Temespan February 2016

CRUSE BEREAVEMENT cope with their pain and grief.
CARE – WORCESTERSHIRE We, at Cruse Bereavement Care
Charity No. 208078 Worcestershire are here to help;
For most of us, bereavement we have trained counsellors
dwiisllorbieentthaetinmgoesxt pdeirsiternecsesinwge awnildl specialising in bereavement
ever face, we all experience grief support. We are a charity and
differently, there is no ‘normal’ or offer one-to-one bereavement
‘right’ way to grieve. counselling free of charge. A
How you respond to a death is bereavement volunteer will come
very individual and personal; to your home or arrange to meet
death can seem cruel and unfair, at a convenient location.
especially when you feel someone For more information please
has died before their time or ‘phone our Local Helpline on –
when you had plans for a future 01905 22223.
together. TRAINING - If you are a caring
The shock can make you numb, person with a little time on your
you may feel as if you are in a hands you may feel that you
different world, nothing seems would like to join us and train
normal anymore - You may feel as a Bereavement Counsellor, if
guilty about the things you said so we are due to start our 2016
and did, or that you didn’t say and Awareness in Bereavement Care
do, to the person who has died - A (ABC) training course in March.
common experience is thinking oFnor athcehactoaunrdsemoprleeaisneforcmonattiaocnt
you can hear or see someone who our trainer Linda Macdonell on
has died and can happen when 01905 28561 or email :- lindamac-
you least expect it - Physical and [email protected]
mental pain can feel completely WANTED - We are losing our
overwhelming and very fright- Treasurer at our next AGM in
ening - One minute you are angry April, 2016 and are now seeking
and the next minute you can’t a suitable replacement for this
stop crying, the mood swings are voluntary position.
frightening as well - You may feel If you have some experience in
the need to talk about your loss this field and are willing to give
over and over again - this may be some of your time in helping us
the one time in your life that you to run the branch in caring for
can’t cope and need support. the bereaved, please contact Julie
Individuals approach Cruse Mills on 01299 896 762 or email:-
because someone they know juliemills24@gmail,com
has died. They may have lost a Julie Mills - Vice-Chair - Cruse,
husband, wife, partner, child, a Worcestershire
brother or sister, another relative Contact details – 01299 896 762
or close friend and want someone email:- [email protected]
who will listen and help them

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Teme Valley Wildlife

As I write this article for February again.” I think our reputation for
the rain is steadily falling, the preoccupation with the weather
ground sodden and noisy rivulets is justified, but at least we can
of water are seeking every ditch laugh about it too. Flanders and
and drain. Apt, then, for February Swann’s Song of the Weather
fill-dyke. But
February’s makes merry
watery with “Febru-
landscape ary’s ice and
is usually sleet freeze
the result of the toes right
melting ice off your feet.”
and snow, I do like the
not excess old sayings
rain. Lots of and suspect
rhymes and old country sayings that they contain enough nuggets
concern the weather. “February of truth to be as accurate as the
fill-dyke, be it black or be it white; met office’s long range forecast,
but if it be white it’s better to and probably more accurate on
like.” This rhyme hints at the a day-to-day basis. Local wisdom
unfavourableness of a non-snowy imparted to me advises that if
soddenness, and accords with the Clee hills appear very distinct
the old Anglo-Saxon name for and seem near, then it is going to
February – solmonath – which rain. My informant, who also says
translates as mud-month. How “if you want to know the weather
direct, the language of our ask a farmer”, told me that his
ancestors! father taught him not to attempt
2nd February is a day to watch, hay-making on such a day. The
according to another old rhyme. meteorological explanation for
“If Candlemas Day be fair and this phenomenon is temperature
bright, winter will have another inversion. A band of cold, wet
flight. If Candlemas Day be cloud air, soon to be released as rain, is
and rain, the winter will not come trapped close to the ground by a
band of warmer air. Light waves

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bounce between the ground and Spring is on the way, snowdrops

the hot/cold junction and travel will bloom and by the month’s

further than usual, making end hazel catkins will be dancing

distant objects clearer. The same in the breeze.

goes for sound waves, explaining

another local phenomenon, The next meeting of the Teme

namely that if you hear the Valley Wildlife Group is on

chimes of Eastham Grange clock, Thursday 11th February, when

then it’s going to rain. we welcome Paul Handy whose

talk is on native honey in native

Of course not all harbingers of hives. The meeting is at Rochford

rain occur courtesy of physics. Village Hall at 7:30pm and as

Animals and plants are sensitive always it is just £2 on the door

to moisture, air pressure, light where everybody is most welcome.

and temperature. The call of the

green woodpecker before rain has For up-to-date information on

given it the name, in many country what wildlife is being seen in the

districts, of rain bird. Flowers area, or to give us your sightings,

can act as weather-pointers too. visit us at www.temevalleywildlife.

Daisies and bindweed close their com. The group normally holds a

flowers before rain, stimulated by meeting on the second Thursday

falling light levels. This protects of the month. All are very welcome.

their pollen from a drenching. The Tel. 01584 781500 or email danny.

scarlet pimpernel, a diminutive [email protected]

flower, inexplicably occurring in

blue as well as red forms, closes

its flowers in response to high
humidity. The accuracy is such

New Deadlines:that it also goes by the name of

poor man’s weather-glass.
For Temespan articles from
January 2016
6th of the month
But February is not all bad. (ads are now the 8th of the month)

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TEME VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

On the 8th December 21 Christians were reluctant to
members heard an excellent talk acknowledge pagan traditions. In
on “Christmas Past and Present” the early years of Christianity only
given by Mary Bodsmith, which Easter was celebrated and it was
was followed by a very enjoyable not until Pope Julius I declared
Christmas party for which thanks December 25th as Christ’s birthday
must be given to Anna and David that Christmas was celebrated in
Whymant. this country at the end of the 6th
Rather surprisingly the talk opened century.
with reference to Stonehenge and Mistletoe also has pagan connec-
the celebration of the winter solstice. tions being important in Greek and
The stones which were erected in Nordic mythology and the Druids
about 2500BC have their alignment used it in their ceremonies. In a
with the midwinter sunset so similar vein, holly and ivy had
that the sun sets between the two pagan backgrounds and were used
upright stones of the trilithon on to celebrate the winter solstice. In
or about 21st December. There fact all plants/trees that remained
is evidence to suggest animals green in the winter were popular,
were slaughtered here for a feast to and in many countries it was
celebrate mid winter and the rising believed they would keep away
of the new sun. evil spirits. However the use of
When the Roman Empire expanded the modern Christmas tree has
they brought with them their own its origins in Germany. It is said
rituals and adopted some of the Martin Luther was so inspired by
existing ones in the countries they the brilliance of the stars shining
conquered. The Cult of Mithras through trees he encouraged
was one they brought with them as people to put candles in trees. It
it was only open to men and popular was introduced into this country
with the military. Little is known by George III in 1832. Following
of it other than its connection to a picture of Queen Victoria and
the sun and therefore this fitted well Prince Albert in front of a lighted
with the winter solstice and became tree with presents underneath, it
a major celebration. became very popular and it has

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developed to bring us to our current had been dressed in various bright
celebration. colours but mainly green. In 1920
Father Christmas has many origins he started appearing in Coca-Cola
but in this country there is reference adverts dressed in red and it is
to a Sir Christmas in a carol sung in suggested this was the origin of the
Devon in 1435 being a presenter of current outfit.
Christmas. Following the defeat of Our next meeting is on 23rd
Charles I, Oliver Cromwell declared February, 7.30pm at Abberley
Father Christmas as being decadent Village Hall, when Mike Watkins
and banned him. However in 1660, will give a talk entitled “Two Ships
Charles II brought Father Christmas in the Night.” All are welcome.
back as a presenter in mummying Mike Harley
plays. His role developed but he
did not become a giver of presents
until 1879. Up to this point he

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RICHARD WILKS

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We have been serving the Teme Valley and surrounding
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Mulching and Playground Bark and Woodchips; Sand
Gravel Cement Roadstone; Decorative Gravels; Large
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Animal Bedding and Forage Supplies; Winter supplies of
de-icer Rock Salt; Firewood Coal and Calor Gas Agents
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Call to discuss your requirements with us

01299 402992 or 07813093803

Email:[email protected]
www.richardwilks.com

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Teme Valley Tote
The new series starts in April. Co-ordinator by the middle of
Why is it important to the March, you should contact them
Churches? or Robin Dean, the Tote Organiser
It is a fairly painless way to raise (01886 853295 or email
money for the Churches. The series [email protected]). If you
ending in March 2016 will have would like to assist in the collec-
raised £2,800 for the Churches tions, please contact your local
and will have paid out £1,200 to 36 Co-ordinator, they will welcome
lucky subscribers. your participation.
How does it work? Standing Orders
Anyone is able to subscribe. We A number of people in the past
encourage new subscribers and have set up standing orders (either
old subscribers wishing to increase on paper or via the internet) – you
their stake. You pay £10 per ticket are encouraged to do this. Those
and for this you are entered in who have existing standing orders
a draw each month (that’s 83p need do nothing further – Robin
per draw) for 12 months (April to will contact you should there be
March). The monthly prizes are any problem with the payment.
£50, £30 and £20. A number of Standing order forms are available
people have multiple tickets (in on the two Parishes websites.
two cases, 10 each!). What usually Robin can supply you with paper
happens is that someone buys a copies or email you the form. You
ticket or several for each of their can use the account details on the
family members. form to set up a payment electron-
How is the money collected? ically.
In each of the areas involved, there Queries?
are Local Co-ordinators who collect If you have any queries or concerns,
and consolidate the subscriptions. please contact Robin Dean as
If you wish to take part and you above.
have not been approached by your

The local Tote Co-ordinators are as follows:
Eastham: Celia Adams
Knighton: Sheila Hardiman and Keith Bunn
Lindridge: Mary Walker (Mary is looking for volunteers to assist her –
particularly Frith Common) Please could we have a volunteer?
Stockton: Sandra Jabbett
Pensax: Could we have a volunteer please?
Stanford: Alexandra Winnington

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CLOWS TOP & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

If you’re not a member then come 2016 PROGRAMME
along and join us at one of our 27 January,
monthly meetings. It’s a great Abberley Clock Tower, Jo Roche
opportunity for you to share your 24 February,
thoughts, ideas and advice with Nature of Wyre, Rosemary
other members. We have a great Winnel
programme of speakers as well as 23 March,
Evening visits to local gardens. Spring Show & Gardeners
Our Garden Club has a very Questions with Derek Walker
friendly atmosphere, everyone 17 April (Sun),
is welcome. Don’t be afraid to Coach Trip to RHS Wisley
come along, we are a garden 27 April,
club not a horticulture society, Bulbs for the Unusual, Ross
the membership is only £10 pa. Barbour
However, Non-members are 14 May (Sat),
welcome to any monthly meeting. Plant Sale & Coffee Morning
Clows Top and District Gardening 25 May,
Club meet the 4th Wednesday in An Evening with Bill White
the calendar month at Clows Top 22 June,
Victory Hall; Doors open 7.30pm, Rose & Sweet Pea Show & Visit to
for the speaker at 8 o’clock. ‘Little Bullockhurst’, Rock
Admission Fee: Members £2 or 14 July (Thurs),
Non-Members £4. Free Refresh- Visit to Worralls Mill, Abberley
ments. 27 July,
Further Details Telephone Burford Angels, Paul Benson
Marion Wilson 01299 270475. 20 August (Sat),
Or email: clowstopdistrictgarden- Clows Top Summer Show
[email protected]. 24 August,
Hedgerow & Garden Medicine,
Rowan McOnegal
28 September,
Autumn Show,
26 October,
New Zealand, Ray Sturdy
23 November,
AGM & Members Social Evening

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