WHITTINGTON ORGANISATIONS PARISH SERVICES

TIMES OF SERVICES 8.00am Holy Communion WOMENS INSTITUTE: SUNDAY: 10.30am Parish Communion Second Thursday in the month in the Community Centre. (All Age Eucharist as announced) Secretary: Mrs Joyce Howard Tel:656389 6.30pm Evensong (3rd Sunday of each month)

WHITTINGTON PRESERVATION TRUST: First Sunday in the Month Joint - Chairman: Paul Jones Tel:679542 6.30pm Holy Communion Andy Cawthray Tel:657178 According to the Book of Common Prayer Castle Manager: Ms Sue Ellis Tel:662500 WEEKDAYS: Holy Communion- Thursday 9:30am BELL RINGING: Choir Practice - Friday 5:30pm Details from Brian Rothera Tel:657778 RECTOR: Reverend Sarah Burton Tel:238658 BROWNIES, GUIDES: 6pm- 7.15pm Thursday except in school holidays in the Community Centre. CHURCHWARDENS: Brown Owl: Mrs D. Gough, 2 Newnes Barns, Ellesmere Tel:624390 Mr I Mellor, 10 Boot Street, Whittington Tel:681036 e.mail: [email protected] BEAVER, CUBS & SCOUT INFORMATION: Mrs G Roberts, 28 Boot Street, Whittington Tel:662236 Information from: Brenda Cassidy – Group Scout Leader (Gobowen) e.mail: [email protected] The Manse, St Martins Road, Gobowen Tel:658016 e.mail: [email protected] VERGER: Mr D. Howard, 16 Yew Tree Avenue, Whittington Tel:656389 Deputy: Mr P. Morris, 1 Rosehill Avenue, Whittington Tel:659562 WHITTINGTON UNDER FIVES GROUP:

Sessional and extended hours Carer and Toddler Sessions ORGANIST: Mr K. Griffiths, 12 Park Crescent, Park Hall Tel:662116 Leaders: Dawn and Mandy Tel:670127 Meet in the Community Centre 9am – 3pm SUNDAY SCHOOL:Mrs Ann Hughes,‗Silverdale‘New Marton,Tel:690513

SENIOR CITIZENS: MAGAZINE: Monday Whist Drive, Thursday Coffee Morning Editor: Miss A Ward, 4 Rosehill Avenue, Whittington Tel:672838 All meetings in the Senior Citizens Hall [email protected] Secretary: Mrs Gillian Roberts, 28 Boot Street, Whittington Tel:662236 Distribution: Mr & Mrs J Carroll, Rhoswen, Station Road Tel:659385 MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE: The Mobile Library will stop in the cul-de-sac by the Three Trees/White Lion WHITTINGTON C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL on alternate Tuesdays between 2:55pm – 3:55pm. This will now be the only Headteacher: Mr Sean Sibley Tel:662269 stop in the village. e.mail: [email protected]

CHURCH WEB-SITE ADDRESS: PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL: www.churches.lichfield.anglican.org/oswestry/whittington Secretary: Vacancy 40 1 “THE RIPPLE” (Whittington Parish Church Magazine) WHITTINGTON ORGANISATIONS Vol 25 No 12

CRICKET CLUB SECRETARY: Mr Mike Brunt, Greystone, Daisy Lane, Whittington SY11 4EA April 2013 e.mail: [email protected] Tel:661874 Easter Celebrations CRICKET SECRETARY: At Easter time we celebrate new life. There are new Mr Neil Dermody, 34 Hill Crest, Swan Hill, Ellesmere SY12 0LJ born lambs in the fields and spring flowers in our e.mail: [email protected] Tel:623951 gardens. The birds begin to sing again and our shops are filled with chocolate eggs and Easter THE BOWLING SECRETARY: bunnies. These are all very welcome sights after a Mrs Jacqui Whitley e.mail: [email protected] Tel:830901 long cold winter, offering hope of brighter days ahead. COMMUNITY CENTRE BOOKING SECRETARY: Mrs Linda Davies, 2 Rose Cottages, Donnett Corner, Whittington The contrast between the dark days of winter and Tel:662339 the new life of spring make the ideal setting for the COUNCILLOR FOR WHITTINGTON celebration of Easter. It is a symbolism we take for AND WEST FELTON granted but those living in the southern hemisphere Mr Stephen Charmley, 3 Glebe Meadows, Whittington SY11 4AG have a very different experience. The people of e.mail: [email protected] Tel:650488 Australia will be celebrating Easter at the beginning www.stevecharmley.co.uk of autumn, with winter still ahead of them. WHITTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL Mrs A. S. Cowley, ―Pear Tree‖ Cottage, Treflach However, wherever Easter is celebrated across the globe, it is more than just a (Clerk to the Council) – Held the first Tuesday in the month Tel:659496 celebration of new life. The full significance of Easter can only be seen when set against the darkness of death. On Easter Day we proclaim that Jesus Christ SHROPSHIRE YOUTH SERVICE is risen from the dead but that is not the whole of the Easter story. To Rural Mobile visits the village on Tuesday 6-15pm – 8pm. understand what the resurrection of Jesus might mean for us we need to know Bus parks opposite the ―Premier‖ Shop, Whittington. what came before. We need to know who Jesus was and why he had to die. Open to the young people between the ages of 13 – 20 yrs. Over the centuries the church has developed different ways of celebrating Contact: Wendy Stockton, Shropshire Council Youth Worker. Tel:654175 Easter that would express the full relevance of the Easter story. Since the Middle Ages, the services of Holy Week and Easter have taken on a dramatic BAPTISM SECRETARY nature – celebrating the different parts of the Easter story in ways that bring Mrs Margery Mellor, 10 Boot Street, Whittington Tel:681036 alive the events that took place in Jerusalem long ago. Some of these are still e.mail: [email protected] celebrated in Whittington Church. WEDDING SECRETARY On Palm Sunday we give out palm crosses as a reminder of the palm branches Mrs Ann Jones, Springfield, Station Road, Oswestry Tel:662356 2 39 in a freshwater lagoon. The centre gives visitors an insight into the culture of that were waved as Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem – in the the different Polynesian communities, and showcases various activities, from past we have also had a procession with a donkey. On the evening of Maundy pageants and ceremonies to tribal tattooing demonstrations. A highlight of a Thursday we remember Jesus‘ last supper with his friends as we come visit to the Centre is the evening show spectacular, ―Horizons‖, with its fiery together for a special communion service. On Good Friday we gather in volcanoes and brilliant fountains erupting as special effects in a huge church between 2pm and 3pm as we remember Jesus‘ final hour on the cross. Polynesian song and dance revue. On Easter Saturday we do not usually hold a special service as this is the time that Jesus was laid in the tomb. However this year we will be holding Easter The only royal residence in the United States, the Iolani Palace, can be found Experience on Easter Saturday morning from 10.00 am to 11.30 am. Easter in Honolulu and its opulent interior gives a glimpse into the lives of Hawaii‘s Experience presents the whole Easter story through displays, stories and last reigning monarchs between 1882 and 1893. Initially it was home to King actions. There will also be Easter activities and refreshments. People of all Kalakaua and his Queen, until he died in 1891. His successor, Queen ages will be very welcome and you are free to come and go during this time. Lili‘uokalani, then took up residence until the Hawaiian monarchy was Finally, we meet together on Easter Sunday morning to celebrate Christ‘s overthrown in 1893 by the US Marines in a palace coup. The palace has been resurrection. At the 10.30 am service we will have an Easter Fire. This is an fully restored and visitors can see the portraits of Hawaiian kings and queens, old tradition, which has been revived in recent years. It brings the symbolism valuable vases and statuary, the grand staircase, the throne room decorated in of light out of darkness into the heart of our celebrations for Easter day. crimson and gold, the state dining room and the royal family‘s private quarters. By the time you read this our Easter celebrations may already be over, as I‘m aware I‘m writing this for the April magazine. However, the good news of Easter is not just something to celebrate once a year. The Easter story tells us of a God who loves us so much that he chose to live amongst us in his son Jesus Christ. It tells us of Jesus the Son of God who chose to wholly immerse himself in our world, to take all that people chose to throw at him and to keep on loving us to the end. It tells us that love could not be defeated even by death and that Jesus Christ is risen and lives with us today by his Spirit. This is a story of hope that is relevant to us on any day of the year and in any place. Halleluia He is Risen!

Easter Blessings,

Sarah

38 3

TRAVELLER’S TALES

“OAHU”

The state of Hawaii includes approximately 130 islands in the Pacific Ocean, many of which are uninhabited. The islands lie about 1,600 miles off the coast

of mainland USA. The largest island, Hawaii, is known imaginatively as the DIARY Big Island; but the state capital, Honolulu, along with nearly three-quarters of the state's residents is located on the third largest of the inhabited islands, 1 EASTER BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY Oahu. Beyond the urban bustle of the ultra-modern city, and its adjacent beach resort suburb of Waikiki, on the south coast of the island, Oahu is quiet 2 2:30pm Whittington Senior Citizens Easter Tea in the Senior and enchanting; flaunting twenty three state parks and punctuated by ancient Citizens Hall stone heiau (temples). The island's most recognisable landmark is the 761feet (232metres) tall Diamond Head to the east of Waikiki. This mountain is a 'tuff 3 7:30pm Whist Drive in the Senior Citizens Hall with light cone' formed 100,000 years ago when an eruption of volcanic ash hardened refreshments into solid rock. The extinct volcano is traditionally believed to be the home of Pele, the fire goddess. Oahu means 'gathering place', and the island certainly 4 9:30am Holy Communion lives up to its name in its ethnic diversity, which becomes evident at a glance at the annual festival calendar. From the Chinese New Year in late January to 6 8:00am The April Prayer Breakfast to support Ben Mayho, King Kamehameha Day in June and the Aloha Festivals in September there is the Schools Christian Project Worker; further details barely a dull moment and always a reason for celebration. elsewhere in this edition of ―The Ripple‖ 10:30am-5:0000pm Open Garden and Plant Sale at Alder Lea, The main attraction for visitors to Oahu are the range of 139 beaches so you Babbinswood in aid of Save the Children; further can try a variety of water-sports in water temperatures that never fall below details elsewhere in this edition of ―The Ripple‖ 75ºF (24ºC) all year round. Whilst the south shore is favoured by families Hanauma Bay Marine Sanctuary is located in the crater of an extinct volcano 7:30pm An Evening of Light Musical Entertainment at and is an ideal snorkelling spot. The North shore is favoured by surfers, Whittington Cricket Club, tickets £8 in aid of church particularly during the winter months when waves can reach heights of 25 funds; further details elsewhere in this edition of feet (8metres) at beaches like Ehukai with its famed Pipeline, Sunset Beach ―The Ripple‖ and Waimea Beach. The East shore boasts lush tropical beach settings with conditions ideal for windsurfing and sailing. Kailua Beach Park is picturesque 7 SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER and usually in the 'top ten beaches in the United States' lists. Sandy Beach is popular for kite-flying, and Waimanalo offers four miles of uninterrupted 8:00am Holy Communion white sand framed by palm trees. 10;30am Parish Communion The islands top tourist attraction is the Polynesian Cultural Centre. It is 8 2:00-4:00pm A Spring Concert in Morda Village Hall for visited by more than a million people each year and consists of seven Oswestry and Surrounding Area Association for the Polynesian 'islands' in a beautifully landscaped 42-acre setting, representing Elderly, with entertainment by Ruth Moore Williams; Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas and Tonga, all sited 4 further details elsewhere in this edition of ―The Ripple‖ 37 local Councils who will also be affected by the actions of NWP. The aim 11 9:30am Holy Communion would be to have a joint contract with as many Councils as possible to obtain the best deal. 7:00pm Whittington Women‘s Institute meets in the Community Centre – Speaker: Phil Revell Areas of Concern: Topic: the ‗More‘ children of Corvedale

14 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER BT - Issues were raised about the amount of litter which is around the perimeter of the site against the fences and of the very poor condition of the 8:00am Holy Communion road that runs between the BT site and the Rugby Club ground. Letters are to 10:30am Parish Communion be sent to BT on both issues. The Annual Vestry Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of the Parochial Church Council will be Pupil Drop off and Collection at the School - A meeting is to be arranged with held in church after the service, all are welcome the Head Master to try and resolve the issues that are caused at these times of the day. 15 LAST DAY for magazine material for the April edition of the ―Ripple‖ all material to Anne Ward, 4 Rosehill Road Works - If anyone wants to know about any road works being carried Avenue, Whittington – [email protected] out in the area and has Internet access, there is an excellent Web Site for the UK which can be found at www.roadworks.org Whittington Church of School opens for the start of the Summer Term

Annual Parish Council Meeting - The meeting will be held in the Senior st 16 2:00-3:00pm Praise and Play, in church Citizen‘s Hall on Tuesday the 21 of May at 7:00pm. 18 9:30am Holy Communion Paul Thompson-Lawrence

(This article is a brief outline of the main discussion points for the WPC 19 6:00pm ‗Bingo Night‘ organised by the Friends of meeting and does not represent a formal record. For an official copy of the Whittington School in the school hall, all welcome minutes please contact the Parish Clerk or look on the Parish Website 21 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER www.shrop.net/WhitPC) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8:00am Holy Communion Don‟t stop fidgeting 10:30am Parish Communion with Sunday School 6:30pm Evensong Fidgeting could help prolong your life. Watching television or working on computers for hours on end can actually shorten your lifespan and raise the 22 3:15 – 4:00pm Sticky Fingers meets in Whittington School; further risk of conditions like heart disease and stroke. Experts advise that we break details elsewhere in this edition of ―The Ripple‖ up our ‗sitting time‘ throughout the day by walking around to stretch our legs, or bounce on our heels, or stand and sway and wiggle our hips. Try and get 23 12:00 noon Whittington Senior Citizens Monthly Lunch at the more than 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a week. So advises White Lion – followed by medical experts from the NHS, who recommend you move about every half 1:30pm Whittington Senior Citizens Annual General hour or so. Meeting in the Senior Citizens Hall 36 2:00-3:00pm Praise and Play, in church 5 25 9:30am Holy Communion 2. A magnetic sign was stolen from a vehicle in Fitzalan Close.

7:30pm Charity Evening in aid of Severn Hospice and Action Theft: A large quantity of firewood was stolen from Whittington Business Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at Oswestry Cricket Park. Club; further details elsewhere in this edition of ―The Ripple‖ We were asked to make everyone aware that there had recently been a spate of thefts of Catalytic Converters from cars in the North of Oswestry. 28 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Parish Plan Update: The Parish Plan, which relates to a number of issues 8:00am Holy communion affecting the area, was compiled a while ago. This now needs updating to 10:30am Parish Communion reflect the present and future needs of the village and the date for discussing this has been set for the 18th of June. Further information on how to get 30 2:00-3:00pm Praise and Play, in church involved will be circulated in due course. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Extracts from the Parish Registers New Build Housing Consultation Event: The proposed developments at for the month of February 2013 Fitzalan Close and Western Avenue were discussed and the consensus was that they would provide additional affordable housing that the local HOLY BAPTISM community needs.

―We welcome you into the Lord‘s Family‖ The Five Perry Parishes Local Joint Committee: It was noted that funding was available for local initiatives and that the parishes to the north of the area 17th February 2013 Jessica Grace Rees were not putting in any bids so the funding was being allocated to the of Cambrian Avenue remaining parishes. If any organisation or group would benefit from allocated funding, they should submit their bid for consideration. REQUIESCAT IN PACE Development at Park Hall: The first meeting of the Working Group was ―May the Souls of the Faithful Departed Rest in Peace‖ held before the council meeting today. The items discussed were:-

19th February 2013 Jean Hayward Screening of the boundary with trees aged 88 of Castle Street The use of lighter coloured bricks in the construction of the properties The use of tiles on the roof 19th February 2013 Beryl Lewis The erection of porches over the entrance to the properties aged 72 of Western Avenue Provision of 4 LED street lights on the site (provided by Shropshire Council) Commencement of construction of the 4 Shared ownership and 14 Rented 19th February 2013 Joan Cotton properties will be in August – September this year. Aged 72 of Monkmoor Court, Oswestry Footway Lighting: The company North West Power have notified the 25th February 2013 Joyce Elizabeth Davies council that they will cease to maintain the street lighting for the Parish. The Aged 88 of Penybryn Avenue Councillors are considering various options and will be liaising with other 6 35 Whittington Parish Council News, Communicants for the month ...... 251 Meeting held on 5th March 2013 Attendance for the month ...... 281 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ACKNOELDGEMENTS There were seven Parish Councillors, the Clerk, and a member of the public‘ at the meeting. The Rector, Churchwardens and members of the Parochial Church Council acknowledge the following gifts:- For the first part of this meeting the Councillors present completed their Nomination Papers for the Council Elections soon to be held. Donations of £19 in memory of John David Owen from his Family and Friends Matters Arising from the minutes of last month‟s meeting: Donation of £50 in memory of John Henry Taylor from his wife Sylvia Stewardship donation of £10 Anon 1. Closure of Burma Road due to flooding - it was noted that the road was ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ now fully open after being flooded for a number of weeks. It was reported THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE that the problem was due to the aquifer being silted up. It was also noted that PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL the responsibility for the aquifer lies with the owners of the ―Venue‖ situated on Burma Road. The Annual Vestry Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of the Parochial Church Council will be held on Sunday 14th April in church commencing at 2. Traffic Free Path - he Clerk informed the Councillors that a reply had been 11:30am. The meeting will as in previous years commence immediately after sent to Mr. Nigel Thomas in line with what was agreed at last month‘s the Morning Service, and during the meeting we shall elect:- meeting. Two Churchwardens 3. Litter outside the Three Trees Bus Shelter - it was noted that the litter problem discussed at last month‘s meeting seems to be ok now but it will be Five people to serve on the Parochial Church Council for three years monitored. We shall in the meeting elect sidespersons, and if you are already one and 4. Missing Post Box - one Councillor confirmed that the Post Box had wish to remain in office you will automatically remain one. recently been reinstated by Royal Mail in the lay-by by the BT Building on Whittington Road, near the junction with Burma Road. If you are not a sidesperson, reader or prayer leader but would like to be one please speak to either myself or one of the Churchwardens. 5.20013/1024 Requests for Donations by local groups/organisations - the Sarah Council reported that they had allocated £900.00 of available funds between ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ten organisations and will be writing to the relevant groups and organisations WHITTINGTON CEMETERY in due course. th A successful working party was held on Saturday 5 January to tidy up the Community Policeman: It was not possible for a police officer to attend cemetery including where shrubbery was growing within gravestones. Since however a report on criminal activities was received:- that date, further volunteers have cleared vegetation along two perimeter fences, this work has now been completed until the autumn. I would like to Theft from vehicles: 1. A Flashing beacon was stolen from a roof of a personally thank all the people who have given up their valuable time in 34 7 undertaking this work; and to Brenda, Nora, Marion David and John who supplied endless tea and cakes to sustain our efforts.

The Cemetery committee have recently met to discuss the improvement of the new cemetery area, with a view to laying out the paths and developing a feature in the hollow area (which is impracticable for burials). Comments would be most welcome of structures or seating areas for the committee to April brings the start of the Bowling and Cricket Seasons and hopefully better consider. Obviously funding will be an issue but the committee has been weather. The cricket season starts on Saturday 20th April; junior coaching fortunate to receive funding; £1,000 from an anonymous donor of which £300 sessions start on Wednesday 10th April with twelve weeks of coaching with has already been spent on the removal of the pre-existing iron railings and Rod Jones (Level 2 Coach), the cost is £25 or £3 per session. quotations are being obtained for reinstating these inside the new fence line alongside the field. A special fund has been set up in the name of ‗Friends of The Bowling League starts on Friday 5th April; the Wem League Whittington Cemetery‘ and if any families, relatives or companies wish to starts on 8th April and this season we have entered two teams. The Oswestry make a donation to the fund we would be extremely grateful. The committee League starts on Tuesday 9th April. All the dates of events and team is currently made up of two Parish Councillors, three Parochial Church selections along with internal competitions will be displayed on the outside members and one village – if anyone would like to join, or can provide any notice board as usual. assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. Mike Brunt – 661874 We are again running a 100 Club draw for an annual fee of £10; please contact Eileen Sinker, Helen Humphreys or Nora Brunt (Membership CHURCHES TOGETHER OSWESTRY AND DISTRICT Secretary) to participate.

The April Prayer Breakfast Car Boot Sales will commence on Friday 26th April at 1:00pm;. gates open to support Ben Mayho midday. The Schools Christian Project Worker We have a website which is: www.freewebs.com/whittingtoncricketandbowlsclub will be held on th Saturday 6 April New members are always welcomed to join either or both bowling or cricket. 8.00am Mike Brunt - 661874 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the home of Some pick-up lines first used by Adam John and Caroline Piffe-Phelps The Gables, 3 Pant Glass, (St Mary‟s, Selattyn) "Look around, baby. All the other guys around here are animals!" "Darling, you were made for me!" If you wish to attend please telephone "Why don't you come over to my place and we can name Lynn Carroll - 659385 some animals?" by Wednesday 3rd April "I like a girl who doesn't mind being ribbed!"

And, of course, the number one pick up line from Adam: Is a lame duck a politician whose goose has been cooked? ―You‘re the apple of my eye!‖ 8 33 Answers to last month‟s General Knowledge Quiz AN EVENING WITH

1 Nile; 2 Myanmar (Burma); 3 Zambia; 4 Olymyakon, Russia; 5 8; DEREK HARRISON & RUSS LATHAM 6 100.97 miles (162.5 kilometres); 7 Tsar Kolkol Bell, Kremlin; of 8 New Amsterdam; 9 Jean Henri Durant; 10 Monaco; 11 Lily; 12 1945; 13 Michelangelo; 14 Tibet; 15 Frederick-Auguste Bartholdi; 16 Catherine of “LIGHT MUSICAL Aragon; 17 London; 18 Cloves; 19 Hockey; 20 Alva Fisher; 21 Unprosperousness; 22 Mickey; 23 Bluebird; 24 Mothballs; 25 Harvard; ENTERTAINMENT” 26 6; 27 Angel Falls, Venezula; 28 Korea; 29 Rear Admiral Robert E Peary; th 30 Strait or Hormuz; 31 Greenland; 32 Caspian Sea; 33 Damascus; Saturday 6 April 34 Walter Hunt; 35 River Liffey from 7:30pm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bishops back National Farmers Union „Buy British‟ food campaign To include a Supper of Hot Baps and Puds

Buying locally-sourced, locally-grown food is the best way to know what you In Whittington Cricket Club are eating and to back British farmers, Church of England bishops have said. Tickets £8 "British farmers produce great British food. Everyone Available from: Ian (681036) Gill (662236) knows where it comes from, thanks to logos such as the farm assurance Red Tractor. The little Red Tractor or Rachel (670153) stands for traceable and independently inspected food, RAFFLE In Aid of Church Funds Bar available from farm to pack," said the Right Rev Anthony Priddis, Bishop of Hereford. "And with consumer confidence leading the agenda, I'm happy to back the National Farmers' Union's new Buy Dorothy Gray‟s Favourite Recipes British campaign, supporting local butchers, farm shops and farmers markets, for example." The Bishop went on to say that the recent breach of trust by Many readers will remember Dorothy who moved to suppliers ―...begs a serious consideration of the ethics behind the drive to ever Whittington with her family in 1959. She was a very cheaper food.‖ happy lady who particularly enjoyed cooking. Dorothy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ cooked not just for her family and friends but for the The Marathon church and for the WI stall in Oswestry Market for many years. Now some of her favourite recipes have Last year I entered the London marathon. The race been brought together in a booklet which includes the Damson Cheese which started and soon I was in trouble. It was Dorothy supplied to the King of Nepal. embarrassing, for as the hours went by, I slid further and further back in the race, until I was at the very The booklet is being sold in aid of Hope House Children‘s Hospice and end. The man who was in front of me, second to last, MacMillan Cancer Support; it costs £2.50 and can be purchased from the then began making fun of me. He said, "Hey buddy, Mile End Tourist Information Centre; or you can contact her son and how does it feel to be last?" daughter-in-law, Frank and Carole Gray on 01691 610774. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I replied: "You really want to know?" Then I dropped out of the race. The things that come to those who wait are the things left by those who got 32 there first. 9 SAVE THE CHILDREN

SHROPSHIRE SPRING READ 2013 OPEN GARDEN AND PLANT SALE WIN A BOOK TOKEN!

th th The idea is very simple – just read some books; jot down what your thoughts Sat 6 and Sun 7 April on them on a form and then hand the form in to your library. All completed

entries will go into a draw, and the winner will receive £30 in book tokens. 10:30 – 5:00pm Pick up an entry form from any Shropshire library, or download from the At: ALDER LEA, BABBINSWOOD library web pages at www.shropshire.gov.uk

WHITTINGTON, SY11 4PQ Read any four books of your choice and write down your thoughts on those Lots of daffodils, books (comments need not be anything in-depth); finally give them a star rating out of five. The closing date for entries is World Book Night, 23rd April. Morris Dancing on Saturday afternoon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All in the month of APRIL Children welcome, Dogs on leads please It was.... Car parking in adjacent field. 175 years ago:- on 9th April 1838 the National Gallery in London opened at Contact No: 01691 671698 its present site in Trafalgar Square. 75 years ago:- on 2nd April 1938 the Oxford v Cambridge University Boat ALL PROCEEDS TO Race was broadcast on television for the first time. SAVE THE CHILDREN Also 75 years ago:- on 30th April 1938 the English FA Cup final was Reg. Charity no: 213890 broadcast on television for the first time, showing Preston North End beating Huddersfield Town 1-0. ‗Thank you to all those so have supplied plants and plant pots‘ 65 years ago:- on 7th April 1948 The World Health Organisation (WHO) was founded in Geneva as a specialised agency of the United Nations. Comfort 40 years ago:- on 1st April 1973 Value Added Tax (VAT) was introduced in the UK at a rate of 10%, as it was required to bring its system of taxation into As the new vicar in the community, I tried to have a line with other European countries when it joined the European Economic friendly word for everybody; and so even while I sat Community. (EEC) in the reception area of my doctor's surgery, I felt 30 years ago:- on 21st April 1983 one pound coins went into circulation in ‗on duty‘. Just then a woman rolled an elderly man England and . in a wheelchair into the room. As she went to the receptionist's desk, the man 20 years ago:- on 29th April 1993 the Queen announced that Buckingham sat there, alone and silent. I was thinking I should make small talk with him Palace would be open to the public for the first time, to raise funds to repair when a little boy slipped off his mother's lap and walked over to the fire damage at Windsor Castle. wheelchair. Placing his hand on the man's, he said companionably, "I know Also 20 years ago:- on 30th April 1993, Cern, the creators of the World Wide just how stupid you feel. My mum makes me ride in the pushchair, too." Web, announced that it could be used for free by anyone. 10 31 RECIPE OF THE MONTH WHITTINGTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

CHICKEN WITH WHISKEY SAUCE What a wonderful display of flowers, plants, cakes and crafts at the annual March Spring Show. Our talented members entered the various classes After cooking with stock and vegetables, chicken breasts are served with a enthusiastically and in good numbers. The cookery judge for the evening velvety sauce made from whiskey and low-fat crème fraîche - serves 4. commented on the high quality of entries. Mrs Ann Jones, President, presented the cups to the following members: 25g (1oz) butter 60g (2oz) shredded leaks Bulbs and Plants: Sue Barclay Floral Art: Libby Morris 60g (20z) diced carrot 60g (2oz) diced celery Special Craft: Julie Sheffield Special Preserves: Eileen Thacker 4 shallots, sliced 600ml (1 pint) chicken stock Special Cookery: Joyce Howard Special Flowers: Libby Morris 6 chicken breasts 50ml (2 fluid oz) whiskey Photograph: Barbara Roberts For our bowl: An apple pie: 200ml (7 fluid oz) low fat crème fraîche Margaret Hulson 2 tsp freshly grated horseradish 1 tsp honey, warmed Goff Plate: Bottle of cordial: Kath Griffiths 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley salt and pepper This year, Whittington Brownies entered the show – two classes – 4 decorated parsley, to garnish cakes and an Easter card. What a tremendous display, the Brownies entered both classes with enthusiasm and the judges had to make difficult decisions Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the leeks, carrots, celery and on the eventual winners who were: shallots. Cook for 3 minutes, add half the chicken stock and cook for about 8 minutes. 4 decorated cakes: lst Amelia Gunn Joint 2nd Millie James & Poppy Denton Add the remaining chicken stock, and bring to the boil. Add the chicken 3rd Emily Hornsey breasts and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the chick and thinly slice. Place on a large serving dish and keep Easter Card: lst Emily Hornsey 2nd Hollie Owen 3rd Millie James warm. In another saucepan, heat the whiskey until reduced by half. Strain the They were presented with certificates by the President, Mrs Ann Jones who chicken stock through a fine sieve, add to the pan and reduce the liquid by congratulated all the Brownies on their entries and thanked the Brownie half. Leaders for their help too. Some potential WI members for the future perhaps? Add the crème fraîche, the horseradish and the honey. Heat gently and add the chopped fresh parsley and salt and pepper to taste. The President dealt with the County Newsletter items, informing members of Pour a little of the whiskey sauce around the chicken and pour the remaining the Spring Lunch in Shrewsbury in May, and the Spring Council Meeting in sauce into a sauceboat to serve. April. Several members will be attending these meetings. Serve with a vegetable patty made from the leftover vegetables, mashed potato and fresh vegetables. Garnish with parsley. Members sponsored a student from the Derwen College at the Annual Walk 30 11 on 24 March. Eileen Thacker explained to members about filling bags for the King Tut‟s Gold WI stall at the Village Fair in July. Old King Tut had a lot of loot A cookbook produced by the family of the late Mrs Dorothy Gray, a staunch And a great deal more beside member of our WI for many years and a wonderful cook, was on display for It seemed to him (for he was quite dim) members to purchase with the proceeds going to Hope House and Macmillan That he‘d need it when he died! Cancer Support. All too soon Tutankhamun Then went and hopped the twig The evening concluded with refreshments and members looking at the show So kith and kin just got stuck in exhibits. And all began to dig!

They built a tomb with lots of room The speaker for the meeting on 11th April will be Mr Phil Revell – the ‗More‘ In which to store his mummy, children of Corvedale and all are welcome to attend. They stashed the dosh with lots of nosh Libby Morris (But they‘d taken out his tummy)

He laid in there without a care OSWESTRY & SURROUNDING AREA Surrounded by his treasure ASSOCIATION FOR THE ELDERLY He laid and laid, undecayed For time too long to measure!

SPRING CONCERT Finally the Earl of C And another bloke named Howard In ‘22 they said ‗yahoo!‘ MONDAY 8 APRIL With treasures they were showered!

Their faces glowed! Their torches showed So much that it confused them MORDA VILLAGE HALL It‘s like I said – the king was dead – He never could have used them! 2-4pm

This treasury quite pleased Lord C Entertainment by He really was quite chuffed! Despite the jewels, cold fate was cruel – RUTH MOORE WILLIAMS His life, like Tut‘s, was snuffed And, though it‘s bad and really sad This really is the issue – Admission £1 That pot of gold, if new or old You just can‘t take it with you! By Nigel Beeton Including Tea and Biscuits 12 King Tut‘s tomb was discovered 90 years ago this month on 5th April 1923 by George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon. 29 THROUGH THE POCKET BOOK WHITTINGTON SENIOR CITIZENS Over 50‟s Club – Recycled Teenagers One of the most common entries in my Pocket Book diary, especially in my time at Swindon, was that of wedding interviews. There were hundreds of them, sometimes more than a hundred in a year, and it was my privilege to We are hoping to continue serving hot roast lunches after the school Easter welcome the loving couples, nearly always in the evening, and to invite them holidays. I am not sure yet what the cost will be, but I am sure they will not into my study where my ‗wedding settee‘ awaited them. It was a Parker Knoll increase the price too much. They are proving very popular and are a two seater, comfortable though modest and I hoped it would put couples at welcome social event. If anyone is interested in being included in these their ease and make a good start to their wedding preparation - the ceremony lunches, will they please telephone me (662236). We need to book these often more than a year from the date they came to me! lunches the week prior to the event, so if anyone books, and then for whatever reason needs to cancel, we do need to receive the cost. That situation must have lasted quite happily for nearly fourteen years and then, one evening, disaster struck! I found a lad at the front door and I‘m Sadly, during February, one of our stalwart members, (Beryl Lewis) passed embarrassed to admit I cannot now remember why he had come, but I invited away. It was a great shock to us as she had enjoyed an afternoon at the hall him in and asked him to sit down. Well, poor chap, he did rather more than sit only the day before her death. It was a traumatic experience for her down - the seat collapsed suddenly and he went right through! You should neighbours who found her peacefully in her own home. We will miss Beryl have seen the look on his face. I leapt up of course, to assure him it was not very much. The Senior Citizens prepared and served the refreshments after his fault, - not surprisingly the settee was worn out anyway and its moment Beryl‘s funeral. We wish to thank Beryl‘s relatives for the donations from the had come. As it happened, it was nearly time to move to a very different service and towards the cost of the food. We are also missing Ethel Peate, situation in coastal . The settee itself was re-conditioned and we who is still very poorly and living with her daughter. Several other regular enjoyed it for many years afterwards. and long-time members have been having health problems – they know who they are – and we wish them well. Come to think of it, it was rather lovely how the settee came about. It goes back to the early days in Dorset and my first curacy - towards the end of my We held another soup lunch on Tuesday 12th March – when 21 people three years there, the Vicar asked if there was anything we would like as a enjoyed the home-made soup, rolls and cakes – all for £3; these are also parting gift. Now we did not have much furniture so we thought an armchair proving very popular. We must thank the ladies who make and bring along would be great. He said he would see what could be done. After a while he the various soups, this week we had the choice of mushroom, vegetable or came back to say it could be a settee instead of a chair and then to our great carrot and lentil, and they were served with bread rolls made by Frances delight, he announced it could be both! And so it was, at our farewell, that the Savage. We also served cakes, also made by members. settee and chair stood resplendent upon the hall stage. I‘m afraid I had no idea about wedding couples at that moment - in fact it was some thirteen years Linda Dowdey (the lady who runs the Tuesday exercise classes) has before the pressure of wedding services really got going in Wiltshire! regretfully decided to discontinue the early morning session, but proceed with the class that starts at 10:15am. Strange isn‘t it that a piece of furniture can suddenly become so significant in one‘s ministry - there was nothing planned about it. It was just the right thing Dates for your Diary: at the right time for my study. Looking back, I thank God for that old settee Tuesday April 2nd 2:30pm Easter Tea and I trust that many couples who sat upon it have found blessing through Wednesday 3rd 7:30pm Whist Drive with refreshments - £1 their years of family life together. Tuesday 23rd 12:00 noon Monthly lunch at The White Lion Anno Domini ALSO 23rd APRIL - following on from the lunch at The Lion we will be 28 13 holding our Annual General Meeting. This will commence at 1.30pm. The Coffee Mornings on a Thursday are very cosy and welcoming. Where else can you have a cup of coffee and as many biscuits as you can eat for 50p? Weekly: We have changed the time to 10:30am as many complained it was too early. Monday 2:00pm Whist session – open to all, novices and experts Those who attend regularly would like to welcome a few more for a weekly Tuesday 10:15-11:15am Exercise Class with Linda chat and exchange of ideas. We often have quite a laugh and it keeps us in Thursday 10:30am Coffee Morning touch with one another and what's going on in Whittington (and the TV). If 1:30-3:15pm Line Dancing you don't already come, why not give it a try one week soon. If you have any other ideas for these Coffee Sessions please let us know. VANDALS We have some things in the planning stages for later in the year. Details are I would like to draw to readers‘ attention that there appears to be a small usually available in ―The Ripple‖ magazine but please help us by using the group of young people, who think it is great fun to make nuisances of age old method of ‗word of mouth‘. Please remember that articles for ―The themselves by disrupting events being held in the village. They have been Ripple‖ have to be in a couple of weeks before the magazine comes out so entering the premises and removing items from the building. What type of sometimes things change. We are human and do our best! Again word of amusement they get from doing silly things like this, we just do not know. mouth helps. The garden seats that were donated via the Youth Group using the Senior Citizens‘ Hall have been damaged and smashed. May 14th - Lunch at ‗The Greyhound‘ St Martins Gill Roberts - 01691 662236 June 4th - A day in Llandudno ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ July 2nd - School children entertain us and tea WILL YOU SPONSOR A LIGHTBULB? September - A musical afternoon October - Harvest December 3rd - Christmas Tea December 10th - Christmas Lunch

If you have any ideas about things we can do and places we can go please let us know but please remember that the cost of a coach is prohibitive these days. The chandeliers which hang over the choir stalls in the church are to have new LED light fittings. These will provide a significant reduction in Please cut here and retain top part yourself. Thank you Sue Dyke electricity consumption; and should give up to 50,000 hours of light each, whilst not reducing the sparkle. The bulbs cost £12 each; would you like to ------------------------- sponsor one? If so please speak to Sarah or one of the Churchwardens; you can find their contact details on page 1 of this magazine. Name ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ „BOB‟ – The Playbus Address

At the time of going to press it is not known whether funding has been made Postcode Telephone Number available to continue with this service. As soon as news is forthcoming we will do our best to let people know. Number of Tickets required. Amount of money enclosed £ 14 27 Whittington Parish Church 100 Club – 2013

Dear Friends,

We are going to run our 100 Club again this year and we would like to hold

the first draw in April so please fill in the form below and return it with your Monday 22nd April money to the Churchwardens or Miss Sue Dyke, 14 Rosehill Close, Whittington, OSWESTRY, Shropshire, SY11 4DY. “Daniel and the Lions Den” This is an open invitation to anyone wishing to participate, the more people, 3:15 – 4:15 pm the larger the prizes.

In Whittington School A list of participants and their allocated number will be put in church before Cost is 50p per session to cover refreshments and materials the first draw and all sums of money will be returned should we be unable to raise enough participants to make the club viable. Of course there is nothing Contact Natalie Charmley 650488 or Ruth Jones 657547 to stop you having 2 or 3 numbers in the draw as long as you pay £10 for each number! When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out all right. Anon Please fill in all the details of the bottom section clearly and return it with your money by Sunday 15th April (deadline extended as first draw will be at WHITTINGTON SENIOR CITIZENS the end of the month) Over 50‟s Club – Recycled Teenagers – Part 2 Cheques should be made payable to ‗Whittington P.C.C.‘

Dear Friends  ------ St John the Baptist 100 Club It's that time of year again. Your subscriptions are due and we are pleased to announce that we are holding them at £5 a year. Please make sure you pay Name them before the end of April. We are hoping to run the 50 Club again this year so if you want a ticket then please fill in the form below and return it Address with your money also before the end of April. Please try and get a friend or two interested as the more people who buy tickets the more money we can Telephone Number have as prizes.  ------ Since last year we seem to have lost quite a few members through death or as St John the Baptist 100 Club they have had to go into Nursing Homes. Fortunately we have had some new members but if you know any one of the right age try and encourage them to Name come along and join us; also we are getting short of Committee members so please consider coming on the committee and so help to keep The Club Address running. 26 Telephone Number 15 teachings are the foundation of Christianity.

SPRINGTIME

Good Friday is the Friday CHARITY EVENING before Easter. It

commemorates the In aid of Severn Hospice & Action Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy execution of Jesus by crucifixion. th THURSDAY 25 APRIL

Good Friday is a day of OSWESTRY CRICKET CLUB mourning in church. There are traditionally no 7:30pm ‗til late

decorations in church so that the building looks plain and Entertainment bare in keeping with the sad day. During special Good Friday Paul Challoner - Alan Williams services Christians meditate on Jesus’ suffering and death

on the cross, and what this means for their faith. Grand Raffle & Irish Bingo

Tickets £12:00 incl Food Contact Eleanor 01691 656193 In some countries, there are special Good Friday processions,

or re-enactments of the Crucifixion. I have organised this event as my dear grandson Tômas, aged 12, suffers from this rare debilitating muscular disease, confined to a wheelchair, and for which at present there is no cure. He and his parents live in Spain as the The main service on Good Friday takes place between midday warm climate is better for him. Since he was diagnosed five years ago I have and 3:00pm. In many churches it takes the form of a raised over £5,000 for this charity, so please come along, have a good night out and give your support to find a cure. reflection based on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross, with hymns, prayers, and short sermons. The other beneficiary of this event is the Severn Hospice. Anyone who has been there or had family or friends there knows what an excellent place it is. Andrew, my partner of 22 years and husband for 56 hours passed away there So why GOOD Friday? It is a sad day, not a good one. But if last April aged just 51 years old. Having suffered from a rare form of cancer Jesus had not died and risen again we would struggle to get he spent the last five days of his life in the Severn Hospice where the staff into heaven so although it was a sad day it was a good day for were marvellous; keeping him pain free and comfortable. us. I hope you will join me in this ‗Fun‘ Evening which Andrew would have loved and which I am holding in his memory. Enjoy the eggs. 16 Eleanor Ingman-Stone 25 For the Young at heart (of all ages) PARISH HOLIDAY 2013

I would like to remind all those who have Last month’s answers. booked on this holiday, that the balance is now due please.

There are still a few places left if anyone

would like to join us. We leave on 27th May for 4 nights at the Wessex Hotel, in Street, Somerset and the cost is £275 per person (sharing); single room supplement £35. Insurance is available at £14 per person.

Please contact me for further details. Gill Roberts – 01691 662236 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

April and May at Whittington Castle

st st 31 March/1 April – Easter Egg Hunt - £1 each Follow the clues and collect

your prize. How well did you do? The House of the Blackstar – Re-enactors Camp and stalls

At the end of last month we celebrated Easter- I expect you 3rd April - 10:00am – 4:00pm Wrexham Art Group Exhibition th looked forward to lots of eggs, chocolate ones of course. until Sunday 14 April 14th April - 10:00am – 1:00pm Car Boot Sale - £5 per car But, what about the days before Easter Sunday? Many Sorry NO traders. No cars before 9:00am people get these days a bit confused. There is Maundy 14th April - 11:00am Sunday morning craft session, knitting, Thursday , the day of the last meal Jesus ate before he sewing etc. Come and share your projects and learn a new skill. died, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (not Easter Saturday as 20th / 21st April - The House of the Blackstar – Re-enactors Camp and people want to call it these days for that is the Saturday stalls th th AFTER Easter). The one that seems to have the strangest 4 – 6 May - 10:00am – 4:00pm each day Historia Normannis – Large 3 day enactment event at the Castle – over name is Good Friday. 100 Norman soldiers, Knights, Ladies plus craft stalls. Entrance £2. Good Friday commemorates Jesus' crucifixion. Sue Ellis, Castle Manager The most important events in Christianity are the death and Telephone 01691 662500 E-Mail [email protected] later resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Jewish prophet who Website www.whittingtoncastle.co.uk Christians believe is the Son of God, and whose life and 24 17 Update for April 20 Comes between ‗bad‘ and ‗worst‘ (John 5:14) (5) 21 ‗Neither height nor depth... will be — to separate us from the love of God‘ We wait to hear from Ed Davey‘s Department for (Romans 8:39) (4) Energy and Climate Change whether they accept The Alliance‘s application at the Public Inquiry that National Grid‘s Mid Wales Connection should be included in the current proceedings. But even if it isn‘t, we simply have to continue fighting the windfarms because if any one of them is approved it could trigger the Mid Wales Corridor. The Inquiry is due to start for one week on 4th June, then break until the first detailed session starts on 3rd September. It is presently expected to sit for 25 weeks, with breaks, until the end of May 2014. Shropshire Council have formally expressed their deep concern about the potential detrimental impact in Shropshire of the cumulative effect of the windfarms and the Mid Wales Connection. They recognise that they need to continue to be involved in the Inquiry. So that North Shropshire Parish Councils can also represent their electors properly, several are carrying out local surveys, the first of which has already been completed. The next SNAP meeting is on Wednesday 10th April at 7.30pm in Maesbrook Village Hall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAN YOU SPARE A LITTLE TIME?

Voluntary help would be most welcome and much appreciated during the Whittington International Chamber Music Festival.

Could that be you? Selling tickets or programmes prior to the start of a concert; assisting with the wine bar prior to each concert or during the th th intermission; helping with car parking; cleaning; are you coming to a concert MAY 12 – 18 and do you have First Aid qualifications; can you assist with a little driving , fuel expenses paid. If you can spare a little time and would like to get involved please do get in touch with me. CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

Lawrence Mortimer, Chairman Whittington International Chamber Music Festival Collectors, please try to keep this week clear! 01691 - 657986 18 23

Across:

1 ‗The baby in my — leaped for joy‘ (Luke 1:44) (4) 3 A ‗don‘t know‘ in matters of faith (8) 9 In the distant past (Jeremiah 2:20) (4,3) 10 Armada (1 Kings 10:22) (5) 11 Where Moses was confronted with the burning bush (Exodus 3:1) (5) 12 Hair colour indicative of skin infection (Leviticus 13:30) (6) 14 ‗The worries of this life and the — of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful‘ 17 Expel (2 Kings 13:23) (6) (Matthew 13:22) (13) 19 What Jesus wrapped round his waist when he washed his disciples‘ feet (John 13:4) (5) 22 The sixth plague to afflict the Egyptians (Exodus 9:9) (5) 23 For nine (anag.) (7) WHITTINGTON‟S OWN MUSIC FESTIVAL www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk 24 Where there is no time (Psalm 93:2) (8)

25 Goliath‘s challenge to the Israelite army in the Valley of Elah: ‗This day I st th — the ranks of Israel!‘ (1 Samuel 17:10) (4) 1 – 9 MAY

Down:

1 ‗I will become angry with them and forsake them; I — — my face from them‘ (Deuteronomy 31:17) (4,4) 2 Usual description of prophets such as Amos, Hosea, Micah, and so on (5) 4 ‗They cannot see the light of the gospel of the — — — , who is the image of God‘ (2 Corinthians 4:4) (5,2,6) 5 An animal‘s internal edible parts (Leviticus 4:11) (5) 6 Popular 20th-century religious novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, which became a 1953 film starring Richard Burton (3,4) 7 ‗A — on a hill cannot be hidden‘ (Matthew 5:14) (4) 8 One of the exiles, a descendant of Bebai, who married a foreign woman 13 Old Testament hymn-singing (8) (Ezra 10:28) (6) 15 ‗And O what transport of delight from thy pure — floweth‘ (7) 16 Of felt (anag.) (3,3) 18 ‗So — the — sets you free, you will be free indeed‘ (John 8:36) (2,3) 22 19 WHITTINGTON‟S OWN MUSIC FESTIVAL small group or ‗ensemble‘ of musicians (two to six at a time in our case) www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk getting together with their different instruments to create an experience: by responding to each other‘s interpretation of the music, and making the most 1st – 9th MAY extraordinary collective sound. So each performance is unique, and thrilling for the audience to be part of. The first ten days of next month will see an invasion of talent into our village. Seventeen of the world‘s top-flight professional musicians of the 25-35 Quite a lot of tickets have gone already, mainly to music-lovers in Oswestry, generation are taking up residence here so that they can give us nine Shrewsbury and further afield. Now it‘s time for local residents to take spectacular concerts in the special venue of our own 300-seater parish church. ownership of their Whittington Festival. Tickets can be purchased in advance (Two of the concerts are actually elsewhere, but it‘s still Whittington‘s from Whittington Post Office, Woodhead Estate Agents in Oswestry and from Festival!) the Visitor Information Centre at Mile End roundabout on the A5. And there are some tasty special offers posted on the Festival website The musicians of the Leondari Ensemble come from as far afield as Australia www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk. There‘s also a chance to get your and the USA, and from all corners of Europe. As individual artists they have tickets HALF-PRICE at the Castle for just two hours on Sunday 7th April! – played in some of the most famous concert halls in the world, but as a group, see the notice below. Otherwise, be spontaneous, and just come along on the this is their first Festival in England. We feel privileged – and very excited! night(s) and pay at the door. They will also be visiting Whittington School, and rehearsing with ten young people from various schools who will share the stage with them for a few You‘ll find details of the entire programme in the colour brochure included minutes in the final concert. with this edition of the Ripple. Once you‘ve made a note of all the concerts you are coming to, why not stick the brochure poster up in your window to Some people may say that classical music is of no interest to them. For over get your neighbours to come along as well? half a century pop and rock have cornered the music-making market, and classical music is known best for the Last Night of the Proms and as ‗comfort Lawrence Mortimer, Chairman background‘ in the shops. There are, of course, plenty of good Male Voice Whittington International Chamber Music Festival Choirs around the Welsh borders to give us a bit of culture, but why does Whittington suddenly feel the need to go all highbrow and immerse itself in PRE-MUSIC FESTIVAL “TEA AND TICKETS” AT THE CASTLE Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)? Whittington Castle is generously offering the opportunity for Whittington residents to buy their Music Festival tickets in advance at HALF-PRICE. There‘s nothing highbrow about classical music. Like all music, it belongs to Come along to the Castle‘s friendly tea-room for their famous tea and everyone, even if we‘ve forgotten the fact for a generation or two. Like all cake between 2:00 – 4:00pm on Sunday 7th April, and FOR TWO music, some of it is good, some bad. Some you like, some you don‘t. But HOURS ONLY, get your £10 tickets for just £5! Brahms reminds us what all the fuss is about! He writes the most marvellous (Offer is limited to a maximum of 8 tickets per household address). melodies; he plays games with folk tunes; he generates enormous passion and exquisite tenderness; he creates the most complex ideas and at the same time sends your mind wandering off on ideas of your own. There isn‘t a right or a FREE TICKETS FOR SCHOOL MUSIC STUDENTS If you are preparing for GCSE Music or A Level Music, or are in your wrong way to listen to Brahms: you come for your own personal experience! Options Year and thinking about it, you will have free admission to any

of our Festival Concerts. You need to be at school in Shropshire to And so do the musicians themselves. ‗Chamber Music‘ simply means a qualify for this Shirehall-funded offer. 20 21