Monday in the month 10.30-12.30 Heaton House. Tuesdays Short Mat Bowling: 2.00pm Memorial Hall Ladies’ Fellowship: 2.30pm 2nd Tuesday in the month (usually) Martley Mums and Tots: 9.30-11.30am Volume 19 No. 8 January 2010 Martley Memorial Hall

Editor: Michelle Higgins (01886888344) Wednesdays Editorial Team: Martley Alan Boon (01886 Teme Valley Shufflers Line Dancing: 888527), Kate King (01886 888439) 7pm Martley Memorial Hall Enq. Jeff & Wichenford Janet Andrews (01886 888303), Thelma 01886 821772 Sheila Richards (01886 888378) Advertising: Aileen Parker. 01886 888456 Martley Folk Club: 1st Wednesday in Distribution: Martley George & June Lawrence the month at The Talbot, and (01886 821064) Wichenford Karen Furber 3rd Wednesday at The Admiral Rodney (01886 888449) Martley WI: 2nd Wednesday in the Contact The Villager: Leave articles at month 7.30pm Heaton House Martley Post Office, call Janet or Sheila (Wichenford) or email the Editor at Thursdays [email protected] Wichenford Wine Club: 3rd Thursday in Opinions expressed by contributors are not the month necessarily those of The Villager. The Villager Martley & District Horticultural cannot be held responsible for any goods or services advertised in the magazine. Society: last Thursday in the month 7.30pm Martley Memorial Hall

See Church Words on page 27 for details of Regular events in Martley services

and Wichenford: See articles inside for details of special events AND changes of time/date/venue of regular Sundays events 2nd Sunday in the month: Teme Valley Farmers Market for local See the Diary page on www.martley.org.uk for produce 11am The Talbot, Knightwick a complete listing of all forthcoming events (that the Diary page editor knows about) Martley Ramblers meet Church car park See page 28 for contact details of organisations 3rd Sunday in the month: Path-or-Nones meet 9.30am Martley Articles to go in The Villager must be Memorial Hall car park to help maintain submitted by the 1st of the the local footpaths previous month

Mondays Rhythm Time: 9.30-11.30am Martley Memorial Hall Enq. Rachel 01886 812565 Records of the Parish Council meetings in Martley Parish Council: 1st Monday in the two parishes are not intended to be full the month 8pm Memorial Hall and complete minutes. Minutes of meetings Martley & Villages Carers’ Group: 1st can be seen by contacting the respective Clerks to the Councils.

January 2010 * The Villager 9 OUT AND ABOUT IN MARTLEY Visit our website—www.martley.org.uk

1) A shared taxi service between The Crown Inn Worcester – Lower Broadheath - We have won another Award!! I had a Martley. Easy from Worcester but will telephone call from The Kennel Club need a text or phone reservation from to say that we had won an award as the villages. It would run in the part of their "Open for Dogs" evenings six days a week at set times. campaign. We had a mystery visit and 2) An Application for Funding would they thought the dogs had a good be made to the LEADER project, welcome and that there was a lovely although a sum would be required atmosphere. So - off to London at the from the villages. weekend for the presentation. Many, 3) Fares bought on the day would be a many thanks to all the customers who bit cheaper than those bought upon the took the trouble to vote for us. local bus but in advance considerably Caroline Cassell cheaper. The Crown Inn 4) After funding ceases, a subsidy would be needed, but this would come Evening Transport? from the Supermarkets giving very The Clerk of Martley Parish Council cheap fares on production of their sent The Villager the following loyalty cards. proposal: 5) OAP concessionary fares would not “I would be obliged if you could put be eligible for this I'm afraid, as it the following thought to your Parish would not be covered by Government Council. I say thought because it is funding. I should hope for some form just an idea and apart from words with of season ticket that might the Licensing Department help: say £25 per year. at Worcester City Council I would only operate the and a casual word with service between the two Dave Cropp at an allotment villages to start as there social at Broadheath are bound to be snags and allotments, I have spoken lessons to be learned. As to nobody. the taxis would run only

10 The Villager * January 2010 on demand and Martley being the holistic development. greatest distance, Martley’s You may have noticed, we have had participation would be needed from new gates fitted on the side entrance to the start because of its bearing on the Pre-School. The gates were kindly cost of such a project. Others could donated to us from Midwest join later add passengers but not Landscapes Ltd. A big thank you to significantly alter the cost. Alan Steve Pitt and Rachel Millichip. This Forrest.” donation has enabled us to fulfil our Please contact 01299 832949 or e- obligation to OFSTED to have free mail sally@.org. with your flow play inside and out, which has comments or suggestions. meant that during Pre-School and Out Alan Forest is a member of Lower of School sessions, these gates will be Broadheath Parish Council. The initial locked. They will be open only proposal is for the service to run between 8.45- 9.15 and 3.00- 3.30pm. between the villages of Lower I hope you understand that this is to Broadheath and Martley only. If this ensure the safety of your child. were to prove successful, A Christmas trip was organised to the consideration would be given to ‘Santa Safari’ at the including other villages. The former, Safari Park at Bewdley. It was a very subsidised, evening bus service is part popular outing with many children, of the reason for Martley Parish parents and grandparents meeting Council wanting to ask parishioners father Christmas and the animals. for their thoughts as PC too had Our holiday club is still in its first thought that the bus service had year, but thanks to Lucy, has proved proved popular and were unsure as to very popular with children and parents why it stopped. alike. If you require holiday care for Sally Williams your child, please let us know as soon Clerk to Martley Parish Council as you can. We are well on our way to our silver Martley Pre-School Snippets award as an eco- setting. The last December 2009 bag2school clothes collection was on Our topic for the Autumn term has 24 November, and helped to raise been fairy stories and nursery rhymes. funds for pre-school (which is a The children have been following the registered charity) and also help tales of the Gingerbread Man, the people less fortunate than ourselves. Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Thank you for your support. The next Beanstalk, and sang to Incy Wincy collection is in April. We now recycle Spider and Humpty Dumpty, to name glass, paper, card, foil, plastic, fabric, just a few. Nursery rhymes and fairy clothing, ink and toner cartridges, stories are highly beneficial to all mobile phones, sat navs, fruit waste in areas of your child’s academic and our wormery, compostable items and

January 2010 * The Villager 11 tetra paks. We would like to Martley Primary School encourage all parents to provide their Travel Plan and Eco-Schools Status child with a waste-free lunchbox, As part of Martley Primary School’s using small pots instead of plastic School Travel Plan and Eco-Schools food bags where possible. Status, we have been trying to Martley Pre-School has shown its encourage pupils and staff to travel to commitment to staff training and school in a more sustainable way. To continual professional development. It launch the idea of sustainable travel, has supported me in gaining my in November we organised ‘Get Going degree in Early Childhood and now in for Green Week’. During that week studying my Masters. It was proud the following activities took place: when I became on of the first fifteen • Walking bus – pupils were dropped practitioners in the county with Early off by parents at St Peter’s Church Years Professional Status. It supports car park and and is proud of Lucy in her current then walked study at degree level and Rachel in her with other foundation degree. Martley Pre-school children is now happy to announce that all its along the pre-school staff are qualified and back lane would like to congratulate Jo and into school. Mary in gaining their recent • Park and qualifications. This dedication to stride – quality is based on the knowledge that parents and the quality of the care and education pupils parked at St Peter’s Church relies upon the quality of staff that car park and walked together along work in the setting. WELL DONE! the back lane into school. Don’t forget! We are a registered eco- • Families tried to car-share for the setting with 20 years of history and week. children can start from two years old • More families walked during the and are entitled to 15 hours free from week. the term after their third birthday. We • Smoothie-Making Bike – this also have breakfast and after school involved visiting school for each clubs for children aged two to thirteen class to make their own smoothie. years. If you need any information, or This helped to raise awareness of would like to book a place for your healthy eating and healthy lifestyles, child please feel free to call Kath or along with what ‘pedal power’ Lucy on 01886 889127 or visit our could do. website www.martleypreschool.co.uk There was also a competition to Kathryn Smith design the most eco-friendly mode of BA (Hons) FdA eyp status transport the pupils could think of, with one prize per class.

12 The Villager * January 2010 Village Hall News new chairs. This is very good and with Sadly the Village Hall was broken into your help we hope to raise the same or in November and all the computers more next year. If you would like to were stolen. We hope that by the time join, the cost is again £18.00 per entry you read this they will have been for the year. The more members we replaced and additional security get the higher the prize fund will be. measures implemented. Progress has There will be extra draws in the been made by the hard work of our months of June and November 2010. committee member Pat Hodgson to Please send your name, address, phone investigate and obtain quotes for number with an SAE to: Annette cavity wall installation and new Smith, (Village Hall Committee heating system in the hall. Grants have Secretary), Fairview, Willow Road, been applied for and we await Martley, Worcester, WR6 6PS (Tel: decisions before any commencement 01886 821 895) together with your of these works, but we'll keep you subscription of £18.00 per entry valid posted. The committee would like until December 2010. Your ticket thank Richard McHugh for his support number will then be returned to you in over the last two years but your SAE. Please make cheques unfortunately due to other payable to “Martley Memorial Peace commitments, has had to stand down Hall” You can also download a form from the committee. However, we are from the Village Hall page on www. very happy to announce that we have martley.org.uk, which is linked from two new members on the committee: the Leisure page. Lynn Wheeler and Tony Lewington, Martley 100 Club – 2009 Winners who can both bring us some much- January 28 Mandy Gardner; February needed support. The Village Hall 32 June Lawrence; March 2 Anne AGM will take place 24 February Layton; April 33 Mrs P A Milner 2010 at 8pm and everyone is May 42 Brockwell Miller welcome. June 26 Janet Jones Martley 100 Club June 24 Mrs Margaret Moll Many thanks for supporting the 100 July 15 Richard McHugh Club this year and we hope you will August 40 Angela Pearce join us again for 2010. The money September 44 Marion Jolly raised is vital for the future of the October 45 Dr T A Parkes Memorial Hall and to pay its running November 24 £50.00 Margaret Moll costs. This first year of organising the (who also won in June 2009) and 32 Martley 100 Club we have managed to £20.00 June Lawrence (also a winner raise £812 and paid out £465.00 as in February 2009) winnings with the remainder of Happy New Year from the Village £347.00 going towards day-to-day Hall Committee. costs and a contribution towards the Annett Smith, Secretary

January 2010 * The Villager 13 events had gone, mentioning in particular the hard work involved in the Plant Sale, Flower Show and St Peter’s Church Flower Festival. Ideas are wanted to attract new people and for the Society’s future. Mike remains as chairman, Dave Cropp vice Martley & District chairman, Pam Minchin and Margaret Horticultural Society Jackson as joint secretaries, with The year has flown by and it was Sylvia Jefferies as Show secretary. AGM time at the November meeting. Rena Davidson retires as Treasurer, Prior to the ‘business bit’ chairman having done a superb 13 years in the Mike Dunnett gave a short talk on the job; Elaine Rice takes her place. samples of plants and shrubs he’d President, Pat Finch thanked everyone brought, these being broom, formium, for all their hard work throughout the nerine; some evergreen shrubs (from year and presented Rena with a shrub. New Zealand) and a camellia. Several Judith O’Leary and John Jefferies join of these shrubs do well in containers, the committee. ideal on a patio. Mike then The chairman read out the very demonstrated the procedure for taking exciting list of events planned for hardwood cuttings and he used 2010. It could well be the best yet! flowering currant, dogwood and Tina Steele blackcurrant. Taking hardwood cuttings is an exacting task (the ideal length of twig being reduced to 9.03”) and getting the cuts in the correct place in relation to the buds is very important. Sharp secateurs essential! John Innes compost is OK, and make sure the cuttings aren’t planted upside down (this has been known!). In his chairman’s speech, Mike said how much he’d enjoyed his year and spoke highly of the three secretaries, the treasurer and the committee. He Pat Finch (President) presenting a gift to Rena Davidson described how the various on her retirement as treasurer of the society

14 The Villager * January 2010 and other refreshments after we had all sung ourselves hoarse!

Martley WI Thank You The Villager would like to say a huge Wednesday 13 January “Thank you” to Nellie Bradley for her 7.30pm Heaton House interesting and valuable contributions At the November AGM, Patience to The Villager over many years. She Broad, our Group Adviser, and one helped Jack with his gardening tips visitor were welcomed and four and wrote out the results of the members were wished Happy Horticultural Society competitions.— Birthday. all by hand! It must have taken hours!. Patience announced that Helen Although Nellie has expressed a wish Coombey-Jones had been re-elected to withdraw as a formal contributor, Chairman. Mary Kipping was awarded Nellie, please be assured that The the Millennium Plate for gaining the Villager would be pleased to hear most number of points in the monthly from you any time. competitions and Jean Hyslop, Chris Michelle Higgins, Editor Smith and Mary were the winners of the competition for a plate of canapés Oh yes we do! which were much enjoyed at Martley Amateur Dramatics Society refreshment time. (MAD) would like to thank all who The evening finished with a short talk supported our production of Twelfth by Eileen Stammers about her 40+ Night. £300 was raised for Martley years as a dental nurse. The speaker Church funds. We hope that you will this month is Neil Churchill talking continue to support us by coming to about Amnesty International and the our first pantomime (see flyer in this competition is for your favourite issue of The Villager) proceeds of Christmas card. Visitors and new which will be going to Acorns members always welcome. Hospice. Kate King Anyone interested in taking part or Thank you helping in our next production, Thank you to WI County Chairman “Esther, The Musical”, will be and Martley resident, Julia Roberts, welcomed to the auditions on 25 for her idea of a celebration of January 2010. We are always looking Christmas, and to all the WI members for help behind the scenes especially (and few husbands) who helped any practical person who is willing to organise the festive event at St Peter’s help with stage management. For on 5 December. We learnt some new further information please contact words to “The 12 Days of Christmas” Ruth Mace on 01886-821336. Thanks, and enjoyed a huge range mince-pies Janet Eggleton, Secretary

January 2010 * The Villager 15 Martley Ramblers TVCC would like to support Dads by Sunday 10 January providing a variety of opportunities 2pm Church car park for you to spend special time with This month Gill Gough will lead us your children and perhaps enhance around Severn Stoke. The last walk of your own skills at the same time. The the season was around Lower first opportunity comes at the end of Broadheath and and led by January for Dads with children aged Helen and George Coombey-Jones. 4–5 years. By teaming up with local, There was a good number present and expert nutritional therapists we are the weather was perfect for a Sunday providing an informal, but morning ramble in late autumn. It was informative, mini cookery course a very pleasant end to the season. especially designed for you and your At the recent AGM, the officers were child. The emphasis will be on having re-elected and treasurer Pam Bowers fun and learning together (and also reported on a healthy financial creating some simple, but impressive situation. Is this the only group where dishes, which will, of course, need the annual subscription has been sampling!!) maintained at £1? Mabel, the The course is taking place at Great Ramblers mascot, was awarded to Dot Witley Village Hall on three and Chris Fletcher for having planned consecutive Saturdays – 30 January, 6 and led the most interesting walk. The and 13 February (10–11.30am) – and programme of walks and social events will cost £10 (including all food and for 2010 was finalised and the evening recipes). finished with chat and refreshments. You and your child will get the Anyone is welcome to join us, times opportunity to show off your and dates are on the Diary page of the impressive cookery skills to a loved Martley website or contact the one /Continued on p.25 chairman on 01886-888439. Kate King Martley Parish Council Unapproved, draft, edited record of the meeting of the held on Monday 2 November 2009 at the Memorial Hall There were 10 members of the public Especially for Dads!!! present. Teme Valley Children’s Centre The Democratic Period/Public (TVCC) recognises the very important Question Time role Dads play in the lives of their Electricity charges for the library: the children. We also appreciate that it is Parish Council and the Memorial Hall not always straightforward for Dads to committee will make a new payment find quality time to spend with their arrangement for next year. There was children. some discussion concerning affordable

16 The Villager * January 2010 housing in Martley. The Parish it to Highways. Council confirmed that they had no District and County Councillors’ more knowledge than other reports: parishioners regarding the potential District Cllr. Williams congratulated planning application for the land the new Chair and Vice Chair. District adjoining The Crown Inn. Cllr. Williams referred to a current Minutes: programme looking at joint services It was resolved to accept the minutes and two-tier working. The suggestion of the previous meeting as a true that two black waste bags only could record. be put out per week is to be reviewed Election of Chairman and Vice in two years time. Until then there is Chairman: no restriction on the number of bags a Councillor. Mrs. D. Goodyear was household can put out, within reason. elected as Chair by a majority and District Cllr. Williams confirmed that Councillor. Mr. M. Nott was elected the planning permission for Treetops as Vice Chair by a majority. refused by MHDC had been Progress reports: overturned by the government The Clerk: The Clerk is to find out inspector. from MHDC if bins would need to be County Cllr. There is £575 available provided on all rights of way and to Martley to be spent on a highways common land if Martley were project. The Clerk will send details of designated a poop scoop area. The how Martley Parish Council wish to Clerk is to clarify who owns the use this funding, and a cost analysis, weighbridge and also contact West to County Cllr. Davies. Martley Old Mercia Police concerning Grammar School Foundation had 51 responsibility for payment for the applications this year. They were able electricity used in the weighbridge to give each application either £100 or since 2004. The Parish Council are £250. making improvements to the Planning: weighbridge and have removed some New of the overgrowth from around it. 09/01325/HOU Bar Furlongs, Berrow Lengthsman: The Clerk will find out if Green – Proposed alterations. anyone locally is a registered 09/01326/LBC Bar Furlongs, Berrow lengthsman for Worcester County Green – Proposed alterations. Council with a view to establishing if Pending they could take on the work in Martley 09/01195/HOU New House Farm, until the end of March 2010. The Hope House Lane – Proposed garage. Clerk will advertise for a lengthsman 09/01209/TPA Apartment 1, to take over from April 2010. Laugherne House – Reduce one lime Highways: The Clerk will compile a by 30%. 09/00752/OUT Horsham new list of outstanding faults and send Court, Horsham – Erection of

January 2010 * The Villager 17 dwelling. 09/00751/FUL & 09/00750/ of brown tourist signs for the village. LBC Stables at Horsham Court – Mr Gosling is to start work on the Conversion to create new dwelling notice board soon. with new garages. 09/00749/FUL The Meetings are held on the first Monday Old Court, Horsham – Refurb. Of of the month (Bank Holidays excepted) derelict former house with 2 storey extn. & new garage. 09/00662/FUL & Martley’s Past 09/00663/LBC Rodge Hill Farm, The Boys School – December 1909 Hillside – Conversion of barns to form and January 1910 staff and guest accommodation. “21 December – Holiday on account Appealing to Secretary of State of re-opening of Church by the Bishop 08/01169/FUL Treetops Bungalow, of Worcester. Hillside – Replacement of existing 22 December – Holiday, as Schools (B dwelling (on-going) – Appeal was & G) are required for use in allowed. 08/01498/FUL Longside, connection with St Thomas’ Day Dole Hipplecote – Replacement dwelling distribution. (on-going) – Appeal was dismissed. 23 December – Schools closed for 09/00423/FUL Bramblewood, Xmas holidays; 2 weeks (!!) Hipplecote – Replacement dwelling 10 January 1910 – Re-opened School. (on-going) Unable to access current Every boy present. Admitted 3 boys status from Worcester County from Union Workhouse. No. on books Council’s new planning database. 34. Ed Adams returned after an Speed signs: absence of 4 months. Worcester County Council are to 14 January – J Gwynne came to provide and operate a Westcotec speed school this pm after Registers were sign during December 2009. The closed, (2nd time this week) and was speed sign will be on Hillside. Further refused admission. Mr Glover, consideration will be given to speed Attendance Officer, called. No cases signs in January 2010. to report. Finance: 28 January – Tested registers and There were 5 cheques totalling found them correct; 31 present. £687.01 approved. (signed) J F Hastings.” Alan Boon Councillors reports and items for future agenda: The Clerk is to report a fridge freezer Martley Library Opening Times that has been fly-tipped on Horn Lane. Monday 2—7 pm The Clerk is to formally complain to Wednesday 4—6 pm County Council about the poor Thursday 10am -1 pm standard of work carried out by Friday 2 - 4 pm Ringway, especially in Pudford Lane. Saturday 10am -12 noon The Clerk is to pursue the possibility 01886 888396 (opening hours only)

18 The Villager * January 2010 Over the Garden Wall in Wichenford WICHENFORD NEEDS YOUR NEWS

Janet Andrews 01886 888303 Sheila Richards 01886 888378

outstanding 21 members could Wichenford Flower Rota possibly renew their subscriptions, we 3 January Mrs Webb would be very grateful! if all of them 10 January Mrs S Richards renewed, we could increase the 17 January Mrs S Richards winnings to £80 + two returned 24 January Mrs J Andrews subscriptions! 31 January Benefice Service at Heather Rendall Martley Local Fishing and Archery Wichenford PCC News The PCC meeting will be held on 18 The Cob House Academy is offering January at 7.45pm in the Memorial Juniors the chance to create their club. Hall. Both Angling and Archery Clubs will Ladies Fellowship be available from 2010. We need to know: what do you want from your The next meeting of the Ladies club? Is it times when you can use the Fellowship is on 16 January and will facilities free of charge, discounted be held at the home of Millie Pargeter kit, coaching from some of the UK's at 2.30pm, weather permitting. top coaches, competitions, family Wichenford 100 Club days/sessions, days out with friends, sharing experiences or a qualification? Wichenford 100 Club November These are just our suggestions, but we winners: No 150 Anita Ball £75.00 want to hear yours. If you would like and returned subscriptions to No. 106 to join either one of the clubs, please Ivy Perkins, and No. 52 Mike Harris. let us know on [email protected] Drawn by Caroline Mattock. 01886 888101. We look forward to Currently standing at 190, the current seeing you soon. member list is still 10 short of our Cob House will be opening its new essential target, if prizes are to remain Teaching Centre, Tackle Shop and at this level. So if any of the

January 2010 * The Villager 19 Cafe in Spring 2010. Match bookings lying here, to celebrate”. for 2011/12 are now being taken. “Oh no”, the nurse replied, she Don’t forget, if you are planning to believed God had heard his prayers, stock your pools you must complete And graciously smiled down on that the new CEFAS registration forms, boy of tender years, downloadable from our website (news And in view of his faith helped him to and offers pages), to register your quickly recover, Fishery. It will delay the Section 30 He’s now returned home, to spend process if you have not done this Christmas with his Mother. already. On looking at Santa, the nurse showed Specialist Breeder of Quality English no surprise Coarse Fish: as a CEFAS registered At seeing the tears falling from the old fishery, all our fish are health-checked man’s eyes, twice-yearly as per CEFAS and the For Santa was remembering as he Environment Agency regulations. walked out into the wintry sun Follow the match results etc on How Christmas first began with a twitter. www.twitter.com/cobhouse Mother and her Son. Helen Taylor Derrick Jinks Cob House Fisheries, Wichenford, Worcester. WR6 6YE The Broadheath & District Tel: 01886 888 697 / 101 Farmers’ Discussion Club Mob: 07889364410 The annual Goose Supper organised www.cobhouse.org by the Broadheath Discussion Club was held at the Sapey Golf Club Santa Visits the Hospital recently. Over 90 members and (cont’d) friends enjoyed a delicious four- On Christmas morning with his sack course meal including locally- overflowing with toys, produced roast goose, and all the Santa returned to give out presents to trimmings. After supper, the the girls and boys, presentation of the cups for best crops, Approaching the last bed with a fear stock and the award for the best he could not hide. garden took place. The He found the bed freshly made results were as follows: and no one inside. Winter Wheat - Peter Weeks, His heart missed a beat on Ombersley; Barley - Richard seeing the bed empty and bare. Bray, Martley; Break Crops - Turning to the nurse, Santa then Brian Wickens, Martley; said, with a feeling of despair, Grass Ley - Geoff Probert, “It would appear Christmas Holt; Maize - Peter Day has come a little too late Andrews, Wichenford; For that little child who was Sheep - Geoff Probert, Holt;

20 The Villager * January 2010 Beef - Trevor Pareter, Wichenford; going to committee. All of the above Dairy - John Richards, Wichenford; were covered at the meeting and Best Garden - Ann Yardley, although the parish council did not Ombersley agree with all of the points they understood their reasoning. There was Kenswick and Wichenford little justification for refusal and had Parish Council the application been refused and gone Unapproved abbreviated draft minutes to appeal, the officers felt that they of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish would loose. The parish council need Council held on Monday 9 November to take some of the blame for not 2009 in the Memorial Hall examining the second application in Wichenford. more detail. The fact that this is a Cllr Randall chaired the meeting. contentious issue is not a valid reason (Vice-Chairman). to send it to committee. It was District and County Councillors suggested that a letter be written to the Report Chief Executive of MHDC regarding County Cllr Davies has allocated £575 the next local plan in 2011, and ask to the parish which is to be used to top what exactly is the role of the parish up the lengthsman budget or on a council. specific highways project. The parish Adoption of phone box: The chairman council will request quotations for has contacted BT and MHDC about ditching in the parish. The clerk will adopting the phone box, which is a find out if money could be used lengthy process. Also there may be towards a pavement from the village hidden costs which could be legal fees to the church . to change the ownership, although the Progress Reports actual phone box should only cost £1. Masons Arms (meeting with Planning planners): reports were read from Cllr Applications considered since the last Britten-Long, Cllr Randall and Cllr meeting: Panton. Present at the meeting were 09/01192/HOU. Lingens Cottage, the chairman; vice chairman; cllrs . The parish council have a Stinton, Panton, the District few concerns but overall agree with Councillor and Duncan Rudge the proposal. (development control manager). The Applications approved, refused, meeting was to ascertain: why the first withdrawn: application was refused; why the 09/00328/FUL. Colketts Farm. second application, being 23% or so Change of use from domestic annex to smaller, was granted; why the parish staff accommodation. (Withdrawn). councils and parishioners comments 09/01138/HOU. The Old Coach were largely ignored; and why the House, Woodend Farm. Two single decision was delegated rather than storey extensions. (Refused)

January 2010 * The Villager 21 Applications to be considered: freezer that has been dumped along 09/01424/REM. The Elms, Horn Lane. She was also asked to Frenchlands Lane. Proposed single contact the highways department storey dwelling. 09/01450/HOU. Hill regarding the unfinished work outside View Barn, Cockshoot Farm. Change Kings Green Cottage. A call has been of use from existing 2 bay garage to received regarding footpath 508 at The garage with first floor workshop/office Elms. The milestone outside Woodhall accommodation. A site visit was Farm at Kenswick has been restored. agreed for the 12 November. Finance The balance for the 30 September stood at £19,021.01. £1,700 has been An Evening with given to the church for the upkeep of the churchyard. The parish council Brian Draper, MBE received two applications for Rural Friday 19 February 2010 Rate Relief, asking for a combined 7.30pm for 8pm contribution of £342.83 from the parish council. It was agreed that it is Wichenford Memorial Hall not reasonable to grant the relief in view of the fact that this will be An illustrated and funded in part by the local council tax entertaining talk on payers so do not want to make a “The Severn Way” contribution, but 25% discretionary relief may be awarded. Similar talks by Brian Draper Councillor’s Reports and Items for have been greatly enjoyed by Future Agendas everyone in the past few years The clerk was asked to report fly tipping at The Kedges and a fridge Tickets £4 at the door or by phoning 01886 888214

Refreshments included

Film Society’s January film Proceeds to funds for maintaining the Memorial Hall The Film Society’s January film is

Notes on a Scandal and will be

showing on Saturday 16 January

2010. See details of the

Film Society on the Leisure page of www.martley.org.uk or phone Jean Dixter Stinton, Chairman of the Latham on 01886 888888122 or management Committee Bob Jose on 01886 888383.

22 The Villager * January 2010 Harvesting the past January update

his month sees start of several round and round in a circle on a long new initiatives relating to our wagon rope until they were reasonable T local oral history project tired and then I used to get on. ‘Harvesting the Past’. In a couple of Sometimes I stayed on and sometimes weeks’ time, several older people I didn’t’. Albert Tolley from Martley and Clifton will try their ‘There was a special place, just above hand at tour-guiding, when they take Ham Bridge on the right-hand side, groups of 12-year-olds from the where we used to go and swim every Chantry High School around their old Sunday. And there was quite a party haunts. The children will also have the of us, including the village policeman chance to interview some of the older and grownups... and the grownups residents and will then recreate what used to look after us youngsters. We they’ve learnt in pottery tiles. What a had a ball... you’d swim for about ten great way to learn about and celebrate minutes, quarter of an hour and then village life! come out because it was cold. The Staying on that theme, here are a few river was very cold.’ Ivan Rimmel snippets from our Harvesting the Past We’re still looking for people to take Archive where our interviewees part in our Art Project, so if you can reminisce about their childhoods: give up a couple of hours of your time ‘We used to go nicking cherries up at and would like to reminisce with the Esenhope and the chap that was the younger generation, please contact bailiff there... he used to load the Sue Broome on 01299 251512. shotgun up with wheat. He’d take the Former Chantry teacher and local pellets out and put wheat in and he’d give you a blast of that up the behind. That used to be a bit painful!’ Brian Draper ‘We used to go up into Wales and buy three or four ponies... you used to only pay about a pound each for them. They were youngsters and we used to break them in. We spent hours and hours pony-riding and getting thrown off... no saddles. We used to run them Ivan Rimmel and friends swimming in the Teme

January 2010 * The Villager 23 playwright, John Townsend, is back in Burns Supper with Scottish town and keen to encourage as many of you as possible to get involved in Country Dancing. our community play. He writes: Friday 29 January 2010 “Several years ago when I used to put Martley Village Hall, Berrow on plays at The Chantry, it was my Green Road, Martley, privilege to write and direct ‘Still WR6 6PQ Glides The Teme’ about life during 7:00pm for 7: 30pm prompt start the Great War. So when asked to write a new play based on local memories of A fun evening to celebrate the life the 1940s, I leapt at the chance. Our and works of Robert Burns, new play paints a picture of a former Scotland’s finest poet, followed by life around here, with many true Scottish Country Dancing stories woven into this ‘rural wartime Cock- a- Leekie Soup drama’. Haggis neeps and tatties, buttered ‘Through music, dance, film, voices cabbage and carrots and drama, you’ll discover how this Or Vegetarian mushroom area changed and what shocking stroganoff and wild rice things went on in and around Martley! Tipsy Laird (sherry & whisky trifle) Chantry students, primary school Followed by coffee and mints children and senior citizens will (Catering by Cobwebs restaurant transform you to another world, now Evesham) on the brink of living memory. We hope you’ll join us on our exciting Entertainment (following meal): journey back across the fields. A readings and poems of Robert Burns and a short speech in appreciation of world premier on your very doorstep! the poet’s life & works. Make a note of the dates in your new Then tuition in Scottish Country diaries and look out for publicity Dancing with dancing following. coming soon. I look forward to seeing you laugh and cry among the hops, All Welcome. Tickets £17.50 per hay, cider and stooks!” John head. Cash bar. Book soon to avoid Townsend missing out. Wear tartan on the The play dates are Wed 26—Fri 28 night or dress to kill! April 2010 and Saturday 1 May. For Tickets: Sheila Richards tel: 01886 further information on Harvesting the 888378; Gill Richardson tel: 01905 Past, please contact Julia Letts on 425652 or James Hyslop: 01886 888359 [email protected] Julia Letts Arranged by the local Church of churches for the whole community and sponsored by the NewAlphabet Group. Any profit will go to local charities.

24 The Villager * January 2010 If the weather is awful why not try In the Garden gardening on the Internet? The major seed companies all have sites and the BBC gardening site is well worth browsing. It even has a 'design' option for those of you thinking of a change January is the coldest month of the in the new year! year, with valleys becoming potential JC frost-pockets. Frost means extra protection is needed for plants which are not hardy in the UK, so be ready with the fleece and the bubble-wrap if Continued from page 16 frost is forecast. Deadhead winter cyclamen to keep during the final session – just in time them flowering and prune Wisteria for Valentines Day! side shoots to about 10cm (4in) to If you would like to know more encourage more flowers in the spring. please contact us at the Children’s If you have an established rose bush Centre and ask about “Ready Daddy which you would like to move, now is Cook” 01886 812982 a good time to do it. Make sure to Dads are fundamentally important to include plenty of compost in the their children. Research shows that planting hole but be careful not to get good enough fathering helps children manure in contact with the roots, it develop: causes root ' scorch'. • better friendships During mild spells you can also plant • fewer behavioural problems new fruit bushes. Apple and pear trees • better results at school can be pruned ,and some growers like • higher self-esteem and life- to apply a winter pesticide wash at the satisfaction same time. • lower chance of becoming In the vegetable garden January is criminals or abusing drugs traditionally a time for cleaning the • more satisfying adult relationships. greenhouse and clearing the beds. Towards the end of the month, start A father, like a mother, is one of the chitting early potatoes, ready for two people in the world most likely to planting in March, and you can also love their child madly and stay loyal start forcing rhubarb. Sow aubergine to them for life. Even men who rarely seed in a warm place indoors at the see their children usually think about end of January, but it can take up to them a lot. Disadvantaged dads love three weeks to germinate and also their children just as much as more needs a long time to grow before skilled or confident fathers. (see fruiting, so an early start is important. www.dad.info for more information).

January 2010 * The Villager 25

Church Words The Rectory 01886 888664

only we could make things new! Jesus gives us the chance to make a appy New Year to you all new start, at least on an individual DidH you have anything new for basis. The problems of the past are Christmas? I expect you did; you were removed and forgiven in his love. We highly unlikely to have been given may have to live with the fact that something that was not. It is nice there may be those who might not having something new, something want to give us that new start, but which we are the first to use, the first Christ gives it to us as a free gift. to enjoy something unused. However, Why not make that new start with him once used, it is no longer new, but it this year and see the transformation he has become used. God tells us, can bring? ‘Behold, I will make all things new’. One day he will make the world new Happy Birthday and everything in it. I am sure we Worcestershire West Rural Team could give our own pointers to where (WWRT) is now a year old. To he might start the process of making celebrate this birthday of the rural things new. There are personal, team of churches, we are holding a family, community, national and special service at St. Peters, Martley, worldwide issues that we would like for all in the team. This service will be to see given a new start. Just imagine on Sunday 29 January 2010, 10.30am. if we could go back We will have Bishop John to speak in time and erase to us followed by a lunch together. some of the bad Everyone is most welcome; if you things that have led would like to be involved with the to problems in our music for the event, please let me own lives or on a know. For more information please larger scale! For contact Rev David Sherwin. instance, that which started the problems in Ireland or more The full Church Events Diary for recently, Iraq. What the current month can now be of the Israeli/Arab found linked from the Church page conflict, a problem of www.martley.org.uk as well as through centuries? If in the churches.

26 The Villager * January 2010 Church Services for January 2010

SUN 3 JAN 8.00am Holy Communion, Knightwick Chapel 10.30am Holy Communion, St Laurence, Wichenford 10.30am Family Worship, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Morning Worship, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 6.30pm Evensong, St Leonard, Cotheridge Mon 4 Jan 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford Tue 5 Jan 10am Holy Communion – St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 6 Jan 10.15 Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Thu 7 Jan 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 10 JAN 8.00am Holy Communion, St Leonard, Cotheridge 10.30am Family Worship, St Laurence, Wichenford 10.30am Holy Communion, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Mon 11 Jan 8.30am Prayer Breakfast Tue 12 Jan 10.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 13 Jan 10:15am Holy Communion, Heaton House Thu 14 Jan 9.00am Morning Prayer. St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 17 JAN 8.00am Holy Communion, St Peter Martley Pulpit Swap Day 9.00am Matins, St Leonard, Cotheridge 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 10.30am Morning Worship, St Peter Martley 3.00pm Evening Worship, Knightwick Chapel 4.00pm Evening Worship, St Laurence Wichenford Mon 18 Jan 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Tue 19 Jan 10.00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 20 Jan 10.15 Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Thu 21 Jan 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 24 JAN 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 9.30am Holy Communion, St Peter Martley 10.30am Family Worship, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 10.30am Holy Communion, St Laurence, Wichenford 6.30pm Evening Worship, St Peter Martley Mon 25 Jan 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Tue 26 Jan 10.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 27 Jan 10:15am Holy Communion, Heaton House Thu 28 Jan 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 31 JAN 10.30am WWRT Holy Communion with Bishop John, St Peter’s, Martley

January 2010 * The Villager 27 Village Contacts

Editor of The Villager Michelle Higgins [email protected] or 01886 888344 or leave articles at Martley Post Office Advertise in The Villager Aileen Parker—01886 888456 Church Rector: Revd David Sherwin—01886 888664 or (Worcestershire West [email protected] Rural Team) Curate: Revd Bruce Thomson—01886 888098 Assistant Priest: Revd Jennifer Whittaker—01886 833897 Martley Parish Council Chair: Dave Cropp—01886 888398; Clerk: Sally Williams—01299 832949 Martley WI President: Helen CoombeyJones—01886 888294 Martley & District Pam Minchin—01886 888521 or Margaret Jackson— Horticultural Society 01886 888654 Royal British Legion Joyce Tyler—01886 821551 Martley Ramblers Harry King—01886 888439 Martley Young Farmers Lou Wickens—01886-812754 or Caroline Bullock— 01905-333617 Path-or-Nones John Nicklin—01886 888318 [email protected] Resource Centre Alan Boon—01886 888527 Police “Surgery” CSO Matt Smith 7184—Martley Local Policing Team Police Station extn. 3581 Martley Website [email protected] Martley Web Mesh Richard Jackman—01886 821237 [email protected] John Layton—01886888460 [email protected] Tom Pearsall—01886 888256 [email protected] Martley Pre-School Kath/Lucy—01886 889127 www.martleypreschool.co.uk Wichenford contacts for Janet Andrews—01886 888303 or Sheila Richards—01886 The Villager 888378 Kenswick & Wichenford Clerk—Shirley Sanders 01886 888302 Parish Council Wichenford Wine Club Chairman—Bill Hylan 01886 888431 Wichenford Local Heather Rendall—01886 888239 Heritage Group

To have your organisation and its contact details appear on this list, or to change the details shown here, email [email protected] or leave a note for the editor at Martley Post Office.

28 The Villager * January 2010

The Villager would like to wish all its readers a happy and prosperous 2010!

Mobile Library 2010 Ockeridge Silver Oaks 9.45–10.05 Wichenford Malvern View 10.10–10.35 Church 10.45–11.05 Kings Green Farm 11.15–11.40 Rosses Green 11.45–12.05 Martley Hillside Horn Lane Bungalows 12.10–12.25 Martley Taylors of Martley 12.30–12.45 LUNCH Heaton House 1.20–1.50 Church 1.55–2.15 Clifton Village Hall 2.30–3.50

The Mobile Library will be visiting its stops on Wednesdays on the dates listed below in 2010: 20 January 10 February 3 March 24 March 14 April 5 May 26 May 16 June 7 July 28 July 18 August 8 September 29 September 20 October 10 November 1 December 22 December

Any enquiries should be made to Stourport Library, Worcester Street, Stourport, Worcs DY13 8EH, tel: 01905 822722 [email protected]

January 2010 * The Villager 29