MORTIMER COUNTRY NEWS

Spring 2008 News, events and information for the Wigmore area Issue 2

Mortimer Country Stores to become a reality

Born out of the Inspired Wigmore initiative, Mortimer the financial base to enable the shop renovation, new Country Stores, Wigmore’s new shop-in-the-making, facilities and the purchase of the initial stock. is well along the exciting road to becoming a reality. Renovation work begins in March with internal work The committee has worked hard on this community following. The shop committee is planning for a grand project. Shopping lists of equipment and opening opening in late April or early May. stocks have already been compiled. The committee listened to local comments on what should be stocked Set up as a co-operative, but without the ‘divi,’ it will and the aim is for an emphasis on local produce from be a truly community-owned and locally-run shop. local suppliers together with an appropriate mix of Once the setting-up committee has run its first year, it everyday essential items, from cosmetics to toilet rolls! will be up to the members (those who buy shares) to determine how the shop is operated. Because the shop is a co-operative, volunteers are essential to ensure it provides the service that the The majority of the funding for the shop has come by community is asking for. This is where you and way of grants and locally raised funds. The Plunkett everyone else can play their part. The shop committee Foundation, which specialises in village and farming needs volunteers to work around three hours per week cooperatives, is the prime funder and together with at times suited to them. They will be recruiting a part- Leominster Shop Fund, has already offered finance. time paid manager – but the core of the team will be YOU, the community! Please contact one of the In addition, the team is waiting on the outcomes from committee to add your name to ou r volunteers register: applications to the Regeneration Fund either call Jill at 770140, Bryan at 770155 or Megan at and the Co-operative Bank. Together these will form 770462 (all with the code 01568). Gordon Brown hears from Wigmore residents

Concern about climate change has led to a group of has asked for a more radical approach to make new, 'Inspired Wigmore' residents to write to Gordon Brown, low carbon technologies accessible to everybody expressing their concern about the government’s through research and development on an industrial inaction on sustainable development. scale, stressing their desire to avoid leaving a changed and increasingly unstable climate, nor radioactive The group has written to the Prime Minister stating that waste, to future generations. not enough has been done in the last decade to encourage energy efficiency, sustainable energy If you would like to see a copy of the letter, please production or zero carbon house building. The group contact the editor at [email protected].

Award-winning ciders and perries available in bottles or draught.

Brook Farm, Wigmore 01568 770562 www.brookfarmcider.co.uk Page 2 Mortimer Country News

A word from the editor Mortimer It is exciting to be part of the Inspired Wigmore movement to see Country what we can do locally to improve the area and the world in which we N e w s live. This issue we’ve aimed to bring more of the community to life and give people ideas and inspiration to help contribute. A small action you can take is to read the newsletter, pass it along to others or recycle it at one of the many facilities located on the back page. Mortimer Country News is We also welcome your ideas, letters and articles for the next published quarterly newsletter; just email me at the address to the left. Anne Gilbert

Next issue is Summer 2008 Copy and advertising Inspired Wigmore steams ahead deadlinedeadline:::: 25 May The Inspired Wigmore movement is maintaining its impressive momentum, with progress made by all groups. Expert speakers at the latest meetings – who Editor: came to talk about waste, energy, food cooperatives and transition towns – Anne Gilbert were amazed at the pace of act ivity and levels of energy within the group.

Phone: Developments relating to the shop, communication and parish issues, food and 01568 770750 gardens, energy, and CO 2 and recycling are outlined elsewhere in these pages. Note there is a good chance that Wigmore will have impr oved recycling facilities Email: in the near future, on top of a new newsletter and shop! In addition the parish [email protected] council has agreed to bring in a traffic-calming display and to fix the many faulty street lights in the village. Sub-groups are working on plans for various other projects, including a programme of carbon footprinting and reduction through the village and outlying areas (see left for how to take part in step one), and means of implementing schemes for allotments and garden-sharing. If you would like to save paper and receive our electronic The next Inspired Wigmore meeting will be a workshop to confirm or revise the version of the newsletter, top priorities for each group, and to develop next steps for progressing them – please e-mail the editor at the including how to get hold of money and resources. address above.

The meeting will also be an opportunity to discuss whether the area should Help ffindind out our cccarboncarbon adopt the Transition Towns philosophy, which entails planning and preparing for fffootprintfootprint so we can take dramatic reductions in our fossil fuel consumption, to insure ourselves against action! L Logog on to the looming peak oil crisis as well as to reduce our climate impact. www.myherefordshire.com/ carbonfootprintingcarbonfootprinting.aspx.aspx Inspired Wigmore invites everyone to the meeting, at TVYP, 7:30pm, Wednesday 12 th March. Contact Vanessa Spedding on [email protected] or 01568 770460.

Part -time seamstress /tailor w anted Igor Kennaway, conductor & pianist

Work in your own home for a small formerly on the professorial staff at The Royal business. Flexible hours – approx. 3-4 College of Music, the Birmingham Conservatoire, hours per fortnight. the Royal Northern College of Music, the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts, the Experience necessary to sew home Darmstadt Music Academy and others , welcomes furnishings. Own machine essential. pianists of various levels for private lessons.

Please email: Contact details: igorkennaway- [email protected] [email protected] and 01568 770744 Mortimer Country News Page 3

Link with others to grow more for Wigmore!

With Mortimer Country Stores opening soon, people A Garden Share Scheme has great benefits. The garden will have a great opportunity to eat healthy, locally owner doesn’t have to worry about maintaining their grown seasonal produce. garden if they don’t want to. The gardener, in return, gets access to an area of secure land that is suitable for (and The Local Food and Gardens Group, part of Inspired may already be established as) fruit or vegetable growing Wigmore, is considering ways of helping to make land and may have water supply available. Owners and more locally grown food available to residents. gardeners enter into private arrangements to ensure that the interests of both parties are protected. The team is actively looking at allotments for keen gardeners - and they are looking at Garden Share The group wants to hear from local residents and Schemes. Garden Share S chemes are arrangements especially would like to know if you are: between two types of people: 1. Interested in renting an allotment if and when 1. an owner of a large garden who no longer has any established (people who have previously expressed need or desire to work their garden, and an interest need not respond). 2 a keen gardener who wishes to grow vegetables 2. An owner of land, willing to meet a prospective and fruit for their family or for trading or bartering at gardener to discuss a Garden Share Agreement. Mortimer Country Stores. 3. A gardener prepared to tend additional land under a Garden Share Agreement. Local heroes To get things moving please phone or write to Stuart Abell: Bury Court Barns, Wigmore, HR6 9US or ring Many people really make a difference in our area; this Stuart at 01568 770212 or email him at issue we’d like to note two special individuals. [email protected].

Wigmore resident Mrs. Joan Hughes-Price has kept the momentum going to repair several broken street lights and obtain a speed control device for Wigmore. With Joan’s help, the Parish Council approved the MACKENZIE & PARDOE plans and is now pulling together all the necessary paperwork to help make the village a safer place. Carpentry, Joinery & Another special individual is Mrs. June Emberton , Building Contractors now of Leintwardine, who has worked tirelessly as a Village Warden to provide suppo rt and advice for older people. Despite budget cutbacks, June Tel: 07870 428948 continues to provide a valued service. June’s new contact phone number is 01547 540102. 07790 416674 or 01584 877216 Christine Davies AMBDA

Dip. Ed., Bangor Apple Tree Cottage 20 Fishmore Road DYSLEXIA CLINIC Ludlow Shropshire SY8 2L U Assessments and tuition Tel: 01547 540606

Page 4 Mortimer Country News

In the frame: Mortimer Country’s artistic side

Alongside the traditional Herefordshire industry of farming Birmingham Society of Arts and has been asked to is a vibrant community of artistic talent, living and working become an associate member. in Wigmore and the surrounding area. Megan Ellis, Ivan Jones and Brontë Woodruff are just three members of this Brontë Woodruff moved to Herefordshire in 1990, diverse community. settling in Yatton in 1999. After working for a classical concert agency and as a picture dealer, she started to Arriving in Wigmore in 1983, Megan Ellis and her first paint full-time in 2004 after a back injury ended her husband ran a successful business making stringed career as a gardener. Although she is primarily self- instruments from their home at The Forge. Megan used taught, Brontë has exhibited widely throughout The her artistic talents to help with the design and by Marches and will be exhibiting at Leominster Library incorporating beautiful carvings on the instruments. throughout March. Megan’s love of music continues to influence her work, with in struments featuring in many of her paintings and collages.

Meg works in various media, producing abstract to still-life paintings, using oils, gouache and watercolours. She also uses “icons”, which are gesso-based paintings using natural pigments, egg yolk and a spike of lavender.

Although she only recently started exhibiting, Megan has already been invited to show her work at the Royal The Sentinel by Megan Ellis

Taking inspiration from her walks in the fields and woods surrounding her home, Brontë produces semi-abstract Mortimer Leisure Centre pictures of the natural world. She started off painting in Your place for fitness watercolours “because they were portable and quick” . but has also used pastels. Her more recent work uses Van Dyck crystals, made from burnt walnut husk, which • Fully equipped fitness room with aerobic and weight training equipment have added a richness and intensity to her pictures. • Sports hall for football, cricket (nets), volleyball, badminton, hockey, basketball and many others Both Brontë and Megan recently exhibited at The • Regular Thursday badminton and Tuesday Colloquy in aid of the Macmillan Roden Appeal. basketball sessions Originally from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, Ivan • Outdoor tennis, football, cricket and rounders Jones settled in Wigmore in 2001. Although he studied • Weekly circuit training

art at school he did not return to painting until after his Mortimer Leisure Centre is community run in association with the retirement from veterinary practice in 1999. He works in High School, Herefordshire Leisure Services, and Sport . It is a registered charity and is managed by local trustees and a paid soft pastels as he feels they are able to deliver a manager. richness and vibrancy in colour. Hours: M-F 6.30 to 10.00pm Weekends by arrangement By experimenting with materials, Ivan has been able to We’ll be installing new fitness machines over the coming weeks. develop his own style; something he feels has been Please check with us before you set out as we may have to close to do the work. We look forward to offering you an even better local aided, rather than hindered, by lack of formal training. fitness room! His main inspirations are David Shepherd, Rolf Harris

Contact the Centre Manager, Mark Tilly and Tom Roberts and this is reflected in his wildlife 01568 770677 weekday evenings or 07976 paintings. He also paints portraits. 526990 All three artists have exhibited in H-ART and we hope to www.mortimerleisurecentre.co.uk see more of their work throughout the area.

Mortimer Country News Page 5

Wigmore pupils to transform school fields Chorlton & Brant Pupils at Wigmore School are getting to work on a General Maintenance and project to restore and develop the woodland area at the King’s Meadow edge of the playing fields. The Decorating Eco-schools team at the high school, led by science teacher Amanda Townsend, have been spurred on All aspects of work undertaken by a £3700 grant from the Kingspan Insulation • Community Trust to boost the biodiversity of the Carpentry • area, make it more attractive, and give an extra Door Hanging • dimension to ecology lessons. Plastering & Rendering • Painting & Decorating • The team is spending the money on a variety of Loft & Basement Conversions • indigenous plant species that will create an under- Tiling story beneath the existing trees and provide a healthy habitat for native wildlife. So far they have Please Call: bought more than 100 trees, numerous shrubs and various aquatic plants for the stream. The funds will (01432) 264371 or (01568) 760001 also pay for biodiversity data monitoring equipment Mobile: 07772 403814 and bat-boxes.

Planting is already underway. The main participants are 11-14 year olds but the entire school and village will benefit from this innovative project .

Going green at TVYP

During 2007, Teme Valley Youth Project went green and put in recycling facilities. Over the last year, cans have been crushed, paper, plastic and glass sent for recycling, and kitchen waste thrown out into a Country house accommodation off the beaten track in composting bin. Young people made a funky sign the heart of Mortimer Country. Award winning breakfasts and delicious dinners - all with seasonal food from recycled materials to highlight the new facilities either home-produced or locally sought, bought and and the office team have ‘greened up their act’ by caught! Any excuse for a break and catering for all recycling almost all waste paper and packaging. occasions, specialising in: • TVYP is seeking environmentally conscious House parties • Private dinner parties volunteers to help with collecting recyclable waste • Cookery courses and taking it to bottle banks, the council tip or • Food safaris recycling sites - and they are always in need of a • Walking and cycling holidays helping hand or two in any area. Whatever your • Bring your own horse holidays interests or skills, we would love to have you on board to help keep our centre looking good, open to VB Four stars/silver serve the local community and offering the social opportunities that are so important in this rural area. Lower Buckton, near Leintwardine SY7 0JU 01547 540 532 www.lowerbuckton.co.uk Please contact Sophie Hamar on 01568 770110 if

you would like to become a VIP @ TVYP (Volunteer in Partnership and Very Important Person!) Page 6 Mortimer Country News

What are people doing? Learning about pension entitlements

Running a web planner At CAMEO’s Tuesday, 5th February meeting, the group learned from Pauline Hodges of the Pension Service that The Leintwardine/Downton/Elton is trialing we can all turn t o Pension Service staff to have our an online events-planner-cum-calendar. This event entitlement to Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, planner is currently hosted by the church website. Council Tax Benefit and Carers Allowance checked. Enter www.wigmore-abbey.org.uk then follow the link Pensions Service staff also offer home visits for the over to the planner. Event organisers should be able to 60s to discuss entitlements and will complete claim check dates to see if there is going to be a clash with forms. For more information or to book a home visit, their plans. For it to work, all need to enter event telephone 01432 363663 and ask for Pauline. details. This is the second year of operation, and the parish is looking to improve from last year. Protecting the community

Rebuilding the church King’s Meadow Neighbourhood Watch is still very active. Just before Mortimer Country News went to press the There has been extensive work done to fix leaks in the group met to discuss a proposed joint meeting between roof at the St James’ church, Wigmore. During this the King’s Meadow NHW Scheme and the Wigmore work some pretty old herringbone brickwork has been Village Scheme . The role of Secretary/Treasurer is still uncovered. Those in the know are very excited by this vacant. If there is anyone living on King’s Meadow who and the brickwork is provisionally dated to be earlier could help in this role contact Kevan Perkins, Chairman, than Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire – which dates back on 770060. more than 800 years. More details of these finds and their significance will be reported as they become Shop fundraising e vening !!! available. However there will be a reopening of the church (it has hardly been closed) during April. Details “Santiago Tales” --- Edwina and Geoff will be posted on the church notice board. Rees’ amusing ‘‘pilgrim’s wayway’’ walk from Winchester to Santiago

The Tranquillity Centre Friday 14 th March, 7.30pm, Wigmore Village Helpingyoureachyourfullpotential Hall. Areyoustressedout? Tickets £10 pp to include Tapas and Doyouhaveachesandpains? tea/coffee. Bring your own drinks and a glass. Doyoudreamoftimeforyourself? Tickets available from Megan on 770462, Bryan on 770155 and June on 01544 540-102 Why not invest in your health and come for a Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hopi ear candle, EFT or Reiki treatment? Yoga c lasses in Lingen with Mary Pettitt Wantthebestforyourchildren? Many parents struggle to understand their Mary is a student yoga teacher children, wanting the best for them but they did with the British Wheel of Yoga not arrive with an instruction manual! Did you know about 85% of all responses for life are Wednesday class during term time learnt by the time you are just 7? Human Design Lingen Village Hall 6:00 to 7:30pm can unlock the mysteries for you and show you Beginners level – all welcome how to really help your child excel. £5 per class

CallJonforanoobligationinitialphoneconsultation Please contact Mary at 01568 770920 01568770812 or 07836 519916 Mortimer Country News Page 7

Around and about… Quiz Nights at Village Hall, Friday 28th March and 25th April, 8pm. Teams of 4. £5.00 per table Wigmore Preschool needs a volunteer to help (bring your own drinks). manage their finances. The meetings are good fun, only every other month and very rewarding. If Wigmore Gardening Club meetings are open to non- interested please call Jacky Mundy at 01568 770899. members: £2 including refreshments. Next meeting is Thursday, March 20th at 7:30pm at Wigmore Village Hall. Spring Dance at Aymestrey Village Hall on Friday, Richard Fishbourn of Wiggly Wigglers will be talking on 18th April in aid of Village Hall & Air Ambulance “Gardening for Wildlife”. funds. 'Jimmy Edwards' with his singing & guitar. Entrance £3.50. with bar, raffle and refreshments Two coach trips are upcoming. A full day out is usually available. less than £10 (plus entrance to the venue): • Herefordshire Nature Trust meets next at Thursday March 13th, 1:25pm at the village hall - Aymestrey Village Hall, 7.30pm, March 27 th – on: “A Staunton Park car share visit, near Pembridge. th deeper look at butterflies”. The April 24 meeting is • Sunday May 4th, 10am at village hall - coach trip to on “Wildlife conservation in forests today”. The next Morville Village Open Gardens. Return by 5pm. Field Meeting is on Weds May 14 th , 6pm at Contact: Fran 01568 770150 or Dotty 01568 770327. Pokeshouse Wood, Aymestrey Park, South Lodge (grid ref. 430 640), 700m. N.E. of Mortimer’s Cross CAMEO will meet Tuesday, 1st April at 2pm with a talk on the B4362. On April 27th there is a Rogation by Theresa on family history. Contact Stuart Abell on Walk in Downton. Details on church notice boards. 01568 770212 or [email protected].

th *Arts Alive * in Lingen on March 14 : “The Parish Church activities… Brassketeers," a brass ensemble which breaks away from the traditional image. 7.30pm, optional supper Come help raise funds for Brampton Bryan church. th between 6pm and 7pm. For info ring 01544 260590. March 14 : coffee morning and bring and buy at Walford Grange and May 25th from 3.00pm: A Walk in TVYP news: the date for the next Friends of TVYP the Park, starting at the parish hall in Brampton Bryan and meeting is Tuesday 8th April at TVYP at 7.30 pm. ending at the parish hall with afternoon teas. The group holds a meeting every 2 months on the second Tuesday of the month. June 28th: Rocky's Garden party. John Challis will be holding a fête-cum-garden party at his farm on the Come and visit ‘The Bridge Café’ Community Café northern edge of Wigmore Village. Details to follow. Funds @ TVYP, Kings Meadow, Wigmore. Open 10:30am raised go towards costs of running whole parish. to 3pm, Monday – Friday (self service). Also, new yoga classes every Thursday morning, 9:30am. June 16th 4-8pm: ‘Outside Broadcast' recording of a church service in Downton Church. Help at the TVYP Maintenance Blitz on Saturday March 15th, 10am – 2pm and a free lunch can be April 20th at 12.30pm : celebrate the completion of the yours! work on St James’ Church Wigmore – lunch and raffle in the church. Adults £7.00, under-12s £3.00. There will be The Newtown Welsh Male Voice Choir performs at no license so bring a bottle. Contact for more details and Leintwardine Church on Sat March 29th at 7.30pm. tickets: Mrs. Joan Markland 01568 770 127 Tickets on sale at Griffiths’ Garage. All funds go towards money raising scheme for the two halls. Regular coffee morning first Tuesday of the month in the Leintwardine Methodist chapel; free nail-clipping service! Yatton Marsh poet Tony Walton is starting up a new Monthly Poetry Group at Aymestrey Village Hall on Two upcoming fundraisers to pay for essential repairs to St Andrew's church, Leinthall Earls: Friday 11th April at 8pm, £2 and on Friday 9th May -

SING OUT! An Evening of Music, Song and Poetry – • May 11 th : Afternoon woodland Walk and Tea, Gatley at the Village Hall - all proceeds to the Macmillan • May 24 th : Evening concert, Aymestrey Church Renton Appeal for Hereford Hospital's own scanner. Your Mortimer Country News guide to recycling

Why r ecycle?

• Each year UK households throw away almost 30 million tonnes of waste • The energy saved by recycling 1 aluminium drink can is enough to run a television for 3 hours • The energy saved from recycling 1 glass bottle is enough a power a light bulb for 4 hours • Every tonne of paper recycled saves 17 trees • Landfill produces methane, a major greenhouse gas

Where can I recycle?

Leominster Wigmore Leintwardine Ludlow Tesco’s Morrison’s Recycling Centre Village Recycling Business Park Ludlow Leominster Bridge Street Hall Centre Coder Road car park car park Tue to Fri 12 – 8 pm Every day 8 am – 6 pm Cans x x x x x x Plastic bags x Glass x x x x x x Garden x x Waste Newspapers x x x x x & magazines Plastic x x x x containers Scrap metal x x Textiles & x x x x x shoes Fluorescent x x tubes (and low energy bulbs) Books x x Fridges/ freezers, x x washing machines Bulky household x x waste Waste oil x Batteries x Timber & wood x products Corrugated x cardboard Soil & rubble x There are also facilities further out in Knighton, Craven Arms and Presteigne.

What else can I recycle?

Spokes Bikes and equipment The Warehouse, 16-20 Coningsby Street, Hereford. 01432 265545 Various sizes of composter bins are available at 20% of RRP and free delivery. Visit Composting Hereford council website or www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk

Ludlow - South Shropshire Furniture Scheme (behind Bishop Mascall Centre on Computer cartridges Lower Galdeford, next to police station) Hereford – PC World

Computers and household Ludlow - South Shropshire Furniture Scheme (behind Bishop Mascall Centre on electrics, furniture Lower Galdeford, next to police station)

Ludlow - in the Galdeford car park (next to police station) and at the South Plastic Shropshire Leisure Centre, Bromfield Road Tetrapaks South Shropshire Leisure Centre, Bromfield Road, Ludlow