchen Art The Broadway, FC 01753 646631 

Lyttons Furnishings Hedgerley 01753 648899 

Home & Pet Sitting Farnham Home Services 01753 644992 

Solicitors: 

Charles Coleman Windsor - Charles R Mitchell 01753 861115 

Chebsey & Co Beaconsfield and Burnham 01494 670440 

Newsagents: 

Farnham Royal News 5-6 North Cottages, FR 01753 644186 


Party Planning/Catering: 

Bounce Krazee 01494 464902 

Catering by truly Scrumptions Ltd Tania Percy 01753 648307 

Personalised Chocolate Bars Taylor made wrappers 07596 890183 

Pest Control Pest Control Bucks 01753 643799 

07505 961901 

Picture Framing R Abrahams Home and Interiors, FC 07712 841248 

Plumber & Heating Engineer Fred Harrod 01753 662414 

07860 235004 

Gas Safe Bucks 01494 874211 

Post Office: 

FC Post Office The Broadway, FC 01753 644160 


Property Services: 

Garden Maintenance and General Jobs Steve Neale 01753 644129 

07885 522369 

Clearplan Project Management Nicky Bryden 01923 896550 

Jumar House and Garage Clearance 01753 644831 

07919 155666 

Templewood Security Systems Ltd 01753 648330 

Specialist Sports - Apex Sports FC - Mike Baldock 01753 647339 

DMN Ski + Sportswear Dave Newcombe 07944 543340 

SPORT & FITNESS 

Avenue Badminton, FC Village Hall Gill Favelessa 01753 643639 

Beeches Badminton, FC Village Hall Roy Jackson 01753 643724 

Coronets Badminton, FC Village Hall Mrs J Hann 01753 645684 

Tuesday Badminton, FC Village Hall Penny Robinson 01753 645382 

Annabelle Watson School of Dance FR Village Hall 01753 646368 

07818 414404 

Ondine Academy of Dance Miss Peta Barrett 01494 874721 

Burnham Beeches Golf Club Burnham Beeches 01628 661448 

Farnham Park Golf Club Park Road, Stoke Poges 01753 647065 

Stoke Park Country Club Park Road, Stoke Poges 01753 717171 

DonSai Karate, FC Village Hall Jimmy Liang 01753 644348 

41

Unity Martial Arts Academy Farnham Park Playing Field 07721 410526 

World Shotokan Karate Federation FC Village Hall 01753 671965 

Farnham Common Sports Club One Pin Lane - Clare Jewson 01753 669132 

FC Cricket Club One Pin Lane-Scott Wilcox 01753 642529 

Yoga with Tessa 01753 642823 

La Bicyclette Ltd 07514 412986 

South Bucks Hockey One Pin Lane - Steve Reeves 07525 652601 

FC Tennis Club One Pin Lane - Darren Monteiro 07970 762326 

Drifters Rugby Club One Pin Lane - Roger Ellis 07768 551048 

FC Squash Club One Pin Lane - Dave Norton 01753 645860 

Fitness / Activity Studio One Pin Lane - Paul Kallipetis 01753 643423 

Hatha Yoga Classes FC Sports Club 07590 679090 

Farnham Royal Cricket Club Ian Pulsford 01753 642971 

Farnham Royal Rugby Football Club Farnham Park, Richard Thomas 07813 123355 

JAWS Joggers & Wheelers David Griffiths 01753 648588 

FC Short Mat Bowls, FC Village Hall Rosemary Followell 01753 644189 

Special Needs Playground Rosemary Peters 01753 642515 

TRAVEL/TOURISM/LEISURE 

Slough Observer Slough - Newsroom 01753 523355 

Bekonscot Model Village and Railway Beaconsfield 01494 672919 

Legoland Windsor 0871 2222 001 

Windsor Castle Windsor 020 7766 7300 

Carousel Buses Ltd High Wycombe 01494 533436 

YOUTH GROUPS 

The Farnhams Youth Club Brian Jubb Hall, FC - Joe Case 01753 741684 

07948 623858 

Hedgerley Youth Club Debbie Anstey 01753 646813 

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts Phil Anstey 01753 646813 

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides Marilyn Johnson 01753 646890 

Deton8 for Teenagers David Mayhew 01753 642251 

Energise for 5-11's David Mayhew 01753 642251 

CLUBS/SOCIETIES/ VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS 

Bridge FCSC - Paul Taylor 01753 643285 

Burnham Beeches Radio Club Mr D Chislett 01628 625720 

Hedgerley Historial Society Secretary - John Lovelock 01753 647187 

Hedgerley WI Jenny Harper-Jones 01753 643872 

Horticultural Society & Village Show John Conen 01753 645880 

Rotary Club of Burnham Beeches Michael Brining 01628 661586 

Rotary Club of Slough Brian Westwood 01753 883505 

The Lions Club of Burnham John Shephard 01753 642741 

Beekeeping Michael Sheasby 01753 642656 

Hedgerley Conservation Volunteers Secretary - John Lovelock 01753 647187 

Voluntary Service Scheme Mrs Olive Craddock 01753 642841 

Friends of Southmead Surgery Susan Phipps 01753 647310 

Labour Party Miss M France 01753 643455 

The Conservative Association David Armitage 01753 644161 

UKIP Peter Price 01753 642677 

PROBUS Richard Mills 01753 645675 

Royal British Legion, FC Branch Mr Alan Bones 01753 644093 

Mothers' Union,Memorial Hall,Hedgerley Mary Lane 01753 646926 

Mums and Toddlers Group Colleen Mayhew 01753 642251 

Stoke Poges Photographic Club John Archibald 01753 642515 

Templewood WI Rosemary Followell 01753 644189 

Trefoil Guild Mary Lane 01753 646926 

Third Age Luncheon Janet Mace 01753 645438 

42

Local Tables and New Landlord. 

Above is the ‘bright, smart and 

homely’ interior of the Black 

Horse at Fulmer, see Peter 

Whittle’s review on facing page. 

Opposite is Alan Thomas, new 

Landlord at Farnham Common’s 

Stag & Hounds PH for the last 

five months, drawing a well-kept 

pint. Alan has been in the public 

house trade for 25 years and 

previously held a tenancy in 

Alsford near Winchester. This 

popular hostelry is now 

benefitting from Alan’s 

introduction of a games room 

with Pool, Darts (the new Darts 

team had its first match in early 

January) and a Juke Box. And 

there are more changes to come 

when brewers Greene King 

complete the refitting of the 

kitchen with pub food on offer as 

well as reintroducing the famous 

Tuesday night Fish & Chips 

special. The Farnhams magazine 

will let you know when the 

kitchen is open for business. 

44

LOCAL TABLES 

The Black Horse, Fulmer 

The Black Horse in Fulmer was once a 

pub. Externally it still looks like a pub 

but that is to mislead. In its latest 

incarnation it is primarily a restaurant 

and a very good restaurant. It is 

definitely not a pub with grub nor a 

gastro pub. This is a proper restaurant 

with much to offer - it just happens to be 

in a pub. 

The decor is bright, smart but homely. 

The staff are welcoming, friendly and 

pleasant. The restaurant suggests care 

and attention to detail: every table was 

laid with table decorations and lit 

candles at the (early) start of service on 

the Friday night we visited the place. 

But the star of the show is the food. The 

menu concentrates on seasonal 

produce, with some novel twists. The 

portions are generous and well 

presented but the focus is, rightly, on 

taste. Robust, full flavours were evident 

in each of the courses. 

Mussels with chilli were excellent but be 

warned that if your idea of spicy food is 

a dash of black pepper then this is not 

for you. The bubble and squeak with 

poached egg and hollandaise sauce 

may be more to your liking. This was 

very good but you will need a hearty 

appetite to demolish two other courses 

after such a starter. 

reasonable in breadth and, by most 

standards, reasonably priced. The 

range of wines by the glass (175 ml and 

250 ml) is commendably large. It is easy 

to choose something to suit most 

tastes, pockets and to drive responsibly. 

There is also a good range of draft 

beers on offer, harking back to the 

restaurant's roots. 

The dessert menu is very tempting with 

interesting improvisations on familiar 

classics but pace yourself if you want to 

indulge fully! 

The Black Horse has an informative 

web site complete with menus. It is 

worth looking at as the menu changes 

with the seasons. You will see that the 

restaurant is part of a group with four 

other establishments within about 10 

miles of Farnham Common. However 

this in no way feels as if it is part of a 

formulaic chain. 

It is a fine art to bring all the elements of 

quality, taste, service and value for 

money into one pleasing restaurant 

experience. The Black Horse achieves 

this and its appearance in the 2012 

Good Pub Guide is justly deserved - 

even if, in my view, it is really a 

restaurant! 

Peter Whittle 

Our mains were partridge and beef. 

Both were excellent - good quality 

produce, prepared with care. Prices are 

mid-market and represent good value 

for what is offered. The wine list is 

45

COMMUNITY 

LIBRARY UPDATE 

More Volunteers, Extended Opening 

Hours, New Patron 

The Library has enjoyed great success 

since opening last October, with well 

over 200 “Friends” signed up and more 

than 30 volunteers manning the counter 

and helping with other tasks. Opening 

hours were extended last October to 

allow earlier opening and continued 

availability through the lunch hour, but 

now the Management Committee are 

delighted to announce that we will be 

open on Friday mornings from 9.30am 

to 1.00pm, starting on 24th February. 

This has been made possible by the 

support of volunteers, our lifeblood who 

are building a strong team able to help 

and support each other. The full 

opening hours are conveniently shown 

on the cover page of the new BIFF 

Directory (see Page 39). 

The following interview with Judith 

Broadgate explains what volunteering 

with FCCL is all about. Judith has lived 

in Farnham Common since 1976 and 

has been a volunteer since the Library 

converted to Community status. 

Q. What does being a volunteer 

involve 

A. I do two or three shifts per month, 

usually on a Tuesday but 

sometimes on other days. I’ve 

46 

been trained to use the systems 

and can manage issues, returns, 

reservations and most of the other 

queries that our users have. 

Q. Why did you become a volunteer 

A. As I have brought up children and 

been a teacher, I believe in the 

importance of a library to our 

village. It fulfils a crucial role in our 

community and I did not want to 

see it disappear. 

Q. How have you found being a 

volunteer 

A. I love it! It has been challenging in 

some ways that I hadn’t expected, 

but it’s also been really interesting 

and enjoyable. The challenges are 

that there’s always something 

different to deal with but it’s really 

good meeting interesting people of 

all ages and feeling that you are 

making a difference. 

As 2011 drew to a close, the 

Management Committee reflected on 

all that had been achieved in a really 

busy and successful year. As a 

community we saved the Library from 

closure, rallied considerable support 

from residents and businesses, had a 

highly successful opening and kept the 

Library running smoothly. We had 

several successful fundraising activities 

and have generated sufficient initial 

funds to become a registered charity. At 

a Christmas event for volunteers and 

distributors chairman Michael Mills 

expressed heartfelt thanks to all who 

contributed in any way. He also 

announced that Johnny Ball, who 

officially opened the Library, has kindly 

agreed to become Honorary Patron. 

This means that Johnny is giving his 

name and support to the Library and 

Cont’d on page 51

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that – ensuring you get the lawn 

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four seasonal treatments 

professional long life feeds 

specialist weed & moss control 

aeration & scarification service 

Our service takes the guesswork 

out of improving your lawn 

For your assessment and quote 

call Robert Southerden 

01753 642443 

CARING 

I am offering a caring service 

to senior citizens to provide 

daytime assistance in the home. 

Duties could include washing, 

cooking, cleaning, shopping etc. 

I have many years experience of 

this type of work and references 

are available. 

Hourly rates negotiable. 

Phone Iga on: 

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47

MASSAGE, AROMATHERAPY 

AND INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE 

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FACIAL REFLEXOLOGY 

TO RESTORE BALANCE TO THE BODY 

can be beneficial for many conditions, including: 

STRESS • HEADACHES 

BACK & NECK PAIN 

ARTHRITIS • FACIAL TENSION • PMT 

MENOPAUSE • INSOMNIA 

Based in Farnham Common and mobile 

Over 10 years of experience 

JULIA 

Tel: 01753 646 521 Mob: 07740 429 061 

www.facialreflexology.com 

Member of the Federation 

of Holistic Health Therapists 

48

Distributors and Contributors Party. This year’s 

annual party for the Farnhams magazine took 

place on Saint Nicholas Day, 6th December. 

Saint Nicholas’ reputation is as a bringer of gifts 

especially secret gift-giving, such as putting 

coins in the shoes of those who left them out for 

him, and thus became the model for Santa 

Claus. So the Farnhams magazine celebrated the 

feast day with a grand buffet lunch and 

everyone received two presents, a chocolate 

Santa Claus and a Christmas tree bauble 

depicting the saint in traditional long white 

beard and red cloak. Pictured left is the St 

Nicholas stained glass window in the south wall 

of St John’s and above are some of the guests. 

Top shows editor, John Winyard with Revd. 

Helen Chamberlain and Revd. Graham Saunders. 

Centre, Barbara Steadman, John Elliott, Pat 

Luscombe, Barrie Luscombe, Michael Lowton 

and Keith Anthony. Above, Dorothy Fraser, 

Naomi Arnold, Melody Giblett, Ruth Potts, 

Marjorie Mabbott and Pat Campbell. 

49

Top picture, some of the nearly 50 guests at this year’s magazine distributors and 

contributors party and above, the happy Christening group for Dylan George Ketteley 

after his baptism at St Mary’s church, Farnham Royal. With Revd. Gordon Briggs are, l to 

r, Alison Lygo (Godmother), Michelle Rees (Godmother), Ryan Dempsey (Godfather), dad 

Matthew Ketteley holding Dylan, Alex Jones (Godfather & Uncle), mum Ceril Ketteley and 

Erran Morris (Godmother & Aunty) 

Two images of 

youngster David Moore 

reflecting on the new 

Open Door service at St 

John’s Wizard! See 

dad, Andrew’s article 

on page 63. 

50

will continue to be involved in 

fundraising and other events. As 

Michael said, “We are delighted that 

Johnny has agreed to continue his 

support. He is a very well-known and 

respected personality and entertainer, 

as well as being a long-standing 

resident. We are sure that his support 

will help us to maintain the momentum 

from our very successful few months as 

a Community Library”. 

2012 promises to be exciting for FCCL 

with many activities and events 

planned, including guest authors, 

fundraising events, closer liaison with 

local schools and Farnhams Open 

Gardens Day proceeds going to the 

Library. If you would like to help support 

FCCL in any way please drop in or call 

Michael Mills on 642330. 

Maria Hall 

On Wednesday 15th February 2012 

Julian Hunt makes a welcome return to 

present The Gerrards Cross 

Conservation Area. 

In October 2003, the Bucks 

Archaeological Society held its Annual 

History Conference. The highlight of 

the day was a guided tour of Gerrards 

Cross. At the Summer School in August 

2004, a day school on the history of 

Gerrards Cross was given by Julian. 

From this emerged a group determined 

to celebrate the centenary of the 

coming of the railway in 1906 with an 

exhibition and a new book on the town. 

The group found that some of the 

houses were designed by well-known 

architects such as Bailie Scott, P. 

Morley Horder, Forbes & Tate and 

Edgar Ranger. They also discovered 

that other houses were planned by 

excellent local architects such as 

Burgess, Holden & Watson and Robert 

G. Muir. Many of these were built by Y.J. 

Lovell and Son, whose houses featured 

year after year at the Ideal Home 

Exhibition. 

The group were keenly aware of the 

planning crisis facing Gerrards Cross 

where soaring land values were 

causing developers to demolish the 

very houses which were making it so 

attractive. During the preparation of the 

exhibition, several fine houses were 

lost, to be replaced by flats or houses of 

little architectural merit. Following the 

success of the exhibition, South Bucks 

District Council brought forward its 

review of the Gerrards Cross 

Conservation Area. 

The result was the designation of a new 

Centenary Conservation Area which 

includes about 500 Edwardian houses 

on Bulstrode Way Packhorse Road and 

Orchehill Avenue. 

Julian Hunt was born in Worcestershire 

and joined the staff of Birmingham 

Reference Library in 1968. His first 

book, Arriving at Dinas Mawddwy, 

dealing with the impact of an English 

landlord on a Welsh village, was 

published in 1973. In 1976, he became 

Local Studies Librarian in Oldham, 

51

Lancashire, where he was co-author of 

The Cotton Mills of Oldham, now in its 

third edition. He moved to Aylesbury in 

1988 to become Buckinghamshire’s 

first Local Studies Librarian. When the 

Local Studies Library became part of 

Buckinghamshire’s County Record 

Office in 1997, Julian planned the 

refurbishment which resulted in its 

re-opening as the Centre for 

Buckinghamshire Studies in 2001. 

The following year, Julian became the 

County’s ‘Heritage Manager’, looking 

after the Centre for Buckinghamshire 

Studies and the County Museum. 

Our 2012 Harry Kirby Memorial Lecture 

(in memory of our Founder) will be held 

on Wednesday 21st March 2012 when 

Professor Peter Edwards will present 

Cultural Icons or Beasts of Burden – 

Horses in Early Modern England. 

Peter Edwards is Professor of Early 

Modern British Social History at 

Roehampton University and has written 

extensively on the multi-functional role 

of horses in pre-modern society. His 

publications include The Horse Trade of 

Tudor and Stuart England and Horse 

and Man in Early Modern England. 

In specific articles and chapters he has 

focused on the marketing of horses and 

on their training and treatment, as well 

as on the use of horses in warfare, 

industry and agriculture, for recreational 

purposes and as icons. 

When, according to Shakespeare, 

Richard III pleaded for 'a horse! a 

horse! my kingdom for a horse!' he 

clearly had a practical use for it. And it 

is true: horses in pre-industrial England 

did have a utilitarian function. People 

rode on them or used them to move 

loads and provide the muscle power to 

drive machinery. They were the 'internal 

combustion engine' of the premotorised 

age. However, horses, alone 

among working animals (with the 

possible exception of dogs), were not 

solely judged in practical terms. 

Possession conferred status and this 

imbued horses with an iconic 

significance. 

Non material considerations particularly 

interested the upper classes, for whom 

the ownership of a string of horses, 

each with their designated, often nonfunctional, 

role, allowed them publicly to 

display their wealth and standing. 

Future events: Wednesday 18th April. 

John Chapman presents a talk on The 

Great Western Railway comes to the 

Thames Valley. Saturday 28th April. 

Julie Summers presents ‘Everest needs 

you Mr Irvine’, bringing alive one of the 

most exciting stories linked to Mount 

Everest at a time when the conquest of 

the mountain represented the last, 

great challenge of exploration. 

Monthly Meetings of Hedgerley 

Historical Society take place at 

Hedgerley Memorial Hall, Kiln Lane 

Hedgerley at 8pm and visitors are most 

welcome. 

Further details from me on 647187 and 

at jdlovelock@btinternet.com 

John Lovelock 

52

Do you know someone 

who needs care 

Our Farnham team offers specialist 

Live-in Care, enabling those who wish to 

remain within the comfort of their own 

home the opportunity to do so. 

Giving one-to-one support our Live-in Carers are 

able to balance independent living with bespoke 

care needs by assisting with: 

• personal care • companionship • housekeeping 

Our award-winning service is rated Excellent by the Care Quality Commission. 

Find out how we can help you, 

please call 0808 180 1023 or 

visit www.helpinghands.co.uk 

Established since 1989 

54

55 

Scenes from 

Farnham Common 

Infants School 

nativity play. The 

whole performance 

was carried out 

using colourful 

puppets that the 

pupils had prepared 

themselves – 

Wizard.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

The Annual General Meeting will be 

held on Tues 15 May 2012 at 8.00pm in 

Farnham Common Village Hall. Your 

attendance at the AGM is crucial 

because the main item on the agenda 

will be the future of the Society. With 

membership falling and support for 

events dwindling it is essential that we 

have the views of as many members as 

possible represented at the AGM. 

There will also be the usual glass of 

refreshment to further entice you along. 

For more information please contact 

Mark Frater on 01753 646699 or email 

mark.frater@thefarnhamssociety.co.uk 

The FARNHAMS’ SOCIETY DINING 

GROUP The Dining Group meets for 

lunch every 6 weeks or so at various 

venues within easy reach of the 

Farnhams. Although there is no 

obligation to attend on each occasion it 

is anticipated that there should be at 

least 8 people in order for it to be viable. 

Places may be limited at some venues. 

The only requirement is that you should 

be member of The Farnhams’ Society. 

We have been meeting now for over a 

year and currently have around 45 

members in the group with 15 – 30 of 

these normally at a gathering. At most 

venues we arrange a 2 or 3 course set 

meal to include wine, coffee/tea and 

gratuities in the price. Future lunch 

dates include: Wednesday 7th March 

and Monday 23rd April. 

If you are interested in joining for a 

relaxed and enjoyable lunch with a new 

and old friends - please contact Michael 

Mills. 

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES 

WED 28 MAR 2012, THE MILL at 

SONNING for Alan Ayckbourn’s “How 

The Other Half Loves”. 

Coach leaves Farnham Common car 

park 5.00pm. £50 FS members / 

£52.50 non-members, to include 

theatre ticket, supper, coach & driver 

gratuity. Contact Judy Tipping, 

The society website www.thefarnham 

ssociety.co.uk contains information 

and booking details on all events and 

lets you know when events are fully 

booked. Details also at – www.farn 

hamswebzine.org.uk – “What’s On”. 

Contacts for Bookings: 

All tel numbers are prefixed 01753 and 

all email addresses are suffixed 

@thefarnhams society.co.uk 

Michael Mills – 642330, Email: 

michael.mills, John Senior - 642852, 

Email: john.senior, Judy Tipping - 

644831, Email: judy.tipping, Shirley 

Woelfell, Email shirley.woelfel, Mark 

Frater – 646699, Email mark.frater 

John Senior 

Membership Secretary 

57

BOXING DAY 

All is quiet about the house, 

Nothing stirs, not even the mouse. 

On St Stephen’s Festive Day 

All the presents have been packed away. 

The turkey’s gone, only bits remain, 

We’ll never eat that much again. 

There is no debris, it’s all been tidied, 

What are we going to do, now that the chaos has subsided 

It’s not raining, for a change, 

Neither is it snowing. 

The weather’s mild outside 

With just a slight breeze blowing. 

Is it time we took a walk 

It’s good for the constitution. 

It is the exercise we need, 

There’s no finer substitution. 

With Christmas gloves, scarves and hats on, 

Into the woods we walk, all in a bunch, 

Only to find our friends have also gone 

To walk off that large and festive lunch. 

After a short stroll we stop and natter, 

We all agree, to the pub we should scatter, 

For we find that we are growing weary 

And after a pint (or three) we’ll feel a bit more cheery. 

Back home at last, we flop down before the fire 

And listen to some ghostly Christmas tales. 

A nightcap and to an early bed we then retire. 

We’ll need our strength tomorrow, 

for those beckoning New Year’s Sales. 

Ruth Potts 

58

HEDGERLEY WI 

The next two meetings are: 

FEBRUARY 16 - BICENTENARY of CHARLES DICKENS, a talk by Mr R Askew 

MARCH 15 - THE HISTORY OF PINEWOOD STUDIOS, a talk by Mr Mike Payne 

Delicious Teas And Pancakes 

After a very successful year, in which 

we celebrated our 90th Anniversary, 

had lively meetings and outings, and 

recruited quite a few new members, 

Hedgerley Women’s Institute is 

planning another interesting and 

enjoyable year. We are a very friendly 

and caring W.I. who meet on the third 

Thursday of the month, at 2.30pm in 

the Hedgerley Memorial Hall. Guests 

always receive a warm welcome - and a 

delicious tea - and you are invited to try 

us out. The usual Pancake Party will be 

held on Saturday February 18th in 

Hedgerley Memorial Hall, 10.30pmnoon. 

This event was so popular last 

year that we had great difficulty in 

persuading people to go home at the 

end! Come along with family and 

friends and be served with two delicious 

pancakes (maple syrup or lemon and 

sugar) and have a cup of tea or coffee, 

all for the price of £3.50 (£1.50 for 

children). You will be assured of a very 

warm welcome. You can call me on 

643872 if you would like a programme 

for 2012 

Jenny Harper-Jones 

President 

DIZZIES 

DICTIONARY 

bIg THANkYOU 

‘EPITHALAMIUM’ 

A POEM CELEbRATINg 

MARRIAgE. 

gIRLS! NOw IS NOT THE 

TIME TO SCORN NOR 

DISPARAgE. 

ASk HIM If HIS INTENTIONS 

ARE SINCERE, fOR IT’S 

TwENTY-TwELvE AND 

LEAP YEAR. 

HIS THOUgHTS wILL TURN 

TO LOvE IN SPRINg, AND 

YOU wOULD LOvE A 

DIAMOND RINg. 

Ruth Potts 

This issue to: David Anthony, Di ball, Steve box, 

Richard bruce, Helen Chamberlain, Trevor Clapp, 

John Cooper, John Elliott, Maria Hall, 

Jenny Harper-Jones, John Lovelock, R.E. Maun, 

Elisabeth Mills, Andrew Moore, Jon Morris, 

Diane Needham, Ruth Potts, Helen Read, 

Christine Salter, graham Saunders, 

Nan Scott, John Senior, barbara Steadman, 

Judy Tipping and Peter whittle, 

Thanks also to The farnhams staff photographers, 

John Archibald, David gray and Jim williams, 

and also to, Richard bruce, 

Daven Chamberlain, Trevor Clapp, Hazel Clarke, 

John Lovelock, Lisa Martin, Diane Needham, 

the Slough Express, and Jon wilcocks 

for additional photographs, drawings and design 

61

JOTTINGS FROM 

THE POTTING SHED 

Sweet Peas But No Parsnips! 

Some of my digging and forking over 

has been done but I am having to take 

my time these days as my spine is 

trying to tell me something. 

I did promise you an update regarding 

the Busy Lizzie situation. Thompson & 

Morgan have removed their ‘Impatiens 

walleriana’, from sale and are 

recommending the following which have 

not been affected by the fungus: New 

Guinea Impatiens - variety ‘Divina’, 

flowers endlessly from June to 

November, Begonia Semperflorens - 

variety “Organdy” (which I grew last 

year and will do again), Petunia - variety 

‘Ramblin’ which is the furthest 

spreading Petunia known to T&M. So 

there you have it - one down but three 

good replacements. 

The EU Silly-Boys are at it again. As 

from January 1st yellow sulphur dust is 

prohibited as a fungicide for Dahlia 

tubers but can still be used as a soil 

treatment. Now if I am treating my soil 

and some Dahlia tubers are nearby I 

might “accidentally” spill some powder 

on them. Oh dear! Bees have also been 

forbidden to collect pollen from GM 

crops and honey manufacturers now 

have to prove that their swarms are 

obeying the directive. 

FEBRUARY - Time for Sweet Peas 

again. Mine will be sown in the 

cardboard centres of toilet rolls and 

transplanted as soon as the roots show 

any sign of protruding through the 

bottom of the compost. Pinch out the 

growing tips when the plants have two 

pairs of leaves and this will encourage 

branching plants with lots of flowering 

stems. Soak the seeds overnight before 

sowing. Shorten the shoots on your 

Wisteria back to two or three buds. This 

is should be done now so that the plant 

can burst into bloom in May. I don’t have 

any Wisteria but I really look forward to 

the display next door. My Fuchsias 

have, in the past, been attacked by vine 

weevil grubs which destroy root 

systems. I now water with vine weevil 

killer on a regular basis which seems to 

do the trick. Any plant is liable to be 

attacked, so be vigilant. In the 

vegetable garden, this is the latest time 

to plant Garlic. Use ‘Picardy Wight’ and, 

if the weather is very cold, you can start 

off the cloves in bio-degradable pots in 

the greenhouse and plant outside in a 

sheltered spot in four or five weeks time. 

Have you collected any egg boxes My 

seed Potatoes are now ‘chitting’ in the 

spaces usually reserved for the eggs. 

62

IT’S AN ‘OPEN DOOR’ 

A new kind of service at St John’s Church 

At 11.00 am on the 3rd Sunday of every month there is a new, very different kind 

of service going on at St John’s Church called ‘Open Door’. What’s different then 

I hear you say Well, the service is only 30 minutes long. It’s aimed at all ages, 

including children and teenagers (young people often take part in the informal 

worship). Refreshments are served prior to the start to allow time for a chat and 

to catch up with friends (make sure you get there early to ensure you don’t miss 

out on the freshly made cakes!). 

After coffee we move into a short time of worship with interactive readings, 

prayers, talks, drama and singing, which is often led by members of the 

congregation with Revd Graham Saunders providing a guiding hand. The short 

duration of the service makes for a succinct and focused meeting. You can tell 

there is a genuine desire by all to seek a new way to worship. 

The name for our gathering ‘Open Door’ comes from verses in the book of 

Revelation which say, “See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can 

shut.” 

Instead of using hymn books, words and images are projected onto a screen at the 

front of the church to help visually reflect on the theme. The use of modern 

worship music is enhanced through the use of a variety of musical instruments led 

by our skilful music group. The informality of the proceedings makes for a very 

personal, less formal feel to our worship. This bite-sized service is accessible to 

everyone whether you are a ‘regular’ or new to church. 

The 9.30 am services continue as normal but our monthly time at Open Door 

presents an easy way to enjoy church without changing other Sunday routines or 

having to commit to an hour long service every week. It’s a great place to bring 

the kids along too without worrying they are going to create too much noise. Open 

Door is all about making a good noise to God. Also, if you are not sure about 

church and would like to try it out first, then Open Door is a good place to start. 

My 10 year old son David says, “Everybody is very sociable and there’s a really 

friendly atmosphere – everyone is more than welcome to join.” If you would like 

to see what Open Door is like for yourself, our next meeting is on 19th February, 

with the theme, ‘Jesus is amazing’. Both David and I hope to see you there. 

Andrew Moore 

63

SPANISH 

Over 20 years experience. 

Primary school, GCSE, 

AS/A-Level 

Business Spanish 

General Spanish Conversation 

Contact 

Martha Lewis 

01753 642 355 

OR 

martha.lewis@btinternet.com 

64

You don’t have to have a large garden to 

grow spuds - my neighbours have had 

success by growing in pots and growsacks. 

Go on - have a go. I would 

suggest ‘Rocket’ which is a first early 

and these can be purchased direct from 

Thompson & Morgan in packs of 5, 10 

or 20 tubers. Packs of Potato fertilizer 

are also available but you can save 

money by using homemade compost 

with a sprinkling of blood, fish and bone 

fertilizer. At the end of the month sow 

about half of your intended Broad 

Beans in the usual double row in wellmanured 

soil. These should survive any 

late frosts. Early Spring Onions can be 

sown in large pots in the greenhouse 

and lightly sprinkled with tepid water to 

moisten the compost. 

MARCH - Now we can really start 

thinking about sowing and planting. 

“Thinking” is the operative word 

because it’s no good sowing in cold soil. 

Covering the ground with polythene will 

help to warm it up. Prune your Roses. 

First, cut out any dead or diseased 

branches and those with old leaves still 

attached. Then cut out weaker 

branches which are crossing over the 

centre of the plant. Next cut the other 

branches down to an outward facing 

bud, making your cut about an inch 

above the bud. When you have finished 

cutting, the plant should look something 

like an upturned hand. Now surround 

the plant with rose fertilizer or manure, 

fork it in and water. Sow flower seeds in 

trays in the greenhouse, conservatory 

or back bedroom window sill. Don’t sow 

them too thickly. There are often 

between 200 and 1,000 seeds in a 

packet and if kept in a cool dry place 

these will germinate the following year. 

The lawn has probably become 

waterlogged during the winter so a real 

good spiking session is needed. Any 

moss can be treated with Sulphate of 

Iron watered on and then leave until the 

moss goes black. Don’t try and rake 

moss - just let it die and it will disappear 

as you mow. Prune Autumn varieties of 

Raspberries. Cut the old canes down to 

the ground, hand-weed thoroughly and 

put a dressing of Sulphate of Potash or 

a balanced feed around the plants. 

Don’t mulch the plants until the soil 

warms up. 

On the Vegetable area the digging and 

manuring should be a priority. Just 

remember that Parsnips and Carrots 

won’t require manure, so mark out their 

intended beds. Leeks, ‘Tender and True’ 

will be sown in a row close to the edge 

of the plot so that they can be easily 

transplanted when they are seven or 

eight inches high. Plant more Broad 

Beans. Sow Cabbage and Cauliflower 

seeds in a similar way. I found that 

Cauliflower ‘Chassiron’ was the best 

ever and I will grow more this year and 

stagger the sowing over a couple of 

months to extend the season. The 

Brassica area will again be netted to 

deter Cabbage White Butterflies. Sow a 

row of Early Peas. ‘Rondo’ did well last 

year and they were almost maggot-free. 

Carrots ‘Mignon’ will be sown in a 

mixture of sharp sand and compost in 

my barrel and then covered with 

perspex or polythene to keep them 

warm. Sow some Beetroot. Don’t sow it 

all at once, just a few seeds every 

couple of weeks. Do the same with 

Spring Onions. Tomato and Lettuce 

seeds can be started off in the 

greenhouse. Onion “sets” can be 

65

planted in well dug soil which has been 

manured earlier. They like a mainly 

potash fertiliser and homemade 

compost well dug in. Make sure the 

“sets” are planted so that not too much 

top is showing as sparrows love to put 

them out and play with them. As usual, 

try and work with the weather because 

unless you have a heated polytunnel 

you won’t beat it. Oh, I know it says on 

your packet of Parsnip seeds that you 

should sow them in March, but don’t! In 

the next issue I’ll tell you the magic date 

for maximum germination. 

Good Gardening Everyone. 

R E Maun 

LOCAL POLICE REPORT 

Big Fall In Serious Acquisitive Crime 

A first report from Neighbourhood 

Specialist Officer Steve Box, local 

Police Officer for Farnham Common & 

Farnham Royal. 2011 saw a busy year 

for the Neighbourhood Police Team. 

PCSO Charlotte Webster went on 

Maternity Leave in September and has 

been replaced by PCSO Rachael Fry 

from Burnham. 

In the early part of the year the area 

was targeted for Burglary (Non 

Dwellings), whereby sheds and garages 

were targeted by offenders and bicycles 

and gardening equipment were stolen. 

An Operation was set up to identify 

offenders and although no charges 

were brought, lots of useful intelligence 

was gained and collated. 

During September and October there 

was a rise in Burglaries within Farnham 

Common and across South Bucks as a 

whole. Remember to use timer switches 

if going away to prevent the house 

being in complete darkness. Please 

ensure that doors and windows are 

locked, and inform a neighbour if you 

are going away. If you have milk & 

papers delivered, please remember to 

cancel them while you are away. The 

past year has seen a 25% fall in Serious 

Acquisitive Crime, which includes 

Burglary (Dwellings), Theft From Motor 

vehicles, and Robberies. All other 

Crime has fallen by 2.5%. This includes 

a 50% fall in Shopliftings, a 100% fall in 

Theft From Person, and a 25% fall in 

Assaults (non injury). Over the past 3 

years crime in South Bucks has fallen 

by 30%. There were a number of 

Robberies at Sainsbury's, Londis and 

‘Hughes’ Garage. I am pleased to 

inform you that all offenders have been 

brought to Justice. 

A number of speeding Operations have 

been conducted and more are planned 

this year to help reduce speeding. A lot 

of people caught speeding were local 

residents. Please be aware that 

statistically most accidents are caused 

within a mile of the home address. 

Our next ‘Have Your Say’ Meetings are: 

Tuesday 7th February and 23rd 

February both at 11am in The Library. 

Please come along and meet the Team. 

P C Steve Box 

66

FARNHAM COMMON 

JUNIOR SCHOOL 

Life Skills And Hyperlinks 

It may well seem that the world has 

gone target mad! Business carried out 

in both the private and public sectors 

seems to be driven by targets; 

incentives are shaped by targets; 

judgements are made against targets 

and remuneration may be dependent 

on performance against targets - (best 

not to mention bonuses at this point!) 

At FCJS, staff, children, parents and 

governors are good friends of targets! 

We are happy to use them to sharpen 

our focus, to inform future actions and 

to identify steps to success. 

We are passionate about developing 

our children’s awareness of the 

relevance of their learning to real life 

and have made this a target. 

We are increasingly using topic based 

learning, as well as the context of 

community, to help our pupils make 

links between subjects: to use and 

apply their learning to life; to draw from 

their own first hand experiences and try 

out their learning in real contexts. What 

better way to bring learning alive - to 

make it meaningful, relevant and 

purposeful 

As a common thread weaving through 

our teaching and learning, right across 

the curriculum from the three “R”s to the 

arts, humanities, sport and RE, we have 

a focus on the personal and social 

development of our young people. We 

nurture, create opportunities and 

encourage them to become confident 

and responsible citizens who can make 

a positive contribution - either as 

individuals or as members of a team - 

to whichever community they find 

themselves to be a part of, as they grow 

up. 

“Life skills” - transferable to whatever 

profession, to whatever personal 

situation they choose or find for 

themselves. 

Education is, after all, a preparation for 

life and we want our children to 

graduate from FCJS as high fliers in 

that particular area! Over the coming 

weeks and months, keep an eye open 

for us reaching out to the Farnhams 

community. 

We may be carrying out fieldwork; 

inviting you to join us at school events; 

offering help or seeking inclusion in 

local events, or even requesting your 

help and support here in school. Many 

of you continue to support the school in 

a variety of ways and to all of you we 

say a sincere, “Thank you!” Without 

your attendance at fundraising events 

and your moral support generally, much 

of what we do in school would be 

lessened. 

A two way “hyperlink” between FCJS 

and the community is under 

construction and we hope that it will 

lead to mutual benefits and rich 

outcomes… not to mention targets well 

met! 

Christine Salter 

Deputy Headteacher 

69

HEDGEROW HARVEST 

Tree Council Bonus 

There is a new hedge along the fence 

between Temple Dell Community 

Orchard and the main road. This was 

given to us as a grant from the Tree 

Council. Hedgerow harvest is a project 

that encourages local people to gather 

and grow food for free on their doorstep. 

It aims to build a network of hedgerow 

foragers who can inspire their 

neighbours, share their favourite 

recipes and carry out projects to plant 

productive hedges in their communities. 

The hedge is a mixture of shrubs 

including currants, gooseberries and 

raspberries mixed in with more ‘normal’ 

hedge species that are good for wildlife 

like hawthorn and blackthorn. The aim 

is to manage the hedge so it is kept low, 

the same height as the fence, so the 

orchard and Temple Dell can still be 

seen clearly from the main road. A few 

fruiting trees came with the hedge, so 

now there are some crab apples and a 

few more plums and apple trees too, as 

well as two walnut trees, one behind the 

orchard as walnut trees will eventually 

grow very big. 

The hedge was planted in November by 

some wonderful volunteers – see the 

photograph on pg7. The Farnham’s 

were lucky in being awarded two 

hedges; the other has been planted at 

St Mary’s School, Farnham Royal as 

part of their school garden. 

Helen Read 

Judy Tipping, President of Templewood WI, 

wishes all to know there is a Women’s Institute in Farnham Common. 

“I thought it would be a good idea to ‘advertise’ in the Farnhams 

magazine,” says Judy. 

They meet on the third Wednesday in the month at 7.45pm in 

Farnham Common Village Hall, Victoria Road. There is a varied 

programme of events and speakers and also social evenings when 

members enjoy a quiz or sit and talk over refreshments. If you would 

like to come along and meet the club, to see if it is for you, the next 

meeting is on February 15th and you will be made most welcome. 

Ladies can come along as a guest in the first instance and then, if 

they feel they would like to join, become a member. New blood and 

new ideas are always welcome, so do give them a try. You can get in 

touch on 644831. 

70

FARNHAMS ARCHIVE 

Elizabeth Mills’ study of life as seen 

through the pages of this magazine 

ninety years ago 

We have now reached September 1922 

with the news ‘Many members of the 

congregation are away on their 

holidays, but as is usually the case a 

number of visitors come to Farnham 

Common at this time and find their way 

into St John’s. This year we were able to 

entertain and provide for four boys from 

London (in the parish of Rotherhithe). 

They came under the auspices of the 

Children’s Country Holiday Fund. Mrs 

Dixon took charge of them and her 

report of their behaviour is quite good. 

‘Mrs Ironside Bruce has offered to St 

John’s a stained glass window in 

memory of her husband. Two figures 

are to be represented, viz. St Luke and 

St Stephen, both apposite to the good 

work done by her husband.’ 

There are now passing references to 

the St John’s Completion fund. In 

November 1922 we find: ‘The 

Architect’s Report on Completion of St 

John’s Church. The plan of the Church 

is essentially weak as regards its 

general convenience and effect . . . The 

new aisle or south side would give extra 

accommodation for 115 people. 

The chapel would accommodate 23. 

With regard to the interior, the chancel, 

nave and north aisle roofs would of 

course have to remain much as they 

are, but the sanctuary roof would be 

new, and the ridge carried through to 

the gable wall at the same level as the 

existing chancel. The interior effect of 

this practical heightening of the roof 

would be an enormous improvement. 

The south aisle roof would be of barrel 

form so as to render the acoustic 

properties as good as possible. With 

regard to the interior effect I can only 

add that with the careful use of simple 

colour decoration, I am convinced I can 

make the enlarged and improved 

interior of St John’s both beautiful and 

uplifting. I have the honour to remain, 

Geo. H. Fellowes Prynne. 

Three other matters are mentioned as 

still needing consideration: 

1) Completion of tower, with gable 

spire, for bell. 

2) The lowering of font which is 

really dangerous. 

3) Proper pews for north aisle (to 

replace the benches). 

In April 1924 a meeting of the 

Committee considered a letter from Mr 

Fellowes Prynne, ‘At last I am able to 

send you a copy of the list of tenders 

for the suggested additions. 

Arrangements were made for my 

surveyor to check the priced Bills of 

Quantities, which were found to be 

correct. Six tenders have been 

received. Although the tendering is 

necessarily high at present prices, the 

result on the whole is good. The work 

contemplated will take about six to eight 

months.’ 

Elizabeth Mills 

73

A CITY WALK 

Berlin - Getting On With Getting On 

The Thursday walkers, that liquorice 

allsorts of a group, are off to Berlin, that 

most haunted of cities. Our previous 

visits to Paris, Brussels and Barcelona 

could be described with an almost 

playful streak, but this a serious city – 

that Wall, those holocaust memorials, 

that bombed Hohenzollern cathedral, 

that Hitler bunker. These places reflect 

the tragedy and chaotic history of Berlin. 

So to balance the chaos there is a need 

for a manager of city walks with a 

steadfast touch. Roger is perfectly 

suited. 

We are staying at the Hotel Ibis Mitte in 

East Berlin on the Prenzlauer Allee. The 

location and the hotel are perfect for our 

needs. A no frills hotel, central enough, 

cheap enough, tiny of rooms and good 

of breakfasts. The weather is wonderful 

and off we go. 

We walk about a mile to the former 

Jewish district which has livened up after 

a long period of decay. The signals of 

past turbulence are in the very street 

names – Rosa Luxemburg Strasse, Karl 

Marx Strasse. We come across the 

Hackesche Hofe a series of nine 

remarkable interconnecting art nouveau 

courtyards decorated in glazed tiles and 

geometric designs and pass the Trades 

Union H Q of the 1920s. On our way we 

enter Sophienkirche, a gently decayed 

baroque church, with a suitably faded 

old lady in love with her church, both 

custodian and seller of postcards, at the 

entrance. She is balanced by a 

magnificently restored organ which, as 

we enter, opens with gusto into a Bach 

cantata. The gastro pub Sophien Ech 

Restaurant, on the corner of Sophien Str 

and Grosse Hamburger Str, to my 

considerable surprise, has hardly 

changed from those I knew as a soldier 

in northern Germany in the early 1950s. 

It even serves the same meals, herring, 

veal, or sausages with potatoes. The 

wonderful cured herrings are still the 

best buy. 

Not far away on Hamburger Strasse, 

once the main street of the Jewish 

quarter, we are saddened by the 

Gedenkatte Grosse which is a memorial 

to the Berlin Jews of the holocaust, 

young and old, being led to their deaths. 

Then up Oranienburger Str to the 

recently renovated Neue Synagogue 

opened by Bismark and destroyed on 

Kristallnacht. We moved onward to the 

bank of the river Spree, Museum Island 

and to the area around Nikolaikircke 

before eventually looping back to walk 

down the splendid Unter den Linden and 

through the Brandenburg Gate. Nearby 

is the memorial to the holocaust. A huge 

undulating space of concrete slabs; 

wondered at by some, puzzled at by 

others, which works perfectly for me. 

Probably because you can walk through 

and down into the grey almost black 

starkness of the memorial. 

A short stroll took us via the site of 

Hitler’s bunker which is now simply and 

fittingly a car park to a block of 

apartments as if Hitler had never 

existed. Then through Potsdamer Platz 

to Neiderkirkestrasse and the newly 

opened Topographie of Terror, an 

exhibition addressing Propaganda and 

Terror of the Nazi policy in Berlin, 

1933–1945, and its consequences for 

the city and its population. 

74

CALLINg ALL gARDENERS AND gARDEN LOvERS 

fARNHAM COMMON OPEN gARDENS DAY 

SUNDAY 20 TH MAY 2012 

gardens, big or small and any special features such 

as woodland, ponds and horticulture, are welcome. 

Three gardens are already booked to take part and the 

invitation is out for five more to make a really special day. 

If you would like to include your garden in this charity 

fundraising day or contribute in any other way e.g. helping 

on the day with teas or plants. 

please contact Pat Marshall as soon as possible on 

Tel: 645924 or by email: marshallpat@hotmail.com 

75

Next day we are off to Potsdam, only 30 

minutes by train. This is Prussian 

Germany - Hohenzollerns, Frederick the 

Great, the Kaisers and all that. Our first 

stop is the Neues Palace which 

dominates the huge park of Sanssouci. 

The rooms of this baroque palace are 

rococo gone crazy with shells 

everywhere. It is remarkable, huge, and 

reminds me of Chatsworth - over the top 

and slightly vulgar in its neediness to 

show off. Frederick liked more simple 

quarters for living rather than 

impressing. We walk through the park 

passing a delightful orangerie, a 

charming Chinese tea house all white 

and gold, and the Schloss Sanssouci 

where Frederick entertained Voltaire 

between bouts of ripping up middle 

Europe. In the town we have a mediocre 

lunch. 

Do not try Curry Wurst, a sausage with a 

curry ketchup sauce. We trudge through 

residential Potsdam to another park 

containing the Schloss Cecilienhoff, a 

Tudor type manor house built for the heir 

to the Hoehnzollerns in 1914, and lived 

in by this strange family until 1945. It is 

now a smart hotel and famous as the 

site of the Potsdam conference of 1945 

where the borders of Europe where rearranged 

for the next 45 years. We have 

tea and cakes and potter about the 

place, following the lakeside, to Glieniker 

Bridge famed for Cold War spy 

exchanges. I liked Potsdam as it is very 

well done and a tap root of Berlin. 

Dinner is arranged at a well known 

restaurant Lutter and Wegner’s in 

Charlottenstrasse in what was east 

Berlin. This follows our usual practice of 

prearranging at least one dinner on the 

advice of someone familiar with the city. 

It is an old restaurant with a cuisine very 

similar to the gastro pub in Sophien Str 

though with charming room, crisp table 

linen and solid cutlery. All very nice, very 

crowded, very bourgeois Berlin, and not 

too expensive. We were well advised. 

The third day centres on west Berlin 

dominated by The Brandenburg Gate 

which commands the Unter den Linden 

and jousts with the Reichstag, as the 

pivotal icon of the city. We stroll into the 

Tiergarten which is the central and 

largest park but more like Burnham 

Beeches than Hyde Park, for the park is 

closely wooded. The incongruity is 

stretched by the massive Russian 

Memorial on a site insisted by the 

Russians. A statue to Napoleon at Hyde 

Park Corner would be no less odd. 

Then to the church of the 

Hohenzollerns, Kaiser Wilhelm 

Gedachtnis Kirche, a strange part - 

reconstructed structure typifying this 

muddled dynasty and into the 

Kurfurstendam which is the central 

shopping street. For lunch, we dine 

outside at Weyers Rest in 

Ludwigskirkplatz. On our city walks we 

try to find areas where tourists do not 

wander and this time it is the Grunewald. 

We walk for 2 miles or so ever gently 

upwards through this most elegant 

residential area, a mix of Kensington 

and St Johns Wood. Splendid houses, 

all very late nineteenth century, lovely 

wooded heath, with expensive ladies 

leading even more expensive dogs. But 

even here there is no escaping the 

melancholy. The little gem of a wooden 

railway station where we have tea with 

some hippies, was a principal transport 

centre to the concentration camps. 

The last morning we visit the museum of 

77

the Wall in Bernauer Strasse where the 

border was the east side of the street. 

Full of school children, pictures, 

cinemas, even a watch tower and a 

stretch of the actual wall, the museum is 

starkly imaginative. It typifies the agony 

of a Berlin memorialising its past but 

also beginning to accommodate its 

dreadful story. Berlin is a South African 

truth trial in stone and pictures. Then a 

little turmoil, for we lose both a walker 

and a museum, as the Jewish museum, 

our next stop is closed. 

So we head up Friedrich Str, past 

Check Point Charlie, now a private 

museum, to a long beery lunch, on 

Schiffbauerdamm, instead and watch 

Berlin go by from the bank of their river 

Spree. Russell and I enjoy this so much 

we board a boat and snooze the hot 

afternoon away, whilst the others go 

shopping or sight-seeing. Berlin is a city 

packed tighter with the ghosts of my 

time than other European cities. A place 

where a spring in the step is leadened 

with both the mad and the sad. Even 

those jolly decadent night spots of the 

1930s had a scream about them. 

Compared with Britain there is no 

romance of kings and queens or First of 

the Few to lighten the load of guilt. There 

were many heroes but we know 

insufficient about those. An infinitely 

fascinating place with an apologetic 

courage, much quieter than London, still 

intent on picking itself up, where the 

Berliners ram the horrors of their history 

straight in your face, though they still 

seem uncertain what to do about those 

Hohenzollerns. Perhaps this honesty 

makes Germany better than us at 

shaking off the past and getting on with 

getting on. 

John Elliott 

Editor’s Note: Detailed itinerary and route plan for this 4 

day walk are available on application to the Editor 

Our picture shows three of the “liquorice allsorts of a group” that tackled “that most 

haunted of cities”, from l to r, the scribe, John Elliott, the entertainer Russell Wendover 

and the wanderungsmeister, Roger Home. (The bearded gentleman wearing shades is just 

part of the cosmopolitan Berlin scene) 

78

Berlin Tour, clockwise 

from top, the 

Gedenkatte Grosse 

memorial, 

Brandenburg Gate, 

part of the very small 

section left of the 

Berlin Wall, and the 

Holocaust memorial, 

‘wondered at by some, 

puzzled at by others’.

The December Nativity play starring pupils of Little Beeches Montessori school at the 

Brian Jubb hall in Victoria Road. It was a hive of activity and our photographer had 

enormous fun as all had a part to play. We feature here, clockwise from far left, the star 

of Bethlehem, four angels from ‘on high’, three kings of the orient bearing gifts of gold, 

frankincense and myrrh and Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus ‘in swaddling bands’. 

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