Monday in the month 10.30-12.30 Heaton House. Tuesdays Short Mat Bowling: 2.00pm Memorial Hall Ladies’ Fellowship: 2.30pm 2nd Tuesday in the month (usually) Martley Toddler Group: 1st and 3rd Volume 19 No. 10 March 2010 Tuesdays (term time) 10.30am Martley Memorial Hall Editor: Michelle Higgins (01886888344) Editorial Team: Martley Alan Boon (01886 Wednesdays 888527), Kate King (01886 888439) Teme Valley Shufflers Line Dancing: Wichenford Janet Andrews (01886 888303), 7pm Martley Memorial Hall Enq. Jeff & Sheila Richards (01886 888378) Thelma 01886 821772 Advertising: Aileen Parker. 01886 888456 Distribution: Martley George & June Lawrence Martley Folk Club: 1st Wednesday in (01886 821064) Wichenford Karen Furber the month at The Talbot, and (01886 888449) 3rd Wednesday at The Admiral Rodney Contact The Villager: Leave articles at Martley WI: 2nd Wednesday in the Martley Post Office, call Janet or Sheila month 7.30pm Heaton House (Wichenford) or email the Editor at [email protected] Thursdays Opinions expressed by contributors are not Wichenford Wine Club: 3rd Thursday in necessarily those of The Villager. The Villager the month cannot be held responsible for any goods or services advertised in the magazine. Martley & District Horticultural Society: last Thursday in the month 7.30pm Martley Memorial Hall

Regular events in Martley See Church Words p. 27 for details of services

and Wichenford: See articles for details of special events AND

changes of time/date/venue of regular events Sundays 2nd Sunday in the month: See the Diary page on www.martley.org.uk for Teme Valley Farmers Market for local a complete listing of all forthcoming events (that the Diary page editor knows about) produce 11am The Talbot, Knightwick Martley Ramblers meet Church car park See page 28 for contact details of organisations

3rd Sunday in the month: Articles to go in The Villager must be Path-or-Nones meet 9.30am Martley submitted by the 1st of the Memorial Hall car park to help maintain previous month the local footpaths

Mondays Rhythm Time: 9.30-11.30am Martley Memorial Hall Enq. Rachel 01886 812565 Records of the Parish Council meetings in Martley Parish Council: 1st Monday in the two parishes are not intended to be full the month 8pm Memorial Hall and complete minutes. Minutes of meetings Martley & Villages Carers’ Group: 1st can be seen by contacting the respective Clerks to the Councils.

March 2010 * The Villager 9 OUT AND ABOUT IN MARTLEY Visit our website—www.martley.org.uk

supply). The Crown Inn How can communities like Martley Yet another award!! We have been become more resilient and sustainable shortlist as one of 6 finalists in the for a future with less dependence on Publican Tenanted Pub of the Year. oil and other fossil fuels? And how The Awards dinner, at which the can we ensure an enhanced and more winner will be announced, is at The fulfilling quality of life for all into the Grosvenor House, Park Lane on future? Wednesday 21 April 2010. Tickets are A varied participative evening is available at £258.50 per person or promised – a short film, brief £2467.50 per table of ten! Thank information inputs, activities and goodness mine will be free. Now we demonstrations – and a chance for have the pressure on us to perform everyone to share ideas and perfectly all the time because they will experiences and enjoy time together. be mystery visiting us. For further information: contact John Caroline Cassell Raine on [email protected] or tel: The Crown Inn 01684 565052. Transition Malvern Village Hall Hills Comes to AGM Newsflash! Martley The AGM will be held on Wednesday 24 March 8pm in the hall. We have Tuesday 30 March 2010 invited representatives from all the Memorial Hall - 7.30-9.30pm users of the facilities of the hall to Come along to our awareness-raising come along to this meeting and it is evening here in Martley to learn more hoped to extend the committee with about the Malvern Hills Transition some of these representatives. Please Towns initiative and to discuss the come along and let the committee steps we can all take at local level to know your views. If you have not respond positively to the challenges of been into the village hall for a while climate change and ‘peak oil’ (when please come along and see some of the demand for oil begins to outstrip

10 The Villager * March 2010 refurbishment work carried out and (school term time only). We are a look at plans of proposed changes to small friendly group always looking the hall. There will be wine and for new members. Why not come nibbles available. along and you and your little one(s) News update can make new friends and join in the Progress is being made on the mode of fun. We also organise trips to a local heating needed for the hall we are also soft-play centre, and occasional visits looking at a heat pump system which further afield. Don’t be shy if you are is supported by an Eon-renewable a father or a grandparent: all are Energy Grant Programme which may welcome! Do please ring Will on be available. Further investigations are 01886 888340 or Jane on 01886 being made into this possibility. 888852 for more details. It is hoped to hold a number of fundraising events this year: Ascot- Thrift Shop style Race Day in June, Table Top Pensax Thrift Shop re-opens on sale in October and a "new style Wednesday the 3 March at 9am. For Christmas Fair" in November or further information please phone December. We will keep you posted. 01299 832388 Martley 100 Club An excellent start to the year with more than 75% of existing members rejoining however there are still a few who have not renewed this year. We Teme Valley Views from the Teme have also been able to secure a few Valley Children’s Centre new members, so many thanks to Counselling service coming soon them. It's never too late to join in so A new counselling service is now please download the form from the available throughout the Malvern Hills martley.org website if you wish or District for parents with children aged send a cheque for £18 and your five years and under. This service is address to a committee member. provided by County January's winner is a new member, Council, which means that you won’t Christine Grasby, with number 51 need to pay to access the service. who won £30, she has kindly agreed About the Counsellor to purchase another number with some Greg Albrecht is an accredited of her winnings - well done Chris! counsellor with the British Annette Smith, Secretary Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Martley Toddler Group Kingdom Register of Counsellors and Martley Toddler Group meets on the Psychotherapists (UKRCP). Greg can first and third Tuesdays of each month help with: stress/anxiety, divorce/ at 10.30am at Martley Memorial Hall separation, family and relationship

March 2010 * The Villager 11 difficulties, grief and loss progress in hospital and wish her ‘all (bereavement), drug addiction, the best’. physical abuse/domestic violence, low ‘Woody’ Nelson of Bubble House self esteem/depression. Relaxation Wormery was the main speaker and classes are also available. her talk ‘Life of Worms’ proved If you would like to book a free absorbing. She told us some amazing private appointment with Greg please facts – Cleopatra understood and contact the Teme Valley Children’s appreciated earthworms, and in the Centre on 01886 812982. Nile Delta anyone caught removing For details about the other services them was given the death penalty! provided by the Teme Valley Charles Darwin spent thirty years Children’s Centre please check our studying worms. No creature has website at http://www.temevalley-cc. contributed more to the soil, and org.uk or pick up a copy of our therefore to life, for every living thing. monthly newsletter from your local The big earthworms pull organic toddler group, preschool or nursery. matter into the soil down their metre- deep burrows; this helps with drainage too. Gardens of new housing estates are often worm-depleted owing to removal of soil. The smaller red compost-loving ones soon double their population in the right conditions (well-run wormeries) but self-regulate if not. Wormeries produce ‘worm tea’, which is a very rich plant food Martley & District (tomatoes love it!); worm casts (‘black Horticultural Society gold’) play an essential part in soil January Meeting fertilisation as they are teeming with Chairman, Mike Dunnett, welcomed nutrients. Woody brought a wormery two new members at the January kit to show us, also a container of meeting. Then followed our new Bokashi bran – this substance can be ‘Topical Tipster’, Jane Cropp, with used to ‘pickle’ waste meat and dairy advice (for early February) on cutting products. Woody explained the down Winter Jasmine, summer- process which is needed for the worms flowering clematis; grasses (really to make good compost. All micro- short), and Dogwood (this achieves a organisms working together are what brighter red). Vice-Chairman, Dave is needed. A fascinating talk! Cropp, reported that it is now easier to On 24 March, Martley hopes to send a get into Highgrove (garden!) owing to team to the quiz at Clows Top; 25 a change of system. We heard that March Hilary Twigg speaks on Nellie Bradley is making good ‘Seasonal Interest’ and members’

12 The Villager * March 2010 Hyacinth competition will be judged. friends and acquaintances. Long Spring Show before he came to live in the area, he The Spring Show is Saturday 27 was Start Judge at the March at Martley Village Hall at Hill Climb. Recently, he was involved 2pm. In the Children’s Section there in the local British Legion, the Probus will be displays of work done by the Club in St Johns and the Midland Kite Junior School pupils: Holly Class (4-6 Flyers. He was a regular attendee at years) Easter Bunnies; Maple Class kite flying sessions at the Countryside (6-7 years) Easter painting or collage; Park in Spetchley. He often entered Willow Class (7-9 years) Easter Hats; the results of his wine-making efforts Rowan Class (9-20 years) Easter in Martley Village Show, and was gardens; Oak Class (10-11 years always pleased to get a prize. He was Easter poems. a regular visitor to the Kings' in TS Pudford Lane where he had a special relationship with Jacob the donkey, In Memoriam: Peter Corti who will surely miss my father's Since leaving Martley for Ireland pocket full of ginger biscuits! My some years ago, I meant to write to father has asked to be buried in the The Villager but never got around to churchyard in Martley. it. Now I have the sad task of telling I know his close family, Elsie (his everyone of the passing of my father, wife), Louise and Helen (his Peter Corti, who lived in St Peter's daughters), David and Keith (his sons- Drive for the past 12 years. My father in-law), and Laurence, Rhiannon and was a sprightly 84 year old who was William (his grandchildren), will not out and about until the day before a be the only people to mourn his minor stroke and a serious chest passing. infection put him in hospital where he Louise Cole died on 22 January 2010. My father (formerly of Hollins Lane, Martley) was a lecturer at what was then Kidderminster College of Further Martley Ramblers Education then a move to Spalding in Sun. 7 March 2pm Church car park Lincolnshire, saw my parents open a Fingers crossed that the weather bed and breakfast business. They remains clement and no more walks finally retired when they were then have to be cancelled. Gill Gough is both in their 70s and moved to keeping on file her postponed walk Martley. around Severn Stoke. This month we My father was a quiet, unassuming hope to be on David’s Patch, when man and would likely be embarrassed David Wilkes will be leading around to have me write about him. He was a . Please note this is one week man with many interests, joining clubs earlier than usual to avoid clashing and societies, and had a wide circle of with Mothering Sunday.

March 2010 * The Villager 13 If you have not already chosen your Martley Parish Council meal for the annual dinner at Martley Unapproved abbreviated draft minutes Crown on Friday 5 March, contact of the ordinary meeting of the parish secretary Pam Bowers on 01562- council held on Monday 4 January 66835. This is not a members only 2010 at the Memorial Hall “do”, so please feel free to come and The Democratic Period/Public join us, as long as you book first. Question Time Kate King An amendment was made to the minutes regarding the incorrect name of the charity Martley Relief in Need. A parishioner raised the issue of ice in Martley WI Pudford Lane. County Cllr Davies is to discuss this issue with Highways. Several parishioners raised queries Weds. 10 March 7.30pm relating to the planning application for Heaton House, the 83 dwellings by The Crown. Hopefully we are now back in full District Cllr Williams confirmed that swing after weather problems at the an extension to the consultation date beginning of the year. This month will be requested and also she will ask Angela Bushaway will be instructing for the planning meeting to be held in us about Shiatsu. My dictionary says it Martley. Martley Recreation is a Japanese healing and health- Association advised that the play area promoting therapy, using massage has been re-barked but two days later with fingers and palms. It sounds very the lights were smashed and the back interesting and shall we be rolling of the train was broken. Another claim around on the floor in the lounge? could result in the rise of the cost of Come and find out. insurance. Thanks were given to Mr Other diary dates are the Elgar Group Gosling for the work he has carried meeting at Clifton-upon-Teme on out on the notice board in the centre of Thursday 25 March and our annual the village and to Councillors for the dinner on Wednesday 21 April at the work they had undertaken on the Granary, Collington, but there are milestone, the weighbridge and the plenty of other events planned, notice board. including craft mornings. Minutes: Some of us are off to Denman College It was resolved to accept the minutes this month for the Worcestershire as a true record following the required Federation weekend. We shall amendment. undoubtedly bore everyone with tales Progress reports: of what we have done when we come The Clerk confirmed that an back. application for brown signs would cost Kate King £100, after which applicants purchase

14 The Villager * March 2010 the brown signs and pay for their Horsham – Erection of dwelling. maintenance. The council has 09/00751/FUL & 09/00750/LBC therefore decided not to pursue Stables at Horsham Court – signage at the current time. Conversion to create new dwelling Landowners support—ditch with new garages. clearance - local contractors have 09/00749/FUL The Old Court, recently cleared all ditches in Martley, Horsham – Refurb. Of derelict former which took three days and their work house with 2 storey extn. & new was complimented. garage. Horsham Court went to Lengthsman—Mr Wilks will continue Northern Area Development Control as the lengthsman for Martley on a Committee on 02/12/2009. rolling three month contract. The Dist. Cllr Williams confirmed that the Clerk will write the new contract and Horsham Court development has been will contact Mr Wilks each month approved. The Clerk and Cllr with a work schedule. Coombey-Jones advised Dist. Cllr. District and County Councillors’ Williams that the new planning reports: website is not working effectively. District Cllr Mrs. Williams reported Allocation of committee that Martley Relief in Need charity representation: had given 40 presents and plants to Finance Committee—Cllrs. Goodyear, dwellings in Martley. Metcalfe, Coombey-Jones, Nott Planning: Planning Committee—All Councillors New Salaries and Personnel Committee— 09/01670/HOU Orchard Bungalow, Cllrs. Goodyear, Nott, Metcalfe Newtown – Replace existing garage/ Old Grammar School Foundation— workshop and construction of Cllrs Goodyear and Gale additional access. Penny Hill Tip Liaison—Cllrs. 09/01604/OUT Outline application for Goodyear and Fearnehough development of land with 83 Playing Fields Association—Cllr dwellings, including 33 affordable Gale. Further discussion to be held at dwellings and 2 live work units. the meeting with Martley Recreation Provision of new doctors’ surgery and Association parking (to be shared with the Crown Memorial Hall—Cllrs. Coombey- Public House) Open space and Jones and Stammers pavilion. All matters reserved except Heaton House—Cllr Goodyear access. Environmental Officer—Cllrs. Pending McHugh and Nott 09/01209/TPA Apartment 1, SPORT Martley—Cllr Metcalfe Laugherne House – Reduce one lime Nora Parsons Day Centre—Cllrs by 30%. Goodyear and Fearnehough 09/00752/OUT Horsham Court, Martley Relief in Need—Dist. Cllr.

March 2010 * The Villager 15 Williams Martley’s Past Church of Primary School— Parish Council Meeting 31 January the Clerk is to clarify in what capacity 1952. representation is needed, for the next Other Business – Water Scheme meeting. Mr Badger (Martley’s representative Neighbourhood Watch—Cllr Metcalfe on the Rural District Council) was Finance: invited to speak to the meeting on the There were three cheques totalling question of the proposed Water £771.12 approved. A Precept was Scheme for the Rural District, and agreed of £19,000 for 2010/2011. expressed the view that he did not Correspondence: consider that the scheme was desirable Items for decision/discussion— or necessary. MHDC revocation of tree preservation Mr Heaton thought that the scheme order. Teme Tennis Academy request was of too great a magnitude for what for funding. Telephone query was anticipated. Mr Peet (Top Shop) regarding salt bins on Pudford Lane was rather inclined to support the Councillors reports and items for scheme, but generally it was felt that future agenda: the rate-paying public had not been The Clerk will report the problem on made sufficiently cognisant of what Horn Lane in the dip to Prickley the scheme entailed. After Green, the pothole by Brook Court, considerable discussion, it was the broken pipe at the bottom end of decided that Mr Badger, supported by Hollins Lane and will report the fallen Mr Heaton, should bring the Council’s bough at the bottom of Kingswood views before the Public Enquiry which along Worcestershire Way to the Path- was pending, and on the proposition of or-Nones. The Clerk will write to Mr Peet, seconded by Mrs Morgan, MHDC regarding the empty salt bins the following resolution was carried: and to Highways expressing a concern “It was resolved that this Council do for the elderly who live on the estate submit to the Engineering Inspector of as Highways did not grit the estate and the Ministry of Housing and Local the roads were particularly dangerous Government its sincere expression of during the icy weather in January. The doubt as to the wisdom of the Martley Clerk is to advertise the final vacancy Rural District Council’s for a Councillor. Comprehensive Water Supply Scheme Next meeting: at the present time, in view of the size Meetings are held on the first Monday and cost of the project and the present of the month. financial and material state of the Nation. The Council further doubts the accuracy of the estimates, since a high percentage of farmers and

16 The Villager * March 2010 householders alike already have their ‘church’ is not the building itself, water supplies (electric pumps down important though all our churches are, wells! ALB), or, where they have not, with the history and heritage which might well be unable to meet the they bring to our life, but it is ‘the heavy cost of piping, added to the people’ who are ‘the Body of Christ’ - installation of the necessary those who gather to praise and equipment for the use and disposal of worship God in Christ. Just as we the water. value and care for these places of For these reasons further information worship, so we value and care for all at this stage seems essential, and it is in our communities. respectfully suggested that the whole The Benefice of Martley, Wichenford question of the scheme be considered and The Lower Teme Valley is such a in the light of these suppositions, so wide area to cover that it’s not that the ratepayers who would have to possible for the Clergy to be in touch bear the ultimate burden, will know with as many people as they would more exactly what will be the cost, like. We have therefore assembled a and what is likely to be the real benefit Pastoral Care Team with members to the community. Mr Badger was drawn from each parish. Lay thanked for bringing the matter before Visitors – people who know you and the Council. whom you know. When it comes to Alan Boon visiting, they are ‘the church’. Janet Andrews, Sheila Richards, Jean The Church in and for the Hyslop, June Community Lawrence, Helen Every month in the Villager and Sandison, Sue Footprints, our local village Ganderton, magazines, there is the article from Ursula Baker, Revd. David Sherwin - Church Words. Maureen Kings, Do you read it? Perhaps you think it is only for those who regularly attend (Continued on page 24) church. This is not the case: it is for everyone just as the church itself is at the heart of each village community, Martley Library Opening Times for everyone. The bi-monthly services Monday 2—7 pm at Heaton House are not only for those Wednesday 4—6 pm who live there but for anyone who Thursday 10am -1 pm would like to come and especially Friday 2 - 4 pm those who find getting to the church Saturday 10am -12 noon itself on a Sunday difficult. These 01886 888396 (opening hours only) gatherings highlight the fact that

March 2010 * The Villager 17 Over the Garden Wall in Wichenford WICHENFORD NEEDS YOUR NEWS

Janet Andrews 01886 888303 Sheila Richards 01886 888378

Mr Satchell Drawn by Ivan Rendall. Church Flowers This month's draw got delayed There are no church flowers at because a heavy cold was clouding the Wichenford until further notice as the secretary's judgement and she kept church is not in use at the moment. forgetting to pounce on a visitor to make the draw. In the end, a week A Big “Thank you” late, she finally asked her husband to from the Oldies do the honours. He drew out 99 and A special thank you from those of us then "Another 99!" - except of course unable to get out for one reason or it wasn't! The little important dot was another in the recent wintery on the other side of the numbers and it conditions. We are extremely grateful was in fact 66. Yet another example of to kind neighbours who called or the amazing oddities that this draw telephoned to offer their assistance always seems to produce. I wonder with shopping or clearing paths and to how many attempts it would take to all those kind thoughtful people who intentionally draw these two balls helped us. These include the delivery consecutively. men, milkmen, postmen, even oil Heather Rendall delivery drivers working very late to get around. All this was very much Elsie Whitehead appreciated. It has restored our faith in We were deeply saddened to hear that human society, at least in Wichenford. Elsie has died and send our heartfelt Thank you to everyone. sympathy to her family. Pam Webb Elsie was a very well-known and popular member of our community; Wichenford 100 Club she was a great cook and expert January winners: No 99 Mick Harris needlewoman. Over the years she £75.00 and returned subscriptions to must have made hundreds of cakes to No. 66 D Wheatley-Mills & No. 159 raise money for the Day Centre, the fete and many other charities and

18 The Villager * March 2010 organisations. Elsie was always year for fantastic developments to willing to help with any event in make our enterprise the "fishery of the Wichenford. She will be very sadly future" and having recently been missed. awarded a substantial grant from Advantage through the A Fisheries First in Rural Development Programme, the Wichenford centre is now under construction. Cob House Fisheries is believed to be There is Teaching Centre, tackle shop the first fishery to have a fully and large café, and there will also be disabled-accessible match pool where an Olympic-standard archery range every one of the 30 pegs is suitable for later this summer. The purpose of this a wheelchair user. Cob House site is firstly, of course, to show Fisheries worked with the people what a great sport fishing can Environment Agency to provide over be for everyone but also secondly to 40 pegs suitable for wheelchair users, educate and provide facilities where two large training platforms and over the outdoors can be studied and 1000m of pathways, all as specified by appreciated by all. a report undertaken by the BDAA in In the Autumn of 2009 we planted a 2008. four-acre wildflower meadow with In 2009 we obtained planning seed donated from the Environment permission for a huge teaching centre, Agency's traditional wild flower shop and café which we are now meadows and purchased another nine building. The whole building is fully acres of land taking the total site to 45 disabled-accessible with a changing acres. This gives us plenty of room for plinth in the toilets for the disabled. outdoor education for visitors and We would also like to be able to schools. There will be wildlife ponds provide a hoist in the disabled-users for pond dipping, chickens, pigs, toilet and a loop (hearing aid) system alpacas, children's play area and throughout the building and are plenty of habitats for the wildlife, not looking for sponsorship for these two to mention the Fish Farm with its items. Since installing the platforms indoor hatchery, where schools and pathways we are getting calls already come to from all over the from fisheries all over the UK who country now understand the importance of Angling Academy providing these sorts of facilities and Cob House is very keen to get Juniors we are always on hand if needed. Cob involved in fishing and we have the House will be opening its new Cob House Angling Academy which Teaching Centre, tackle shop and cafe offers coaching, discounted tackle, in spring 2010. free fishing days, events and more. From Alpacas to Wildlife Anyone wishing to join should contact We obtained planning permission last Helen Taylor on 01886888101 or join

March 2010 * The Villager 19 Cob House on Face Book and tell us study, to give a better understanding what you want from your club and of how residents in rural areas really follow all the developments at Cob feel about living there. This will help House through the Face Book site. us effectively tackle the areas of More information is available on our deprivation and improve living website: www.cobhouse.org or call conditions and accessibility. Helen on 01886 888101 Progress Reports Helen Taylor Ditching: the ditching has now been completed at several locations in the Kenswick and Wichenford parish at a cost of £924. Most of this Parish Council will be coming from the CC once the Unapproved abbreviated draft minutes invoice has been received. The clerk is of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish chasing up the progress of the broken Council held on Monday 1 February headwalls at Venn Lane as the road 2010 in the Memorial Hall still floods due to the drainage under Wichenford. the road. The clerk was told it will be District and County Councillors months before any work is undertaken Report due the scale of the work involved. Cllr. Williams reported that all Planning councils in Worcestershire had been Applications approved, refused, working to enhance customer service withdrawn. and provide additional resilience 09/01424/REM. The Elms, within a number of services, in Frenchlands Lane particular Regulatory Services, Proposed single storey dwelling. Internal Audit and Property Services. (Approved) The Malvern Hills Partnership 09/01192/HOU. Lingens Cottage, requested a report on rural deprivation Sledgemoor, in the district and two main issues Extension to existing dwelling. have come out of the work so far: (Withdrawn) superficially it would appear MHD 09/01619/HOU-01620/LBC. The Old has no rural areas of deprivation. Coach house, Woodend Farm However looking deeper at access to Single Storey Side Extension. (Passed) services and issues of inequality, Finance amongst others, it becomes clear that The balance for the 31 December whilst there are no deprived rural stood at £14,995.65. The clerk was areas there are deprived people in the asked to check if the parish council rural areas and early findings show could lend money to the PCC to that many rural people have real enable them to repair the boiler. problems when it comes to accessing Rosses/Guises Lane services. Malvern Hills Partnership The County Councillor was not at the will now carry out a customer insight meeting to give an update. The

20 The Villager * March 2010 temporary TRO runs out at the end of the month and the CC has agreed to extend it for a few months as there is no word on the final decision. Correspondence ’s March film Cllrs. Panton and Rendall took the Transport Strategy to complete. Little Witley’s March film is On Nothing has been heard regarding the the Black Hill and will be showing adoption of the BT box. on Saturday 27 March. Councillor’s Reports and Items for Future Agendas The debut feature of director The clerk is to ask the lengthsman to Andrew Grieve (Kingdom, clear the grips at Kings Green Cottage Hornblower) the film chronicles and Guises Lane to stop the water the bittersweet marriage of a sitting in the road and freezing over. A Welsh farmer and an English lady silent auction is to be held on 19 and their two sons. Based on the March in the Memorial Hall and novel by Bruce Chatwin. councillors were asked to donate See details of the Little Witley unwanted items. Film Society on the Leisure page Date and Venue of Next Meeting of www.martley.org.uk or phone Next meeting will be 15 March 2010. Jean Latham on 01886 888888122 Meetings were also arranged for 19 or Bob Jose on 01886 888383. April APM and 24 May (annual meeting) 2010.

Silent Auction/Table Top Sale Friday 19 March 2010

For all those spare Christmas gifts, and those nice things you never use, this is the ideal opportunity to empty the attics and cellars!

In aid of The Memorial Hall, Wichenford

Licenced Bar Raffle Entrance £3 to include a glass of wine and nibbles

For items of value, donors may retain half the selling price and give the other half to the memorial hall Anything nice you have no further use for will be useful

Contact Georgina Britten Long - 01886 888678 [email protected] Or David Hibbitt - 01886 888100 [email protected]

March 2010 * The Villager 21 wheeled into an office to sign what Normandy: End of they called their ‘golden book’ and September 2009 was given a medal in a case from the Mayor of Arromanche! Alan Boon tells the second part of his We toured small towns and villages experiences in Normandy. where various small, but important, engagements took place, and there are went on the last of the four little memorials. We looked at, and Poppy Tours – just four days and entered, various German defences, I 13 of us including a retired Major including one where they were dressed as leader. We went by coach, starting German soldiers with a large naval from the Union Jack Club (24 stories gun and an AkAk gun. The door was high!), next to Waterloo Station. Then closed, then there followed a series of by ferry to Calais, coach to Caen – our very realistic (and loud) sound effects HQ. The whole tour was organised and voices, both German and English. like a military expedition, and, The Bayeux British cemetery, with because of the small number, we 4,500 memorials was most beautifully became very close. The weather was cared for. For some reason the Major like high Summer, except for Sunday suggested that I lay the wreath and as I morning, which was very foggy until was wearing a baseball cap with midday. We visited all the beaches, RAMC badge. I saluted - the first time and all the military museums (where I in civilian life. At the American was given free entry). At the Mulberry Forces Cemetery, with 9,500 graves, Harbour Museum, when they found I the crosses were all of Italian marble – had landed there in 1944, I was but no plants or flowers. As we were there at 4.30pm, the ceremony of ‘Taps’ took place, which is the broadcast trumpet call that caused all the many visitors to stand still silently, and two smartly dressed Americans, young man and girl, slowly, and very reverently, lowered the very large flag, folded it neatly and drove off (at seemingly attention-still) with the folded flag held flat. An American lady I was with stood to attention with her The British Cemetery at Bayeux hand across her chest.

22 The Villager * March 2010 Various strange things happened to me Harvesting the Past to make the four days special. March update Walking above Omaha Beach, we Thank you for all the support I’ve passed a small party of Americans. A received from the community, and the young lady touched me on the lovely comments from people who shoulder and asked if I’d been in read my updates in this magazine. Normandy. “Yes”, I said, “Non- After all this cold weather, I am combatant”, pointing to the badge on certainly looking forward to spring, so my cap. She said, “I want to thank you thought I’d share with you the words for what you did and shake your of Gladys Hoskins, who came to this hand’. We also came across a retired part of the world as a Land Girl in Major-General on Arromanche Beach. 1943 and has never left. He was leading a small party from “We piled into this lorry... it was Brittany and insisted on shaking my spring, and honestly we couldn’t hand. Oh, and there was the French believe our eyes. It was like fairyland. lady from Pegasus Bridge café who All the blossom was out. We hadn’t a wouldn’t let me pay for the four clue where we were. There was no coffees I’d asked for. signposts, you see.... Our first job was However, there is one visit I cannot tying hops. Never even seen hops forget. On the foggy Sunday morning, before. At the end of that day we had we visited a French church cemetery muscles we didn’t know we’d got!” where there were one or two hundred March was the start of a busy year for paratrooper graves. Then I saw, the hop growers, as Dinty Moore shrouded in mist, two RAMC graves recalls. (attached to a para-regiment), both “The stringing was done on stilts... men 20 when they died in June ’44, and when the hops came up to about a and their army numbers both 142-----, couple or three feet, they were tied and I was 20 then, and my number and that’s when we used to get the was 14274102, and I felt it could have people from the Black Country. They been me, and I had a little cry. came year after year and they were Oh, I almost forgot, I got a grant of great characters. They were so good £500 from the Lottery to go back! So and honest. I have a great admiration you see, what a lucky war I had! for that time they were born.” 14274102, Cpl, RAMC, Tickets for the play ‘Back Across the 102 Field Hospital, 69th Indian Fields’ based on the oral history General Hospital, and hospital ship interviews recorded for Harvesting the mv. Maetsyker. Past are now on sale at the Chantry Alan Boon School Office (open 9am to 3pm).

Adults £5, Concessions £4. Dates:

Wed 28th April to Sat 1 May. Julia Letts

March 2010 * The Villager 23 Kali Gandakhi valley, longer walks, 15.5 and 13.5 miles the two longest, (but oxygen levels were higher). The Helen Sandison concludes her recount lower, steep slopes bordering the of a fascinating, if energetic, holiday valley floor were forested and the in Nepal last year. gentler slopes terraced and cultivated Day 6, another 5.30am start. A flight with orchards and crops of upland to Jomsom where our trek began. We rice. In due course, we reached walked up beside a wide river valley Tatopani, hot springs but no hot water to Kagbeni, where a stream running in the showers! Next day by bus to through the village turned a wheel Pokhara, (and luxury) then grinding the buckwheat to make flour Kathmandhu, Delhi and home. An for the Kagbeni bread for breakfast. unforgettable two weeks amid happy, From Kagbeni we walked uphill to friendly people. An excellent team of Djarkot. The “motorway” was dusty, guides and sherpas led by Purna, a rutted and potholed, but usable by splendid trekking guide. jeeps and motorcycles, surrounding us Helen Sandison in clouds of dust. Two ponies helped us up this part of the trek (steep uphill and less oxygen made walking hard (Continued from page 17) work) and we took turns to ride. The Jay Popplewell, Caroline Smith and lead pony was good, the second one a Helen Walker are those who will call, little frisky, (age allowed me to ride bring a cheerful smile, lend a the lead pony - dismounting was a sympathetic ear, have a friendly chat challenge!). and respond to a need where possible. The scenery was wonderful. Clear Of course David, Bruce, Jennifer, blue skies, wispy white clouds above Adrian and Jill, one of our Readers, snow-capped peaks and bright still visit regularly and will always sunshine on golden autumn colours respond to a request to call, but from the stubble of the crops in small having a larger team enables the terraced fields in the valley. In places Church in this area to reflect more farmers ploughed with a pair of yaks. effectively and more widely, the love Bitterly cold nights followed warm and compassion which Jesus showed sunny days: on with the thermals! during his time on earth. Those who Most lodges had warm showers, solar have attended our Tea Parties, Tea heated, very welcome at the end of the Services the Advent Soup Lunch or day. come to LinC, (Lunch in Company) Our highest point was 3800 metres at will know that our ladies give not Muktinath, a Hindu centre of only of their time but also of their pilgrimage. From Muktinath and considerable cooking skills!! The Djarkot we headed back down the warm welcome, the feeling of love

24 The Villager * March 2010 and genuine care at these gatherings them and cause stem rot. Finally, apply bear witness to the inclusive nature of a balanced fertiliser, such as this ministry in our area. Growmore, to your plants as they Each one of us is a beloved child of come into growth. God. He cares for all. We, the Churbe Flower-lovers can now plant summer- afraid to ask for a visit. We are there flowering bulbs such as camassia, for you. alliums, lilies and dahlias. Try putting Jennifer Whittaker, Associate Priest a layer of grit in the bottom of the 01886 833897 planting hole to improve drainage as these bulbs do not like soggy soil. Divide and re-pot perennials such as In the Garden asters, day lilies and red-hot pokers while the plants are still dormant. The same applies to herbs like mint and chives. You can sow sweet peas and hardy annuals outdoors and summer In the Garden in March bedding in a propagator. If you haven't Spring is on the way and the weather already done so, you need to prune should be getting warmer, but your willow, dogwood, buddleia, hardy garden can still be hit by frost, so keep fuchsias and, of course, roses. an eye on the weather forecasts. In the vegetable garden it's time to put This is the time for some basic soil in the first early potatoes, shallots and care, which will pay dividends later onion sets. You can sow broad beans, on. First you need a dry day for weed lettuce, spring onions, radishes and clearing. Skim weeds off the surface spinach, and indoors, tomatoes and using a hoe. Next, apply a mulch, 2 courgettes. Towards the end of the inches/5cm depth of compost or month it should be warm enough to chipped bark. A mulch will trap start off beetroot and brassicas. moisture in the soil and prevent beds Spring gardens to visit drying out in summer. It also forms a The season of garden-visiting is just barrier against weeds and it can beginning and according to one insulate the roots of national newspaper, not one vulnerable plants of the top 50 Spring gardens against late frosts. in Britain was in Alpine plants and Worcestershire! Try Batsford spring bulbs in pots Arboretum and Westonbirt in need a mulch of grit Gloucestershire, Hergest or gravel around their Croft Gardens in stems so that water Hereordshire, Dudmaston drains away and does Gardens and Hodnet Hall in not collect around Shropshire.

March 2010 * The Villager 25

NewsChurch from the Church Words The Rectory 01886 888664

Please also to consider sponsoring me Curate in Training ….for the by visiting http://original.justgiving. London Marathon com/brucethomson (linked from the Church page of Martley website) or by am in training as a Church of sending a cheque to Revd Bruce England priest, working alongside Thomson, Wichenford Oak, I Revd David Sherwin, but I have Wichenford Worcester WR6 6YY, also signed up for a very different kind made out to Christian Aid. To find our of training—for the London Marathon how Christian Aid will spend the in April. St Paul used the phrase money, please write to me or email me “running the race set before us” as a at [email protected] and I will metaphor for the Christian life and so I send you a document with pictures of believe that running on behalf of the community work that your Christian Aid on 25 April is all part of sponsorship money will help fund. my ministry. Revd Bruce Thomson So why am I doing this? Before becoming a curate, I worked for World Vision, an international aid and community development charity. I was responsible for projects in different parts of the world, including Zimbabwe. In 2005 I witnessed the destruction of a community by Robert Mugabe’s men. I prayed much about this but needed to do something practical. After some sleepless nights I decided to run to raise £10,000 for Christian Aid’s work in Zimbabwe. For those of you who pray for me, I am asking you to pray for strength in my legs as I train to get myself in shape for 25 April. Revd Bruce Thompson and the Bishop

26 The Villager * March 2010 Church Services for March

Mon 1 March 9:00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford Tue 2 March 10:00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 3 March 10:15am Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Thu 4 March 9:00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 7 MARCH 8.00am Holy Communion, Knightwick Chapel 10.30am Holy Communion, St Laurence, Wichenford 10.30am Family Worship, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Morning Worship, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 6.30pm Evensong, St Leonard, Mon 8 March 8:30am Prayer Breakfast at Half Key Tue 9 March 10:00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 10 March 10:15am Holy Communion, Heaton House Thu 11 March 9:00am Morning Prayer. St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 14 MARCH 8:00am Holy Communion, St Leonard, Cotheridge Mothering Sun 10:30am Family W’ship for Mothering Sun, St Laurence, W’ford 10:30am Family Holy Comm’n for Mothering Sun, St Peter, Martley 10:30am Mothering Sun Service, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Mon 15 March 9:00am Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Tue 16 March 10:00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 17 March 10:15 Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Thu 18 March 9:00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 21 MARCH 8:00am Holy Communion, St Peter Martley 9:00am Matins, St Leonard, Cotheridge 10:30am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 10:30am Morning Worship, St Peter Martley 3:00pm Evening Worship, Knightwick Chapel 4:00pm Evening Worship, St Laurence Wichenford Mon 22 March 9:00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Tue 23 March 10:00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 24 March 10:15am Holy Communion Heaton House Thu 25 March 9:00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 28 MARCH 11.00am Palm Sun Service with donkey at Laylocks Palm Sun 6:30pm Holy Comm’n & Drama Pres’n, St Mary Magdalene, B’was Mon 29 March 9:00am Morning Prayer, St Leonard, Cotheridge 9.00am Broadwas Prim. Sch. Eucharist at St Mary Magdalene, B’was 11.30am Easter Service, Nora Parsons Day Centre 9.00pm Compline, St Peter’s, Martley Tue 30 March 10am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 2.00pm Martley Primary School Eucharist at St Peter, Martley 9.00pm Compline, St Laurence, Wichenford Wed 31 March 10.15am Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley 9.00pm Compline, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas

March 2010 * The Villager 27 Village Contacts

Editor of The Villager Michelle Higgins [email protected] or 01886 888344 or leave articles at Martley Post Office Advertise in The Villager Aileen Parker—01886 888456 Church Rector: Revd David Sherwin—01886 888664 or (Worcestershire West [email protected] Rural Team) Curate: Revd Bruce Thomson—01886 888098 Assistant Priest: Revd Jennifer Whittaker—01886 833897 Martley Parish Council Chair: Dave Cropp—01886 888398; Clerk: Sally Williams—01299 832949 Martley WI President: Helen CoombeyJones—01886 888294 Martley & District Pam Minchin—01886 888521 or Margaret Jackson— Horticultural Society 01886 888654 Royal British Legion Joyce Tyler—01886 821551 Martley Ramblers Harry King—01886 888439 Martley Young Farmers Lou Wickens—01886-812754 or Caroline Bullock— 01905-333617 Path-or-Nones John Nicklin—01886 888318 [email protected] Martley Toddler Group Will—01886 888340 or Jane - 01886 888852 Resource Centre Alan Boon—01886 888527 Police “Surgery” CSO Matt Smith 7184—Martley Local Policing Team Police Station extn. 3581 Martley Website [email protected] Martley Web Mesh Richard Jackman—01886 821237 [email protected] John Layton—01886888460 [email protected] Tom Pearsall—01886 888256 [email protected] Martley Pre-School Kath/Lucy—01886 889127 www.martleypreschool.co.uk Wichenford contacts for Janet Andrews—01886 888303 or Sheila Richards—01886 The Villager 888378 Kenswick & Wichenford Clerk—Shirley Sanders 01886 888302 Parish Council Wichenford Wine Club Chairman—Bill Hylan 01886 888431 Wichenford Local Heather Rendall—01886 888239 Heritage Group

To put organisation and its contact details on this list, or to change the details shown here, email [email protected] or leave a note for the editor at Martley Post Office.

28 The Villager * March 2010

Nora Parsons Day Centre are holding a fund raising Prize Bingo in Village Hall on Friday 26 March at 7.30pm—please come!

Mobile Library Ockeridge Silver Oaks 9.45–10.05 Wichenford Malvern View 10.10–10.35 Church 10.45–11.05 Kings Green Farm 11.15–11.40 Rosses Green 11.45–12.05 Martley Hillside Horn Lane Bungalows 12.10–12.25 Martley Taylors of Martley 12.30–12.45 LUNCH Heaton House 1.20–1.50 Church 1.55–2.15 Clifton Village Hall 2.30–3.50

The Mobile Library will be visiting these stops on Wednesdays on the dates listed below in 2010: 3 March 24 March 14 April 5 May 26 May 16 June 7 July 28 July 18 August 8 September 29 September 20 October 10 November 1 December 22 December

Any enquiries should be made to Stourport Library, Worcester Street, Stourport, Worcs DY13 8EH, tel: 01905 822722 [email protected]

March 2010 * The Villager 29