Ashton-under-Hill

The Beckford Parish Alstone & Magazine Teddington

October 2014 50p

To Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run; To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

- John Keats

Schedule of Services The Parish of Overbury with Teddington, Alstone and , with Beckford and

OCTOBER Ashton Beckford Overbury Alstone Teddington 11.00 am 11.00 am Harvest 5th October 8.00 am Harvest 9.30 am Festival 16th Sunday BCP HC Festival & CW HC J Dodge & after Trinity C Parr Patronal C Parr Lay Team/ Lay Team RWorsley 9.30 am 6.00 pm 12th October 9.30 am 11.00 am Morning Harvest 17th Sunday CW HC CW HC Prayer Festival after Trinity R Worsley R Worsley D Oxley/ M Baynes R Palmer 11.00 am Village 9.30 am 6.00 pm 19th October 8.00 am Worship Morning Evening 18th Sunday BCP HC J Dodge Prayer Prayer after Trinity C Parr & Lay R Palmer R Palmer Team 10.00 am 26th October United Last Sunday CW HC after Trinity M Baynes

NOVEMBER

9.30 am 2nd November Morning 11.00 am 4th Sunday Prayer 8.00 am 9.30 am Family before Advent 4.00 pm BCP HC CW HC Service All Souls All Souls Service

BCP Book of Common Prayer CW Book of Common Worship HC Holy Communion MP Morning Prayer EP Evening Prayer

Morning Prayers will be said at 8.30 am Friday at Ashton. Holy Communion is celebrated at 10.00 am on Wednesday in St Faith’s Church, Overbury.

Clergy Revd Canon Matthew Baynes Revd Susan Renshaw Revd Richard Worsley Revd Canon Chris Worsley Revd Clive Parr

Readers Captain Dennis Oxley, Church Army John Dodge Roger Palmer

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The Reverend Susan Renshaw Vicar of Eckington and Associate Priest in the Hill Group

From the Eckington Vicarage...

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’

At this time of year our thoughts turn to Harvest Festivals as we thank God for his goodness and celebrate bringing the harvest home. A couple of days ago I watched a programme on BBC 2 - Alex Polizzi: the Fixer. In this programme Alex visits struggling small businesses and offers them the benefits of her extensive experience. This week she was at Heck Sausages in Yorkshire, owned by the Keebles, a family of farmers. They were losing money hand over fist and needed to make their products more viable whilst not compromising the quality of their sausages. One of the problems was that, although Tesco’s stock their products, they will only pay a certain amount for them. On the best sausages, 97% meat, they were making a huge loss. The solution turned out to be to make their own seasoning rather than buying it in. The family spent time working on seasonings until they came up with one which was every bit as good as, if not better than, the one they were buying….but cost almost £5 per kilo less! When Tesco’s renewed their contract they were thrilled and their brand is now in other supermarkets as well. A happy ending, then, for this Yorkshire farming family. But there is a big issue here. The large supermarkets can dictate the prices they will pay farmers for their produce and we saw a backlash against this not too long ago when dairy farmers picketed depots in support of their demand to be paid a decent amount for the milk they produced. If the supermarkets offer less than it costs to produce not only milk, but any foodstuffs, how can farming survive in this country? If farmers are squeezed out of business by the large players we will have to rely on imports for our food and that doesn’t seem to me to be a sustainable solution. Living as we do in a rural area, amongst the farming community, I am sure that we all understand the problems our farmers face. But we are part of that problem. We want more and more for less and less. If we are to help support our farmers we have to be prepared to pay a fair price for British milk, fruit, meat and vegetables. We need to be prepared to pay extra for Welsh lamb, rather than the cheaper New Zealand imports….just one example. Our farmers deserve our support. Let’s make sure they have it! And I hope you will all give Heck sausages a try!

Susan

Calling all singers! It’s that time of year again, when people begin to exercise their vocal chords in preparation for the Carol Services! There will be a Group Advent Carol Service as usual on Sunday 30th November at 6.00pm at Eckington Church and people from around Bredon Hill are invited to come along to prepare for that service. Rehearsals will begin on Sunday 26th October in Eckington Church at 3.30pm (please note earlier start time) Enthusiasm is all that is required!

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OVERBURY & REMEMBER 1914 The weekend to commemorate the start of World War I took place in Overbury on 16th and 17th August. As always, the Village Hall proved to be an excellent central venue. The recently refurbished “bar” became a projection room for a rolling slide show giving background information about the village in the early years of the twentieth century with photographs of buildings and some of the people who lived here in those days accompanied by a commentary duet provided by Ted McWhirter and Faith Hallett. The Committee Room was transformed into a research centre with a world map showing where those from our villages were killed, computers and scanning equipment and copies of census documents going back far into the 19th century. Visiting relatives and Penelope Bossom spent many hours eagerly exchanging information and making more discoveries. In the main hall an energetic team coordinated by Angelina Rooney produced an unending supply of delicious home-made cakes, quiches and salads. The ladies of the village were very, very kind with the making of cakes, I had 24 in total and all of excellent quality. The hall also provided wall space for one of the highlights of the weekend: a remarkable and exquisitely crafted quilt created by School Lane resident, Teresa Carpenter, with squares made by contributors from far and wide, even the USA - see page 10 for more details.

Outside the hall on Saturday, straw craftsman David Packwood (who had been brought up in Overbury) travelled over from his home in North with some of his wonderful corn dollies and eager onlookers learned a few of the basic techniques. The new School Hall was also open with a display of work on the Great War done by children of every age, a film of their World War 1 production last term and various activities for young and old. St Faith’s Church featured a range of displays depicting various aspects of village life as well as one window which paid homage to all those who had gone to fight. Many fascinating artefacts and items of memorabilia were exhibited, including a wedding veil and christening robe of the period, as well as some stunning floral arrangements. Sally Stringer from Beckford Stores and Jane Firkin from Westmancote were very welcome contributors from other congregations – and Sally deserves special thanks for letting us have the flowers at cost. The pillars were used to exhibit some of the recruitment posters of the time with contemporary songs providing background music. The choir stalls proved to be a perfect place to examine folders giving information about some of the villagers who had gone to fight – and those with military interests could watch a fascinating film describing the British Expeditionary Forces’ first few months of the war. Around 65 people from a number of families researching their roots had tea at Overbury Court where they swapped stories with each other over a delicious tea. As Penelope Bossom says “It was wonderful to see so many families from all over the country return to their roots. There were relations of Attwoods, Ancills, Perks, Whittles, Turners, Weavers, Stanleys, Higgins and Glynns, to name but a few, and we made some amazing discoveries. It brings home that we must all get our own photographs properly identified and family stories written down or recorded.” On Saturday evening, Dr Marjorie DesRosier from Washington School of Nursing in Seattle gave a fascinating talk in St Faith’s on L’Hopital Temporaire at Arc-en-Barrois in France. This hospital was set up, after a great struggle, by some very determined Voluntary Aid Detachment ladies, led by Madge and Sue Bromley-Martin who were sisters of Eleanor Holland-Martin – all of them brought up at Ham Court near Upon on Severn. The weekend finished on Sunday evening with a special service of commemoration designed by Christine Clark, conducted by the Rev Susan Renshaw with Canon Matthew Baynes leading the intercessions. We were delighted to welcome a large congregation of 83 people. David Marsh and Bill Kyle, from Teddington and Alstone respectively, joined Chris Clark and Sharron Baldwin in reading poetry and a rousing bible passage from the Book of Joel. Anthony Hallett gave the address and the whole event was much enhanced by the presence of two British Legion standard bearers, Peter White and Derril Green, the County Standard Bearer.

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The service ended most fittingly with the Exhortation and Kohima by the lychgate followed by a period of silence. Some of those who went to fight from Overbury and Conderton have already been brought to life by the early research carried out on them so this part of the ceremony felt particularly personal and poignant. Speaking for myself, it felt especially rewarding (not to say unusual!) to be taking part in an event that was not specifically designed to raise money. Having said that, our visitors were very generous: donations, purchases from the produce stall and refreshments raised around £500 between them. Even more importantly, the congregation on Sunday evening raised a magnificent £327 for the British Legion – particularly appropriate at this time of remembrance.

Faith Hallett, Churchwarden at St Faith’s. Overbury

CONGRATULATIONS to Christine Turpin, who was curate to the Bredon Hill Group from 2009 – 2012, and is getting married on 25th October to the Anthony Dickson, a priest from the Diocese of Bath and Wells. She will be leaving Warndon Parish in September. If anybody would like to make a contribution for a wedding present for her and Anthony they can drop it off at the Rectory, or the Parish Office in Beckford (Friday morning only).

All Souls Memorial Service

Our Annual Memorial service will take place on Sunday 2nd November at 4pm at St. Barbara’s, Ashton under Hill. This is an opportunity for anyone to come to church and remember someone who has died. As usual we extend a particular invitation to the friends and relatives of a person who has died in the past year. The service will be a great service of hope, and a positive reaffirmation of Christ’s resurrection. There will be a list available at the back of all churches from 19th October for anyone to add the name of a friend or relative they wish to have remembered. Or if it is easier email Amanda on [email protected] Please pass on the information about this service to anyone, who you think, may find it helpful.

Teddington Village Hall Seniors Drop In Club Friday, 10th October from 2.30–4.30pm

The Teddington Village Hall Committee is pleased to announce the launch of the new Seniors Drop-In Club on the 10th October. The aim is to hold the Club on a monthly basis and we encourage anyone who is 50+ to come along and meet with other members of the Parish. Family, friends and neighbouring villagers are also welcome. The entrance fee will be £2.50 and includes a cup of tea/ coffee and biscuits/cake. Various activities will be available for those wishing to take part with, for example, a mini quiz, card games, simple team games, visitors talking about their adventures/ experiences etc. Come along and do whatever suits you! Once again, this is all about providing something for our Seniors that is local and also fun to attend. Call Sue for further details on 620264 or email [email protected] Future Dates for the Club: Wednesday 12th November & Wednesday 10th December

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Letter from South Korea

In , the start of September always signals the return of children and teachers to school and this tradition is the same in South Korea; after a two-week vacation in August, we have recently returned to Sahmyook Middle School to teach what will be our last semester here. While we have thoroughly enjoyed our time here and will be sad to say goodbye to the (majority of) students, we are also looking forward to coming back to England in March. Last semester ended with the school’s annual English Summer Camp, which was an enjoyable two weeks spent teaching a small group of students. I taught ‘Art and Crafts’ class, which involved a lot of drawing, painting, cutting and sticking, papier mache and an incredible amount of mess at the end of each day. Meanwhile Olly was in charge of ‘Sports’ class, where he played games of French Cricket, Bowls, and the firm English favourite, Crazy Golf. The children enjoyed themselves and, despite the 35 degree heat which isn’t the best temperature to work in, we had fun too. By the end of Camp we were relieved to have a break, and left on a ten-day relaxation holiday to Bohol in the Philippines, with our friends Angela and Steve. With it being Monsoon season over there, we were slightly wary that we might have to spend days inside sheltering from tropical rainstorms. However in the end, we didn’t see any rain the whole time we were there, apart from the last day at the airport when we were waiting for our return flight. We stayed in a resort for two days, and then travelled to a remote part of Bohol where we stayed at the Alumbung Hotel, a tiny resort with only five rooms, and aptly described as ‘Tropical Living’. This could not have been more accurate; we stayed in wooden huts in a beautiful garden setting, complete with tropical flowers and coconut trees. The time we visited was off-season and so we were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves; it was like our own tropical paradise. The only (literal) fly in the ointment with the back-to-nature hotel was when our friends discovered a three-inch cockroach in their bedroom at 12.30 am on the first night. We woke up to hear them knocking on our door, begging to sleep in the spare bed as they were too scared to stay in their room. So, the first night turned into a rather dramatic sleepover! Needless to say the next morning they changed rooms - as a terrified Angela said to the owners, “When there is one, there are usually many.” While we spent most of our time relaxing, Olly and I did go to visit some tarsiers one day, animals which Bohol is famous for. We had to take a two-hour trip on the local jeepneys’ (the Philippino version of Tuk-Tuks) to get to see these tiny Primates, but it was worth it. The tarsiers were like tiny monkeys, roughly the size of our hands, with huge eyes. We later learnt that the eyes of a tarsier are, in fact, larger than their head! Needless to say the animals were exceptionally cute and it was a treat to see them relaxed and in their natural habitat. I loved the Philippines for their natural beauty, but one thing which did shock me, especially during our time spent in the main city, was the division between wealth and poverty. There were luxury buildings and five-star holiday resorts scattered among shanty-towns. This was my first experience of being in a ‘third-world’ country and I found it extremely disconcerting; children running around the roads half naked with no shoes and covered in dirt, half-built houses made from scraps of metal and wood, and endless stray animals roaming the streets. I found it quite difficult to watch and felt self-conscious walking around while the children stared in awe. It was definitely eye-opening, to say the least.

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Despite this aspect of the trip, I loved our holiday and it was a welcome break from school. Now that we’ve returned to South Korea, I am looking forward to the beginning of autumn which will bring with it lovely warm days, but without the harsh humidity of summer! The nature is also at its best at this time, and we will look forward to going on some beautiful hikes to appreciate the scenery. We are also looking forward to the ‘Wonju Dynamic Festival,’ which takes place next week, and at which one of our students is performing at. He asked us to attend to watch his orchestra and told us that Paul Potts ( the winner of the first series of Britain’s Got Talent’) will be singing at the event, which surprised us! We are planning to go and it should hopefully be a good evening. Aside from this, we are just enjoying being back at school for the winter semester. At the speed the year is going, before we know it, the winter season will have dawned upon us and we’ll have changed from 35 degrees wearing sandals and shorts, to minus temperatures wearing thermal-wear and wellington boots! At least we know that when we do return to England, the winter weather won’t be so bad in comparison, on the contrary, we’ll be thankful for it! Kathryn Godfrey

Gammon in cider with roast potatoes, choice of puds. Vegetarian option on request. Raffle and entertainment by the Town Choir. Come and join us! Tickets from Jo Brown 881860 or Sarah Lane 881540

Teddington & Alstone Village Hall Lucky Numbers Club The Winners of the third 2014 Lucky Numbers Draw held on 8th September were:-

Number Prize Winner 54 £50.00 SHEILA GIBBONS 158 £40.00 ANNE MARIE CARTER 23 £30.00 RICHARD BROADBRIDGE 143 £20.00 TIMOTHY CARTER 129 £15.00 JUDY COPPIN 137 £15.00 DAVID POOLE 10 £10.00 JOHN & GLENNYS LAWRENCE

John Perkins, Chairman, 01242 620085 Page 7

From Pastures new but still in GL20 In Memory of Mr Gilbert Watkins Although I am a member of the Anglican Church, for nearly 80 years I have been an ecumenically minded Christian and in my teens being a Christian with conviction mattering more than being an Anglican. When I came to be 65 years old, an active life of Christian service mattered to me greatly. The opportunity of coming to Teddington, and of getting to know and have fellowship with Anglicans and other denominations was just what I believed God had for me to do. So there are members of Ashton Chapel that I know as well as many of the active core Anglican members of the parish.

So I was particularly glad to receive a phone call from someone who wondered whether I had heard of Gilbert Watkin’s death and who told me that there was a Thanksgiving for his life at Ashton Free Church on 8th September. I had not heard of his death before the phone call. Gilbert was just over a year younger than I am. It somehow hit me that, whenever somebody dies, we may well realise that we shall miss them greatly, but we may also be glad that they will not have to go on living when they can no longer be active in the community, no longer suffer pain or be frustrated because they are completely unable to do things which brought pleasure to others and a sense of fulfilment and joy to themselves. Somehow, those who believe in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour Friend and Lord find God with them through all these perplexing chapters of their lives. Gilbert and his sister Mavis Davies, who is now in a nursing home, were both immersed in the Authorised Version of the Bible and praying in love for their relatives and friends who are not saved. They were full of kindness to everyone. At the Thanksgiving Service a number of people paid tribute to Gilbert or read a suitable reading. Mr Charles Archer gave a racy review of his life which fortunately my aged mind cannot recall - if it could the details would fill the magazine!

He loved to tell jokes. Some were corny but he laughed heartily at them and that laughter made me laugh. For many years his garden was open during Ashton Open Gardens Weekend. Several years ago, a lady who had previously been on the staff of Pershore Horticultural College and who moved to a more important post at a college in Cheshire, brought a coach of Japanese students to the weekend. I doubt whether Gilbert’s garden was on their itinerary. His garden was full of nick nacs, little ponds with toy ducks floating on them and embellished by oddments from the Pound shop and little verses which were gentle reminders of the Saviour of the World. There was also an aviary in which he bred budgerigars. What heartache there was when he returned from a few days holiday in his caravanette and found that thieves had stolen his birds. He loved driving and for many years was one of the regular drivers of the Church Minibus. He was the main person for ensuring that the bus was fit for purpose. He delighted to take people to Keep Fit for the Elderly at Bredon, to Worcester for special shopping trips and, because it was a Church Bus, it was parked freely in the Cathedral Precincts. He took people on regular supermarket shopping trips bringing them back to their front doors and carrying their heavy bags. This sort of thing made him one of the most loved and respected people in the area. Unfortunately, the old Church Bus came to the end of it’s life and had to be replaced. The figures for the replacements costs escalated but it was discovered that there were Local Authority grants available if the bus became a Community Bus. New people were ready to take charge of the arrangements and new regulations had to be met. It was all more complicated and complex. The new bus was available to be used for private engagements with regulated costs and conditions. Drivers had to have a full medical when at a certain age to permit them to drive a passenger carrying vehicle and, at some stage, Gilbert could not drive a vehicle with a P.S.V. Licence. At the launching of the new Community Bus, despite all the profuse praise for the work Gilbert had done, he found it very hard to lose his ‘baby’. But the last verse of the last hymn sung with gusto by a congregation overflowing into the relay in the hall of Ashton Chapel, proclaimed something very important for many years of Gilberts’ stay on earth: ‘When I stand in glory I will see his face And then I’ll see my King for ever In that Holy place Thank you to my Father’ Dennis Oxley, September 2014

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From The Chapelries

The Little Washbourne Service. This year there were 59 in the congregation at the annual Little Washbourne Parish United Holy Communion service led by Matthew, the highest number to date. The collection for the CATCH project, also a record, was £263.80 (not including any possible tax returns from the Gift Aid envelopes). It was great to see so many of you there and especially those with family and historic connections to Little Washbourne. Thank you all for coming and giving so generously to this deserving project in Mzamomhle, East , South Africa.

Services in Teddington and Alstone in October October 5th: Teddington, 9.30am, Holy Communion with Clive October 12th: Alstone, 9.30am, Morning Prayer with Dennis and Roger October 19th: Teddington, 6pm, Evening Prayer with Roger October 26th: Alstone, 10am, United Parish Holy Communion which Matthew will be leading. We hope you’ll stay for coffee and biscuits and a chat afterwards

Village ‘Get Together’ - November 8th in Teddington Village Hall from 12 noon.

The Chapelries church committee will again be serving their popular lunches in Teddington Village Hall from 12 noon on Saturday, November 8th, when there will also be stalls and a great raffle. The final details will be in the November magazine but please do keep this date free to meet up with friends, neighbours and new arrivals in our villages. Come and enjoy this occasion, the proceeds from which will go towards helping to keep Teddington and Alstone churches open in our community.

October events in aid of Teddington's Orchard Park Playing Field Improvement Project

Come for a Crafty Cuppa

Teddington Village Hall - Thursday 30th October 10am-12pm. All ages welcome. £2 for coffee / tea & cake. £3 for 1 child, siblings £1 each. Children’s entry includes a drink and snack, plus Halloween craft activities and games. (Recommended age for games & crafts 8 years and under)

Friday 31st October 4:30pm-6pm - Teddington Village Hall Something To Eat Pre-‘Trick or Treat!’

£3.50 per child includes games, hotdog & drink. Hotdogs & mulled wine available for adults. Apple Bobbing, Best Costume, Pumpkin Carving Competition and more. Please leave your pumpkins at home but in full view of passing judges. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult and out of courtesy for all residents, please complete your trick or treat before 7.30pm

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Do the JOG-LE ..Day 14 Part 2!

I’m afraid you will have to wait until the November edition of the magazine to read Kieran’s final instalment of his epic cycle from John O’Groat’s to Lands End as he is on holiday this month, Chris Godfrey

A Distinguished Old Alstonian, - John Wood 1585-1640 The minister or curate at Alstone has, since the 17th century, benefited from the will of John Wood, who was born to a yeoman family in the village in 1585 and died in 1640, a relatively well off Bachelor of Divinity, prebendary of Gloucester Cathedral and minister of St James, Duke’s Place, Aldgate. Wood’s immediate ancestors were benefactors to the local churches, notably Richard Wood, who in 1557 left 20 shillings towards the building of the north aisle at Alstone, and the maternal Hawkins relations, who left wheat and barley towards the repair and maintenance of Alstone and Little Washbourne chapels. Nothing is known of Wood’s early education but it may have been in Gloucester where his younger brother James became a prosperous clothier, Sheriff and Alderman. In 1622 the City of London, after a preaching competition, chose Wood as parson of the newly built church of St James, Duke’s Place; and in 1624 he married Elizabeth Bennett, whose widowed mother Merabel came from a very wealthy London merchant background. They had one son, John. In 1625 Wood was, by royal appointment, given the 3rd Prebendary stall at Gloucester and thereafter played a full part in the running of the Cathedral, acting as Treasurer in 1636/7. He was, additionally, in the 1620s and 30s a lecturer or unbeneficed preacher at St Andrew’s, Holborn, and probably other London churches. In 1635 he was censured by the High Commission and characterised by Archbishop Laud as a “wild turbulent preacher”. He died in London in 1640 and his lengthy will reveals considerable wealth. One of its provisions was that, in the event of his son’s death, a rent charge on his lands in Dymock should be used by the Mayor and Corporation of Gloucester for a £10 annuity for the minister at Alstone, provided he preached a monthly sermon there. His son died in 1641 and the Dymock property – a farm called Mirabels to the north of the village – came to Wood’s brother James and his sons. The first recorded payment to the Alstone minister appears in Gloucester accounts for 1656 and payments by Gloucester Corporation/Community Council continued to 1974 when administration passed to the Charity Commissioners. The benefaction is now run by the Charities Official Investment Fund and the sum held is about £500. John Wood clearly belonged to that side of the Church which favoured preaching rather than ceremony and ritual. It is good to know that his gift still operates though not nowadays encouraging any noticeable wildness or turbulence.

Commemorative Quilt

This quilt was my way of commemorating all those people who gave their lives during World War 1. Also remembering the whole population was affected by war. I asked members of my facebook group if they would like to make a panel to be added to the quilt. I was overwhelmed by how many people across the world felt the same as I did. So I agreed for it to be an international effort to show off work in a way that also shows our thanks and appreciation for the events of the 1914-1918 war. Each panel is a story of what its maker wanted to use to commemorate World War 1. Panels have been contributed from different parts of the UK and also USA. There are also three hand embroidered panels from people currently living in Overbury village. As a resident of the village I have added several panels and also assembled the whole quilt which has taken since April to complete. Teresa Carpenter Overbury, August 2014 Page 10

News from Ashton under Hill

Commemoration of the Centenary of the First World War in St Barbara’s Church, Ashton

On Sunday 7th September a Messy Church session where the children made a field of poppies was followed by tea and cakes in the church and an opportunity to see a display of WWI Memorabilia. In the evening there was a moving service of readings and music commemorating the centenary of WWI, which was well attended by over 60 adults and children. Readers included 10 year old Hamish Sanger Davies reading a poem written by Ashton First School pupils and 16 year old Tom Simpson, who read a letter written by his 19 year old great great uncle a few days before he was killed at Passchendaele. The display of WWI Memorabilia was on view in the church from 6th to 21th September, as part of the Hereford & Worcester Churches Festival. Thanks are due to a number of Ashton residents and their families for their generous loan of artefacts, articles, letters, photographs and medals, photographs of which were incorporated into the display.

Harvest Festival in St Barbara’s Church - Sunday 5th October Harvest Messy Church - Saturday 4th October

You are warmly invited to celebrate Harvest Festival in St Barbara’s Church on Sunday 5th October at 11.00 am. Please come and join in a family service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the Harvest - children - of all ages! - are especially welcome. We would be grateful for donations of harvest gifts to be distributed to elderly residents in the village after the service; any surplus will be taken to Caring Hands in the Vale in . Contributions of flowers, fruit and vegetables to decorate the church will be greatly appreciated - please bring along to St Barbara’s on Thursday 2nd October. There will be a collection for a charity to be announced. Seasonal refreshments will be served after the service

Children and parents are very welcome to come to a Messy Church Session on Saturday 4th October from 2.30 to 4.00 pm at The Old Farmhouse. There will be creative Harvest-related activities, followed by tea and cake. If you would like to join in, or would like to know more, please contact Alex on 881487.

St Barbara’s Autumn Churchyard Clear A call to all Ashton residents: please can you spare an hour or two to come and help with the Autumn Churchyard Clear on Saturday 1st November from 9.30 am to 12 noon? We aim to keep our peaceful churchyard an attractive place for villagers and visitors alike; apart from the grass and hedge cutting, the rest is down to voluntary labour! It is good fun – plenty of cameraderie, coffee and home-baking to sustain the workers. Please bring your own tools if you can – for further information please contact Alex Dodge on 881487.

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Two events in October

Friday 3rd October Village Supper Curry Buffet. Starter and main course £15 per head. Vegetarian option available. At the Village Hall, 7.30 pm Tickets available from Beckford Stores. Please bring own drinks and glasses

Friday 17th October AGM Village Hall, 7.30 pm

BECKFORD W.I.

Our President, Briony Coupe, welcomed 17 members and one visitor to our meeting in the village hall. Briony reported that the July meeting had been a great success and thanked members for their contributions towards the food for the supper. A second trip had been arranged to Gloucester Cathedral to see the stained glass and the guided tour was very much enjoyed by those who went. Jennifer Berriman gave a report on the Village Hall development and said that the area around had been tidied up and preparations had been made for bad weather with sandbags and gritting materials available. In preparation for the Christmas Fayre on 15th November, the Knit and Natter sessions were producing some decorations for sale. Members were encouraged to sign up for helping in the hall on the day and offers of donations of items for the nearly new stall, preserves, cakes and small items for the tombola as well as raffle prizes will be welcomed. The GFWI magazine had many opportunities for activities including a trip to Blenheim Palace, a walk near Chepstow and a Scottish adventure! It was suggested that members of Beckford WI might like to make up a group to visit the Guide Dogs training centre at . The Beckford Bookworms club met on 15th September and the book discussed was “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” by John Boyne. The programme for 2015 is now complete and the speakers booked. It just remains to produce an appropriate design for the programme booklet based on the theme “Life in 1915” as 2015 is the centenary year of the founding of the WI in this country. Members were reminded of the Village Supper in aid of Beckford Nature Reserve on Friday October 3rd and that tickets were available for the Blue Moon Harmony concert in Pittville Pump Room on October 4th. Birthday posies were presented to two members and the raffle was drawn. Unfortunately our speaker for the evening was unwell and unable to attend so Briony had devised a number of competitions including a mini beetle drive, a words only version of Countdown and a quiz based on words and pictures. The members divided into 4 teams and entered into the contests with gusto! After that we were ready to enjoy the refreshments provided and the meeting closed at 9.30 pm. The next meeting is on Monday 13th October at 7.30 pm when the subject is “Tracing your Family History”. Visitors are most welcome.

Clare Henderson, Meeting Secretary

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ASHTON UNDER HILL W.I.

The President was delighted to welcome 58 members and guests and also two teenagers to the September meeting. She reported that the last meeting had been a great success, despite the fact that we had to hold it in the village hall instead of Jane and David Williams-Thomas’ lovely garden. A new outing is planned for November when we hope to have a guided tour of Coventry Cathedral. Everything is in place for the baton exchange tea party, to be held at Pershore on the 11th where some members have entered the cake and floral arrangement classes. A display “What we do at Ashton WI” has been completed and will be taken to the Council Meeting on 16th September at Malvern. The monthly walk was arranged by Carol Tyler and was around and Overbury. The speaker was then introduced – Yvonne Everest a chocolatier. Yvonne was great fun and an obvious enthusiast in the art of chocolate making. After trying various crafts she eventually decided that working with chocolate would be the best outlet for her need to be creative. Her business, ‘The Chocolate Tree’, is now thriving and recently her husband has retired so he is able to help in many ways such as making moulds for the more unusual pieces. The main outlets are food fairs and farm shops and obviously Easter and Christmas events are very busy for them. She has developed many novelty items such as quirky animal lollipops, high heeled shoes, “make-up” kits (which look like the real thing but edible), music cards and many more. She explained that after melting the Belgian chocolate which she buys in blocks, she then has to “temper” it to give it that final glossy appearance. This took a lot of practice and patience at first but was finally mastered. We admired the way Yvonne had mastered the scientific skills of the chocolatier and we loved her individual and creative flair which made the talk so much fun. Judith Hunter gave the vote of thanks. The next meeting will be Tuesday,7th October and welcomes guests to a Fashion Show given by “Blue” of Pershore Jen Creese

Highlights of the 2014 season:

 Our annual Six-a-Side competition in June was a great success. All teams were extremely enthusiastic and the eventual winners were Bredon, defeating in the final.  The Annual Fun Night in July was well-supported despite the rain.  Our First and Second teams were not quite as successful as we had hoped, although both managed mid-table positions in their respective divisions of the .  The Sunday side played only four matches but won three of them; the Under-15 side played two games, winning one and losing one, but other fixtures were cancelled due to school examinations.  The pavilion and ground facilities are looking great, thanks to our willing team of volunteers who have put in hours of work in recent weeks.

Our AGM will be held on Friday 17th October at the pavilion and we look forward to a successful season in 2015. Dave Devereux, OCC Chairman (01684 850329 or 07949 648372) http://overbury.play-cricket.com

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PRIVATE BENEFACTOR TRANSFORMS LISTED VILLAGE SCHOOL

Pupils of Overbury CE First School are celebrating the start of the academic year in a stunning new extension, which was formally opened by Sponsorship Governor, Bruce Bossom, on Monday 8th September. Renowned architects, Bryant Priest Newman, had the difficult task of designing an addition that would enhance the existing listed building, while providing facilities for the modern day. The resulting breath-taking construction cost well over 1 million pounds, financed by an anonymous private benefactor and equipped through contributions from charitable grant giving trusts, Worcestershire County Council and an energetic fundraising campaign by staff and parents.

Overbury CE First School occupies the only leasehold school building in Worcestershire. The build was completed within 11 months and comprises of a new school hall, teaching space, fully fitted kitchen, toilets, offices and a strikingly modern entrance. Such modifications may be taken for granted in larger schools, but Overbury pupils previously had to walk to the village hall in all weather conditions for any PE lessons or whole school activity and had limited provisions for bought in hot meals. Head Teacher, Pernilla Pascolutti, is overjoyed at the finished result: ‘I am thrilled that my longstanding dream of updating the school’s facilities for the 21st Century has now been realised. This new build has opened the door for numerous opportunities for our pupils, staff, family and the community.’

The school was praised by Ofsted inspectors in May 2013 for outstanding aspects of pupil behaviour and safety. The children were noted for having excellent attitudes to learning and high attendance, which in turn, reflects pupils’ enjoyment of the school.

The formal opening was attended by representatives of the building and architectural firms involved and local councillors including Worcester County Council’s Conservative Leader, Adrian Hardman. The pupils performed a whole school dance and a song about the new build, with lyrics written by one of the teachers. Reverend Susan Renshaw was also present and rejoiced in the opening of the new building by beating the bounds of the church school, in line with an old tradition. This ceremony was not only a celebration, but also an opportunity to thank the benefactors as well as friends, families and the local community, whose support, relentless fundraising and generous donations have enabled this dream to be fulfilled.

Should you wish to know more about this modern village school, please come along to the Open Morning on Friday 21st November between 9.00 and10.30am, contact the school office on 01386 725235 or email [email protected] Alternatively, find them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OverburyFirstSchool or on their website http://www.overbury.worcs.sch.uk/

Teddington Quiz Evening

It’s that time again, an evening of fun and mayhem in aid of charity. Saturday, 29th November at 7.30pm at the Village Hall £6 per person. Teams of 4 Bring your own drinks - Ploughman’s bap provided Any donations of raffle prizes gratefully received on the night. Phone Anne and Phil Clark on 621167 (evenings) to register a team.

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Overbury and Conderton Parish Council The next meeting of the Parish Council has been arranged for Monday 3rd November in Overbury Village Hall at 7pm, and all members of the Parish are welcome to attend. The agenda and associated information will be displayed in the Parish Council notice boards prior to the meeting. Please contact Ros Long, Parish Clerk, on 01386 725111, or by e-mail [email protected], by Monday 27th October if there are any matters that you would like to be included on the agenda for this next meeting. Ros Long – Parish Clerk

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY ...... OVERBURY FAMILY BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS Our annual Bonfire and Fireworks event will take place this year promptly at 6pm on Sunday 9th November, in School Lane, Overbury, with refreshments served by the Friends of Overbury School - we look forward to seeing you there. Andrew John

Beckford Gardening Club on the move….

In May we returned to see our friends at Consall Hall Gardens in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Michelle and Justin welcomed us with as much coffee as we could drink and lovely biscuits. As this was a private visit we had the garden to ourselves and walked around this stunning garden which has several lakes and wonderful rhododendrons before enjoying a beautiful buffet lunch, another exploration of the garden in the afternoon, followed by tea and an array of delicious cakes to finish the day before our journey home. What could be better!

June saw us at the home of the Wills family at Misarden Park, a spectacular garden near Stroud followed by a visit to The Abbey Gardens in Malmesbury. Possibly our last visit to this much loved garden as the “Naked Gardeners” have divorced and sold the house and garden. In July we visited Kew Gardens. Many members enjoyed the Palace as well as the Tree Top Walk and The Princess of Wales Conservatory was a firm favourite. In August we made a visit to the grottos and gardens at Dewstow in Monmouthshire followed by a first visit for us to the National Trust at Tyntesfield.

We said goodbye to our coach driver Vic Robinson who is retiring. Vic has been our driver for day trips and holidays for over 20 years but next year he will return as a passenger.

We now look forward to our Winter programme which began on 24th September when we were transported to the South Caribbean. If you would like to join the Gardening Club, please contact Doreen Brett 01386 881565 or Roger Umpelby 01386 881449.

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Beckford Churchyard Clear

Our thanks are due to the small - but very dedicated - team of helpers who turned up on Saturday 13th September in response to our plea and worked miracles, transforming the neglected areas beyond our wildest expectations. The grounds surrounding the church are now immaculate for the onset of winter and will provide a good setting for the bulbs with the return of springtime.

Beckford Harvest Festival

The joyful festival of 'harvest home' will be celebrated in St John the Baptist, Beckford, on Sunday 12th October - a month later than previously, following requests for a more appropriate date. Everybody is welcome to come along at 6pm to join in the well-loved harvest hymns and to enjoy the displays of flowers and fruit, followed by a glass of wine or other refreshments in a convivial social gathering. The service will be led by Matthew.

Any gifts of flowers or other garden produce would be welcome to enhance the church and it would be helpful if they could be delivered by Saturday 11th.We look forward to seeing you and sharing in the celebration of this important marker of the changing seasons!

BECKFORD WI CHRISTMAS FAYRE - Everything you need for Christmas

Cards, gifts, decorations, crackers, festive foods, Christmas raffle and tombola as well as teas and seasonal cakes and biscuits, on 15th November, Beckford Village Hall, 2:30 pm - 5 pm, free entry.

Be in a choir! Singing Together Afternoon Saturday 11th October, 2-5pm in Overbury Village Hall

Russell Painter will lead us through a selection of wonderful show and gospel songs. No experience is needed; you just need to enjoy singing. Everyone is welcome. The cost is £10 with reductions for families and children. Contact Bridget Worley 725518, [email protected] to book your places.

PACT (Partners and Communities Together) Have Your Say!

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team is working with partners to tackle issues causing most concern in your neighbourhood.

Come along to your next PACT surgery to let us know what you would like us to deal with. The surgery will be held at Beckford Post Office on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 11:30 – 12:30 All dates and times are pending operational demands.

2014: 9th October, 13th November,11th December 2015 12th February,12th March, 9th April 14th May

For more information contact Pershore Rural North and South Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101 or email [email protected] Twitter @PershoreCops

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PARISH DIRECTORY Canon Matthew Baynes Priest in Charge Beckford Group Parish 01684 772237 Pastoral Area of Responsibility: Beckford, Teddington and Alstone [email protected] Rector of Bredon with Bredon’s Norton,

Revd. Susan Renshaw Associate Priest 01386 750203 Area of Responsibility: Overbury [email protected] Vicar of Eckington with and , Rural Dean of Pershore

Revd. Richard Worsley Associate Priest 01386 710394 Area of Responsibility: Ashton under Hill [email protected] Priest in Charge of Elmley with and The Combertons & Associate Priest in Overbury with Teddington, Alstone and Little Washbourne with Beckford and Ashton-under-Hill

Revd. Clive Parr Associate Priest part-time Non-Stipendiary Minister 01386 710700 [email protected]

Readers Capt. Dennis Oxley Flat 6, 49, Church St. Tewkesbury, 01684 850791 John Dodge The Old Farmhouse, Ashton under Hill 01386 881487 Roger Palmer 5, Hill View Cottages, Road 01386 881746

Treasurer Mike Sanger-Davies 01386 881910 Verger Jim Wooldridge 01386 881049 Parish Enquiries via The Rectory, Bredon 01684 772237 Parish Secretary: Amanda Bath [email protected] Tues 9 - 12, The Rectory, Bredon 01684 772237 Fri 9 - 12, Parish Office, Beckford 01386 881349

Saint John The Baptist’s Church, Transport Co-ordinators

Beckford Overbury Faith Hallett 01386 725206 Churchwarden David Carvill 01386 882002 Teddington Rosie Atkin 01242 620565 Secretary Graham Galer 01386 882200 Alstone Betty Beckman 01242 620289 Treasurer Jane McCauley 01386 882929 Ashton Ann Carnegie 01386 882393 Organist Mike Sanger Davies 01386 881910 Beckford Roger Palmer 01386 881746 Flowers Doreen Byrd 01386 881360 Bell ringers Nick Hopkins 01386 881711 Minibus Andy Richmond 01386 881237 Saint Faith’s Church, Overbury Andrew Barnett 01386 881145

Churchwarden Faith Hallett 01386 725206 Disability Awareness Representatives Secretary Christine Clark 01386 725405 Treasurer Derek Rooney 01386 725585 Alex Dodge 01386 881487 Organist Anne Brown 01684 292231 Nicky Sentance 01386 725309 Flowers Nicky Sentance 01386 725309 Magazine Bell ringers Ros Long 01386 725111 Editor Saint Barbara’s Church, Chris Godfrey 01242 620006 Ashton-under-Hill Email: [email protected]

Churchwardens Malcolm Nelson 01386 881778 Advertising Alex Dodge 01386 881487 Shirley Ellis 01386 41400

Secretary Alex Dodge 01386 881487 E-mail: [email protected]

Treasurer Robin Welton 01386 881959 Organist Anthony Greenwood 01386 881278 Treasurer Flowers Judith Hunter 01386 882087 Laurence Alexander 01386 881814 Bell ringers Nick Hopkins 01386 881711 The Old Police Station, Beckford, Tewkesbury, GL20 7AD Saint Margaret’s Church, Alstone & St. Nicholas’ Church, Teddington News Team

Churchwardens Anne Kyle, 01242 620351 Beckford Jessie Alexander 01386 881814 Kieran Whelan 01242 620763 Chapelries Bill & Anne Kyle 01242 620351 Secretary Nicholas Bentley 01242 620292 Overbury Ros Long 01386 725111 Treasurer Mike Wignall 01242 620031 Ashton Alastair Humphrey 01386 881479 Flowers: Web Sites Teddington Mary Healey 01242 620412 Alstone Jane Rogers 01242 620592 www.bredonhillgroup.org Organist Matthew Birch 01386 881980

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3rd Ashton Lunch Club, Chapel Hall 12:30 pm Beckford Nature Reserve Curry Supper - see page 12 4th Heart & Soul Community Choir Concert - see below 4th/5th Ashton Harvest Messy Church and Harvest Festival - see page 11 5th Harvest Festival & Patronal Service, Overbury 11:00am 7th Ashton W.I. - Fashion Show by ‘Blue’ of Pershore, Ashton V.H. 7:30pm 9th PACT Surgery, Beckford Post Office - see page 16 10th Teddington V.H. Seniors Drop In Club - see page 5 11th Singing Together Afternoon, Overbury Village Hall - see page 16 12th Harvest Festival, Beckford 6:00pm 13th Beckford W.I. ‘Tracing Your Family History’ Beckford V.H. 7:30pm 14th Simply Soup, Beckford Village Hall 12:30pm 16th Deadline for magazine entries for November issue 17th Beckford Nature Reserve AGM, Beckford Village Hall 7:30pm 18th Autumn Supper, Ashton Village Hall 7:00pm 22nd Beckford Gardening Club, ‘Herbs for Health, Beckford V.H. 7:30pm 26th United Parish Worship, Alstone 10:00am First Rehearsal for Advent Carol Service - see page 3 30th Halloween Coffee & Children’s Activity Morning, Teddington V.H. - see page 9 31st Thank Goodness It’s Friday Coffee Morning, Beckford Church 10:00am Halloween Party, Teddington Village Hall - see page 9

The Heart and Soul Community Choir will be performing the second in their "Ticket & Tin" series of concerts at the Watson Hall Tewkesbury on Saturday October 4th at 7pm. It is in aid of the Tewkesbury Food Bank which is doing a wonderful and worthwhile task of providing for the needy and The Tewkesbury Battlefield Society who need all the help they can muster to purchase the historic battlefield site and preserve a vital bit of this country's past. There will be light refreshments, wine bar and raffle. Admission is £5 plus a tin or packet of food for the Food Bank. Tickets will be available on the door, or from Tewkesbury Tourist Information Office. For advance booking or further info ring 01684 275641 or 01452 381642.

Thank Goodness It's Parish Minibus Shopping Trips Friday! Coffee Morning in October 3rd and 17th Bishops Cleeve Friday 31st October 10th and 24th Worcester 10am 'til 11.30am Picks up from all villages on Beckford Church Chancel request. Slice of cake & tea/coffee for £2 Call Andy Richmond on 881237 or Andrew Barnett on 881145 All Welcome - all proceeds to church funds