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3 This month is ‘book-ended’ by two special occasions. The dean of Hereford Cathedral has an unusual approach to what is undoubtedly the more significant of the two at a national, and international level (p5). Whatever the outcome of the general election on 4 July however it is quite possible that the other event, the opening of Stephen House (p7) on 28 July will make a greater, and more immediate, difference for the people of Ludlow. Elsewhere in this issue of the Ludlow Tower we learn about one of Ludlow’s best-kept secrets, a three-acre green oasis tucked away between Corve Street and Linney (p11), and about the strange meteorological phenomenon (p13) which heralded a little-known but key battle in the Wars of the Roses. There is sound advice for clergymen and women on how to stay safe when invited to take a service in someone else’s church and for us all on how not to turn into Victor Meldrew (p34) and how to reduce the burden on our landfill sites by choosing an ecoconscious end for our books (p29). Lesley Harling (Editor) 07309 263730 This month’s cover: Photograph: Lesley Harling Pinnacle on St Laurence church Graphic design: Nicky Luck Nickyluck@nannolica.co.uk Printing: Signworx Hereford Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire CONTENTS Oh lord, it’s election time again 5 Doors open at Stephen House 7 Introducing … Liz Gardner 9 All about St Leonard’s churchyard 11 Suns and roses 13 PCC news - Annual meetings 15 From the registers 15 Focus on the community 16 Poetry in the round 16 News from St John’s 17 Why is Kelvin Rector of Ludlow? 17 Sunday services in Ludlow 18 There’s more to olives than nibbles 19 What’s on in July 23 The animals came in two by two by two by two ... 25 Arts@StLaurence in July 26 A guided tour of our history 27 Changes at the top of the Trust 27 Recycling old friends 29 Poets’ Corner: e e cummings 31 Ludlow Rotary Club Dog Day 33 How not to be a grumpy old man (or woman) 34 Book review: The King’s Mother 35 Children’s page 36 On the perils of standing in for another vicar 37 Parish directory & copy deadline 38 Opinions expressed in contributed articles in this magazine are those of the contributor and do not necessarily represent the position or opinions of the PCC or Editorial Committee.
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Oh Lord, It’s election time again… Many years ago I attended a girl’s grammar school. Most of the young ladies of this excellent institution wore a smart navy blue uniform right down to the nether garments (by which I mean socks). The rebellious girls wore their ties fat-knotted and at half mast, daringly adapted the standard pleated skirt in a way that endangered the morality of the entire town and sported (quelle horreur!) pierced ears and wedge shoes. The scruffy oiks, of which I was one, technically wore all the right things but in a manner that was at least as subversive of the dignity of the school and its policies. The rebels rebelled. We just didn’t care. In the 6th form despite my total disregard for matters sartorial I was elected Head Girl. Clearly my peers and staff were not voting on external appearances! The day my head girliness was announced I was surprised to have abuse shouted at me from the top of the tower block. Confused, I climbed six flights of stairs to face an enraged 4th form mob. When I besought the reason for their hatred it emerged that they had heard that I was going to change the school uniform policy so that everyone would have to wear white knee socks with ankle frills. Anyone less likely to care what sort of socks anyone wore could not be imagined. I disabused them of this heinous untruth and went on my way. I am reminded of this as we endure our current national and local electioneering. Slander is justified by allegedly righteous anger; winning arguments is valued more than truthful ones; soundbites trump nuance; personal attacks abound and dissension and vitriol are stirred up by people who want to destabilise rather than work for unity. So here are a few thoughts about how Christians might engage better in all this. Media owners get rich when headlines instil fear. Check the facts. Take the ideology with more than a pinch of salt and make decisions based on fact not gossip and opinion. There may be no white socks conspiracy at all. We are called to love our neighbours, even if they have poor taste in hosiery. This is not justification to vilify and hate them. Thinking your party’s platform is unflawed is folly. Manifestos are made by ambitious people feeding tribal fears and things change. White socks might be the right way to go these days. Scripture tells us to pray for our leaders and respect those in authority. Deriding them on Facebook is wrong. Pray for their wisdom and that their hearts may be right; perhaps they will see the light and abandon the white socks manifesto. Do not be paranoid. The world will not end if your candidate loses and white socks are temporarily back in fashion. Whatever your preferred sock colour in this election may you know that you are for Him before party and be filled with God’s peace. Dean Sarah 7
6 Extra Sunday services this month Celtic Prayer An Evening Liturgy St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow Fourth Sunday of the month 6pm A simple service in a style used by the Iona Community Call Caroline on 07557 983940 Sunday 28 July Fourth Sunday CHORAL EVENSONG 3.30pm In the chancel Sunday 7 July First Sunday CHORAL MATINs 11.30am In the chancel Sunday 21 July Third Sunday Open tea at st laurence First Monday in the month at 3pm. All welcome. Monday 1 July
7 doors open at Stephen house It will be a poignant moment when the door of No 2 College Street opens on the morning of Monday 29 July and Stephen House becomes a reality – the culmination of more than two years of intensive fund-raising and hard work by a host of people and the realisation of the life-long dream of one, very special, man. Stephen Treasure loved St Laurence’s and Ludlow, especially its people. It was his vision to make a difference in his community by creating a safe and welcoming space in the heart of Ludlow with doors open to all – a place for anyone, of any age to find comfort, help and support. Stephen House is that place, and much more besides. No 2 College Street has been transformed by Stephen’s colleagues and friends at Treasure and Son into a multi-purpose building with meeting rooms, space for courses, offices for the parish clergy and staff and a tenanted flat as well as all we need to support those who come through the door for solace and assistance – a quiet area to sit and talk, make a brew and prepare hot food as well as practical features like a washing machine, drier and shower. Stephen House is the ideal base for further growth of St Laurence’s outreach and mission in the community, building on the foundations of the great work of Kelvin as our Rector and of our departing curate, Wayne Davies over the past five years. We are committed to ensuring that it is a fitting tribute to Stephen and will be waiting eagerly on 29 July as the door opens and Stephen House is fully operational.
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9 introducing ... Please tell us a bit about yourself. My name is Liz Gardner. I grew up in Harrow where I had a holiday job on the Harrow Observer. After studying English and philosophy (in the second cohort of the new university of Kent) I married and moved to Europe, first to Strasbourg where my first husband was the youngest European civil servant and later to Brussels. After a few years at home with my two girls I went to work on an English-language magazine before approaching the Observer, which took me on as European correspondent, working for them until the mid 80s – covering the Heysel and Zeebrugge disasters and the UK rebate negotiation. After I married Brian, who was an agricultural economist, we moved back to the UK, settling in Calstock in Cornwall where we kept ducks, hens and geese. Brian commuted to Brussels while I joined the PCC, became a school governor and a parish and district councillor with a special interest in planning and building. The highlight was helping to redevelop the waterfront at Calstock into a community space. What brought you to Ludlow? My mother’s family is from Bishops Castle and my parents had a house here so I have been coming here since the 70s. My sister and brother-in-law retired to Ludlow and in 2010 Brian and I bought a house on Lower Broad Street. But in 2017 we moved to a tiny village in Perigord, SW France. We loved it there but sadly Brian soon became seriously ill. The community in Champeau and the local Anglican congregation were enormously supportive and I stayed on for two years after Brian died, before finally coming back to Ludlow early in 2021. And to St Laurence’s? I’ve been worshipping here since the early 1980s. It was very different then, much more formal with lot of children in the choir. The men all wore ties and the women all wore hats. Is there one feature of St Laurence’s which is special for you I have always found it a place of great beauty but just one feature? It has to be the great east window. What is your role in the church? I belong to the Wednesday morning contemplation group and the team of Sunday service intercessors and I have just become churchwarden. How do you like to spend your spare time? Gardening and writing. It’s mostly poetry now - sometimes in French. Most memorable holiday experience? Apart from being left with my granny while the rest of the family went to Venice because I had chicken pox? That would be the holiday in Portugal when Brian taught me and my two girls to sail. What we might be surprised to know about you? I used to write for Farmers Weekly – it was very badly paid.
10 Foot Health Practitioner Angie Lennox 07977 108391 for Appointments Toenail cutting Corn & callus removal Athlete’s foot Foot massage Home visits available Diploma Level 4 Registered & fully insured 5 The Angel, Broad Street, Ludlow, Sy8 2PG
11 All about St Leonard's Churchyard The site has a long history. In casually raking through badger diggings, I have come across pottery fragments indicating that the site was occupied from at least the late 13th century. In 1349 Laurence de Ludlow (grandson of the builder of Stokesay Castle) gave the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (the Carmelites or Whitefriars) several properties between Lower Corve Street and Linney which were demolished to build a priory which stood on the site until its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1538. The partly excavated friary buildings lie beneath the Victorian church. The burial ground, Ludlow's parish cemetery, opened in 1824 when the mediaeval churchyard at St Laurence's became full. Beginning as a one acre site, it was enlarged several times to the present three acres. The church, designed by George Gilbert Scott, opened in 1871 and closed as a place of worship a century later. Early in the 20th century, burial space ran out and a new borough cemetery was opened on Henley Road. St Leonard's, however, is not a ‘closed churchyard’ as five families still hold reserved burial rights so its upkeep is the responsibility of St Laurence’s Parochial Church Council (PCC). War graves There are five listed First World War war graves in the churchyard. The Friends hold a remembrance service each November placing wreaths on each war grave. A recent discovery is a tombstone commemorating a soldier killed in the Boer War. Flora and fauna The churchyard is a designated wildlife reserve: a cooperation between the PCC, the Friends of St Leonard's, Caring For God's Acre and the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. In the interests of wildlife conservation, parts are left permanently undisturbed. Regular wildlife censuses of different species are carried out with the help of Shropshire Wildlife Trust. A sanctuary for people, too In 1990 it was decided to make the churchyard a place people could enjoy as well as being a wildlife sanctuary. Paths were created and seats and a picnic area installed. The Friends of St Leonard's meet annually, form regular working parties to maintain the site, seek grant aid for major works and use subscriptions and donations to maintain this local amenity of historic and social importance. Would you like to join? New members are welcome to help conserve this lovely site so close to the centre of town. Membership is only £5 single, £10 for a family. Donations, of course, are also always welcome. Account name: The Friends of Saint Leonard's Churchyard Sort Code: 40-30-30 Account Number: 91253344 The Friends need your support. To adopt a grave or help fund its upkeep, become a member or assist in some other way or for more information, please contact Nick Ford at: nickandcarolford@gmail.com.
12 Seafood bar now open Friday & Saturday Open Wed & Thur 10am-1pm Fri & Sat 10am-3.30pm
13 Suns and Roses At 10am on the morning of 2 February 1461, Candlemas Day, in the sky over the river Lugg not far from Leintwardine, three suns appeared above the armies of York and Lancaster as they prepared to do battle at Mortimer’s Cross. The Yorkist army, led by Edward, Earl of March, became terrified. Aged only 19, Edward stepped before his army to address them: ‘Beeth of good comfort and dreadeth not… these three suns betoken the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost… in the name of Almighty God, we go against our enemies.’ ‘Go against’ them they did, winning a famous victory that propelled the young earl to the throne of England as Edward IV, unseating the unpopular Henry VI and giving history its Wars of the Roses. Thenceforth, Edward’s heraldry and decoration favoured the ‘Sun in Splendour’, traces of which are thought to be depicted in the Parvis room above the south porch of St Laurence church. In the west window, the image of Edward, one of the mightiest kings in English history, displays traces of the sun’s rays, even though this particular window was only created in 1860. The year 1461 fell within a period often known as the ‘Little Ice Age’, when winter temperatures were markedly colder than average. The ‘three suns’, that so terrified the soldiers, was an atmospheric optical phenomenon known as a parhelion, or colloquially a sun dog. It is caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals held in cirrus clouds. It is an uncommon occurrence and one which must have been terrifying to God-fearing, mediaeval soldiers. The fact that Edward was able to rally his men in the face of this ‘heavenly’ doomsaying, tells us what a great leader he was. Eric Griffiths A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright – until you hear them speak.
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15 PCC NEWS Summary of PCC meeting held on Monday 3 June 11 (eleven) members of the PCC attended The new PCC, voted in at the annual meetings on 18 May, comprises: Revd Preb Kelvin Price (Rector) Liz Gardner (Churchwarden) Lesley Harling (Churchwarden) Ewart Carson Eric Griffiths Caroline Culley Paul Kemp Michael Davies Stuart McLaren Jean Ferguson-Davie Hilary Walters Dick Franks Richard Wilkins Resolutions: co-option of one member; election of Lay Vice Chair and Standing Committee; tenancy of Stephen House flat; use of social media; role description for lay pastoral worker Finance: in line with forecasts; reserves increasing with rising visitor numbers Committee Reports: received from Arts@StLaurence, Fabric, Local Pastoral Visitors and committees Date of next meeting: Monday 8 July A copy of the two latest confirmed PCC minutes is available on the noticeboard at the back of the church. All confirmed minutes can be viewed in the parish office. FROM THE REGISTERS Baptisms 26 May Ronnie Michael James Jamie Bobby Edward James Funerals and Memorial Services 6 June Marina Clent 7 June Josephine Martin (Ludlow Cemetery) 13 June Phyllis Martin 17 June Anita Minton 21 June Stephen Piper
16 Focus on our Community Do you belong to a local club, choir, society or special-interest group and want to recruit new members? Are you organising a concert, show, dance, sale, or other fund-raising event and want to spread the word to as many people as possible? Tell us all about it and we can offer you publicity in the Ludlow Tower. Choose between An entry in a diary of events - free A half page, like the one on the right, promoting your activities (150-200 words and a photograph) £10 for local groups £25 for local businesses A poster for a one-off event taking place in Ludlow: Free if in St Laurence’s £18 (full page) / £12 (half page) / £8 (quarter page) A poster for a one-off event taking place outside Ludlow: £35 (full page) / £21 (half page) / £12 (quarter page) To book or for more information email social.media@stlaurences.org.uk or call 01584 872073 Poetry in the Round is a poetry social held in the Round at Ludlow Library on the second Friday of each month from 1-3pm. The next three dates will be 12 July, 9 August, and 13 September 2024. We, local poets Lorraine Munn and Kate Garrett, had been looking for a relaxed, accessible place for poets and poetry lovers to share their own poems, favourite poems by other writers and have conversations sparked by poems, and we found the perfect space in the library. The Round is a cosy event space in the centre of the stacks created by Ludlow Library manager Iran Morris after the movable shelves were installed in January and it was first used for a reading by visiting poet Archie Swanson in April. We thought it would be a lovely spot for regular poetry, and Iran agreed, so Poetry in the Round was born. Anyone is welcome to attend Poetry in the Round – it’s free, it’s friendly, and you can drop in at any time in the twohour window or stay for the whole session. We provide tea, coffee, and biscuits, too! If you would like more information, or have any questions, email Kate at kategarrettwrites@gmail.com.
17 NEWS FROM st john’s We had a lovely time at our Tea Service at St Johns in June. All ages were present, from the very young to the more mature – we were delighted to welcome residents from Hendra House care home. Thank you to all those who made such delicious cakes and made the service so enjoyable. We heard the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth and how God called two very ordinary women to do such amazing things and we heard how God calls each of us to do amazing things wherever he has planted us. We hope to hold a similar service later in the year. FROM THE REGISTERS Funerals 13 May Sarah Luft 29 Mary Shirley Burmingham Why is kelvin the rector of ludlow? Have you ever wondered why St Laurence's has a rector, not a vicar? The word rector comes from the Latin word meaning to rule. A rector used to receive tithes directly themselves. This explains the wide door on the old rectory on College Street, which allowed cartloads of goods to come in. A vicar is a term in use since Henry VIII, and means a deputy or substitute, and is related to the word vicarious. The nobles who gained the lands formerly owned by the monasteries got all the income, and so appointed clergymen as deputies to carry out services. They received a salary, but no tithes. Originally a rector was deemed to be of a higher social status so the title is often found in larger, more important churches. Nowadays there is effectively no difference between the two roles. Phil Horsfall
18 Anglican St Laurence, College Street 8.15am Holy Communion (BCP) 10am Parish Eucharist For livestream/recording - link at https://stlaurences.org.uk/live-stream 11.30am Choral Matins 3rd Sunday 3.30pm Choral Evensong 1st Sunday 6pm Celtic Prayer - evening liturgy 4th Sunday t 5th Sun Joint benefice service with St John’s Contact office@stlaurences.org.uk 01584 872073 St John, Gravel Hill 10am 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays Holy Communion 2nd & 4th Sundays Morning Worship 5th Sun Joint benefice service with St Laurence’s Contact kelvin.price@stlaurences.org.uk 07545 438892 St Giles, Ludford 11.15am 1st Sunday Family Worship 2nd & 4th Sundays CW Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Lay-led Worship Contact ashfordspa@outlook.com Ludlow Baptist Church 10.30am Sunday worship Contact ludlowbaptistchurch@outlook.com Ludlow Elim 10.30am Service at Elim 11.30am Online Contact www.ludlowelim.com 07791 483284 dainpritchard@googlemail.com Ludlow Methodist Church 10.30am Sunday worship Contact Ludlowmethodist@outlook.com Ludlow Quakers 10.30am Meeting for worship Contact Cynthia Prior 01584 831855 SUNDAY SERVICES in Ludlow Ludlow St Laurence Parish Office, 2 College Street, Ludlow, Shropshire. SY8 1AN (currently closed for refurbishment) e-mail: office@stlaurences.org.uk website: www.stlaurences.org.uk For appointments (Monday or Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm at Hands Together Ludlow (Lower Galdeford) call 01584 872073 Rector: Revd Preb Kelvin Price 07799 243867
19 I’m having friends round for a few drinks and nibbles. ‘Nibbles’ always includes olives - yes - off to the deli - a mixture of olives bought - that part of the preparations done. How often do we think about the story of the olive? Olive trees are a world symbol of peace, so where does Christian Aid come into their story today? Cherise Boraski from the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland, has talked about her time meeting the olive farmers near Bethlehem in the occupied Palestinian territories. Olive tree farming is a crossgenerational connection to the land, rooting the community in the land and demonstrating their ownership. Cherise met the farmers and the communities where they live, and learnt how those who live near illegal Israeli settlements face routine harassment, ranging from the uprooting of individual trees to bulldozers destroying an entire crop. Christian Aid works with the Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI) of the East JerusalemYMCA and the YWCA of Palestine which has been running a 20- year long campaign to help protect farmers. This year alone Christian Aid has sponsored the planting of over 1700 sapling olive trees as an act of solidarity. This includes trees planted on behalf of individuals and organisations - one for the Archbishop of Canterbury, one for each member of the General Synod and the Methodist Conference and one for each UK MP. Christian Aid stands shoulder to shoulder with farmers such as Sheikhah Ahmad Rashaydeh. Her land is under threat of confiscation, but the campaign has enabled her to plant 50 new saplings. This is another example of how our giving helps people to grow in dignity and self-sufficiency, however challenging their local circumstances. So, as we enjoy olives - as nibbles or in a casserole or however you enjoy them, consider the story behind some of them. We look forward to seeing you at our coffee morning on Thursday 8 August. This is always an enjoyable opportunity to sit down in relaxing company to enjoy a coffee from Icon Coffee, whilst supporting Christian Aid. Thank you for your continued support. Please pray for those who look to Christian Aid to support and develop them in their lives. Claire Wilcox There’s More to Olives than nibbles Photo by Simone Impei on Unsplash Olive trees - Image by Julita from Pixabay
20 LUDLOW LOCAL LISTING Books & Stationery Castle Bookshop 5 Castle Street Ludlow Booksellers and Stationers Free ordering service 01584 872562 castlebookshop@btconnect.com Teme Valley Insurance Brokers For your Home, Car, Business or Farm quote Call Mark or Sue on 01584 290055 enquiries@temevalleyinsurance.co.uk Insurance Services 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. Gardening 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 ian.gf.mackay@gmail.com Electrical Artwork Ludlow Castle Gallery Quality affordable picture framing and artwork. Fast friendly service. Unusual gifts and cards. Find us just before the Castle Cafe or contact on 01584 878527 Myriad Organics 22 Corve Street 01584 872665 myriad-organics.co.uk Ludlow's widest range of organic produce: fruit & veg, wholefoods, groceries, meat & dairy, vegan & vegetarian, natural cleaning products, bodycare & cosmetics. Waste-free shopping options & refills for cleaning products. Local delivery and our popular organic box scheme. Food
21 Reynolds of Ludlow furniture Wanted by local collector and researcher; any condition considered; will collect. Good prices offered. Tel: 07967 134116. Wanted Frames by Sebastian Bespoke picture framing 6a Pepper Lane Tel: 07815 111554 Picture Framing Matthew Lenthall IT Services Computers, phones and all things technical. Support and maintenance. 12a Corve Street, Ludlow 07828 081163 or 01584 877946 matthew@matthewlenthall.co.uk IT Services Wellbeing Silver Lantern Counselling www.silverlanterncounselling.co.uk A confidential space with someone trained to listen and be with you as you explore your experience. Discover how counselling can help. Arrange a free 15-minute initial telephone consultation. Call Julia on 07785 473785. Email: info@silverlanterncounselling.co.uk ADVERTISING RATES 2024 - 25 (for 12 issues) Full page - £370 Half page - £225 Quarter page - £120 Eighth page - £70 Classified - £42 Rates for part-year available on request Contact the Parish Office on 01584 872073 or office@stlaurences.co.uk If you use the services of any of our advertisers please mention that you found their details in the Ludlow Tower.
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23 WHAT’S ON AT ST LAURENCE’S In JULY Monday 1 3.00pm Open tea Wednesday 3 Chancel concert 1.00pm Holy Communion 6.00pm Saturday 6 1.00pm Organ recital (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) Sunday 7 10.00am Parish Eucharist with Mayor’s Civic Service Choral Evensong 3.30pm Wednesday 10 St Laurence’s Primary 10.30am School leavers service Chancel concert 1.00pm Friday 12 7.30pm Friends of Mortimer Forest Variety Show Friday 19 6.00pm Early Tudor Music concert Lacock Summer School Saturday 20 1.00pm Harp and piano recital Sunday 21 Parish Eucharist 10.00am with baptism Choral Matins 11.30am Monday 22 - Sunday 4 August 100 Years of Disney display 10-5pm Wednesday 24 1.00pm Chancel concert Sunday 28 6.00pm Celtic Prayer MIDWEEK Daily prayer Mondays 9.30am Holy Communion First Wednesday in month 6.00pm Tower bells practice Mondays 7.30-9.00pm Handbells practice Tuesdays 6.00-7.15pm Choir practice Thursdays 6.00-8.30pm AND AT ST JOHN’S Daily prayer Wednesdays 9.30am Tea and toast Wednesdays 10.00am Holy Communion Wednesdays 11.30am For the latest news, about services and events, including any last-minute changes go to https:// stlaurences.org.uk/google-calendar/
24 LOCAL MAN wishes to buy Antiques, Bric à brac, Collectables and Deceaseds’ Effects Please call 01584 892128 07508 809710 Skip Hire, Waste Management & Recycling Tenbury Wells, Ludlow, Leominster, Craven Arms and 141A Vintage & Retro Collectables Centre Open Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat 10am - 5pm Closed Tues & Sun 141A Corve Street, Ludlow SY82PG 01584 877 572 /141A @godsellmark Victoria Allen Funeral Services An Independent Family Business Pre- Paid Funeral Plans Home Visits Always Available 24 Hour Service 01584 879035 Ludlow Curtain Company The Stables, Station Drive, Ludlow SY8 2PQ Tel 01584 875533 ludlowcurtains@hotmail.co.uk Here for all your soft furnishing needs, from curtains and all types of blinds to cushions, upholstery and curtain poles. Fabrics now available on the roll. Garden maintenance Michael Doyle Plantsman Over 30 years’ experience 07855 930641 doylemj@hotmail.co.uk
25 Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm The Shop at St Laurence Mobile: 07833 866485 www.theshopatstlaurence.co.uk There is a veritable menagerie of animals to be found in and around St Laurence's church. The heraldic animals of lions rampant, unicorns and falcons adorn the shields and coats of arms found around the building. The misericords provide a whole host of unusual animals and characters - dolphins and mermaids, a donkey dressed as a bishop and the odd bat, to name but a few. Magical creatures such as harpies and griffins also entertain scores of visitors throughout the year. There be dragons…to be found in the carvings and in the stained glass in multiple places. Ludlow's farming roots are depicted in the stained-glass windows with sheep, cows, horses and chickens on display. You may also find hidden in the glass some wild animals such as foxes, rabbits and squirrels. Owls, falcons, chickens and swans can also be spotted, in all their glory in the stained glass. The most recent additions to the zoo are zebras, giraffes and donkeys in the Shop’s range of beautifully carved hooks from Wildlife Garden. These hooks, of Swedish design, are perfect for coats and have also been a popular purchase for holding dog leads! Wildlife Garden also produces a range of decorative birds, hand carved from lime wood and painted with eco-friendly water-based paint. The flock in the shop includes small garden birds and larger birds of prey and a kingfisher, a particular best seller to those visitors who have been lucky enough to spot one by the Teme. Wildlife Garden’s creations surely have to be among the most luxurious of birdhouses. The black and white timbered wooden houses pay homage to the local Tudor style seen throughout Ludlow and the surrounding area - a lucky bird indeed to live in such palatial style in your garden. The animals came in two by two by two by two ...
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27 Explore the wonders of our church through a guided tour. Known as the Cathedral of the Marches, St Laurence’s Church at Ludlow is the fourth largest parish church in England. Since the year 1199 it has stood and still stands today, as a centre of Christian worship and Mission. Magna Carta, the Black Death, the Wars of the Roses, the Princes in the Tower, Katherine of Aragon, the Reformation, the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, St Laurence’s has seen and withstood all this and more. A fine example of medieval architecture, it is adorned with artisanal treasures including 14th and 15th century stainedglass, wall paintings, carved screens and the notable misericords. The history in this building is palpable and only complements the people’s engagement with the story of Christ. To enhance your enjoyment of this wonderful place we offer guided tours for groups of six or more. Families, friends, corporate groups, friendly societies, schools etc why not come along and be guided through the history and wonders of this amazing place? To book please email: office@stlaurences.org.uk Price: £4.00 per person 16 years and above. School parties: No charge. A guided tour of our history The Conservation Trust for St Laurence Ludlow whose supporters, commonly known as the Ludlow Palmers, help to fund the repair and conservation of the church building, has a new Chair, Sebastian Bowen. Sebastian served for many years on Herefordshire County Council (latterly as its Chair), representing the Bircher ward as an independent. He is the current Chair of Richards Castle Parish Council, and lives in Ludford. He will serve for a three year term as Chair. Sebastian succeeds Ian Marshall who retired, at the end of his term of office, at the conclusion of the Palmers’ Annual Meeting held in the chancel at St Laurence’s on 9 June. Ian will continue as a trustee for the current year. Changes at the top of the trust
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29 Recycling old friends Notes from an eco worrier I’m sure you remember the phrase which came to prominence when we first realised the effect we were having on the climate: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It led me to think about recycling old friends. Let me explain. I have always loved reading. I went every week with my father to our local library to select books and I read each one with a great deal of pleasure and looked forward to each library visit. But somehow that didn’t give me the same thrill as owning books. My dream was to have a house large enough to have a library in it. I now have to accept that is never going to happen. When my husband and I moved abroad we had to make choices. I set out with a will on the bookcases. I reviewed every book we owned and sorted them into three piles. It quickly became obvious that the pile to put into storage contained my husband’s books, the pile to take with us were all mine and there were very few that I was willing to get rid of. I gave myself a stern talking to and moved a few books around, but still found it near impossible to get rid of any of my books. They were my friends. How could I desert them? When my father died it was very clear where my reluctance to get rid of these old friends came from. My father had books tucked away all over his house. Some were proudly on display, but many others were piled up next to his bed ready for him to read. It was hard getting rid of them, but that was when I started to appreciate the importance of passing these books on to charity. We filled the Oxfam book drop box at our local supermarket several times over. Sadly, my sight has deteriorated and reading physical books is quite an effort for me. I now mainly read e-books, but I still have a collection of old friends sitting on my shelves. I am on a mission to recycle them by putting them back into charity shops or handing them over to the library, which sells them to raise funds. It breaks my heart every time I give one away, but I know that they will find their way to another home, another bookshelf, where I hope they will be treasured and not find their way into landfill. Hilary Walters Photo by Dakota Corbin on Unsplash
30 Advertise your business in our award-winning magazine Spaces still available See page 21 for rates Contact 01584 872073 or office@stlaurences.co.uk
31 My wife Pam chose this poem for her memorial service and I have for mine. We both loved e. e. cummings’ poetry. He is not well known in this country nowadays, partly because his poetry is often difficult, but also because he was an American writing in the mid-20th century, and was often unpopular in his own country, being initially a socialist (until he visited Russia in 1931) and all his life a pacifist. He is probably best known for refusing to use capital letters in his own name and in many of his poems. Unlike many other American opponents of the First World War, cummings decided to live out his ideals by volunteering as an ambulance driver on the Western Front, where he saw and recorded some terrible sights and experiences in his autobiographical book, ‘The Enormous Room’. Cummings wanted to be a poet from his youth. He went to Harvard to study classics in 1915, before volunteering to go to France, and returned to his poetry in 1919 after the end of his war service. Like many avant garde poets, he had a free-wheeling life style with various affairs and marriages and an illegitimate child, whom he later adopted. Cummings wrote about subjects more often the stuff of children’s books than serious poetry – love, flowers, birds, childhood games. He wrote harshly satirical poems about heartless bureaucracy and individual and corporate greed. But above all, he wrote some of the finest celebrations of love, sexuality and the religious experience of awe and natural piety produced in the 20th century, precisely at a time when it was most unfashionable to write such poems. His writings are full of references to prayer and to his strongly transcendental belief in God. Mike Beazley Poets’ corner - e e cummings i thank You God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirit of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes (i who have died am alive again today, and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay great happening illimitably earth) how should tasting touching hearing seeing breathing any – lifted from the no of all nothing – human merely being doubt unimaginable You? (now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened) If you have a favourite (short) poem please send it to the Parish Office and tell us why it is important to you: office@stlaurences.org.uk
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33 At 10am on Sunday 28 July 2024 the gates of Stokesay Court will open for a fun-packed day for dogs and their owners and admirers at the start of another Ludlow Dog Day. For the event’s tenth anniversary year, Ludlow Rotary Club will welcome back inspirational displays and helpful training tutorials which dog owners can try at home as well as holding a wide range of fun dog competitions and activities. The day is all about fun for the whole family, particularly our furry friends. Dogs can take part in over twenty competitions, from the scruffiest mutt and waggiest tail to the cutest puppy. There will be have-a -go events including dog agility, flyball, and hoopers, while gun dogs will be able to demonstrate their ability to retrieve … or not! Demonstrations will include the Paws for Thought Display Team and Bliss Gate Dog Obedience Team alongside All Positive Dog Services. There will also be plenty of stalls to enjoy whether selling dog and country related goods or pampering to human needs such as the food stalls, the drinks bar and the ever-popular tea tent. With the money raised in past years Ludlow Rotary has distributed over £140,000 amongst a wide range of charities and community organisations. The club plans to use this year’s event to support ‘Ludlow Rotary Cares’, the club’s community grants scheme, as well as other deserving causes. For more information on this opportunity to enjoy a wonderful day in a glorious setting while supporting numerous community and charitable needs, see www.ludlowdogday.org.uk. For more information see www.ludlowdogday.org.uk
34 How not to be a Grumpy Old Man (or Woman) Marvel Marvel every time you see a child learning to walk and speak at the same time. Share in their delight. Wonder at the dawn of each new season: sunshine and shadows, falling leaves, frost, sudden new growth. You are still alive to take it all in. That’s an unexpected bonus. Appreciate Have a look around your living room and concentrate on items designed for your comfort and entertainment, which your forebears never had. Think of someone you don’t like; now ponder a couple of their good points. Try to desire their welfare more than their downfall. Forgive That’s a condition for being forgiven. You may have to do it over and over again for the same person. Unearth grudges which have been lying under the surface. Are they worth preserving that much? Think of the damage they are doing you. Don’t envy The grass on the other side of the street isn’t greener; it’s just different. Count your blessings - some will be uniquely yours. Be concerned for the welfare of someone whose circumstances are unlike yours. Deal with disappointment If you have become grumpy it’s probably caused by a deep-down dissatisfaction with yourself. Stop raking over past failures. Each morning when you wake up, say with the Psalmist, ‘This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it’. Change No, it isn’t too late. It will only be too late to change when you are in a coffin. In the meantime, there’s still room for manoeuvre. Remember John Henry Newman’s words, ‘To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often’. The Ven John Barton
35 The king’s mother - book review Annie Garthwaite Penguin £16.99 Here is another great, and brand new, historical novel from the ‘pen’ of Annie Garthwaite. I loved her first, Cecily, about the life of an English noblewoman Cecily Neville (3 May 1415 – 31 May 1495), wife of Richard, Duke of York, which was written while studying for an MA in creative writing. Garthwaite has had a life-long obsession with the 15th -century Wars of the Roses and this book takes you from the first days of Yorkist/Lancastrian battles right up to the dawn of the Tudor age. This is a gripping tale of mothers and sons, of maternal ferocity and female ambition – of all they can build and all they can destroy. There can only ever be one king at a time, hence obviously only one King’s mother. First up was Cecily, Duchess of York. The King’s Mother takes you through the plotting and intrigue that ensured her 18-yearold son assumed the title of King of England in 1461 - as Edward IV. In the progress of his tumultuous reign, brother betrayed brother, trusted cousins turned treacherous, and three other women, driven by ambition, necessity or dread, sought the throne for their sons – to be king’s mothers – Marguerite of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort. If you enjoy reading Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory, then Annie Garthwaite is the writer for you, too. In fact, even if you haven’t read them, Garthwaite’s books will grip you. One reviewer said ‘I had to fight myself to put it down..’. While this is an historical novel, at the back of the book there is a brief biography of the four protagonists and very useful tables that show the Houses of York, Lancaster, Neville and Beaufort in 1461, explaining the respective claims to the throne of Edward IV, Richard III and Henry VII. Jemima Lord Marguerite of Anjou Elizabeth Woodville Margaret Beaufort
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37 ON THE PERILS OF STANDING IN FOR ANOTHER VICAR The Revd Dr Gary Bowness’ Uncle Eustace writes to his nephew once again. The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren Don’t complain about doing duty in other churches when their clergy are on holiday. It is only in other churches that you will be appreciated. Beatification from your own church only comes the day you leave – as a way of firing a shot across the bows of your successor. I recall being greeted by a churchwarden on my first day here at St James the Least of All with the encouraging words, ‘I’ve seen six Rectors of this parish; each one was worse than the last’. As the years go by, I am sure I have entirely fulfilled his expectations. No - when you visit another church, you will be told all the many defects of their own vicar, and whatever you do will be praised. Store up these memories for your return to your home patch – when you will be told how outstanding your own replacement has been and how congregations thrived in your absence. Naturally, this gives you the right to comment on your own congregation in the churches you visit. Unfavourable comparisons between the bellringers, vergers and congregational singing back home and the superb standards in the church you’re temporarily serving will be much appreciated. Just make sure the two are far enough apart that word will not get back to your home team. It is a mistake I made only once. After filling in for a colleague, I complimented the choir on the singing of the anthem. Unknown to me, a tenor was the second cousin of my organist, who received a rather embellished story. On my return the following Sunday, all the hymns were played fortissimo and at double speed and the choir, in rotation, dropped hymn books throughout my sermon. Inevitably, when you staff another church, you will be told, ‘It’s the normal service’. It will be nothing of the sort. Hymns will appear in unexpected places, Sunday schools will enter and leave (and enter again) apparently at random, objects will be brought to you to be read from, placed on the altar or blessed - just as you are trying to find the pulpit. In any case, wherever you stand, you will find you should have been standing somewhere else. But not to worry, most mistakes will be forgiven – provided your sermon is short. So enjoy your visits to other churches. And above all, make sure that your temporary replacement is so spectacularly incompetent that your own people will welcome you back with open arms on your return. Your loving uncle, Eustace
38 Ludlow St Laurence Parish Office 01584 872073 Office Administrator Nicky Luck Finance & Strategy Director Peter Nield Gift Aid Secretary Michael Hunt Social Media & Press Kate Garrett-Nield Director of Music Michael Oakley Custodian Matthew Lenthall Conservation Trust Chair Sebastian Bowen PCC Churchwardens Liz Gardner 319332 Lesley Harling 07309 263730 Assistant Michael Davies 07970 434822 Churchwardens Dick Franks 892019 Electoral Roll Officer Dick Franks 892019 Safeguarding Officer Dick Franks 892019 PCC Secretary Lesley Harling 318309 Bible Reading Penelope Bridstrup 876992 Fellowship Flowers Sue Thornley 872292 Monthly Prayer Group Sandi Burley 873155 Tower Captain Richard Bracher 811514 Ludlow Tower editor Lesley Harling 318309 Find this and previous issues of the Ludlow Tower on line at www.stlaurences.org.uk Ludlow St John Parish Office Nicky Luck 872073 Churchwarden Mike Beazley 873570 Treasurer Mike Beazley 873570 PCC Secretary Mike Beazley 873570 Electoral Roll Sue Thomas 0792990671 Ashfords Benefice Rector Revd Lynn Money Parish Office Jemma Saer 831203 Bromfield Benefice Rector Revd Justin Parker Parish Office Martin Scott 07493 247184 COPY DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE TUESDAY 2 JULY There is no guarantee that material submitted will be included. Please send articles by email to office@stlaurences.org.uk 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 PARISH DIRECTORy Ludlow St Laurence Parish Office, 2 College Street, Ludlow, Shropshire. SY8 1AN (currently closed for refurbishment) e-mail: office@stlaurences.org.uk website: www.stlaurences.org.uk For appointments (Monday or Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm at Hands Together Ludlow (Lower Galdeford) call 01584 872073 Rector: Revd Preb Kelvin Price 07799 243867
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