VPA News

It is with sadness that we have learnt of the passing of David Moore earlier in December. For many years David was a stalwart of the VPA amongst many other successes during his life. David was the store manager (taking over from Bob Ward) and was a champion vegetable grower, he loved the show competitions having a huge garden devoted to growing. David, along with his wife Edna, supported the VPA in many ways over umpteen years along with being an aspiring artist and serious motorcyclist entering competitions particularly on the Isle of Man (where Edna originated from).

Below is a letter from Jules, David and Edna’s daughter, advising of the funeral details for anyone who remembers David and wishes to pay their respects:

Dear Friends

Excuse the general nature of this note- we had a lot to send out.

We are very, very sad to let you know that Dad – David – passed away peacefully on 4th December at the care home where he had been living for the past three and a bit years.

He had been declining gradually since his dementia diagnosis in July 2019 and although Dad was not able to do the things he loved, he always had a big smile on his face. Dad had a really wonderful life and had so many amazing experiences, and quite a few broken bones to boot! He also made some lovely friends along the way.

We would love you to join us to celebrate his life on Friday 13th January 2023. The funeral is at 12pm at St. Mary’s Church, High Street, Northchurch, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 3QW followed by lunch and drinks at The Greyhound Pub, Stocks Road, Aldbury, Herts, HP23 5RT. There is fairly limited parking at St. Marys so please leave plenty of time to cruise around the local streets to find spaces.

It would be great if you could let us know if you can join us. You can email us on leylandjules@gmail.com or call / text Jules on 07961 418283.
Or write to us Jules Leyland and Colin Moore, 5 Model Cottages, London, SW14 7PH

For those that remember Dad thank you for your time and kindness remembering him.

Dear Members                 

The VPA is looking forward to 2023 after all

Villagers have stepped forward to save the VPA.  We feel very fortunate to be able to send a positive news item following the last one which was very bleak.  Following a big push via social media and the various LG e-news items we have had several people get in touch offering a variety of helpful and supporting ideas.  THANK YOU to everyone and ongoing we very much welcome people coming forward to lend a hand, no matter how short a period of time you can spare.

Firstly, the Committee have been sorry to say goodbye to Lin Underwood and Stuart Buchanan-Barrow.  It goes without saying that we owe a great debt of gratitude to these two departing Committee Members, Lin having been Store Manager for the last 3 years and Stuart, Treasurer for 6 years, both have done a sterling job and are in the process of handing over to the new Committee. An enormous thank you as you move onto other projects.  The last store opening for the year was 11 December where visitors were able to enjoy a cup of mulled wine or a coffee.

Going forward we are pleased to say Elliott Bachmann will be our new Store Manager and Kate Filippidis is our new Treasurer. In addition Faye Robinson, Rachel Heaphy, Stephanie Royal, Glenda Cooper, Emily Hinde and Tim Crossley-Smith have all joined the Committee.  Alastair Greene, Janet Stinton and June Abraham have all remained on the committee and Stasia Parker has kindly agreed to continue supporting us on Social Media. We also have a number of volunteers who have said they are happy to help either with events or in the store on Sunday mornings.  A WhatsApp group is being set up to include all store volunteers to assist with instant communications and if you would like to be included please get in touch at hello@lgvpa.org

Now that we have a strong Committee and a new roof on the store (electrics to be done soon) we are in a good position to move forward. At our initial meet up with new people there was a strong desire to hold the Winter Show. This involves a lot of organisation, however the date is now in the calendar – Saturday 4 February 2023, so please put the date in your nice new diary also allowing time the previous week and in the lead up to the 4 February to prepare your entries. If every household were to put just one entry into the show we would have a bumper record of entries which would be great fun for members and visitors alike.

The usual classes will be there, cooking and preserves, wines and spirits, floral art, photography, children’s classes and pet classes. More details will follow. As the future of the VPA was uncertain, we do not know if exhibitors will have fruit and vegetables to enter.  It would help us in the final preparation of the programme if you can give an indication of any likely produce suitable for entry by emailing: vpa-show@lgvpa.org

During our closed period if you need any supplies, particularly the popular bird food, please email: store@lgvpa.org and we can organise your order. Payment by card, cheque or cash is welcomed.  Currently we plan to re-open in February 2023.

As you will recall in the past we have often awarded local good causes a donation and with the year-end upon us we felt in a position to make the following awards:  The Hospice of St Francis, Rennie Grove Hospice, Horatio’s Garden (Stoke Mandeville Hospital), Westcroft House (Tring) and Riding for the Disabled (RDA, Gaddesden Place), each receiving £400 which we hope will help in a variety of ways towards the services they each provide on a shoe-string budget.

Thank you and Happy Christmas to all our members from the VPA Committee.   

Dear Members of the VPA

What a sad heading this is!

After three years looking after the Store our manager Lin  Underwood is now stepping down. Her last time in the store will be 11 December 2022. We are very grateful to Lin for her guidance and enthusiasm in managing and developing the business.

Also, Stuart Buchanan-Barrow has decided to step down from the Treasurer duties he commenced over six years ago. Just as Lin has done with the store, Stuart has with books and accounts, keeping the records in excellent order and steering us forward, with a good watchful eye on incoming and outgoing money requirements which has been essential.

Consequently we are in urgent need of volunteers to fill those shoes.

To keep the Store running we need someone to manage the ordering of stock, store opening, either by being present personally, or by ensuring a rota of volunteers is covering Sunday mornings between 10 am and 12 noon (the current opening times of the store).

Our sales, which cover all things to make gardening successful, plus the very popular bird food selection, continue to deliver profits to the VPA funds and we have a turnover of c.£5,000pa.

In order that we have a smooth handover we need someone to step up straightaway for both of these roles.

Please contact any committee member to discuss what is required.  If we do not receive any interest in helping with these requirements the store will not be able to function and will close for good on December 11^th.

Lin Underwood: store@lgvpa.org

Alastair Greene: membership@lgvpa.org or 843667

June Abraham: info@lgvpa.org or 07760144057

Stuart Buchanan-Barrow: 843602

Janet Stinton: 842218

The Store, which is situated next to the Village Hall, is the heart of the VPA and alongside that we run events like the May Plant Sale, the Winter and Summer Shows and the always popular Harvest Supper and Quiz night.

We have continually flagged up the need for volunteers and thankfully we have been able to run with a very small Committee in recent years.  However, the need to have someone(s) undertake the organisation of the Store is a critical one.

The remaining Sunday opening days are: 30/10, 06/11, 20/11, 27/11, 04/12 and 11/12/2022.

Are there some entrepreneurial young people out there that could get involved and learn about stock ordering, pricing and selling on a small scale which would enhance a CV?  You do not need to have a knowledge of gardening but need to be prepared to learn the basics to keep the Store viable.

If anyone has any ideas or can contribute to mapping out a possible strategy for the Store to continue we are all ears and very much wish to hear from you, now.

Your Committee

[lgvpa.org]

AGM Minutes

Held – 27 April 2022 Location – Thomas Field Church Hall

Present
Jenny Birks, Glenda Cooper, Chris Mawhood, Josie Jeffrey, David and Anne Heard, Barbara Sheard, Sandra Walsham, Sue Godar, Carolyn Wise, Valerie and Jeremy Neve Foster, Lyn Hyde, David and Pat Seymour, Trevor Fernandez, June Abraham, Alastair and Alison Greene, Stuart and Linda Buchanan-Barrow.

The meeting welcomed the guest speakers, Julia Bolton and Amy Moffatt from Horatio’s Garden.

Continue reading “AGM Minutes and Plant Sale results.”