51 follies on distant hills. But what caught my eye was a host of dragonflies making the most of a sunny day on the water. It was particularly exciting to spot red-eyed damselflies, a species I hadn’t seen before, and a huge number of ruddy darters. The latter are bright red and highly conspicuous against green vegetation. Also on the wing were azure damselflies and emperor and brown hawker dragonflies. Spetchley gardens were different again. Here, a design enhanced by Ellen Willmott, a famous Edwardian designer, has an abundance of rare plants and trees. A deer park and large lake flank the formal garden with its greenhouses, walled garden and vine house. I was surprised to see a great variety of waterbirds on the lake. Geese, grebes, coots, ducks, swans and swooping swallows all seemed to be getting along famously, ducking and diving into the calm expanse of water. Despite passing the familiar brown tourist signs for Spetchley on many past occasions, I had failed to follow them during my nearly thirty years’ residence in Worcestershire. However, I shall certainly visit again, especially since learning that it is home to a unique plant, the Spetchley daffodil. But I wasn’t the only person to take my time to visit. In the tea-room I bumped into a neighbour who, like me, was enjoying a first visit there. Length of residence in the county? More than fifty years. The next meeting of the Teme Valley Wildlife Group will be at Stoke Bliss and Kyre Village Hall, WR15 8RR, on Thursday November 10th at 7:30pm. Our speakers will be Suzanne and Jake Tumnus whose talk is called “Mistletoe, the Facts and the Folklore”. Everyone is most welcome, and it is just £2 on the door. For up-to-date information on what wildlife is being seen in the area, or to give us your sightings or comments, visit our Facebook page. Our programme of events, bird survey and archive photographs are available on our website www.temevalleywildlife. co.uk We normally hold meetings on the second Thursday of the month. All are welcome. Contact us by email at tvwg@ outlook.com
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53 There were 18 members present to hear Douglas Smith speak about the Battle of Woodbury Hill. If you like lots of dates, a family tree, battles with blood curdling savagery and a tour of Wales and the Welsh Marches, this is the talk for you. Owain Glyndwr was the principal actor in this talk. He was born in 1354 and became a medieval Welsh Nationalist leader because of his hatred of the English. It seems strange that having been born into a wealthy family and having had the very best education at the Inns of Court in London, he went on to be a soldier On his father’s death in 1370, he became heir to two princely houses of Wales and lived the life of a country gentleman on his estates. There followed some disputes with the English Crown and Parliament over loss of land, which was to bring about his dislike of the English. We need to have in mind who were the English kings during the period of Owain’s life (1354 – 1415). At his birth Edward III was on the throne. He was the son of Edward II and Isabella of France. She deposed her husband in 1327 and ruled in her son’s name until he banished her and assumed government in 1330 from his mother and, through her, claimed the French throne in 1337, which started the 100-years’ war with the French. On his death in 1377, his successor was Richard II who was the surviving son of Edward’s eldest son Edward of Woodstock, known as the Prince of Wales. He had a turbulent reign surrounding himself with bad advisers who chose to serve him and his grand lifestyle more than the people. He taxed people unfairly resulting in the Peasants’ Revolt, and seized land of other nobles (resulting in the anger of Owain Glyndwr). In 1399 he disinherited Henry Bolingbroke and sent him and the Duke of Norfolk into exile. Henry, full of anger, raised a small army and invaded England where his army grew in numbers rapidly from the Peasants’ Revolt. There was little opposition and he deposed Richard and crowned himself King Henry IV. During this time Owain Glyndwr raised his own army and started attacking castles and towns in TEME VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY By Mike Harley
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55 North Wales. Simultaneously the Tudor brothers, part of a prominent family in Anglesey, started a guerilla campaign against the English. Although Henry fought back by retaking land in North and South Wales, Owain became a hero and he was in control of North West and Central Wales by 1401. Although there were many battles, the most significant was the Battle of Brynglas in 1402 on a site close to Knighton in Powys. Owain’s longbow men were on the top of a hill and their arrows were far more effective than the English (led by Sir Edmund Mortimer) coming up the hill. There ensued a “bloody” battle with men being hacked to death. The English suffered large losses and Mortimer was captured going on to marry Owain’s daughter. In spite of winning the battle, Owain also lost many men. There followed a period of inner turmoil in England with Henry engaged in a fierce battle at Shrewsbury in 1403 with Henry Percy ‘Hotspur’, an Englishman with a grudge. Again, there were large losses on both sides. Henry IV had lost all of his battles, with Owain repelling the invading English forces on four occasions in 1404. This led him to be officially crowned Prince of Wales and he held a parliament at Machynlleth, Powys. At this time, he was colluding with the French who were invading from the south which brings us to the Battle of Woodbury Hill in 1405. The FrancoWelsh force was camped on top of Woodbury Hill and the English army on Abberley Hill. After eight days of stalemate with neither side in a winning position, both retreated to their home positions without a real battle being fought. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 28th November at Abberley Village Hall at 7.30pm when Nina O’Hare will be speaking on “Small Pits Big Ideas: Exploring Worcestershire’s Medieval Villages.” Everyone is welcome. Knighton-on-Teme Parish Rooms Christmas dates to save Sunday 17th December Christmas Carol Singing with pop-up pub, mince-pies, etc: Tuesday 19th December Children’s Christmas Parties
56 Domestic Cleaning Service Spring Clean Builders Clean Weekly or fortnightly Telephone Spit & Polish tel. 01584 781719 Lynne Evans 31 High St.,Cleobury Mortimer DY14 8DQ For both CHIROPRACTIC & OSTEOPATHY, we use gentle methods suitable for all ages. Appointments available outside of normal working hours. Both practitioners are fully registered, insured and regulated. * BACK PAIN * POSTURAL PROBLEMS *SCIATICA * some SPORTS INJURIES * JOINT PAIN * HEADACHES (from neck) Sue Brown CHIROPRACTOR 01299 519351 07932 000028 07506 287191
57 Films: Thurs November 2nd 2pm Film showing: “The 100 Foot Journey” (Lunch at 1pm followed by film at 2pm. Please book lunch at least 48 hours beforehand by calling 01584 881615 or via the website). Sat November 18th 7:30pm Film Showing: “Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1” The bar will be open from 7pm and there is longer any need to book in advance. Quiz plus Fish and Chips: Sat. November 11th 7:30pm Teams of 4, £12 per person to include fish and chips or £5 quiz only. Please enter your team at least a week in advance otherwise you might miss out on your fish and chips! New Events: Lindridge Toddler Group will be meeting every Monday morning, 9:30am-11am. Beginning on Mon, November 6th. Please contact Claire Law on ynopclaire@ yahoo.com for further details. Wednesday Bridge Club 1:30-4pm each Wednesday. All abilities welcome for what will be a relaxed and informal afternoon of bridge. Teme Valley Walkers: On Wed 15th November we meet at Lindridge Parish Hall in time to catch the 9.30am bus westwards (bus pass or fare of about £2- 50 required). Alight at Eastham Bridge. Crossing the river we’ll head for Eastham church and then up through orchards before crossing back across the bridge. Then the more or less direct route back to LPH will include Woodston and Lambswick. Kurling: Please note that Kurling is moving to the LAST Tuesday in the month 7-8:30pm, beginning on Tues, November 28th. Community Bar and Games Night: Thursdays at 7pm. All elcome. A lovely, relaxed evening where it’s great to meet locals. Lindridge Parish Hall “What’s on?”
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59 Work in Progress Craft Afternoon: Thurs, November 9th 2 pm. Do you have a craft you would like to share or do you have a desire to learn something new? No membership, all welcome. Christmas Saturday Market and Breakfast: November 26th 10- 12.30 pm. As this is the last market before Christmas it will have lots of craft items available – the ideal opportunity to come along and do your Christmas Shopping while your breakfast is cooking! Would you like to feature in this magazine? Do you have photographs you’d like to share Have you recently taken part in an event that will inspire your community? Are you doing something special soon or do you have another story to tell? Do you want to talk about concerns here or abroad? Then tell me - and I will share all with your community! Editor
60 For more information please visit my website or Facebook For the treatment of general aches and pains including arthritic pain and minor sports injuries for people and animals of all ages. To book an appointment please call ( Claire Wall) and leave a message and I will get back to you very soon. WR15 8JA, Mathon, Newnham Bridge, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire www.tenbury_osteopath.co.uk
61 MENITH WOOD WI Autumn Lunch Do come and join us for a hot lunch with dessert and tea/coffee, all to be served at Lindridge Parish Hall at 12.30pm on Thursday 16th November. Raffle. Tickets - £7.50 Donation to local charity Contact Kate Harley (01584 881194)
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63 Taltrees Stoves and Fireplaces make and build beautiful fireplaces for woodburning stoves, gas stoves and inset fireplaces. All our work is carried out by our own trained craftsmen and engineers Established over 50 years HETAS and GAS SAFE registered Stockists of most leading makes including ACR Heat Products, Stovax, Gazco, Yeoman, Dovre, Hunter and Nordpeis Marble, stone and wood mantels Inglenook fireplaces constructed Visit our large showroom with many working models to view or ask for a home survey visit without obligation. We cover Central England and most parts of Wales. Taltrees Home Heating Ltd for oil, gas, and LP gas central heating systems. Ask for survey. Showroom open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm Sundays & Bank Holidays closed 01584 781 361 [email protected] Taltrees Centre Worcester Road, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire WR15 8JA 134668 www.taltreesstoves.com
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65 Abberley Angling Club: Coarse fishing club with own pool in Abberley. Seniors - I: Dave Yemm T: 01299 896 737. Juniors - I: Colin Bates T: 01905 798 225 Clows Top Garden Club: Meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month at the Victory Hall, Clows Top. I: Marion Wilson T: 01299 270 475 E:clowstopdistrictgardeningclub@ hotmail.co.uk Knighton Friends: Meet 3rd Wednesday of each month in the afternoon for meals, garden visits, boat trips etc. I: Sheila Bragger T: 01584 781 190 Lindridge Art Group: Meeting at Lindridge Parish Hall every Tuesday at 2-4pm. I: Mike Harley T: 01584 881 194 E: [email protected] Menith Wood WI: Meet on the afternoon of the first Monday in the month at Lindridge Parish Hall from October to March and Old Chapel Hall, Menith Wood from April to September. E: [email protected] Rock Bridge Club We meet every Sunday at Rock Village Hall at 7.00 pm. New members welcome whether on own or with partner. The meetings are very sociable and relaxed. We do not play Duplicate Bridge. I: Luke Grant T: 07854 951 330 St Lawrence’s Church Choir meet for rehearsals the last Monday of the month at St Lawrence’s church, Lindridge, 7.30-8.30pm, singing at Parish communion on the first Sunday of the month, plus other special services. We are a friendly group, no prior experience is required, so if you love singing why not come and join us? I:Polly Gillespie E: [email protected] T: 07758 860 291 Teme Valley Childrens Centre: Run a number of relevant events for children and parents. T: 01905 622 354 E: [email protected]. uk Teme Valley Geological Society: Meet monthly at the Martley Memorial Hall I: John Nicklin T:01886 888 318 E: [email protected] Blog: www.geo-village.eu Teme Valley Historical Society : Meet monthly on the last Tuesday in the month at Abberley Village Hall I: Mike Harley T: 01584 881 194 Teme Valley Wildlife Group: Meet 2nd Thursday each month at Stoke Bliss and Kyre Village Hall Stoke Bliss WR15 8RR I: Unavailable T: Unavailable E: [email protected] W: www.temevalleywildlife.co.uk Tenbury Rambling Club I: Ian T: 01584 876 698. Tenbury Town Band meet for rehearsals at Penlu Sports Club on Sundays (Apprentices 4 – 4:30 and full band 4:30 – 7:00) I: Mel Parker T: 07768 924422. W: www.tenburytownband.co.uk Wyre Forest Lacemakers Meeting from 11am-3pm on 3rd Saturday each month at St Michaels and All Angels Church in Stourport. E: [email protected] Clubs and Societies I: Information - T: Telephone - E: Email - W: Web
66 The Parish of Teme Valley North The Rev’d David Morris Priest in Charge "The Four Rivers Group" 1 Chiltern Close, Great Witley, WR6 6HL Telephone: 01299 896783 or 07891 837194 Email: [email protected] Readers Christine Clarke [email protected] 01299 575055 Mark Wild [email protected] Church Wardens Knighton Vacant Lindridge Vacant Stockton Vacant Pensax Vacant Contact for all Churches Christine Clarke [email protected] 01299 575055 PCC Meryl Roberts [email protected] Lay Chair Hilary Weatherell [email protected] Secretary Peter Clarke [email protected] Treasurer 01299 832267 Children’s Worker Elizabeth Whitehead [email protected] 01584 781651 Parish Safeguarding Officer Eve Cambray [email protected] Temespan Julia Gordon [email protected] Editor 07455 063610 Natalie Rainbird-Hitchins [email protected] Advertising 07792 198638 Nicola Bretherton [email protected] Knighton 07527 200068 Sally Webb [email protected] Stockton 01584 881563 Robin Dean [email protected] Tote 01886 853295 Parish Website www.temevalleynorthparish.co.uk Paul [email protected]
Your first meeting is free! All you have to lose is some of your time. We are always interested in meeting new people and learning new things Why not contact us to see if we can help you, whether it's Tax, VAT, Accounts or just general advice. T: 01584 872 421 E: [email protected]