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(Pictures & bits etc. that I am reluctant to delete completely at the present) I have had to reduce it a bit because I am nearing my maximum on the service provider's server.
St Georges Day - New Henham Flagpole
Wednesday 23rd April 2008 at 11.30am. Our new flagpole has been donated by Paul Donnelly in memory of his wife Rona and friend Jack Hayden, two very popular Henham people who have sadly died in the last year. Unfortunately the celebrations were marred to a degree by pouring rain, but in spite of this about 30 people braved the weather to hear Paul say a few words and Jayne Brinkley raise the first flag. Both Rona and Jayne have wanted a flagpole at the War Memorial for many years and at last their wish came to fruition. Afterwards, in true Henham tradition, everyone adjourned to The Cock where the celebrations continued for quite a while.




Pictures courtesy of Ken Sammons

St Georges Night at Henham Village Hall - Saturday 19th April 2008
Organised by the Village Hall Committee, we had a tremendous evening celebrating St Georges Day. The meal was splendidly cooked and served, the speeches and toasts by Vanda Collins, Simon Lee, Trevor Judd and Don Sturgeon were brilliant and the singing was awful. On behalf of all who attended our thanks go to Sue, Trevor, Pauline, Jane, Vanda, Keith, Kay, Jerry and Sheena for all their hard work and to Clifford, (Starlight Disco) for the music. It is estimated that over £1000 was raised for Village Hall Funds. Well done everyone!!!!!!























The Haydens 95 years on

	This picture, which was taken in 1910 outside the village shop is the one that appears on the cover of the 'Memories of Henham' book, published in 2001. It is of Owen Hayden, (Jack's father) and a lad named Jimmy Johnson. Standing in the doorway is Alice Hayden, Jack's mother. Owen was the owner of the shop and his name appears above the doorway of the shop.

	This picture, which was taken on 23rd June 2005 is of Jack aged 83 in his trap with his pony Tonto outside the existing shop. As you can see the shop has moved along the building a bit since then, but standing outside the shop is Bessie Hayden, Jack's wife. She is the village post mistress and her name now appears above the door of the shop.

Tony Carlisle 'Brush' 1938 - 2004
Looking splendid at Serena's wedding in May 2002.	On Friday 13th August 2004 Tony was cremated at Cambridge Crematorium. This service was attended by family and immediate friends. Later, at 3.00pm Tony's family and many friends gathered at St Mary the Virgin Church at Henham for a thanksgiving for his life. The proceedings were lead by the Rev. Dick Farr and 'recollections' were given by Joy Lafferty, John Collard and Ken Sammons. Joy said how honoured she was to be asked to talk about Tony and how equally honoured she was to have been counted as a friend. She spoke about his family, his friends and his faith. John Collard, a friend for many years talked fondly about the young Tony, especially about his cricket and badminton at Blindley Heath in Surrey and their trips together to Twickenham to watch England. He summed him up as a 'Christian Gentleman and a very good friend.'
Ken Sammons spoke of the Tony of Henham, his career as an accountant/financial director in commerce and told a number of amusing anecdotes, including how Tony was given the nickname 'Brush'. He said that throughout his illness Tony never complained and added how much Pat was to be admired in the way she had coped in the last very difficult months. Brush will be sadly missed. (my apologies for a piece of text above being missing for the last few days- my incompetence)

Picture of a Muntjac taken by Tony Dyson circa. December 2003 from outside the village shop.

Uttlesford Community Achievement Awards 2004
On Thursday 12th February two of our Henham residents attended the council chamber at Saffron Walden to receive very well deserved Community Achievement Awards.
Don Dixon and Kath Bowmar who were amongst a group of 35 people nominated by parishes throughout the borough were presented with their awards and citations by Council Chairman Mike Hibbs.
	Don Dixon originally hailed from Palmers Green but moved to Cherry Green and then to Henham in 1942 when his house in Palmers Green was bomb damaged. In 1947 at the age of 18 he joined the army and amongst other places he served in Egypt and Palestine. Following discharge after 5 years he worked for Essex County Council. It was driving all sorts of construction vehicles, including steamrollers, that he gained his deep knowledge of the infrastructure of our ponds and water drainage systems. Indeed he helped install some of the drainage himself. Further knowledge of the area was gained in his subsequent job as a local postman for 24 years.
Don's award was for Service to the Local Community. He was a Parish Councillor for 28 years and it was only recently at the last elections he was obliged to withdraw from office owing to ill health. His deep knowledge and experience of Henham matters have proved invaluable over the years and even now after retirement his opinion is still sought. Part of his citation reads, ' Donald has always demonstrated a genuine concern for other people within the village of Henham and its environment. In this sense, Donald has been a fine example of the kind of interested and active village centred person vital to a council. A real community minded person.'

	Kath Bowmar's award is for Service to the Elderly. She was born not too far away in Cambridge, but was raised and educated in South Yorkshire. She met her husband Bill at school and they moved to Henham 27 years ago. Their four children were educated at Henham school. Twenty years ago, Kath a hairdresser, started visiting elderly ladies in the village cut their hair. She readily admits that the hairdressing sessions take appreciably longer than they should because of their need to chat. However, her award is for much more than hairdressing. It can be explained no better that the words on her citation, part of which reads.....
.....' she has been known by members of the Parish Council to carry out countless voluntary tasks for the elderly. Kath has provided transport free of charge to to local residents to the day centre at Stansted for social activities and for chiropody, taken people shopping who have not got transport, visited elderly people in their own homes to do their hair with only minimal charge, collect prescriptions and deliver them to the needy, and all this has been carried out quietly, without fuss or thought of any reward.' It concludes by saying ' Kath is a fine example of the village good neighbour.'
Both Don and Kath are very modest about their work in the community and quite embarrassed by the public acclaim. However, they both seemed to thoroughly enjoy the and the reception, presentation and the buffet afterwards. Don was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife Freda and Kath by her husband Bill. Councillor Martin Nicholson with his wife Sylvia attended on behalf of the Parish Council and Councillor David Morson on behalf of Uttlesford District Council.

Don and Kath, on behalf of the people of Henham, thank you.

Mrs. Gladys Parkin 2002
	I am pleased to announce that on Thursday 21st February 2002, Mrs. Gladys Parkin was presented with an award by Uttlesford District Council to recognise her many years of outstanding service to the community of Henham.
Gladys moved to Henham nearly 60 years ago and was deputy head at the village school for many of those and clerk to the Parish Council for over 30 years.
	Many of the clubs and societies in the village have reason to be grateful for her support, not only as a member but for taking on a variety of responsibilities - treasurer, secretary, booking clerk to name but three. She served on the village hall committee for almost 25 years and is still active in the Friendship Club, Gardening Club and OSCA.
There cannot be many fund-raising activities for village causes in which Gladys has not actively participated. Goodness knows how many poppies she has sold over the years. This reward is richly deserved and long may she continue in her variety of roles. Trevor Judd Chairman Henham P.C.


A fall of snow - Thursday 28th December 2000 (Kept in for a bit because the pictures seem popular)