St. John's Magazine - June 2023

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PETER D HANNABY
Painter & Decorator
Interior and Exterior work
Undertaken
For competitive quotations
Please call
Mobile: 07765 250092
Home: 01442 288956
MAGAZINE ADVERTISING COSTS
Why not use this parish magazine to advertise your business. There
are eleven issues per year with double issue in December/January.
Charges are: Full Page £115 per annum
Half Page £80 per annum
Quarter Page £60 per annum
For part year charges are pro rata of the annual rate rounded up to
the nearest whole pound (e.g. 1 month/issue full page 115/12 =
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To discuss your requirements or for further information, please
contact Sally Bates, 01442 266912 or 07792 768236
or email: magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk

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THE VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
On 21 June 1948, the Manchester Small-Scale Experimental
Machine – the world’s first stored-program computer, ran
its first program. 75 years on computers and computer
programs are everywhere. From washing machines to telephones, games
consoles to smart meters and thermostats, traffic lights to checkouts at the
supermarket, computers and computer programs have become an intrinsic
part of the way we live our lives in 21st
Century society. As I write this I am
on my computer with my mobile phone beside me and Alexa playing music.
Technology has made significant advances in these last 75 years – many of
which are for the better… or at least our convenience.
But you will no-doubt have heard in the News recently of the growing
concerns over AI – Artificial Intelligence – computers and other technology
that can “Think” for itself. Without meaning to scare-monger, I think a lot
of these concerns are well founded – and that’s not because I want to
maintain the status quo – but rather because I am worried about what
advances in AI will mean for the globe, humanity, and indeed for all crea-
tion. What was once believed to be Science Fiction and ‘sensational’ at the
Box Office is now becoming a present-day reality with little or no checks
and balances, or regard to the implications this technology could have or to
its misuse.
At university I went to see the film AI. Even then, 20 years ago, I was
disturbed by the concept of ‘things’ replacing humans. I was reading Theol-
ogy and Moral Ethics at the time, and I recall thinking ‘What is special
about human existence?’ Although I am not an advocate of a literal inter-
pretation of the Creation narratives in the Bible I am a believer in the God
who loves us into existence; who creates, redeems, sustains, and encour-
ages all life; who made humanity the guardians and stewards of his crea-
tion, charging us to love and look after one another and all creation; who
longs to be part of our lives – if we let him; who chose to descend to Earth
in the form of Jesus Christ so that we could come to know God in a new
and exciting way, and so that all the complexity of human existence could
be received into God’s-self at the Ascension of Jesus after his Resurrection.

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To my mind, then and now, love was and is the big difference between
humans and ‘things’. We have the capacity to love and receive love. It isn’t
something that needs to be programmed into us but is something that just
spontaneously happens and wells-up within us. Sometimes that sensation
of love grows on us and can even take us by surprise, but I have never
needed to be told ‘to love’. It is true that I have needed to be shown acts
of love as ways to demonstrably portray love but not to actually love. Love
of my family, of God, of one another and even of people I have never met,
of nature – that all comes naturally – and I dare say it does for you too.
Love connects us in ways that cannot be learned – only experienced.
But AI is not interested in love. AI technology is only interested in creating
things that can ‘do’ things for itself not ‘feel’ emotions or connections. This
is completely counter-cultural to a life of faith… and human existence.
Sadly, it seems to me that these advances in technology are here to stay,
and if this is true we need wise and strong leadership to help us navigate
into the unknown ahead. I encourage you to pray for our leaders and
captains of industry that they may make the hard but right decisions for all
our futures.
Every Blessing,

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PARISH DIARY FOR JUNE 2023
Enquiries regarding baptisms weddings or marriage blessings are always
welcome.
Please contact the Vicar.
Morning Prayer is said Daily at St John’s at 9.00am.
You are most welcome to join the Vicar in prayer.
Evening Prayer is said privately for the life of the Parish unless details are below.
St John’s is open daily 9.30am-5.00pm for private prayer
(10.30am-5.00pm on Saturdays)
The Parish Eucharist and worship resources will continue to be recorded and made
available at www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk/live-streamed-services
Thur 1 11.00am Mountbatten Holy Communion Mountbatten Lodge
Fri 2 12.30pm Concert: MASJ Lunchtime Summer Series: St John’s
Piano Trio: Alex Wyatt and friends
Sun 4 THE HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am All Age Eucharist Sung by the Junior Choir St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
Mon 5 7.45pm Together on Monday St John’s Hall
Further Travels in Australia - Speaker: Pat Moran
Tues 6 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play and Service St John’s
Wed 7 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis'
Thur 8 CORPUS CHRISTI - Day of Thanksgiving for The Institution of Holy
Communion
8.00pm Sung Mass, Commissioning, Procession, St Francis'
and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Jasmin Ghera (trumpet) with Rita Freya (piano)
Cont’d…..

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Sun 11 First Sunday after Trinity
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
11.30am Holy Communion St Stephen's
2.00pm Parish Cricket Match Hemel Cricket Club
6.30pm Choral Evensong of St Barnabas St John’s
8.00pm PCC Committee: Standing Committee Vicarage
Thur 15 11.00am Mountbatten Holy Communion Mountbatten Lodge
Anna Le Hair (piano)
5.30pm Junior Choir Practice St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 18 Second Sunday after Trinity
12.00noon Holy Baptism St John’s
Mon 19 7.45pm Together on Monday St John’s Hall
Bingo run by The Committee
3.00pm Friendship Tea St John’s Hall
8.00pm Baptism Preparation Evening St John’s
Thur 22 All Day MASJ Event: UNISONG St John’s
Fri 23 All Day MASJ Event: UNISONG St John’s
5.45pm Junior Choir Practice St John’s
7.00pm Choir Practice St John’s
Sun 25 Third Sunday after Trinity

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7.30pm Deanery Service: The Licensing of St Barnabas,
The Reverend Matthew Renyard as Adeyfield
Team Vicar for Adeyfield
Thur 29 St Peter, Apostle
11.00am Mountbatten Holy Communion Mountbatten Lodge
Just a Cappella (vocal group)
7.00pm Choir Practice St John’s
*************
Clock
I am the keeper of time,
I hold each small, set span
within its own appointed bounds.
Then one by one, I let them go.
They meet their fate with man.
Used or squandered at his will,
each passes by, full charged
with hope to change a waiting world.
Mine is the grace to give.
For me, the privilege to offer time.
For man, the power to make it work
in man‘s own interest and good.
So grasp the challenge
while you may.
This moment will not live to see another day.
by Megan Smith

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Everything I need to know… I learned from Noah’s Ark
1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re very old Someone may ask you to do something
really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics. Just get on with the job needing to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the
cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float awhile.
10. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rain-
bow waiting.
Author unknown
International Day of Prayer for the Emergency Services
Each year, the Christian Police Association hosts an International Day of
Prayer for the Emergency Services. This year it will be on Thursday,
22nd
June.
There are various ways to get involved.
Watch the CPA YouTube channel “International Day of Prayer” playlist
Use the Pray 4 Your Police (P4YP) material on our Publications page
Engage in the CPA’s Social Media, using the hashtag #WaveofPrayer
The Christian Police Association asks: “Please join us in praying for our
Emergency Service colleagues around the world, as they face a variety of
challenges.”

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Corpus Christi
In pre-pandemic years, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, we took the opportunity to
recommission our Eucharistic Ministers and Home Communion Team praying
God’s blessing on their ministry among us. The pandemic has made their ministry
either difficult or non-existent. As we have now emerged more fully out of the
pandemic I would like to re-start this ministry and re-commission these ministers
so that they can once again administer Communion in peoples’ homes and
church. To that end, you are all invite to support those who assist us with the
distribution of Holy Communion by attending this Service of High Mass, Commis-
sioning, Procession, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at St Francis,
Hammerfield, at 8.00pm on Thursday 8 June. Refreshments will follow the
service. It is hoped that anyone who currently or who would like to help adminis-
ter the Blessed Sacrament will attend this service and receive God’s blessing on
them as they undertake this ministry.
Your Parish needs YOU!
The effect of the Pandemic remains sharply in view on our common life. Many of
our former “movers and shakers” have ‘slowed down’ during the various lock-
downs and have taken the opportunity to step-down from their previously held
commitments. Some have moved away or been unable to return due to health
complications, others have re-evaluated their priorities. This all has an impact on
how we serve one another and our community.
If we want to continue to be a welcoming and hospitable Church we need people
to make the church a welcome and hospitable place. We need people to be
welcomers and sidespeople; we need people to read the scriptures and lead us in
prayer; we need people to clean the church and help with maintenance; we need
people to help with refreshments. We are the biggest Anglican Church in Hemel
and we should not be struggling to fulfil these vital ministries. Please think about
how you can serve both our worshipping community and also our wider commu-
nity, and then let me and/or the churchwardens know how you can help. Thank
you.
Cricket Match
After two disappointing losses against the Boxmoor Occasionals (locally referred
to as “Boxmoor Odd-Sods”) our chance to get a win on the board this year will be
on Sunday 11 June at Hemel Hempstead Cricket Ground – nursery pitch.
Although the Occasionals have won both fixtures so far the gap between us is
getting smaller – hopefully we can win this year. Cont’d…...

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It looks like it will be a 2.00pm start. If you would like to play please let me know. I
am very much hoping it will be a fine day when Pimm’s can be enjoyed on the
boundary. I hope you would like to come along and cheer on the team and enjoy
some gentle socialising together.
Summer Fair
Advance notice that the St John’s Summer Fair will be on Saturday 8 July this year.
Please can I encourage you to help on the day with set-up, looking after a stall,
and take-down. The old adage many hands make light work will certainly be true
on the day. Please can you also start collecting/assembling items for us to sell on
the day. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us once again.
Parish Office Update
Many will be aware that just after Easter Hilary, our Parish Administrator, suffered
a ruptured aneurism and was rushed into hospital. Her surgeons successfully oper-
ated and she is now recovering at home. Recovery is likely to take some time and I
am not expecting Hilary to return to work before July – and even then it will be a
phased return.
For over a month, with some kind offers of help, I have been able to triage mes-
sages and emails but inevitably some things have gone undone. To help maintain
an effective Office I am delighted that Penny Pomroy (member of our church
choir) has kindly offered her skills and experience to help with the administrative
load. Penny started on 21 May and will usually be in the Office Mondays, Wednes-
days, and Thursdays 3.00pm–5.30pm.
Please continue to pray for Hilary in her recovery, and if and when you have
reason to pop-in to the Office please make Penny welcome.
Licensing of Abbey’s new Precentor
The Reverend Vanessa Jefferson (née Hadley-Spencer) will be licensed as Minor
Canon Precentor of St Albans Abbey and Cathedral on Saturday 17 June at 5.00pm
during Evensong. You are most welcome to join the congregation for this service
and see Vanessa installed in her new ministry. Please hold her in your prayers as
she makes the transition from her curacy.

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SUMMER FAIR
Saturday, 8th
July
11 am – 3 pm
Please support this event; not only is it an important fundraiser, but also
it is an important community event.
How can you help?
• Bring items for sale to church on the last Sunday in June.
• Volunteer to help on a stall.
• Encourage your family and friends to come along.
There will be the following stalls:
Books
Bric a Brac
Produce
Sweets
Toys
Knitted items
Raffle
Tombola
Pimm's
BBQ
Teas
Please support this effort to reach out into the community and to raise
funds for the church.

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

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Toe-tal
FOOT CARE
Safe, hygienic, friendly service for all the family
For the treatment of corns, callus,
ingrown or thickened nails,
nail trimming, cracked heels
In the comfort of your own home
Call Graham Spendlove, MCFHP, MAFHP
Qualified Foot Health Professional
Book now 07799 033974

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

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St James the Least of All
Beware the church microphone
The Rectory
St James the Least
My dear Nephew Darren
Despite my assurances that it was unnecessary, it was kind of you to loan
us your sound equipment, so we could experience the advantages of
using radio microphones in church. Your assurance that everyone would
then be able to hear with absolute clarity seemed to miss the point that
everyone does not necessarily want to do so.
I have no doubt that members of your congregation hang on to your
every word, eager to make sure you remain theologically sound. But for
us, those who had blissfully slumbered throughout my sermons for the
last 30 years found themselves unable to filter out a single syllable.
Colonel Wainwright decided to change the start of his Bible readings
from the customary “Here beginneth...” to “Testing, Testing” before
giving the microphone a good biff, which made the verger dash outside
to check if yet another medieval gargoyle had fallen from the roof. Also,
forgetting that microphones pick up asides just as effectively, his own
comment to his wife in the front pew “I thought I read that rather well”
did nothing for the pride he has always cherished for his humility.
I was also not convinced that the 16th century workmen who had devot-
ed the greater part of their lives reverently carving the Lady Chapel altar
had intended it to support an electronic console that would have looked
more at home in an aeroplane cockpit.
However, the event which finally decided us against microphones came
about an hour after the service. Several of the choir boys had crept back
into the church and decided to improvise a rock concert with their guitars
and the mikes turned up full blast. Cont’d…….

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The church exploded in a perfect cacophony of noise which panicked a
horse and rider going by. The horse bolted down the road, which caused
two cars to veer violently to avoid it. One car ended up in a pond, the
other in a field, having ripped off a great deal of old fencing.
Whoever fixed the fencing failed, and later that night all 43 cows in the
field escaped, and ended up in the Colonel’s flower-filled front garden,
where they spent a comfortable night slicing his velvet turf with their
sharp cleats, and chomping everything in sight.
Your loving uncle, Eustace
*********
Dear Father,
As we come to this beautiful time of year, the month of June, we thank
you for the wonder of your creation and the way our spirits are lifted as
we see all around us the freshness of a new summer.
This month we remember Barnabas, whose name means, child of encour-
agement. He was a good person, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Lord,
help each of us to be a Barnabas to someone today, to encourage and lift
up, led by your Holy Spirit and full of faith.
Help us to share your love and goodness, especially with those whose
circumstances are difficult. Help us all to trust you through good times
and testing times, knowing you are always with us, always encouraging
us, always faithful.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
By Daphne Kitching

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'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the April Music
Percentage Club draw:
Catherine Holness 1st £15
Nicholas King 2nd £8
Marion Roff 3rd £4
If you know of someone who would be interested in joining the Music
Percentage Club and supporting Music at St John’s in this way there are
forms in church or please contact Mark Harbour on 01582 841019 or see
him in church.
Cash in the Pulpit
Calling all fans of Bargain Hunt, Cash in the attic, Antiques Road Trip etc.,
etc. As part of the planned Fun Day on 23rd
July 2023 the Fundraising
Committee have asked me to experiment with an auction of artifacts and
promises (e.g. to undertake a task). We have some items but need more.
If sufficient are forthcoming, we’ll produce a catalogue and invite Commis-
sion Bids from those unable to attend on the day. After that they’ll go to
the highest bidder on the day. Please speak to me, Cathy Shaw, the Vicar
or Jean Garner if you have items to offer.
Chris Angell Hon. Treasurer and Auctioneer for a day.
BOXMOOR PARISH WEBSITE
If you have posters for an event which you would like
to appear on the church website, or if you have taken
photos of a church event and would like them to
appear on the website, please email them to
webteam@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk so that the web-
site team can access them easily. We are an active
parish and it would be nice to show that.

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JULY 2023 - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the July 2023 edition of the magazine is
Sunday, 4th June.
You can e-mail direct to magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk or leave articles in
magazine pigeonhole or deliver direct to 27 Beechfield Road. Please note any
articles sent by email should be in A5/A4 format (MS Word or MS Publisher
preferred). Thank you. Sally Bates, Editor, Tel No. 266912 or Mobile 07792
768236.
PLEASE NOTE
Website for St John’s Boxmoor is:
www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
E-mail: office@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Website for Music at St John’s is http://masj.org.uk
Facebook Page: St Johns Church, Boxmoor
NEWSLETTER: If you would like to receive a copy of the weekly Newsletter by
e-mail, please contact Alan Munford - alan.munford@btinternet.com with your
e-mail address and he will arrange to send it to you.
Please send any items for inclusion in the Newsletter to the Parish Office at the
email address: newsletter@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
SUBSCRIPTION TO MAGAZINE
If you would like to receive a copy of St John’s Parish Magazine on a regular
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BOX MOOR TRUST
All we individuals are on a journey - as is the Trust. This is an exciting time
for the Trust as it moves forward in terms of systems and projects. For an
organisation with a history going back to 1594, governed as it is by a
“Scheme,” approved by the Charity Commission, plus a vast amount of
legislation, little is simple. It’s a Charity, yes - but it has to be run in a busi-
ness-like fashion. We’re currently undertaking a Strategic Review,
updating our policies and systems.
The basics however remain and will remain the same. The Trust is firmly
committed to making its near 500 acres available for the enjoyment and
welfare of the 100K+ people (our “Beneficiaries”) who live in the old
ecclesiastical parish of Hemel Hempstead and the parish of Bovingdon. In
maintaining our Estate as an exemplar of best practice in land and
environmental management, we seek to offer a ‘working countryside,’
which we can all enjoy and treasure – two-legged and four! Time spent in
the natural world is constantly lauded as a recipe for better physical and
mental well-being. Add to this making cricket and rugby pitches available
too!
Our website www.boxmoortrust.org.uk offers you information about
every aspect of the Trust, including a timeline of its history, together with
maps, including one showing where our stock are at any time. Look too at
our Facebook pages to see the activities for our young “Rangers” – and
for your whole family. Everyone can get to know and to treasure our local
heritage in terms of flora and fauna, whether you explore the Moors in
the valley, Roughdown and Sheethanger Commons or Westbrook Hay.
We’ve done much to restore the river Bulbourne, one of the Chiltern’s
rare natural chalk streams (although protecting the banks is turning into
an ongoing task). We’ve transformed the former Gadespring cressbeds
into a wildlife reserve. We’ve reintroduced water voles. Otters and king-
fishers are making it clear that they approve of what we’re doing. We’re
working hard to improve Westbrook Hay for wildlife and for access to the
disabled. Not so happy a task is having to deal with tree diseases, Ash
Dieback and Phytophthera in the Horse Chestnuts.

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Trustees, as are we all, are indebted to our passionate staff and our hard
working band of volunteers. Without them you wouldn’t have this won-
derful asset to enjoy on your doorstep. Have you thought about joining
the volunteers? There are lots of opportunities - and contributions to
make.
We’re also extending opportunities for volunteering to businesses
through corporate sponsorship. Charitable giving is a further opportunity
open to everyone who treasures what the Trust offers. Legacies too are
very welcome and much appreciated. Notably one is making possible
replacement of the boardwalk in Hay Wood for improved disabled
access, and for restoration of the failed wildlife pond at Preston Hill.
The next 5 yearly election of trustees is on the horizon. There’ll be oppor-
tunities for forward looking people who love the natural world, who are
committed to protecting our local environment – and who have a sound
grasp of managing budgets against a complex and competing range of
challenging pressures. All great fun though as we continue on our 500+
year journey, so impressively explained in the timeline on that website.
Peter Ablett – near 20 years a Volunteer and a Trustee
May 2023
BOOK REVIEW - Comfort in Uncertain Times
By Rachel Turner, BRF, £8.99
Uncertainty and change can be hard, and even more so for
a child. Their feelings of confusion, powerlessness and
insecurity may be overwhelming.
Scripture is full of people just like our children, who had to
cope with uncertainty and transition, but who flourished as they saw
God’s hand and presence within it all.
Designed as a series of stories and discussions for families, this book lays
out a biblical foundation for who God is in uncertain times, and how to
stay connected to Him.

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CELEBRATING CORONATIONS
Well, the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla has taken place and
what a spectacular and colourful event it was. It followed tradition, but there
were tweaks which made it relevant to 2023. One thing which didn’t change was
the weather as it rained for both the two previous Coronations!
Over the years Coronations have been marked by the general population across
the country. For Queen Victoria’s crowning in 1838 there was a large fair in Hyde
Park where stalls and booths opened as soon as the Gold State Coach passed
from Constitution Hill into Piccadilly on its way to Westminster Abbey. (The Mall
only became a processional route with the unveiling of the Victoria Memorial
outside Buckingham Palace and the completion of the Admiralty Arch in 1911).
Elsewhere people participated in coronation festivities such as picnics, official
lunches, church services, dinners and fetes. Those in workhouses and jails were
given roast and boiled beef with vegetables, plum pudding, beer, tobacco, tea
and sugar. Those locked in solitary confinement were briefly allowed to mingle
with others. Paupers were given a coronation allowance. At country fairs men
over fifty ran races for a good waistcoat and women over fifty competed for half a
pound of snuff!
In ‘The Book of Boxmoor’ produced by Joan and Roger Hands and Eve Davies
published in 1989 there is a photograph of horse drawn vehicles decorated for a
procession by the house which is now Byrons the Chemist and the flint cottages in
St John’s Road. These were taking part in a parade to mark the Coronation of
King George V and Queen Mary on 22 June 1911. A member of the Borough
Council is presenting a certificate to the float advertising Excelesior Laundry in
Cotterells. The day began with a peal of bells at 6.00 am and ended with fire-
works on Roughdown Common.
For the 1937 Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Box Moor Trust
planted an avenue of 40 trees on the Moor between ‘The Three Blackbirds’ and
Picton’s Bridge on Station Road. When I was a child it was known as Coronation
Avenue and the young trees were still encased in individual railings. Some of
these trees have subsequently died but have been replaced with new saplings,
which are now encased in iron railings!
For the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II there were Bank Holidays on the
Monday and Tuesday and children had a week’s holiday from school, and
I wonder if it coincided with Whitsun when there was usually a week’s school
break. Cont’d….

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There was also a week of celebratory events in Hemel Hempstead. The Borough
Council produced a Souvenir Programme for one shilling (5p) which detailed all
that took place. The Mayor of Hemel Hempstead for Coronation year was Alder-
man William George Seymour Crook, a renown local historian, who was then
Head of Boxmoor School when that building was situated in what is now Bayleys
Mead. (He worshipped every Sunday at St John’s always sitting in the same pew
at the back of church!).
It was appropriate that the events began on Sunday 31 May at 11.00 am with a
Civic Coronation Service at St Mary’s Church in the High Street. At 8.30 pm there
was an Open Air Service with Combined choirs, organized by Hemel Hempstead
Council of Christian Congregations, and took place at the Bandstand on Heath
Park Recreation Ground (the triangular piece of land bordering Station Road by
the KT Tower and Two Waters Road). The Salvation Army and Boxmoor Silver
Band took part.
On the evening of Monday 1 June there was the first match of a Six-a-Side Foot-
ball Tournament at the Crabtree Lane Town Football ground, which took place
throughout the week with local football teams and teams from local factories
taking part. At 7.45 pm there was ‘Choral Music and Shakespearean Scenes’
performed by Hemel Hempstead Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society on the
Lawn in front of the old house at Churchill facing St John’s Road. (The Sports
Centre now occupies the site). Older readers may be interested to know that
Henry Charge played the role of Henry V and took part in ‘The Merry Wives of
Windsor’ alongside his future wife, Sheila Butterfield, while another couple David
Stevens and Jean Baxter featured in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ Performanc-
es were also held on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Coronation Day opened with St Mary’s, Apsley, ringing a peal of bells at 5.00 am,
followed by St Mary’s in the High Street at 7.00 am. A Cricket match was sched-
uled at 2.00 pm on the Heath Park pitch with Hemel Hempstead playing Gidea
Park. A carnival procession assembled at 6.00 pm on the Moor between St
John’s Church and St John’s Hall (now the Playhouse). The vehicles took a longer
route, meeting up with those walking at The Plough, proceeding along Marlowes
to Gadebridge Park. At 9.00 pm The Queen’s radio Coronation Speech was
relayed, followed by local schools taking part in a Torchlight Procession ending
with a lighting of a bonfire. The proceedings finished with a Firework Display
provided by Brock’s Fireworks Ltd, whose headquarters were then in Cupid
Green.
Cont’d…..

- 28 -
Next day there was a Coronation Tea and Presentation of Souvenirs for all chil-
dren in their respective schools. At South Hill School this was held in the Assem-
bly Hall and I still have the small plate we were given. A framed picture of The
Queen was hung in the Entrance Hall. A Tea and Concert was also held in St
John’s Hall for residents who were 70 and older.
Thursday 4 June saw Hemel Hempstead Rotary Club organising a Garden Party
for the Blind at Shendish, while in the early evening local schools took part in a
Display of Country Dancing on the Heath Park Recreation Ground, which included
such dances as Brighton Camp, Durham Reel, Cumberland Square Eight and
Circassian Circle, which I remember so well. This was followed by a Military
Parade and Beating Retreat by the Band and Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion,
Hertfordshire Regiment (TA).
The Friday included a Display and Exhibition of Rescue from Height undertaken
by members of the Civil Defence Corps, a Display of Pyramid Building and Gym-
nastics and Battle Exercises performed by army cadets at Churchill. At the other
end of the scale a Coronation Ball was held at the Guildhouse, Apsley Mills at
9.00 pm.
There were certainly a large range of events for people to attend which must
have taken much detailed organisation. 70 years later in 2023 the local celebra-
tions were much more muted. On 6 May, the day of the Coronation, it was
planned that there would be live screening of the ceremony in Gadebridge Park
as well as a range of entertainment, including arts and crafts, face painting, fair-
ground rides, crazy golf and stilt walkers. On Sunday 7 May, family films were
shown on the big screen, following by a live screening of the Coronation Concert
at Windsor. Here, at St John’s we held a Coronation ‘Big’ Lunch on 7 May, and
the following Sunday there was a Service of Thanksgiving for the Coronation of
HM King Charles III in the evening, which featured the Coronation Anthems.
I know a number of you took part in your own celebrations and certainly in
Charles Street we held a street party.
Graham Gibbs

- 29 -
SMILE-LINES
Church bulletin notices that didn’t quite work…
• The Revd. John Adams spoke briefly, much to the delight of his au-
dience.
• The students will present Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ in the church on
Friday at 7pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
• A new loudspeaker system has been installed in the church. It was
given by one of our members in memory of his wife.
• The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on
people who are not afflicted with any church.
• The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation
would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next
Sunday morning.
• The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the reces-
sion.
DIY
Our churchwarden has the courage, but not always the skills, to tackle any
DIY job that needs doing around the church. For example, in the church
shed are still pieces of the church lawn mower that she once tried to
fix. So, our vicar wasn’t surprised the day he found her in the vestry,
attacking the vacuum cleaner with a screwdriver. “This thing won’t
co-operate,” she complained.
The vicar thought for a moment: “Why don’t you drag it out to the shed
and show it what you did to the lawn mower?”

- 30 -
at St John’s
in the month April
HOLY BAPTISM
16 April George Ashley Thomas Cox Leverstock Green
Harry Max Murphy Chaulden
Hannah May Murphy Chaulden
May the Lord of his great mercy bless these children and give them
understanding of his wisdom and grace.
HOLY MATRIMONY
22 April James Proehl and Zoe Harbour Houghton Regis
O God, our Father, whose greatest gift is love, bless those, we ask you,
who within your presence take each other in marriage.
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
There were no Funerals or Memorial Services in April
BURIAL OF ASHES
2 April Janet Huggins Old Town
21 April Godfrey Rock Boxmoor

Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor

St. John's Magazine - June 2023

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