October2013 Edition - Hatfield Heath Village Magazine

Hatfield Regis
Local History Society
President: Rupert Gosling Esq. Lord of the Manor
October 15
"Dudfins, Langles and Scummers”
A talk by Meryl Catty
This is a talk on items that appear in old wills
being handed on to family members
Held at St Mary's Hatfield Broad Oak
WINDOWS ON THE PAST
When the Parish Magazine celebrated its 50th Year
anniversary in 1943, the Vicar, and Magazine
Editor, the Rev A F Gardiner contacted earlier
incumbents going back to the first edition in 1893 to
ask them to write about their reminiscences during
their time at Hatfield Heath. All replied!.and gave a
fascinating account of life in the Village during their
period of occupation. In particular the accounts
given by the Vicars during the two World Wars
gave an insight as to life here which could not be
obtained by any history book.
Here is the Seventh report which
covers the period 1936 - 1945
Rev A F Gardiner 1936-1945
Mr P Newman - Churchwarden
Mr P V Broke - Churchwarden
J T Wordsworth - Churchwarden
E Chandler - Churchwarden
Clara Coleman - PCC Secretary
In December 1940 a German Bomb destroyed the
Schoolhouse known as Churchgate
House and the west wall of the Institute plus windows on the
north side of the Church.
Rev A F Gardiner 1936—1943 War broke out 3 years
after our arrival, and our village became at once the temporary
home of families evacuated from London. In the Vicarage
for instance we had at once 7 mothers and 7 children, and, in
the next 2 years, 6 more mothers, 6 more children, 2
grandfathers, a father, and an aunt—all of Jewish race
and faith, from Clapton. Since then the Vicarage has been a
F. A. Point. Our garage is the village Salvage Depot. Trinity
Hall became a school for children from B. London.
Meanwhile though a "safe area" we had plenty of bombs.
" Churchgate, " at the N. entrance of the church, was
demolished by a direct hit, providentially without loss of
life. A Disposal Squad removed another bomb at the S.
entrance with the church out of bounds for a week but, thank
God, unscathed. Our church has been " blacked out" from the
outset of war so that all our services have been held without
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interruption, a privilege that has been highly prized.
The village has played its full part in the war effort. More
than 100 men and women have joined up. They are all
remembered weekly by name in our public prayers and a gift
is sent to each at Christmas. Contributions to the Savings
Campaign and every other good cause have been
spontaneous, systematic, and marvellous. The Home Guard
and all the A.B.P. services have been enthusiastically
manned. A Y.M.C.A. centre is being splendidly run by many
willing helpers for members of the Forces and it is just what
they needed.
It was a new experience to have a Deaconess at the Vicarage.
The people have found out, to their great comfort, what that
means. At first it was puzzling, and more than one caller
forme have asked " Is the Deacon in? " The beautiful little
church has always been so much loved and so well cared for
that its needs are few, but it has been enriched by gifts of a
Processional Cross, a new Altar Book and a Litany, and a
beautiful picture of the
Madonna, a Passiontide frontal, much Altar linen, and many
other gifts. The approaches to the Altar, the Chancel and the
N. entrance have been improved, and a standard pipe in the
churchyard has replaced the old pump destroyed by enemy
action.
Our people live on very happy terms with those of the Chapel
congregation. On Good Fridays and National Days of Prayer
we have United Services, and also a monthly service of
United War Time Intercession. And at all times, in all good
works, there is whole-hearted co-operation between all members
of the Church and Chapel in spite of the vital differences
which unhappily separate us from one .another in matters of
Faith.
We have been very happy here, and only lack of space
forbids the mention of the host of keen and active workers
who are doing so much here for the Church—the
Churchwardens, Squadron Leader J. T. Wordsworth and Mr.
P. V. Broke, the best ever; Miss C. Coleman, the one and only
Secretary the P.C.C.has ever had; Mr. P. Newman, a worthy
successor as Parish Clerk to Mr. Daniel Day ; Mr. and Mrs.
Dix, now, alas! resigning, who have worked wonders with
the Choir; Mr. E. A. B. Chandler whose Children's Services
have made him their true guide and friend ; and so many
others, unnamed but never to be forgotten.
One last word. Throughout these 50 years every Vicar has
found unfailing friendship at Gladwyns, and how much the
Church owes to succeeding generations of Brokes it would
be impossible to say. Words cannot express what my sister
and I owe to Mrs. H. Broke and Mr. P. V. Broke, in our home
and in the parish. If I may be forgiven a parody of that
beautiful poem " The Brook" it is indeed a blessing to this
parish that while Vicars may come and Vicars may go, the
Brokes go on for ever.
So we close our Jubilee Number, recalling the words of
Scripture: "Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year: it shall be a
jubilee unto you."home of families evacuated from London.
In the Vicarage for instance we had at once 7 mothers and 7
children. During the next two years we had 6 mothers and 6
children, a father, grandfather and an aunt of the Jewish race
and faith from Clapton. Since then the Vicarage has been an
F.A. point, our garage is the village salvage depot and Trinity
Hall became a school for children from East London.
Meanwhile, though a ' safe area,' we had plenty of bombs. '
Churchgate' at the North entrance of the Church was
demolished by a direct .hit, providentially without loss of
life. A disposal squad removed another bomb at the South