the LINK

December 2016

& January1 2017 The Link is published by The Parochial Church e Brickleh stl am Contents a p Council of Elmley Castle with Netherton, C The t y o e n Bricklehampton, Great & Little Comberton. Church matters 2 The Countryside 17 l Church

m G For indoor gardeners 18 l of England Listening to the Story 2

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Parish Magazine

a Events 20

Wildlife in our churchyards 3

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o Deanery Quiet Day 3 Monday Club 20

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b From the registers 4 Great Comberton WI 20

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t L i WR10 3HT Thank you 4 Whist Drive 20 Christmas in the Parish 6 Little Comberton Articles in The Link express the views of the authors and not necessarily those of Little Comberton 6 Gardening Club 21 the PCC. All text and photographs are copyright and should not be reproduced Great Comberton 7 Spats Langham evening 21 without permission. In the first instance, please contact the Editor. Elmley Castle 7 Elmley Village Café 21 Mums Aloud 8 Link Coffee Morning 22 Editorial information Christmas wreaths 8 Directory 24 The Link is published every month, except for December/January and July/ Our villages 10 In your parish 24 August, which are double issues. School news 10 Rectory office hours 24 The deadline for each issue is the 11th of the preceding month. So the deadline Elmley Castle, Bricklehampton Churchwardens 24 for February is 11th January. & Netherton Parish Council 11 Parish treasurer 24 Village organisations 25 We welcome articles of interest to our parish and villages. Articles should Stray cat 11 Weekly clubs and classes 26 normally not exceed 400 words, and may be edited for length and style. We St Mary’s Autumn Fayre 12 December events 27 are also on the lookout for photographs we can use in the magazine. These will Leaving Elmley 14 January events 28 usually be reproduced in black and white, although from time to time the cover Little Comberton 100 Club 15 Help needed 28 will be in colour. Great Comberton village email 15 Abba Sensation – into the 80s 15 Church services in January 29 Material for inclusion should be sent to the Editor, John Seely: Features 16 Transport to church 29 Address: 11, Parkwood, Elmley Castle, Pershore, WR10 3HT Services in December 30 Email: [email protected] Maggs Day Centre, Worcester 16 Phone: 01386 710301 Message from the editor Advertising I shall be stepping down as Editor of The Link in the middle of next year. As If you would like to advertise in the magazine, please contact Denys Shaw: a result, we need someone to take over this role. Ideally this person should Email: [email protected] be in place by March 2017, so that they have time to learn the ropes. It is an Phone: 01386 710462 interesting and rewarding job, that provides a valuable service to our villages. Submitting material As Editor, you get to know a lot of interesting people and learn much about If at all possible, please send text material as a Word file or as an RTF file. Images what is happening in each of the four villages. If you, or someone you know should be sent as PDF, TIFF, or JPEG. If you send a JPEG, then please make it as (not necessarily a regular church-goer), would be interested in learning how high resolution as you can. to edit a community magazine like The Link, please get in touch. I can provide full training/mentoring during and after the handover period, and I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks to Yvonne Seward for the loan of her Christmas nativity figures for the John illustrations on pages 3 and 7. Cover picture: istockphoto.com 2 1 Church matters Listening to the Story A friend wrote to me recently of her experience of working as a volunteer with the refugees who arrived in England from the camp in Calais – the Calais Jungle. She spoke of how emotionally tiring it was to hear the stories of the huge psychological and spiritual damage done to those who had fled their own country and eventually reached Calais. The account of a boy who had watched his father and brother shot dead and of the mother and sister he had left behind in Pakistan had a particularly strong impact on her. At the heart of my friend’s response is empathy, a willingness to listen openly and to receive as a gift the stories and experiences others bring. She and her husband Kenyan nativity scene from Yvonne Seward’s collection have spent a number of years working with vulnerable and marginalized people in Bangladesh, so receiving displaced people as brothers and sisters is a strong Wildlife in our churchyards instinct and commitment for them. Dennis Toon was churchwarden of Little Comberton. He died earlier this year, Of course, there are thousands of such stories. Hearing them doesn’t solve the and his funeral took place on 17th March. At that point there were a number of complex issue of migration, but they can change our perceptions of it. In listening gifts given in memory of Dennis. It was his desire that the churchyards of our to individuals, we meet human pain and vulnerability face to face. Perhaps we parish should flourish as places of wildlife, plants and creatures. The parish is recognize in it our own humanity – in our stories of rejection, of persecution – of grateful to have received about £1,000 in his memory. This will be used to buy insecurity – albeit, for the most part, on a very different scale. wildflower seeds and to build log piles in our churchyards. We are grateful to Jean and Peter for their support in this. At the heart of our celebration of Christmas is another story of a child, who was born in a stable. Shortly afterwards he was forced to flee into Egypt with his Thank you parents to escape Herod’s persecution and threat to kill all male children under As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s say a big ‘Thankyou’ to everyone who has the age of two years. helped us decorate our churches during the Christmas period. This story of Jesus is also the story of one who lived as an itinerant preacher and Deanery Quiet Day healer, who had ‘nowhere to lay his head’; a human being who, ‘came to his own people, and his own people would not accept him’. (St John Chapter 1 verse 11). The Good Samaritan As we hear again the story of God’s coming to the world as a human child, may led by Canon David Rogers this story also have the power to transform us and open us to receive the gift of Holland House 5th December 2016 God’s life in friend and stranger? Meet at 10 a.m. for coffee – close at 4 p.m. Chris Worsley Cost £15, including lunch, coffee and tea Book your place now with Peter Perry, Deanery Secretary [email protected] / 01386 861791

2 3 From the registers Wedding 8th December Jeffrey Spragg and Wendy Meddings St Mary the Virgin, Elmley Castle Funerals Having served the local community in both Pershore and Evesham since 1948, Allchurch Bailey have acted as accountants for private th 9 November Beryl Watkins and commercial clients. St Mary the Virgin, Elmley Castle 10th November Mike Newson Due to continued growth, we are happy to announce our Pershore St Mary the Virgin, Elmley Castle Office moved to bigger and brighter premises at 31 Broad Street in April 2015, helping us to further support the local community. 22nd November John Smith St Mary the Virgin, Elmley Castle Not just catering for your accountancy needs our friendly staff will be on hand to advise on our extensive range of services including : Rest eternal grant to them O Lord Private Clients: and let light perpetual shine upon them. • Will Writing, Estate Administration, • Trust Management, Elder Care, • Personal Tax Return Completion,Tax Planning, • Succession Planning for Family Businesses P K Building Services Business Client Services include: Elmley Castle est. 1997 • Business Planning and Development, All building work undertaken • Pre-year End Tax Planning Advice from small alterations to large extensions • Management Accounts, Projections, • Payroll Services, Bookkeeping and VAT returns, etc. ✔✔ Kitchen and Bathroom supply and fit Please feel free to call in to either office for further information ✔✔ Roofing – from slate and Assistance or call us on 01386 765888 to GRP ✔✔ Floor and wall tiling Allchurch Bailey Limited ✔✔ Qualified Karndean fitter 93 High Street, Evesham Worcestershire WR11 4DU ✔✔ Oak-framed buildings 31 Broad Street, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 1BB Paul 01386 710712 07976 228223 Keith 01386 710315 07970 740873 www.allchurchbailey.co.uk

4 5 Great Comberton Christmas in the Parish Carol Service Little Comberton 18th December 6 p.m. in the Church Our Advent Calendar Traditional readings and carols followed by wine and mince pies. Everyone welcome. As you walk around our village, you can enjoy the lighting up of our Advent Windows. Night by night windows are added as we approach Christmas. This Village Carol Singing year our first lights will be on 27th November, Advent Sunday 19th December: meet at the war memorial at 6.30 p.m. Our lights shine out in preparation for the Celebration of the Holy Birth – light Do come and join us – and wrap up warm. in the dark nights of winter – light in a world which is in need of enlightenment. Christmas Day We thank all in our village who help us to share in this time each year. 10 a.m. Service in St Michael’s Church A warm welcome to all. We will be making the Christingle oranges at the children’s Advent Activity Morning on Saturday 3rd December, followed by the annual Christingle Service in the Church the An Invitation next day. to This is a service of words and Children, parents and friends music to celebrate Advent, to to join us for our which all are welcome, young and Christingle Service old. The collection will be in aid A candlelit Advent Celebration on of the Children’s Society, a charity Sunday 4th December dedicated to helping vulnerable and at 10:00am disadvantaged young people. Amish Nativity scene from Yvonne Seward’s collection in St. Peter’s Church Elmley Castle Little Comberton Calling all Elmley Castle Carol Singers On Tuesday 20th December a group of villagers will be singing carols around (In aid of the Children’s Society) How far is it to Bethlehem? Elmley Castle in aid of St Richard’s Hospice. Each There year will webe refreshment have a Cribs after Service the service on Christmas Eve and this year it is in St Peter’s We’ll meet outside the Queen’s at 6.45 p.m. returning … some time later! Little Comberton, on Christmas Eve at 4.00pm. Anyone interested in joining us would be very welcome, just turn up at the time We invite you all to come and share in our lovely service. An addition to the above, or if you have any queries please call Nick & Jane Launder on 710954. service this year will be displays of Nativity scenes from around the world. There will be displays from France, Japan, China, Russia and other countries. They Services will also be displayed before the Carol Service at St Peter’s Little Comberton, on Carol Service at St Mary’s 4 p.m. Sunday 18th December th Sunday, 18 December at 6 p.m. Midnight Eucharist at St Mary’s 11.30 p.m. Saturday 24th December

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Making the Christmas wreaths is a real team effort. Parents and children E Hill & Son get involved in this annual fundraiser Funeral Directors for Elmley Castle First School. Lots of villagers support us and The Queen’s A Truly Independent Family Business has a wreath – after a long day of Serving the community since 1960 making them, we hand deliver that one! 100% Organic Owned and run by the Hill family Chrissy Barnes (Local people helping local people) Vegboxes, meat and more to your door .... Fairfield House, Defford Road, free delivery Pershore WR10 1HZ 01386 552141 Live Life on the Veg

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8 9 Elmley Castle, Bricklehampton & Netherton Our villages Parish Council School news At our meeting held on 3rd November 2016 Karen Mackison and Mark Axtell- The start of a new school year is always very exciting; full of new Powell were co-opted onto the Parish Council. I would like to extend a warm possibilities, exciting opportunities we have yet to find out about welcome, and believe that their diverse experience will benefit the Parish. and – inevitably – a series of unique challenges to keep us on We are looking for an honorary tree warden. One of the features of our villages our toes! is the lovely array of public trees. From time to time we encounter a few issues – This doesn’t seem to have daunted the children at Elmley Castle CE First School, such as the diseased rowan trees in Main Street at present. We are in contact with who are definitely tackling the new year with enthusiasm. Every one bounced in Wychavon about this. If you are interested in this role please let our clerk, Lynne at the start of September looking very grown up and responsible – highly excited Yapp, know by email at [email protected] Details of what the position to be reunited with classmates, and entails will be posted on our web site shortly: www.elmleycastle.org.uk looking very smart in their new school uniforms and shiny shoes! Due to the retirement of Barbara Peacock as our Parish Clerk we recently advertised for a new clerk. I am delighted to welcome Lynne Yapp as our new It has been a privilege for me, as the Parish Clerk. Many of you will know Lynne as the clerk of Little Comberton and new Executive Headteacher at ECFS, Great Comberton. to be part of such an enthusiastic start. The atmosphere in school is definitely I would like to place on record my sincere thanks, on behalf of the Parish upbeat. Everyone is very optimistic Council, for all Barbara’s guidance and hard work in fulfilling the role so about this school year and what we effectively over the last 13 or so years. will achieve for each one of our pupils Denys Shaw (Chair) – and the school as a whole. Even now, with the first half term behind us, I am constantly impressed by the Stray cat calm environment, the excellent manners of the children, the focus on learning We are looking for the owner of this and achievement and the amazing facilities – especially the school field and very talkative tabby tom cat who loves Forest School area. This is a school to to roll over and over to show that he is be proud of. friendly. He is a frequent visitor who I am looking forward to getting to enjoys bed, breakfast and an evening know everyone even better. I want to meal with us, popping in and out work with our families and the school of the cat door as he pleases. If you community to ensure that this school know anyone who has lost this lovely continues to grow and provide a robust cat perhaps you would contact us and relevant education for all our before we take steps to adopt him and students. make this his permanent home! Edith and Julian Powell, 13 Pool Close, Little Comberton (01386 710790). Regardless of the challenges ahead, I know we will all reach the end of July with a smile on our faces, knowing we have achieved a job well done! Claire Davies Executive Headteacher

10 11 St Mary’s Autumn Fayre Many thanks to everyone who took part: the organisers, the stallholders, those Stuart Huntley who contributed items for sale and, of course, all of you who came along. Aerial Erection Service Pershore

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12 13 Leaving Elmley Little Comberton Sports and Social Club: ‘100 Club’ Forty-six years ago we moved from Winners October 2016 multi-racial inner Manchester to beautiful South Worcestershire. Bredon Janet Gough £25 Wendy Hobby £16 Hill and its villages became a very Margaret Sutton £10.50 Vicky Scott £5 special place for us. Each one had its Trevor Miles £5 Peter Seward £5 own character and identity; life was Great Comberton village email more stable and settled then, as were As well as putting posters on the notice board in Great Comberton, we now send the workplaces. Elmley Castle was out notices, announcements and village news by email. We currently have about noted for its three public houses: the 110 addresses on our list, but in recent months we have had several newcomers to Old Mill, which had a restaurant; the the village and I would like to invite you to join our distribution list. Plough cider house; and of course the Queen’s. A pint of Marston’s bitter then Your details are not passed on to anyone else, nor is the list used for trying to was twelve and a half pence, (half a sell you anything, other than events! All emails are sent via Blind CC, which Brian and Lesley Druce in 1988 crown), so you could drink a gallon for means your address is not made public. If you would like to start receiving village Brian was Agricultural Chaplain for the Diocese of a pound, and no doubt some people emails, please send an email with your name to greatcombertonvillage@outlook. Worcester Lesley was District Nurse , Vale of Evesham did! On Wednesday nights the bar was com and I will add you to the list. full with members of the Young Farmers’ Club. Friday night was for the locals, Shelagh Inglis jammed in like sardines, passing pints over people’s heads, not bothering to count Abba Sensation – into the 80s the change in the gloomy light. Tony’s parents, Fred and May, presided over the What a fabulous night we had! lounge bar at weekends. The Shoot also came in, as did the Cricket Club with its vast enamel jug of ale shared round. In the corner was the ‘racing bench’ for the 100 locals, relatives and guests had a super evening, dancing and singing to the punters on Saturdays, the table top covered with a forest of bottles. hits of Abba and the 1980s. A lot had raided the loft and were surprised to see There were still a few market gardeners, with their little huts and sometimes cider that their 80s clothes still (nearly) fitted. It all contributed to a wonderful party sheds. Some locals lived in the same village, even the same house, all their lives, atmosphere with Sensation putting on a memorable performance. such as Lena Bury, and Beryl Watkins, who died recently aged 91. There was a strong sense of community which has gradually dissipated. Nowadays the village street can be packed to the gunnels with the cars of ramblers; and people visiting for a pub lunch. During this period four Diocesan Bishops, and five parish priests have come and gone. Two small housing estates were built at the bottom of the village. We have had a new village hall, but later attempts to run a village shop have foundered. Many of these things, of course, are folk memories, and once a village loses them There were some excellent raffle prizes including meals at local pubs and an it also loses its sense of identity and becomes just a postcode, as a local elder said outstanding gift of dinner for six at The Pudding Club, Three Ways House, to me. However, may Elmley still flourish especially the church, school, pub, Mickleton. This was auctioned in two lots adding £250 to raise the total to £1,010 sports and other activities. We shall miss you: the place, but even more the people towards the maintenance of the fabric of St Mary’s Church, Elmley Castle. and the friends we have made. Don’t forget that the coffee pot is always on at Our thanks to all our helpers – we could not do it without you, and particularly Cherry Orchard! to our audience who all made sure we enjoyed ourselves. Brian and Lesley Druce. Brian and Pat 14 15 In 2015 a total of 652 Features people used the centre. Maggs Day Centre, Worcester On June 2nd 2016, We work with homeless and vulnerable people to Maggs Day Centre was raise self-confidence, thereby enabling positive life awarded The Queen’s change. Award for Voluntary Service, which is often Last winter members of our Parish generously described as the MBE contributed food and money to support the of the voluntary sector. Emergency Night Shelter which operates at Maggs Day Centre when night temperatures drop below zero. Unfortunately the night shelter only has sufficient resources to provide a hot drink for its users but your Food for thought donations meant that we could supplement this with sandwiches and fruit which were very much appreciated. This year, we will be repeating the exercise with a It is said that any one of us is only two ‘events’ away from becoming homeless. grant from the PCC, and again, there will be boxes in each of our churches for Further information is available on the website: www.maggsdaycentre.co.uk donations of specific food items needed to provide the day centre lunches (see separate notice). We thought you might like to know more about the excellent work taking place at Maggs thanks to the commitment and dedication of the staff The Countryside: Dead stoat makes lasting impression and volunteers. At a first glance, the National Biodiversity Network seems to suggest that the Maggs Day Centre, whose patron is The Bishop of Worcester the Right Reverend stoat is universally distributed in Britain but this is misleading. At a higher map John Inge, opened its doors in St. Alban’s Church, Deansway on the 21st resolution you can see that in midland England the stoat is far from common and December 1985. The centre was created in memory of John Maggs, a homeless there are large areas of open country that it may be absent from. Enshrined in man, who died sleeping rough on the streets of Worcester in 1984. Originally this is the question of how close to reality biological records are; the fast athletic the centre was open for six days a week but because of funding cuts this has now stoat easily escapes notice. Stoats have an average lifespan of under two years been reduced to five (Sunday to Thursday). As well as receiving breakfast and so populations may soon wax and wane. This makes a dependable food supply a hot lunch, the homeless and the vulnerable are offered a place of warmth and essential for survival. safety, with facilities to shower and wash their clothes. Among the many other services offered are: The relationship between people and carnivores has not been a good one. Kielder Forest in Northumberland has been selected as the site for the trial • Help with overcoming addiction, • Assistance in securing employment reintroduction into Britain of the European Lynx. It took me until 2015 to finally mental health problems and • Mentoring and befriending see a wild lynx and it leaves an unforgettable impression. The stoat is an ancient bereavement • Classes in various aspects of life survivor and I was able to show from teeth marks on domestic fowl bones • The services of health skills, such as Cooking and IT that they were in the Carrant valley about 250ad, and were killing chickens by professionals • Courses in subjects like Art and Pershore Abbey about 1250ad. • Assistance in finding permanent Creative Writing accommodation The stoat has probably now declined in this area if the number of observations are representative. There are records from Great Comberton and Little Maggs Clothing Project, which is run from separate premises in Sansome Place, Comberton during 2016 and in 2014 one was observed taking a rabbit at Elmley provides clothing for homeless people, and starter packs of household items for Castle. However, stoats are probably widespread on Bredon Hill, which serves those moving off the streets into permanent accommodation. Donations of good increasingly as a refuge for wildlife. Some years ago I parked myself against one quality items for this project are always welcome.

16 17 of its drystone walls only to be greeted by the disembodied trills and barks that confirmed a stoat breeding site. Kersoe Vehicle Services The stoat is also inquisitive and clever. Its hypnotic elastic dance-of-death can mesmerise a rabbit to the point where it is scarcely aware it has been attacked. Repairs & Maintenance During the 1970s water pipes about 40 feet long were stacked at Wick. A stoat appeared, standing upright at the end of one so I decided to view it through Your one-stop shop for all repairs to a whole range of vehicles the pipe. This resulted in a singularly odd interactive game that lasted several including minutes with the stoat and myself viewing each other through the pipe, then • Equestrian transport Meerkat-like above it, then back through the pipe again until finally the stoat • Limited agricultural machinery decided to run down it. I anticipated it would appear suddenly nearby, but the • Vintage car restoration stoat foxed me – it turned round and disappeared, not to be seen again. • Diagnostics Stoats are not immune from predatory eagles, goshawks, large owls and domestic cats but they do have a very effective defense mechanism which I discovered at Visit us for your Free winter vehicle check great personal cost when dissecting a dead one. Glands secrete a thick yellow Contact Mervyn or Anita fluid which smells rather like cabbage cooked for a week in sulphur; something Kersoe Farm else that leaves a lasting impression. Elmley Castle T: 01386 710903 P. F. Whitehead Pershore M: 07836 596261 WR10 3JD E: [email protected] For indoor gardeners If you have ever grown African violets then you know that the flower’s colours can be wonderful, but how often disappointment follows when they fade and fail to flower again. Try watering the plant with the tepid water in which you have boiled eggs for your breakfast. Enough calcium leaches out of the eggshells to give the violets a boost and the flowers an extra florescence. Adapted from Steve Brookes: The Greatest Gardening Tips in the World. Edith Powell

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18 19 Events Little Comberton Gardening Club A Garden for Wildlife Monday Club 7.30 p.m. Wednesday 18th January Many thanks to Tony Caldwell and his assistant Mel for an enjoyable afternoon of Little Comberton Village Hall music and humorous and poignant remembrance of those who died in two world An illustrated talk presented by Rosemary Winnall MBE wars. On Monday 5th December we have our Christmas Party. Not only carols from Rosemary is a recognised authority on widlife habitats from forest to river, so the Link Choir and children, but also ample supplies of home-made wine and with the garden in mind, she will show what is to be found and encouraged to Christmas nibbles should put us in the festive spirit. visit our own gardens. All are welcome, young and old – join us at 2.30 p.m. in Elmley Village Hall for Members £1 and visitors £3 to include light refreshments. some Christmas cheer. For further information please contact Edith Powell, tel: 710790 Jenny & Will Easton 710682 Great Comberton Women’s Institute We meet at 2 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at Great Comberton Village Hall. There is a guest speaker each month. New members will be made most welcome. Jude Wood 710270 Whist Drive Little Comberton Sports & Social Club Little Comberton Village Hall 2 p.m. – finish about 4.15 p.m. 24 hands of whist. Refreshments are served halfway through. £2 to play including 2 raffle tickets and refreshments. Dates th Thursday 8 December Elmley Village Café Thursday 12th January. The first Friday every month We are a friendly group and would welcome any new players. The Café at The Queen Elizabeth We also offer a transport service from Pershore and other villages if needed. 10.30 a.m. – 12 noon. If you have never played before and would like to learn to play, Everyone welcome, from all villages please contact: For details, contact: Susan Knight on 710522 or Edna Haynes on 710450. Gail Taite (710600) Sarah Speed (710776)

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Helping people and businesses QUALITY WORKMANSHIP MASSAGE THERAPY make the best financial decisions for the treatment of muscle Plumbing, Woodwork, Decorating Your Local Independent Financial and joint pain, overuse injuries, Kitchens & Bathrooms a speciality Adviser Dean Clifford postural imbalances, stress Minor works undertaken, estimates free What services do I offer? Sally Allen The most popular areas I assist my current clients with: Ring Richard Warner (MFHT, CNHC) • New pension legislation and what it means for my 01386 710393 07785 570686 Tel.: 07776 142427 clients www.bredonhillbodywork.co.uk • Ensuring current plans still meet your needs. • Protecting family, income or business against the unknown brook Gard • Arranging retirement income & how best to take it Bow ens • Reducing Inheritance Tax or planning for a potential Ponds, Patios, Paths, Steps & Streams, Ornamental IHT bill. Brickwork, Water Features, I am happy to offer an initial 1 hour consultation at my cost. Imaginative high quality landscaping. Also Pond & Please contact me for more information Patio cleaning. Dean Clifford, DipPFS, Independent Financial Adviser Local, Friendly Service. [email protected] Call Glenn 01905 937852 Office: 0844 826 2584 Direct: 07879 634 324 Mobile 07792 613020

22 23 Village organisations Directory Friends of Elmley Castle Church Mr D. Phillips (Chair) 710337 In your parish Angela Dymoke (Sec.) 710157 Great Comberton Social Club Mr S. Wood (Sec.) 710270 Rector: Reverend Richard Worsley The Rectory, 22 Parkwood, Elmley Castle, Great Comberton Women’s Institute Mrs J. Wood (Sec.) 710270 Pershore, WR10 3HT Great Comberton Flower Show Stevie Rennie (Sec.) 710009 Tel. 01386 710394 Email: [email protected] Little Elms Pre-school Steph Smart (Manager) 07860 Richard’s day off will normally be Monday. In an emergency please 106486 contact a Churchwarden. Little Comberton Toddler Group Sarah Lea-Redmond 710917 Rectory office hours Monday Club Mrs J. Easton (contact) 710682 Wednesdays 8.30 a.m. –12.30 p.m. (Telephone: 01386 710394) Beavers & Cubs Mr M. Harris 40808 Printing and photocopying facilities available during office hours. ‘Troupers’ (Drama) Mr M. Cieslik (Chair) 710453 Churchwardens Village Halls Elmley Castle Mrs J. Smith (Sec.) 710511 St Mary’s, Elmley Castle Mrs G. Tallis Narrow Meadow Farm, 01386 47430 Great Comberton Mrs B. Ward (Sec.) 710256 Hinton-on-the-Green WR11 7QX Little Comberton Mrs M. Parker (Sec.) 710504 St Michael’s, Bricklehampton Parish Councils Mr R. Johnston Brook House, 01386 710079 Elmley Castle, Bricklehampton Mrs LD. Yapp (Clerk) 550687 Bricklehampton WR10 3HJ & Netherton [email protected] 552233 St Michael’s, Great Comberton Little Comberton Mrs LD. Yapp (Clerk) 550687 Mrs M. Archer Neston, Russell Street 01386 710295 [email protected] 552233 Great Comberton, WR10 3DT Great Comberton Mrs L.D. Yapp (Clerk) 550687 Mr D. Rowley Quay House, Quay Lane 01386 710005 [email protected] 552233 Great Comberton WR10 3DU St Peter’s, Little Comberton Mrs P. Spiller Pear Tree Cottage, Wick Road, 01386 710725 Hinton Pest OAK TREE Little Comberton WR10 3EG Control Ltd VALETING Mr M. Roberts The Grange, Wick Road, Little 01386 710653 Preferred contractor for Worcestershire Local Authorities. Speedy response to domestic calls. Commercial quotes available. The QUALITY Comberton WR10 3EH Rats, mice, squirrels, moles, wasps, flies, fleas, bed bugs, vehicle valeting service Parish treasurer carpet moths/beetles, ants & cockroaches. Fully insured, BPCA/RSPH qualified in Evesham Mr J. Seely 11 Parkwood, 01386 710301 Tel: 01386 41762 / 07775 168666 & the North Cotswolds Elmley Castle WR10 3HT www.hintonpestcontrol.co.uk 01386 761290/07849 712709 [email protected]

24 25 Weekly clubs and classes December events Outside term time some of these do not operate, or are subject to change. Please Friday 2 10.30 p.m. Elmley Village Café at The Queen’s check with club/class leader. All classes take place in the local village hall: Elmley Saturday 3 10 a.m. Children’s Advent Activity Morning Little Comberton Castle (EC), Little Comberton (LC), or Great Comberton (GC). Village Hall Sunday 4 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion Great Comberton Monday Contact 10 a.m. Christingle Family Service Little Comberton 10 a.m. Tai Chi & Tea LC Sue Sharman (01386 710294) Monday 5 10 a.m. Deanery Quiet Day, Holland House (see p. 3) 1.45 p.m. – 4 Elmley Castle LC Karen Knight (01386 710397) 2.30 p.m. Monday Club Christmas Party Elmley Castle Village p.m. Art Group Hall 7.15 p.m. Zumba EC Mrs J. Smith (01386 710511) Wednesday 7 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton 8.15 p.m. Pilates EC Mrs J. Smith (01386 710511) Thursday 8 2 p.m. Whist Drive Little Comberton Village Hall Tuesday Sunday 11 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion Elmley Castle 10.30 a.m. – Art Class LC Peter Hodge (01386 442841) 10 a.m. Eucharist Bricklehampton 12.30p.m. Wednesday 14 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Art Class LC Peter Hodge (01386 442841) 2 p.m. Great Comberton Women’s Institute Great Comberton 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Modern Line GC Mrs B. Ward (01386 710256) Village Hall Dancing Friday 16 7 p.m.Mums Aloud Christmas Celebration St Mary’s Elmley Castle 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Shotokan Karate LC Graham Knight Juniors ([email protected]) Sunday 18 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion Little Comberton 4 p.m. Carol Service Elmley Castle 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Shotokan Karate LC Graham Knight Adults ([email protected]) 4 p.m. Carol Service Bricklehampton 6 p.m. Carol Service Little Comberton 7 p.m. Scouts EC Mrs J. Smith (710511) 6 p.m. Carol Service Great Comberton Wednesday Monday 19 6.30 p.m. Great Comberton Carol Singing (see p. 7) 11 a.m. Active Retired LC Julie Farr (01386 710868) Tuesday 20 6.45 p.m. Elmley Castle Carol Singing (see p. 7) Workout Wednesday 21 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton 5.15 p.m. Beavers EC Mrs J. Smith (01386 710511) Saturday 24 4 p.m. Crib Service Little Comberton 6.30 p.m. Cubs EC Mrs J. Smith (01386 710511) 11.30 p.m. Midnight Eucharist Elmley Castle 8 p.m. Men’s Pilates EC Mrs J. Smith (01386 710511) Sunday 25 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion Bricklehampton Thursday 10 a.m. Eucharist Great Comberton 9.15 a.m. Yoga LC Lucy Murray (01386 710490) Wednesday 28 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton 6.30 p.m. Zumba EC Mrs J. Smith (710511)

Little Elms Pre-school is held in Elmley Castle: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (8.45 a.m. –1 p.m.) Thursdays and Fridays (8.45 a.m. – 3 p.m.).

26 27 January events Church services in January Sunday 1 10 a.m. Eucharist Elmley Castle St Mary the St Michael & St Peter St Michael & Wednesday 4 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton Virgin All Angels All Angels Friday 6 10.30 p.m. Elmley Village Café at The Queen’s Elmley Brickle- Little Great Sunday 8 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion Bricklehampton Castle hampton Comberton Comberton 10 a.m. Eucharist Great Comberton Wednesday 11 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton Sunday 1st 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Great Comberton Women’s Institute Great Comberton Naming & Parish Village Hall Circumcision Eucharist of Jesus Thursday 12 2 p.m. Whist Drive Little Comberton Village Hall th Sunday 15 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion Elmley Castle Sunday 8 8.30 a.m. 10 a.m. Epiphany 1 Holy Parish 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton Communion Eucharist Wednesday 18 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton th 7.30 p.m. Little Comberton Gardening Club Little Comberton Sunday 15 8.30 a.m. 10 a.m. Village Hall Epiphany 2 Holy Parish Communion Eucharist Saturday 21 10 a.m. Link Coffee Morning (see p. 22) Sunday 22 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion Great Comberton Sunday 22nd 10 a.m. 8.30 a.m. 10 a.m. Eucharist Bricklehampton Epiphany 3 Parish Holy Eucharist Communion Thursday 25 2 p.m. Whist Drive Little Comberton Village Hall Wednesday 25 10 a.m. Eucharist Little Comberton Sunday 29th 10 a.m. 8.30 a.m. Sunday 29 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion Little Comberton Epiphany 4 Parish Holy 10 a.m. Eucharist Elmley Castle Eucharist Communion Sunday 5th 8.30 a.m. 10 a.m. Help needed February Holy Parish We need your empty washing up tablet boxes. 4th before Communion Eucharist Lent Recycle them for DESO – A little charity which does a lot. DESO (Disabled Equipment Sent Overseas) recycles equipment for disabled people – wheelchairs, walking sticks, crutches etc. – used for a short while No transport to come to church? and then sitting useless in attics, garages or cellars, and works in other ways to Ring your Transport Co-ordinator empower disabled people in Ghana. Great Comberton Phil Archer 01386 710295 Shipping and distributing the equipment costs £10,000 a year. One way people Little Comberton Edith Powell 01386 710790 can support this is by collecting small change – which also tends to accumulate and sit idle. In the DESO spirit we plan to recycle plastic containers - that Elmley Castle John Sharpe 01386 710372 detergent tablets and sachets come in – as collection boxes. Please save these for us and ask your friends to save them too. Contact Jean Toon on 710347 for details on collection points. 28 29 Church services

Our regular Sunday services are: Holy Communion at 8.30 a.m. A said service of Holy Communion. A quiet meditative service using the Book of Common Prayer. Parish Eucharist at 10 a.m. A family friendly service, with hymns, using contemporary language. There is also a said Eucharist using contemporary language most Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at St Peter’s, Little Comberton. Services in December St Mary the St Michael & St Peter St Michael & Virgin All Angels All Angels Elmley Brickle- Little Great Castle hampton Comberton Comberton

Sunday 4th 10 a.m. 8.30 a.m. 2nd in Advent Christingle Holy Family Communion Service Sunday 11th 8.30 a.m. 10 a.m. 3rd in Advent Holy Parish Communion Eucharist

Sunday 18th 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 8.30 a.m. 6 p.m. 4th in Advent Carol Service Carol Service Holy Carol Service Communion 6 p.m. Carol Service Saturday 24th 11.30 p.m. 4 p.m. Christmas Midnight Crib Service Eve Eucharist

Sunday 25th 8.30 a.m. 10 a.m. Christmas Holy Parish Day Communion Eucharist

For services in January, please see previous page.

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