TEMESPAN FEB 2023 Pancake Day 21 February The Month of Romance
3 Index Page Number and Article Editor’s Note P 4: Church Services in TVN P 9: A letter from Harriett P11/P13: Christine Clerke tells us about Love and the Church P15: Christmas at Pensax P16/17: Christmas at Knighton P19: Appeal from Stockton Church and Knighton 300 P21: Coffee and a Walk P23: Clows Top Gardening and a Thank you P25-29: TV Historical Society and Stanford History Group P30/31: Stockton Nativity P32: Quiz Night LPH P33: Celebration of Christmas Nativity Eardiston PH P37: KOT Parish Council P41: Save the Bell, Pensax P43/45: KOT News P47/49: TVWG News P51: Hedge Cutting Appeal and Teme Valley Tote P53-57: Lindridge Parish Hall News P61/62: Clubs and Contacts February is here, which means romance, pancakes and lent. (How will you deal with that statement?) Winter is finally showing it’s heals and if you stop to draw breath, you can almost smell the distant summer flowers and warmth. What will you do this year? How will 2023 differ from previous years? Have you made plans? Are you planning to? ‘23 for me will be a little different. I have all but finally retired from my work and now plan instead to focus on what I still need to achieve in life. It’s funny really, if I write a list of what I’ve done so far and what I still want to do, there are things I don’t expect to do again. As an example, and I never really thought about it at the time I sold my motorcycle, but I’ll never own another... I loved motorcycling, but I just don’t think there’s space to take it up again. So what will you do? What have you given up and what do you still want out of life? You may wish to think about it, perhaps over a beverage and if you like, let me know. I can share it with 800 or so households ... or not. You decide.
4 Sunday 5th February – 3 before Lent 9.30 a.m. 9.30 a.m. 11 a.m. Lindridge Great Witley Abberley St Mary Choral Holy Communion Morning Worship Holy Communion Sunday 12th February – 2 before Lent 9 a.m. 11 a.m. 6 p.m. LiAle Witley Knighton Abberley St Michael Holy Communion Holy Communion CelDc Evening Prayer Sunday 19th February – Sunday next before Lent 9.30 a.m. 11 a.m. Great Witley Abberley St Mary Holy Communion Morning Worship Wednesday 22nd February Ash Wednesday 7 p.m. Abberley St. Michael Holy Communion with Ashing Sunday 26th February – Lent 1 9.30 a.m. 11.00 a.m. 6.00 p.m. LiAle Witley Shrawley Abberley St Michael Family Morning Worship Holy Communion CelDc Evening Prayer Sunday 5th March – Lent 2 9.30 a.m. 9.30 a.m. 11.00 a.m. Lindridge Great Witley Abberley St. Mary Choral Holy Communion Morning Worship Holy Communion Churches in: Knighton, Lindridge, Pensax, Stockton, Abberley, Great Witley, LiAle Witley, Shrawley Services in February 2023
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9 The Christmas decorations are packed away for another year, and the trees and wrapping paper are off to be recycled. January is often a difficult month with many people struggling to keep their New Year resolutions – some raising money for a good cause and some just because a new year means a fresh start. Of course, the extra spending over December could mean that people have money worries and I urge anyone who has concerns to raise them early. Our local Citizens Advice Bureau is a great resource which can offer help and for those with debt problems and the Government has implemented a range of support packages, especially for those with lower incomes, to help get through the winter months as worry-free as possible. The National Health Service is front of our minds at this time of year when staff have to deal with the extra winter pressures caused by the Christmas break and the number of extra bugs being spread around as families gather together for the festive period. I was pleased to hear that some of the new buildings have now been o p e n e d up for patients at Worcestershire Royal Hospital – part of a £15 million to give us all a new Emergency Department adding significant extra bed capacity. The full handover can’t come quickly enough but I hope that this year will see significant improvement in waiting time reductions for those at A&E. Wintertime inevitably brings heavier rain and my thoughts return to all of those who are still at risk of flooding – especially the communities of Tenbury Wells and Severn Stoke. I’m keeping a close eye on both flood defence plans and hope that we will see spades in the ground very soon for both Environment Agency schemes. Parliament is now back in session and the Prime Minister has set out a five point plan to deal with the issues that you care about most – the economy, our national debt, the NHS, inflation and illegal immigration. I know these are your priorities too and our New Year’s resolutions must also involve continuing to support Ukraine against invasion. Looking Ahead Harriett Baldwin MP
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11 February The Month of Love and Romance Christine Clarke Licensed Lay Minister Dear Readers, Welcome to February, the month of love if Hallmark are to be believed. Though to be fair to our commercial cousins, handmade Valentine’s cards and flowers have been sent in February since the 1700s. Hallmark, known as Hall Brothers, were the first to produce commercially printed Valentine cards in 1913. There are a variety of thoughts on the origins of St. Valentine’s Day and two of the most popular are: Valentine, who had been jailed for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, sent a letter to his jailer’s daughter whom he had befriended, signed ‘from your Valentine.’ The other was when Emperor Claudius II decided that single men make better soldiers and outlawed young men being married. Valentine seeing the unfairness of this, helped young couples marry. As far as anyone can tell, the Saint Valentine of Valentine’s Day was one of two Christians preaching the Good Word in Rome in the third Century. One of whom was martyred on February 14th, 269. Which one? No-one seems to know, but this gives us the date for St. Valentine’s Day. Perhaps, with the financial crisis this year there will be fewer cards, flowers and chocolates sent to loved ones. But, if Valentine’s Day is your thing, perhaps you might consider supporting local florists and stores this year, to help our local businesses. What is love? Well, in truth love, is incredibly difficult to accurately describe to anyone, as it comes in a variety of forms. Love for God, for parents and carers, love for siblings, for friends, for community, love for sports and activities. Love is a word which expresses deep positive emotions creating behaviours often centred around affection, closeness, protection, trust, commitment and intimacy. Sadly, for some people it becomes distorted and invokes the opposite of jealousy and destruction. For Christians, we follow what Jesus had to say about love as he commanded us to ‘love our neighbour.’ We have the beautiful description of Christian love in 1 Corinthians (13:1-13), love is kind,
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13 love is patient, it does not boast etc. Verse 7 says; ‘always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’* In 4Rivers group of Churches, Christian love is expressed in a variety of ways. One of which is collecting for outside charities, such as British Heart Foundation, Christian Aid, Children’s Society, Maggs Day Centre, Save the Children, Acorn’s Children’s Hospice, Embrace, various Foodbanks and Royal British Legion. At the moment our collections for 2022 are just over £2,000, with one or two yet to be finalised. Another expression of Christian love is helping to support families and children with our new Family friendly Service which we are currently developing. Beginning on Sunday 22nd January, 9a.m. Little Witley Church. All are welcome. Love in Stockton is in the form of a Church-Community partnership. With the support and encouragement of Archdeacon Robert, as well as other Diocesan Church Officers, we are looking at setting up a ‘Friends of’ group. The interest for this has come from the community itself, who have approached various members of the church. Some want to protect and preserve the historical building and grounds, some want the church/grounds to be used for community based events, some have requested the return of services, and some want a little of everything – and why not? St. Andrews Church is part of our Ecclesiastical Heritage, it has stood in this sacred space for centuries, a Norman Church from around 1120. It is the only communal space for the village of Stockton and, over its lifetime, it will have been the focal community point, being used for both religious purposes and community events. One might say, we will be looking at our future, by embracing our past. With two church members who have stepped forward to help, and the support of the PCC and Diocesan officers, in particular our Archdeacon, we are hopeful that this collaborative partnership between Church and Community will come to fruition. We anticipate holding an exploratory meeting in February, please look out for notices, come along, bring your ideas and join in the fun of discovering our future together. Well, whatever way you celebrate love this February, please know that your Church families hold the wellbeing of all people in our communities, in our hearts and prayers.
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15 St James the Great Pensax To celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve 2022, there were Carols and readings starting at 5pm. Folk from far and wide and new locals attended and enjoyed the wonderful community get together and afterwards had hot mulled wine and mince pies etc. Thanks to the Grants for printing out the service sheets and words for the Carols, providing chocolates and to Luke for reading a lesson. Thank you Lesley also for a reading and the attractive Christmas floral decorations. Alan&Hazel, Price for cleaning the Church, Fiona and Isobel for doing readings thank you. The Rudd’s for the Christmas tree, decorating it, music, helping to light up the path to Church and candles lit throughout the Church. Just two days after their daughter’s wedding thank you both Julie and Clive. They manned the refreshments so well. Finally the Roberts family, Esther and Edward for reading and Meryl for bringing the service gently together for us all. Due to the generosity of our congregation at the Christmas Eve service at Pensax Church, £131.00 has been sent to the Childrens’ Society. God bless all and a belated Happy New Year. 2023. OUR NEXT SERVICE at Pensax Church will be on Mothering Sunday, March 19th 2023 at 11am.
16 It was a great joy to feel that we were definitely back to something like normal for our Christmas festivities this year after the rather depressing ‘Covid Era’ from which we have, hopefully, now escaped. Knighton’s Christmas celebrations started with carols in the Church led by Mark Wild. All the best loved Carols were sung, much enhanced by the descant from some of the ladies. A very engaging seven readings, both Biblical and some very funny secular pieces all added to the happiest start to the festive season. The Service ended with a serving of mulled wine and some of Sue Beckett’s delicious Christmas, many thanks Sue. Thanks also to all those who contributed so generously to the appeal for food for Tenbury Food Bank. The next event was Carols again, this time in the Parish Rooms, and accompanied by more very nice winter warmers. Our thanks must go to Jonathan and Jan Spilsbury who organised the whole thing, including the music, and words projected on a screen, allowing everyone to join in. The final part of the celebrations was our Christmas Eve Communion. This was taken by Rev. Mark Turner, our former Rural Dean. A most enjoyable Service where we learned a lot about Bethlehem from Mark who had visited all the places spoken of in the Bible. Of course carols were sung again, much enhanced be the playing of the organ by Catharine Boyd—Moss, who stepped in as player at the very last minute. The Church was beautifully decorated as can be seen in the photographs; special thanks to Rev. Mark’s wife, Marlene, who took them. Our thanks also to all the flower ladies, and a special thanks to Liz Gittens for the manger scene, and to Michael and Jane Hogan for the Christmas tree. Knighton’s Christmas
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19 Open Meeting Friday 17th February at 7pm in the church. An invitation to everyone interested in breathing life into our beautiful church at the heart of Stockton on Teme A sacred space A social space A village landmark If you would like to know more, contact Kate on Oakleykatherine1@gmail. com Christine on ladyfieldschristine@ icloud.com Pete on [email protected] Sally on [email protected] The Friends of St Andrew’s KNIGHTON ON TEME 300 CLUB TOTE OCTOBER 2022 228 Jenny Weiser £30 53 Mr A Abrahams £20 66 Mr R Hughes £10 ****** NOVEMBER 2022 82 Mr R Hoosenally £30 130 Mrs C Marsh £20 109 Mr P Gibbs £10 ****** DECEMBER 2022 4 Mrs F Griffith £50 123 Clive R Small £20 11 Mr R Wall £10
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21 “MID-WEEK BREAK” Our next coffee morning will be on Wednesday 8th February at Lindridge Parish Hall - 10.30am to 12noon Enjoy your mid-morning coffee with others in our community at Lindridge Parish Hall on the above Wednesday between 10.30am and 12 noon. Spend time chatting with friends, old and new, over drinks and biscuits. For more information contact Kate Harley – 881194 All are welcome Free guided walks along our footpaths and bridleways taking 2-3 hours, off the roads and into the countryside. Everyone welcome but sorry no dogs allowed For further details and any other announcements or changes please visit website www. rockpathfinders.uk PLEASE NOTE NEW WEB ADDRESS email: mdsskev@rockpathfinders.uk Or ring Alan on 01299 400304 FEBRUARY 2023 walks Thursday 02.02.23 starting at 10.00am From Blackstone Picnic Area Car Park Stourport Road, Bewdley DY12 1PU Thursday 16.02.23 starting at 10am The Grange, Mortimers Cross, Leominster HR6 9PD Rock Pathfinders - February
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23 Clows Top & District Gardening Club Clows Top Village Hall, DY14 9HP Wednesday, 22nd February is the date of the first meeting in our new programme. We are indebted to Elva, who works very hard to arrange our speakers and visits throughout the year. Please note, there is a change to the start time for the meeting. From now on we will commence at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm. This month we are welcoming Helen Picton, of Old Court Nurseries and Picton Gardens. Her subject will be “Daisies”. The daisy family is the largest in the plant world, so she will have plenty to talk about! Old Court Nurseries and Picton Garden are a family run concern, situated on the lower slopes of the Malverns. They have been going since 1906, so they must be doing something right! There are 430 varieties of Michaelmas Daisies in the Picton Garden which is open to the public. The times vary depending on the time of year so check before you travel.The Club has visited in the past, but not for a few years,so we are very much looking forward to being updated by Helen on the 22nd February. Your first chance to enter the flower of the month competition. There is a prize in November for the most points accumulated. (What do points mean? Points mean prizes! With apologies to “I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue”) Bring your magazines to swap too. There will be plenty of time to chat to Helen and the other members over tea/coffee and biscuits after the talk. Do not forget the new start time of 7.30 pm. Edna would like to say “a big thank you” Edna Knott from Frith Common, would like to say a big thank you to Lindridge Hall Committee for the Christmas goodies... Ed: Thank you LHC for bringing Edna so much joy this Christmas that she called me to pass on the message.
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25 There were 21 people present to hear a most interesting talk on the village of Shelsley Walsh by Max Hunt on the 29th November. This is one of Worcestershire’s smallest parishes. Originally known as Caldeslei in the 11th century, it has gone through many name changes. Before the conquest The Manor was held by Simon under a grant from the monks of Worcester. It was then taken over by John Walshe in 1251 and this family gave its name to the village. In 1605 it was in the possession of Sir Richard Walshe (High Sheriff) who, following the Gunpowder Plot, was responsible for apprehending the offenders. He died in 1610 and left two daughters with the property going to the Littleton family in 1620. Following the Civil War of 1642-48, the Manor was forcibly sold to Thomas Foley in 1654 and became part of the Foley estates at Great Witley. It then passed to the Earl of Dudley and finally sold to the Winnington family of Stanford Court who are the present owners. It is mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086 which also states it contained a fishery “rendering 16 stitches of eels”. A water mill belonged to the Manor in 1308. In addition, there was an iron forge built on the River Teme in 1653. This may have been built by Thomas Foley who owned Stourbridge Ironmasters and had many iron furnaces in the Forest of Dean. The mill and forge were on the site now occupied by Forgemill Farm. The church of St Andrew was built in the 12th century with the chancel being added in the 13th century. One of the gems is the rood screen made of oak and built in the 15th century which divides the chancel from the nave and includes a small chapel. There is an unusual tomb made of wood which is dated 1596. It is painted in such a way that it looks like stone with a marble top. The inscription identifies the person buried in it to be Francis Walsh. On the 11th January 1901 the first meeting of the Midland Automobile Club (MAC) took TEME VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mike Harley
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27 place at the Grand Hotel Birmingham. Herbert Austin (founder of Austin motor cars) was there and he was instrumental in racing cars on hill climbs. They used a track at Middle Hill, Broadway for some time and also Sun Rising Hill near Stratford upon Avon. Needing to find a new venue, Montague Charles Taylor, who lived at the Court House in Shelsley Walsh and had connections with MAC, invited them to Shelsley Walsh in 1905 and they have been there ever since, making it the oldest motor sport event still held on its original course. We saw many photographs of cars on the course including one driven by a young Stirling Moss. …………………….. At our Christmas meeting and party on 20th December we had a fascinating and “educational” talk by Alf Jenkins entitled “Clee Hill Dialects”. Alf was born and brought up on Clee Hill in a public house so he experienced all types of people. Not all from Clee Hill, as whilst farming is a predominant feature, influences from mining and quarrying both present and in the past is significant. Coal, ironstone, limestone and building stone have all been mined or quarried. The coal mines originated in the 1700s and at one point 39 pits were owned and operated by different families. These continued until 1920 when coal mining ceased. Titterstone Clee and Clee Hill are close together and familiar landmarks to us all. The former is 1750ft above sea level. It is the only hill in England shown on the 14th century Mappa Mundi held in Hereford Cathedral so it must have had some significance at that time. The Ludlow Standard newspaper stated in 1840 there were 3,000 inhabitants on Titterstone Clee of which 750 were men. The development of the mines and quarries accelerated quickly and by the 1860s over 2000 men were working there. The coal and stone had to be transported which resulted in the development of the canals and railways. William Clarke built a railway from Ludlow to the top of Clee Hill using the incline system. There were insufficient men locally to fulfil all of these jobs so many of them came from all over the country bringing with them their own phrases, sayings and dialects. Some of this rubbed off on Alf and when he went to school in Ludlow he was asked by his teacher which cave he lived in. (Cannot imagine this
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29 being allowed today – not PC!!) He realized that people did not always understand what he was saying even though it was only 6 miles away. He went on to research dialects and found that different words used in different areas all had the same meaning. Vowels having a long or short sound lengthens or shortens the word and brings about a different meaning and sound. We finished with a dialect quiz and surprisingly some came out with a relatively high score. Obviously coming from the same cave as Alf!!! Some sample phrases were: Aah/doo bist fettle? - Hello, how is your health? Grandad is mid/ lin but nesh and always in his gand/zi and dandi/pats. Grandad is well but cold and always in his cardigan and slippers Bert is ar/ dn al/us gyawpin and kroodlin the girls – Bert is a hard man always looking at and cuddling the girls. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 28th February at Abberley Village Hall at 7.30pm when David Morse will be giving a talk entitled “Worcestershire Home Guard.” All are welcome. Stanford History Group Simon Marriott [email protected] We have enjoyed an excellent series of lectures in Autumn 2023, but unfortunately, our Birmingham University lecturer on Ukraine and Poland, Dr Anca Mandru was ill, and her lectures were postponed. They have been rescheduled as follows: 6th March Old Empires and Nationalism: The Making of Modern Poland and Ukraine (1795-1939) 13th March New Empires and Nationalism: Poland and Ukraine from the Second World War to the present Just come on the evening! £10 each lecture if you haven’t prepaid. 7.30 pm Mondays March 6th & March 13th 2023 UPPER SAPEY VILLAGE HALL WR6 6EU
30 Well, we had a lovely service this year! Traditional carols and an enchanting nativity. The children were beautifully dressed in the so familiar garb of the holy family and the wise men. One little boy wore a head-dress worthy of a milliner - very stately he looked too. But where Stockton really triumphed was our baby Jesus! I heard they were hoping for a real donkey in Shelsley - but we had a brand new baby whose actual name is Auryan. Not wrapped in swaddling bands as the tradition has it, but much more warmly clad. Held tenderly by our young Mary, he slept throughout just as a good and obedient child should, according to the carol! It was a lovely, warm evocation I am sure of our collective memories of Christmas past, in all of our lives. The essential tenets do not change generation upon generation. I was Gabriel at age 5, my sons were shepherds. One day Auryan’s mummy will show him the photograph from when he was our newly-minted baby Jesus. What treasure. Our readers and musicians were splendid as always. Lexi and her husband served up mulled wine and mince pies, and Kate and Michael pulled it all together. They even lined the path with lights. Usually it’s only at Pensax we do this because it’s fearfully dark on the lane to the church. Our little 1000 year old church looked wonderful having been cleaned and decorated with flowers and greenery by the usual gang of stalwarts - thanks especially to Kate, Michael, Lesley, Susan, Sandra, Jules and all who worked so hard. Personally, I felt Sandra’s far outshone my own floral efforts! Just to end - everyone knows our church is ancient and it doesn’t take much imagination to picture the inhabitants of our village long, long ago, gathering there at Christmas around the midwinter solstice, to hear the story being told of that first reverence of the Christ child by men from far, far away who had followed a star. When I was told of OUR Christ child’s name, I thought he was Orion - and of Orion’s Belt, so easily identified in the night sky, as three shining stars. One could say it’s representative of the trilogy, the father, son and holy spirit, or indeed the holy family themselves. How divinely (!) appropriate. In conclusion, please remember that the church, both literally and figuratively, is fragile. Even a building which has stood for so many centuries will eventually crumble if it’s not cared for and used........we must gather there as a community more than once a year at Christmas if we are to retain and preserve it. So bring your babies for christening, have your weddings there and please support the valiant efforts to bring life into this precious and sacred place. A happy New Year to one and all. God bless us, everyone! Stockton nativity and carol service 2022 Lesley Beesley Stockton, Christmas 2022
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33 We enjoyed a mask-free afternoon of singing carols, listening to Christmas readings, poems, and songs from the musicals, and watching a very different version of “Cinderella” and “The Pensioners’ Protest” at our annual Celebration of Christmas event on Wednesday 14th December. It was so good to see this event well supported by so many, and, much enjoyed by all. Thank you to Mary Holloway who again expertly accompanied our carol singing with her keyboard playing, John Caldwell for his singing, and John, Mike, Liz Dove and Charlie Shaw with their acting skills and willingness to participate. We look forward to welcoming all in our community to our regular monthly coffee mornings, second Wednesday of each month, 10.30am to 12 noon at Lindridge Parish Hall, and would like to thank everyone for their continued support of these mornings and our Christmas event each year. Kate Harley MID-WEEK BREAK CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS EVENT
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37 Knighton-on-Teme Parish Council Remember to cut your Hedgerows The cutting of hedgerows or lack of is a regular subject reported to parish councils throughout the year and across the country. Knighton On Teme Parish council receives its fair share of regular complaints regarding hedgerows that are unkept and encroach on private land or public highways, plus other complaints that overgrown hedgerows are causing visibility hazards to highway users. As a rule, hedgerows should only be cut from 1st August through to the end of February unless there is a dangerous visibility issue. This allows for nesting birds and animals to raise their young with minimal disruption. In preparation of the spring growth when cutting is not allowed, landowners should ensure they cut back their hedges especially those adjacent to public highways, making sure they are cut to allow new growth that doesn’t impede the highways during the spring growth. Parish councils regularly have to write to landowners requesting that hedges be cut, in some cases they also have to instigate enforcement proceedings to ensure hedges are cut or to pursue payment for the county council having to cut them where there is a lack of response from the landowner. This can cause unwanted friction within the community. On behalf of all local parish’s, a reminder to all landowners, please please can you check and where necessary cut back your hedgerows. This will not only make your village a prettier place to drive and walk around, it will allow wildlife to nest and rear their young in peace, plus importantly keeping community cohesion whilst maintaining good neighbourly relations. T ME VALLEY AccoUNTS Book-keeping PAYE, VAT, Sage, Tax Returns. Cost effective rates and friendly advice. For no obligation discussion or visit call: Claire Elliott 01584 881708 07731 010099 Email: claire. tva-accounts@outlook. corn
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39 ARE YOU LOOKING AT A FORTUNE? • Free auction estimates on items you are considering selling. • Valuations for insurance and inheritance tax purposes. • Live on-line Auction sales held every three weeks, to include - • Fine Art and Antiques sales every two months, and • Interiors Sales of Victorian, Edwardian and later furniture and effects • Expert jewellery valuations Contact us for an appointment Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers The Malvern Saleroom Barnards Green Road Malvern WR14 3LW 01684 892314 [email protected] www.serrell.com A pair of Royal Worcester covered vases, decorated with Highland cattle by John Stinton Sold for £7,000 FURNITURE – PAINTINGS – SILVER JEWELLERY – PORCELAIN GLASS - OBJETS D’ART
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41 The Bell Inn at Pensax closed in October but a campaign is well under way with a view to seeing if it can be re-opened. The Bell is well known throughout Worcestershire and beyond as a great public house with a fine restaurant. Over 150 years old, the Bell has been a noted landmark and has served as a centre for the local community and beyond. Among other activities, the site has been used as a cattle market, Morris Dancing, musical evenings and beer festivals. Originally, the bar was housed in a small room with customers standing in the corridor. The few available seats were in the area behind the bar and only if you had been a customer for many years would you aspire to a seat there- a trap for the unwary customer finding a seat there and also find himself paying for rounds of drinks ! The recent owners carried out extensive works and alterations including the installation of a fine kitchen but retaining many of the aspects of the pub. There is an outside dining area with splendid views over the Worcestershire countryside. The views of the public are now sought as to the future use of the Bell. Suggestions have included breakfasts, community meetings, coffee mornings, quizzes, etc. as well as continuing the restaurant. Your thoughts for the future of the Bell are needed. To that end there is to be a public meeting . The date and venue will be advertised on facebook where you will find us as “ SavetheBell” and the link is https://www.facebook.com/ groups/savethebellatpensax Please complete the questionnaire by following this link : to complete a short survey by following this link http://bit.ly/savethebell If you require any further information, please phone 07957 232 941 SAVE THE BELL
42 The Estate Office · Hill House · Great Witley Nr Worcester · WR6 6JB T: 01299 896 968 E: [email protected] www.gherbertbanks.co.uk Land & Estate Agents Chartered Surveyors Auctioneers Your Local Agent Since1898 Planning Consultants • Estate & Letting Agents • Chartered Surveyors & Valuers • Planning Consultants • Auctioneers • Land & Estate Management • RICS Registered Valuers • Landlord & Tenant Negotiations • Basic Payment Scheme & Associated Matters • Commercial Property Consultants Robert Parry FRICS FAAV Richard Banks MRICS MARLA MNAEA Tim Gaston BA (Head of Residential Agency) Nick Jethwa MRICS
43 18th December 2022 The Parish Room’s hall was filled with carol singing and chatter at the committee’s free event to celebrate Christmas. The merriment was encouraged by free mince pies and mulled cider. It was lovely to see all ages enjoying the evening. Thank you to everyone who attended; we look forward to seeing you all again soon. Many thanks to Kelly, Tracey and Vicky for donating Christmas decorations; these helped create the perfect festive atmosphere. Please look for future events on the Knighton-on-Teme Community Facebook page. For information about the Parish Room see our website. A Great Evening of Carol Singing KNIGHTON-ON-TEME PARISH ROOMS WOULD YOU LIKE TO HIRE THE PARISH ROOM FOR YOUR EVENT OR REGULAR ACTIVITY? The Parish Room has: 1. A large heated indoor space 2. Large kitchen 3. Toilets 4. Plenty of chairs and tables 5. A large car park Currently the room is used for: regular and occasional events including Harvest Supper, pop-up pub, Yoga, puppy classes, birthday and Christmas parties. For ALL Parish Room hire whether regular or one-off events please book as usual through Sheila Bragger: 01584 781190 To discuss hire-rates for new regular activities please email [email protected]. There are free trial periods and reduced rates to encourage regular activities from new hirers.
44 ROCK BRIDGE CLUB Rock Bridge Club has started its new season. New members are welcome whether on their own or with a partner. We meet every Sunday at 7.00 pm at Rock Village Hall. The meetings are very sociable and relaxed; and not competitive. (We do not play duplicate bridge.) Please do come along. Just turn up or phone 07854 951 330 Please contact Zoe Herington: www.zedyoga.co.uk Tel: 07962 981456 Yoga classes at Eastham Memorial Hall For adults of all ages
45 Thank you to everyone who completed the survey which will be invaluable in helping the committee to plan refurbishment and events in the future. Advisors from the Local Authority and grant organisations have seen results and are supporting the committee in making things happen. Here are the main findings: 100% of respondents = Parish Room refurbishment 95% = complete kitchen overhaul: new cooker, wall units 100% = replace external doors/ windows 100% = refurbish toilets 85% = upgrade heating 50% = mural on external wall Comments and suggestions for events and upgrades were very useful. Respondents enjoy the pop-up pub and would like to see film nights. There were also useful comments about the use of the outside area. It is worth noting that 75% or respondents were in the 65 years of age bracket and the committee might be missing the views of a large section of our residents. If you would like to complete a survey form just text the secretary, Jan, on 07312 258999. KNIGHTON-ON-TEME PARISH ROOM SURVEY CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY! Twenty-six primary school children attended a busy, noisy and fun-filled Christmas Party at Knighton-on-Teme Parish Room. Thanks to parents for donating party food. Also. many thanks to Joy and John of Knighton-on-Teme Caravan Park for donating funds so that every child had a Christmas gift to take home.
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47 Teme Valley Wildlife Group by Stephanie Mocroft One of the joys of February is the sight of a great expanse of crocuses in bloom; it serves to banish winter. I enjoy growing the bulbs in my garden and although I am a long way from achieving a carpet of colour, I like to experiment with different varieties in pots before setting them into the ground. The best displays that I know of in the area are at the entrance to The Elms Hotel at Abberley and in the churchyard of St George’s church in Kidderminster. Both are easily visible from the road. A display only accessible on foot, but a lot further away, is the churchyard of St Chad’s church in Shrewsbury. This is absolutely crammed with a single species called Crocus tommasinianus and is an utterly amazing sight. I first came across this particular species some years ago, whilst on a walk in the Welsh marches. The path traversed the border town of Knighton and along the edge of a park, masses of lovely pale violet crocuses spilled out from neighbouring gardens. I instantly fell in love with them. Determined to try and grow them in my own garden, I found out what they were and then sent off to the bulb suppliers for some bulbs. Only later did I discover that rabbits like them even more than I do. The nineteenth-century Italian botanist Muzio Guiseppe Spirito
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49 de’ Tommasini is remembered in their name which, despite being so tongue-twisting, has also been given to a variety of campanula. What I like about them is the silvery outside colour of the petals and the light violet interior. The flowers only open when the sun shines, to reveal zingy, bright orange stamens that are irresistible to bees. The species naturalises with ease, although some varieties sold under the same name are actually newer commercial forms which are not quite as good at spreading. Another crocus keen to nip out of gardens is purple Crocus vernus, or spring crocus. This has been grown in British gardens since at least the start of the seventeenth century and has in some places established itself in the wild. Crocuses are native to Europe and the Middle East, but most garden types are crosses between different species. How they first came to Britain is open for discussion. Some people think they were brought back by returning Crusaders. This is especially said of the saffron crocus, an autumn-flowering variety with culinary uses. It was once grown in the vicinity of Saffron Waldon, giving its name to the town. Whilst talking about early spring flowers it is worth mentioning a couple of other garden flowers that are good for feeding bees. Both snowdrop and hellebore attract bees when the weather is warm enough for them to be on the wing. Snowdrops like dry shade and hellebores are tough customers who seem to thrive anywhere. It is worth considering if you can squeeze these plants into a small space in your garden because insects struggle to find food in the early spring and any help we gardeners can give will be rewarded. The next meeting of the Teme Valley Wildlife Group will take place at Stoke Bliss and Kyre Village Hall, WR15 8RR, on Thursday February 9th at 7:30pm. We welcome Jonty Pearce whose talk is entitled “Sailing around St Kilda”. 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 [email protected]
50 At our feed mill in Martley, we have a convenient country store which stocks a full range of specialist feeds, supplements, and a variety of parasite treatments for all animals including horses, dogs and cats, as well as a large variety of farm animals. 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. www.estatecountryfeeds.c Opening times: Monday-Friday: 8am until 5pm Saturday: 8.30am until 1pm Edgar Estate Berrow Green Road Martley WR6 6PQ Tel: 01886 888948