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2025 Sloe Gin Competition
Every year the Bellringers run a SLOE GIN Competition, believed to be one of the oldest of its kind in the world.
Very simply, you go out into the local countryside and pick sloes and you add them to gin, according to your own recipe (plenty on the web). Then in February, you supply a sample of your brew to the judges who compare your sample with the other entries. A couple of days later, a party is held when everyone gets a chance to sample all the entries and see if they agree with the judges.
There are 4 categories - 'Nouveau' made with this year's sloes, 'Vintage' made with previous year's sloes, 'Ringers' Delight' any fruit and spirit based concoction, and for the first time last year, 'No/Low alcohol sloe gin'.
The entry form is available to download here the tasting party will be on 22nd February in the URC schoolroom.
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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 Brewing inthe 100 Parishes. This describes how and why brewing started and what evidence still remains.
Picture above is of the Old Brewery in Radwinter, now a private house.
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The former Felsted Brewery
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The former Brewery, Hatfield Heath
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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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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 23rd February
9.00am St Mary’s STRETHALL
11.00am Family Worship at St Nicholas ELMDON
Saturday 1st March
4.30pm Saturday Gathering: 'What do we hope for?'
Sunday 2nd March
9.00am Holy Comunion at St Nicholas LITTLE CHISHILL
With The Venerable Kate Peacock
11.00am Café Church at
CHRISHALL VILLAGE HALL
Sunday 9th March
9.00am Holy Comunion at
Holy Trinity HEYDON
11.00am Family Worship with Holy Communion at St Swithun’s GREAT CHISHILL
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You can now see the
December/January edition of the Icknield Way Parish Village Web magazine here.
Please see here for all church news and information.
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Parish Bulletin available here
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Bin Collections Tuesdays unless otherwise marked
25/2/25: Blue Bin only
4/3/25:Black Bin
11/3/25: Blue Bin and Green Bin
18/3/25: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 4pm everyday excluding Bank Holidays, 1st October to 31st March
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
Games Night
The Pheasant Every Monday 6.30 Bridge, Cribbage, Draughts, Chess or any other game you fancy.
Pie Night
The Pheasant Every Wednesday 6-9pm
Breakfast
The Pheasant Every Saturday 10.30-11.30am
Moules & Wine
The Pheasant Every Saturday 6-9pm
THE SCHOOLROOM - DANCE STUDIO
A fun and light-hearted approach to...
Scottish Dancing URC Schoolroom, Barley Road Every Monday, 7.30-9pm Partners are actively encouraged but certainly not essential! £5.00 for each person per session.
To include a wee dram afterwards...!
No experience needed, just a sense of humour!
New Age Kurling
Every Friday, 7.30-9pm
Sloe Gin Competition Party
URC Schoolroom Saturday 22nd February See elsewhere on this page
COFFEE MORNING
St Swithun's Church Wednesday 12th March 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 12th March 7.30pm Book your team of up to 6 NOW 838535
Fishy Friday
The Pheasant Friday 28th February 6-9pm Book Now 838535
St Patrick's Day Dance & Drinks
Great Chishill Village Hall Saturday 15th March 7pm till late Live Music, Bar £12 in advance, £15 on the door
WINE CIRCLE
(more about it below)
Hall Farm WEDNESDAY 26th March 8pm onwards. Kindly hosted by Jemma and Michael
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 (last Wednesday or Friday 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 May 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 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.
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
5th March
2nd April
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Melbourn Library Opening Times
Monday to Friday 2-4pm
Saturday 10am–2pm
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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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February 2025 Chishills Newsletter now available to view or download