Care Fee Countdown in Ludlow
JP Estate Planning Ltd give us the low down on care care fees and where a home is in an asset protection
fee costs... trust, it can miss out on inheritance tax reliefs.
What are the costs? Care fees in the Ludlow area Instead, We suggest having a private consultation
can be as much as £1,750 per week, which is with one of our fully trained consultants.
£91,000 a year per person. This means a couple Is there anything you can do to protect assets?
could easily end up paying £182,000 a year in care Thankfully, yes! Although you really do have to be
fees alone. You can see how easily your assets – careful on which strategy your chosen professional
including your family home – could be swallowed up. uses. We have often seen certain trusts being set up
Can you give away assets and family home to your and used in a way which is not efficient for
children? You can, but they will likely still be included inheritance tax and do not avoid the deliberate
for care fee assessment purposes. There are rules deprivation rules. Unfortunately most people only
about deliberate deprivation that mean you are not find this out after someone has died or entered care
allowed to give away assets to avoid paying for care and they end up losing money which could have
fees. If you were allowed to do this, then everyone been avoided if done correctly.
would do it and the government would have to pay Final thoughts? If you have had trouble with or are
for everyone’s care. concerned about this subject, JP Estate Planning are
What can you do to protect your assets? Some always happy to help. Give us a call or send an email
people use asset protection trusts, but these can be (see advert below) and we can help you to get the
a dangerous tool in estate planning. The very name correct solutions in place or review your existing
of the trust can imply it is there to avoid paying for plans for suitability.
2
CONTENTS
In Memoriam 5
Ynys Ennli The Isle of no return 7
This issue of the Ludlow Tower goes to A sonnet for Ann 8
print just hours after we learned the Ann Barge RIP 9
very sad news of the death of Queen Introducing … Melanie Trappe 11
Elizabeth II. We are in that strange St Leonard’s Chapel, Corve 13
period of mourning between a death Bridge
and the funeral when normal life goes
on but everything has totally changed, Anne Franks RIP 15
as we start to process what has Baby Loss Awareness Week 15
happened, while not quite believing it is Harvest Festival 17
true. The sensation, familiar to many Our partners are coming! 19
from personal experience, can leave us Kirchentag 2023 19
feeling very isolated in our Train-A-Priest Fund 19
bereavement. This time we are going
through it together with everyone in Sunday services in Ludlow 20
the country, and further afield, and the Ludlow local listing - small ads 21
reaction has been overwhelming. What’s on in October 25
The late Queen was remarkable in so Arts@StLaurence in October 27
many ways, not least in the strength of Putting people before 29
her Christian faith, which we plan to structures?
consider in the next issue. In this issue News from St John’s 31
we mark the sad passing of two other From the registers 32
remarkable women, known personally The Living Room 33
to many in and around Ludlow, Ann
Barge (pp8-9) and Anne Franks (p15). A puzzling pastime 35
How apposite that we also have further Rose’s Story 37
reflection on the Church of England Ludlow Repair Café 38
(p29) stressing the importance of Children’s page 39
putting people at the heart of all we do. On publishing my book 41
Lesley Harling (Editor) Parish directory & copy deadline 42
01584 318309
Opinions expressed in contributed articles in this
This month’s cover: magazine are those of the contributor and do not
necessarily represent the position or opinions of
Photograph: Lesley Harling the PCC or Editorial Committee.
Harvest time
Graphic design: Nicky Luck
[email protected]
Printing : Signworx Hereford
Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire
3
4
QUEEN ELIZABETH II
1926 - 2022
A prayer on the death of
Her Majesty The Queen
Gracious God, we give thanks
for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth,
For her faith and her dedication to duty.
bless our nation as we mourn her death
and may her example continue to inspire us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
5
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6
YNYS ENLLI - THE ISLE OF NO RETURN
Look back at the retreating land,
the churning wake,
and trace the thread
that led from country lanes, around
regardless, driven motorways
with snatched refreshment
until, by years and choices narrowed down,
the umbilical road is severed by The Sound
Look back, and may the One
from whom you came,
the Source and Guide of all your way,
unravel your perplexity,
that you may say:
“For all that has been, thanks!”
Look round the tiny island where you stand
confined by what you have become.
Upon the holy mountain let your heart be scanned
by Sinai’s searchlight, till you blaze
alive with deadly, healing rays.
Life and death struggle in the flight
of preying bird, the beauty of the mourning seal,
the symphony of terror in the night.
Look round and see
how Christ is bound,
belittled and bereft of bliss,
betrayed in naked mockery to death,
to kiss your shrivelled soul
with living breath.
Look up to glimpse the distant shore,
and hear the wild birds call
from heaven’s direction.
Increase your longing for eternity
beyond the furthest star.
Set sail upon the evening tide,
the flood that bears you far
to resurrection.
Look up and let the Spirit speed you to the End
and teach you heaven’s strange tongue;
that, as you have begun to stammer syllables of love,
so may you use these island days
to say: “To all that shall be, yes!”
and sing a Trinity of praise.
Michael Bourke
7
WHEREVER AND WHENEVER
A SONNET FOR ANN
Wherever and whenever shadows fall
Across the lives of families and of friends;
Whatever circumstance on grace depends;
Whoever needs love's Bethlehemic shawl;
However cruel the voice of Herod rings
Across the breath of Holy Innocents;
However bleak the chance of recompense,
As nothing moves the callousness of kings.
Then, then, my darling, memories
Of all you gave and did will gently lift
The weight of grief at death's anomalies,
While we who mourn will wonder at your gift.
Impoverished by your going, we recall
How much your living has enriched us all.
God bless her.
Ian
Ann loved goats and donkeys but especially pigs.
8
REMEMBERING ANN BARGE
“We just spent so much time laughing”.
This was how I described my time in
Ludlow working with dear Ann to a
friend when I heard the sad news of her
passing last month. She had an
infectious sense of fun and of the
absurd, which made my time in Ludlow
so enjoyable. We laughed about all
sorts of things – ourselves, the
absurdities of the church, funny stories
that she would recount from her days
working for Christian Aid or Ludlow
from years past. You always had a smile As well as an affinity for all those who
on your face when Ann was about! had known loss, Ann was also a fearless
As well as this wonderful, light-hearted advocate for all those in society who
side to her which always cheered me up, find themselves marginalised, excluded
Ann also had a serious – and very large or discriminated against in anyway. In
– pastoral heart within her. I would call particular, she was an ally to the LGBT
her a ‘priest’s priest’. What do I mean by community and those living with HIV
this? I mean that she was concerned and Aids, before such advocacy had
above all by real people and their needs, become mainstream. She was never
and the importance of showing love to afraid to champion unpopular causes if
them. She didn’t care much for things she felt it was the right thing to do.
such as committees and councils, or When I came to Ludlow I had just
vestments and rubrics (though she had a completed my curacy – I had only been
great love for the Eucharist and the ordained for just over three years. I
power of the church’s liturgy). Ann probably thought I knew it all, but it was
became well-known to generations of Ann who taught me what it truly means
Ludlovians through her substantial to be a priest – grounded in your
ministry of funerals, weddings and community, known by – and knowing -
baptisms. She reached out to people in your community, and willing to become
times of need, and they responded to vulnerable yourself in order to help and
her with great love. Ann also had a support the vulnerable. In short, she
powerful spirituality. You wouldn’t really was an inspiration, as well as being a joy
call her an Anglo-Catholic, but I do and a wonderful friend. Thank you, Ann
remember her telling me that she had a for everything. May you rest in peace
great devotion to the Virgin Mary; she and rise in glory, and may God surround
always said that Mary could relate to your family and friends with his love.
the grief felt by any mother who had
lost a child. Richard Green
9
Yuliiya
Emily
Lana
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10
16
40
Introducing ...
Please tell us a bit about yourself. What is your
My name is Melanie Trappe. I was born role at
and brought up in Africa (Zimbabwe and St Laurence's?
then Tanzania). My father was a farmer I manage the
and we had a pretty idyllic childhood of Icon coffee shop,
safaris and beaches and I was 20 when I working with
first visited the UK. I studied fashion Emily and our
design in South Africa and then worked two colleagues
for Catherine Walker and Favourbrook, Yuliia and Lana,
moving back when I got married so that who each came
we could bring up our children in to the UK from
Tanzania. Ukraine with their two children when
I set up a coffee shop and gift shop in a the war broke out, while their husbands
game lodge in Tanzania which provided stayed at home to fight.
employment and trained disabled people And how is the coffee shop going?
in new skills so they could better It was hectic getting ready to open,
support their families before starting my training up our regular baristas (and the
own business importing safari wear into clergy!) and learning how to work round
East Africa. Then came Covid. When each other in quite a confined space. It
things began to open up I decided the is really exciting now that we are open
time had come to settle in the UK at last and great to hear so many
(most of my family are here now) as my positive comments from our customers,
two girls were preparing for secondary the locals trying us out as well as the
school. visitors to the church.
What brought you to Ludlow? How do you spend any spare time?
My parents and two of my siblings live I love being outdoors but have had to
nearby with a sister and her family in get used to the cold! I enjoy gardening,
Malvern and a brother-a winemaker in walking our Staffy who came with us
Shrewsbury. My other sister and her from Tanzania, spending time with family
husband are still in Tanzania where they and being Mum’s taxi ferrying my
train dogs for wildlife conservation for children to swimming and horse riding
countries all over Africa and their two lessons!
sons board at a nearby school in
Shropshire. What might we be surprised to
know about you?
What was your first impression
of St Laurence's? I have been incredibly lucky to have lived
in Africa for most of my life and for my
I was amazed at the beauty of the children to have experienced so many
church and the peaceful situation of the opportunities that most would only
coffee shop. dream of - we have been privileged.
11
Expensive Mistakes
Nestled in the heart of Ludlow,
specialising in selling pre-loved,
top-name designer and
superior high street fashion at
affordable prices.
11 Market Street, Ludlow SY8 1BP
tel: 01584 877911
5 The Angel, Broad Street,
Ludlow, Sy8 2PG
12
st leonard’s chapel, corve bridge
This month Nick Ford’s series on former But by the 18th century, when all local
places of worship in Ludlow features a branches of the Foxe family became
chapel of which no trace remains other extinct, the chapel suffered a great deal
than its name which was passed on to from neglect. A court ruling in 1757
another former place of worship. ordered that the tiles be stripped off the
chapel roof because of the safety hazard
Just as the traveller entering or leaving it presented to passers-by.
Ludlow to the south would pass a
chapel on Ludford bridge dedicated to In 1769 the last surviving trustee, James
Saint Catherine, so anyone travelling to Foxe, who lived 'remote from the
or from the north, would encounter the premises', acknowledged that the chapel
chapel dedicated to Saint Leonard on was 'in a decayed and ruinous state' and
the old Corve Bridge, from which the agreed to convey the lands and buildings
now defunct Saint Leonard's parish of the charity to the corporation, whose
church takes its name. dereliction of duty with regard to the
chapel earned the corporation
The chapel was founded by the Knights considerable notoriety.
Hospitaller in the late 12th century, but
very little is recorded about it during The corporation had ordered the chapel
the mediaeval period beyond a bequest demolished in the 1770s, selling off
for repairs to the fabric in 1381. some of the materiel and using some to
repair the Corve bridge and for other
public works. They then issued a 99-
year lease of the chapel site to another
member of the corporation, the glover
Edward Acton, and allowed him to build
workshops on the site for glove making
(the present Nos 38 and 39 Corve
Street). The aged and infirm residents of
the almshouses were thus required to
Drawing of St Leonard's chapel from an
18th century map of Oakly Park Estate go all the way to St. Laurence's for
Anglican worship. These
Following the Reformation and the misappropriations resulted in an action
demolition of the Carmelite priory of St by the political party out of power in
Mary on Corve Street, the chapel the Court of Chancery, causing the Lord
served the almshouses on Corve Street Chief Justice to remark that he had not
endowed by Charles Foxe, Secretary to expected to find 'such gross neglect of
the Council of the Marches. For the duty in a Christian country'.
next 176 years the administration of the
almshouses and chapel remained in the Notwithstanding that rebuke, it was not
hands of the Foxe family. In 1689 until 1870 that the chapel was rebuilt as
Somerset Foxe of Caynham left 20s a the parish church of St Leonard's.
year to the 'Hospital of St Leonard'.
13
14
Anne franks rip
It is with great sadness that we learned They bought a house together on the
of the death of Anne Franks on 1 edge of Pype Hayes Park in Erdington
September. Anne was born in 1942 and and lived with Dick’s son Daniel when
lived in Edgbaston he was home from
attending Bartley Green university. Dick
Grammar School for Girls. introduced Anne to the
She trained as a secretary world of folk and she also
and worked at GKN, loved walking, camping
Dudley Road Hospital, (later caravanning),
Harborne Hill School, gardening, knitting and
Handsworth College and delighted in the joys of her
Aston University before grandchildren – Alexandra,
taking up the role of Katie and Harry .
Headteacher’s PA and Dick and Anne moved to
Clerk to the Governors at Ludlow in 2013 and
Great Barr Grant became quite heavily
Maintained School in 1991. involved in the life of St
Anne had two children by her first Laurence’s. Anne has been a great
marriage - Claire and Scott. Having support to Dick in his role of
been divorced from that marriage, she
married Dick in 1998 at All Saints Churchwarden over the past 5 years.
Church in West Bromwich.
BABY LOSS AWARENESS Week
On Monday 10 October at 4 pm there In addition Revd Lawrence Gittins will
will be a short time of prayer at St be offering prayers daily at 4 pm to
Laurence’s, followed by an opportunity which all are welcome, and on Saturday
for those affected by pregnancy or baby 15 October at 7 pm candles will be lit
loss to tie ribbons onto the railings on for the Global Wave of Light following
the north side of the church, on the an act of worship in church.
path through the churchyard.
Ribbons will be available at the railings
site for people to help themselves and
for anyone who wishes to add a ribbon
at any time during the week.
15
H S Builders
EST. over 30 years
All aspects of building works
Renovations. Conversions. New builds
Extensions. Brickwork. Groundworks
[email protected]
Tel: 07870 883413
LOCAL MAN
wishes to buy
Antiques, Bric à brac,
Collectables
and
Deceaseds’ Effects
Please call
01584 892128 07508 809710
16
St Laurence’s Harvest Festival
Sunday 2 October 2022
St Laurence’s will be celebrating harvest
in the Parish Eucharist service on Sunday
2 October at 10.00am.
We are looking for donations of fruit
and vegetables for the Harvest Festival
display.
Any allotment users wishing to donate
produce can do so at the church any
time during the week beforehand
Donations of flowers and greenery
would be very welcome on Friday 30
September when we will be
decorating the church.
Thank you for your support.
Sue Thornley, Flower Team Co-ordinator
DEC PAKISTAN FLOOD APPEAL
There will be a retiring collection after the
Harvest service in aid of the DEC Pakistan
Floods Appeal..
Millions are in need of urgent help to survive.
Please give generously.
17
18
Our partners Now is the time
are coming! The German Protestant Kirchentag is a
biennial congress of 150,000 people.
The Covic pandemic put many aspects Next year the 38 Kirchentag will be
th
of our lives on hold. One such was our held in Nürnberg with many events
link with our partners in the Lutheran taking place in Langwasser.
Evangelical Church in Langwasser,
Nuremberg. Our hopes of travelling to The Ludlow Langwasser Link Group
Germany in 2020 or 2021 were dashed. hopes that a group from Ludlow and the
surrounding area will attend. The
But we now look forward to a visit by Hereford Diocese is also making plans
members of the Paul Gerhardt Church with their Nuremberg Links.
in Langwasser, led by their minister, Jörg
Gunsenheimer. It will be wonderful to For more information follow this link The
welcome them to Ludlow around German Kirchentag - British Committee website
https://www.kirchentag.org.uk
Remembrance Sunday (13 November)
and to renew our ties of friendship, as or contact Andrea or Colin Weston
fellow workers for God. (01568 77047).
For more information on the visit, or
about the Ludlow-Langwasser
partnership generally, please contact
Andrea or Colin Weston (01568 77047).
TRAIN-A-PRIEST FUND ON THE TRAIL
A retiring collection will OF SAINTS
be taken at the Benefice Children’s half term activity
Eucharist Service at in St Laurence’s church
St Laurence’s on
22 - 30 October
Sunday 30 October
Come and join the fun.
in aid of the diocesan
Train-a-Priest Fund.
Cash or cheques
payable to Ludlow PCC
Barnabus Makuya
or BACS payment to:
Ordinand 2021-
St Mark’s College, CAF BANK Sort Code:
405240 Account:
Dar-es-Salaam, 00016766 ?
Tanzania
Reference: ‘TrainaPriest’
19
SUNDAY SERVICES in Ludlow
Anglican
St Laurence, College Street St Giles, Ludford
8.30am Holy Communion (BCP) 11.15am 1st Sunday
10am Parish Eucharist Family Worship
For livestream/recording - link at 2nd & 4th Sundays
https://stlaurences.org.uk/live-stream CW Holy Communion
11.30am Choral Matins 3rd Sunday
3rd Sunday only Lay-led Worship
3pm Outdoor Church Contact
(St Leonard’s churchyard) [email protected]
4th Sunday only
3.30pm Choral Evensong Ludlow Baptist Church
1st Sunday only 10.30am Sunday worship
6pm Celtic Prayer - evening liturgy Contact
[email protected]
3rd Sunday only
9.30pm Compline (on Zoom) Ludlow Elim
For details contact 10.30am Service at Elim
[email protected] 11.30am Online.
5th Sun Joint benefice service Contact
with St John’s www.ludlowelim.com 07791 483284
Contact [email protected]
[email protected] Ludlow Methodist Church
01584 872073 10.30am Sunday worship
St John, Gravel Hill Contact
9.45am 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays [email protected]
Holy Communion Ludlow Quakers
2nd & 4th Sundays 10.30am Meeting for worship
Morning Prayer Contact
5th Sun Joint benefice service Cynthia Prior 01584 831855
with St Laurence’s
Contact St Peter's Roman Catholic Church
[email protected] Mass 11.00am Sunday
07786 625565 9.30pm Monday-Friday
6.00pm Saturday (Sunday Vigil )
Morning prayer
9.15am Monday-Friday
9.45am Saturday
Contact
[email protected]
20
LUDLOW LOCAL LISTING
You can advertise in this listing for one We also accept advertising from clubs,
year (12 issues) for just £30. societies and social groups - perfect for
With 600 copies circulating in Ludlow publicising your group’s activities and
every month, free of charge, this is an attracting new members.
ideal way of publicising your business, All entries must fit the standard 4-line
shop or service. box (approximately 40 words).
To discuss details or to place an advertisement please contact the parish
office on 01584 872073 or email [email protected].
If you use the services of any of our advertisers please mention
that you found their details in the Ludlow Tower.
Artwork
Ludlow Castle Gallery
Quality affordable picture framing & original objects. Fast friendly service. Gifts & cards
by local artisans. Find us just before the Castle Café or contact on
01584 878527 [email protected] www.ludlowcastlegallery.co.uk
Books & Stationery
Castle Bookshop
5 Castle Street Ludlow
Booksellers and Stationers Free ordering service
01584 872562 [email protected]
Food
Paul’s Fresh Fish Ltd
Home delivery of fresh and smoked fish from our family fishmongers based in
Gloucestershire. Price list available.
Tel: 07527 898767 or email [email protected]
Myriad Organics 22 Corve Street 01584 879373 myriad-organics.co.uk
Ludlow’s widest range of organic produce. Specialists in vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free
food, natural bodycare & natural remedies. Waste-free shopping & refills for your cleaning
products. We also offer a free local delivery service and organic box scheme.
21
Fitness and Sport
Pearce Cycles
Friendly, knowledgeable and experienced - your local bike shop for all your cycling needs.
Fishmore Road, Ludlow, SY8 3DP. Tel. 01584 879288; [email protected];
www.pearcecycles.co.uk. Open Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm. Bike sales - repair - hire.
IT Services
Matthew Lenthall IT Services
Computers, phones and all things technical. Support and maintenance.
12a Corve Street, Ludlow 07828 081163 or 01584 877946
[email protected]
Insurance Services
Teme Valley Insurance Brokers
For your Home, Car, Business or Farm quote
Call Mark or Sue on 01584 290055
Medical services
Acupuncture 07816 303742
Are you in pain, not sleeping, or anxious? Don’t ignore it, it can be relieved.
Qualified insured therapist, Samuel Jones, offers remedial massages and acupuncture
treatments for a variety of conditions. See www.massageludlow.co.uk for details.
Picture Framing
Frames by Sebastian
Bespoke picture framing
6a Pepper Lane
Tel: 07815 111554
Wanted by collector
Reynolds of Ludlow furniture
Wanted by local collector and researcher; any condition considered; will collect.
Good prices offered.
Tel: 07967 134116.
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Property services and maintenance
General Maintenance
M. Davies & Son, Property Maintenance Service
Flooring, Glazed tiles, Painting, Decorating & General repairs.
5 Bitterley Close, Ludlow, SY8 1XP
Call: 01584 873907
Steve Wilson Painting and Decorating
Internal and external work carried out.
Please telephone Steve on: 07818 400764
Email address: [email protected]
Carpentry
James Mackenzie Carpentry & Joinery
Reliable / High Quality Work.
Building Services, Gosford Cottage, Little Hereford, Ludlow SY8 4AR
Call 01584 711326 or 07870428948. Email [email protected]
Chimneys & Stoves
Ken Dodd & Son Chimney Sweep
Rotary sweep and vacuum-assisted. Cowls/bird guards supplied and fitted. Woodburners
serviced and bricks supplied and fitted. Fully insured and certificates issued. Available for
weddings. 01584 873178 • 07702 102044 www.kendoddandsonchimneysweep.co.uk
Cleaning
Hydroclean Services [email protected]
Carpet & Upholstery cleaning : Leather cleaning : Hard floor cleaning and stone polishing :
Gutter cleaning : Fully insured, fast response, reliable and local. Members of the National
Carpet Cleaning Association. www.hydrocleanservices.co.uk 01568 630000
Paul’s Window & Gutter Cleaning Service
We also clean fascias and soffits if required
For a quote
call 07891 862744 or email [email protected]
23
Electrical
Ian Mackay
Quick response, local and reliable. No-obligation fixed quotes. Domestic installation and
repairs. Landlord & homeowner safety inspections. Condition reports for house sales.
Contact Ian Mackay on 07736 303297 or email [email protected]
Gardening
Dan Pritchard Garden Services
Fully insured - reliable - experienced - competitive. Lawn mowing / hedge cutting / tree
surgery / pruning / turfing / planting / landscaping. Call Dan on 07779182636. Covers
Ludlow and surrounding areas.
Send those special greetings
to your loved one HERE for just
£7.50.
To book email
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS, CLUB OR SOCIETY
HERE
Contact the Parish Office on 01584 872073 or
[email protected]
ADVERTISING RATES 2021-22 (for 12 issues)
Full page - £280 Quarter page - £90
Half page - £170 Eighth page - £55
Classified - £30
Rates for part-year available on request
See above for contact details.
24
WHAT’S ON At st LAURENCE’S
OCTOBER Midweek
Saturday 1 7.30pm Daily prayer
Edge Chamber Choir - Mondays 9.30am
Autumn Concert Tuesdays 9.30am
Sunday 2 Thursdays 9.30am
Harvest Festival 10.00am Holy Communion
Choral Evensong 3.30pm Wednesdays 6.00pm
Monday 3 3.00pm Intercessory Prayers 10.30am
Open Tea Fourth Thursday in month
Friday 7 7.00pm Tower bells practice
Arcadia Chamber Music Festival - Mondays 7.30-9.00pm
Cornucopia
Handbells practice
Sunday 9 3.30pm Tuesdays 6.00-7.15pm
The Living Room informal worship Choir practice
Saturday 15 6.00pm Thursdays 6.00-8.30pm
Baby Loss Awareness service
Sunday 16 And at st JOHN’S
Choral Matins 11.30am
Celtic Prayer 6.00pm Daily prayer
Wednesdays 9.30am
Thursday 27 10.30am Fridays 9.30am
Monthly intercessory prayers Tea and toast
Sunday 30 10.00am Wednesdays 10.00am
Benefice Eucharist at Holy Communion
St Laurence’s Wednesdays 11.30am
For the latest news on events at
St Laurence’s go to Don’t Forget
https://
stlaurences.org.uk/google- British Summer Time ends at 2am on
Sunday 29 October
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putting people before structures?
The September Tower contained an evangelical understanding of the gospel.
article Whither the Church of England by It led to an effort to increase church
Juergen Bridstrup. I agree with much attendance and a more rigorous
that he writes but here is another approach to giving. Finance and
perspective. Theology changed the perspective.
I recently wrote a letter detailing what I have been in rural ministry in
had attracted me to the church I knew Herefordshire for 23 years, and am
in the 1980s. It was characterised as - retired. The church I now see is driven
the servant church, described by by secular management styles, financial
William Temple as ‘the only institution demands and the legal requirements of
that exists primarily for the benefit of government. Not all of this is new, or
those who are not its members’. bad. But it puts a pressure on
And it was person-centred. That congregations, spending too much time
seems to me to incorporate both an raising money, and the church becomes
outward and inclusive community inward-looking and finance-focussed .
perspective and also to recognise the It think we must always have to go back
individuality of everyone, unique in gifts to fundamental questions which require
and foibles, each on their own journey. us to be grounded in faith, but looking
This was the Church I knew and loved. outwards, both to the community and to
I’m not yet daft enough to think that the the needs of the planet. And it requires
church of the eighties was perfect; there a person-centred approach, listening to
were plenty of battles, plenty of others, responding to what they offer
eccentric leadership, plenty who and addressing individual needs. This
favoured a conservative and more seems to me to be fundamental. Indeed,
authoritarian church. But I was when thinking about what to do in
fortunate in the church I belonged to in retirement I realised that in the words
Norwich. of my letter, ‘the servant church’ and ‘the
person-centred church,’ I had defined
Nor am I unaware of the good work my path.
done today that represents the servant
church/person-centred approach. I When the monk Thomas Merton
would cite just one example - the delivered his final talk before his
church/community/pharmacy link that untimely death in 1968, he quoted the
came into being in Tenbury during the Dalai Lama, ‘From now on everybody
Covid lockdown allowing medicine to be stands on his own feet’. He continued
ordered and delivered to individuals in prophetically, ‘from now on we can no
the villages within the Tenbury group. longer rely on structures’.
But somewhere along the line there was Sylvia Turner
a confluence of thinking driven by both
financial constraint and a more
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K & J Davies Gas Services
NATURAL AND LPG GAS BOILERS &
APPLIANCES SERVICED AND INSTALLED
RADIATORS AND HEATING INSTALLATIONS
AND SMALL PLUMBING WORK UNDERTAKEN
01547 528642
LUDLOW CAR SHARE
Cut your travel costs and help beat
climate change
Our club is a community run, not-for-
profit enterprise
We operate low emission, automatic
Toyota hybrid cars
Book a car for as long as you need
from 30 mins to several days Garden maintenance
Smart card technology - book online or
by phone Michael Doyle
You pay only an hourly charge plus Plantsman
mileage Over 30 years’ experience
We pay fuel, insurance, road tax and
breakdown cover 07855 930641
As a member you can book Co-wheels
cars across the UK
No age limit with valid licence – Victoria Allen
introductory teach-in if required
Cars parked at Ludlow Foyer close to Funeral Services
Train Station
An Independent Family Business
Join at:
http://www.co-wheels.org.uk/ Pre- Paid Funeral Plans
shropshire Home Visits Always Available
Local contacts: 24 Hour Service
01584 875017 or 875501 01584 879035
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Notes from st john’s
Toddlers at St John’s Church
Every Friday morning our church is full of
the joyful sound of children playing. Parents,
grandparents and carers bring their
pre-school children along to our toddler
group where the children play with our
extensive range of toys and the adults enjoy
a cup of tea and a chance to chat.
Often the session will finish with a sing-a-
long to popular nursery rhymes and songs –
including actions of course!
St John’s Church
Gravel Hill
Friday mornings
9.15am – 11.15am
Please come along any week
with your children (aged 0-5
years) – no need to book.
We ask for a contribution of £1
per family for each session
attended.
Contact person – Sue Thomas
Phone: 01584 872073
Or message via our Facebook
page
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FROM THE
REGISTERS
WEDDING
21 August
Robert Wilson and Samantha Gill
Join us for
Sunday evening compline FUNERALS
via Zoom 3 August
Linda Sandifer (Ludlow cemetery)
An ancient and beautiful way to close 7 September
out the day with God and each other. Ann Barge
Open to all.
Sundays 9.30pm for approx 20 minutes
For Zoom details email:
[email protected]
Celtic Prayer
An Evening Liturgy
VISIT OUR CHURCH
St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow TO SEE our
Third Sunday of the month
Mediaeval stained glass
6pm
Mediaeval misericords
A simple service in a style
View from the Tower
used by the Iona Community
Housman memorial
Bells and Carillon
All welcome
Call Pat Helm 01584 877683
Comper banner
Snetzler organ
Baldacchino
Icon coffee
Gift shop
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I love Jesus and the church. I love the So, what to expect? A warm welcome
community, the being together in the - we'll sit around a table, share simple
various forms and styles of worship. food (hot dogs for the first get
What has always struck me, though, is together); there will be stuff for the
the Last Supper -as Jesus sat with his kids/teenagers and adults to do. We'll
friends and broke bread, sharing chat about life, its joys and difficulties
fellowship as they reclined together. and the impact that Jesus can have, and
then we'll break bread together with a
Ever since coming to Ludlow I’ve simple communion service.
wondered what that would look like in
our church. For me it's about breaking Be great to see you there:
down barriers to how people see God Wayne
but through the church itself. email [email protected].
Come and join us on
Sunday 9 October at 3.30pm
St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow
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A PUZZLING PASTIME
Jigsaw puzzles are an enduring and
absorbing activity enjoyed by people of
all ages, and with much to recommend
them. In young children they are a
fabulous learning tool, encouraging hand
-to-eye coordination and often featuring
numbers and bright colours which offer
more opportunities for learning.
For adults, studies suggest that jigsaw The Shop at St Laurence has a
puzzles are an effective way of tremendous selection of jigsaws: Lanka
improving memory function, Kade makes robust wooden jigsaws like
recommended as a daily pastime in this playful dinosaur who presents
older age, not a hardship at all! children with colours and numbers as
well as meeting the requirements of the
Early puzzles were called dissections and most ardent dino collector. Adult
were produced by mounting maps on offerings include this beautiful bird
hardwood and cutting along national selection, 1,000 pieces of ornithological
boundaries which would create a puzzle amusement.
as a tool for teaching geography, it is
said that a Royal governess used these
puzzles to teach King George III’s
children.
The term jigsaw came into use in the
late 1800s when fretsaws were used to
cut the shape - a puzzle in itself as that
suggests that the name jigsaw is in fact
incorrect, but perhaps best not to fret
over that! Cardboard has generally
replaced the original hardwood bases,
making modern jigsaws lighter and
easier to cut into even more intricate
shapes.
Jigsaw puzzles are always a wonderful
gift, a great way to entertain children,
The Shop at St Laurence always fun as a group activity and just
Mobile: 07833 866485 the thing to fill long winter evenings or
www.theshopatstlaurence.co.uk Christmas stockings! Why not visit the
Shop to solve the puzzle of what to buy
Open daily 10am-5pm as a present for that tricky person who
has everything?
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36
ROSE’S STORY
I write this towards the end of August
when, after a few days of lower
temperatures and rain, the heat wave is
already a distant memory. And it will
seem even more remote by the time
you read it, when perhaps we shall be
grumbling about too much rain. What a
contrast with Rose's story. are those who are affected most. Our
‘When I was a young girl at school, the earth has evolved to be interdependent.
rainfall we received was enough. There God has made us to be nourished and
was plenty of food to eat - now we are sustained by each other, not to
skipping meals.’ dominate or exploit either the material
environment or our brothers and
Rose lives in Kenya and drought is sisters round the world.
starving her crops. The rivers are
desperately dry. She and her family are What difference can our donations
hungry. Every day, on an empty make? Christian Aid has already
stomach, Rose walks for six hours to provided taps and once it has bought
the nearest river to collect water for enough cement to build an earth dam
her grandchildren. Returning home she Rose and families like hers will be able
eats a meagre bowl of porridge - and is to collect water much more easily.
still hungry, as well as tired. ‘Because I Christian Aid workers can introduce the
am old, I can’t walk very fast. When I farmers to drought-tolerant crops
get home I just rest in the evening. I teaching them about the particular
have no energy to do anything else,’ she needs of these special varieties.
says.
The Ludlow Christian Aid coffee
morning is almost as long ago as the
heatwave but we remember it as a
happy occasion for us all and it raised
£951.17. I would like to say a huge
thank you to everyone involved.
Rose and her family are battling a We now look forward to our street
climate change crisis they did not create.
This is unjust and it did not have to collection, which is due to take place
reach this breaking point. It is an on Saturday 17 December. The date
outrage that those who have is yet to be confirmed but please
contributed least to the climate crisis make a provisional note in your diary
anyway.
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Ludlow Curtain Company
The Stables, Station Drive,
Ludlow SY8 2PQ
R I B A Tel 01584 875533
Trevor Hewett Here for all your soft furnishing
[email protected]
needs, from curtains and all types of
A R C H I T E C T blinds to cushions, upholstery and
curtain poles.
▪ Planning applications ▪ Fabrics now available on the roll.
▪ Listed building consent ▪
▪ Building regulations ▪ Skip Hire, Waste Management &
▪ Alterations and extensions ▪ Recycling
▪ Church inspections ▪ Tenbury Wells, Ludlow, Leominster, Craven Arms and
▪ Green building ▪
The Architecture Studio
135 Corve Street Ludlow SY8 2PG
Tel: 01584 877992
Saturday 29 October
Elim Church
9.30am - 12noon
The Ludlow Repair Café will be back in The team cannot undertake any TV
its new home at the Elim Church, at repairs and can accept only one
the rear of the Smithfield carpark this portable item from each owner. There
month. is no charge for repairs but donations
If you have something you love, or love are requested.
using, that is broken or not working
properly, bring it along and the team of For more details, or if you would like
volunteer ‘fixers’ will do their best to to join the team of volunteers, contact
send you home with it working again! Diane Lyle on 07786 6230 624 or
email: [email protected]
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On publishing my book
Rev Dr Gary Bowness’ elderly Anglo- I suspect I will not now be asked to
Catholic vicar, Eustace, continues his deliver a paper on it at the next clergy
correspondence to Darren, his nephew, a conference.
low-church curate recently ordained … I was briefly excited when several
The Rectory parishioners came into the shop. But it
St James the Least of All turned out that one wanted to book a
baptism with me, and another wanted to
My dear Nephew Darren, complain that at his recent wedding, I
After all these years, who would have had nearly married the best man to the
believed it: to have my own book bride. I was tempted to tell him that the
printed! I admit, I had imagined a leather time may come when he wished that I
-bound volume with gold leaf lettering had but decided that would be another
on the spine – perhaps entitled ‘Volume sale lost.
One’, implying future delights I could not even console
in store for the reader. A myself with a free drink. The
paperback, held together with publisher had only brought
glue was a slight two bottles of that particular
disappointment. The white wine, of unknown
publisher’s reason for a print origin, that seems specially
run of 50 - fewer would have reserved for book launches
to be dumped in cut-price and retirement parties. I
bookshops - was not what I suspect it derives less from a
had expected either. vineyard and more from a
laboratory. One bottle he
He seemed to think that my
commentary on Eusebius’s tables for kept for himself and the other
cross-referencing the gospels, as disappeared after my confirmation class
explained in his letter to Carpianus, came in to ask whether the book would
would not have mass interest. While I be serialised on TV.
concede it will be unlikely to dent the In the end, I bought all 50 copies myself,
sales of Harry Potter, and that I am placed a note in the bookshop window
unlikely to be involved in negotiating the saying that, due to exceptional demand,
film rights, I had hoped for slightly more the print run had been entirely sold out.
enthusiasm for this stride forward in It has also solved the annual problem of
global knowledge. Christmas presents. In your case, a
second copy will probably arrive for
The excitement of the book launch and
signing was also tempered when only your birthday too.
the bishop arrived, expecting a free copy, Your loving uncle,
so that he could mark it for theological
errors. My suggestion that he take a Eustace
copy to colour in did not go down well.
41
PARISH DIRECTORy
Ludlow St Laurence Parish Office, 2 College Street, Ludlow, Shropshire. SY8 1AN
Telephone: 01584 872073
e-mail: [email protected] website: www.stlaurences.org.uk
The office is open to the public on Tuesdays between 10.00 am and 12.00 pm.
Rector Revd Kelvin Price (available Sunday-Friday) 07799 243867
Curate Revd Lawrence Gittins (available Sunday-Friday) 07786 625565
Pioneer Curate & Intergenerational Missioner Revd Wayne Davies 07545 438892
Ludlow St Laurence Ludlow St John
Parish Office 01584 872073 Parish Office Nicky Luck 872073
Office Administrator Nicky Luck Churchwardens Mike Beazley 873570
Finance Manager Peter Nield Treasurer Mike Beazley 873570
Gift Aid Secretary Michael Hunt PCC Secretary Mike Beazley 873570
Director of Music Michael Oakley Electoral Roll Sue Thomas 0792990671
Custodian Matthew Lenthall
Ashfords Benefice
Conservation Trust Chair Ian Marshall Rector Revd Lynn Money
Parish Office Clare Bicker-Caarten
PCC 01584 831585
Churchwardens Dick Franks 892019 Bromfield Benefice
Lesley Harling 318309 Rector Revd Justin Parker
Assistant Churchwarden Parish Office Martin Scott 07493 247184
Michael Davies 07970 434822
Electoral Roll Officer Dick Franks 892019
Safeguarding Officer Dick Franks 892019
PCC Minutes Secretary Jacs Higgs 872073
Bible Reading Penelope Bridstrup 876992
Fellowship
Flowers Sue Thornley 872292 COPY DEADLINE FOR THE
Monthly Prayer Group Sandi Burley 873155 NEXT ISSUE
Tower Captain Richard Bracher 811514 TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER
Ludlow Tower editor Lesley Harling 318309
There is no guarantee that material
Find this and previous issues submitted will be included.
of the Ludlow Tower on line at
www.stlaurences.org.uk Please send articles by email to
[email protected]
We are happy to receive contributions
and suggestions for inclusion in the
magazine. Please limit items to no
more than 400 words, except by prior
agreement with the editor.
Parish of Ludlow Saint Laurence Registered Charity No 1132703
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