by lmphs | Feb 7, 2015 | Events, Long Marston Victory Hall, Pantomimes and Stage Productions
Once again, its time for the local population to join in the fun at this years Long Marston village Pantomime! Great fun for all the family, this year we have a floral theme with vegetables flying all over the stage. With 2 heartless baddies controlled by a fearful giant, will Jack and his friends be able to rescue the princess and save the day? Being staged during the half term holiday (19th-21st February), a fun night out for all the family is promised. Tickets priced at £7 (adult) £5 (OAP) & £3 (Child) can be bought from the Queens Head in Long Marston, Meads Farm Shop and the community shop in Wilstone. We will also be selling them every Sunday from Long Marston Victory Hall.
Article by Toby Davidson.
by lmphs | Feb 7, 2015 | Events, Pantomimes and Stage Productions
This year’s pantomime features 2 animals and the Horti are looking for volunteers interested in donning a cow suit for each performance! Why not come along and have a go!
We are also looking for volunteers to help out during the performances this year. Tasks range from selling raffle tickets and ice creams to helping out on stage setting up for each scene. Please contact Toby Davidson (stage manager) on 07970 636168 or call in at the Village Hall on any Sunday.
We can always find you a paintbrush if nothing else!
by lmphs | Jan 17, 2015 | Events, Pantomimes and Stage Productions
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by lmphs | Nov 20, 2014 | Events
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by lmphs | Oct 12, 2014 | Events
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Once again the Long Marston Victory Hall Committee will be hosting their annual ‘Fabulous Fireworks’ on Old Tom’s Field at the North end of the Village (just below Potash Lane) on Saturday 1st November. Gates open at 6:15pm with a stall selling Burgers, sweets and plenty of mulled wine to keep the cold out! The bonfire will hopefully be lit around 6:40pm (wind permitting!) with the display starting around 7pm, courtesy of our resident expert, David Severs. Entry on the gate is £6 for adults and £2 for under 16’s but advanced tickets can be bought from the Queens Head at a discounted price of £5(£1.50) or call Vicky Hayes on 07855 369515. Volunteers are also required to help build the bonfire the week before and help with set up on the day. This promises to be a great show for all the family. See you there!!
Article by Toby Davidson.
by lmphs | Apr 19, 2014 | News
Writing this article whilst the sun is beaming down gives us all hope of a lovely summer after this winter’s rains. Plans for the annual village show in Long Marston continue a-pace and let’s hope this weather will bring us another record number of entries for the flower and produce section.
We also have a new event in June – a midsummer picnic for the whole village to enjoy. This will feature a rounders competition, so get your teams together and come and play. All the fun takes place on the recreation ground behind the Victory Hall on Sunday 22nd June from 1pm.
The Horti are also looking forward to helping out at this year’s Marsworth Steam Rally where we will be running the barbeque next to the beer tent. This massively popular event is now in its 16th year and will again be staged to support a range of local charities and worthy fundraising causes. The fun starts at 11am and goes on until 5pm, admission is £4 for adults and £2 for children with every ticket qualifying for entry into a free raffle prize draw.
Attracting visitors from miles around, it’s a great day out for all the family and a great Fathers Day treat for any machinery-minded man! See historic steam engines, agricultural vehicles, classic and vintage cars, motorcycles and trucks, PLUS a lot of family fun too. Tring fire brigade will be showing their fire engine, emergencies permitting, and as usual there will be various events in the arena throughout the day including the dog agility display, back by popular request, and steam engine rides for children (of all ages)!
The next village event however is the annual football match being played on the 2nd May. Lee has organised a full evening do that day with a bar (courtesy of Fullers brewery), disco and a curry. The event is FREE and is raising money to be put back into the village, so do please come along and support.
Article by Toby Davidson.
by lmphs | Mar 22, 2014 | News
The Horti committee are now recovering after an exhausting few weeks of staging our annual village pantomime, given an excellent review in last month’s magazine by our old friends, Luke & Rosa B Hind-Yew! Even so, we continue to plan for the future and are now thinking about our summer activities.
We are fully supporting Lee Diamond and his second Charity Football Match, which this year is being played on 2nd May (see poster). With an evening disco planned, he hopes to raise well over £1000 which is then distributed 5 ways to village groups. We then move on to the Marsworth Steam Rally on the 15th June, where the Horti and the village hall committee are running the burger bar. This promises to be a great day out so long as the weather holds, with several steam traction engines as well as a classic car rally and a wide variety of side stalls.
Our final event before the Annual Village Show in August is a community picnic to be held on the 22nd June. At the moment, no firm plans are in place on what to do on that day. I would like to use this column to ask the villagers of Long Marston what they would like to see happen.
The idea behind this is to provide a FREE community event that we can get as many Long Marston residents to come along to and enjoy, hence the idea of a simple picnic on the recreation ground behind the Victory Hall.
In order to get as many as possible to come along and join in, should I be looking to organise something along the lines of Tea at the Tower/Scarecrows Competition or just keep it simply asking people to turn up with their own individual picnics. In discussion with a few of my friends in the village, most agree that it would be a good idea to put on some sporting activity like a game of rounders, which people of all ages can play. Others have talked about a ‘theme’ for the day, like organising a cookery competition. Maybe people like the idea of ‘sharing’ food where everyone turns up with something different.
I am keen to take the lead on this, but need to get some ideas and support in order for us all to have a memorable afternoon (hopefully) in bright sunlight! I would welcome any comments before I plan anything, so would be very grateful if anybody would like to discuss this with me at their earliest convenience.
My phone number is 07970 636168/660754 or you can email me thejug@lmcc.org.uk or even catch me whilst I am walking through the village!
Article by Toby Davidson.
by lmphs | Mar 22, 2014 | News
So what is a CIL and how can it affect me? Following a fascinating and rewarding weekend spent at the Eden Project in Cornwall, I have been very interested in finding out more about this. The Community Infrastructure Levy was introduced as part of the Town and Country Planning Act of 1990, updated as part of the Localism Act of 2011 and is a document of planning obligation which controls the development or use of land and requires a sum of money to be paid to the local authority to allow for local infrastructure. A percentage of any CIL has to be used on local community projects.
As part of the development currently taking place at Dixon’s Wharf, CALA Homes have paid a S106 Levy to the county council and at some stage a small amount of money from that will be released for spending on local projects. At the last Tring Rural Parish Council meeting, I understood that they will soon be issuing an online survey for parishioners to propose what this money, however small it may be, could be spent on. THIS IN SOME SMALL WAY COULD AFFECT US ALL, but you can only influence where it might be spent if you complete the survey.
“For too long, central government has hoarded and concentrated power. Trying to improve people’s lives by imposing decisions, setting targets, and demanding inspections from Whitehall simply doesn’t work. It creates bureaucracy. It leaves no room for adaptation to reflect local circumstances or innovation to deliver services more effectively and at lower cost. And it leaves people feeling “done to” and imposed upon – the very opposite of the sense of participation and involvement on which a healthy democracy thrives.”
Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Minister of State for Decentralisation January 2011
Article by Toby Davidson.
by lmphs | Mar 11, 2014 | News
Following the recent flooding in January and February 2014, a number of people have united in an attempt to understand the source of the water entering Long Marston, Astrope, Puttenham and Wilstone and how it might be averted in future.
Following the devastating impact it had to properties in Long Marston, Herts County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) were invited to attend a meeting in the village hall to initiate a full investigation. We have received a draft scoping document for the investigation which is due to conclude in summer (more details for which can be found on the Forum – see below).
An initial meeting was held with the Canal and River Trust (CRT), following speculation of water being released from the local reservoirs, where they shared with us technical data and information about their water management system. The CRT do not believe that they were responsible for the rapid flow of water that entered Long Marston via Tring Road, although the release from Wilstone reservoir via Gudgeon Brook is likely to have accounted for the flooding in Astrope. Discussions are ongoing.
With support from the Parish council, local councillors and our MP, it is hoped that Herts CC Highways will in the interim, look at the more pressing issues of drainage, especially in Chapel Lane / Station Road, Long Marston where the water culminates.
Anyone interested in obtaining further information should register at http://www.forum.longmarston.org/ a forum which has been set up for local residents to share information and pass comment about the flooding.
Article by Peter Myrants.
by lmphs | Feb 27, 2014 | Events, Pantomimes and Stage Productions
2014 is now upon us and the Long Marston & Puttenham Horticultural Society celebrates the new year in the usual fashion by staging our annual pantomime. (more…)
by lmphs | Jan 13, 2014 | Events, Pantomimes and Stage Productions
Tickets will be on sale from Monday 20th January 2014.
Tickets From: The Queen’s Head, Long Marston; Wilstone Village Stores or Mead Farm Shop, Wilstone, or Sundays 2 – 5pm at the Victory Hall.
Enquiries: 07855 369515
Please note that the evening performances now start at the earlier time of 7.30pm.
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by lmphs | Nov 17, 2013 | Events
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by lmphs | Nov 14, 2013 | Events, Pantomimes and Stage Productions
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Sunday 24th November at 7.30pm
Long Marston Village Hall
Would YOU like to be involved in next year’s Pantomime?
(20th, 21st & 22nd February 2014)
We are always in need of more volunteers, so PLEASE come along to this short meeting, during which you can put your name forward to help in any of the following teams: front of house (selling refreshments, raffle tickets, programmes, etc.) costumes, props, scenery painting or construction, backstage crew and make-up.
Neil will also be casting the Pantomime, so if you are interested in actually appearing on stage, please be brave and come along. After all, if there is not a part suitable for you in this Pantomime, there’s always next year!
(We don’t start working on the Pantomime until January – only 7 weeks from start to finale – so your Christmas and New Year celebrations will not be affected)
EVERYONE WELCOME
Would you like to help, but can’t attend this meeting?
Contact Vicky Hayes on 07855 369515
by lmphs | Nov 14, 2013 | Events, Pantomimes and Stage Productions
TO ALL LOCAL CHILDREN AGED 8 TO 14 YEARS:
PANTOMIME AUDITIONS
FOR THE CHILDREN’S CHORUS OF NEIL GURNEY’S “SLEEPING BEAUTY”
will be held in Long Marston Village Hall
on SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER at 6.30pm.
** PARENTS MUST ALSO ATTEND**
Priority will be given to children living within the catchment area of (or attending) Long Marston School.
PERFORMANCES WILL BE IN LONG MARSTON VILLAGE HALL ON:
20th, 21st & 22nd February 2014. (Dress rehearsal: 18th Feb.)
Children’s rehearsals start on Sunday, 5th January 2pm – 5pm and continue
every Sunday until the performances.
There will be only SIX rehearsals before the Technical and Dress Rehearsals and LOTS of songs & dances to learn, so you must be prepared to work very hard and concentrate during rehearsals.
ALL children must be able to attend ALL rehearsals
PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: ~
Be prepared to help with the children during at least 2 rehearsals and 1 performance.
The Dress & Technical rehearsals may finish very late at night. The performances finish 10.30 – 11pm.
For more information, contact Vicky Hayes on 07855 369515
by lmphs | Oct 25, 2013 | Events, Pantomimes and Stage Productions
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We have now heard from our esteemed pantomime creator, Neil Gurney, who has agreed to do it again next year! Neil has been very busy recently and is currently directing a production of ‘Doctor Doolittle’ at the Pendley Theatre in Tring from 13-16th November with Pantomime regular Alan Munt in the title role which I am very much looking forward to seeing. With flower arranging shows in the local area on top, we are very grateful for his time and expertise.
The pre-panto meeting has been set up for Sunday 24th of November in Long Marston village hall where auditions for next year’s chorus will take place at 6:30pm. Neil and the panto team are keen to encourage young talent to take part in the show by joining the chorus so I encourage all would-be James Arthur or Little Mix to come and have a go!
Being involved in panto is hard work but most rewarding. There are a variety of jobs to suit all tastes from selling ice creams to making costumes as well as lots of painting! As we don’t start until the New Year, Christmas Festivities will not be affected and you only have to help us on Sundays that suit you. I would encourage anyone who is interested in helping us come to the hall at 7:30pm to meet the team.
by lmphs | Oct 24, 2013 | Events
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by lmphs | Oct 24, 2013 | Events
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The month of November is upon us and that gives us the last major public events before Christmas! I for one have already got my poppy in support of those who died in the two world wars and beyond – something that should be marked with dignity. It is also becoming poignant with the 100th anniversary of the start of the start of the First World War next year.
However, the main focus of our group will be assisting the Village Hall committee at their annual fireworks display on the 2nd. We are blessed in the village with a complete pyromaniac whose displays over the years have been nothing short of brilliant every time! Then combine that with a large bonfire and a full concessions stall offering burgers, sweets and the obligatory mulled wine. This year we are once again setting up on Old Tom’s field on the edge of Long Marston (heading towards Wingrave) and hope for a dry evening and a good turnout from the local area. Please however remember that there is no parking on the field (bar yellow badge holders).
Article by Toby Davidson.
by lmphs | Oct 24, 2013 | Events
This year’s annual quiz raising money for the local churches is on Friday 15th November. This is always very popular not only for the variety of quiz questions as set by our resident bonviveur but also for the superb curry lovingly prepared by our local vicars. Why not come along and sample their delights as you have a chance of winning a bottle of Cava to go with it! Please bring your own drinks and enjoy a fun-filled night out.
For details and to book a table, please contact Carole Harrison (01296 668526).
by lmphs | Oct 24, 2013 | News
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We had an interesting debriefing session following the Annual Village Show in August, discussing all aspects of the show. It was agreed that a principal aim for the future must be to utilise the arena a lot better. It was also felt that the event could do with some fresh ideas from members of the local community.
We are therefore looking for anybody who would like to see changes to the way the field is run come forward & join a NEW Village Show Organising Committee with new ideas for the future of the our main village event.
This will NOT involve attending endless meetings, more having a couple of informal get-togethers to decide what changes can be made to the field over a couple of beers. You must however be available to help put these ideas into place on the day of the show itself.
Please contact Martin Winship on 01296 662388 or martinwinship@live.co.uk if you are interested.
Article by Toby Davidson.
by lmphs | Oct 24, 2013 | News
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For years, Long Marston has had its own website, supplying information on local activities as well as local history archives. – www.longmarston.org
Recently, following local encouragement, the Horti has now created a Facebook page which it is hoped will be used by all village organisations to promote their events. The idea is to ask people to ‘like’ our new page and they will then receive information on all things going on in the village, from fundraising to sporting and leisure activities.
We also need local groups to sign up in order to promote their activities in the village. Please contact Vicky Hayes (vmh604@gmail.com) or sign up on our Facebook page – facebook.com/longmarstonhp23
Article by Toby Davidson.
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