Wed 2 Local Heritage Group Elizabeth Howard from the Record Office talks on researching house history Fri 4 Prize Bingo for St Michael’s Hospice 7.30pm Gt Witley Village Hall Mon 7 Parish Council Meeting 7.30 pm Memorial Hall followed by Volume 11 No. 11 April 2003 Annual Parish Meeting 8.15pm Editor: Michelle Higgins (01886 888344) Editorial Team: Martley: Alan Boon (01886 Wed 9 Martley WI: Mr D Preece talks 888527, Nellie Bradley (01886 888339), Kate about Wildlife Photography King (01886 888439), Beth Williams (01886 7.30pm Martley Memorial Hall 888273) Wichenford: Janet Andrews (01886 888303), Sheila Richards (01886 888378) Fri 11 Whist Drive at Wichenford: 8pm Advertising: Nigel Collett (01886 888086) Wichenford Memorial Hall Distribution: Martley George & June Lawrence (01886 821064) Wichenford Bill & Sun 13 Teme Valley Farmers Market for Jo Root (01886 888585) local produce 11am The Talbot, Contact The Villager: leave articles at Martley Post Office or 1 Oxford View Martley Ramblers to Bewdley Wichenford or email the Editor at Meet 2pm Church car park [email protected] Opinions expressed by contributors are not Mon 14 Kenswick and Wichenford Annual necessarily those of The Villager. The Villager Parish Meeting 7.45pm cannot be held responsible for any goods or services advertised in the magazine Tue 15 Wichenford Ladies’ Fellowship 2.30pm at Brenda Hadfield’s Diary Regular events: Wed 16 Citizens Advice Bureau: 12-1pm Surgery and 1.30- Teme Valley Shufflers Line Dancing 2.30pm Knightwick Surgery - by Weds 7pm Martley Memorial Hall. appointment. Tel. 01584 810860 Enquiries: Jeff and Thelma 01886 821772

Weight Watchers 6.30-7.30pm Tuesdays Thu 17 Meeting of The Wine Club 8pm Martley Memorial Hall. Enquiries: Jennie Wichenford Memorial Hall Barnes 01886 888712 Sun 20 Easter Sunday Citizens Advice Bureau Teme Valley Garden Open Day at 1 Prickley Evening Telephone Service Tuesdays 4.30-8pm 01584 810860 Bungalows, Hockhams Lane, Martley 2-6pm in aid of The Short mat Bowling Tuesdays 2.30pm Martley National Gardens Scheme Memorial Hall

For Church services, please see Church Words Thu 24 Martley & District Horticultural Society: Alan Craske on the restoration of the maze at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens 7.30pm Martley Memorial Village Hall

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

The Villager * April 2003 7 Martley Parish Council

An ordinary meeting of the Martley Parish but he would like more co-ordinators. Council was held on Monday 3 February d) Other. The Clerk had spoken to the 2003 at the Memorial Hall. (Mr D Cropp, Rural Housing Enabler, Mr Saunders, Vice-Chairman, in the chair) and had discussions with MHDC LIBRARY & CYBER CAFÉ AT Planning Officers regarding possible MEMORIAL HALL sites in Martley. When definite The MHDC approved the plans and proposals are ready he will contact the building regulations. Five enquiries to Parish Council. contractors were sent out and three tenders PARISH MATTERS were received. These were opened at the Mr J Bradley raised the question of the meeting and the best tender accepted. cones on the verge in Willow Lane. It is MATTERS ARISING understood that the Highways Partnership a) Lengthman. Mr Tom Pearsall, who have agreed to replace the cones with had been invited to attend, was plastic Vergemasters. Councillors were introduced and welcomed as the not very happy with this position and Mr recently appointed Lengthman. He is A Davies (CC) said he would take this up the first Lengthman to be so with the Highways Partnership. appointed in . Mr REPORTS Draper had asked Councillors to Mr A Davies (CC) said that despite the prepare lists of tasks for the low figure of inflation, the County Rate Lengthman, to be discussed at the Rise is likely to be in double figures. next Parish Council Meeting. The Government has given the county b) Agreement on Core Classes of £993,000.00 towards transport in the area, Information Statements. The but only 3% extra for the Police. Commission of Information accepted The Chantry School is doing well and is Martley Parish’s proposal of Core over-subscribed. Scholastically it is within Classes of Information. The list, to be the top 25% of comparative schools in the displayed on the Parish Noticeboard, country. giving details of documents available Mrs B Williams (DC) said MHDC queried to meet the requirements of this Act, the request from the Police Authority for was circulated and agreed. It will also an increase of 12.9% in Precept and extra appear in The Villager. for additional services. After the 33% rise Mr D Cropp said he would be last year the District consider it excessive. registering the Parish’s intent to There is £10,000.00 for each parish for produce a comprehensive Parish Plan transport systems. It was confirmed that and up to £600.00 was available for discussions are happening with local professional help. parishes for an improved flexi-bus system. c) Neighbourhood Watch. Mr N PC Clifford, the Beat Manager for Stammers tabled leaflets covering the Tenbury, said he welcomed the organisation for Martley Routes B, C opportunity to attend and was pleased to & E and plans are progressing well hear of the progress of the Martley

8 The Villager * April 2003 Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. These FINANCE schemes improved communication a) cheques for £629.62 were agreed and between Police and public and helped signed. crime prevention. He thought parishes b) After discussion, it was agreed that could assist with the quality control of grants of £300.00 for the Churchyard policing by constructive comments and and £175.00 for Nora Parsons Day was optimistic about improvements in Centre be paid. Policing, with more Police presence in the c) Monthly free bus to Worcester. rural parishes. Rogers Coaches have asked for Mr J Nicklin sent word that a footpath earliest confirmation that coaches will bridge had been repaired between Bulmers continue to be booked after March. and Prickley Farm and general clearance This was discussed at the last meeting continued. and a “Use or Lose” notice included PLANNING in the Parish Council Report in The a) Applications for comment: Villager. Mrs K Seabright agreed to 02/01789 The Old Smithy, Hillside - question passengers to obtain their balcony. No objection. reaction and see if they would be 02/01797 Orchard Cottage, Newtown - prepared to receive a voucher to cover side extension. No objection. the OAP return fare. Wichenford PC 02/01810 Quarry Farm, Quarry Lane - part are being kept informed. demolition and extension. No objections CORRESPONDENCE from neighbours but doubts expressed as A letter of thanks for the donation to the to whether this degree of demolition and Macmillan Cancer Relief Worcestershire extension should be permitted on a listed Appeal was received. building. If allowed, the house, cottage COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS & ITEMS and granny flat should be considered as a FOR FUTURE AGENDAS single unit and not sold separately. Problems on pot-holes and refuse were 03/00024 Church Steps, Martley - reported which the Clerk will take up with extension & garage. This site is in a the appropriate departments. sensitive position in the Martley Mr D Cropp and Mr J Slough attended the Conservation Area. No objection to hidden meeting on Parish Plans and there was a house extension but proposed double real incentive to progress such schemes. garage unacceptable. It would be visible Mrs D Goodyear attended the Penny Hill from the Churchyard and Millennium Liaison Meeting and there was nothing Green. significant to report. b) Applications approved by MHDC: The next meeting is on Monday 7 April 02/01569 Internal alterations to Martley 2003 at 7.30 p.m., followed at 8.15 p.m. Memorial Hall for Library & Computer by the Annual Parish Meeting. ALL Room PARISHIONERS WELCOME. IT IS 02/01570 Taylors of Martley, Berrow YOUR PARISH SO COME AND ASK Green - two-storey office block, security QUESTIONS AND GIVE YOUR building and extension to warehouse. COMMENTS. 02/01597HED Rodge Hill Farm, Hillside - C C Vyvyan-Robinson removal of hedge and re-planting. Parish Clerk (01886 821623)

April 2003 * The Villager 9 OOUTUT AND ABOUT IN MARTMARTLEYLEY www.martley.org.uk

Martley & District a quarter of young hedgehogs survive Horticultural Society to full maturity. At the meeting of the Society on At the February meeting of the Thursday 24 April at 7.30pm in Society, members welcomed Mr Terry Martley Village Hall, there will be talk Green, a member of the British by Alan Craske on the restoration of Hedgehog Preservation Society, a the maze at Castle Bromwich Hall subject of interest to country people. Gardens. New members most The hedgehog, being a victim of welcome. Members are reminded of modern farming, has decreased in the Annual Plant & Car Boot Sale. great numbers in recent years. Gone This year it will be held on Saturday are the days when travellers used to 24 May at 2pm in the Village Hall and roast them, rolled in clay, on the open on the playing field. Lots of plants fires as a delicacy. Mr Green showed needed. Details in the May Villager. many slides of the way in which the Nellie Bradley hedgehog struggles to survive and how human beings can assist this small Martley Ramblers creature. The hedgehog can be a very beneficial creature in the garden, as it 13 April 2pm Church Car Park devours slugs, beetles and caterpillars. Once again we have to thank Pam and If you feel you would like to Dorrie for all their hard work encourage them in your garden with organising the recent annual dinner at food, one of the best is cat food. the Lenchford. 37 attended, a record Hedgehogs are found all around the number and everyone voted it one of world across the continent into China the best, particularly the food. and New Zealand. Unfortunately only Pam Southall has recently visited Bob Edwards, one of our founder members who was walking until his 90th birthday. He has moved to Lincolnshire to be near his daughter and family. He is settling into his new bungalow and surroundings and sent his best wishes to all. Hurry up and finish with your crutches, Dorrie, the dog is missing his

10 The Villager * April 2003 rambles. The quiz was won by Monty until the shutter clicks. Perhaps Blue- Walker who received a super walking tak or Pritt could be the answer. The stick, complete with compass and competition is for the best wildlife flask for the necessary, which was photo (taken by a member and not by generously donated by John and Ann Bill Oddie). Layton. In future, Mabel will be awarded annually for the most interesting walk. Members to vote at the AGM. The Walker family will be leading around Bewdley area this month. Cars leave the Church car park at 2pm prompt. Kate King.

Apology The outing to Hampton Court Gardens has been fixed for Saturday 26 April. In the obituary for Clare Rimell in A theatre visit to see The Pirates of February Villager, the statement that Penzance could be arranged if enough they lived at The Villa and later members are interested. Further details bought back the family home of re cost and times from the Committee Hillside Farm was incorrect. They members or at the meeting. We now never lived at The Villa and Hillside know the schedule for the County Farm had not previously been the Spring Food and Flower Show on family home. Sincere apologies for Monday 19 May and feel we must try any offence caused. to improve on coming second last year. The co-operative item is a “Walk in the Country”. Anyone with suggestions for craft items or food, please offer them. You won’t have to

Martley WI cook or make them if you don’t wish to. Kate King Wednesday 9 April 7.30pm This month’s talk by Mr D Preece is a The Royal British Legion, Guide to Wildlife Photography for Beginners. Hopefully, we shall find Knightwick, & out how to keep a butterfly poised Cotheridge with Martley long enough to get the camera focussed and how to keep that unusual With effect 1 October 2002, Martley bird perched within sights of the lens Branch became a sub-branch of the Knightwick, Broadwas and Cotheridge

April 2003 * The Villager 11 Branch. In brief this means that St Peter’s Church Easter although we have joint meetings, Martley Branch still has its own Poppy Lilies Appeal Collection, Remembrance Day Easter Sunday is 20 April and Service and is responsible for service traditionally arum lilies are placed work in Martley and accounts are in upon the altar. These special flowers place to meet these commitments. are quite expensive and therefore These arrangements have been agreed anyone wishing to make a donation in with the County and are organised by memory of a loved one is asked to our treasurer, John Kirk, with advice contact Jenny Underhill on 01886- from Martley member, Ron Dalton. 888306. We meet at the Talbot Hotel, Knightwick at 8pm on the first Greetings from the USA! Monday in the month, and would welcome old and new members. Your Editor recently received this Please join us! email: ”As a Martley boy who has The February meeting was well recently moved to North Carolina in attended and current business the USA I was delighted to find The discussed. Arthur Kings reported on Villager online. For those of us who the County AGM held at County Hall are not so local any more its a great in January. I was pleased to tell the way of keeping in touch with life back meeting that Arthur had been awarded home. Keep up the good work! Mark a County Certificate of Appreciation Hoskins” for his work with Group 9, Arthur If you want to find out more about the being too modest to announce this Martley website, check it out at www. himself! Well done Arthur. Thanks martley.org. were given to Sheila Pugh for purchasing Christmas gifts for our Martley Cricket Club widows and those members confined Dinner to home. The next meeting is Monday 3 March at 8pm at the Talbot Hotel, The annual Dinner and Presentation Knightwick where we always receive Evening and playing of silly games a warm welcome. If you are interested took place at Worcestershire County in the work of the Royal British Cricket Club, where Steve Gibbs and Legion, whether or not you are ex- the staff once again provided an Service, please ring me on 01886- excellent dinner. 821551, or talk to any member known The wine was provided by the Second to you. Eleven and Isle Of Wight Tour Fines Joyce Tyler, Hon Secretary Fund. Worcestershire all-rounder David

12 The Villager * April 2003 Leatherdale was the Club's guest for should poke their heads above the the evening and presented trophies to shelters before the end of the year. the winners and runners-up in the Wildflowers should start appearing in averages, and the Club President Don the Green soon; already there are Taylor also made a presentation to the attractive clumps of primroses near the tea ladies for the superb catering far end from the gate. By the time this during the past season. article is published the Spring growth The winner of the One Hundred should be well under way. Percenter was Leon Wood, and the A few minutes standing at the edge of award of the Tourist Trophy for the the Green in mid February allowed Isle Of Wight Tour went to the ever- observation of large numbers of popular Dave Scorer with Stuart blackbirds and thrushes quietly Hayes a close second. pecking around in the molehills for The Richard Petrie Trophy for the grubs and worms. Even when it seems Clubman Of The Year was deservedly deserted, the Green is teeming with won for the second time by the Club's life. Second Team Captain Justin Ian Pennell Rushgrove. Disco and silly games lasted into the Martley Spurs early hours, some members felt better than others the following day! The Spurs Saturday eleven opened Our Cricket Correspondent their February fixtures playing Tolladine while the Saturday Premier Martley Millennium Green side tied one all with Perrywood and the Reserves beat Malvern Radar by Fifteen people and five (well-behaved) three goals to one. dogs congregated on the Millennium Perrywood faced the Spurs again on Green on Saturday morning 1 March Saturday the 8th and just managed to to plant trees. We planted about 100 beat our boys by three to two. The native broad-leaved deciduous trees Sunday Premier side however beat including a few less-common species Pinvin 3-1 while the Reserves were such as the Wild Service. narrowly beaten by Archdales The planting is along the eastern and Reserves. southern sides of the Green and in The weekend of the 15th - 16th was time will provide added visual and really worthwhile watching, the wildlife interest in what at times can Saturday eleven thrashed Koinonia 7-2 seem a rather featureless landscape. in the quarter final of the Martley Cup. We hope that the little trees in their The Sunday Premier side beat pink shelters will get a good start Droitwich Spa 3-1 and the Reserves during the forthcoming season and netted up a four goal win over Kays

April 2003 * The Villager 13 Athletico. wonderful meals they have provided Another great score of 6 - 1 came in an for us. away game when the Saturday side Advance notice of Special events/ trenched Inkberrow Reserves on the services in May/June to which you 22nd with Benny Jeynes beating the are most welcome: goalie twice. The Sunday Premier lads Evensong at Wichenford will this year didn't do so well the next day as they begin in Sunday 18 May 6.30pm and lost by two goals to Arrow 2000 and will be held each third Sunday of the the Reserves lost to Oak Apple. Month until September, replacing As of the 22nd the league tables found Matins for this period. the Saturday Premier side with only Worcester Diocesan Pilgrimage ten points, the Sunday Premier side Worcester Cathedral 5 May from doing much better lying fourth and the 10.30am onwards led by John Bell of Reserves sadly right at the bottom. the Iona community. It will be a day of The teams wish to thank Bet and Ken informality and fun for all ages with Gwin for their kind donation of tea workshops, activities, walks, tours and and sugar for their after match worship. refreshments, and wish all their Rogation Sunday 25 May, A sponsors and supporters a Happy Benefice service and picnic will be Easter. held at Ridgend Farm Wichenford, the Beth Williams home of John and Sheila Richards. Ascension Day, Thursday 29 May Church news Holy Communion 7.30pm at St. Peter’s Martley. Annual Parochial Meetings for Sunday 29 June, Ordination of our 2003: Curate Jennifer Whittaker at Lower Teme Valley Tuesday 1 April Worcester Cathedral 10.30am 7.30pm St. Mary Magdalene followed by a Benefice Lunch and get Broadwas. together with Jennifer and her family St. Laurence Wichenford Monday 7 and friends at Chantry High School April 7.30pm at church. finishing with a service at St. Peter’s Due to the success of the recent Alpha Martley. Course held for the Benefice it is Further information from Revd. David hoped that we will be able to run a Sherwin, 01886 888664 further course in the near future. If you are interested please contact Rev Baptisms: Lucy Jade Williams, was David Sherwin. May I take this Baptised on Sunday 2 March 2003 at opportunity to thank George and June St. Peter’s Martley. Lawrence for their hospitality over the previous few months and for the

14 The Villager * April 2003 Church Words The Rectory 01886 888664

Easter, a time of new Services for April: beginnings, new life. The Church of has just begun a new phase in 6 April Lent 5 its History as the 104th Archbishop, Rowan Williams has taken his place. It Wichenford 9.30am Holy Communion has made the press and others ask all Martley 11am Family Service sorts of questions and has delighted Broadwas 11am Matins them at his readiness to speak out on issues he feels strongly about. There Knightwick 8am Holy Communion have even been those who ask, ‘What Cotheridge 6.30pm Evensong st relevance the Church has in the 21 13 April Palm Sunday Century in a multi-ethnic Britain’? Martley 6.30pm Celebration with 2000 years ago in a country in the Holy Communion Middle East, one who was of an ethnicity different to ours, spoke out Laylocks Service for All Garden and was killed for his message, and he, Centre Christ, rose again from the dead, to reinforce all he said. Is one who 20 April Easter Sunday conquers death irrelevant? The Wichenford 9.30am Holy Communion Archbishop, the Church world wide, Martley 11am Holy Communion the Church in this diocese, of all Broadwas 11am Easter Worship denominations, the Church in this benefice, bears witness to a new Cotheridge 8am Holy Communion beginning that began 2000 years ago 27 April and continues today. That first Easter Wichenford 11am Holy Communion began with death and hopelessness, Martley 9.30am Holy Communion; yet climaxed with resurrection, new 6.30pm Evening Worship life, new beginnings, new hope. Is it irrelevant to believe in a Lord of all Broadwas 11am All-Age Worship hopefulness? As it is written, ‘it is a hope that does not disappoint’ (Romans 5 : 5), God Bless you and give you hope this Easter. Revd. David Sherwin, Rector.

April 2003 * The Villager 15 Over the Garden Wall in Wichenford

WICHENFORD NEEDS YOUR NEWS

Janet Andrews Wichenford 100 Club 01886 888303 Sheila Richards February 2003 monthly draw – 01886 888378 winner No 99, Mr Mike Harris Phone your Wichenford news to Janet or won £104. Well done Mike! Sheila or leave articles at Martley Post Office or 1 Oxford View Wichenford Wichenford Church Altar Flower Rota Church Services 6 April Lent – no flowers 13 April No service Palm Sunday 13 April at 11am. 20 April Easter decorations There will be no service in 27 April Easter decorations Wichenford Church this year on this day. Instead we are breaking new WichenfWichenfordord Parochial ground, joining with other churches in the Benefice and holding our Palm Church Council AGM Sunday Service at Laylocks Garden The Annual General Meeting will be Centre at Broadwas. This should be a held on Monday 7 April 2003 at most enjoyable experience, so do 7.45pm in the Church. All parishioners come and join in. are invited to attend this important Maundy Thursday Service 17 April, meeting, where the accounts from last Service of Holy Communion at year are presented, and officers elected 7.30pm in Wichenford Church. for the coming year. So if you are interested in how our Parish Church is OneOne---SentenceSentence Sermons being run, do please come along - you will be most welcome. Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

Give God what is right, not what is left.

16 The Villager * April 2003 Wichenford Ladies Wichenford Memorial Hall Fellowship Quiz Night Our February meeting was held in the Saturday 8 February was a very Memorial Hall and took a quite enjoyable evening when different form. We went back to our approximately forty people took part childhood days and enjoyed playing in what appears to now be recognised Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Draughts as our Annual Quiz Night. remembering past skills and doing Once again Mr John Harwood something different. Mrs Pam Webb prepared and presented the questions led the prayers. Mrs Lucy Jones and that this year were based on the Mrs Gwen Burnett provided the teas. animals and reptiles of the Chinese We wished Mrs Gwen Burnett and Calendar. John gives his time and Mrs Molly Wall “Happy Birthday” for expertise free of charge solely to raise February days. A draft programme funds for the maintenance of our was given to members, and we plan an Memorial Hall. We are extremely interesting year of activities, so don’t grateful to him for this. Everyone miss out – come and join us. The April present appeared to enjoy a very meeting well be held at the home of entertaining evening and we hope that Mrs Brenda Hadfield on 15 April at we will be able to look forward to a 2.30pm. repeat performance next year. The Management Committee would CCongratulationsongratulations like to thank everyone who provided us with fifteen wonderful raffle prizes Congratulations to and all members of the Management Mr Dixon Stinton Committee who gave freely of their who now has two time in the preparation of the food and baby grand- the Hall during the Saturday. Our daughters to add to thanks to Mark and Heidi who were his five grandsons. once again responsible for the bar and To daughter Anita and Son-in-Law a special thank you also to Bill Root Steve, a daughter Kiara on 7 January who once again cooked and donated weighing in at 9lb 7oz, sister for plenty of delicious onions. Thank you Daniel and Jordan; and to daughter to Ken Randall on the door and Dixon Suzanne and Son-in-Law Vince, a Stinton and Margaret for organising daughter Cassandra Grace on 19 the raffle, and the ladies who yet again February, weighing in at 6lb 12oz, did a sterling job in serving the food sister for Alexander. All are doing during the interval. well. Lots of love and best wishes to Last but not least we thank all who all, from Margaret. supported us to make the evening an

April 2003 * The Villager 17 enjoyable, entertaining one in which Christopher Whitehead High School: we raised about £220 towards the County Councillor Beryl Hickling maintenance of our Memorial Hall. reported that outline planning Without our supporters we could not permission for a new school building do this and we are extremely grateful at Earls Court Farm has been granted. and look forward to your continued This decision will now be put to the support in future events. secretary of state for approval. Dixon Stinton, Chairman and Malvern service centre is being Margaret Fisher, Secretary, developed within Malvern Library to Wichenford Memorial Hall enable staff to deal with all County Management Committee and District enquiries under one roof. Following Vision 21 Worcestershire Wichenford Wine Club C.C. has been awarded £992,000, to improve local transport in the Malvern 17 April will be the date of Hills District. Vision 21 identified Wichenford Wine Club's April local transport as the community’s top meeting, scheduled for 8.00.p.m. at quality of life issues in terms of Wichenford Village Hall. improvement. This will be spent This month we will be visited by within the district funding the delivery Patrick Shave of The Hop Pocket who of flexible transport in rural areas of will present a selection of his wares the Malvern District. for tasting. There will be some English District Councillor Gerald Jordan wines to compare with those from reported that unemployment in more traditional origins. Worcester has risen to 5963 in Mike O'Leary January, an increase of 664 since December 2002. Wichenford Millennium Annual figures for the numbers of Green visitors to the information centres show that in 2002, Malvern had Tidying and Inspection Rota—April: increased by 12.5%. Vicki Roberts. The Malvern’s visitor and accommodation guide for 2003 has Kenswick and Wichenford been distributed through all national, Parish Council and networked Tic’s and over 9,000 copies have been asked for to date. An ordinary meeting of the Parish On 24 January, officers and members Council was held on Monday 17 attended the launch of the County February in the Memorial Hall Affordable Warmth Strategy at Wichenford at 7.30 pm. County Hall. Fuel poverty exists REPORTS where households are spending more

18 The Villager * April 2003 than 10% of their income. barns to 2 dwellings at Allsett Farm District Councillor Barbara Williams, has been granted. who will be our new District Meadow View Wichenford has gone Councillor after the May elections, if to appeal and the Council will write to she is re-elected, accompanied the Planning Inspectorate. councillor Jordan. The parish council had two new MATTERS ARISING applications to comment on. The external auditor has completed the A first floor extension to provide audit for year ending March 2002. The additional bedroom and bathroom at notice of closure of audit is displayed Berrow View, Castle Hill Wichenford. on the notice board along with the The council decided a site visit was account details. needed before any comment could be The clerk has been trying to contact made. the breweries that currently have the The conversion of existing barn to Masons Arms. Unfortunately she has form a gymnasium at Colketts Farm been unable to speak to any one to Poplar Road Wichenford. The parish even find a contact address. She will council had already approved the as soon as possible write and ask what previous plan, and felt a new they intend to do with this eyesore. application was inappropriate. Councillor Panton attended the Rural CORRESPONDENCE Transport Seminar at County Hall. M.H.D.C. plan to put a mobile Malvern has money to give rural areas Recycling centre in the village. The for transport. Up to £10,000 can be Parish Council approve of the idea as applied for from the Countryside long as a suitable site can be found. Agency and a village survey needs to Malvern District council want to place be done. Councillor Panton has spoken the unit on the car park by the to Martley Parish Council and hopes Millennium Green, but the Parish we can go into partnership with other Council do not consider this a suitable parishes. site because of the possibility of FINANCE broken glass. If the District Council The council paid out the sum of does own the land then the Parish £209.12 Council want proof of ownership. PLANNING NEXT MEETING Application for a single storey 31 March 2003 at 7.30pm. domestic extension at 1, Orchard View 14 April 2003 Annual Parish Meeting Wichenford has been given at 7.45/8pm. permission. All in Wichenford Memorial Hall. An indoor swimming pool at Garden Shirley Sanders Clerk to the council. Cottage Kenswick has been granted. Conversion of existing agricultural

April 2003 * The Villager 19 Stowaway Skittles shoulders, which I have to admit sometimes hampers my scoring Yes, the sound of falling pins has been ability,but far be it for me to make heard yet again on the side of Berrow excuses! Hill. Anyway, the Team has started back All indications are of a with confidence and we're all looking fairly good season for forward to next season the Stowaways at The Dave "Where's The KingPin" Cropp Admiral Rodney. We've had a bright Bellringers Tower Opening start, and at the time of writing have won 10 matches and lost Many of you have enjoyed the 9 (some by just a few pins). Also for experience of climbing up to Martley's the first time in our history (which bells and then out goes back some way!) we won our on to the Tower first round cup match - and against Roof to celebrate opposition from a higher division. Midsummer. The team has some real stalwarts This year we will playing regularly, such as Steve "The be taking folks up Spare-Getter" Prickett, Mike "Pin- and down the Gardener" Dunnett, Bob "Mystic Tower on the Guru" Gittins, Carl "747" Shaw to afternoon of name but a few. As captain, coach, Sunday 22 June. team adviser, and manager, I do have a You will get a talk number of responsibilities on my about the bells, a

HAVE YOUR SAY ON HOW YOUR VILLAGE IS RUN

On 1 May 2003 the District Council and Parish Council will be holding its elections for office. Each councillor will be in office for a term of four years. The candidate must have occupied as owner or tenant property or land for twelve months in either Kenswick or Wichenford. Their principal place of work during those 12 months has been in the area, or they must have resided within three miles of the parish for twelve months. Wichenford has seven Councillors and Kenswick has two. If anyone would be interested to stand as councillor we hold approximately eight or nine meetings a year with occa- sional site visits between meetings. Please contact the clerk on 01886 888302 for more information.

20 The Villager * April 2003 glass of wine suitably chilled, and a We decided to have a collection in lieu wonderful 360 degree view of of sending each other Christmas cards Martley. Cost? £1, fund raising for the and raised £35 which is being donated bells and for the maintenance. to the Lee Sykes Centre in Bromyard. Come along and bring your friends! The April meeting will be on Tuesday During the Flower Festival upwards of 22 April at the home of Chris Fletcher 150 people old and young made it to in Clifton-upon-Teme when we shall the top, and we hope many of you will have a “Missionary Talk”. come back again. Geraldine Cooper Dave Cropp 01905 427501

Knightwick and District WatWatchch your Weight Trefoil Guild in Martley The Trefoil Guild was originally Anyone is welcome if they want to formed for ex-Girl Guides, now it is lose 10 pounds or more. Come and open to non-Guiders. The main aim is join our friendly meeting at 6.30 p.m. to support those who are actively every Tuesday in the Memorial Hall. Guiding. When I was a Guide they Jenny Barnes played a big part in raising money for camping equipment etc. We currently have 15 members and we are an active group, Our February meeting was held at the Postal Votes home of Jenny Barton in Broadwas- on-Teme. We were very sad to learn Postal votes - don’t lose your that Ivy Larder (nee Williams) had vote for the local elections on passed away, she was well known to 1 May 2003! many of the Guild members, and had st All registrations for postal been a very active member of the 1 votes must be completed by Knightsford Girl Guide company, in 23 April 2003. Apply for her youth. We enjoyed an evening of registration to the Electoral poetry, each member brought along some of their favourite poems, Registration Office, Malvern Eight members supported the County Hills District Council, The Thinking Day celebrations at Council House, Avenue Droitwich. This is the joint birthday of Road, Malvern Worcs., Lord and Lady Baden-Powell (founder WR14 3AF members of the Scout and Guide or phone 01684 862212 movement).

Aprril 2003 * The Villager 21 1250 years ago. John is also research- WWichenfordichenford Local Heritage ing the Anglo Saxon history of the parish and has already made consider- Group able progress. Field walk – We still have no date for Evening Classes – The autumn eve- an expert review of the finds from our ning classes will run from 1 Oct to walk on Sawpit field although Neil is early Dec. and will deal with Anglo working on this. Nor do we yet have a Saxon Charters and Mediaeval settle- date for the geophysics. We plan to ment. We also hope to have a Saturday buy our own tapes and rods to carry workshop. More details will be pro- out more field walks. In particular we vided at a later date. look forward to walking in the fields Dendrochronology – Nigel Nayling is around Cockshoot. planning to come back to Wichenford Tithe map – The Tithe map has been during the week beginning 24 March digitised and I have a copy on a CD. to take some more cores. He is also Neil Locket has provided the ‘virtual’ interested in trying to date some of the aerial view and anyone wishing to bor- old trees in the parish, some of which row this should contact me. Robin we have reason to believe are 1000 Whittaker, the archivist at the Record years old. Office, has agreed to help us to make a The AGM of the Group was held on large, colour copy of the original Wednesday 26th . More than 30 mem- Tythe map of the parish. We also hope bers attended and we all enjoyed a to make several smaller copies (about very pleasant evening followed by 18 inches square) for those of you who ‘nibbles’ washed down with are spar- would like to have a personal copy. I kling wine from Argentina. For those will keep you posted. of you who missed the meeting, we Meetings – The next meeting of the still have six bottles left for a future Group is on 2 April when Elizabeth occasion. At the meeting, we agreed a Howard from the Record Office will constitution and details of member- talk about researching house history. ship and meeting charges. We are now arranging the details of Parish bounds – Having been encour- the visit to the long barrow at Bellas aged by finding on our walk at the Knap. The excursion is planned for southern end of the parish, the ‘Old Saturday 31 May. Already more than Dyke’ and Kadera’s pool named in the 20 people have said they would like to Saxon Charter of 757, we plan further go. If anyone else is interested, they walks with John Day although no date should contact me on 01886 888519 or has yet been agreed. It was quite a so- Mary Hylan on 01886 888431. bering experience to stand by a ditch Mervyn Mitchard and bank which was described as old

22 The Villager * April 2003 In the Garden In the Kitchen

“The cuckoo comes in April and Tuna Pie sings his song in May” - one of the old sayings, but it doesn’t seem This is a quick and easy dish for appropriate any more, as the cuckoo Easter holiday meals, and uses can usually be heard in this area in “store cupboard” ingredients. April. April is a busy gardening month. Dead head Spring flowering Serves 4 bulbs. Do not tie the foliage in knots or cut it off, as this robs the bulbs of 2 x 198g (7oz) cans tuna, drained and nutrients necessary to build them up flaked for next year. Remove the top foliage 1 x 326g (11½ oz) can sweetcorn when it turns yellow. Harden off and 100g (4oz) frozen peas plant vegetable plants raised in 1 large can condensed chicken or containers. Sow seeds of Autumn and mushroom soup Winter brassicas: purple and white 1 large can tomatoes, drained sprouting, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, 75g (3oz) Cheddar cheese, grated red beet, peas and potatoes. Lettuce 1 packet crisps, slightly crushed and onion seed for salad can be sown. Do your apples suffer from scab, Method: mildew or grubs? The only way to 1. Mix together tuna, sweetcorn, prevent these is to spray at the green peas and soup. Turn into a bud stage, and again when the buttered ovenproof dish and blossom buds are showing. There are cover with the tomatoes. various products available for this. 2. Mix together cheese and crisps Gooseberry sawfly strip the leaves off and sprinkle over the tomatoes. gooseberry bushes in days—keep a 3. Cook at 190°C (375°F, Gas 5) sharp eye out for these and other for 30 minutes until the top is pests this month. One of the worst of golden and bubbling. these is the slug—it will devastate the 4. Serve hot with a crisp salad or young shoots of almost every variety your favourite vegetables. of garden plants. Jack Bradley

April 2003 * The Villager 23

Nature Ramblings

easily seen as they were attracted to the lights of the Hall and consequently the doors and windows had to be kept Hornets in Wichenford securely shut after dark during September. As with wasps, hornet colonies die when the cold weather A s a beekeeper I am interested in sets in and only queens survive the wasps if only because they rob honey winter by hibernating in suitably from my hives, and each year I destroy sheltered nooks and crannies. These many wasp nests. Hornets are queens emerge in the spring to start comparatively rare and I have only new colonies in new sites. We are very once previously identified the site of a unlikely to see hornets in the roof of colony in Wichenford. This is now the Memorial Hall next year but these more than 15 years ago: I did not insects are clearly well established in destroy its nest nor would I normally the parish and long may this continue. consider destroying a hornet colony. Mervyn Mitchard

During August last year at least two hornet colonies were identified in Wichenford. Many villagers saw some of these very large wasp-like insects as the colony had established itself under the roof above the kitchen of the Memorial Hall. The other colony took up residence in the roof of Little Acre where Bill and Mary Hylan live. In view of their size, many people took some persuading that these insects are relatively harmless, they very rarely sting.

One interesting aspect of their behaviour was observed. Unlike bees and wasps, hornets continue to fly after dark when, like moths, they are attracted by bright lights. They were

24 The Villager * April 2003 TeaTea---breakbreak

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 0 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 1

ACROSS: 6. BLACKER (6) 4. RECOURSE (6) 8. WEAPONS (7) 5. GRATING (4) 9. SIGN OF FATIGUE (7) 7. VACATION (7) 10. SMALL PLUMS (7) 10. LITTLE PERSON (5) 13. WHITEN (6) 11. SPANISH DIALECT (7) 14. TALENT (7) 12. DUG FOR (5) 17. ORDER OF ARCHITECTURE (5) 14. WRITHE WITH PAIN OVER (7) 18. SPIRIT (5) 15. SPHERE (5) 19. BIRD (4) 16. PRESSING (7) ANSWERS TO JANUARY CROSSWORD 20. CLOYS (5) ACROSS: 1.ABRAM 4.LARGESS 8.ORDERLY 21. BIRD OF PREY (7) 9.BLAME 10.YORIC 11.EPISTLE 13.LINE 15. 22. LOATHE (4) EASTER 17.SUDDEN 20.MOON 22.RETREAT 24.CLOTS 26.TUNER 27.ETERNAL 28. 23. EX PRIME MINISTER (6) RACKETS 29.NEEDS DOWN: DOWN: 1.ACOLYTE 2.RIDER 3.MIRACLE 4. 1. JELLY (5) LAYMEN 5.RABBI 6.EXALTED 7.SCENE 12. 2. LARGE (5) PESO 14.IRMA 16.SATANIC 18.UNCLEAN 3. JUNIOR GIRL GUIDE (7) 19.NESTLES 21.OTHERS 22.ROTOR 23. 4. ORIGIN (4) EERIE 25.OUNCE

April 2003 * The Villager 25

Time out!

Word Grid Genuine cracker jokes Find the 9-letter word Q. What do you get if you cross fish and in the grid below, then elephants? see how many words A. Swimming trunks of 3 or more letters Q. What do you call a cow that eats grass? you can find. Letters A. A lawn-mooer much touch each other Q. What jumps up and down at the front across, up, down or of cars? diagonal.

A. Froglights Chocolate grid: word to Answer Q. Why did the turkey cross the road? A. Because the chicken was on holiday C H E C O T

O L A

Quiztime Shetlands or Hebrides? 1. Burmese is a 4. In which variety of which century did NEW QUARTER-PAGE household Alfred Lord animal? Tennyson ADVERT 2. Jay Kaye of become the the band English Poet Jamiroquai is the Laureate? partner of which TV presenter?

3. The oil 4. Nineteenth (1850) (1850) Nineteenth 4.

terminal Sullom Shetlands; 3. Outen;

Voe is in which Van Denise 2. island group— Cat; 1. Answers:

26 The Villager * April 2003