Temespan March 2016

another tactic to prevent disaster. a sheep-trough propped against it, is
They puff themselves up and stand on pleased to see me. It would be nice to
tiptoe to make themselves look much think that he is.
bigger than they are. The next meeting of the Teme Valley
Toads have entered folklore as Wildlife Group is on Thursday 10th
associates of witches, cures against March, when we welcome Wade
diseases, protection against bad Muggleton whose talk is on apples
luck and, surprisingly, possessors of and orchards of the Teme valley. The
a jewel in the head. Shakespeare in meeting is at Rochford Village Hall
“As you like it” compares adversity at 7:30pm and as always it is just £2
to a toad, “ugly and venomous” which on the door where everybody is most
“wears yet a precious jewel in its welcome.
head”. The most enduring toad in For up-to-date information on what
literature though, has got to be Toad wildlife is being seen in the area, or
of Toad Hall, an extrovert creature to give us your sightings, visit us at
with a penchant for smashing up www.temevalleywildlife.com. The
motorcars. He is described as “always group normally holds a meeting on
good-tempered, always glad to see the second Thursday of the month.
you, always sorry when you go.” I’m All are very welcome.
not sure if my toad, sometimes inside, Tel. 01584 781500 or email
sometimes outside my greenhouse, [email protected]
and currently hiding in a hole under

TEME VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

On 26th January 26 members Some research of the site on which
heard a fascinating and wide the Hive now stands revealed
ranging talk given by Paul Hudson that in 1741 a house, known as
from the Worcester Archive Netherton House stood there,
& Archaeology Service (The owned by the Smith family. No
Hive) entitled “Worcestershire drawings or pictures of the house
Treasures”. Paul told us they were available, but following
receive many interesting extensive research a picture was
documents and requests for found showing it to be a grand
information over the year and house in substantial grounds and,
each week they identify and although not normal practice,
record an item of special merit. this had been purchased. The
From these he had chosen 11 to house was outside the city walls
form the basis of this talk. and very rural. It later became a

51

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school for young men. Putting them together suggested
this was a Roman oven. Similar
We were told about various finds have occurred in the UK and
documents in their possession abroad. Large ceramic plates
one being a musical score were found suggestive of bread
written on the back of court roll making. Although described
dated 3.7.1420. The court was as exciting but a little more
held for the manor of Kempsey unpleasant was an investigation
belonging to the Bishop’s estate, of a cesspit! This determined the
and there was a Bishop’s Palace type of food people ate. LIDAR
on site. The court roll was is a technique used to investigate
typical of its time but the music ground features from the air and
appeared to be a chant to be sung we were shown photographs of
in four parts. Although again Wyre Forest that penetrate the
not within their remit, they have thickly wooded areas to reveal
purchased a collection of letters, what lies beneath.
fan mail and scrapbook of news
cuttings belonging to Vesta Tilley, The star of the show however
the Musical Hall performer. A was an item known as the
further collection of mystery Salwarpe Purse which came into
letters (about 200) has been their possession with the parish
donated, covering the period records. It is a rare example
between 1900 and WW1, which of ornate embroidery dating
were found in a Malvern garage. back to the early 14th century
We were shown 2 unusual seals made of silver gilt thread and
attached to deeds relating to a coloured silks. In it was a letter
property in Leominster dated from Charles II dated 24.8.1651
1391. The seal of one of the requesting 30 able-bodied men
parties Thomas Priest is in perfect to build fortifications for the city,
condition showing a man knelt in ahead of the Battle of Worcester.
prayer and the other being Joan
Bartholomew had been damaged Our next meeting is on 29th March,
but shows her gown and a hawk 7.30pm at Abberley Village Hall,
on her arm. when Roy Murphy will give a talk
entitled “Manchester Ship Canal”
The archaeological department All are welcome.
are involved in excavations
some of which took part on the Mike Harley
Hive site where many parts of
a similar nature were found.

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tel. 01584 781719

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Knighton - CAN WE HEAR YOU?
John Rugman
Chairman Knighton on Teme Parish Council

December, 2015

In recent discussions on a couple With written material people
of topics in Knighton on Teme often copy us in on things they
Parish Council, we were strug- write to local government depart-
gling to guess what views people ments or to other representative.
in the Parish would have on We welcome all inputs and would
those subjects. Councillors are like more-have your say!
representatives not delegates, People are most likely to contact
and the hope is that they reflect us where we are dealing with
a good cross section of opinion in some important local issue where
the Parish. Nevertheless, it would the Parish Council has a right
be reassuring to get a good flow to be consulted-most notably
of views and suggestions from Planning Applications. This
across the village to give us confi- process often prompts some
dence in the positions we take input from people in the village,
and the decisions we make-we whether those making the appli-
want more input. Every topic cation or those nearby who are
we deal with has to be flagged affected by it. Whilst that type of
up in the Agenda which is made activity already generates quite a
available ahead of each meeting, good level of interest, we would
and Minutes record discussions. welcome more attendance at
Agendas and Minutes are posted meetings-even if you only come to
on village Notice Boards and on listen.
the web site – link below. When we initiate consideration
http://e-services.worcestershire. of more general, or open ended
g o v. u k / M y Pa r i s h / We l c o m e . matters, where are not reacting
aspx?ParishID=72&Post- to some formal process, we get
Code=wr158ly&Prop=1780&part- very little input. Such topics will
ner=mhc&MarriedTo=0 duly appear on an Agenda and get
How can we encourage more to reported in the Minutes, but these
people to read them? rarely prompt any response from
If you want to contribute on a the community. For example, we
topic-how can you do so? You can are considering how we might
come to a meeting and speak improve the quality of our rural
during Public Question Time; we verges in terms of flora and fauna;
are keen for that to happen and we have organised litter picks for
you will be warmly welcomed. the roadside verges, but we rarely
Alternatively, you can speak to get any suggestions on how we
a Councillor or send a letter or should go about this, or indeed
email to one of us or the Clerk. whether we should be doing

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Established since 1972

We have been serving the Teme Valley and surrounding
areas for over 40 years

Landscaping Materials; Peat-free and Peat based compost;
Topsoil; Mushroom Compost and Farmyard Manure;
Mulching and Playground Bark and Woodchips; Sand
Gravel Cement Roadstone; Decorative Gravels; Large
stocks of Slate Chippings; Rockery and Walling Stone;
Animal Bedding and Forage Supplies; Winter supplies of
de-icer Rock Salt; Firewood Coal and Calor Gas Agents
Open 7 days per week 9.00 - 5.00 Mon-Sat 10.00 - 2.00 Sun

Whartons Park, Bewdley, DY12 2QJ

Call to discuss your requirements with us

01299 402992 or 07813093803

Email:[email protected]
www.richardwilks.com

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something completely different! views, as they are a blunt
Have you any views or sugges- instrument compared with a flow
tions? of ideas and positive suggestions
What is perhaps the most from individuals; but we may be
difficult, is the things we could wrong. Tell us if you think so!
properly consider as a Parish So what are the take away
Council, but don’t address at all messages? Follow what we are
or only to a small degree. We are doing on your behalf through
not a body with great powers or Agendas and Minutes-let us have
resources, but if we were made suggestions, questions, other
aware of things parishioners input on what is coming up- let us
would like us to pursue, we would know if you think there are things
have the opportunity to work we could usefully tackle with you
with them on it, and where appro- that we have not been doing.
priate, to represent and further Contact us direct, by emails/
such ideas. We have picked up letters, attend a meeting.
the strong interest in improving Would periodic newsletters be
the broadband services, and seek useful – if so what would you like
to press on that, but what other to see included?
topics do you think we should Please write or email the Clerk:
tackle? Mrs Karen Yates, The Old Forge
We are not particularly attracted House, Burford, Tenbury Wells.
to the idea of issuing question- WR15 8HF
naires to households to elicit [email protected]

Next Meetings

Menith Wood WI Mon  7th March 7.15 for 7.30pm.  
WHIRLY BIRDS with Carol Dowding
It’s about life!
Mon 11th April.
Visit to MENITH WOOD LAKES
by kind invitation of Jackie Yapp.

Time t.b.a.

Mon May 9th
RESOLUTIONS  and ANNUAL MEETING.  

Election of officers.

Meetings start at 7.15pm for 7.30 pm.
Speaker usually 8pm, at

Old Chapel Hall, Menith Wood.
Phone 01584 881 152 / 102 for more information.

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58

CLOWS TOP & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

Gardeners all love March as the Our next meeting will be on
garden springs into life. The weather Wednesday 23rd March, members
is warming up and the days are ‘Spring Show’ and ‘Gardner’s
getting longer and brighter. The Questions’ hosted by Derek
days and nights can still be a little Walker.
chilly with biting winds and rain but Diary Dates
March can also deliver glorious blue Sunday 17 April, Coach Trip to RHS
skies at times. Hedges are starting Wisley
to bud with fresh, green leaves and Wednesday 27 April, Bulbs for the
new growth is showing throughout Unusual, Ross Barbour
the Garden. The snowdrops are Saturday 14 May, Plant Sale &
beginning to be replaced with daffo- Coffee Morning
dils. Wednesday 25 May, An Evening
March 20th is the official start of with Bill White
spring. On this date the hours of Wednesday 22 June, Rose & Sweet
light equal the hours of dark and Pea Show & Visit to ‘Little Bullock-
from here on the evenings extend hurst’, Rock
and we gardeners can start to enjoy Thursday 14 July, Visit to Worralls
our gardens in full. Mill, Abberley
At the January meeting Jo Roche, Wednesday 27 July, Burford Angels,
gave an interesting talk and power Paul Benson
point presentation on ‘Abberley Hall Saturday 20 August, Clows Top
& Clock Tower’. This was an inter- Summer Show
esting talk on a very visual landmark Wednesday 24 August, Hedgerow &
in the area. The clock tower can be Garden Medicine, Rowan McOnegal
seen from miles around and its Wednesday 28 September,
history was fascinating. The evening Autumn Show,
was a great success with everyone Wednesday 26 October, New
enjoying the talk. Zealand, Ray Sturdy
If you’re not a member then come Wednesday 23 November, AGM &
along and join us at one of our Members Social Evening
monthly meetings. It’s a great Clows Top and District Gardening
opportunity for you to share your Club meet the 4th Wednesday in
thoughts, ideas and advice with the calendar month at Clows Top
other members. We have a great Victory Hall; Doors open 7.30pm, for
programme of speakers as well as the speaker at 8 o’clock.
Evening visits to local gardens. Our Admission Fee: Members £2 or
Garden Club has a very friendly Non-Members £4.
atmosphere, everyone is welcome. Free Refreshments.
Don’t be afraid to come along, we Further Details Telephone
are a garden club not a horticulture Marion Wilson 01299 270475.
society, the membership is only £10 Or email: clowstopdistrictgarden-
pa. However, Non-members are [email protected].
welcome to any monthly meeting.

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Clubs and Societies

T: Telephone - I: Information - E: Email - W: Web

Abberley Angling Club Coarse Lindridge, 7.30-8.30pm, singing
fishing club with own pool in at Parish communion on the first
Abberley. Sunday of the month, plus other
I: Tony Steward T: 01299 896 456 special services. We are a friendly
Clows Top Garden Club meet on group, no prior experience is
the 4th Wednesday of each month at required, so if you love singing why
the Victory Hall, Clows Top. not come and join us?
I: Marion Wilson T: 01299 270 475 I: Andrew Barker
E:clowstopdistrictgardeningclub@ E: [email protected]
hotmail.co.uk Teme Valley Childrens Centre run
Eastham Garden Club this has a number of relevant events for
been recently set up with occasional children and parents.
meetings at Eastham Village Hall T: 01905 622 354
I: Diana Clarke, Secretary E: [email protected]
T: 01584 781 505 Teme Valley Geological Society
E: [email protected] meet monthly at the
Lindridge Art Group Art for Martley Memorial Hall
everyone - meetings at Lindridge I: John Nicklin T:01886 888 318
Parish Hall every Tuesday at 3.00pm. E: [email protected]
We have an excellent tutor and blog: www.geo-village.eu
your first lesson is free. Class full at Teme Valley Historical Society
present. E: [email protected] meet monthly on the last Tuesday in
Knighton Friends meet 3rd the month at Abberley Village Hall
Wednesday of each month at the I:Mike Harley T: 01584 881 194
Parish Room. Teme Valley Wildlife Group
I: Sheila Bragger T: 01584 781 190 meet 2rd Thursday each month at
Menith Wood WI meet generally on Rochford Village Hall
the first Monday in the month at the I: Danny Arnold T: 01584 781 500
Old Chapel Hall T: 01584 881 102 E: [email protected]
Rock Bridge Club We meet every W: www.temevalleywildlife.com
Sunday at Rock Village Hall at 7.00 Tenbury Rambling Club
pm. New members welcome whether I: Ian T: 01584 876 698.
on own or with partner. The meetings Tenbury Town Band meet for
are very sociable and relaxed. We do rehearsals at Penlu Sports Club on
not play Duplicate Bridge. Sundays (Apprentices 4 – 4:30 and
I: Luke Grant T: 07854 951 330 full band 4:30 – 7:00)
St Lawrence’s Church Choir meet I: Steve & Mel Parker
for rehearsals the last Wednesday of T: 01584 881 683.
the month at St Lawrence’s church, W: www.tenburytownband.co.uk

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