MAGAZINE

Welcome, Revd Alison Hampton (p3) Farewell, Gordon Holland (p24)

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2 thoughts for the month

Introducing Alison irstly, thank you for the wonderful welcome you have all given us. Bob (my husband) and I Fhave been very touched by the warmth in the messages. Some people have commented that this is a difficult time to start a new post. Although I partly agree, it is also exciting as we are moving into a new phase of ministry together. The season of Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year, starting on Sunday 29th November is a timely reminder that all things will be made new. The watchword for Advent is “prepare”. For many it is the preparation for Christmas that is the fun bit. If your family and friends are like mine, you have all been making plans all year. Where we are meeting, the food, the present code for the year? This year it feels odd. How can we prepare for something when we don’t know how it is all going to work? What will the “rules” be? Advent is about getting ready for the birth of Christ, a baby born to be our Saviour. When someone has a baby the most common question asked is “Are you prepared?”. I had four babies and I can’t say I was ever ready. Yes, I had all the accoutrements, but was I prepared for the broken nights, the worries? When Mary was told she was to give birth to the Son of God, her mind must have gone into overdrive. As a young mother, and all that entailed, she also had to deal with carrying the hopes of all humanity. I think the song from the group Pentatonix, sums up some of this emotion in the song, Mary did you know? As the song lists some things that happened in Jesus’ life that his mother could never have foreseen. Through the experience of Mary, I realise that none of us know what the future holds. Whatever happens, this Advent and Christmas will be different. However, the essentials are still there – we are remembering the birth of a baby who changed the world and made us all new. With blessings to everyone this Advent and Christmas. Alison Revd. Alison Hampton St Peter’s priest-in-charge

Taking stock s we enter the season of Advent and start a new year in the Christian calendar, it is Atime again to take stock of the past year. There have been many changes in our lives, dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year we had no concept of social distancing. We would never have thought to check for our facemask before we went out. We had never had to shut our churches for worship. The pandemic has taught us to be closer to our families and neighbours, there has been some wonderful outpouring of community spirit. While not quite sure how we will be able to celebrate, hopefully we all will be able to share a happy Christmas. The Covid-19 pandemic will not take away Christmas 2020! John Burke On behalf of Our Lady and St Benedict’s Church

3 editors’ specials Editors: (01564) Diane Buckley [email protected] 793596 Barry Phillips [email protected] 792719 David Haggarty [email protected] 794583 Send editorial material by 15th of previous month to Diane : [email protected] Advertising Vivien Haggarty [email protected] 794583

Look out for Road Trip v Flog it Lockdown The cover picture taken at the Yew Tree stocking filler shopping village shows Sims Antiques’ Magazine owner Phil Sims and his wife Terri with contributor Barry antique dealer Karen Hepworth and Road Phillips has Trip presenter Raj Bisram. volunteered as local agent to The TV personality was taking part in take orders for a show due to go out in the New Year - a pocket-size competing against Flog It presenter Paul book of some Martin for the best auction results from the 100 poems various items they buy from dealers. reflecting with wit Thank you and perception Thank you to Dermot at the General Stores the experience and Raja at the Wootton Post Office for of living through collecting the envelopes given out in last 2020’s coronavirus summer, aimed at the month’s magazine. We are grateful to all Christmas market by Clive Fewins, a friend our readers who have taken the time to and former colleague of Barry (01564 make a contribution towards the printing 792719). costs. If the official envelope got misplaced At least £5 of the £12 cover price of the not- any envelope will do – and both stores will for-profit hardback Life Under Lockdown still gladly receive them. goes to NHS Charities Together Covid-19 The next magazine will be February appeal. The strange atmosphere of closed 2021 – so the team would like to take this churches (Clive has explored Wootton’s St opportunity to wish all the readers a happy Peter’s in the past), isolation, silence in the Christmas and hopeful New Year. street, even the hunt for loo rolls, feature in the collection, also available via the Tall village tales publisher, [email protected]. At the end of an unforgettable year, the Archive Centre team would like to Hark at Yew Tree shopping village send best Christmas wishes and thank Covid-19 rules permitting come and listen everyone who sent contributions for to the Wootton Carollers on Saturday 12th Wootton Wawen’s Tales of the Unexpected. December for half an hour of your favourite The tales will be collated and published carols at 12 noon and 4pm. All donations in a pamphlet available when the Oak for the Air Ambulance. Hopefully, enjoy Room reopens for exhibitions and open some super Christmas shopping and a hot afternoons - hopefully in spring 2021. chocolate too! If you can’t get out....see some marvellous local offers of help on page 27 4 5

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6 church

Remembrance with a difference A carefully spaced turnout of local residents and passers-by in facemasks pausing while legitimately taking exercise ensured due tribute was paid to the 17 names on Wootton’s war memorial on November’s Remembrance Sunday. The scene played out despite the ceremony being officially cancelled as a coronavirus safety measure and most villagers marking the moment in front of TV or observing the Silence at their front doors. church minister, Revd James Holden (right), arranged to lay the wreath on behalf of St Peter’s, Wootton without an audience as no formal religious service was possible. But his delivery of the traditional “We Will Remember Them” was witnessed by more than 30 onlookers including six cyclists [Our observer at the event placed a poppy cross who stopped off spontaneously en-route inscribed: “In tribute from the magazine team from Solihull. and its many readers – in remembrance.” Three Singing of the National Anthem’s first days later about 20 villagers gathered to mark verse was permitted under lockdown the 11th hour on the 11th day of November] rules and the restrictions were neatly Archdeacon’s Visitation circumvented well before the eleventh Every year churchwardens of the Church hour by the placing of a poppy wreath on of attend a service of renewal. behalf of the village by the parish council This year with the restrictions in place and three days earlier by a special these services were held via Zoom. painting from Oak Class at the primary Archdeacon, Barry Dugmore, thanked school. everyone for the previous year’s work and The metal outlined figure of an infantryman gave an uplifting sermon. Each deanery of acquired in 2018 as part of the centenary the diocese held their separate of the end of WW1 stood guard in front but much shortened service, without the of the memorial, individual crosses were usual music and hymns, but probably the planted in its neat floral border and on the best Zoom service to date. So, although grassed area behind, beside the driveway six months late the churchwardens have to the church, a plantation of poppies now accepted the ‘legal charge’ for the spelled out Lest We Forget. next year.

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8 church

Traditional treats please! Take-away Christingle etc. November and December are always At 11am on Sunday busy months for the Trussell Trust’s 6th December Norrie Stratford foodbank but this year things Moore will be leading felt busier, and a little trickier than usual. the service at St Peter’s and depending on In 2020 they distributed an average Covid-19 conditions at 328 parcels a month, an unfortunately the time, a representative needed 25% increase on last year’s of Coffee Tots will be present to receive average of 262. Through the dedication the donated gifts for the children. and commitment of their volunteers they have remained in operation throughout Later donations can still be given to the pandemic and intend to remain so. Beatrice Townsend or Norrie Moore and they will be delivered. The foodbank has always been blessed with huge amounts of local support – Those unable to be in the church can without which they simply couldn’t do join an on-line service of Christingle what they do. They wish to sincerely from which will mention the thank everyone for their gifts of time, kits available in the church porch for money and food, all of which enables children to make their own Christingle them to continue their vital work. and this offer will still apply on the day whichever service is available. So, The new list of requested items for the make sure the children pick up a kit! foodbank box has a Christmas feel to it by including tinned ham, mince pies, Unfortunately, the annual joint ‘Service yule log, Christmas puddings, cakes of Nine Lessons and Carols’ with St and savoury treats, tins of Benedict’s can’t go ahead this year, biscuits or chocolates. but Revd. James Holden is offering a Service of Christmas Praise at 11am on They also need the Sunday 20th December. usual tins of fruit and vegetables, meat Hopefully, on Thursday 24th December or fish meals and - again dependent on restrictions – instant mash. Christmas Eve midnight mass will be at Angel Delight, 11pm with Revd. Phil Hanson. sponge puddings, For more details of changes to custard, preserves, services or news of January services peanut butter and UHT juice. contact Barbara Lord at email Shampoo, deodorant, shaving foam [email protected] and razors. Washing up liquid, washing 01926 840100 to request the current powder/ liquid. Newsletter with information. For the You Plus, if possible, a traditional seasonal Tube service type in Claverdon You treat - Christmas crackers! Tube and select services.

9 community

Dead oak to live on affixed to the finished object giving some A piece of sculpture could appear in the of the tree’s history. middle of Wootton in the near future after it Initially the parish council asked the was agreed quotations should be sought highways authority to make the tree safe to convert into art the trunk of the dead but following delays in the request being oak tree at the Bull’s Head junction. acted on, members agreed to local After ailing for several years, the oak – resident John Johnson seeking quotes for bought and planted with the help of public the sculpture, towards the cost of which subscription to mark Queen Victoria’s he offered to make a donation. diamond jubilee in 1897 – died two years He arranged for inspection by a sculptor ago. who pronounced the trunk sound enough Since then an occasional rotten branch to work on when a design is agreed. The has dropped onto the A3400 and the trunk tree has been protected by a taped barrier shows signs of decay but with sufficient pending further progress. good wood for a creative carver to get to The parish council also laid the ground for work. There are plans for a plaque to be a private contractor to trim overhanging trees along the A3400 which have been screening speed restriction signs, having failed to be given a date by which the highways authority will arrange to do the job. Half century update Marking 50 years since its formation in 1970 by the late Denis Keyte, Wootton Footpaths Group is to go high tech. Because it charges no subscription and has no funds, it has asked the parish council for a grant towards the cost of designing a website which member Robbin Suffield said would improve communication between the group and future potential walkers. The group’s normal monthly walk was called off for November due to the extensive lockdown and as there is traditionally no walk in December the next is planned for Sunday 31st January starting from the village hall.

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12 community

Zooming in After some useful zoom training from member Tina Ridley, WWWI’s committee held a ‘hybrid AGM’. To satisfy the Charity Commission’s ‘live’ requirement, sisters Cheryl Plant and Jan Willson ‘bubbled’ together while the rest of the group ‘zoomed’ in. (Will this all sound really strange to readers or normal speak in years to come?? Editor) Archdeacon Barry Duggan (standing above) was welcomed to our school last All members had been asked to vote month to take a series of assemblies postally for a new president as Beatrice on the Coventry diocese’s theme ‘Take Townsend was retiring. Vice president Heart’. The message was one of hope, Diane Buckley won the vote and encouraging the children to recognise the accepted the post. qualities they have that help them to get Although the usual festive December through difficult times. Our children have meeting won’t be possible plans are afoot certainly demonstrated these qualities, for some sort of Christmas celebration showing kindness towards each other; – probably virtual and possibly zooming perseverance in catching up with the hybrid! things they have missed and resilience when dealing with all the changes around The committee is already planning for school. We are very proud of them. WWWI’s centenary in 2022 and looking for ways to involve the village in some Marion Jones, Headteacher. celebrations to remember. Next year will be a busy one and new members are always welcome. Best Christmas wishes from Wootton’s WI. Hope and heart Oak (reception) Class at Wootton Wawen primary school made their annual pilgrimage to St Peter’s church to remember those who have given their lives in service to their country and community. They made a simple wreath, laid it at the memorial (pictured right) and then had a short period of reflection. Their behaviour, as always, was a credit to their teachers.

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Essential and non-essential images of places of interest on maps of Canal holidays from Wootton’s the village and neighbourhood drawn by Navigation wharf were cancelled in Rowington artist Lynn Redwood. November, rated as subject to national Besides batches being placed at key shutdown of “non-essentials” points for visitors to Stratford the guide But the Anglo Welsh services remained will be displayed at Wootton railway available at the wharf to provide station for people to study on arrival essential diesel, gas and coal for the there. many hardy souls who live on the canal. Jessica Earle, parish council member The location supplies the converted who holds the village tourism role, said houseboats moored along a 10-mile all sponsors would be credited in the stretch of the and Stratford guide in addition to listings of customer- Canal between Kingswood Junction facing businesses along with St Peter’s at and the canal basin at and St Benedict’s, Wootton Hall and Stratford upon Avon. transport links. Matt Stearn, manager at the wharf Keep your guard up said on-board residents were subject Families are being urged to keep to all the rules applying to land-based observing social distancing and other households and were banned from precautions against Covid-19 in the moving away from their moorings face of latest available statistics for the except to refuel with the fuel required for pandemic in Warwickshire. heating and cooking. In the district covering Wootton, He said the holidays ban during the Henley, Claverdon and Langley nine renewed lockdown was in contrast cases were recorded in the period to with an unprecedentedly busy period mid-November, said the area’s county between July and October when all council member John Horner. boats were booked, and they did as The county as a whole also remained much business as in the whole of a below the national average with deaths normal season. Fulfilling Christmas and – as distinct from cases – running at five New Year bookings depends on the a week against 88 in the spring. But it is latest Government requirements. difficult to compare test data between On the map spring and today due to the ramping up Village businesses are being asked to in the testing regime, Cllr Horner added. sponsor the next edition of Wootton’s guide to visitors in anticipation of a return of tourists to Stratford and its surroundings next year. The tri-folded A4 size colour-printed guide will include enhanced detail and 15 feature

Welcome to Britain!

After studying, living and working in the UK since 2006, Wootton’s postmaster for the last five years Raja Liaqat (right) has been granted British citizenship. At a ceremony in Birmingham he was with more than a dozen other successful applicants to have documents checked, photographs taken, to swear allegiance to the Queen, promise to obey the law of the land and coming to attention for the National Anthem. For the 40-year-old who also has Pakistan citizenship, it was the end of a 10 month naturalisation procedure which included a 15-minute conversation with a college invigilator to show his command of English, producing documents proving his work record, and completing 40 questions online covering British And he treasures one other measure of history and customs. satisfaction at the outcome. “I phoned Raja, who has played cricket for Henley, my dad in Pakistan on the day I received handles Royal Mail consignments every my certificate of citizenship and he said day and firmed up his ambition to it was the happiest day of his life,” said become a Brit when he took friends to Raja. see Buckingham Palace last year, and says fulfilling the dream is “an amazing feeling.” SENDING GREETINGS Holding an MA in accounting and Latest recommended posting dates finance, he added: “I feel good and for UK Inland Christmas delivery: proud to be British. I love this country Friday 18th December – 2nd Class and the people who are so friendly. I want to contribute more in the future.” Monday 21st December – 1st Class The former stock taker, work which Wednesday 23rd – Special Delivery Guaranteed took him into Asda, Tesco and other Royal Mail recommend posting parcels supermarkets, Raja also thanked those and cards early to avoid disappointment. in Wootton Wawen who willingly acted as Check royalmail.com/greetings referees in support of his application. for the latest postal information. 16 feature

Jason’s aglow

After some 30 years of waiting, a £5m families. But the council did not want to homes development is nearing completion know.” in Wootton, tucked away off the southern The current development comprises entrance to the village in Pennyford Lane. four detached four-and five-bedroom Jason Evans (pictured below), of 200- properties by Stratford-based Ainsworth acre Field Farm – an acre of whose land, Construction priced at between £860,000 latterly used for outdoor storage, is the and £1m. The fifth is being built for his site for the houses - saw building start in own family occupation by Jason and March last year and expects completion helpers, including son Alex, now at within the next six months. university. “It’s been a long time since the first Jason also put in the initial access road application to build some homes,” said which when fully marked out and surfaced Jason. “Over the years various schemes will put a new name on the village map – got turned down. One was for more than The Rickyard. the five going up now. It would have Barns were once on the site, one of them included some starter homes for village adapted for the business Jason started in 1989 for vehicle dismantling and repair. Its location is now to be occupied by the family home, Rickyard House, unusually framed by the pillars and pitched roof of a new 52-ft square open barn which will also give cover to a garden terrace. Within it the new property will be super- green, says Jason, with 65 solar panels on an insulated aluminium roof from China laid on the barn roof. A cellar will house 45 batteries to store electricity generated, sufficient for all the family needs with surplus to sell to the National Grid. A new generation air-sourced heat pump will complete the comforts of a triple- glazed home with underfloor heating and a gym in another section of the cellar. Window and glazed door insulated aluminium frames have also come from China, using sources Jason found when importing motorcycles. 17 community

Club to reopen Winter’s tale for coaches Reimposition of lockdown last month Some 250 have signed up for one last meant plans to reopen Wootton Wawen chance to take a holiday package in 2020, Social Club with its newly appointed hoping an easing of lockdown restrictions steward had to be put on hold. will give the all-clear to Johnsons embarking on Christmas breaks from As this issue of the village magazine went Henley. to print club officials were hoping the way would be cleared for the premises to resume business on Thursday 10th December, subject to Government restrictions being lifted. . This is in line with the outcome of a ballot which showed members favoured the club continuing to serve the community as it reaches its 75th anniversary in 2021. President Robin Ridding said it had been Wootton resident and director John a difficult year for the club but with the Johnson said in a normal year 800 festive support of existing and new members it customers would join 22 coaches, but was hoped recovery could be sustained numbers reduced by the situation would while still observing social distancing and “still have a great time” at their chosen other restrictions for as long as required. hotels. “Our arrangements worked well and kept He added: “Winter is never a good time everyone safe during the weeks in late because holidays, day trips and coach summer we were able to trade and there is hire go a lot quieter. Now with Lockdown 2 no reason why the same system should not things are even quieter.” work again,” he said. He said the company’s summer holidays The ballot of 2020’s paid up members and excursions programme had also was “overwhelmingly” in favour of the been hit hard by restrictions, but 2,000 club staying open, he added, and they passengers had joined their coaches were being notified by letter together with for socially distanced and sanitised trips initial opening hours Thursday to Sunday. between August and October. To ensure social distancing numbers of Their bus services, including the X20 customers at any one time will be limited through the village, are running normal to 20. frequencies said Mr Johnson, but with “We all hope the lockdown is for only one many fewer passengers there are serious month and that all hospitality venues can concerns for when the Government trade again and salvage something from compensation scheme for bus operators this difficult year,” Robin concluded. comes to an end.

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19 community

otherwise my outdoor Christmas display may be lacking the star! Diane Buckley Pandemic Pilates News from Simon Maddox about how his, and several other villagers’ favourite exercise class is surviving through the pandemic. Simon’s name should be familiar as he used to organise this magazine’s distribution and advertising for several years. After the pandemic prevented classes Get creative! being run at the Barn Studios, Burton With a second lockdown looming Farm, Bishopston, Clare Teasdale, local Warwickshire Artisans, based at the Yew Pilates teacher and fitness consultant, Tree shopping village, were determined set up an on-line Pilates class which now to offer as many of their advertised extends over 22 classes each week. workshops as possible. During the Simon says, initially, Clare was Government’s few days’ notice they concerned over whether on-line quickly contacted customers, changed sessions could provide the same appointments and rescheduled events. interest and communication. Once the The whole-day pewter workshop technology was mastered, however, it (pictured) gained a couple of extra half- soon became clear that this new way day card makers (yours truly included). of doing things had several benefits Tutor Sheran van Dermerwe (standing) including essential social interaction for had the required tools and materials the participant. It provides a regular and well-organised in each shielded recognised means of taking exercise workspace in The Chocolate Shed and which is important when many others everyone felt very safe. A recent arrival are unavailable. As Simon added, from South Africa, she provided expert “Exercising at home is convenient instruction on the methods for using particularly during the winter months sheets of pewter but also encouraged and for those participants who are self- participants’ creativity. It was a very isolating or sheltering.” enjoyable morning learning a new skill, For a free introductory on-line Pilates chatting with fellow makers, many on lesson email [email protected] their second or third workshop, and hearing about Sheran’s life in South Africa and her recent first experience of frost! Hopefully, the rescheduled ‘willow deer workshop’ will go ahead in December

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22 community

Green bin fee waste collection, said he intended to The introduction of a green bin charge introduce the following measures from due to start in June 2020 has been August 2022: postponed to 1st April next year. • Weekly food waste collections – new, Stratford District Council said that over small bins will be supplied 75% of all councils already charge, some • Two-weekly green bin (subscribers only) up to £90 pa. SDC’s charge will be £40 and blue bin collections per bin but householders can sign up between 11th January - 28th February • Three-weekly black bin collections 2021 for a discounted £35. A sticker will The intention is that the food waste will be issued to subscribers to indicate that go to an anaerobic digester where the the bin can be collected. It was suggested methane gas is extracted and used. The that neighbours could share a bin to lower object is to have zero waste to landfill and the cost. reduce greenhouse gases. Households Households that haven’t paid will not have will be issued with a small caddy for inside their bin emptied after 1st April 2021. and a larger one for outside - specifically To register green bins call at or phone for food waste. SDC offices at Elizabeth House, Stratford From Councillor Ian Shenton’s report at the (01789 267575) or go online at www. online Parish Council meeting. stratford.gov.uk To recycle or not to recycle? Waste collection affects every household Test yourself – which of these CAN be and while Stratford district is good at recycled in the blue bin?? recycling, currently at joint 10th place at around 60% compared to all authorities A: Empty aerosol cans in England, more could be done. Last B: Clean foil and foil trays year an analysis of black bins found that C: Textiles around 30% of content should have been D: Crockery, cutlery and drinks glasses in the blue or green waste bins. E: Shredded paper F: Expanded polystyrene Until 2022 food waste should go to the green bin but is often in one of the other two bins. Waste in the black bin either goes to landfill or to the incinerator where it is burnt to create electricity. The waste that goes to landfill rots and gives off methane gas which is up to 35 times worse than CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases. Answer – only A and B. Ian Shenton, Wootton’s member on the If you didn’t know visit www.stratford.gov. SDC whose Cabinet portfolio includes uk/recycling for a full list.

23 community

Farewell, farmer Gordon many who lived in the lower part of the Villagers lined the Road waiting village. They were always there to help for the cortege to say farewell to local folk pump away the surging water from farmer, Gordon John Hollands. entering the houses after a heavy rainfall Gordon was born on 22nd December and flooding. 1937 near Moulton, Northamptonshire “I know many were so grateful for that and lived with his parents and younger unselfish act by Gordon who had the brother Stanley on the family’s Moulton necessary kit and was only too willing to Lodge farm. He married Wendy in April help neighbours. 1961 but when his father sold the farm, “Gordon and Wendy were there at every they started looking for their own home major church event if they were able but I and chose Wootton Hill Farm. remember it was at Christmas when they A few years later, Gordon employed a firm organised the first candle lit path for us to spray fertiliser by airplane and soon as we stood singing the last carol at the after, when Wendy was invited to a village ecumenical carol service. They were out ladies meeting, she was introduced as there unbeknownst to the congregation “the lady who lives on top of the hill whose lighting wee candles in jam jars, so that husband has just bought an airplane and as we left church in the dark, we saw this loves to buzz around all day”. wonderfully festive walkway back to our As friend, Sue Steele of Mays Hill Farm cars. It was just magical for adults and remembered in her eulogy, “Living up children alike. on the highest hill in the village gave a “Gordon was a regular attender at the wonderful vantage point and it was likely annual parochial church meeting and Gordon’s idea to host village events, would often take the initiative at the end to barbecues, barn dances and then light thank the incumbent and churchwardens a beacon to celebrate national events for all their work over the year. such as the Queen’s Jubilee and the So, we thank you, Gordon, for your Millennium.” wonderful community spirit and for giving She added ,“Gordon along with his sons pleasure to so many.” Mark and Christopher were saviours to

24

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Greener street lighting A quarter of the consignment should Prohibitive costs of changing the village appear in the spring around the oak street lighting to a more ecologically planted near Wootton Hall’s gates friendly system may be eased by to mark the Queen’s golden jubilee. converting on a one-by-one basis Another 1400 will provide a blue ribbon as the lamps need replacing. A light of colour along both platforms of which failed nearly a year ago at the Wootton railway station ahead of other corner of Mayswood and Birmingham plantings as part of its adoption by Roads could lead the way with its local volunteers. reinstatement. Acting chairman of the Charity begins at home parish council Michael Dufty, said: “If A few interested customers managed we don’t start now, we’ll never get it to visit Le Grenier to admire the 1930’s done.” dolls house and train sets (as featured Nurse known to many in last month’s magazine) being sold The founder 25 years ago of Wootton in aid of the Shakespeare Hospice by Hall’s Live Lively Club held in the Sun local resident, Jenny Farrell but the Lounge has died age 79. Glenn Snell second lockdown stopped shoppers so was community nurse for older people they are still for sale. based at Henley surgery until finally While the shop has been closed retiring in 2012 and needing care home owner, Clive Ellis has been renovating support from 2015. and restoring furniture for clients. He She had previously “retired” as a said, “I’ve got plenty of projects in the direct employee of the NHS in 2001 shop to keep me busy – but really hope but her role acting as a link with the that we can open to customers in early GPs in identifying patient needs was December.” Clive intends to send the so important in easing the doctors’ toys to specialist auctions if not sold workload, they paid for her to continue. locally. Training as a qualified SRN at Queen Scam warning!! Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, she If you receive a postcard supposedly became an occupational health nurse from PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) do before marrying David in 1972 and NOT ring them on 0906 etc. – you will coming to live in Wootton in 1979. They be charged £315 for the call! have two children, Jonathan, a GP and Flower power Sarah, a teacher. With a door-to-door collection Blue ribbon against polio impossible, Mary Cresswell organised Nearly 2,000 extra crocus bulbs have an outdoor poppy stall instead and her been planted in places of public access Mayswood Road neighbours helped in the village in support of Rotary her raise £123.48 for The Royal British International’s fund-raising campaign to Legion. rid remaining countries of polio.

27 diary

DECEMBER Sunday 20th Sunday 6th Christingle service plus Service of Christmas Praise Coffee Tots St Peter’s 11am St Peter’s 11am Saturday 12th Carol singing at Thursday 24th Yew Tree Shopping Village Midnight Mass St Peter’s 11pm noon and 4pm (p4) JANUARY Sunday 13th Sunday 31st Footpaths Group Revd. Alison Hampton is to be Licensed 2pm outside Village Hall to the Churches of Arden Benefice – (hopefully streamed via You Tube)

Sophy is waiting for Santa – Happy Christmas readers!

Floodlighting The lights for December and January are sponsored in memory of Don Graham with love from Charles, Gillie, Alexander and Philippa, “Remembering you on the December anniversary of your passing. Thinking of you especially at this time of year”. Also, by Janet Hill in memory of the Deakin family and Geoff and Vera Moreton. Joyce and Stanley Gosling are remembered by their daughter, Carol Caldicott. Thank you to all the sponsors of St Peter’s floodlighting over the last year. If you would like to sponsor the floodlighting during 2021 please call Liz Rayner (01564 792737) 100 Club Congratulations to the November winner Derek Hill. Page sponsored by Hemming & Peace - Local Funeral Directors Tel. 794795 28 INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS Courteous, Sensitive & Efficient 24 hour service Private Chapels of Rest (at Stratford & Alcester) Why choose an independent funeral director? Single minded devotion - All our attention is concentrated on satisfying the needs of our friends and neighbours. We are flexible and responsive to your needs. In our locally owned firm there is no pressure from head office to increase profits. We know our business will do well when we serve you well. Long term commitment - Not only do we want to meet your current needs, we also seek to build a relationship of trust, so that you will return to us in the future. This is where we live and work. It’s where we plan to stay. TEL: 01564 794795 (24 Hours) 2 Doctors Lane, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, B95 5AW

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29 quick reference

Allotments and Garden Association 01564 793251 Sue Norman Bowls Club (Wootton Hall) 01564 795539 Ronald Clarke Bridge Club 01564 792993 Christine Whitehouse Christian Home Groups 01564 792737 Liz Rayner Churchwarden 01789 731152 Sheila Brown Churchwarden 01789 205045 Steve Wiseman Community First Responders 01564 793978 Peter Neville County Councillor 01926 842068 John Horner Dentist (Henley) 01564 795025 or 01564 794908 Diocesan Lay Reader 01564 793578 Norrie Moore Diocesan Lay Reader 01789 415274 Judith Cox District Councillor 07971 343074 Ian Shenton Doctors (Henley) 01564 792434 Footpaths Group (Ramblers) 01564 794806 Keith Thomas Henley-in-Arden Methodist Church 01789 267971 Revd Audrey Simpson Henley Rotary Club 01926 842451 David Burman Henley Community Library 01564 794885 Magazine Distribution 01564 792865 Norman Tame Magazine Diary/Editorial 01564 793596 Diane Buckley Magazine Publishing and Advertising 01564 794583 Viv Haggarty Warwickshire Rural Energy Scheme 01789 472619 Sharn Parish Council 01564 794111 Parish Clerk Parochial Church Council 01564 792941 Judith Lindley Pastoral Visitors (St Peter’s) 01789 731152 Sheila Brown Police (Team voicemail) 01789 444816 Safer Neighbourhood Team Post Office (Wootton Hall) 01564 792615 Raja Liaqat Pre-School 01564 792680 Tricia Baker Rainbows/Brownies (Wolverton) 01789 731278 Janet Livingston Reading Group 01564 792812 Margaret Stringer Scouts (1st Henley & Wootton) 07535 233313 Graham Mallinson Social Club 01527 525597 Robin Ridding St Benedict’s Presbytery 01564 792647 Fr Damian Nwankwo St Peter’s Choir 01564 793217 Hilary Thomas St Peter’s Flower Rota 01564 794561 Helen Holt Three Parishes Library 01789 731778 Julia Seymour-Smith Tower Captain (Church Bells) 01564 792904 Keith Davies Village Hall Bookings 01564 792904 Shirley Davies Wagen Trust 01564 793585 John Lawton Womens Institute 01564 793596 Diane Buckley Wootton Hall Country Club 07814 818659 Tina Edkins Wootton Hall Residents’ Association 07873 360466 Chris Duffin Wootton Wawen School 01564 792574 Marion Jones Youth Club 01527 457969 Sue Griffin

ST PETER’S PARISH CHURCH (C of E) THE OF Revd. Alison Hampton e: [email protected] OUR LADY AND ST BENEDICT Benefice Office: 01926 840100 Tuesday & Thursday 10am – 2pm. Phone accepts messages Fr Damian Nwankwo 01564 792647 email: [email protected] WEEKEND MASSES Saturday 5.30pm at St Nicholas Beaudesert SUNDAY SERVICES 11am Cafe Church 1st Sunday 10am at St Benedict’s 11am Sung Communion 3rd 11am Morning Prayer 2nd and 4th WEEKDAY MASSES listed in the church porch 10am Every Wednesday Holy Communion

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