Mon 1 Parish Council Meeting 8pm Memorial Hall Tue 2 School Term starts Mon 10 Martley WI: E Howard talks about house history 7.30pm Martley Memorial Hall Volume 13 No. 4 September 2003 Sun 14 Teme Valley Farmers Market Editor: Michelle Higgins (01886 888344) for local produce 11am The Editorial Team: Martley: Alan Boon (01886 888527, Nellie Bradley (01886 888339), Kate Talbot, King (01886 888439), Beth Williams (01886 Martley Ramblers walk beside 888273) : Janet Andrews (01886 the Droitwich Canal. Meet 1pm 888303), Sheila Richards (01886 888378) Church car park Advertising: Nigel Collett (01886 888086) Distribution: Martley George & June Wed 17 Citizens Advice Bureau: 12- Lawrence (01886 821064) Wichenford Bill & 1pm Surgery and Jo Root (01886 888585) 1.30-2.30pm Knightwick Surgery Contact The Villager: leave articles at - by appointment. Tel. 01584 Martley Post Office or 1 Oxford View 810860 Wichenford or email the Editor at [email protected] Thu 18 Meeting of The Wine Club 8pm Opinions expressed by contributors are not Wichenford Memorial Hall necessarily those of The Villager. The Villager cannot be held responsible for any goods or Thu 25 Martley & District services advertised in the magazine Horticultural Society: Roy Mantle talks on mushrooms Diary and toadstools 7.30pm Martley Memorial Village Hall Regular events:

Teme Valley Shufflers Line Dancing Fri 26 Martley Harvest Supper Weds 7pm Martley Memorial Hall. Enquiries: Jeff and Thelma 01886 821772 Sun 28 “Norm’s Shed” Sale 10am -5pm Keepers Cottage, Ockeridge Weight Watchers 6.30-7.30pm Tuesdays Martley Memorial Hall. Enquiries: Jennie Barnes 01886 888712 Coming up in Wichenford:

Citizens Advice Bureau Teme Valley Fri 31 October: The River Severn Part Evening Telephone Service 1—A talk and slide show by Brian Tuesdays 4.30-8pm 01584 810860 Draper

Short mat Bowling Tuesdays 2.30pm Martley Fri 21 November: Wine & Cheese and Memorial Hall Barbers Shop Singers

For Church services, please see Church News Sat 7 February 2004: Quiz Night with John Harwood For further details phone 01886 888214

Articles to go in The Villager must be with the Editor by the 1st of the previous month

The Villager * September 2003 7 Martley Parish Council

An Ordinary Meeting of the Martley be permitted. It was suggested that Parish Council Held on Monday 7 July Mrs Day and her neighbour could 2003 at the Memorial Hall (Mr D write down for further discussion how Cropp – Chairman) improvements could be made. MATTERS ARISING REPORTS Cones in Willow Road. These have at In the absence of Mr A Davies (CC) last been removed. there was no report. Outflow at Hillside. The outflow Mrs B Williams (DC) was still very contaminated with diesel has been concerned at the speed of vehicles resolved, but at considerable expense. passing the Martley Schools on the T-junction in centre of village. The Worcester Road, despite the 30mph Clerk raised this matter with the restriction and signs. Suggestions were Highways Partnership and stressed the made regarding possible changes to potential for a serious accident. They the road surface. She will be are arranging for the junction to be discussing further action to promote inspected to determine if an alteration safety with the Highways Department. to the signage or road marking could The Chairman considered that traffic achieve some improvement. speeds in the parish should be New access on B4197 at Ankerdine. discussed when the Parish Plan is The Enforcement Officer has been drawn up. informed. The reply indicated that the In the absence of Mr J Nicklin it was matter would have low priority due to confirmed that the Path Or Nones staff shortage and backlog of work. It were very active clearing footpaths. was agreed that the situation was PLANNING unsatisfactory. Applications for comment: Endways, Barrier on Footpath 88. The WCC Hockhams Lane - amended drawing. have not yet carried out the work but Councillors did not wish to change hopes to complete it in the next four to their original views. Cherry Orchard, five weeks. Newtown - amended drawings. PARISH MATTERS Neither the Parish Council nor Mrs K Day of 3 The Bungalows, neighbours wish to alter their original , concerned at the speed comments as a result of these changes. of vehicles, wondered if the 30mph Old House, Horsham - new extension. limit could be continued past the The Parish Council strongly objects to entrance to these bungalows. Visibility this proposed extension that is out of from their exits is poor. It was doubted keeping. Old Granary, Martley - single that extending the 30mph limit would storey extension (Listed Building in

8 The Villager * September 2003 the Conservation area). The design is c) The renovation of the Bus Shelter sympathetic to the overall dwelling but by the Lengthman was agreed the Parish Council was concerned d) Martley Web Site. The Chairman about the proximity and integrity of referred to the agreement to set up the the boundary with the neighbouring Parish Web Site. It was anticipated dwelling. Endways, Hockhams Lane - that it would cost about £106.00 per formation of ponds for Great Crested year. He will obtaining further details. Newt Mitigation Scheme. The Parish e) Laughern Valley Travel. Details of Council had no objections. coach times etc are published in the Planning decisions by MHDC: No.2 Villager and a cheque for £50.00 Vernon Close - conservatory, side agreed for start up costs for tickets etc. extension & carport, application CORRESPONDENCE refused. Honeycomb Cottage, Willow The Clerk gave details of dates and Road, Martley - conservatory. times of Training Meetings and Permission granted. invitations from the Nora Parsons Day Proposed diversion of Footpath No.10. Centre, CPRE and Elgar Housing, who This proposal diverts the footpath start work on Heaton House this from going through the centre of month. The County Council has asked Pudford Farm. There were no for Parish Councils’ assistance with objections. the Definitive Map for footpaths and Planning application for Martley bridleways. Details are on the web site Millennium Green Information Board. http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/home/cs-environment/cs-countryside/cs-countryside-public-rights-map-info.htmhttp://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/home/cs-environment/cs-countryside/cs-c It was agreed to put in a joint planning Click on above Scroll to application with the Martley bottom and check on “map of paths”. Millennium Green Trust for a 6ft x 3ft Letter from the Deputy Prime Minister Information Board, which should regarding the New Ethical Framework result in a reduced planning fee. Regulations for the Code of Conduct FINANCE and from Mr Alun Michael, of a) Seven cheques totalling £883.62 DEFRA, enclosing the final agreed and signed. requirements for a Quality Parish b) Approval and completion by Council, are being circulated. Councillors of the Annual Return for COUNCILLORS REPORTS & the 2002/03 accounts. Report from the ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS internal Auditor approving all aspects Mr Taylor will be attending the of his inspection of the accounts - Martley Sports Committee and agreed there were no comments or criticisms. to query the poor condition of the Councillors then went through eight outside wooden cladding. Mr N items on section 2 of the Statement of Stammers hoped to invite a suitable Assurance of the Annual Return and Police Officer to the next meeting and gave their answers.

September 2003 * The Villager 9 OOUTUT AND ABOUT IN MARTLEY Visit our website—www.martley.org.uk

Parish Link Bus-Service strengths of our village in all its The evening service that has been aspects, and we think Martley is really running between Martley and showing the way forward for active Worcester on Wednesday, Friday, and rural communities. Saturday seems to be quite a success. At the time of going to press, we do Some runs have been full, and overall not yet know if Martley has made it it has been at a capacity of about 30%. onto the short-list for Worcestershire. Considering this has been holiday time If we do, there will be a two-hour it looks quite promising. presentation to the judging team during August. If by chance Martley A Warning! were successful, we would then go on to a Regional Competition with fairly Lord Sarumon wishes to warn the impressive financial incentives! people living happily in Martley that a We will let you know as soon as it time of trouble will descend like happens darkness over the land. (We think this Dave Cropp must be something to do with The Harvest Supper play...Ed.) Martley & District Allotments Horticultural Society There has been quite positive response Society members were invited to after the notice in the August issue of “Hillend Bridge”, Pudford Lane for The Villager. We will now be carrying their meeting in the garden of their out a feasibility study. vice-chairmen Ray and Pauline Ellis. Anyone else who is interested, please Fortunately the rain stayed away and let me know as soon as possible. members were able to stroll around Dave Cropp this recreated garden that Ray and Pauline have worked very hard on, since they moved in three years ago. Village of the Year The chairman, Barbara Kirby, Competition expressed members’ thanks for a very pleasant evening. At the meeting on We decide to enter this year. Thursday 25 September at 7.30pm in Basically, we had to make a case in Martley Village Hall, the speaker will thirty-five different areas about the be Roy Mantle. His subject

10 The Villager * September 2003 ‘Mushrooms and Toadstools – a guide to garden fungi’. Bring your own for Roy to identify. New members most welcome. Martley WI Nellie Bradley

A Big Thank You Wednesday 10 September at 7.30pm If you have ever wondered about a from Martley & District Pre-School house you’ve lived in, how old, who What a FANTASTIC day! Many, has lived there before, perhaps Mrs many thanks to everyone who Howard, the speaker this month, will supported our Fun Day on 20 July. be able to give some hints about Mr & Mrs Finch very kindly offered to finding out. The competition is an host the event at their home and ‘Interesting House Record’. It could provided a superb BBQ lunch for be your own or somewhere you’ve everyone. The garden setting was visited and found fascinating. Tell us delightful, company excellent and best about it. Don’t forget that we shall be of all the children were happily having a craft stall at the Guildhall entertained all afternoon with bouncy later this autumn. Now the darker castle, face painting, tattoos, crazy hair evenings are coming, why not get out and endless games. A huge thank you your craft and needlework materials to the Finch family and especially to and start creating items for sale. Ben who very kindly allowed all the Visitors and new members are always children to play with his toys. welcome. Just turn up at Memorial As part of the fundraising we held an Hall at 7.30pm meeting, in the enormously successful Promises committee room, building work Auction. A big thank you to everyone permitting. Otherwise, in the (local organisations and individuals) clubroom. who donated promises to the auction Kate King and to everyone who very generously bid for the promises. We raised a Pudford Place staggering £2000 — all of which is going to the Pre-school funds. An on-going story of Lane folk There were many helpers and Not much news this month. Once supporters for the day—too many to again, congratulations to Val Wedell- name them all—thank you to Hall, described as an inspirational teacher when her school was awarded everyone for making this so top marks in their recent OFSTED successful and lots of fun too! examination. Well done, Val, hope Jane Hall (Treasurer) you enjoyed a well-earned summer Registered charity number 1056248

September 2003 * The Villager 11 break. Life has been fairly quiet in the Royal British Legion lane, summer farm activities continuing, hay making finished, fruit- Martley Branch picking proceeding. There are rumours The July meeting was well attended of a possible new enterprise starting despite it being a beautiful evening, or up, Pudford Poultry. Watch this space. was it just a chance to sit down after a Kate King hard day? The usual items of business were discussed including Mike Peters’ Martley Equipment Fund report on a seminar about the Poppy Appeal in November, which will be Ultra Sound Scanner Appeal specially needed this year following Thank you to everyone who supported the war in Iraq and so we are hoping us on the day, and to everyone who for a record collection at gave donations. We are grateful to all Remembrance-tide. If you would like our helpers and the tremendous back- to help with this year’s collection (you up from the Bromyard Ballroom do not have to be a member of the Dance Club. We raised in excess of RBL), please contact Mike on 01886- £500 towards the scanner. If anyone is 821504. Although the Martley Branch interest in ballroom dancing, please are now a sub-branch with us, they give us a ring on 01886-888264. still organise their own Poppy Appeal Russell and Ann Thomas collection and if anyone in Martley would like to help there, please ring Martley Ramblers Ron Dalton on 01905-425997. Joyce Tyler, Hon Secretary 14 September 2pm (01886-821551) In spite of the exceedingly hot weather, members enjoyed the walk around Devil’s Spittleful and Birchen Thomas William Edward Coppice at Bewdley. A lot of the walk Hoskins was through woodland and the shade We are sad to hear the news that was very welcome. The summer Thomas Hoskins, formerly of Martley, barbecue at the Crown on a lovely has passed away. He died peacefully summer’s evening was enjoyed by all. in his sleep on Monday 21 July aged Many thanks to Pam Bowers for 93 years and leaves behind Flo, his organising this event, and to the Chef wife of 69 years, aged 91. and Serving Wenches. This month the Tom was onetime caretaker of Martley walk will be beside the Droitwich Village Hall, also a sidesman at St Canal and around Hawford, led by Peter’s church, following in his Pam Bowers, cars leaving church car Father’s footsteps. park at 2pm. He was also one of the founder Kate King

12 The Villager * September 2003 members of Martley Spurs Football achieve My message is be selfish and Club. give yourself some time, focus on Tom, as many people knew him, was what you want and PLAN. My born at New House Farm in Hope members at the Martley Weight House Lane on 6 April 1910. He met Watchers have been doing just that: his wife Florence in Martley and they Member A has lost 37 pounds to get to married at St Peter’s church in 1934. goal and has maintained his weight for They had four sons, John, Brian, Jim three months. He even lost weight on and Len. They lived in the village until holiday. Member B has lost over 50 1976 when they moved to St Johns. pounds and looks like a different We wish to extend our sympathies to person. Member C has maintained her Tom’s family at this sad time. Len, as weight and eaten healthily even many of you know, lives in Jessamine though she has a medical problem. Cottage, Old Jury Lane. Member D has lost 37 pounds and is looking forward to that dream holiday. Local Artist Exhibits Weight Watchers meetings are in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday evenings at Local artist Angie Hill is to have some 6.30 p.m. We welcome new members of her work shown in the gallery at and people who have joined before but Library during couldn't continue for some reason. September. It will run from Mon 1 Lots of men attend! Learn about a September through the whole of healthy lifestyle and how you can September. For more details, you can achieve your goals. log onto the Tenbury website nearer Jennie Barnes , Weight Watchers the date. www.tenburycom.co.uk Leader and Life Coach

Martley Weight Watchers Knightwick and District The summer months have lots of Trefoil Guild challenges for slimmers. Life tends to get out of routine. We go away on Eleven of us gathered at Sylvia holiday, children are home from Jeffrey's bungalow in Pencombe for school, we are invited to barbeques. lunch and from there we went to Please note that I call them challenges. Stockton Bury Gardens near They are not problems. Problems can Leominster. It is advertised as "A weigh us down and seem place of timeless beauty" and the insurmountable. Challenges can be statement is not exaggerated. There tackled and sorted. The answer is to was so much to look at and ooh and plan for the situations. The old saying aah over! Several of us came away "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" is with a plant to remind us of a very true about most things we want to pleasant afternoon.

September 2003 * The Villager 13 The September meeting on Tuesday already know, is in aid of the Teme 23rd. will be a Harvest Supper at Valley Ultrasound Scanner fund, so Village Hall, we have please give generously - you might invited Guilds from Bromyard, need it one day! Malvern and Redditch to come along Also in aid of the scanner fund, a clay and join us. pigeon shoot is to be held at Rodge Geraldine Cooper Hill Farm, Martley, on Saturday 30 September. Everyone is welcome to On the Move for Charity come along and watch, take part or even lend a hand on the day. After successfully running the breast B.W. cancer "Race for Life" round the streets of Worcester and raising Martley Resource Centre several hundred pounds, with her sister Rachel Brooke, Carol Williams, The Resource Centre is sited in the old together with her partner Trevor school office attached to the Pre- Keegan and friend Debbie Murphy, is Schoolroom in the Primary School well into training to raise more money grounds. It houses a computer for Cancer Research. They are all off (internet connected) a photocopier, a to do the 13.1 mile "Great North Run" Risograph and much basic office which takes place on 21 September in equipment; plus a good stock of paper Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Anyone and card. All can be used by anyone in wishing to sponsor them will find Martley and surrounding villages by sponsorship forms in Martley Post just borrowing the key, if you are Office. familiar with the equipment. On the very same day her mother Otherwise help will be given by Barbara, with Wizz Clift from the appointment – please phone first on Talbot Hotel in Knightwick, are 01886-888527. Photocopies are from setting off on a classic car rally from 3p per A4; Risograph (which prints at to Pamploma in Spain. At the 80 or 120 copies per minute), 2p plus moment of writing this they are still master. For instance, 500 A5 flyers getting the car ready and collecting can be produced in a few minutes for sponsorship money but still have a £5.40. Computer use £1 per hour, plus long way to go before starting off on phone cost if you use internet. Also their long journey. They will be the available is the indexed 1881 census only totally female crew out of 85 on CD-ROM, 50p per entry copied. participants and have been attracting Do use your local facility which is quite a bit of attention with their old now in its 21st year. It is part of a Rover car at . network of some 25 centres scattered This adventure, as you probably over Herefordshire and Worcestershire

14 The Villager * September 2003 under the watchful eye of Community (Continued from page 9) First, a charity based in Malvern, part the Chief Constable of the West funded by the County Council and run Mercia Police now accepts that the by volunteers. Call Centre requires improvement. Alan Boon At the last CALC meeting of the Malvern Committee, Mr D Cropp Use it or lose it was elected Chairman. There was an interesting talk on Low Level Solar A reader who describes herself as “a Powered Lighting for Rural lifelong member of Martley” writes Environments. words of warning: Mr B Draper said he was still Once again our local “watering hole” progressing sites for affordable is changing hands. The requirements housing but would prefer not to give of a good pub are: good ales and details at this stage. wines, clean premises, good food, a The Chairman had been approached safe area for children, a good by four parishioners regarding the atmosphere with the attraction of live availability of parish allotments and music. All of these things were a survey will be arranged via The provided, but because of lack of local Villager to test the level of interest. support we have lost them. The Chairman was completing the The Crown is the centre of this village entry form to include Martley in the and I think that if people supported Calor Village of the Year their local pub, more of them would Competition. still be open. Wichenford have already The next meeting is on Monday the lost the Masons Arms. Do we really 4 August 2003. The Chairman want that to happen to Martley? thanked those present for their Josephine Davies attendance. This is the last of 83 reports on the Cricket Fixtures Parish Council for The Villager by Cecil Vyvyan-Robinson, who has retired after seven years as Parish Tues 2 Easton & Friendly Clerk. Mr Tom Pearsall took over as Sept Martyworthy Home Parish Clerk as from the Parish Council Meeting on 4 August 2003 and can be contacted on 01886 Sun 7 Knighton On Friendly 888256. I wish him every success. Sept Teme Away C C Vyvyan-Robinson Parish Clerk (01886 821623) Sat 13 Fladbury Friendly Sept Away

September 2003 * The Villager 15 Over the Garden Wall in Wichenford WICHENFORD NEEDS YOUR NEWS

Wichenford Church Janet Andrews News 01886 888303 Sheila Richards Altar Flowers 01886 888378 7 September Mrs C Wetherall 14 September Mrs Williams Phone your Wichenford news to Janet or 21 September Miss M Fisher Sheila or leave articles at Martley Post 28 September Miss M Fisher Office or 1 Oxford View Wichenford

Heritage Weekend Wichenford Ladies During the Heritage Weekend of 13/14 September the church will be open all Fellowship day, and an exhibition in the Memorial For our July meeting we had a change Hall arranged by the Heritage Society of programme venue as Mrs Joan of “Wichenford in the Past”. Banks had broken her wrist in a fall and was unable to be our hostess. We Evensong sent her good wishes for a speedy The last Evensong of the summer will recovery. Mrs Pam Webb kindly be held on 21 September. Please come offered hospitality at Rosses Lane and and join us on this special occasion. we enjoyed an informal meeting and a chance to stroll around Pam and Wichenford Parochial Church George’s lovely cottage garden on a Council perfect summer’s afternoon. As On 30 September all PCC members always, there was a lot to discuss and are asked to attend a Benefice Meeting parishioners to pray for. We welcomed at Broadwas Village Hall at 7-7.30pm back Mrs Jane Wheeler after a lengthy prompt, for a meeting with Arch absence due to poor health. It was Deacon Mrs Joy Tetley. good to have you with us again, Jane. Mrs Gwen Burnett led the thoughtful Harvest Festival Service for prayers and we wished Mrs Pam Wichenford Webb a happy July birthday. After a Sunday 5 October at 11am in the break in August we meet again in church. September for our autumn programme.

16 The Villager * September 2003 Wichenford Heritage Open Gardens Weekend Group The Open Gardens weekend was a Details of the Autumn classes, huge success and the magnificent sum described in the August issue of The of £5,502.60 was raised for St Villager, are now on the Diary page of Laurence’s Church and the County Air the Martley website Ambulance. The Committee are most www.martley.org.uk (and you can re- grateful to all those who worked so read Mervyn Mitchard’s hard and opened their gardens, which article on The Villager were really gorgeous and so individual page of the website too. that they provided a great deal of Ed.). The cost for the interest for visitors. The raffle and the course of 10 classes is various stalls were very well supported £30 for Heritage Group and contributed much to the profit. Members and £36 for The lunches and teas were one of the non-members. Registration is 7- highlights and our profuse thanks are 8.30pm Wednesday 24 September. If due to Colin Hughes and Alan Green you want more information about and their helpers for the delicious registration or other details, phone food, and of course our thanks to all Mary Hylan on 01886 888431. our expert cake makers. Many pleasing comments were received from visitors praising the appearance Wichenford 100 Club of the village and its many pretty The AGM of the Club will be held in gardens. The Committee thank the Memorial Hall at 8pm on everyone for making the village such Wednesday 17 September 2003. It an attractive venue, your efforts were would be a great help if members much appreciated. wishing to attend could advise one of the following: Heather Rendell on Nora Parsons Day Centre 01886-888239, Ray Panton on 01886- 888553, Gerald Barber on 01886- The Annual General Meeting of the 888771 or Bill Hylan on 01886- Nora Parsons Day Centre was held on 888431. The July draw winner was 9 July. Rev David Sherwin, Chairman, Mrs Isobel Field, who received a welcomed members and cheque for £108.00 representatives from neighbouring parishes and spoke of the work of the Centre. Mrs Mary Hollett gave a Millennium Green report on the day-to-day running of the Tidying & Inspection Rota group. She was pleased to report that September: David Woodward. several new members had joined this year and that they had enjoyed an

September 2003 * The Villager 17 interesting and varied programme. saving method of feeding his 120 Outings had been to Mr & Mrs R pedigree Holsteins once a week. The Ballard’s home, a trip to Fladbury and system is the first of its kind in this Evesham and also lunch at , country, is very labour-saving and cost which included a drive over the Clee effective. Congratulations on a Hills to Ludlow. Mr Desmond Porter splendid achievement in winning the gave the Financial Report and grateful award. thanks were expressed to all the David Richards drivers, many of whom do not claim expenses. On a sad note we are sorry Wanted to be losing Mrs Mary Hollett, who is moving out of the area. Mary has Kevin and Janette Purcell will shortly worked tirelessly for the Centre and be moving to Wichenford and, as a will be a very hard act to follow. We professional couple on call during the wish Mary all the very best for the evenings, they will be requiring a future and much happiness in her new babysitter for their two boys from home. The Day Centre is running a September onwards. The person must fundraising Bingo evening on Friday be reliable and over 18yrs old. Please 19 September at 7pm in Wichenford ring 01905-640715. Memorial Hall. Eyes down at 7.55pm. Please come and support this event. Wichenford Harvest Supper The Harvest Supper will be held on National Success for Local Saturday 11 October at 7.30pm for Farming Family 8pm in the Memorial Hall. For tickets please ring 01886-888303. For those of us who live by, and neighbour, the Andrews family of Buryend Town Farm, Wichenford, Baby Congratulations will know how dedicated and We are Lisa and professional they are within the Chris Powell from farming community. Proof of this was Boxley Farm at the Royal Show, where they were Cottage, awarded the prestigious Genus Wichenford. We Powerstart Challenge Cup for grass had a new baby girl silage, beating off in excess of 1,000 on 2 July 2003, entrants from , Scotland, called Tori Melissa. Sister to Myles Wales and Northern Ireland. The and Rachel Judges were particularly impressed, not only with the top quality silage, but also with Mark Andrew’s labour-

18 The Villager * September 2003 Kenswick and Wichenford Parish Council

The Annual Meeting of the Parish but the district council must be Council was held on Monday 7 July in informed you are going. the Memorial Hall Wichenford at 7.30 2004/2005 should improve the pm. Councillor Randall, who crossing from the high school to the welcomed our District Councillor, primary school. County Councillor and Pat Edwards Councillor Rendall has written to the from Worc Calc, chaired the meeting. District Council regarding the large Pat Edwards talked to the Parish refuse lorries using Barbers Lane. A Council on Quality Parish status and reply has been received from the Risk Assessment on health and safety. council to say there is no reason the She suggested the parish council small caged truck cannot be used and consider doing a parish plan and Councillor Williams agreed to look contact Karen Humphries at Vital into it. Villages. The Parish Council cannot MATTERS ARISING become a Quality Parish as we have Rogers Coaches. Tickets have been two co-opted members. made and distributed to interested REPORTS parties. The scheme has been County Councillor B. Hickling advertised locally. reported that the County Council Castle Hill/Poplar Road signs. The would appoint an independent Poplar Road sign has been erected and Network Control Team operating from the Castle Hill sign should be in place a database to operate a “Road Space soon. Booking” system. This will co- Kings Green Bridleway. The County ordinate all highway works undertaken Council Access Officer Mr P Betts has by both the County Council and the visited the green and agreed to look utility companies. into creating an all weather access School budgets are rising by 10% per from the road in front of Kings Green annum. 33 schools are in deficit. Next Farm to the entrance of the bridleway. year schools will be funded directly The clerk has written to the legal from central government bypassing services department to check if it is the LEA. within our scope to do this. The District Councillor B. Williams Council approve that the County reported that she has been voted onto Council can go ahead with the the Elgar Housing Board. Planning is proposal of joining the bridleway to still open to public speakers that are the green to stop future damage being allowed 5 minutes to speak. Only one done, and the removal of the dead tree. supporter and one objector are allowed A new up to date list of all the

September 2003 * The Villager 19 councillors’ names and addresses is agreed to the sum of £50.00 for the posted on the three notice boards. Parish Transport Initiative. PLANNING HIGHWAYS Applications Approved: The retention A letter has been received from of existing mobile home at 26A W.C.C. regarding the alleged Queens Estate, Wichenford, has been encroachment at Meadow View. This granted. Conversion of integral garage is still on going and we will be to art room at 2 Kenswick Mill, Lower contacted once the investigation is Broadheath has been approved. Single completed. storey extensions to bedrooms 1and 2 The Parish Council gave permission at 2 Kenswick Mill, Lower for the notice board to be placed Broadheath, has been passed. Wooden adjacent to the pillar-box at Kings tractor shed and workshop at 2 Green. Kenswick Mill, Lower Broadheath has CORRESPONDENCE been granted. The Parish Pathways Partnership, Applications received for comment: Definitive Map Review, and Demolition of existing WC block & Countryside and Rights of Way Act, coal shed, single-Storey kitchen were discussed. It was decided to form extension to rear, dining area a working party to look at these in extension to front, interior alterations more depth. A flyer will be sent out to & alterations to front garden, The all landowners to come to a meeting Masons Arms, Wichenford. Extension on 21 July to check the Footpaths on to provide study, two bay garage space the Definitive Map, before we send it and store, Orchard barn, Wichenford. back. Councillor Rendall agreed to Replacement detached garage & house speak to Mr Betts on the Parish extension, Birch croft, Ockeridge, Pathways Partnership to see what Wichenford. Mill, Lower Broadheath, money we could get. has been granted. It was decided that a COUNCILLORS REPORTS site meeting is necessary for these Several complaints have been received applications and arrangements were regarding the poor visibility at made for 11 July 2003 at 9.30am. Laugherne Corner, caused by the FINANCE overgrown hedge and trees. The clerk The clerk was authorised to pay the has spoken to the highways following: Parish Council Elections. department who are aware of this For uncontested elections the sum of problem and suggest the Parish £64.10 to MHDC. Wichenford Council write to the landowner. A Memorial Hall. £42.00 for rent from large branch is hanging dangerously February to July. Worcestershire Calc from an oak tree on the Wichenford/ Training and publications £24.98. Holt road. The clerk was asked to Laugherne Valley Travel. The council contact the relevant land- owners and

20 The Villager * September 2003 ask for it to be removed. The “SLOW” Walking in Bulmers sign on the road at Venn Lane needs repainting as resurfacing work has Orchards been done. Poplar Road has been Bulmers would like to make a few marked for resurfacing but as yet has simple requests to people walking still not been done. dogs, particularly during our harvest DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT from September to late November. MEETING Please keep to the footpaths 18 August 2003 at 7.30pm. Keep all dogs on a lead and never 6 October 2003 at 7.30pm. allow them to foul near the fruit trees. All in the Memorial Hall Wichenford. This is particularly important because Shirley Sanders Clerk to the Council the Food Safety Act is very strict about the purity of fruit. Thank you. RJ Holloway,Farm Manager Round the World for Charity Cressida Whyatt would like to thank everyone who so generously Pianist/Organist sponsored her when she competed in Required the second leg of the Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race. She has Are you free on Thursday raised £3,187 for CLIC (Cancer and evenings to accompany the Leukaemia In Childhood) and hopes to happy bunch of voices that raise even more when she takes part in the final leg of the race, sailing from are the Ferndale Singers? Salvador to Liverpool from 25 July to Please contact 27 September. Maureen or Arthur Kings If you would like to support her, on 01886 821127 please ring 01905 333271 for a for further details. sponsorship form for CLIC.

Don’t miss “Norm’s Shed” Sale 10am-5pm Sunday 28 September Keepers Cottage, Ockeridge Many bargains!

September 2003 * The Villager 21 Church Words The Rectory 01886 888664

Whilst on Holiday in us this very special celebration, why Cornwall this year I not come and celebrate this year at visited a place on the North Coast your local Harvest Festival. called Morwenstow, named after Mor- Revd. David Sherwin wenna, a 9th Century Celtic saint. Its ancient church was in a beautiful 7 September situation, (like our own churches) only a 10 minute walk from the cliffs which Wichenford 9.30am Holy Communion tower above the seas below. It’s most Martley 11am Family Service famous incumbent was the eccentric Broadwas 11am Morning Worship Robert Stephen Hawker, who built the vicarage, whose chimneys were repli- Knightwick 8am Holy Communion cas of scaled down church towers, and 6.30pm Evensong a driftwood hut, which you can still 14 September enter, perched on the sides of the cliffs overlooking the sea, where he wrote Wichenford 10.0am Family Service his poems. The main reason I mention Martley 11am Holy Communion him is not to compare him with my Cotheridge 4.30pm Harvest Evensong eccentricities but to point out his last- ing contribution to the Church. This 21 September contribution affects us here in this Wichenford 6.30pm Evensong benefice every year. It is the Harvest Martley 8am Holy Communion; Festival. Whilst it is true that such 11am Morning Worship festivals had been celebrated in the Jewish calendar and within many cul- Broadwas 11am Holy Communion tures, it was seen very much as a pa- Cotheridge 9am Matins gan celebration by the Church. Revd. Knightwick 3pm Evening Worship Hawker changed this bringing the fes- tival a Christian emphasis drawing on 28 September celebrations from the roots of our faith Wichenford 11am Holy Communion in the Old Testament. Today no Martley 9.30am Holy Communion; church would dream of missing out on 6.30pm Harvest Festival a harvest festival whether in a Village, Broadwas 8am Holy Communion; Town, or City. We have much to thank 11am Family Service God for, and Revd Hawker for giving

22 The Villager * September 2003 Church Diary Dates In the Garden

12 –14 September Heritage weekend look out for special events being held in all the churches of the Benefice. The Churches of the Benefice will be open during the weekend with Garden Tips for September Special events arranged locally. You are of course welcome to all the September can provide some warm church services on that weekend as weather, but the days get shorter. The always. plant life slows down, the month of Wichenford Local History Society harvest, particularly with the potato Exhibition of the Church and Locality crop. The shallots and onions can be in the Memorial Hall Saturday and strung up and hung from the roof of Sunday Afternoons, refreshments the garden shed or garage. Carrots will available. The Church will also be need lifting and put into store at the open. end of the month, beetroot too. Both of Saturday 13 September 2.00pm at St. these store well in containers of dry Leonard’s Cotheridge talk on sand placed in suitable buildings history of St. Leonards by Mike Wall where attention will need to be kept, of the Worcester and Dudley Historic as mice and rats love these in the Churches trust. winter months. Sunday 14 September, 1.00pm at St. Time to tidy up the flower borders and Peter’s Church talk by Tim Bridge plant winter and spring flowering Sunday 14 September, 4.00pm at St. bulbs. Take cuttings of geraniums, Leonard’s Cotheridge Harvest fuchsias and hydrangeas. Plant out Festival wallflowers and sweet Williams. Harvest Supper will be held on Onion sets can be planted towards the Friday 26 September 7.30pm in end of the month. Martley Memorial Hall Plant out early in the month spring Harvest Service will be held on cabbage, January Sunday 28 September King, Duncan 6.30pm at St. Peter’s cabbage, purple Martley sprouting and white sprouting. Jack Bradley

September 2003 * The Villager 23

In the Kitchen Gardener’s Lament

A poem written earlier this year Brown Betty for a WI compe- tition Here is a recipe for a traditional and seasonal pudding. Serves about 6. Hooray, the lovely month of May 225g/8oz stale breadcrumbs Hours of gardening every day 900g/2lbs apples, peeled and grated The lovely weeds grow up apace 2 tablespoons golden syrup The nettles sway and sting my face. ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg Crawl out at dawn to catch the snails, 1 teaspoon cinnamon The peas are beaten down by hail 50g/2oz butter or margarine + extra The birds, the slimy slugs ignore for brushing pie dish They want the peanuts, “Give us 1 teacup water more”. 1 lemon My back is sore and badly aching Can’t bear the thought of sweet pea 1. Brush a pie dish with melted staking margarine and cover with a layer Roll on the lazy month of June using ⅓ of the breadcrumbs. Life will get better, won’t it SOON? 2. Cover with half the grated apples Kate King and half the golden syrup. Dot with half margarine or butter and (But has gardening life got better the spices, mixed together, and yet? - Ed.) half the lemon rind, grated. 3. Repeat the two layers and put a final layer of breadcrumbs on top. Dot with the rest of the margarine. 4. Mix the juice of the lemon with a teacupful of water and pour over the pudding. Bake 45 mins. in a moderate oven (gas 4 or 180°C electric. Serve with cream or custard.

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ACROSS NUN (6) CLUB (5) CLERGYMAN (5) CHRIST (7) CANCELS OUT (7) A BOOK OF THE O.T. (7) TAKE AGAIN (5) GENTLY HITS (5) TIME (4) PLANT USED FOR ROPE MAKING (5) LAND SURROUNDED BY WATER (4) SERIOUS (7) WHERE YOU MIGHT FIND 4 DOWN (7) IRELAND (4) CLERGYMAN’S HOUSE (7) CHURCH COUNCILS (6) SPICES (7) PRAYER (6) 5 DOWN IS IN HOLY ONES (6) 20. SOLE (4) AROMATIC GUM (5) 22. CATHEDRAL (7) STYLE (5) 24. SING (5) 25. FOREIGN (5) 26. GRASSES THAT GROW IN WATER (5) 27. TENDING TO AROUSE (7) ANSWERS TO AUGUST CROSSWORD 28. UNLADYLIKE GIRLS (old-fashioned!) ACROSS 1.NAZARETH 7.CAROL 8.GROUNDSEL (7) 9.SEE 18 10.RAIL 11.DEDUCT 13.FITTER 29. JERKS (5) 14..MANGER 17.SEE 18 18(AND 9,17)MARY AND JOSEPH 20.EYE 22.CHRISTMAS 23.CLUCK 24.ADJOURNS DOWN DOWN: 1.NIGER 2. ZIONIST 3.RANG 4.TASSEL O.T.BOOK (7) 5.TREAT 6.GLADDER 7.CLAUSAL 12.SEASICK POETIC METRES (5) 13.FLUENCY 15.GRAMMAR 16.SPARED 17.JESUS LIVED (7) 19.YESES 21.OSLO

September 2003 * The Villager 25 Martley Online and District Ploughing Match

Saturday 27 September at Church Farm

10-4pm

For entry information or The Martley Horticultural Show and other details contact Fete in August saw the official launch Heather Rogers of the Martley website. The site has 01885 400770 been up and running for about a year

Live crafts now, but much blood, sweat and tears demonstrations has gone into developing and improving it over that time! Now you can read The Villager online as well as check out the Diary for local events, find out about bus services, investigate the history of the church and take virtual tours along many of the footpaths in the area—and much more! You can “Have Your Say “ - just like on The Archers, but Radio 4 fans will be glad to know that Linda Snell is nowhere near Martley! APEX Our neighbours in Wichenford are not forgotten—details of the activities of ADVERT the Heritage Group and other items of potential interest to residents of both villages are on the Diary page. The web site is accessed from all over the world—we get emails to prove it! To advertise your event or business on the website, contact the Webmaster [email protected]

26 The Villager * September 2003