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Price:Polestarr. Jonathan Crouch's New Novel
 
Great Chishill’s very own action & adventure novelist Jonathan Crouch, has done it again, producing an action-packed sequel to his debut novel - 'Price: World', which was published last year.
'Price: Polestarr' continues the adventures of Dr Adam Price and his friends as they take on an American business tycoon, hell-bent on using his new, Polestarr satellite project, to secretly take over the World, under the guise of collecting the first real-time global warming data. More about it here.
'Price: Polestarr' is available to purchase from Amazon in both e-book and paperback versions, and readers are invited to keep up to date with future 'Price:World' novels via the website: www.priceworldnovel.co.uk, where there are also links to the novels' Facebook, YouTube and Instagram pages.
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2025 Sloe Gin Competition
Helen Whitehead, organiser of this events writes
'Last Saturday saw the continuation of the Chishill tradition of the ‘oldest Sloe Gin competition in the world’ with a packed schoolroom at the URC. People of all ages came to sample the 42 different homemade tipples and delicious canapés and were able to cast their own votes for a new ‘People’s Choice‘ award.
Many thanks must go to our three stalwart judges who, earlier in the week, had the onerous task of tasting and scoring all 42 while still managing to walk home without mishap.
 I am surprised every year that the carefully managed, autonomous judging process often produces a familiar list of winners, proving that they are worthy medal winners indeed and this year was no exception. Congratulations to you all for providing an astonishing variety of fruity tipples and ensuring that a splendid time was had by all, with over £300 raised towards the Tower Bell fund.'
and a big thank you to Helen for all the work she put into organising the event.
| Nouveau |
| 1st | Ivan Sharpe |
| 2nd | Hilary Goodall |
| 3rd | Ed Johnson |
| Vintage |
| 1st | Stella Russell |
| 2nd | Hilary Goodall |
| 3rd | Sue Maynard |
| Ringers' Delight |
| 1st | Lucy Goode |
| 2nd | Neil Heywood |
| 3rd | Stella Russell |
| Zero Alcohol |
| 1st | Ivan Sharpe |
| 2nd | Iskra Sharpe |
| 3rd | Ivan Sharpe |
| People's Choice |
| Trudie Adcock |
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Parish Services
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YOUTH CLUB
Youth Club runs every 2nd & 4th Tuesday in term time from 6.30-8.00pm in Great Chishill Village Hall.
The club is for all local young people from age 10. New starters warmly welcomed, and any new volunteers!
Contact Emily on 07900 243491
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SUNDAY 4th May
9.00am Holy Communion at
St Nicholas LITTLE CHISHILL
11.00am Café Church at
CHRISHALL VILLAGE HALL
SUNDAY 11th May
9.00am Holy Communion at
Holy Trinity HEYDON
11.00am Family Worship with
Holy Communion and Baptism
St Swithun’s GREAT CHISHILL
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Please see here for all church news and information.
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The Windmill
The Trustees of the windmill write
 Our guiding season has got off to a flying start. The windmill is open every second and fourth Sunday from the start of April to the end of September. Tours with one of our guides are available from 10:00 to 16:00. On some dates (check website for details) we are also providing some light refreshments, this includes Sunday 11th May when the mill is open as part of the National Mills weekend.
As always if you’d like a tour outside of these dates just let us know.
Maintaining the windmill falls to a small number of volunteers and we are always looking for new recruits. I have a specific request in this email for anyone who can spend a few hours to help us cut the grass at the mill. There is no long term commitment just one session in the months the mill is open. If you’re able to help let me (John Wahlich) know (we have our own lawn mower!)
You can see our plans for 2025 here
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Parish Bulletin available here
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Bin Collections Tuesdays unless otherwise marked
6/5/25: Blue Bin and Green Bin
13/5/25:Black Bin
20/5/25: Blue Bin and Green Bin
27/5/25:Black Bin
Not sure what goes in which bin? Click here to see the SCDC quick guide.
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Barley Shop Opening Times
Normal opening hours
Mon to Fri 8am to 6.30pm
Sat 8am to 2pm
Sun 9am to 2pm
Tel 849611
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Saffron Screen
Saffron Screen is your not-for-profit independent community cinema based within Saffron Walden County High School. The professional auditorium boasts a full size screen, 200 cinema seats, Dolby Digital surround sound and both 35mm and digital projection equipment. Ticket and refreshment prices are kept low to benefit all and parking is free.
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For full details see website www.saffronscreen.com
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Saffron Hall
 Saffron Hall is an exciting venture set up in the grounds of Saffron Walden County High School. The vision is to inspire through music and the arts.
Exceptional adjustable acoustics. Ample FREE parking.
See Whats On for more details
www.saffronhall.com Box office 0845 548 7650
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Thriplow Dump
There is now no need to book a slot. .
Gravel Pit Hill, Thriplow, Cambridgeshire SG8 7HZ
Tel: (01223) 839001
Opening hours:
8am to 5pm everyday excluding Bank Holidays, 1st April to 30th September
Christmas Eve - closes at 1pm
Christmas Day - closed
Boxing Day - closed
New Year's Day - closed
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Fancy a Walk?
Circular Walks from Great Chishill
13.3Km
8.9km
7.4Km
or
4.5Km
or, if you want to go further afield, Hundred Parishes Walks More than 50 FREE walks to download.
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New website guide to this area
A new website has been launched - Barleywolds.com - as a guide to the countryside and villages between Royston, Stevenage and Bishop’s Stortford.
The Barleywolds is the name given to this area of chalk “hills” on the borders of Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
Barleywolds.com is a free, non-commercial guide to the History, Myths, Nature, People, Villages, Towns, Attractions, Restaurants, Cafes, Pubs, Walks and Accommodation in and around the Barleywolds area.
Visit the Barleywolds today @ Barleywolds.com, and find a walk, a pub or a story.
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Looking for an Interior Designer?
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The Pheasant
Click for bigger image
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Forthcoming Events
Pie Night
The Pheasant Every Wednesday 6-9pm
Breakfast
The Pheasant Every Saturday 10.30-11.30am
New Age Kurling
Every Friday, 7.30-9pm
WINE CIRCLE
(more about it below)
48 Heydon Rd Wednesday 30th April 8pm onwards. Kindly hosted by Debs and James
Band Night ('ALLERGY')
Great Chishill Village Hall In aid of the Gt Chishill Playground Project Saturday 3rd May 7pm-12, Bar, Over 18s only. £18 per person. Tickets GCPlayground@outlook.com.
Windmill Open
Sunday 11th May 10 till 4
COFFEE MORNING
St Swithun's Church Wednesday 14th May 10am to MiddayCome and enjoy some tea, coffee, cake and chat at St Swithun’s Great Chishill.
Children’s corner available. All welcome.
Quiz Night
The Pheasant Wednesday 14th May 7.30pm Book your team of up to 6 NOW 838535
Fishy Friday
The Pheasant Friday 30th May 6-9pm Book Now 838535
Barn Dance (Ceilidh)
Great Chishill Village Hall In aid of the St Swithun's Bell Fund Friday 11th July Details to follow, but Save the Date of one of the best events in the year in Great Chishill
WINE CIRCLE
For those of you who don't know, this is NOT a fund raising event, it is just a get together of people who live in or around Great Chishill. Just turn up with a bottle of wine (or whatever you would like to drink), it doesn't need to be anything special, and just enjoy the company of others who live nearby. Nibbles supplied by the hosts. Usually, the event takes place monthly (3rd or 4th Friday or the last Wednesday of the month) and is hosted by someone different each month. If you haven't been before, just come along you don't need to be invited.
More about wine circle can be found HERE
At the present time we do not have any volunteers to host a June venue. Email greatchishill@gmail.com for more info or to offer to host!
Get your event listed here by emailing webmaster@greatchishill.org.uk or phone 838311
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Village Newsletter
 May 2025 Chishills Newsletter now available to view or download
If you have any items to be included in the May newsletter, please contact Will Parsons on wllprsns@gmail.com by 23rd May
If you have trouble downloading or viewing the newsletter it may be because you do not have the latest version of Adobe Reader. 
Back numbers of Newsletters here
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Village Hall Bookings
It is possible to have a look at the Village Hall diary online. Simply click on the picture of the calendar to see it. (the diary will open in its own window).
Please treat this calendar as a guide only as some events may be provisional.
If you would like to make a booking, please email chishillvh@gmail.com
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Great Chishill United Reformed Church
There has been a ‘Congregational chapel’ on the site of the present United Reformed Church for over 400 years and we are very much planning for the future.
On a Sunday you are guaranteed a warm welcome, with services held on the first and third Sundays of the month. Whether a morning or evening service the duration will be around 45 minutes with a time of friendship and fellowship afterwards in the schoolroom (usually with splendid refreshments).
The church is part of a Linked Pastorate of 5 churches, Great Chishill, Bassingbourn, Buntingford, Fowlmere and Melbourn. Minister - Sue Fender.
The present pattern of services is for a 6pm evening service on the first Sunday of the month and for a 9.30 morning service on the third Sunday of the month.
Next services -
Sunday 4th May 6pm, Sunday 18th May 9.30am. All led by Rev Sue Fender
Read about more than 300 years of 'Non Conformist' worship in Great Chishill
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Defibrillator
 An Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) has been installed on the wall of the sports pavilion facing the car park. In the event of a cardiac arrest, upon calling 999 the caller is given the location of the nearest AED and the code to unlock it. The device gives easy to follow verbal instructions, is safe to use, and will only operate if it is appropriate.
More information about Defibrillators.
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Mobile Library Dates
Heydon Road opposite the bus stop, on the first Wednesday of each month 14:10-14.40
7th May
4th June
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Melbourn Library Opening Times
Monday to Friday 2-4pm
Saturday 10am–2pm
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The Hundred Parishes Society
The Hundred Parishes Society was launched in 2014 in an attempt to raise awareness of a large area of northwest Essex, northeast Hertfordshire and southern Cambridgeshire that is particularly notable for its exceptional depth of heritage.
The Society is so called to recognise that it contains just over 100 administrative parishes which includes Great and Little Chishill. 
The website is www.hundredparishes.org.uk and it has just had a major update, which includes amongst other things an index which gives access to the many interesting articles that the society has produced since it was started.
An article is produced each month with news or information of interest to the area. A recent article is about History of Farmland Ponds in the 100 Parishes. This describes how farming practices over the years have affected ponds.
Picture above is of Finchingfield Pond.
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Gt Dunmow Pond
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Heydon Pond
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The website is www.hundredparishes.org.uk and it has recently had a major update, which includes amongst other things an index which gives access to the many interesting articles that the society has produced since it was started.
 The index includes links to videos that have been made about the area, some going back to WW1. One of particular interest to us is a documentary about the proposal to make Nuthampstead London's third airport! You can see that here.
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Local History
Chris Allan from Barley sent us a copy of an article about Great Chishill published in 'The East Anglian' in October 1966. It contains interesting old photos including The Plough, Rectory Cottage, the Church Tower and the Windmill. See the whole article here.
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History
 
To find out about the history of our villages read an extract from 'A tale of two villages' by the late Lorna Prior together with the Doomsday Book entry.
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