Grapevine The THE PARISH MAGAZINE OF ST LAURENCE CHURCH ALVECHURCH

NOVEMBER 2017 Online at www.alvechurch-stlaurence.org/monthly-magazine Page 1 St Laurence Church Alvechurch

SUNDAY SERVICES

8.00am Holy Communion Book of Common Prayer Communion Service, will take place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. On the other Sundays there will be an 8.00am Book of Common Prayer Communion Service at St Leonard’s in Beoley 9.30am Family Service with Holy Communion on the 1st Sunday and Baptisms on the 4th Sunday 11.15am Parish Eucharist 6.00pm Evensong On the 4th Sunday of the month at 6pm there will be Sacred Space, a quieter more reflective space for worship

On the 2nd Sunday of the month (4th in January), there will be a United Service (Churches Together in Alvechurch and Rowney Green), rotating between Alvechurch Baptist Church, St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Rowney Green Shared Church and ourselves

At Rowney Green Shared Church 9.30am Methodist/Anglican Service except 4th Sunday “All Age Worship” at 3.30 pm DAILY SERVICE

9.00am Monday to Friday in St Laurence Church

ORGANISATIONS

Sunday Club Sundays during term time 9.30am Church & Ark (445 1854)

Choir Thursdays at 7.45pm in Church (445 3569)

Bellringers Sundays at 10.45am Tuesday Practice at 7.30pm (01527 64077)

Women’s Fellowship 4th Wednesday of the month at 2.00pm in Tanyard Lane Community Centre (445 2125)

Mum’s the Word Thursdays 9.30am in The Ark (Sarah - [email protected]) Tiny Tots Service 10.15am 1st Thursday of the month

Ark Café Thursdays during term time at 12.15pm (447 7017)

Home Group Thursdays, 7.30pm at the Coach House (445 2547)

THE ARK Enquiries to Ian Price 0121 447 7955

Registered as a Charity in and Wales: Charity Number 1131783

Page 2 Sue Phillips writes... Our Peruvian visitors churchyard and the church building itself that caught the eye of our visitors. They

were amazed that as a congregation we had

the financial responsibility to maintain the If you were out and about in the village one whole area, and this was before Bishop Saturday last month you may have caught Jorge visited the bell tower and saw the sight of our two Peruvian visitors. Ricardo mechanism for the clock and the bells. He and Jorge spent a day in Alvechurch before was enthralled. Of course, the context for joining all the Anglican clergy from the this is that Christianity didn’t reach Peru Worcester Diocese for their Conference until the mid-sixteenth century, so the very which is held every three years. Two guests thought of a church dating back to 12th are invited from each of the link Dioceses Century and a history dating as far as 780 is (Morogoro in Tanzania, Peru and a source of wonder to our visitors. Yet when Madresburgh in Germany). It’s a great Bishop Jorge preached he brought us a opportunity for those whom we support in message very familiar to our ears, and when prayer and share in learning to get a deeper he shared with us the model they are using insight into our culture and the way our to help them navigate their way in the history has shaped the Anglican church in turbulent time they are experiencing, as a this country. Colonial church comes under indigenous It isn’t the first time we’ve hosted Peruvian leadership, again the concepts were visitors, and indeed Jorge Aguila, who is familiar. The importance of a personal now Diocesan Bishop of Peru, visited relationship with Jesus Christ who died for Alvechurch about 8 years ago. I remember us, the Bible as a love letter from God, the meeting him in Peru a couple of years after concept of family and community linking all his visit to Alvechurch Middle School. He Christians together as one body, nurturing had been so impressed by the use of our spirituality, the basic teachings and outdoor space at AMS that he’d determined creeds, and a commitment to share the to introduce a small replica in San Mateo good news of Jesus with others. He school at the edge of a shanty town in Lima. represented each by a different coloured He took a group of us to see this school and ribbon woven together to form a cross. The they had squeezed a little courtyard into the cross sits on a background where worship, site. I asked Concha the headteacher how growth, communication and knowledge they could justify this use of space in such a both motivate and direct all their cramped environment. She explained that endeavours. any child who was feeling sad or anxious Food for thought for the St Laurence church could absent themselves from the community as we digest these ideas and see classroom, and go to what they called their how we may wish to incorporate them into ‘God space’ where among the flowers and our own approach. As with the courtyard small shrubs they could enjoy ‘time out’ and idea, perhaps in years to come we will have experience healing in a beautiful space. An our own small-scale version of something interesting interpretation of the benefits of we learned from this visit by our friends our beautiful village environment. from Peru. On the more recent visit it was our

Page 3 Worried About Sight Loss? WE CAN HELP

Sight Concern is your countywide charity supporting blind and partially sighted people to lead independent and fulfilling lives. We would love to hear from you if:

● You belong to a group and would like an expert speaker with sight loss to come along and give a talk; ● You know someone who could benefit from our services as briefly described below; ● You belong to a group who adopts a charity every year; THOMAS ● You would like an article for your Parish Magazine about services in your area. BROTHERS Our Services Funeral Directors We can help with expert advice and support. Our team Prepayment Plan, of local Advice and Support Officers operate from Private Chapels, Malvern, Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Evesham "Woodland Burial" 24 hour Personal Service and Worcester.

We can help people adapt to life with sight loss. Our staff A family-owned funeral directors offering a friendly, dignified service, and volunteers are trained to advise on aids and talking paying attention to detail. equipment and our specialist courses will help people 12ATel: Red01527 Lion 547777 Street Alvechurch494 Evesham B48 Road 7LF manage everyday tasks more easily. Crabb0121s Cross, 445 3422Redditch S.A.I.F. S.A.I.F. At our Low Vision Clinics we can help you make the most of your remaining sight.

We can also give you the opportunity to meet other people with sight loss through our social groups, befriending volunteers or through a range of bespoke sports and leisure activities.

All Work Contact Info: 01905 723 245 is to the Email: [email protected] Highest Facebook: @sightconcern Standard Twitter: /sightconcernworcestershire Sight Concern Worcestershire, The Bradbury Centre, 2

Showroom and Workshop Sansome Walk, Worcester, WR1 1LH 338 Alcester Road, Burcot, www.sightconcern.co.uk Bromsgrove B60 1BH Tel: (01527) 876200 charity reg no: 1136716 07710976744

Page 4 "Rectory Cottage Bed and Breakfast" Alvechurch WI Old Rectory Lane, Alvechurch Pam Horsfield writes… offers warm and welcoming accommodation, Julie Hurlston, our President, welcomed us to our October with super breakfasts and attractive, meeting and wished a happy birthday to several members, spacious bedrooms. with a special Happy Golden Anniversary to Di Davies and her husband.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Worcs. WI lunch with Gyles

Brandreth at the Chateau Impney, both for meeting friends from around the county and for the quality and interest of the talk Gyles gave.

Several members are going to Malvern to the Annual Contact Celia on 0121 445 4824, or visit our website Council Meeting where Prue Leith will be one of our www. rectorycottage-alvechurch.co.uk speakers....and what a busy lady she is right now!

We also seem to be moving quickly towards Christmas with WHERE NEXT tickets on sale for our party, the Worcs Christmas visit to Waddesdon being popular and the Christmas Soirée at ASSOCIATION Hartlebury as another choice.

Our speaker was Carol Regan who spoke about her role as a Garden Centre store detective at Beatties in where she’d dealt with Opening hours Mon-Fri 9 to 5, Sat 10 to 4 all types of characters who were stealing from the store. Woodwork She might be petite but she certainly wasn’t afraid of coping Packing / assembly Landscaping / maintenance with tough folk as well as crafty people. Support your local cha rity which offers peop le with special needs the opportunity to Next month on Monday November 13th at 7:30pm, our experience the real wo rld of wo rk. speaker is Olwen Bird telling us about what it’s like running Wellesbourne Close a scout and guide group at B’ham City Hospital. Do come Easemore Road, Redditch and visit us in Alvechurch Village Hall. B98 8ER 01527 69955 St Laurence Women’s Fellowship Jill Woolley writes…

The planned speaker for our September meeting was unable to come but Mr and Mrs Wilkes came to our rescue and gave us a most interesting talk about Madagascar beautifully illustrated with photographs of the plants and animals especially the Lemurs.

At our meeting on October 25th we welcomed back David Howe who told us ‘Laughter is the best Medicine’.

Our speaker on the November 22nd will be Craig Leonard. His talk is entitled ‘Secrets of the Film Industry’.

We meet in The Tanyard Centre at 2pm. Come and join us you will be very welcome. Page 5

Parks 4 Play

Coffee Morning Fundraiser

Saturday 18th November 2017 10.00am - 12.30pm

at The Ark, Alvechurch

Raffle, Tombola and other stalls

‘Parks 4 Play’ is a charity that runs weekend and holiday play provision for disabled children with special needs - giving the children a safe, happy environment to play and ensuring the parents get the respite that is badly needed.

For more information visit - www.parks4play.org

Gala Concert

Kathryn Collinson There will be a Gala Concert at the Baptist BA Hons, BEd Hons, ALCM Church on Saturday 18th November at

Lessons 7.30pm. from 20 minutes to Performing will be the Alvechurch 1 hour Community Choir, Withybed Poets and various guest artists from the local Music tuition – All Styles  Classical, Bass and Electric Guitar community.  Piano and Keyboard  For exams or just for fun Tickets are £8 each (£3 children) and Maths and English Tuition  SATS / confidence building refreshments are available . Call  Special needs  Ages from 5-11 years 07769700645 for bookings.

Tel: 0121 445 3523

Page 6 Bishop John to remarry! From: Sam Setchell, Press Officer for the Diocese of Worcester and the Bishop of Worcester. The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge has announced his engagement to 'HJ' Colston. Bishop John and HJ first met about twenty years ago and the two families have been friends ever since. HJ has two boys, Luke and Toby, who get on very well with Bishop John’s children. After sharing the news with their respective families, Bishop John announced the engagement at a recent conference for the clergy in the Diocese. Bishop John said: “to have found love again is a most won- derful thing and I feel immensely blessed.” HJ said: “John is such a blessing and I'm so excited about our future together.” The couple are hoping to marry early in the New Year. Thereafter she will live between Worcester and Bradford- on-Avon where her boys are at school: her elder son is in his GCSE year. Hillside at Alvechurch WI Cathy Taylor writes... Our October meeting coincided with the Mop. Members negotiated their way round Alvechurch and the group welcomed Neil Cook Head Gardener from Hanbury Hall. Neil gave us a fascinating talk on the re-creation of Hanbury Hall gardens. His presentation included photographs and plans showing different stages of restoration. Neil explained that the work is carried out by four full time staff plus eighty volunteers. The gardens are beautiful and deserve to be seen at each season of the year. Our meeting on 1st November at 7.30pm at the Ark will include a display from the Womens' Federation of WI Loan Collection. A wide variety of Craft work created by WI members will be displayed to us. Future Events Christmas Outing to Waddesdon Manor on 30th November. Christmas Party Friday 8th December at Barnt Green Cricket Club.

Page 7 Rowney Green Flower Club Celia Hitch writes…

Rowney Green Flower club, The Peace Hall, Rowney Green. Our special Christmas flower demonstration and Christmas Buffet will take place on Thursday evening, 7th December 2017. Christmas Buffet will be available and, as usual, our members and visitors can bring along a plate of food to add to the buffet table. Wine will be available. We usually commence at 7.15pm for food, wine and chat, and the demonstration commences at 7.45pm. This year, by popular demand, Sue from Northfield Flower Centre will be returning to give us one of her excellent displays. All arrangements will be raffled at the end of the evening. Please come along and support us! Contact is Clare Kenny, telephone number 01527 66071.

Thank You Celia Hitch also writes…

The Macmillan Biggest Ever Coffee Morning, held at Rectory Cottage, Alvechurch raised an amazing £879. It is the biggest total ever! Many, many thanks to all my hard working helpers and to all those people who came along and supported us. Celia Hitch and family.

Alvechurch Historical Society Hilary Taylor writes…

Local Town & Country are the subjects of our next two talks.

On Monday 6th November Stephen Hinton, senior ranger, will talk about "Lickey Hills Country Park". Come and find out how the Cadbury family was involved, why the Lickey Hills were a popular tourist destination for visitors from the city, and why so many trees have been felled.

Our final talk of the year is just around the corner. On Monday 4th December Derek Coombes will speak on "Remembering Lost Redditch".

Newcomers welcome Our talks are held on the first Monday of the month, at 7.45pm, in the museum hut on School Lane. Parking is available behind the Catholic Church, with their kind permission. New faces are always welcome, just come along, or contact our chairman, Anne Humphries on 0121 445 5995.

Page 8 Rowney Green Horticultural Society James Giles Lindsay Smith writes…

Rowney Green Horticultural Society meets at The Village & Sons A FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL DIRECTORS ESTABLISHED 1916 Hall on the second Thursday each month at 7.30pm. Serving all communities The meeting on the 9th November will be the Annual with dignity and understanding General Meeting followed by Cheese and Wine. All members are most welcome on the evening re. the  Private Chapel of Rest  Day and Night Service election of the Committee. The Society is looking for new  Woodland Burial  Golden Charter and Help additions to the Committee so, if you feel you would like the Aged Funeral Plans to give it a try, please speak to a Committee Member  Catering and Floral Tributes during the evening. For more information please Telephone 01527 872318 telephone Lindsay Smith on 01527 592874. 24 Stourbridge Road

Bromsgrove, Worcs, B61 0AE Some Dates For You To Remember

Sunday 5th November at 11:15 AM: All Saints Communion Service - when we remember and give thanks for those who have died in the last 12 months and also for those whose names are requested to be remembered (there is a sign-up sheet at the back of church for requesting the names to be remembered). Sunday 12 November at 10:55 AM: Remembrance Sunday Communion Service - when we remember and give thanks for those who have died because of war and conflict.

Poppy Crosses Anne Humphries writes…

I will once again be placing poppy crosses in St. Laurence churchyard on behalf of the Alvechurch Ex-Services Association. There are seven designated war graves in the churchyard.

Anyone who wishes to join in the placing of the crosses should meet at the porch of St. Laurence Church on Sunday 12th November at 3.00pm.

Page 9

Kids Corner

Cut long the dotted line and stick it onto card. Get an adult to help with the cutting out.

Page 10 Letter from the retired French officer who was a friend of the family to watch over them. In the Bishop Of autumn of 1942, he warned them that their activities had been found out and that

everyone should leave at once. So until the Recently I made my first visit to the end of the war, it was in Geneva that National Memorial Arboretum near Brother Roger lived and it was there that he Lichfield. It’s a place of memory and hope, began a common life with his first brothers. and I was particularly struck by the main They were able to return to Taizé in 1944. memorial to those members of the armed forces who have died since 1945. Names Since then Brother Roger’s ecumenical are carved on about two thirds of the stone community has grown to around 100 walls; sons and daughters, husbands and brothers. Each summer they are joined by wives, mums and dads, who never came thousands of young adults to spend a week home. I found myself running a hand along seeking communion with God in prayer, the smooth wall for future years and singing, silence and reflection. Young wondered whose names would be there. I people who spend time there often pondered to myself what pain was still to rediscover an inner peace, a meaning to life come, what tears and bloodshed, bullets and a new impetus. Experiencing a simple and bombs? Oh, if only we could learn to life shared with others reminds us that daily make plough shares and pruning hooks. life is the place where Christ is waiting for How, I wondered, could I make a difference us. towards building a little part of more Next July I am going to be leading a peaceable world? pilgrimage, together with the Bishop of

In 1940 a young twenty-five year old left his Southampton in the Diocese of Winchester, native Switzerland and moved to France to Taizé. I warmly invite 18 to 25 year olds wanting to make a difference. For years he to join me, but all of us can play a part in had been ill with tuberculosis, and during this pilgrimage. Please share this page with that long convalescence the call to create a young people who you know, pray that community had matured within him. At the they might respond to this invitation and height of the Second World War, Brother please consider whether you or your PCC Roger, as he became known, realised that might sponsor one or more young people he could build a little part of a more to go (it will cost around £200 per person). peaceable world by assisting refugees. Do please let me know and I would be happy to send a personal invitation. My He settled in the small Burgundy village of prayer is that this pilgrimage will encourage Taizé, close to the demarcation line dividing a generation of young people in their France in two, and it was there that he, Christian life and witness as together we together with one of his sisters, began sing a song for peace. sheltering refugees, including Jewish peo- ple. There was no running water, just the village well, and food was scarce.

Brother Roger’s parents, knowing that their son and daughter were in danger, asked a Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 The Midland Sinfonia

Friday 1 December 7.30pm

St Laurence Church, Alvechurch

Concert by Candlelight

Handel – Water Music Suite in F Mozart – Exultate Jubilate Dvořák – Nocturne Haydn – Symphony No.43 ‘Mercury’ Lizzie Ryder, soprano

Tickets: on the door £14.50, in advance £13 from ‘Gin & Pickles’, The Square, Alvechurch or online at www.midlandsinfonia.co.uk FT students and schoolchildren accompanying an adult free.

For more information: Email [email protected] or Call 0121 447 7040

Page 14 The Story the of the Poppy

During the First World War (1914–1918) much of the fighting took place in Western Europe. Previously beautiful countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over, again and again. The landscape swiftly turned to fields of mud: bleak and barren scenes where little or nothing could grow.

Bright red Flanders poppies (Papaver rhoeas) however, were delicate but resilient flowers and grew in their thousands, flourishing even in the middle of chaos and destruction. In early May 1915, shortly after losing a friend in Ypres, a Canadian doctor, Lt Col John McCrae was inspired by the sight of poppies to write a now famous poem called 'In Flanders Fields'. McCrae’s poem inspired an American academic, Moina Michael, to make and sell red silk poppies which were brought to England by a French woman, Anna Guérin. The (Royal) British Legion, formed in 1921, ordered 9 million of these poppies and sold them on 11 November that year. The poppies sold out almost immediately and that first ever 'Poppy Appeal' raised over £106,000; a considerable amount of money at the time. This was used to help WW1 veterans with employment and housing.

The following year, Major George Howson set up the Poppy Factory to employ disabled ex-Servicemen. Today, the factory and the Legion's warehouse in Aylesford produces millions of poppies each year.

The demand for poppies in England was so high that few were reaching Scotland. Earl Haig's wife established the 'Lady Haig Poppy Factory' in Edinburgh in 1926 to produce poppies exclusively for Scotland. Over 5 million Scottish poppies (which have four petals and no leaf unlike poppies in the rest of the UK) are still made by hand by disabled ex-Servicemen at Lady Haig's Poppy Factory each year and distributed by our sister charity Poppyscotland.

MAKE A DONATION By phone Remember you can always call our friendly fundraising support team on 0845 845 1945 to make a donation by phone. By text To donate £3, text POPPY to 70020* *Cost £3 plus standard network charges (typically £2.97 goes to the Poppy Appeal). By post Please print off a Donation form (pdf). The link is on the following website page - http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/make-a-donation (also please print and complete the GIFT AID form if you are a UK taxpayer) and return to The Royal British Legion, FREEPOST SN1457, Melksham SN12 7BR.

Article source- The Royal British Region

Page 15 St Laurence Stained Glass Windows Update Alison Smith (Chair) writes…

The money raised so far for the Windows appeal is now approximately £28,000 - this is a fantastic achievement. With the guidance of our church architect, we have also been successful in obtaining a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help us create a detailed specification for the work which needs to be done, to ensure that the stained glass windows and their surrounding stonework are conserved for future generations to enjoy.

Development work has now started, including a measured survey and essential checks, which fortunately have shown no asbestos or bats to worry about! All donations are very much appreciated and can be put in the carboy at the back of the Church or given to the Churchwardens or Deputies. Further updates will follow in future editions, and many thanks to all who are supporting this important project to protect the beautiful windows in our parish church.

..in other news from the Buildings, Fabric and Churchyard Team

Looking after our beautiful Grade II* listed parish church is both a privilege and a challenge. Every church building and its grounds has to have Quinquennial Inspection (QI), which is a five-yearly check by a Diocesan approved architect or surveyor, to see what condition the church buildings and churchyard is in and to set out what repairs are needed. The report highlights works which are urgent and need to be done immediately and those which can wait a little longer but will need attention. Our QI took place a few months ago, and the Churchwardens and Buildings Team have been hard at work carrying out the most urgent repairs and maintenance, engaging specialist contractors where needed.

The QI also identified some ancient memorials in our lovely churchyard which now need to be made safe. Maintenance of memorials is the responsibility of families, so over the next few months we will be attempting to identify and contact any descendants, in line with Ministry of Justice and Diocesan rules. Some of you may have noticed the safety barriers which for a time were in place around a grave near the church door - fortunately we were able to contact some family members living abroad, who gave permission and funded the work to stabilise the grave.

Any offers of help (practical or financial) with the maintenance of the parish church and churchyard are much appreciated.

Page 16 Ark Cafe

As time marches on into late 2017, here is the Cafe menu for November and details for our two special Christmas lunches on November 30th and December 7th.

November 2nd - Roast Pork November 9th - Somerset Chicken November 16th - Roast Lamb November 23rd - Beef Casserole

November 30th - Christmas Lunch - Ticket Only December 7th - Christmas Lunch - Ticket Only

Tickets for the Christmas Lunches are priced at £14 and are available from the Ark on any Thursday lunchtime or from Ian Price Mon-Fri 9am to 2pm at the Ark Office 0121 447 7955. As you probably know, the Christmas lunches represent very good value with a Roast Turkey Lunch, Choice of Desserts, Cheese and Biscuits, Tea or Coffee and Wine and other available drinks, all included in the price.

During the first Christmas Lunch on November 30th, we have some musical entertainment and songs given by the duo 'Irene and Full Circle'. Everybody enjoyed their show so much last year that we have asked them for a return visit this year.

On December 7th, our church organist David Richmond will be entertaining us on the keyboard with the usual collection of Christmas melodies and carols during the lunchtime period.

We look forward to your continued support over this period during November and at the Christmas lunches.

Page 17 Flowers for NOVEMBER 5 November 12 November 19 November 26 November

Sanctuary Virginia Davis Remembrance Sunday

Lady Chapel Virginia Davis Remembrance Sunday

In memory of her late father Mr Catley

My prayers were answered last month for Harvest Festival when I was helped by Elizabeth Clem- ent, Linda Helmore and my friend Jill Johnson. Sue Brotherton and Sue Phillips came along and were an enormous help clearing the previous week’s flowers. Sue Brotherton was able to come back later in the day again helping with the tidying and taking rubbish to the bins. We were also fortunate to meet the Bishop of Peru who had just arrived in Alvechurch and called briefly in St. Laurence at the start of his visit.

November has just two Sundays that are not covered before we go into the waiting season of Advent when as is tradition we don't have flowers in church. If you can help me on these two Sundays I would be really grateful.

Ann Thurrell - 0121 447 7668 / [email protected] Parish Prayers

Prayers will be said at St Laurence Church for the residents of the following roads:

Redditch Road, Alvechurch – 5 November

Redditch Road, Hopwood – 12 November

Robins Hill Drive – 19 November

Rockwell Lane – 26 November From The Registers Funerals and Cremations May they rest in the peace of Christ

September 18 Victor Wallcroft September 21 Joel Dockery October 5 Betty Andrews October 10 Alice Weir

Page 18 Who’s who Rector Revd Richard Bubbers, Priest-in-charge, School Lane, 445 1087 [email protected] Licensed Lay Ministers Mr Dick Russell, 2 Gothic Cottages, Radford Rd, 445 3083 Ms Sue Phillips, Withybed Green, 445 3620 Authorised Lay Ministers Mrs Helena Allen, 117 Road, 445 5605 Mr Martin Allen, 117 Birmingham Road, 445 5605 Mrs Philippa Brakes, 56 Callow Hill Road, 445 3983 Mr Graham Clark, The Coach House, School Lane, 445 2547 Mr Michael Fletcher, 13 Red Lion Street, 447 8451 Mrs Annette Thomas, 8 Snake Lane, 445 5180 Churchwardens Mr Graham Clark, The Coach House, School Lane, 445 2547 Mr Mick Fletcher, 13 Red Lion Street, 447 8451 Deputy Wardens Mr Colin Bennett, 122 Redditch Road, 01527 64077 Mr David Richmond, The Ferns, Chapel Lane, 445 3569 Mrs Alison Smith, 12 Hollington Road, 447 7293 Mr Andy Notley, 38 The Buckleys, B48 7NF Mr Roger Wardle, 21 Brookside Close, B48 7LW, 445 0505 PCC Secretary Mrs Lysandra Notley, 38 The Buckleys, B48 7NF Parish Safeguarding Officer Mrs Sue Lambert, 7 Cygnet Close, B48 7PX, 07769110608 PCC Treasurer Mrs Janet Wright, 28 Callow Hill Road, Alvechurch, B48 7LP Organist & Choirmaster Mr David Richmond, The Ferns, Chapel Lane, 445 3569 Electoral Roll Officer Mrs Janet Wright, 28 Callow Hill Road, 445 4335 Tower Captain Mr Colin Bennett, 122 Redditch Road , 01527 64077 Singing Group Mrs Lynda Wolstencroft, 49 Hinton Avenue, 445 3212 Mum’s the Word Mrs Natalie Wise, 07792535661 Flower Co-ordinator Mrs Ann Thurrell, Top Barn, Scarfield Hill, 447 7668 Women’s Fellowship Mrs Jill Woolley, 111 Birmingham Road, 445 2125 Ark Booking Secretary ) Mr Ian Price, The Ark, School Lane, 447 7955 & Grapevine advertising ) [email protected] Grapevine Editor) PCC Special Responsibilities Finance and Standing Committee Peru and Missionary Committee Graham Clark Mick Fletcher Sue Phillips Dick Russell Alison Smith Bob Dale Gordon Parsons Margaret Haste Janet Wright Sally Bubbers Sue Lambert Children and Youth Committee Martin Allen Mick Fletcher Thomas Birchall Lynne Clark

Buildings, Fabric and Churchyard Committee Mick Fletcher Colin Bennett David Richmond Jill Woolley Janet Wright Lynne Clark Andy Humphries Alison Smith Page 19 Calendar for November

Wednesday 1 7.30pm Hillside WI: Women’s Federation of WI Loan Collection display: The Ark

Thursday 2 9.30am Mums The Word: The Ark 10.15am Tiny Tots Service: Sarah Linton: St Laurence Church 12.15pm Ark Café: Roast Pork

Friday 3 7.30pm Life Through A Lens: Illustrated talk by John Williams: The Ark

Monday 6 7.45pm Alvechurch Historical Society: Talk by Stephen Hinton on "Lickey Hills Country Park”: Museum, School Lane

Tuesday 7 7.30pm PCC meeting: The Ark

Thursday 9 9.30am Mums The Word: The Ark 12.15pm Ark Café: Somerset Chicken 7.30pm Rowney Green Horticultural Society AGM: Peace Hall Rowney Gn

Monday 13 1.45pm Forget-Me-Nots: The Ark 7.30pm Ark Angels WI: The Ark 7.30pm Alvechurch WI: Speaker Olwen Bird: Alvechurch Village Hall

Tuesday 14 DECEMBER GRAPEVINE GOES TO PRESS Articles to [email protected]

Thursday 16 9.30am Mums The Word: The Ark 12.15pm Ark Café: Roast Lamb

Saturday 18 10.00am Coffee Morning Charity Fundraiser for ‘Parks 4 Play’: The Ark 7.30pm Gala Concert: Alvechurch Baptist Church

Wednesday 22 2.00pm St Laurence Women’s Fellowship: Talk by Craig Leonard ‘Secrets of the Film Industry’: Tanyard Lane Centre

Thursday 23 9.30am Mums The Word: The Ark 12.15pm Ark Café: Beef Casserole

Monday 27 1.45pm Forget-Me-Nots: The Ark

Thursday 30 9.30am Mums The Word: The Ark (upstairs today) 12.15pm Ark Café: Roast Turkey Christmas Lunch: Ticket Only (£14)

POSITIVE PRINT, 26 Castle Road, Kings Norton Business Centre, Birmingham, B30 3HZ Page 20