2
CONTENTS
When things go wrong 5
Introducing - Pat Helm 7
February can feel like a characterless Join us for tea 9
month, marooned between the festivity In praise of plodders 9
of Christmas and New Year and the Notes from St John’s 11
joyous celebration of Easter, between From the registers 11
the depth of winter and the enticing
prospect of spring. All too often cold, The wisdom of the Arch 13
grey and featureless, it cannot even PCC meeting - December 13
muster a full quota of days. Wayne Davies BEM 15
We hope that this issue of the Ludlow Former glories - Old Street 17
Tower will go some way towards Gospel Hall
cheering up the month for you, from Clifton Cinema 17
the vibrant cover photograph to the Choose the world you want 19
latest piece of wry advice from Uncle Sunday services in Ludlow 20
Eustace to his nephew (p41). We Ludlow local listing - small ads 21
celebrate the award of a British Empire Embracing justice - Lent course 25
Medal to St Laurence’s curate Wayne
Davies with an insight into his What’s on in February 25
remarkable work in the community Breaking the inextricable link 27
which it recognises (p15). Palmers support the lottery bid 29
We even explore the background to St Valentine’s Day - old and new 31
two of the few noteworthy days in Ludlow Food Bank annual 33
February – Candlemas (p39) on the report
second and St Valentine’s Day (p31) on Finding the right candidate to be 35
the fourteenth of the month. And we the new vicar
look forward to the start of the Easter Not all church mice are poor 37
season with details of this year’s Lent The White Stone the art of 37
course, Embracing Justice (p25). letting go
Lesley Harling (Editor) Children’s page 38
01584 318309 Candlemas explained 39
This month’s cover: Arts@StLaurence programme 40
Uncle Eustace on how to 41
Photograph: Lesley Harling survive a residential conference
Bare branches Parish directory & copy deadline 42
Graphic design: Nicky Luck
[email protected] Opinions expressed in contributed articles in this
magazine are those of the contributor and do not
Printing : Signature Signs & Print necessarily represent the position or opinions of
Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire the PCC or Editorial Committee.
3
Proud to have built The Shop at St Laurence’s
4
When things Go wrong
It is early January and I am planting They are off script - a dangerous place,
bulbs. Late, I know, but the disorder of but totally safe held by relationship,
the climate removes the constraint to professionalism and responsibility.
get the planting date right. This is my Kaufmann does recover. It becomes a
microcosm, but we are living with moment of triumph not disaster.
uncertainty and confusion, day by day, So why do I tell you about this?
climate and Omicron.
I don’t often dwell on the significance of
I have always been fascinated by what the liturgical calendar but it was just
happens when things go wrong and after Christmas, we had gathered, read
people have to act outside the set familiar readings, sung carols, shared a
script. Christian celebration with the warmth
During the pandemic I have taken a of mince pies and sherry. It might not
great liking to opera and things do be with the numbers that came pre-
sometimes go wrong. If you are going to pandemic or the freedom of happier
mess up, best to do it big time So, at a times. But still we could honour one
concert at La Scala during an encore the another and move forward, the beat
German tenor Jonas Kaufmann sings marked and unchanged.
Nessun Dorma. Having been distracted In the chaos of our lives, whatever the
he sings the wrong words. He waves his circumstance, the church year has the
arms around expressing a confused ability to hold us steady. In a few
embarrassment. He looks towards the months we will move into the reflective
conductor Jochen Rieder with whom he season of Lent. Easter will come and
often works. familiar stories will be told. The sense of
What will happen? The conductor resurrection hope, speaking to us again,
smiles as if unconcerned and amused, even in the darkest times. And we will
Kaufmann will recover himself. But move on through Ascension and into
more significantly Rieder continues the Advent held safe by the pattern of our
forward movement of the music, the faith.
beat unchanged, the orchestra held Revd Sylvia Turner
together.
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Anon
Jonas Kaufmann
5
6
INTRODUCING ...
Please tell us about yourself. on for half an
My name is Pat Helm. I grew up in hour’s silent
Worcester but went to London for meditation on a
(primary) teacher training. I was passage, with the
teaching in the East End when my opportunity to
husband Nick recognised his calling for stay for a cup of
the ministry so we spent three years in tea or coffee.
Nottingham while he trained at St John’s, More recently
and I had our daughter. After a curacy Helen and I
back in the East End at Bow, where our launched Celtic
son was born, came a first incumbency Prayer – a simple
in Sheffield. After that, with the children monthly half-hour service of peaceful,
at university, we took a ‘mid-life gap led reflection which attracts an average
year’ spending six months in South of 20-25 people, from all churches and
Africa, where Nick was brought up. none.
We had both found ourselves drawn, I have now taken on the new role of
early on, towards spirituality, retreats pastoral care coordinator, aiming to
and contemplation. I trained as a build up a more structured pastoral care
spiritual director as well as working with team to support the clergy in their
Sure Start which I found very fulfilling. pastoral work (visiting people in their
The roles are very similar – supporting own homes, or care homes, and, again,
people by being alongside them, giving listening and giving them space) took a
them the space to tell their story and knock when Covid struck but is
listening to them and for God’s voice in resuming. It is find it very rewarding and
whatever is going on for them. would encourage anyone interested to
dip a toe in to see if you have a place in
What brought you to Ludlow? the work.
When we returned from Cape Town
Nick was appointed Diocesan How do you spend any spare time?
Ministerial Development Officer and is I have a newly-acquired love of creative
now Diocesan Advisor for Spirituality in machine embroidery as well as circle
Hereford. We knew and liked Ludlow. dancing and I sing with the Larks Choir.
And to St Laurence's? A memorable holiday experience?
It is a wonderful space of prayer and A magical hot air balloon ride at dawn
peace. I attended a Lenten meditation over the South African Winelands – even
group led by Helen Blyth which really though I am scared of heights!
resonated with me. What might we be surprised to
What is your role at St Laurence's? know about you?
I help run the weekly contemplation I have walked the whole length of Offa’s
group which grew out of that Lent Dyke, in monthly instalments. It took a
course, and continues to meet, 10 years year, and the scenery was stunning.
7
LUDLOW CAR CLUB
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We operate low emission Toyota
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Cars cleaned regularly using a
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Hire a car for as long as you need
from 30 mins to several days Barbershop Opening Times
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Local contacts: 01584 875017 APPOINTMENT
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8
Join us for tea In praise of
Mary Perks has restarted the Monday plodders
Afternoon Teas on the first Monday in
the month. Why not join us? I've been pondering the words of the
apostle Paul where he says, 'I press on
If you are looking for a small group to
chat with, want some purpose to that towards the goal' (Philippians 3:14). It
daily walk or want to keep up with suggests to me taking one step at a
what is going on in church and beyond, time, and simply keeping moving in the
come and find us in St Laurence’s on right direction with discipline and
the first Monday in the month, usually determination.
from 3.00 - 4.00pm. (During This reminds me of the great Bible
February, when the church closes translator Willian Carey who said of
early, we meet at 2.00pm.) himself, "If he gives me credit for being
a plodder, he will describe me justly.
There are usually about five of us so
more are welcome. Anything beyond that will be too much.
I can plod. I can persevere in any
definite pursuit. To this I owe
everything.”
Christian discipleship is not always
exciting, glamorous, or even enjoyable.
Sometimes it is a matter of quietly
getting on with it, with our eyes fixed
In January the weather and the on Jesus.
pandemic were mentioned, but mostly Revd Tony Horsfall
we talked about the sofas in the north-
west corner (which is where we met),
Wayne Davies receiving a BEM, news of
the homeless guy in Ludlow and his
oldest dog with arthritis, and we shared
a bible joke (ask Mary if you want to
share the joke too).
We enjoyed watching some visiting
children playing in the Children's
Corner, we learnt a bit about how an
icon is made, and we offered tea to the
stewards, the guy with the dog, and a
visitor who needed to sit down and
wait while her husband looked round.
The tea only happens once a month so
look out for a reminder in the notices.
Sandi Burley
9
10
Notes from st john’s
Services As we begin another year we can hope
Our normal pattern of weekly Sunday that it will be one when we can look to
services is a service of Holy further use of our building by the local
Communion on the first and third community. We already have the Ludlow
Sunday of each month and Morning Town Band rehearsing here weekly and
Worship on the second and fourth Rainbows meet every Monday evening.
Sunday. All services begin at 9.45am. We plan to start Mothers and Toddlers
soon and the PCC are considering how
Services in February are as follows: best to improve the kitchen facilities
6 Feb 9.45am Holy Communion which would support a greater range of
13 Feb 9.45am Morning Worship community use in the future.
20 Feb 9.45am Holy Communion As we look to our community it is a
27 Feb 9.45am Morning Worship good time to remind ourselves that the
On Sunday 2 January we were pleased church is not a building but a community
to welcome members of St Laurence of believers. Our building is a wonderful
who joined us as we celebrated our resource which can be used to support
Patronal Festival. We enjoyed those who live in our parish. Through
worshiping together; it was just a little working with the community we can
sad that, due to continuing restrictions, hope that through our witness, shown
we were not able to enjoy fellowship by the way we live our lives, that God
after the service. will draw others into faith.
Other news Church Wardens
Thank you to everyone for a wonderful
Christmas season. Members of the Mike Beazley 01584 873570
congregation have recently spent time [email protected]
tidying up the church and Johnny Felton Anthony Sibcy 01584 87433
has done a fantastic job cleaning and [email protected]
renovating the floor which meant the
church looked lovely for all our services.
FROM THE REGISTERS
FUNERALS
14 January Elaine Rosamond Tomkins (Shrewsbury crematorium)
18 January Dennis Nash
19 January Patricia Devereux (Hereford crematorium)
21 January Richmond Maurice Broome (Maurice) (Shrewsbury crematorium)
11
12
PCC meeting THE WISDOM OF
MONDAY 13 DECEMBER THE ARCH
Seven (7) members of the PCC The recent death of
attended. Archbishop Desmond
Summary of main points Tutu was mourned
around the world.
Resolution: approved amended
wording of concession agreement Here are five of his
with Broadmill Ltd to run coffee more famous quotes,
shop in church; ratified new which show why he
committee structure was so especially honoured for his
Finances: in line with expectations justice and reconciliation work in South
Policies: reviewed and adopted Africa.
Theology and Liturgy statement Do your little bit of good where you
Discussions: Away Day decisions on are; it's those little bits of good put
streamlined committee structure together that overwhelm the world.
and standardised terms of reference
and accountability; use of hand-held If you are neutral in situations of
candles in Christmas services during injustice, you have chosen the side of
Covid the oppressor. If an elephant has its
Committee Reports: received foot on the tail of a mouse, and you
say that you are neutral, the mouse
from Arts@StLaurence group will not appreciate your neutrality.
Churchwardens’ Report: covering
Mediaeval Bazaar, stewarding, Don't raise your voice, improve your
appointment of PCC Secretary, argument. Good sense does not
Christmas services always lie with the loudest shouters,
nor can we say that a large, unruly
Date of next meeting: crowd is always the best arbiter of
Monday 7 March 2022 what is right.
Forgiving is not forgetting; it’s
A copy of the latest set of confirmed actually remembering - remembering
PCC minutes is available on the and not using your right to hit back.
noticeboard in church. All previous It’s a second chance for a new
minutes can be viewed in the church beginning. And the remembering
office, by arrangement. part is particularly important.
Especially if you don’t want to
repeat what happened.
Differences are not intended to
separate, to alienate. We are
different precisely in order to realise
our need of one another.
13
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14
Wayne davies bem
Wayne Davies is not a man to take Wayne is quick to point out the
things easy. In his time he has been a contribution of local individuals and
pipefitter, site foreman, engineer (IT and agencies such as Hands Together Ludlow,
mechanical), support manager, accounts Working Together Ludlow, Ludlow Food
manager, prison chaplain, street outreach Bank. ‘It may have been my name on the
worker and rehabilitation farm house letter from the Queen but it’s not about
parent, amongst other things. Even now me. It’s about what we can do together
that he has settled into a ‘steady career’ by each using our gifts, whatever they
in the Church of England he has two job may be’. Despite the official guidance
titles – Pioneer Curate and not to mix with other people it has
Intergenerational Missioner, as well as been possible, with appropriate care and
school governor. Now he is getting used risk assessments, to help others,
to a new title – Wayne Davies BEM. provided they want to be helped –
Wayne describes the award of the which is of course not always the case.
British Empire Medal in the But it does not necessarily
2022 New Year’s Honours as concern Wayne if his efforts
‘surreal, humbling, are not appreciated – the
undeserved and a real important thing is to do
honour’. His first thought what seems right at the
was that it was a scam; his time, even if that involves
second that he should turn going into a flat known to be
it down because, ‘I just do a drug den to collect the
what I do. Anyone else belonging of a homeless
would do the same. Other person or giving up a job
people do such amazing and the house that went
things.’ Wayne with it without any idea what
The honour recognises Wayne’s work in would happen next to him and his family.
various places over many years but Taking risks and stepping into the
especially around Ludlow during the unknown, trusting in a God who holds us
Covid pandemic. In the last two years as we do so, is a way of life for Wayne
Wayne has: delivered food parcels to and before long he will be stepping into
people in need, cut their grass, done another unknown - a Buckingham Palace
their shopping, driven them to medical garden party. Already he is looking
appointments, collected them from forward to meeting other recipients of
prison to settle them into their new all sorts of honours from all sorts of
homes, sat on the skate park chatting to different backgrounds. Before then he
young people, carried out Covid testing will be presented with his British Empire
in schools, made weekly videos to pep Medal by the Lord Lieutenant of
people up, ‘phoned people, talked to Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner, at a special
people, loved people. I wonder how investiture ceremony..
many of us would actually ‘do the same’?
15
Alexandra House
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Website - www.diamondlifehealthcare.co.uk
16
Old Street CLIFTON CINEMA
Gospel Hall
This building, which was reached by an
alleyway from the eastern side of Old
Street, and backed onto the old town
walls, was in existence by 1883 and was
being used by the Church of the
Brethren in 1891. It was still marked as
a Gospel Hall in 1924, but its
subsequent history is uncertain.
According to the records of Ludlow
Baptist Church, their baptisms were
also being carried out at the Old The Clifton Cinema was opened in
Gospel Hall, rather than at their own, 1938. The exterior was in a brick
newly-built chapel in Rock Lane, during Streamline Moderne style. Inside the
the 1870s. auditorium seating was provided in
Indicated on Ordnance Survey maps for stalls and circle levels. On the side
1884 and 1903, the building is still walls were large paintings of hunting
marked as ‘Gospel Hall’ on the 1924 scenes. The proscenium was 31 feet
edition. Since redeveloped, the exact wide. It was built for and operated by
location of the hall is now covered by a the Clifton Cinemas chain.
parking area, at the south end of Clifton The Clifton Cinema was closed in 1979
Court. Photographs of the Clifton and sold to the Essoldo chain who
Cinema, which occupied the site before continued showing films for a few
Clifton Court was erected and opened weeks, before they converted it into a
in 1938, show no evidence of the old bingo club. Despite a campaign to save
Gospel Hall and it is safe to assume that the building, it was demolished in
it fell victim to the site clearance for August 1987 and sheltered housing flats
the cinema in the 1930s. named Clifton Court were built on the
Nick Ford site.
Photos courtesy of Nick Sproxton
17
Celtic Prayer
An Evening Liturgy
St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow
Join us for Third Sunday of the month
Sunday evening compline 6pm
via Zoom A simple service in a style
An ancient and beautiful way to close used by the Iona Community
out the day with God and each other. All welcome
Open to all. Call Pat Helm 01584 877683
Sundays 10pm for approx 20 minutes Helen Blyth 01584 875041
for more information
For Zoom details email:
[email protected] Sunday 20 February
from a church
notice board
When you were born, your
mother brought you here.
When you were married, your
partner brought you here.
When you die, your family will
bring you here.
In the meantime, why not
try coming on your own
sometimes?
18
CHOOSE THE WORLD YOU WANT
Fairtrade Fortnight 2022
Monday 21 February –
Sunday 6 March
Fairtrade is about social, economic and
environmental justice.
Smallholder farmers, who have
contributed the least to climate change,
manage over 80 percent of the world’s Mary Kinyua, Fairtrade flower farmer
500 million farms, relying on them for and Fairtrade chief representative,
their livelihoods. However, these described COP26 as ‘A frustrating
farmers often lack access to the conclusion to a summit filled with hope’.
resources they need to adapt to a This Fairtrade Fortnight, we’ll be
changing climate.
shouting louder than ever to make sure
Last year over 33,000 campaigners politicians turn their promises into
joined 1.8m Fairtrade farmers and action at COP27 in Cairo next year.
workers to challenge world leaders at Will you add your voice?
the UN COP26 summit to be fair with Watch this space for information about
their climate pledges. But the wealthiest specific events and activities that will be
nations delayed their promised $100bn happening in Ludlow over Fairtrade
annual funding to the most climate Fortnight.
vulnerable countries.
For more information, email
[email protected] and visit the
Ludlow Fair Trade Town Group website
at http://ludlowfairtrade.com
Diocesan TRAIN-A-PRIEST FUND
When Bishop Michael Westall preached at
St Laurence’s in December he shared some
fascinating insights into his work in India and
Tanzania and into the Hereford Diocese’s
Train-a-Priest Fund which links those training
for the ministry in Tanzania with individual
deaneries. Recently the Ludlow Deanery has
JOEL been supporting Joel Chigumba, who has BARNABUS
CHIGUMBA completed his training and is now ordained. MAKUYA
The retiring collection on 5 December raised £210.10 for the deanery’s new
ordinand, Barnabus Makuya. If you would like to write to Barnabus, or learn more
about the Train-a-Priest Fund, please contact [email protected].
19
SUNDAY SERVICES in Ludlow
Anglican Ludlow Baptist Church
St Laurence, College Street 10.30am Sunday worship
8.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Contact
[email protected]
10am Parish Eucharist
For livestream/recording - link at Ludlow Elim
https://stlaurences.org.uk/live-stream 10.30am Service at Elim
11.30am Choral Matins 11.30am Online.
3rd Sunday only Contact
3.30pm Choral Evensong www.ludlowelim.com 07791 483284
1st Sunday only [email protected]
6pm Celtic Prayer - evening liturgy
3rd Sunday only Living Waters
10pm Compline (on Zoom) No services at present.
For details contact Contact
[email protected] [email protected]
5th Sun Joint benefice service
with St John’s Ludlow Methodist Church
Contact 10.30am Sunday worship
[email protected] Contact
[email protected]
01584 872073
St John, Gravel Hill Ludlow Quakers
9.45am 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays 10.30am Meeting for worship
Holy Communion Contact
2nd & 4th Sundays Cynthia Prior 01584 831855
Morning Prayer
5th Sun Joint benefice service St Peter's Roman Catholic Church
with St Laurence’s Mass 11.00am Sunday
Contact 9.30pm Monday-Friday
[email protected] 6.00pm Saturday (Sunday Vigil )
07786 625565 Morning prayer
9.15am Monday-Friday
St Giles, Ludford
11.15am 1st Sunday 9.45am Saturday
Contact
Family Worship [email protected]
2nd & 4th Sundays
CW Holy Communion
3rd Sunday
Lay-led Worship
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].
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]
Picture Framing
Frames by Sebastian
Bespoke picture framing
6a Pepper Lane
Tel: 07815 111554
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]
21
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
Ludlow Stoves www.ludlowstoves.co.uk 01584 878552
Showroom with over 50 stoves & cookers, fireplaces, flue systems, electric & gas stoves.
Boilers, biomass & full central heating systems installed. Chimney sweeps. Stove
maintenance. Fully insured inhouse local engineers, reliable. Hetas & Gas Safe registered.
Cleaning
Hydroclean Services
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]
22
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.
Floral services
Twigs
Flowers and gifts for all occasions
4 Old Street, Ludlow Call in or telephone 07522139928
Local home consultation also available
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.
Fitness and Sport
Ludlow Runners www.ludlowrunners.org
A small friendly running club catering for all running abilities; meets every Thursday at 7pm
at Ludlow Leisure Centre; regular ‘Walk to Run’ courses; respected races; teams in county
Cross Country leagues; new and visiting runners always welcome; regular social events.
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.
23
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.
Wanted
Reynolds of Ludlow furniture
Wanted by local collector and researcher; any condition considered; will collect.
Good prices offered.
Tel: 07967 134116.
Send those special greetings to your
loved one HERE for just £7.50.
To book email
[email protected]
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
EMBRACING WHAT’S ON AT
JUSTICE ST LAURENCE’S IN
This year we will be running a Lent FEBRUARY
course using the Archbishop of
Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2022 called, Saturday 5 4.00pm
‘Embracing Justice’, written by Isabelle
Hamley. Quarter Peal
(marking the 70th anniversary of
This is a book that ‘takes us on an the accession of Queen Elizabeth II
exhilarating journey through Scripture
to reflect on what justice means to Monday 7
God.’ The Archbishop writes, ‘In a Open tea 2.00pm
world where justice is too often about Sunday 20
power, Isabelle Hamley shows that Choral Matins 11.30am
God’s justice brings transformation, Celtic Prayer 6.00pm
healing and hope for us all’.
Thursday 24
Monthly prayer meeting 11.000am
Sunday 27
Parish Eucharist 10.00am
with baptism
The church and shop will be open
every day in February for winter hours:
11.00am - 3.00pm
All arrangements continue to be subject
to change at short notice in the event
Where: St John’s church, Gravel Hill of any change in the Covid-19 situation.
When: Six Wednesdays in Lent Check the news page of our website
for the latest:
What: 11.30am Holy Communion
12-1pm Embracing Justice
1pm Light lunch
Starts: Wednesday 2 March
Details of how to join the course will
be published soon. Check the website.
Please note that there will be no Holy
Communion service at St Laurence’s
while the course is running at St John’s. www.stlaurences.org.uk
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Can we break An Inextricable link?
Speaking on the BBC ‘Today’ programme are on the verge of starvation. In
on New Year's Eve Jane Goodall, a Afghanistan, since the Taliban took over
primatologist and anthropologist, again, children are eating locusts and soil,
reinforced what many, including food is scarce and where it is available
Archbishop Rowan Williams, have been many families cannot afford to buy it.
saying for years - climate change and This quick ‘world tour’ serves, I hope, to
poverty are inextricably linked. In East demonstrate how poverty and climate
Africa, for example, people cut down change are not only linked but
swathes of forest to make charcoal, experienced universally. Human actions
build houses, sell the wood, use it for increasingly play a part, not least through
cooking or use the cleared ground to national and international conflicts.
grow vegetables, in the
process disrupting It is easy to throw up
photosynthesis and our hands in horror
increasing the and despair, to ask what
likelihood of flooding, in can we do about it. But
its turn affecting the our New Year
availability of food. resolution should be
not to feel defeated,
In December 2021 the instead reasserting a
UN warned of a determination to do
skyrocketing need for something about it –
humanitarian aid either by personal
worldwide as the actions (don’t leave
pandemic continued to taps running, switch off
rage and climate change and inter lights when not needed etc) or by
(national) conflicts left countries on the contributing to the efforts of Christian
brink of famine. A Christian Aid report Aid and other aid agencies. Every
identified ten extreme weather events change begins with a first step, however
that caused more than $1.8B of damage little. As we pray for those involved ‘on
in 2021, bringing misery to millions the ground’, we can help through our
around the world. Hurricane Ida hit the generosity and our time. Thank you all
southern USA, Jamaica, the Cayman for your amazing responses to our
Islands, Venezuela and Colombia. In appeals - be assured that they do make a
Bangladesh floods and cyclones are difference.
nothing new but, as the CEO of
Practical Action stressed, their intensity Covid restrictions permitting, Lent
and frequency have increased lunches begin on Friday 4 March and
significantly. St Laurence’s will be hosting on 18
March – so that's our Friday lunches in
Yemen, one of the Arab world's poorest March and part of April sorted.
communities, has been devastated by
civil war and over 50% of the population Claire Wilcox
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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
email:
[email protected]
website:
3 Parkway, Off Corve Street, Ludlow, www.expensivemistakes.co.uk
Sy8 2PG
R I B A
Trevor Hewett
A R C H I T E C T
▪ Planning applications ▪
▪ Listed building consent ▪
▪ Building regulations ▪
▪ Alterations and extensions ▪
▪ Church inspections ▪
▪ Green building ▪
The Architecture Studio
135 Corve Street Ludlow SY8 2PG
Tel: 01584 877992
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PALMERS SUPPORT FINANCIAL
THE LOTTERY BID UPDATE
The PCC hopes to lodge a fresh bid St Laurence’s went into 2022 with its
with the National Lottery Heritage finances in a healthier position than at
Fund later this month, with a decision any other time this millennium – a
expected in the summer. The previous huge achievement made possible by
bid was a victim of the first lockdown. 4-5 years of hard work and very
A substantial component of the funding careful financial management, especially
being sought will be to enable during the Covid-19 pandemic. While
restoration work to be carried out on the church was closed in 2020 income
the East Window and on the Ten from congregational giving, visitor
Commandments Window. donations, tower visits, church hirings,
votive candles and shop sales
If the bid is successful, the project will plummeted, unlike expenditure.
take several years to complete. The
Ludlow Palmers have pledged to make a Recovery in 2021, helped by the
grant, in the initial phase, towards the Goodbox for cash-less giving and an
cost of the restoration of a trial panel exceptional performance by the Shop
from the Ten Commandments Window. in the run-up to Christmas, has been
This exploratory work will be used impressive but much remains to be
both as a feasibility study for the full- done.
scale operation and for publicity
purposes in further fund-raising.
The next talk in our regular Thursday
series (postponed from last October)
will be given on 17 February by Dr
Dominique Shembry, National Trust
House Manager at The Vyne in
Hampshire. Appositely, Dominique’s
talk, ‘Let the light in’, will be about
engaging the public in a major
conservation project. Her model will
be the recent two-three year-long
project for the complete re-roofing of
The Vyne. As usual (and pandemic
permitting), the talk will be at 4.00 pm
at the Methodist Church in Broad
Street; entrance £5.00.
Ian Marshall (Chair)
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St Valentine’s Day - old and new
A little bit of history And a modern twist
Saint Valentine’s Day, many believe, was Since 2012, 14 February, has also been
named after one or more Christian known as International Book Giving Day,
martyrs and was established by Pope in an initiative run by volunteers in 44
Gelasius 1 in 496 AD. Valentine of Rome countries to put books into the hands of
was martyred about 269, and this day as many children as possible. At the
usually ‘belongs’ to him. time the National Literacy Trust stated
that only one in eight children in the UK
owned a book - literacy is much lower
than we might expect. Covid lockdowns
have slightly boosted the amount
children have been reading, albeit much
The idea of seeking a partner on St of it has been online rather than on the
Valentine’s Day may be a surviving scrap printed page.
of the Roman Lupercalia festival, in mid-
February, when it was a popular custom However according to the latest
for young men to draw the name of a Literacy Trust report, published last year:
young unmarried woman from a name- ‘Some children and young people reported
box. The two would then be partners that a lack of access to books (with schools
or ‘sweethearts’ during the celebrations. and libraries closed), a lack of quiet space
at home and a lack of school/peer support
The first recorded association of the day had negatively affected their ability to read
with romantic love (1382) is from and their motivation to read for enjoyment’.
Geoffrey Chaucer. In a poem written
for the first anniversary of Richard II’s With Covid restrictions and lockdowns
engagement to Anne of Bohemia, he being re-introduced around the world,
wrote, ‘For this was Saint Valentine’s Day, getting books into the hands of children
when every bird cometh there to is as important as ever. What better
choose his mate.’ Ophelia refers to way to mark St Valentine’s Day this year
Valentine’s Day in Hamlet (1600-1601): than by giving a deprived child a book of
To-morrow is St Valentine’s day their own to read?
All in the morning betime To find more
And I a maid at your window about how you can
To be your Valentine. help visit https://
The first modern mention of Valentine’s bookgivingday.com
Day can be found in a collection of where you can
English nursery rhymes (1784): also download a
The rose is red, the violet’s blue free printable
bookplate to use
The honey’s sweet, and so are you. with the books
Thou are my love and I am thine that you give away.
I drew thee to my Valentine.
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Ludlow Food Bank
2021 Annual Report
Many people living in Ludlow need the Benefit delays or sanctions are still the
help of the Food Bank, some on a biggest reason given for needing a food
regular basis and many as a ‘one off. In parcel, but simply not having enough
2021 we gave out more food parcels and money, even for people who are
helped more people than ever before. working, is catching up. Nineteen cases
For the first time the group receiving were purely down to Covid 19 - often
the larges share of parcels represented having to isolate and being unable to
single parent families rather than single access food online while 14 food parcels
men. The number of parcels and the went to people who had suffered
number of children helped reached domestic abuse and 7 to people who
record highs in December, when we had run out of money having just moved
added a ‘Christmas Hamper’ to each to a new home. Five people were
food parcel. victims of theft.
The majority of As well as parcels we give vouchers for
the parcels greengrocers (Farmers and the Fruit
(77.2%) went to Basket), butchers (Walls, Griffiths and
people living in Carters), bakers (Waltons, Prices and
Ludlow although Swifts) and delis )The Mousetrap, Harp
39 went to Lane Deli, Broad Bean and Cicchetti).
people in Craven This very successful scheme enables
Arms, 20 to people to buy fresh food of their choice
people in as well as supporting local businesses.
Bucknell and Last year we bought back over £19,000
small numbers worth of vouchers at these local shops.
Christmas hampers to various In 2022 we will be taking over the Fuel
ready for delivery smaller villages. Poverty Scheme from the Furniture
As in 2020, the largest referrers have Scheme. The fund is quite limited and
been people contacting us asking for a we plan to only provide help to people
food parcel for themselves. We preferred referred by external agencies, most
it when people were referred via social often Connexus.
services, but now that our contact To read the full report go to:
details are in the public domain it is
difficult to reverse this trend. https://www.ludlowbaptistchurch.org.uk/
our-church/foodbank.
Shropshire Council are trying to offer Ruth Davies
more of a ‘Cash first’ solution to people
who are struggling but accessing their Ludlow Food Bank
help usually involves a long phone call, Showing God’s love to people in
which can deter people. crisis
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K & J Davies Gas Services
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Tel: 01584 823706
01547 528642 Mobile: 07858963523
Email: [email protected]
34
Finding the right Candidate to be
the new vicar
Note from the PCC to the
congregation:
As you know we have been looking for a
new vicar for some months now. It is
proving difficult to find anyone suitable
to interview. Sadly the Bible does not
provide any role models whom we
would really want in our church.
For example: Jeremiah: An alarmist, always lamenting
Adam: Good man but had problems things. Plus, he buried his underwear
with his wife. Also, we hear that he and outside.
his wife enjoyed walking nude in the Isaiah: Claimed to have seen angels
woods. flying in the church.
Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years, Jonah: Says God had him swallowed up
yet with no converts. Also, prone to by a great fish and that later it spit him
unrealistic building projects. out on the shore near here because he
Abraham: Twice offered to share his was called to ministry. We hung up.
own wife with another man. John: Said he was a Baptist, but he
Joseph: Obsessed with the meaning of doesn’t dress like any Baptists we know.
dreams, plus he had a prison record. Has slept outside, eats a weird diet, and
Moses: Modest, but a poor provokes denominational leaders.
communicator, and even stuttered at Peter: Too blue-collar, and too
times. Moreover, he had a temper, and impetuous. Had also been known to
there were rumours he left an earlier curse.
church over a murder charge. Paul: Powerful message, and people
David: Very promising leader, except responded to him, but he had been
that he wrote poetry, and then had an known to preach all night. That would
affair with his neighbour’s wife. never do for us.
Solomon: We suspect he was a bit of Judas: Seems to have been a steady
a wise guy, and anyway our parsonage plodder, with excellent connections.
would never hold all those wives. Knew how to handle money.
Elijah: Prone to depression, and he set We are pleased to say that someone
things on fire. very like him has accepted out invitation
Deborah: Played the tambourine, so to preach this Sunday. We feel that
not at all suitable for us. there are possibilities here.
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Not all Church The White Stone
Mice are poor ... – the art of
… or quite what you expect! letting go
Maileg is a Danish brand of toys
designed to inspire children. We have a By Esther De Waal, Canterbury
small collection of their teeny, tiny mice Press, £12.99
dressed in beautifully crafted clothes, Esther de Waal is one
with ‘matchbox’ beds (complete with of today's most
blankets and pyjamas) – just perfect for beloved spiritual
hours of ‘pretend’ play. Maileg mice writers. In The White
have been beloved and prized by Danish Stone, she reflects on
children for nearly 20 years, becoming the changes and losses
highly-collectable in the process, and that come with
now they have hit the scene here in growing older.
England Esther reflects on solitude and,
following a period of illness, saying
goodbye to a family home and the
Welsh border landscape she had known
for decades which inspired some of her
greatest writing, and adjusting to a new
city environment. In her characteristic
style, she sees everything as a portal
into a deeper spiritual understanding.
She draws on the wealth of the
The Princess and the Pea was originally Christian tradition, especially scripture
a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, and the monastic and Celtic
himself Danish, featuring the princess spiritualities she knows so well, to help
who establishes her royal heritage by her navigate her way through not only
her sensitivity. The Maileg princess (as the inevitable sense of loss that
pictured) is equally captivating, as are accompanies such change, but also to
the other members of the royal family. embrace the new possibilities it brings.
These charming mice are worth The white stone of the title refers to a
investing in for any little people who small pebble from the river that ran
enjoy make-believe and inventing through her garden that she keeps in
stories. And they’re light and easy to her pocket, but also strikes a note of
post too! hope referring to the new identity
promised by God (Revelation 2.17).
This is a book of simple, profound
wisdom that will speak to many coping
Open daily 11am-3pm with change in their own lives.
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40
What is Candlemas?
In bygone centuries, Christians said their In many churches on this feast there will
last farewells to the Christmas season on be a procession of the whole
Candlemas. So what exactly is Candlemas? congregation with lighted candles –
often inside the whole building, going
There are three reasons for this festival, into every ‘dark’ corner. Everyone
which is held each year on the second of carries their own lighted candle, which
February. they are encouraged to take home and
Firstly, it’s the halfway point between the light there also.
shortest day and the Spring Equinox, so One of the prayers that may be used:
from that date on the daylight hours get Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of
longer. In pre-Christian times, this day the universe.
was known as the 'Feast of Lights' and You make our darkness to be light.
celebrated the increase strength of the For with You is the well of life
life-giving sun as Winter gave way to and in Your light shall we see light.
Spring. Christ is often called the ‘Light of the
Secondly, it’s when we remember Mary World’ who came to bring light, hope,
and Joseph taking their baby Jesus, to the and peace into our darkness. Have a
Temple 40 days after His birth to think about those places that are dark
‘present Him to the Lord’. for you and perhaps you do not like
And the third reason is linked directly to going there or will not go there.
the name of the feast – Candlemas. It Perhaps they are too painful or scary.
was so called because on that day each Just pause for a short time with a lit
year all the candles for the coming year candle and imagine Jesus going there for
were brought into the church to be you or with you. Lighting your way.
blessed at a ‘mass’. Remember that Making it safe. He came to give us life –
candles were important in those days, and life to the full – even in those dark
not only because there were no electric places.
lights; people thought they gave Revd Dr Jo White
protection against plague and illness and
famine.
The story of how Candlemas began can be found in Luke 2:22
-40. Simeon’s great declaration of faith and recognition of
who Jesus was is of course found in the Nunc Dimittis, which
is embedded in the Office of Evening Prayer in the West. But
in mediaeval times, the Nunc Dimittis was mostly used just on
this day, during the distribution of candles before the
Eucharist. Only gradually did it win a place in the daily prayer
life of the Church.
Rembrandt’s Presentation of Christ - National Museum, Stockholm
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ON HOW TO SURVIVE A RESIDENTIAL
CONFERENCE
Revd Dr Gary Bowness gives us another the wrong course and the leader will
letter from an elderly vicar, Eustace. make sure that you are not asked
another single question throughout the
The Rectory event. Both outcomes are satisfying.
St James the Least of All
Thirdly, do realise that when you are
My dear Nephew Darren asked to divide into small discussion
I am glad you enjoyed your conference, groups, it means that the conference
but please do not be deluded into leader has run out of ideas about what
thinking that conferences are there to to do next. Do not, at all costs,
teach you anything. Conferences exist volunteer to be chairman. It only means
to provide another entry on your CV, to that when you have to report back –
give you time off while flattering yourself and if the leaders use the word ‘plenary’,
that you are working and to make the then by all means contemplate strangling
person leading it feel that their life is not them also - you will be involved in
wholly pointless. sticking sheets of paper on to walls,
which will then rip off the wallpaper
As it happened, I was also invited to the when you try to remove them.
same one, the one entitled ‘Learning
how to say no.’ But I refused to attend, You will also have the embarrassment of
thus proving that I didn’t need it anyway. finding that every felt tip pen you try to
use will be empty, and what you thought
There are certain useful points you need were the conclusions your group had
to learn for conferences. First, about arrived at will be volubly contradicted by
half the attendees will have been all the other members.
together only the previous week
attending another conference in another No, if you are ever obliged to attend
part of the country. They will be eager, another course, take a good book,
enthusiastic and overflowing with enough claret to cover every evening
management platitudes. Avoid them at away, and develop a debilitating illness
all costs. Should one of them say to you, that, while enabling you to attend every
‘expect the unexpected’ you have my meal, obliges you to retreat to your
permission to strangle them. They won’t room for the rest of the day. You will
have expected that! leave having learned as much on
whatever the topic was as your
Secondly, when you are all asked to go colleagues, but you will return refreshed
through that ghastly process of and eager to make the next booking.
introducing yourselves to everyone else,
make it up. I think the last time I was Your loving uncle,
obliged to do this I became a butcher
specialising in exporting offal to Saudi Eustace
Arabia. All your clerical colleagues will
then panic that they have turned up for
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 (temp) 872073
Office Administrator Nicky Luck Churchwardens Mike Beazley 873570
Finance Manager Peter Nield Anthony Sibcy 874331
Gift Aid Secretary Michael Hunt Treasurer Peter Phelps 873179
Director of Music Michael Oakley PCC Secretary John French 876142
Custodian Matthew Lenthall Electoral Roll John French 876142
Conservation Trust Chair Ian Marshall Organist Colin Reeves 875608
PCC Ashfords Benefice
Churchwardens Dick Franks 892019 Rector Revd Lynn Money
Lesley Harling 318309 Parish Office Clare Bicker-Caarten
Assistant Churchwarden 01584 831585
Michael Davies 07970 434822 Bromfield Benefice
Electoral Roll Officer Dick Franks 892019 Rector Revd Justin Parker
Safeguarding Officer Dick Franks 892019 Parish Office Grace Johnson 07493 247184
PCC Secretary Nicky Luck 872073
Bible Reading Penelope Bridstrup
Fellowship 876992
Flowers Sue Thornley 872292 COPY DEADLINE FOR THE
Monthly Prayer Group Sandi Burley 873155 NEXT ISSUE
The Table Sandi Burley 873155
Tower Captain Richard Bracher 811514 TUESDAY 1 FEBRUARY
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 Please send articles by email to
www.stlaurences.org.uk [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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