Living Here
About Whitwell and the Parish of St Paul’s Walden
Hello and welcome! We are delighted that you have chosen to come and live here in the Parish of St Paul’s Walden. The Parish comprises the village of Whitwell and the hamlets of St Paul’s Walden and Bendish.
“Living Here” is a quick start guide to help you find your way around the Parish and some of the groups, activities and amenities which are on your doorstep. We will highlight other sources of information you can explore if you are interested and want to find out more. And if you are disappointed that something seems to be missing then let us know and we can include it. Alternatively if you feel that you would like to start up a group or activity please do so since there is always room for something new! And please do give us feedback on this site, we always appreciate ideas to improve it.
One thing to highlight is our Helpline: 01438 300399, which is run by volunteers in the parish to assist residents. More details can be found below.
We hope you will enjoy living here and will settle quickly into your new home and community – we look forward to meeting you.
St Paul’s Walden Parish Council.
Allotments
Allotment plots are great for keeping fit, enjoying the outdoors, finding some peace and quiet and of course, growing healthy fruit and vegetables!
They are also really beneficial to help families live a healthy lifestyle, build new friendships with other allotment holders, while boosting our local community.
St Paul’s Walden Parish Council is responsible for the management of the allotment site which is next to the Strathmore Arms in St Paul’s Walden.
At the moment all our plots are taken but if you would like to go onto the waiting list please contact the Parish Clerk, Stephen Smith [link on Steve’s name]
For information, here are the terms of the current Tenancy Agreement [link to agreement]. This agreement is subject to periodic review.
Buses and Taxis
Local Taxis – there are a number of local taxi services covering our Parish. We have included a link to Yell the website listing some of these but you might find it helpful to ask a neighbour for a recommendation.
Business Directory
We have included a list of local businesses operating in and around the Parish. St Paul’s Walden Parish Council does not endorse or take responsibility for any of the services provided by businesses in the directory. Businesses have not paid for inclusion in the directory and are not permitted to advertise on our website.
Any business wishing to be included in the Directory or change its details should contact the Parish Clerk. The Parish Council reserves the right to decline the inclusion of a business in the Directory.
Charity Shop
The Whitwell Charity shop is run by a team of volunteers and raises funds to help maintain the Village Hall. It is located next to the Village Hall and opens Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings. We value all our supporters who generously donate to our range of quality stock and our customers who shop with us.
Church
All Saints Church Parish of St Paul’s Walden
Vicar – the Revd Canon Stephen Fielding 01438 871121 slfielding@hotmail.com
Warden – Tim Liddell 01438 871153/07917 024545
All Saints PCC Contact: stpaulswaldenchurch@gmail.com
All Saints (St Paul’s Walden) Preservation Trust – a charity aimed at the maintenance and upkeep of the fabric and churchyard of All Saints church.
Community Defibrillators
St Paul’s Walden Parish Council has installed three Community Public Access Defibrillators in Whitwell one in St Paul’s Walden and one in Bendish.. Each defibrillator is housed in a bright yellow cabinet and are clearly visible on the external walls of the buildings.
The locations for the defibrillators are:
- Outside the Surgery, 62 High Street
- Outside the Pavilion on the Recreation Ground
- Outside the Village Hall (New Fellowship Hall, Bendish Lane)
- Outside the Strathmore Arms PH, St Paul’s Walden
- [ NOT YET INSTALLED Outside xx, Bendish]
Operation
The defibrillators are installed in weatherproof cabinets and can be opened in an emergency. No prior training is needed to operate a defibrillator. The units we purchased have a graphic display which shows users where to locate the pads on a patient, it also delivers very clear spoken voice prompts. It will only administer a shock to a patient if it detects that the heart is in a condition where a shock is required. The units will work on both adults and children.
As The Community Heartbeat Trust says “No one will criticise you for trying to save a life! The defibrillator will not function unless it determines there is a need, so do not worry about using one!”.
Community Groups and Organisations
10 to 3 Club (Age UK Hertfordshire) – Contact: Margaret 07939 933150. Meets Thursdays at Lime Tree House 10am-3pm
Board Game Nights – Contact Mark (mark@littlejoemedia.com). Meets third Monday of the month at the Bull
Church Choir – contact Ros Jenkins 01438 871821
Evergreen Club – Contact Hal Boshier 01438 871358. Meets Alternate Thursday at the Village Hall from 2pm
Fellowship Lunch Club – Contact Sarah Kohl 07941 027862. Meets alternate Wednesdays at the Village Hall from 12.30 pm
Hello Out there – Contact Dawn Jenkins 01438 871831. Meets once per month for tea and a chat at Emily’s.
Royal British Legion – Contact: Mr B Pheasant – Address: 16 Codicote Road Whitwell Herts SG4 8AB. Meets first Monday in the month at Lime Tree House or at the Bull at 8pm
The Living Theatre – Contact Julia Fisher thelivingtheatrewhitwell@gmail.com
Village Voices – village choir meets Thursdays at St Paul’s Walden School, Bendish Lane at 7.30pm
Whist Drive Club – Contact Pat Sansom 01438 871371
Whitwell Cinema Club – Meets at Village Hall, films on third Friday of the month. Doors 7.30pm, tickets £5. Just turn up. Film information on FaceBook, Parish Magazine and on posters round village.
Whitwell Players (Amateur dramatics) – Contact: Anna McNay whitwellplayers@gmail.com
Womens’ Institute – Contact: Valerie Hill 01462 711937 meets second Wednesday of the month in the Village Hall at 7.45pm
Environment
The Parish Council created an Environment working group in 2021. The group consists of volunteers who can initiate and take forward environmental projects in the Parish supported by the Parish Council. The Group meets periodically. Anyone who is interested in getting involved should contact the Parish Clerk in the first instance.
Food Bank
Codicote Food Bank Wednesdays 6pm-7pm 119 High Street Codicote. No referral required. Please either turn up in person or call 07507 295627 to arrange to collect food. Food can also be delivered if you can’t get there in person.
If you would like to donate food this can be done via the Village Shop in Whitwell.
Getting Involved
There are many ways to put something back into our local community if you are looking for opportunities. Some options are listed here:
Village Hall Management Committee – become a Trustee of the Village Hall and help to run this essential service in our community
The Garden Club – started as an NHS social prescribing organisation it is now independent and ….
Fellowship Lunch Club
Home Library Service – become a volunteer
Sue Ryder
Help Line
HELPLINE 01438 300399 – This helpline is run by volunteers in the parish to assist residents with things like:
- Collecting shopping or prescriptions
- A practical emergency
- Accessing food banks
- Simply to be a listening ear
Please be assured all contact will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
This helpline is not the same as contacting the Parish Council. If you need to contact the Parish Council then please contact the Parish Clerk or a Councillor directly.
Highways and Parking
Free parking is available on the street and at the Recreation Ground.
Medical Services
Whitwell Surgery 60 High Street SG4 8AG
Lister Hospital Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage SG1 4AB
Hearing Aid Clinic Lime Tree House, 48 High Street SG4 8AG. Dates and times of clinics are advertised on the notice board at village shop or contact Jenny Vaughan 01438 871458
Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch sarah.brown@herts.pnn.police.uk
Parish Magazine
Published at the start of each month by the Parochial Church Council of St Paul’s Walden Parish. Annual Subscription [£xx] or on sale at the village shop. Contact the Editor: spwparishmagazine@gmail.com. Deadline for contributions 15th of each month.
Parish Map
Places to Eat in the Village
The Bull PH 01438 871254
The Strathmore Arms PH 01438 871654
Emily’s Tea Shop 01438 871928
Public Spaces and Playgrounds
Children’s play grounds:
- at the Recreation Ground Whitwell
- at the Recreation Ground Bendish
- Private children’s play area in Bradway
Regular Events
Annual (and bi-annual) Events include:
- Burns Night Supper (alternate years January), T
- he big litter pick (March),
- Village Day (village fair in June),
- the village scarecrow competition (June),
- Whitwell’s Got talent (talent show in June),
- Whitwell Steam Fair (June)
- Royal British Legion Remembrance Ceremony at the War Memorial (November),
- Whitwell Players’ Panto (December).
Details of all main events going on in the parish will be on the Events Calendar on this website. If you have an event you would like to include on the Calendar then please post it usng the add event button and subject to approval it will show up on the Calendar for all to see.
Rights of Way
This link takes you to the Herts County Council Rights of Way viewer where you can explore all rights of way in the Parish.
Schools
Mothers and Toddlers Group – meets Thursdays 10am – 12 noon at the Village Hall during term time. Contact Mary Hobman
Whitwell Nursery School – Contact: Gemma Dunham 01438 871166
St Pauls Walden Primary School (Education) – Contact: The Head Teacher 01438 871241 – Address: Bendish Lane Whitwell SG4 8HX
Sports Clubs
Badminton ~ Philip Adshead 07710 733353 meets September to April on Mondays 7.30pm Village Hall
Bowls Club – Jane Robinson 01438 871750 – meets Tuesday and Thursday 6pm Kimpton
Cricket Club – Contact: Mr Mark Welbourne
St Pauls Walden Tennis Club – Contact: Dave Holgate on http://spwtennisclub@googlemail.com , or see the club’s web site at http://www.stpaulswaldentennis.club
Whitwell Area Golf Society – Contact: John Vaughan 01438 871458
Whitwell Juniors Amateur Football Club – contact Paul Stanbridge
Vets
For local vets see directory
Walks and Cycle rides
The parish has a number of excellent walks and is also very popular with cyclists. This section is under development but we are aiming to include some maps with key walks and links to cycle routes which come through the parish.
Waste and Recycling
For bin collection details check NHDC website. In general bin day is TUESDAY: recycling (black bin and paper recycling box) alternate weeks; non-recyclables (purple bin) alternate weeks; kitchen waste caddy every week.
Garden waste (brown bin) by subscription only (apply here) – alternate weeks (with recycling)
There are several household waste recycling centres in Hertfordshire, the closest are at Stevenage and Harpenden. Details of all the household waste recycling sites are here including details of opening times, what can be taken to them and queue cams so you can see how busy they are.