the Putley Press Aug - Sept 2012 Issue No. 53 VILLAGE CONTACTS

CHURCH VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT: Team Vicar: Nigel Sweet (Chair) 01531 670610 Rev. Howard Mayell 07906 841893 [email protected] Churchwardens: Josephine Felton (Secretary) 01531 670425 Wayne Kippasto 07527 776808 [email protected] Organist: BROWNIES: Hilda Hawcutt 01531 634050 Annette Embrey 01531 670771 Parochial Church Council: GUIDES: Sue Tyrrell (Chair) 01531 670580 Pam Park 01531 636089 [email protected] Elizabeth Hunter (Secretary) 01531 670980 WI: [email protected] Irene Rogers (Chair) 01531 890254 Sam Rolinson (Treasurer) 01531 670264 Melissa Hawker (Secretary) 01531 670420 Ray Hunter (Assistant Treasurer) 01531 670244 [email protected] [email protected] DARBY & JOAN CLUB: PARISH COUNCIL Judy Deane 01531 670020 Kay Harris (Chair) 01531-670778 Anne Blandford 01531 670274 Nigel Rolinson 01531-670783 COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER: Graham Blandford 01531-670274 Alison Dore 07970 602338 Dermot Daly 01531-670248 Jake Herbst 01531-670315 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Jackie Denman 01531-670544 Josephine & Simon Felton 01531 670425 Elena Beaumont 01531-670783 [email protected] Clerk to the Parish Council: PUTLEY VILLAGE WEBSITE: Rex Gardner 07879 430346 www.putley.org.uk Please note: to guard against identity fraud, this magazine will not publish individuals’ home addresses.

The Putley Press is published jointly by Putley Parish Council and Putley Parochial Church Council. It is published and delivered once every two months. We welcome all news (space permitting), and we rely on you, the readers, to provide items of local interest for your magazine. Please send the editor ([email protected]) any items of interest, achievements, or news of Putley events and activities for publication issue no.54 October-November 2012 by 15th September 2012 - with prior notice in case of last minute items. (Submissions by email only, please - pieces of paper get lost!) Advertisers should please contact the advertising manager (email [email protected], tel: 01531 670537) to enquire about rates or place adverts.

2 Editors Voice Well we have passed the summer solstice this could be the final issue. without much sunshine to date and all the My last request is for you to let me know by celebrations that we were looking forward the 15th August 2012 what your thoughts to in the last issue have come and gone with on the Putley Press are. To help you I have the exception of the Olympics. Where come up with a few questions that may does time go? help shape your opinion: I hope you don’t mind but I have forgone • Is the Putley Press a valuable resource to our the bus timetable and perpetual calendar community? just for this issue so that we can view as many of the photographic memories of the • Would you like to see it continue? Diamond Jubilee celebrations as possible. If you wish to see these photographs in • How often should the Putley Press be printed, colour view them on the village website e.g. every other month, every three months, six www.putley.org.uk. If you have anymore months? that you wish to share please email them to • Should we sell space for all adverts and press Robin Jones so that he can display them in releases even if they are a charity? our own Putley Diamond Jubilee Album. • Should it just be a church newsletter? We have a few interesting articles in this issue. Jackie Denman is calling for footpath • Should it be self funding? volunteers and thoughts on new bridle • Should we just publish it on the website and paths for traffic free riding, in response only issue hard copies to those without access to the Paths for Communities National to a computer? Grant Scheme. Howard tackles the issue of legalised ‘gay’ marriage and views of the • If we have enough people keen to keep the Church of . David Pealing is airing Putley Press going could we have more than his observations on the poor weather and one editor to share the responsibilities? its effects on our honey bee population and Well I am sure you can formulate your own honey production. So some great reading opinions but please share them with me so from the small ‘mag’! that at our next meeting we can make some Finally I would like to say thank you to important decisions. you all for all your kind comments and Have a great summer and look after each support since I have taken over as editor to other. the Putley Press. However, I am bidding you farewell as editor. Due to family and Best wishes other commitments I feel I am unable to Kay (0797 347 8086) continue as editor without compromising the standard you expect from each issue. I was only temporary and already have completed a year! The Putely Press co- ordinators are meeting soon to discuss how to continue with the Putley Press in its present form. Changes will happen although we are unsure what they may be but whichever way it goes, if it is to continue, an Editor is required, otherwise 3 Congratulations 27th Annual Jackie EXHIBITION & SALE OF ART Jackie Denman was deservedly honoured By Local Artists with an Excellence in Food and Drink Award presented by Her Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of , The Countess Plus Artist in Residence, Marina Strangward of Darnley. The awards have been issued in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the recipients were presented with Hopelands, Weobley Village Hall their accolades in front of hundreds during Saturday 25 – Monday 27 August ’s Diamond Day on July 11th at King George Vth Playing Fields. Jackie’s 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily award acknowledges her commitment to raising the awareness of the role of apples in the UK and Herefordshire and especially Refreshments around the Marcle Ridge, with the setting up Light Lunches of the Big Apple in 1989. She has served her community tirelessly in the past and still in Entrance £2.00 the present as Parish Clerk and now Parish Councillor and Chair of Governors at John Maisefield High School. She is an active In aid of the Friends of Weobley Parish Church member of Putley W.I. and has been involved in the mapping of local foods project for the Committee for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE). Thank you Jackie and PUTLEY COURT many congratulations. CELEBRATES 300 YEARS A BIG THANK YOU You are all invited to Putley Court’s To Sue and Peter Tyrrell, Pam and Ken 300th Birthday Party to be held on Trehearne, Josephine and Simon Felton, Rebecca and Ian Jones, Kate West, Julia Saturday, 8th September, 6pm-9pm Baird, Wayne Kippasto, Katia and Jake in the conservatory and our beautiful gardens Herbst, Penny Keble-White, David Harris, (if the sun shines!) Robin and Marion Jones, Rob Turner, Tim Beaumont, John and Alice Rhodes, Dance to The Not So Big Band Tim Parkman, Simon and Hannah Day, as Tickets £10 to include your first drink key co-ordinators for Aylton and Putley’s and a light supper, Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, THANK YOU SO MUCH. Not forgetting everyone Children under 12 free. from our parishes that helped, supported, Proceeds will be shared between the Air provided food and drink, drank and ate, got Ambulance and St Michael’s Hospice wet, smiled, laughed, decorated, cleared up and appeared to have a great time, A BIG Tickets can be obtained from all residents of THANK YOU TOO! Putley Court or With much appreciation ring 01531 67033 to reserve yours. Kay xxx

4 Our Vicar Writes... Dear Friends are worried about some of the opposition to this move or the tone of the debate, let International Development Secretary MP me just say, whether you are a gay, lesbian, Andrew Mitchell says that only pensioners bisexual, transsexual or straight: your freedom are opposed to gay marriage, and even they to love who you choose is a fundamental right will change their mind once it is explained in a liberal society – and you will always have properly; he supports same-sex marriage and our support.” says that the majority of every age group except the over-65s was in favour, he also David Cameron and a number of senior adds: “If you explain to the over-65s that Conservative politicians, including the Home it’s civil marriage – not inflicting a view on Secretary, also back same-sex marriage. the church – there is a narrow majority in The Justice Minister Nick Herbert, who is in favour.” a civil partnership, has said he has “never felt In an interview with the New Statesman, he more distant” from the Church over the issue, made his views very clear by stating: “. “I’m accusing them of “intolerant” language. a supporter of gay marriage.If you look at The idea of your freedom to love who you the polling that’s been done, every cohort choose is a fundamental right in a liberal is in favour of gay marriage apart from the society is fully covered by a Civil Partnership over-65s.” and there is no need for that to be taken His comments come as the coalition further, indeed the question about human considers changing the law to allow couples rights seems to come over as very one sided of the same sex to marry in the same way as as the rights of many are being overlooked heterosexuals. There is opposition to these in the pressure from politicians for us to proposals by many Conservative MPs and conform to their ideas about marriage. The by the Church of England and the Roman Church of England has warned same-sex Catholic Church. marriage would be one of the biggest threats to the established role of the Church of The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has England since the reign of Henry VIII, said that same-sex marriage must “happen condemning plans as “divisive”, “legally now” and claimed opponents will not stop the flawed” and “essentially ideological”. coalition changing the law, he further states: .In the marriage service it says: “I fought for equal marriage before I was in Government, and I’m even more committed The Bible teaches us that marriage is a gift to making it happen now – as a Liberal of God in creation and a means of his grace, Democrat and as Deputy Prime Minister.” a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh. It is God’s purpose that, He also suggests that opposition to the change as husband and wife give themselves to each will not stop the eventual introduction of other in love throughout their lives, they shall same-sex marriage. be united in that love as Christ is united with Mr Clegg went on to say: “And to those who his Church. Marriage is given, that husband

5 and wife may comfort and help each other, living faithfully together in need and in plenty, in sorrow and in joy. It is given, that C C with delight and tenderness they may know O O each other in love, and, through the joy of M M their bodily union, may strengthen the union M M of their hearts and lives. It is given as the U U foundation of family life in which children N N may be born and nurtured in accordance I I with God’s will, to his praise and glory. T O Procreation, the perpetuation of the Y N human race, is one of the prime purposes of marriage. Genesis 1:28 says, “And God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it’.” Children are to be born of Putley Village Hall parents who are married to each other. 7.30pm The home is the basic unit of society and is First Tuesday of every Month ordained of God. Teenagers particularly welcome This is not about gay people and where they stand in the community nor about how PCC MEETING society recognises their relationships for that 8th August issue has as I have said been dealt with in society with the advent of Civil Partnerships; WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING rather it is about what ‘marriage ’ means, 6th September which deals with issues beyond the law of the land. Besides which many in the gay LMDG MEETING th community have no problem about the 7 September issue as a Civil Partnership dots the I’s and crosses the T’s where their relationships are Curious Blend concerned: it is an issue of what constitutes a Coffee Morning marriage. Wellington Heath Village Hall 30th August 27th September Everyone of course has to make up their 2012 own minds on these issues, but I believe that 10.00 til 12.00 ‘Marriage’ is and should be between a man The Diocesan Conference at Harper Adams was and a woman. a great time of fellowship and learning; don’t tale my word for it; ask Jackie Sampson and Anne Yours in Christ Jesus Blandford [Newhouse Farm] Howard

Other Diary Dates Prayer Group 20th August Morning Prayer at Yatton 9.30am 27th September Deanery Synod Every Wednesday 13th October Harvest Thanksgiving Christ Church Wellington Heath

6 Services for August - September Bishop of Hereford to visit Putley 5th August 10.30am Family Service J.Rhodes Church 3.30pm Baptism of Daisy Summer HM “On Sunday 23rd September at 3.30 12th August p.m. the Bishop of Hereford, the Right 9.30am Communion N.Berry 18th August Reverend Anthony Priddis, is coming 2.00pm Wedding Blessing HM to Putley Church to consecrate a 19th August 9.30am Communion HM new area of the churchyard. We are 26th August delighted that the Hereford Singers will 3.30pm Evening Service HU be with us. Please come to welcome 2nd September 10.30am Family Service J.Rhodes them all. There will be an opportunity 9th September to meet Bishop Anthony and his wife, 9.30am Communion R.Harrison 16th September Kathy, at tea after the service.” 9.30am Communion ER 23rd September 3.30pm Dedication of Graveyard Extension With Bishop Anthony & HM 30th September 3.30pm Family Service J.Rhodes

I wish to express my thanks to everyone for their kind offers of help in covering my travelling after the demise of my car through an accident on the 6th July; and also for the kind offers of assistance to get me properly back on the road Howard Howard and John enjoying Putley’s Jubilee Celebrations Putley Church 100 Club New Family Service starting in Winners in the June draw were:- September First prize (£100) ticket no. 36. Second prize (£30) ticket no. 39. Putley Church is introducing an innovation in September. Appreciating that Winners in the July draw were:- young people are busy and committed to First prize (£100) ticket no. 10. other activities on a Sunday morning, we Second prize (£30) ticket no.47. will be organising an all-age Service on the 5th Sunday in the Parish Hall at 3.30 p.m. Congratulations to the winners, The first one will be on September 30th to and thanks to all who are taking be followed by a Bring and Share Tea and part in the 100 Club scheme. Home-made Entertainment. Please come Commiserations to everyone along to enjoy the service, share the tea who has not won yet - next time? and join in the entertainment. All ages are welcome (for details contact John Rhodes SUE TYRRELL tel. 670015). Organiser

7 St Michael’s Hospice needs your support this summer Hospice Fete on 18th August Venus Challenge14th September, (The The fete runs from 1pm ‘til 4pm and is being women only 10k midnight walk.) held in the grounds of St Michael’s Hospice. Online entries for Venus Challenge are now There will be vintage tractors, a bouncy open and for the first time girls over the age castle, go-karts, Morris Men, face painting, of 12 can take part too. Visit bit.ly/Venus12 hook-a-duck, cake stalls and lots more. for more information.

Every single penny you donate to the Hospice stays in Herefordshire directly for the benefit of local people. It doesn’t get added to a national pot which is spent around the UK; it helps the Hospice provide specialist services to patients, their families and friends at one of their greatest times of need. Thank you for your continued support.

8 Putley Women’s Institute

Pampered Chef Meets The WI and informative evening. June’s meeting was a Pampered Chef party (for more information see in the parish hall. For those of you who www.ledburyfoodgroup.org and have never been to one of these, this is a www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk) company who sell all manner of wonderful cooking equipment, baking dishes, knives, Walking off all that food… gadgets etc. In order to demonstrate these We don’t normally meet in August, to the best advantage, the representative but in order to hit our target for the cooks up some dishes for the audience Big Walk, Little Splash! initiative, we to eat – the result was delicious! Quite a are hoping to meet up for a walk and a few people were tempted to buy, and the swim at some stage over the summer – if WI will receive a gift for hosting the party and when it happens! September and which will be raffled at the next meeting. October’s meetings are still being planned. Information will be sent out as soon as More Food – For Thought As Well things are more definite. This Time! We had hoped that by July we would be If any of this sounds like something you able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings would enjoy too, you are very welcome to of Dragon Orchard by kind permission of come and join us for an evening before you Ann Stanier for our summer party. But the decide whether to become a member. We ground has been so very wet that instead meet on the second Wednesday of each of a marquee in the grounds, we all had to month at 7.30pm, usually in Putley Village fit into Ann’s house, which as there were Hall . Just give Melissa Hawker on 01531 24 people for a sit down three-course meal 670420 or Irene Rogers on 01531 890254 was quite a feat! Organised with military a call. precision by Ann, Julie and Katia, everyone contributed a dish, all sourced locally, to create a delicious spread. Fran Robinson who chairs the Ledbury Food Group came to update us on the CPRE’s Making Local Food Work programme which began in 2009 to map the local food web. The WI had taken part in a workshop to explore issues around this, and many of us were keen to know their findings and to read the report which was finally published earlier this year. The statistics Fran gave us were very interesting and she explained how “buying local” supports so many more people than you might imagine, how it is in fact the lynch pin of the local economy. Questions were asked about issues such as the big supermarkets gaining a foothold in the town, whether parking charges deterred visitors and what the Food Group hoped to do in the future. It was a very enjoyable

9 Test your stamina, or opt for a gentler challenge, to raise money for the British Red Cross by entering the Hope Valley run Get into training for the Hope Valley Run, Enter online at www.hopevalleyrun.com in Herefordshire – a great way to keep fit or contact the Hereford office for an entry and raise money for people in need. This form, telephone no. 01432 373020. year’s event, which takes place on Sunday, A non-refundable deposit of £12 30 September, will feature not only the affiliated/£14 non-affiliated is required for established, multi-terrain 8 mile route but the 8 mile run and £10 for the fun run. also a 4 mile fun run. Individuals can also choose to form a team to compete in either All money raised will go towards Red Cross run. services to help people in crisis in the local community. The eight-mile timed race has been a regular feature of the Red Cross Jogging dates will be arranged for those fundraising calendar. There are hills to test who wish to test the route before the race. your stamina, long stretches to build up For details contact Ronnie Scully on: 01432 speed and some beautiful scenery to take 860295 or email ronnie@pagets-spring. in on the way as the route snakes through co.uk fields, woodland and along ash paths. This year’s entrants will have the challenge of trying to beat the impressive record of 52.4 minutes set in 2011. The four mile route takes place on the back of popular demand. Like the longer route it will take in woodland trails and keep road running to a minimum. Organiser Ronnie Scully says: “This is the seventh year we have held this ever more popular event. Entries have increased year on year, and with the introduction of a team element to this year’s event we hope this trend will continue.” All entrants must be over 16. The races start from Village Hall, at 11am and 11.15am respectively, on Sunday, 30 September, doors to the hall open at 9.30am. Bags can be left in a supervised store during the race and there will be a kitchen providing hot and cold refreshments

10 HM Queen Elizabeth II visiting the Herefordshire Orchard Topic Group with the Big Apple Display. July 11th 2012. Jakie Denman from Putley in the foreground.

11 Bees in Putley observations in a Wet & Cold Spring & Early Summer

If you are a bee, Putley is a good place to work at lower temperatures but once the be a bee! bee reached the flowers they were wet and • There are orchards, lots of deciduous cold too and had no nectar or pollen. So woods – every tree is a giant flower they the wild bees stayed at home and fed on produce pollen or nectar so there is an their own earlier stores, stopped feeding almost constant source of food for bees their young and stopped the queen from during the spring summer and autumn. laying eggs. This is why we have seen so few wild or bumble bees this year. They are • The farming in Putley with old orchards returning now though. and permanent pasture means there are a large number of wild insect pollinators • Honeybees were a little luckier as they such as bumblebees – these insects carry may have been fed by the keepers, if so out a lot of pollination of Putley’s orchards they repaid this by swarming as soon as in a good year. the weather was a little warmer and then the new queens were not able to mate and • In a commercial orchard in many other resume egg laying in the original hive. parts of the UK growers must organise beekeepers to site their hives in the • This year there will be little English honey orchards during blossom or there is a as it was not being produced in the main measurable loss of pollination and fruit set. times – May and July. • 2012 has been a very different year and has • When the blossom appeared on dessert highlighted just how important bees are apple trees it was cold and wet and to one of our main industries – growing pollination poor. At the same time the apples, pears and plums. The year began oilseed rape was in flower – the bee’s with such a warm March that bees were equivalent of a Big Mac – all the nectar out collecting nectar and pollen very early. and pollen they can cram in and all easy The first tree to appear with both is the to get to. The first bees to find rape will pussy willow in Feb/March – planting indicate to the other bees and they will a pussy willow near to a hive helps bees advance on the field together – flying up to establish in the Spring as they have a ready 3 miles back to the hive with their loads. source of food – nectar gives them just energy and pollen protein and many other • If an apple orchard is in flower at the same nutrients. time some honey bees will work this but if the weather is poor and they get only an • The early warmth in March and plenty odd few hours of sun then when the bees of early flowers woke many bees up from are hungry and they have young in the hive winter early and they began their year. A that need feeding they will be drawn to the normal year in Putley begins with willow, rape for easy pickings. then plums, pears, apples, May (hawthorn) and then there is a gap until the clovers in • The hive at Dragon Orchard is surrounded June and bramble appears in July / August. by a mixed dessert orchard of many In Putley we have woods full of chestnut varieties of apples and other top fruit and trees with flowers out now which helps to the fruit set looks good. Many other dessert bridge the gap. orchards are poor. The close proximity of other varieties – there are about 40 or 50 • This year the rain and cold has stopped different varieties in a small area means the bee colonies – both hives and wild that the bees are carrying a wide variety – from developing. They could not feed of pollen from one flower to the next. as it was too cold to travel – the bees are Orchards with pollinators that were all in dependent on a minimum air temperature blossom together appear to have fared well to get their muscles working. Wild bees can this year. 12 Honey Trivia

• How many flowers must honey bees tap to make one pound of honey? Two million. • How many flowers does a honey bee have to visit to gather a load of pollen? 1500 flowers. • How far does a hive of bees fly to bring you one pound of honey? Over 55,000 miles. • How large an area does a honey bee have to cover to collect a load of pollen? Approximately 12 square miles. • How much honey does the average worker honey bee make in her lifetime? 1/12 teaspoon. • Most years we rely on nature for pollination in Putley – this year it was not • How heavy is a load of pollen? available. This year having hives close to Approximately 10 mg. orchard trees appears to have helped the • How fast does a honey bee fly? bees pollinate in the short time available About 15 miles per hour. between rain showers. • How much honey would it take to fuel a • Other factors will have affected the fruit bee’s flight around the world? set too – not just bee pollination. Some About one ounce growers have said the poor conditions last year weakened apple trees and contributed • How long does a worker honey bee live? to a poor apple set. Approximately 42-45 days in peak season. • What can we do to help in our gardens? Because bees are having such a bad time • FACT: Bee pollen is high in DNA & RNA – can we please help them by not cutting • How long have bees been producing honey flowers in lawns and grass if we don’t need from flowering plants? to. 10-20 million years. • Churchyards and lawns would have • FACT: Honey bees make flakes of wax no been cut with a scythe or sickle before larger than a pin head lawnmowers and it would have been a It takes 500,000 flakes of wax to make much kinder place for wildlife. The figures one pound of bees wax. below show just how many flowers are required by bees for pollination. Take a • How many kilograms of honey do bees look at your garden – how many spoons of have to consume to make one kilogram of honey would a bee make there? bees wax? Eighteen kilograms of honey, almost • A cherry grower near Hereford buys 40 lbs of honey. colonies of wild bees and locks them in the tunnels while cherry trees are in blossom • How many wings does a honey bee have? with honeybees nearby. Four.

13 Neighbourhood and Farmwatchers 27th June at 0130 hrs a farmer in the CSO Alison Dore Redcastle Farm area of Bosbury/Canon On behalf of the Ledbury Local Policing Frome, disturbed a Green Landrover Team members Discovery - Reg: N380X*S with two male occupants on board. The vehicle had a large LPO Lyn Dunlop lamp on top, and the occupants were shining the light across fields and farm buildings. CSO David Alexander Definitely one to keep an eye out for. If seen CSO Heather Mika (likely to be in the early hours of the morning) please report to the Police immediately on Tel: 07970 602338 101 on OIS: 367-S-280612 To report an incident to the Police – 101 Please be extra vigilant for a Green Rover For emergencies 420, VRM P6-- MBY seen in suspicious or Crime in progress - 999 circumstances in the Bodenham area on 26 June at approx 1500hrs. The vehicle had Crime stoppers - 0800 111 555 three occupants and was seen hanging around on drives and properties. If seen, please call us immediately on 101 quoting Incident number: 152-N-270612

14 Report from County Councillor Patricia Morgan Putley - July 2012

What a summer? Council, Clinical Commission Group, We certainly have not had the weather but Wye Valley Trust, 2gether, Business Board, we have had action. The Golden Jubilee Third Sector, Healthwatch and the Police. Celebrations have been amazing. The Queen It is early days but I am hopeful that this has been to Hereford. Andy Murray nearly won “working together” will deliver some good Wimbleton. The Olympics will start in about results and in particular ensure better use two weeks time. Perhaps the sun will come out of the huge amount of public money that in August. is used in this area of work. • Public Health responsibilities will transfer Changes to the local health social care from the NHS to the Council from 2013. system • HealthLinks will become HealthWatch The Health and Social Care Act 2012 will which will be the new consumer champion mean important changes to the health and for both health and social care in the social care system within the County. Much has county. been said about these changes but they are now happening with speed and as far as I can see the Amey Herefordshire health community is viewing this Herefordshire Council’s current partnership positively and getting on with the changes. with Amey delivers a wide range of services which includes highways, parks, public rights Key points are of way, building services, technical consultancy, • Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning as well as a range of ancillary services such as Group (GP’s) will take over responsibility catering and printing. for commissioning the majority of local health services from Herefordshire NHS The contracts for these services were originally (PCT) from April 2013. This will mean agreed in 2003 and are now coming to the a change in the relationship between the end of their ten-year term. Herefordshire’s Council and Herefordshire NHS. partnership with Amey has been in place since • Herefordshire Council continues to be 2006 and this has successfully improved the responsible for commissioning social standard of service and delivered savings. services many of which are provided by Wye Valley NHS Trust. It has been good A major procurement exercise will now take to hear the latest from the Government place over the next 12 months which will result on how older people and more vulnerable in new contracts for these services. However, people should be supported and cared for until the new contracts are in place, it’s business but very disappointing that the funding has as normal with Amey maintaining responsibility still to be sorted. The lack of adequate for delivering the full range of services funding is a huge issue for the Council. throughout the procurement process. • The new Health and Wellbeing Board has been operating in shadow form since Have a good summer. Kind regards, April 2012. It will hold to account and PatriciaCllr Patricia Morgan, telephone 01531 influence the whole health and wellbeing 640243, email [email protected]. system. I chair this Board and it is made uk. Little Leadon, Fromes Hill, Nr Ledbury, up of representatives from Herefordshire Herefordshire, HR8 1HT 15 Putley Parish Council Clerk’s view June and July 2012

Annual Open Parish meeting: Councillor vacancy: Well, it’s been and gone on 30th May. From my Sadly for the Council, and indeed the Parish, point of view, the open session was disappointing in Graham Blandford resigned from the Council at the that only 3 Parishioners turned up to hear George Annual meeting. I understand Graham has served Thompson as main speaker, Kate Wollen, and on the Council for several years. He carries a lot of Sally Webster, all talking about matters to do with experience and knowledge of the Parish and matters Putley Common and the potential for the Council in relating to the Parish. He will be sorely missed and our conjunction with the Parish taking over management thanks to Graham for all he has done for the Parish. of the Common, and the flora and fauna that are On a brighter note for us, Graham has kindly agreed present and may need careful consideration. Those to continue in his role as Lengthsman Administrator Parishioners present raised some interesting questions until someone else can be found to take the role on, and took part fully in discussions on the topic. scheduling work for the Lengthsman to carry out such After the speakers had finished, and before the as clearing ditches, drains and grips etc. etc. Councillors’ reports were read, the hall was empty. If you are interested in joining the Council, please let In Woolhope, we usually have 30+ parishioners Kay Harris or myself know. We can give you more attending to listen to a speaker and hear reports from information about what’s involved and how much the Councillors with varying responsibilities, including time generally required. Alternatively, come to the the Chairman, reading their reports of activities over next meeting. the last 12 months. Their activities, of course, include making decisions on how to spend YOUR money, Future meetings: otherwise known as the precept. These sessions very The next meeting is scheduled for September 11th often raise good (sometimes heated) debate over issues (later than usual because I’m on holiday!). There is no in the Parish that parishioners want dealt with. They meeting schedule for August. are very useful sessions and opportunities to meet your Don’t forget, if there is anything you want to bring representatives on the Parish Council, and I really to the Council’s attention there is a slot just for you. would encourage you to attend next year. Enough of Rather than a 15-minute slot before the meeting that for now, anyway starts, I have been advised by HALC that it is a better Annual Parish Council meeting: idea to have a specific agenda item, which will be On the same evening, the Parish Council held item 3 on each Putley agenda, so that issues can be their Annual Council meeting to elect Chairman, discussed as part of the formal meeting. There is no vice-Chairman and all other Councillors with meeting scheduled for August. The next meeting is on responsibilities for 2012/2013. Here is a summary: September 12th at 19:30 in the Village Hall meeting room. Role Councillor Black refuse sacks: Chairman Mrs Kay Harris Hereford Council has announced that there will be no more deliveries of black refuse sacks. We will all vice-Chairman Nigel Rolinson in future be responsible for buying our own rolls of Parish Emergency Co- Nigel Rolinson sacks. Apparently this move across the County will ordinator lead to an annual saving to Herefordshire Council of £200,000. Not inconsiderable, I suppose, but it Parish Footpaths Officer Mrs Jackie Denman may make life more difficult for some. I am in contact Parish Cluster Group Ms Elena Beaumont with Herefordshire Waste Management to see if their representative supplier has any surplus stocks, which the Parish may be able to bulk buy at low prices as the supplier HALC Executive Mrs Kay Harris as point has obviously now lost the contract. It will be on the representative of contact agenda for discussion at the next Council meeting in Parish Hall Jake Herbst September. There are, of course, many suppliers such representative as Supermarkets at cheap prices, but they may not be as strong and there are strict regulations on the types Finance Monitor Dermot Daly of sack that the Council will pick up. The story doesn’t end there, though, as all Councillors If you are on the Internet, then you can find more are responsible for attending meetings (including information at: http://beta.herefordshire.gov.uk/ possibly outside the Parish) and agreeing how to environmental-protection/waste-management/black- resolve any Parish issues. sacks/

16 This is a “beta” site, which means it’s under Any issues you want to raise with your Parish Council development, but the information on it is accurate. should be sent to me by e-mail at putleyclerk@ Community Transport: hotmail.co.uk or by letter. NOT by ‘phone, please, Fownhope Parish has come up with yet another as those messages can get distorted in the retelling initiative. They already have their own library and (Chinese whispers!!) refreshments at their Memorial Hall, staffed by Now, for those older members of the Parish amongst you … volunteers. They also have the monthly bus service Older Than Dirt Quiz: to Ross-on-Wye. Their new initiative has more of an impact on Putley in that they have applied for a Count all the ones that you remember, not the ones grant to start a monthly bus service from Fownhope to you were told about. Ratings are at the bottom. Ledbury, picking up through Woolhope and Ledbury. • Sweet cigarettes Putley Parish Council has supported the application • Coffee shops with juke boxes for the grant. • Home milk delivery in glass bottles Useful Contacts: Finally, in case you have issues that you want to • Party lines on the telephone chase yourselves, here is a list of useful Herefordshire • (explain THAT one to the kids of today … Council contacts: Party? Where?) Write to Herefordshire Council at: Brockington, 35 • Newsreels before the film, cartoons between the Hafod Road, Hereford HR1 1SH films, always 2 films shown (usually a “B” film Email: [email protected] and the main film) Main switchboard - 01432 260000 • TV test card patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows Customer services - 01432 260500 started again (there were only 2 channels, if you Other contact numbers: were fortunate) • Peashooters Services Contact number • 78 rpm records Benefits 01432 260333 • 45 RPM records Blue Badge 01432 261619 • Hi-fi’s Building Control 01432 261940 • Metal ice trays with levers Council Tax 01432 260360 • Blue flashbulbs Dogs Wardens 01432 261761 • Cork popguns Environmental Health 01432 261761 • Wash tub wringers and Trading Standards If you remembered 0-3 = you’re still young. Lucky you! If you remembered 3-6 = you’re getting older. Highways 01432 261800 If you remembered 7-10 = don’t tell your age. Home Point 01432 260300 If you remembered 11-14 = you’re positively ancient! Homeless 01432 261600 I must be ‘positively ancient’, but those memories are still some of the best parts of my life. Penalty Charge Notice 01432 260400 Rex Gardner mob: 07879 430 346 e-mail: Pest Control 01432 261761 [email protected] Planning 01432 260386 Public Transport 01432 260211 Registry Office (Births, 01432 260565 deaths & Marriages) Transport (Schools) 01432 260924 Waste Management 01432 260051

17 18 Footpaths Three items here, all to do with volunteer walk leader. Fownhope and opportunities to enjoy and improve the have set up their own groups. If footpaths and other access in our Parish. anyone is interested in the idea of Putley having its own group, or in becoming its Keeping an eye on our footpaths leader, then please let me know and I can tell you more about it. We are lucky enough to have thirteen different Rights of Way in Putley, giving Finally! Paths for Communities access through the fields, orchards and A new national grant scheme, has been woodland that make up our surroundings. launched to make improvements to Rights Responsibility for managing and maintaining of Way that will encourage use by a range this network is set out in law, with different of different users. Horseriders have been aspects falling to landowners and the identified as one of the user groups that Highway Authority (in Herefordshire, might benefit. As we have so many riders Amey hold a contract to act on behalf in Putley, and so few opportunities for traffic of Herefordshire Council). This is quite free riding, this might be an opportunity to complicated and advice is often required. think about whether there are any possible Parish Councils have been asked to play routes that could be upgraded for access on a part in monitoring the condition of the horseback. This would require a willing Rights of Way and carrying out minor landowner or landowners, who would be management tasks. Successful management prepared to contemplate giving permissive also depends on responsible users. access or having a footpath across their land upgraded to a bridleway. The fund In the past, Putley Parish Council carried out will remain open until March 2014, but a comprehensive survey of all our footpaths realistically thinking needs to start now to get and a number of improvements were made. an application in by the end of 2012. Again, Over time, there has been some deterioration if anyone is interested, then please get in in the condition of some boundary crossings, touch for further details of the scheme. especially stiles, and signing. We’d like to recruit a team of people who can keep an eye Jackie Denman, Parish Footpath Officer (tel. on a particular stretch of footpath so that, in 01531 670544) partnership with landowners and Amey, we can make gradual improvements. We know that many paths are walked on a regular basis by parishioners, so this shouldn’t be particularly demanding. If you think you can help, then please get in touch with Jackie Denman (01531 670544). (At the suggestion of one of our landowners, we made a rule last time to avoid a situation where landowners were monitoring their own footpaths and I’d like to stick to this please.)

Walking for Health We’ve been invited to help increase walking opportunities for health and well-being by encouraging gentle walks, run by local people for local people. Training and insurance are available for us to have our own local

19 20 Hereford Cathedral A taste of whats on in August. For further Oscar Romero). £5 per session / £18 series. information on these and events until Cathedral Barn 10.30 am - noon. 01432 October visit www.herefordcathedral.org 374225 to book.

AUGUST Thursday 9 August Until the end of August The first of four Family Fun Days, held on Hereford’s copy of the 1217 Magna Carta successive Thursdays in August, which will will be on display in the Mappa Mundi & include drop-in activities for all the family. 10 Chained Library Exhibition. Monday – am – 3.30 pm Saturday 10 am – 5 pm (last admission 4.30 pm). Cafe and shop also open for visitors. Sunday 12 August The Evening Hour; a service of prayer for Tuesday 7 August healing and wholeness with words and music Lunchtime recitals start following the break from Iona and Taizé and time for quiet for the Three Choirs Festival until the end of reflection; all are welcome. The service is held September (other than 11 September due to on the second Sunday of each month. 5.30 the evening Gala recital). 1.15-2 pm pm

Tuesday 7 August Fridays in August The first of a four week course looking at Jubilee jazz in the Chapter House Garden four modern martys (Maximilian Kolbe, with the opportunity to buy lunch from the Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King and Cloister Cafe. 1.15-2 pm

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Moth and Bat Survey at Putley Common two nationally rare moths recorded! The weather changed just in time for us to The focus this time was mainly on moths but have a very successful few hours surveying a few pipistrelle bats were detected flying over moths on the Common the evening of Friday the Common. 20th July. The rain held off and a group of 10 of us were able to run a dozen or so moth A very big thank you to Fiona, Graham, ‘traps’ on various parts of the Common, Brian and Linzi for providing us with mains including both the wooded sections and electricity. Special thanks to Fiona for the the more open flora-rich areas. We used a endless rounds of tea, coffee and hospitality. combination of battery, generator and mains Thanks also to the expert group of moth electricity to run the lamps used to attract the enthusiasts who gave us the benefit of their moths. The most exciting part though was know-how. seeing and identifying some of the stunning moths – some large, some tiny - that landed The next Moth and Bat Survey on Putley on a white sheet placed under a tripod- Common will take place at 8.30 pm on Friday mounted lamp. 10th August. Please bring a torch and join us there. The overall results are being collated by Robin Hemming who heads up the Sally Webster Herefordshire Butterfly Conservation group and Putley Wildlife Action and Advisory Group but the stars of the evening were two nationally scarce moths: Ruddy Carpet and White-line Snout. Not a bad result given the survey took place over 2-3 hours (rather than a whole night) and certainly an indication of just how rich and unique the habitat is.

22 Putley’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations June 3rd & 4th 2012

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