Temespan June 2021

A TIME OF CELEBRATION
IS NOW HERE

June 2021



Index Editor’s
Note
Page Number and Article

P4: Church Service updates As I am about to send this
P5/7: A fond farewell to Vikki magazine for publication, in the
P7: Teme Valley Tote news, hopes are running high for
P9: A letter from the Dean of a return to a sense of normality in
Worcester our society. It will be interesting
P11: Local Hostelries to see what we make of the new
P13: A letter from our MP normality. Many of you will crave
P15: Lindridge News the old whilst some will want an
P17: Filling Station and Coffee amended approach. Will we ever
Breaks feel relaxed hugging acquaint-
P23/25: Teme Valley Historical ances or standing close to a
Society stranger again? Who knows? I’m
P27: Lindridge Parish Hall News personally more reassured by the
Centre Pages: Lindridge School hygiene methods we’ve adopted
Fund Raise and can gladly boast I’ve not had
P33: Film: A walk in the Woods a sniffle, sore throat or cold in 18
P35-39: A reflection on these past months!
months Thankfully, at present, all seems
P39: Teme Valley Arts Society to be going well, opening up our
P43/45: Teme Valley Wildlife places of social gathering with
Group everything crossed for the final
P47-P53: Lindridge Parish push on the 21st June.
Council report We’re going to emerge into a
P57: Clubs and Societies changed world when we do. Quite
P58: Contacts what we make of it is up to us.
Personally, I hope it’s a more
considerate one.
Now, time for a drink of your
desired elixir, then a seat in your
favourite chair for a moments
quiet relaxation and a good read.

3

COVID-19
Our church communities are

alive and active

For the latest information about services, events and prayer
resources, visit the 4Rivers Church website

www.4rivers.church

The Teme Valley North website also contains useful local
information:

www.temevalleynorthparish.co.uk

Rev Ted and/or churchwardens can be
contacted at the Church Office:
01299 890 100
[email protected]

Prayer
We pray each day for our communities. If there is something
specific you would like prayer for, please use the following email

address: [email protected]
and

The Church of England Daily Hope offers music, prayers and
reflections as well as full worship services at the end of a 24-hour

telephone line: 0800 804 8044

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A Fond Farewell ...

By Vikki Day

It seems only yesterday that I rural
was driving up Church Lane in life, not
Shrawley, to my new home and least the
to start my new role as Mission challenges faced by small rural
Developer for Stourport Deanery. communities and churches. One
It has been a real privilege and of the things about rural living
joy to work with people in the is the importance of ‘community’
different church communities and local relationships; something
and live in this part of Worcester- made much more apparent in
shire. I have really valued getting the last year where people have
to know people and supporting got to know others in their local
them as they explored their gifts community who had previously
and ministry – and have also been strangers.
valued the support they have
offered me. A changing future is inevitable.
I was struck by the beauty of the There will be times of hardship
place as soon as I arrived and and uncertainty (something
haven’t tired of the wonderful acutely felt by our small rural
views when driving down the churches), but when communities
Teme Valley - sights that include come together and work together,
the huge balls of mistletoe which they can enable their community
I had never seen before! This area to flourish. I have seen things
has deepened my connection with change over the last seven and
nature and I am reminded often a half years, but one thing that
of the creation story - “God saw remains the same is the desire
everything that he had made, and of the people in the churches, to
indeed, it was very good” (Genesis share the love and light of Christ
1:31 NRSV) in the places they serve. We have
Living and ministering in this been reminded that the Church is
rural area has taught me a lot about the people, not the building – we
are called to model our lives on
Jesus and Jesus was to be found

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PART OF THE MALVERN COLLEGE FAMILY OF SCHOOLS

Start your Abberley
StartAdyovuerntAubrbeerley
AdventureJoin us at our
We’re now open for private tours and visits,

Open Day: so why not come and join Headmaster, Jonnie
Besley, and see the exciting changes we’ve
Saturday
been making at Abberley Hall.

12th June, A new Saturday enrichment curriculum,
from 10am flexible boarding and Year 7 scholarship
opportunities are just a few of the new ways to

start your Abberley Adventure.

See our website to arrange your personal visit

and keep a look out for our upcoming Picnics

in the Park. We look forward to welcoming you!

www.abberleyhall.co.uk | [email protected]
6

amongst the people. ‘4Rivers’, has been a significant
I am excited to embark on this part of my vocational journey to
next phase of my vocational ordination and you will remain
journey and discover where God in my heart, and in my prayers
is leading me, but I am also sad to as you journey forwards in these
be leaving you – I have some great changing times.
memories to take with me. Being Vikki
with you, ministering amongst

Teme Valley Tote

We decided to delay April’s draw May Draw (the second draw in
until May, to allow people to enter. this series)
Therefore below, we have the May’s prize draw of the Tote was
results for both April and May: decided when Rev'd Julia Curtis
April Draw (the first draw in this rolled the dice on 1st May to select
series) the set of random numbers and
April’s prize draw of the Tote was the starting point. As a result, the
decided when Rev'd Julia Curtis prize winners are as follows:
rolled the dice on 1st May to select The £50 winner is Clive Cooper of
the set of random numbers and Stockton (Draw no 430)
the starting point. As a result, the The £30 winner is Mike Garrett of
prize winners are as follows: Lindridge (Draw no 124)
The £50 winner is John Woolley The £20 winner is Gill Williams of
of Lindridge (Draw no 139) Pensax (Draw no 361)
The £30 winner is Anthony If you have not already joined, and
Winnington of Stanford (Draw no wish to – please contact Robin
549) Dean on 01886 853295 or by email
The £20 winner is Jennifer ([email protected]) or
Northwood of Stoke Bliss (Draw your local co-ordinator.
no 766)

7

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The Green Season

by Peter Atkinson
Dean of Worcester

As we leave the season of Easter the young. To the envious person,
and Pentecost behind, the Church old or young, the grass is always
moves into the ‘green’ season of greener on the neighbour’s side of
the weeks after Trinity. Green, the fence. All this suggests that
because the vestments and altar we might spend the green season
frontals are of that colour, apart of the Church’s year reflecting
from the occasional variation on what makes us envious, what
when a festival or saint’s day makes us content, and trying to
occurs. Green, too, because as we get the balance better.
move from spring into summer,
we are all the more aware of And then, of course, the colour
the greenery of trees and grass, green has come to sum up the
hedgerows and hills. It’s a good whole environmental agenda,
time of year for people with green from climate change to pollution,
fingers. from waste to deforestation, from
Green has other meanings as travel to sources of energy. One
well. It stands for youth and of the ways we can implement a
inexperience (‘he’s very green’), green agenda is by living more
reminding us of the green simple lives, which brings us back
shoots of spring. Such people are to the idea of contentment, and
sometimes called ‘greenhorns’, learning to live without envy.
which is the American word for
immature bulls or oxen. Less Soon after the start of June we
pleasantly, green is the colour of celebrate the summer feast of
envy, derived from Shakespeare’s St Wulfstan which is also the
‘green-eyed monster’. Older people dedication festival of Worcester
can look with green-eyed jealousy Cathedral (7 June). In the collect
at the greenhorns, who have all for St Wulfstan we pray that we
their life before them. The green- may ‘live simply, work diligently,
horns are too green to know that and make God’s kingdom known’
the old can be envied as well as – an agenda for the green season
of the Church’s year.

9

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The Bridge Hotel, Stanford

ftsTSrwbabduirnoheeenooenthertsriaeotnuleostvhntcnroosahiosfnpeuwnuoaembdegnerreufnawdecitnasBsrneraepcsyaatrrSiwtutan.intiehusdbcs’tdssinaetgeAfdmAooothdeeesmlodreaidwxlnmfoiL!y!ecgedoWwtariihcrtnhsweaestceHgeeClrdblilholdvoaalpaasetrcnuabeevartttknbddlooyeees,,

It has been a long 14 months since Our opening times are:
Covid first started. Tuesday
We are so happy to be opening Bar from 6pm
indoors for the first time this Dinner 6pm-9pm
year and can’t wait to welcome Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
everyone back to the Manor Bar from 12 noon
Arms. Lunch 12 noon-2:30pm
Here’s hoping for a sunny Dinner 6pm-9pm
summer 2021! Saturday
Bar from 12 noon
Food 12 noon-9pm
Sunday
Bar from 12 noon
Food 12 noon-6pm

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TSB’s Steven Hall with Harriett Baldwin MP

Support for TSB Safe Space Initiative

WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP landmark legislation to increase
Harriett Baldwin has supported a protection for victims and
national campaign which allows strengthen measures to tackle
people suffering domestic abuse perpetrators.
to access support. Harriett said: “The increase
And Harriett visited the TSB in domestic abuse has been a
branch in Tenbury to get a major concern over the last year
briefing on the initiative which is and during periods of lockdown,
being rolled out across the bank’s people we unable to access
branches this month. support or even able to leave their
People needing assistance are home setting.
able to go to the branch where “This is an important initiative as
staff have been given specialist the Government strengthens its
training on how to best help support both to help victims and
victims. The Tenbury branch has tackle perpetrators.
a covid-safe meeting room with a “By rolling out this campaign, I
phone that can be used to offer hope that this is also a sign that
further specialist support. TSB is committing to its branch
Research shows that there was network. Several high street
a 40 per cent increase in people banks have announced local
needing support on domestic closures and I hope this is confir-
abuse during periods of lockdown mation that the Tenbury branch
and the Government has passed is here to stay.”

13

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St Lawrence
Lindridge

St Lawrence Church has started continues online where you can
to open for Sunday worship, and enjoy a mix of contemporary worship
small groups are now meeting and and more traditional worship each
worshipping together in the church; Sunday.
however the church is not yet All the services are listed on the
opened permanently. At the time of Services calendar on the 4RIVERS
writing this, there is no congrega- CHURCHES Website:
tional singing in church and booking https://4rivers.church/services/
remains a requirement as do face If you would like to talk to someone,
coverings and social distancing. We or find out more about the online
hope and pray that it will be safe to service provision, get in touch using
open the church more permanently the contact information below.
very soon.
One of the positives from closing the CONTACTS
church is that the If you would like to
swallows have free talk to Rev Ted and/
access to nest in the or a churchwarden at
porch. Last year the St Lawrence church
swallows had two please contact the
broods and there is a Church Office:
picture below of the 01299 890 100
fledglings waiting [email protected]
for the weather to The Lindridge
improve. A good use church community
of the Covid signage! continues to pray
We are all looking each day for everyone
forward to the across the 4Rivers
planned relaxation Parishes and if there
of the COVID-19 is something specific
restrictions and you would included
being able to meet in the prayers, use
together safely in the following email
worship, and to address, or phone the
meet with friends and family. Please church office or one of the Wardens:
continue to check the 4RIVERS [email protected]
CHURCHES Website for up to date Blessings to everyone
information: https://4rivers.church/
services
Be assured that regular worship

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THE FILLING STATION

Please note that our next the recorded talks are available
meeting of the above will be held on Filling Station Tenbury
on Thursday 17th June when YouTube. If you wish to join in
Jeff Short will be speaking to this format of meeting, then
us. Jeff is a Methodist Minister please contact John Bacon who
from Stoke-on-Trent who is also will send through the link for you
a weekly broadcaster for Cross- to gain access. His email address
rhythms City Radio and hosts is [email protected]
a live three hour programme of Any further information can be
music, chat and interviews each given by contacting me on kate.
Wednesday. We are continuing to [email protected]
meet using Zoom at 7.30pm and

“MID-WEEK BREAK”

We hope to hold our first Enjoy your mid-morning coffee
coffee morning of this year on with others in our community
Wednesday 9th June (Covid at Lindridge Parish Hall on
allowing) at Lindridge Parish the above Wednesday between
Hall 10.30am to 12noon 10.30am and 12 noon. Spend
time chatting with friends, old
and new, over drinks and biscuits.
In order to keep everyone safe
during the lifting of the restric-
tions it would be helpful if you
could let me know if you intend to
join us.
For more information contact
Kate Harley – 881194
All are welcome

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TEME VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HISTORY OF BANK HOLIDAYS

We have just had two different remember. The term Public
and distinct Bank Holidays in Holidays can refer exclusively
May and it made me wonder what to common law holidays which
was the origin of Bank Holidays. followed the tradition outlined
Holidays began as religious above and therefore confined to
festivals known as holy days and Christmas Day and Good Friday.
this is where the word comes They were days on which most
from. They generally took place businesses were closed.
at Christmas and Easter but
also included Saints days. It Bank Holidays were introduced
enabled people to come together by a banker turned politician
and celebrate. This may have Sir John Lubbock, the first Lord
begun with a church service Avebury. The legislation he
where the church would have brought in was known as Bank
been decorated for the occasion. Holidays Act 1871. Up to that
Following that, there would be point most employers were able
games, music, dancing ending to give their employees days off
in eating and drinking. They on public holidays but this did
were days to look forward to and not include those employed in
the banking sector. The reason

23

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for this was that holders of bills became known as May Day Bank
of exchange and promissory Holiday.
notes had the power to demand There were of course no two week
payment on those days therefore holidays in these times and these
the banks had to be open. Sir individual days were as much as
John thought that work was hard people expected. The advent
enough in those days and the only of summer holidays as we know
way to overcome the problem was them came much later although
to legislate for holidays. The the wealthy started taking
definition of a Bank Holiday is holidays towards the end of the
:- “A weekday on which banks are 17th century as it was considered
closed by law; legal holiday.” good to bathe in sea water and
When the act came into force such places as Margate and
Easter Monday, Whit Monday, Brighton became very popular
the first Monday in August and but, as they say, that is another
Boxing Day or St Stephen’s story.
Day were added to the original On the basis of the current
two common law holidays of route map out of lockdown, we
Christmas Day and Good Friday. have provisionally arranged a
Eventually all businesses, shops, meeting at Abberley Village Hall
government offices and schools at 7.30pm on 29th June when a
adopted all of these Bank talk will be given on the Severn
Holidays. Subsequently in 1965 Valley Railway. Hopefully no
the Whit Monday and the first restrictions will be in place
Monday in August dates were Mike Harley
changed as a trial and the former
became the last Monday in May Deadlines:
called Spring Bank Holiday, and
the latter, the last Monday in For Temespan
August. These were successful articles and ads
and became permanent Bank is 6th of the month
Holidays with a revision of the
1871 act in 1971. Further revisions
of the Banking & Financial
Dealings Act in 1974 made New
Year’s Day a Bank Holiday, and
in 1978 the first Monday in May

25

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Lindridge Parish Hall

It’s marvellous to be back in action Menith Wood WI is also back.
and seeing people face to face at Meetings start up again on
last. We are again able to take Monday June 7th at 2 for 2.30
bookings for private functions and pm (Please note the change
it’s also the ideal venue for staff of venue to Lindridge Parish
training or conferences because Hall and the new start time.)
the AV facilities are so good. See That afternoon Liz Dove will
www.LindridgeParishhall.co.uk be sharing local reminiscences
or call 01584 881747 for details. from the “Dumbleton Diaries”
May 100 Club Results and we are looking forward to
1st Andrew Ferrier seeing our members once again.
2nd Marion Blaymire We always welcome visitors and
Next film: Friday June 18th new members, so for further
7.30 A Walk in the Woods information about WI and details
Next market and breakfast about our 2021 programme please
Saturday June 26th 10-12.30pm email menithwoodwi@gmail.
A future diary date: The Autumn com.
Show- Saturday September 6th
LPH Walking Group – We are NHS Appeal
hoping to set up a hall walking
group so If you would like Please please make sure that
company for a sociable local walk you have your NHS number
followed by a coffee at the hall and have it immediately to
then this is for you. Nothing is hand when you are called for
set in stone yet regarding which the COVID jab. Colleagues
day/ how often/how far etc, it will on the front line say this
depend entirely on what people is far and away the biggest
would like. If you’re interested bottle-neck when it comes to
please come along to the hall on administering the vaccine to
Tuesday June 8th at 7pm for a as many people as possible.
chat. Who knows, we may be able Please share this advice with
to sit outside in the sunshine to as many people as you can.
hatch some plans! Thank you.

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Fundraising at Lindridge

The staff at Lindridge Primary 31 miles of the Worcestershire
school are very excited to be Way over two days in June on
raising money for CLIC Sargent Saturday 19th and Saturday 26th.
(CLIC: Cancer and Leukaemia in Amber hopes to join her teachers
Childhood) who provide services near the end of the sponsored
to families with children or young walk so they can cross the finish
people with cancer so that they line together.
can focus on what’s important. Some of us are new to walking
Amber Beverley-Smith (9), a such distances so we are getting
Lindridge school student, was prepared with training when
diagnosed with a rare type of possible so that we can do our
cancer of the brain and spine in very best and make it to the end!
August 2020 and is currently If you can donate please do, it
undergoing treatment. Amber really would be most appreciated
and her family have been no matter how big or small. Here
supported by CLIC Sargent from is a link to our JustGiving page
the beginning, and continue to h t t p s : / / w w w. j u s t g i v i n g . c o m /
receive their support. fundraising/lindridge-prima-
The staff have decided to walk the ry-school . Thank you.

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Cycle Shirt: £29.99
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A little bit more info about how locally and nationally, so that
CLIC Sargent helps: they can focus on the important
When cancer strikes young lives things, like getting well. And if
CLIC Sargent helps families limit the worst happens, we will work
the damage it causes beyond their with bereaved families to get
health. Cancer doesn’t discrim- them support, to help them cope
inate. Today, 12 more children with their emotional pain.
and young people will hear the An example of where the money
devastating news they have raised can help:
cancer. From diagnosis, CLIC £38 could cover the cost of a
Sargent’s specialist care teams family staying overnight in one
will step in, ready to help, support of CLIC Sargent’s Homes from
and guide. We provide a package Home, providing free self-ca-
of support tailored to each young tering accommodation for the
cancer patient and their family. family near to specialist children’s
CLIC Sargent will fight tirelessly cancer hospitals, which are often
for children and young people many miles from a family’s own
with cancer, often when they feel home.
they can’t. We do this individually,
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We are grateful to:

A Walk in the Woods
Cert: 15 - 104 mins

Lindridge Parish Hall

Fri 18 June - 7.30 pm

Admission: Adults: 5.00 Children: 3.00

Seating is limited so please call 01584 881615 to book your tickets
Enquiries to: 01584 881615

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34

Memories and Rabbit Holes and Time
by Lesley Beasley

It’s been an odd year, a very odd again, down another rabbit hole.
year. We all know what it’s been My son advised me to look up
like for each of us. Some have a Canadian psychologist called
seen it positively, some have seen Jordan Peterson. Fascinating.
it as a liberation, some have seen Talking Pictures offers us all those
it as constricting and boring. My lovely old black and white films
feelings fall somewhere in all of that no one else shows anymore.
these categories and if I drew a Venn Who now remembers and talks
diagram, they would all overlap. about Margaret Rutherford and
But the one thing that the pandemic Alistair Sim? I’ve read books again
and its lockdowns have given us I haven’t looked at in a long time.
is.....time to think. Surprisingly, few The excellent biography of Gerald
people ever have the time to just Durrell, then I went off and tracked
sit and think, to ponder, to contem- down on Amazon a beautiful
plate. It’s the sort of thing that book he authored aimed at young
enthusiasts of yoga and meditation naturalists.
have always said, but having been Who now talks about him in any
thrust into a situation where there other regard than his time on Corfu
has been little choice, it’s been as a child?
interesting to say the least. Time to think. In the space of a few
Surprisingly, I have spent endless weeks I’ve lost the last of my uncles
hours disappearing down rabbit and aunts. They were aged folk in
holes following a thought, or a their 90s, so not unexpected and
quotation, or something I came as we are fond of saying “they had
across in a book. From 14C Persian a good innings” - but it has been a
poets, to German mathematicians, reminder that human life is fleeting
from Gertrude Bell, whose travels - only yesterday it seems that these
across the sands of Arabia over people were a fixture in my life,
100 years ago did so much to shape and now there is no one I can call
what we now call the Middle East, Aunt or Uncle. That tier of people
to the best way to cook poached above me have disappeared. Yes, I
eggs!! am almost 68 - but it still seems a
This is where Google and Youtube little odd that there is no one alive
come into play. Now there is little now who remembers me as a child.
that we can’t find out in a matter I am looking over my shoulder at
of seconds thanks to the internet those “blue-remembered hills” and
- all the knowledge of mankind the halcyon days of childhood and
is there at our fingertips. Like wistfully thinking about my mother
the modern reincarnation of the inspecting my Sunday best clothes
Alexandrian library in Egypt. before we went to church.
Someone says “Have you read....?” This is, of course, nothing new -
or “Did you know.....?” and off I go there is nothing new under the sun,

35

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36

as the saying goes. We all feel this fantastic that retired people can
way as we grow older. We look back do all this stuff now - that you can
with a nostalgic gaze to what seems spend your time just learning new
like a time of such innocence. things and skills, what a brilliant
I often have discussions with my way to spend your time”
elder boy about the question of And he’s right. It IS a brilliant way
perception - is the world a nastier to spend time! Think of something
and more violent place today than you are interested in, even vaguely,
it was? Or is it just that we now and somewhere you will find a
have 24-hour news shooting at us community or a person or a book
from every direction and are more or a course which will feed your
aware of what goes on in the world? curiosity.
There is something to be said for This is what time to think can do
that - but I still maintain that in my for you - “I wonder if I can...........”
youth there were no such things becomes “I think I will............” - and
as drive-by shootings and children aren’t we the lucky ones????
weren’t routinely knifing each other Our computers have given us a
to death on the streets of London. window onto the world which is
Is it any wonder, therefore, that my unprecedented - the opportunity
generation retreats from all this to increase personal knowledge
into a world of old films, books and has never been so completely and
disappearing down rabbit holes, utterly available to the human
in my case, in search of evermore gaze. And we, the lucky few here in
interesting little nuggets of infor- our isle set in a silvered sea, we the
mation. I think I do it to counteract inhabitants of the luscious Teme
that 24 hour news which batters Valley, we get to do this in our little
the soul. slice of heaven. I know I bang on
And so to retirement! I am finally about this sort of thing regularly in
retiring this year - and I am very these aimless jottings - but we really
thankful that nowadays it is filled are immensely privileged to live
with possibilities that simply here. Every single time someone
weren’t there years ago. The comes to my house who hasn’t
elderly had the Derby and Joan been before is entranced by the
clubs back in the day - now, there surroundings. It is our green and
is little you can’t do or experience pleasant land and when the Regal
in retirement. Fancy mountain opens up again, it will once again
climbing, or croquet, or learning have all that I require to make me
almost any new skill you can think content!
of?- there is a way to do it. From U3A So, as boring as it has sometimes
(University of the Third Age) to been these last months, I have
local groups of like-minded people, relished the time to think. I’ve made
there is a wealth of opportunity no real plans but I have increased
now for retired folk - and so no need my store of knowledge and yes, I
to feel bored! have pondered the big questions. I
Time to think, time to ponder, time don’t have any answers of course,
to contemplate - my son says “How

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but I have thought about them! of the universe - recently upended,
Time and solitude will do that so they say, by the discovery of
for you, and I have embraced it. I something entirely unknown in the
suspect many thousands of people nature of the matter which makes
have done just the same thing and up the universe.
have re-evaluated their lives, and You see? Time, rabbit holes and
discovered that most fundamental a whole universe of knowledge
of truths; that we are all mortal, the and experiences just waiting to be
clock is ticking and we simply have untapped.
to make the most of our time. Exciting isn’t it?
There’s another rabbit hole - time,
Stephen Hawking, the physical laws

The Arts Society War II’
Wednesday 21 July at 2.15pm:
Teme Valley Timothy Walker on ‘The Subtle
Science and Exact Art of Colour
June and July in English Garden Design – why
gardening can rank as fine art’.
lectures online. There is more information about
the talks and how to join them
We are planning to relaunch our on our website: http://www.
programme of live lectures in theartssocietytemevalley.org.uk/
September. lectures/
In the meantime, you are welcome The cost for non-members is £5
to join two lectures via Zoom. We per household per lecture. The
have already enjoyed two highly form to complete is at:
successful and entertaining h t t p : / / w w w. t h e a r t s s o c i e t y t e -
lectures via Zoom and welcome m e v a l l e y. o r g .
members and visitors to join us uk/uploads/
for the next two: fileman/
Wednesday 16 June at 2.15pm: Zoom.05c.pdf
Shauna Isaac on ‘The Art of the
Steal: Nazi looting during World

The Peacock Inn

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until 5pm Martley

Saturday: 8.30am WR6 6PQ
until 1pm Tel: 01886 888948

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At our feed mill in Martley, we have a convenient country store
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We pride ourselves on our friendly yet professional reputation,
building strong relationships with our customers.

Our qualified staff are available to offer nutritional advice as well as
holding an SQP licence to sell animal health products.

42

Teme Valley Wildlife

by Stephanie Mocroft

June is the month when two catalogue assured me that it was
of my favourite flower scents a new type which would flower
can be enjoyed. One is a garden a month later than the others.
plant, the other a wildflower. The Looking to extend the season of
garden plant is Philadelphus, lovely perfume, I ordered one,
also known as “mock-orange”, only to see it come into flower a
which I have grown in my garden few days before “Belle Etoile”, a
since first encountering it years lesson not to believe everything
ago in the grounds of Powys I read in catalogues. Genuine
Castle. I went there on a warm orange blossom smells divine
sunny day and as I descended a too, and I have been lucky to
slight slope a beautiful perfume enjoy it in sunnier climes where
reached me before I could see it blooms rather incongruously
where it came from. I can’t recall whilst the oranges are still on
whether the shrub was labelled the plant. Sadly it is too cold for
or whether I enquired from a to grow it here.
gardener, but it was called Phila- The other June scent is more
delphus “Belle Etoile”. I planted noticeable in the evenings than
one. The flowers are short-lived, in the daytime because it is
but the scent so good that it designed to attract late-flying
really doesn’t matter. pollinators. It is the familiar
A couple of years ago I decided to honeysuckle, which flowers for
plant another and chose a variety much longer than the cultivated
called “Starbright”. The nursery mock orange and although it

43

TEMESIDE HOUSE, TEME STREET,
TENBURY WELLS, WR15 8AA
TEL: 01584 811228

Located in the old workhouse and council building next to the River
Teme. Here we have beautifully appointed rooms, a studio, Sound

Sanctuary and holistic gift shop.
Room hire for therapists, practitioners and workshops.

Come visit our new sensory garden, and take a breath.
We look forward to meeting you.

44

is a woodland climber is often has a lovely smell but you have
to be found in hedges. I usually to reach right up to appreciate it.
pick some from my hedge to The beauty of honeysuckle is that
bring into the house. Often the scent is sweet and strong and
called woodbine it inspired this wafts in the air at head height. It
description from 1562. “Oh, how arrests your attention, you don’t
sweet and pleasant is Woodbine, need to go looking for it.
in woods and arbours, after a The next meeting of the Teme
tender, soft rain; and how friendly Valley Wildlife Group, on
do this herb, if I may so name Thursday June 10th, will be
it, embrace the bodies, arms conducted via Zoom. The talk is
and branches of trees, with his called “Solitary Bees” and is by
long winding stalks, and tender Ron Rock. For details of how to
leaves, opening or spreading join please consult our website
forth his sweet lilies, like ladies or Facebook page. Everyone is
fingers, among the thorns or most welcome.
bushes”. For up-to-date information
Cultivated forms of honeysuckle on what wildlife is being seen
arepopular too, althoughI’msure in the area, or to give us your
I’ve read somewhere that one of sightings or comments, visit our
the most scented forms available Facebook page. Our programme
was spotted by a plantsman of events, bird survey and
growing wild in a Herefordshire archive photographs are
hedge. I’ve ordered a dwarf form available on our website www.
to try in a pot this year, what’s temevalleywildlife.co.uk We
the betting it will turn out to be normally holds meetings on the
ten foot tall? second Thursday of the month.
Other wildflowers don’t seem to All are welcome. Contact us by
smell so strongly. Bluebells en telephone on 01584 881397 or by
masse are lovely but the day has email at [email protected]
to be warm for the scent to lift up
and be noticeable. My neighbour
EME VALLEY AccoUNTS
Tloves the scent of sweet violets
that grow in our lane, but even
on hands and knees I never seem Book-keeping PAYE, VAT,

Sage, Tax Returns.
to be able to detect it. Our native Cost effective rates and friendly advice.
daphne, the spurge laurel that For no obligation discussion or visit call:
grows in Teme valley woods, is Claire Elliott
pleasant, but rather faint. The
01584 881708 07731 010099

dog rose, another flower for June, Email: [email protected]

45

46

Lindridge Parish Council

Lindridge Parish Council held its • Amendments to our
annual meetings on the 5th May emergency plan in light of
2021. Due to COVID restrictions our experiences during the
the meeting was conducted by pandemic.
ZOOM. Topics discussed included:
• The presentation of the Chair- For full details please see the
minutes on our website.
man’s annual report, Our next meeting will be on the
• The appointment of our Chair 21st July. COVID restrictions
permitting, it will be held in
and Vice Chair for the forth- person in the Lindridge Village
coming year. Hall.
• Presentation of our annual If you are interested in becoming
finance figures, a councillor please contact
• HGV access to Oldfields Farm, our clerk – Rachel Lambert –
• A planning application to site [email protected] we
a telecommunications mast in still have two vacancies!
Eardiston,
• Further discussions on regen-
eration in Eardiston, and

Chairman’s Annual Report Calls for support from the Parish
May 2021 Council have been few but we
remain willing and able to assist
2020 and the early part of 2021 any of our residents should the
have been difficult times as need arise.
COVID raged across the country Councillors
and all the agencies wrestled to During the Summer of 2020 our
get control of the pandemic. Our then Chairman, Steve Workman
sympathies go to anyone who has moved home and was obliged to
been affected by the virus but resign from the Council. Steve
we should all be grateful for the had served as chair of the Council
tremendous work of the NHS, for more than two years. We were
that Lindridge infection levels sorry to see him go but offer him
remained relatively low, and and his wife best wishes for their
that the vaccination programme life in their new home. As Vice
now offers hope for the future. Chairman I was invited to take

47

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48

over whilst Councillor Mrs. Lowe • inflating our total income
volunteered to replace me. and expenditure figures, and
We are fortunate to have retained • being somewhat
the services of our most experi- misleading when, at various
enced members; Cllrs Mr. Benbow times of the year payments have
and Mr. Williams and, in addition, had to be made before we have
have three new councillors; Mrs. been refunded, and vice-versa.
Thomas, Mr. Rainbird-Hitchins In an effort to simplify matters, I
and Mr. Holmes. have focused on the key aspects of
Other personnel our funds.
The Council has the support of In summary, during the 2020/21
three other people, our Clerk, financial year we received £7,200
our lengthsman and our unpaid, by way of the precept, £45.46p
volunteer path warden. Much interest and an additional £600
of their work goes on ‘behind donated from County and District
the scenes’ but without them, Council funds to assist with the
the Council couldn’t function, purchase of waste bins (see later).
many of our drains, verges After our expenditure we were
and footpaths wouldn’t be left with £385.46 which will be
maintained, and our public rights incorporated into our reserves.
of way wouldn’t offer access to The Council maintains reserves
our beautiful countryside. On to fund predictable events (for
behalf of the Council, I would like example replacements of our
to thank each of them for their assets as they wear out) and
outstanding work over the past unforeseen occurrences. At the
twelve months. end of the financial year 2020/21
Finance Summary we were holding total reserves
Please note that detailed accounts amounting to £8,914, over half of
are published on our website after which is identified for predictable
each Council meeting. events. The Council policy is
The Council’s finances are that we maintain our reserves
somewhat complicated by two for unforeseen occurrences at a
factors. The first is that the figure no less than one half, and
lengthsman is employed, and no more than equal to our annual
funded, by the County Council. precept. At the close of the year
The County Council pays has our reserves for unforeseen
salary to us and we pay him his occurrences stood at £4,464, or
earnings. The second is that we approximately 7/12 of our precept
are exempt from VAT and have for 2021/22.
to reclaim any we have paid at We have set our precept for
intervals during the year. Both 2021/22 at £7350 to account
of these factors have to be repre- for cost-of-living increases and
sented in our accounts and have to ensure our reserves are
the effect of: maintained at an appropriate

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