Tidmarsh with Sulham Parish Magazine July/August 2013
Editorial
After a really long winter and virtually missing out on Spring – Summer is finally here and the long days are very welcome to catch up with all the jobs we were unable to do here whilst the fields were flooded and the weather was so cold and wet. Even now, as I write at the end of the first week of June, we are still playing ‘catch up’. The fields are still too boggy in places to get the tractor on and so the grass and the buttercups are happily growing taller and stronger! In the field where the pigs are, it is nigh on impossible to spot them as the grass is taller than them! The most frustrating thing is that three or four weeks ago we were all complaining there was not enough grass for the horses and here we are complaining that the horses are getting too fat because there is too much grass!! Many thanks to Richard Thomas who responded to my request for local photographs for the front cover of the magazine. Richard managed to capture the helicopter flying over Sulham when it was spraying the trees affected by the Oak Processionary Moth – (see page X for the full story). The annual village fete is almost upon us and once again we request help in all areas! Many hands make light work and just an hour helping with the set up or clearing away after the event is very much appreciated as these are often the tasks left to the same people year in – year out. There are a number of requests for donations in this issue, cakes, plants, produce and home made meals for the ‘Gourmet Gamble’. Thinking about that reminded me how I missed the fete in Sulham two years ago. I was happily putting the finishing touches to my Banoffee Pie (a desert I consider myself to be a bit of an expert at!) when I saw my husband running (and Nigel does not run – ever!) across the fields followed by my son. It transpired that whilst putting up a new run of fencing, the post knocker had come down and before my son could remove his hand completely, the huge metal driver managed to rip his finger off. Nigel was carrying the finger whilst my very calm son just kept a towel wrapped around his hand. Trying not to panic – I issued orders to my daughter to ensure the Banoffee Pie got to the Gourmet Gamble stall and that the bottles of wine reached the Wine Tombola. We then headed off to A & E where we spent the rest of the day. In case you are wondering, the finger was too badly damaged to be re-attached and my son remained in hospital for 3 days! I am therefore hoping this next fete day will pass uneventfully for me and I shall enjoy helping out on the teas with no dramas! Deadline for articles, photographs, notices and advertisements for the next issue is the 1st August. Please let me know if you are unable to achieve this deadline as we may be able to save space to ensure your article/notice is included! Jenny Cope – Editor [email protected]
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 3 Parish News
Mike Broun has been voted in as chairman, with Steve Webb as vice-chair for the forthcoming year.
The controversial planning application for a dwelling at Eaglesfield has been approved by West Berkshire Council. Tidmarsh with Sulham Parish Council will be writing to WBC to voice its disappointment on behalf of the number of residents who objected to the plans. The council recently considered an application for The Mill House, Mill Lane (no- 13/00685/FULD) for the construction of a four-bedroom property with carport. Councillors had no objections, as long as it was built to the satisfaction of the conservation officer.
4 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham FREE Local Collection
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Village Hall The village hall is a local resource for hire to organisations and individuals with priority for residents of Tidmarsh with Sulham. A variety of activities take place at the village hall ranging from toddler dance lessons to adult fitness; art class, model boats, table tennis and martial arts are some of the other activities taking place there. The Saturday morning Zumba class is very popular. Coffee Mornings are usually held at the hall on the first Friday of the month from 11am to 12noon. These normally follow a monthly social walk for villagers. Please keep an eye out for a notice advertising our annual Village Hall Quiz Night which is planned for late September. Christmas Party Each Christmas the Village Hall committee makes the hall available to parents in the village to hold a children’s party. A Santa Claus can also be provided. Please contact the village hall booking secretary if you have children and would like to participate in organising the party. Last year it did not run because the parents who coordinate the party moved away. To book the hall please contact the booking secretary Denise Randall on 0118 326 6138 or by email at [email protected].
Dates … at a glance I5 July Village Walk Meet at Village Hall at 9.30am 5 July Coffee Morning Village Hall at 11.00am 21 July Green Day Tidmarsh Church 27 July Englefield Flower Show Englefield Estate 2 August Village Walk Meet at Village Hall at 9.30am 2 August Coffee Morning Village Hall at 11.00am 3 August Flower & Art Festival St Nicholas Church, Sulham 2-5pm 3 August Village Fete Sulham House – 2pm 17 August Upper Basildons’s Secret Gardens see Page 31 25/26 August Art Exhibition The Morrel l Room, Streatley on Thames 6th September Village Walk Meet at Village Hall at 9.30am 6th September Coffee Morning Village Hall at 11.00am 7 September Purley Horticultural Society & W I Late Summer show Purley Memorial Hall (see page 13)
6 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Village Hall News
Chairperson’s Report 2013 This year the Village Hall was again busy with regular class bookings. As reported last year, we added Zumba Classes which are very successful; recently we have also added a Jolly Babies class. We must all appreciate that without the many classes/clubs that use the Hall, we could not continue to operate the Village Hall. Private bookings dropped off sharply and whilst there could be several reasons, I do wonder if this reflects a change in how people choose to spend their leisure time. The Village Hall Quiz Night was again held in October and I would like to thank Jon & Annette Chishick for setting the Quiz and also those Committee members who arranged the buffet supper and raffle. Although we weren’t overrun with participants, everyone enjoyed the evening and we did make a profit of £92 on the night! Skittles Evening was a really enjoyable evening, despite the low turnout (just 17x people) which resulted in a £74 loss on the night. On the subject of fund raising I again thank the Committee members and other villagers who helped us with our fund raising events. As well as the Quiz Night, the Plant Sale and our annual 100 Club are all valuable sources of income for the Village Hall. As in previous years, we need others to join the Committee; our current Committee aren’t getting any younger and several of us still have full time jobs as well!! The Committee meets every two/three months and it is well worthwhile giving some time, and effort, to ensure the ongoing life of our Village Hall which is there for the benefit of all who live in Tidmarsh and Sulham. Finally, my sincere thanks to all the Committee members for their help and support. Peter King
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 7 Whitchurch Bridge
Reconstruction of the Bridge After an extensive formal tender process the Whitchurch Bridge Company has appointed Birse Civils Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Balfour Beatty plc, as main contractor for the reconstruction of Whitchurch Bridge. Key dates are: Early July 2013: contractor erects signage over a wide area giving advance warning of Bridge closure (there are maps of the signage locations on our website). 29 July 2013: contractor starts to establish compounds on Pangbourne River Meadow and at the Boathouse Surgery. Work starts on the temporary footbridge. 3 October 2013: main Bridge closes to all traffic. The temporary footbridge – 5 feet wide, with no steps – opens to pedestrians, wheeled bicycles and mobility scooters. 14 April 2014: reconstructed Bridge opens to all traffic. Temporary footbridge closes and dismantling starts. By 31 May 2014: all works completed, contractor compounds removed, ground reinstated and reseeded. All reinstatement works will be managed until established to the satisfaction of the landowner. West Berkshire Council and Oxfordshire County Council will implement measures to restrict parking on the main diversionary route through Streatley and Goring, but delays may still occur as significant extra traffic will go this way. For those who wish to use the temporary footbridge but are reliant on transport to get them there, a clear turning space for drop off/pick up will be maintained just north of the Toll Booth, and in Pangbourne the car parks close by can be used. There is more information on our website, including a Message Board where you can ask a question and get a swift answer. Birse will also be erecting Information Boards, providing a hotline and engaging with local people and organisations affected by the works. The Company acknowledges the co-operation of Pangbourne Parish Council, Pangbourne Medical Practice, and Adventure Dolphin in enabling the reconstruction work to go ahead.
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8 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Whitchurch Bridge
Bridge Cards Our stock of Bridge Cards is exhausted and we will not be purchasing any more until the Bridge re-opens in April 2014. We have sold 11,000 Bridge Cards since they were introduced in 2006: of these, 3,800 (34 %) have not been used in the last 12 months and are presumed lost. We ask that past purchasers of Bridge Cards seek out any lost Bridge Cards and return them to us: we will refund the Bridge Card deposit and any unused crossings. When the Bridge re-opens in April 2014 the discounted Toll for Bridge Card users will increase from 20p to 29.4p (ie 34 crossings for £10). However, we will allow Bridge Cards to be pre-loaded with crossings at 20p before the Bridge closes and these can be used after the Bridge re-opens. There are more details on our website and on fliers available at the Toll Booth. Geoff Weir Company Secretary, the Whitchurch Bridge Company www.whitchurchbridge.com
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Plant Sale The above sale on Saturday, 11 May was very successful and well supported by the general public. I hope everyone will be happy with the plants they have purchased. Coach Trip to Savill Gardens, Windsor The Society are organizing a trip to Savill Gardens on Wednesday, 3 July, cost £20. The garden was created by Sir Eric Savill in the 1930s and covers 35 acres, including a Rose Garden which takes a fresh and contemporary look at displaying roses and we hope these will be in full bloom for our visit. If you are interested in this trip, please contact Wendy Chapman on 942 9067 as soon as possible. Forms are also at the Trading Store and on our website. Purley Horticultural Society & Purley Women’s Institute Late Summer Show This will take place in Purley Memorial Hall, Glebe Road on Saturday, 7 September. Schedules are available from the Trading Shed and on the Purley-on-Thames website. Sections A, B, C, D and E are open to amateurs who are either resident in the areas covered by Purley Horticultural Society or are either members of Purley Horticultural Society or Purley WI. Entries must be handed in at the Trading Store by Sunday, 1st September or to Mr P Humphreys, 20 Brading Way, Purley-on-Thames by Tuesday, 3 September, accompanied by the entry fee of 10p per exhibit. Tea and cake will be available. We hope we will have a large number of entries and if you are not entering, please come along and support our participants. Trading The store in the Memorial Hall car park is open from 10am-11am every Saturday and Sunday until the end of October. Membership of the Society is only £2 and garden supplies can be purchased at certain nurseries (list in trading store). If you have not renewed your Membership subscription for 2013, we would be grateful if you could do so as soon as possible. R.H.S. As an affiliated Society we hold a card that provides entry for paid up members to the R.H.S. Gardens at Wisley, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr & Hyde Hall for one member and one guest at a special rate. If you require further information or would like the card, please contact Wendy Chapman on 942 9067. If you would like more information on the Society’s activities you can visit the Purley- on-Thames website, www.purleyonthames.org.uk/Phs. Happy and successful gardening in 2013. Marion Dabbs 942 2349
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 13 14 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham
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Parish Magazine July/August 2013 15
Gardening
Gardening in July & August by Alan Maskell July The rush of growth from a late spring should now be over and fruit swelling on the trees. This year’s blossom has been a welcome treat after last year’s crop was ruined by rain. Late summer flowers should now be in bud while earlier perennials will need cutting back to keep borders tidy. As Penstemon flowers fade, cut them back to just above a bud to encourage more flowers. Cutting back growth in hanging baskets can encourage new flowers and foliage and will revive the display. Cut back hardy Geraniums and Delphiniums after the first flush of flowers to encourage new growth and further blooms. Prune lupins to encourage further flowers. Pick sweet peas every ten days to keep them blooming. Dead-head your roses to keep them looking tidy unless your rose produces attractive hips (seed pods). Now is the best time to prune deciduous Magnolia. Divide clumps of Bearded Iris so they have time to form roots and flower buds before the cold weather. Take cuttings from favourite tender plants for over-wintering indoors. Cuttings can still be taken from shrubs and herbaceous perennials.
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16 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Gardening
Now is a good time to spray ground elder, bindweed and other persistent weeds with a glyphosate-based weed killer as the plants now have lots of leaf surface area with which to absorb it. Plant second cropping potatoes now to give new potatoes for Christmas. Plant them in pots or bags which can be brought under cover before the first frosts. Pepper plants will benefit from being potted on into progressively larger pots. Nip off the growing tips of squash and courgette to encourage branching. Feed crops with a general purpose fertiliser. Pinch out tomato side shoots each week and cut off any leaves growing below the lowest ripening fruit trusses to improve air circulation and prevent diseases. Boost the crop by regularly feeding with dilute tomato fertiliser once a week. If leaves look pale and yellow feed more regularly. Harvest garlic when the tops start to bend over and yellow. Pick, dry and freeze herbs for using later in the year. Pick runner beans regularly to prevent them becoming stringy and to make room for developing pods. Water fruit and vegetable crops daily in warm weather. Try to ensure that they are consistently moist. Harvest beetroot, peas, carrots, chard, potatoes, salad leaves, lettuce and tomatoes. Earth up potato plants as they grow. In bags, gradually add more compost until the bag is full.
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Parish Magazine July/August 2013 17 Gardening
Tackle blackfly on broad beans by pinching off any affected growing tips. Check for cabbage white butterfly eggs under brassica leaves and squash any that you find. Clear away any diseased and spent foliage on and around your vegetable plants to keep them healthy. Clear weeds regularly, as they compete with your crops for nutrients and water. If you have plants fruiting in containers, make sure you give them a high potash liquid feed to keep plants healthy and productive. Check the leaves of gooseberry bushes for sawfly larvae, which can completely strip the foliage in a matter of days. Jet them off with water or pick them off by hand. Peg down runners on strawberry plants to create more plants for next year. Raspberries will appreciate being watered generously in hot, dry weather. Prune plum, apricot, peach and cherry trees now as it reduces the risk of these trees getting silver leaf disease. Prune the fruited stems of blackcurrant bushes after harvesting. July is your last chance to feed the lawn with a high nitrogen fertiliser to encourage healthy green growth. Water during hot weather, particularly newly seeded or turfed lawns. Do not allow new lawns to dry out. Set mower blades higher to reduce stress on the grass. If plants are wilting for no obvious reason Vine Weevil then check for vine weevils by tipping your plants out of their pots and looking for ‘C’ shaped creamy maggots amongst the roots. Treat if vine weevils are spotted. August Last year’s wet summer was good for Camellias and Rhododendrons as they need to be well watered at this time of year to ensure that next year’s buds develop well. Keep patio container plants well watered and feed with a liquid fertiliser every fortnight. Water your vegetable plants and fruit plants daily in warm weather. Stake tall or top heavy Dahlias and Lilies to prevent wind and rain damage. Trim lavender plants after flowering to keep them compact. Pinch out the tips of runner bean plants once they reach the top of their support. This encourages side-shooting and more beans at a manageable height for picking. Pinch out the top of tomato plants to concentrate the growth into the fruit that has already formed. Aim to leave 5 or 6 trusses of fruit per plant. Limit the fruits on a squash plant to about three, but make sure these fruits are established before pinching out the surplus.
18 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Gardening
Lift and dry onions, shallots and garlic once the foliage has flopped over and yellowed. Store in onion bags to prevent moulds developing. Harvest french and runner beans little and often to prevent them from setting seed. Sweetcorn is ready when you can pop a corn with your thumbnail and the juices are milky. Established clumps of chives can be divided now. Plant out any rooted runners of strawberries for a good crop next year. Cut back the fruited canes of your summer raspberries, leaving the new green canes for next year’s crop. Tie in next year’s raspberry canes to support wires or fencing. Take lots of photos of your garden now if you want to rearrange it in winter – it’s much easier to do this if you have a reference point. Don’t worry if your lawn is looking brown, the autumn rains will soon make it green again. Remember NOT to feed it with a high-nitrogen fertiliser as this will encourage lots of lush new growth, easily damaged by autumn weather. Prepare now if you plan to relay it in autumn
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 19 Focus on Englefield
You may have passed the recently restored stone entrance of Englefield house or driven along the walled border of the estate. What you may not be aware of is that Englefield is a village and civil parish in the district of West Berkshire, mostly within the bounds of the private walled Estate of Englefield House. Situated off the A340 south of the M4, the grounds are open to the public and a number of events are staged there. The Englefield Flower Show & Village Fayre is to be held on 27 July. A steam fair is booked for October. Englefield Estate has been in the stewardship of the Benyon family for more than 250 years. What you see now is in large part from the late 19th century. Richard Fellowes Benyon restored Englefield House and then rebuilt the villagers’ houses as a model estate village and provided them with such amenities as a bathing pool for boys, a soup kitchen, a new school and he also modernised St Marks Church. The garden is open from 1st April to 31st October, Monday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm and on Mondays throughout the year. Entrance fee for adults is £3.00, children free. The garden contains a variety of specimen plants and differently themed areas including attractive stonework and water features. In the village there are a number of businesses – a stone carver, general store and tea rooms, garden centre, market garden, social club and cricket club. Tidmarsh vs Sulham annual cricket match is held on the Englefield club pitch. On the main road there is Fielders Farm Shop. The Five A Day Market Garden is a social enterprise run as an education and volunteering organisation and provides weekly veg boxes and a variety of courses. The Englefield Garden Centre is part of the Affinity Trust that seeks to provide work experience for adults with learning disabilities. Many plants are grown onsite in poly- tunnels so the person you buy the plant from may well have grown it as well. A pleasant lunch or tea can be enjoyed in the tea shop behind the general store that supplies newspapers and essential everyday items. Fields opposite and the quiet atmosphere of the village provide a peaceful environment. Details of how to contact the House and the above organisations and to find out more information including opening times can be found on the website: www.englefieldestate.co.uk
20 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Notes from a Very Small Holding
Lambing time went well. With only three ewes due to give birth it was not going to be too exhausting but our stress levels were quite high. Despite only having had a ‘crash course’ in sheep midwifery it all went very well. Winnie was the first to produce; Jerry went up to do the early morning check to find that she had just had twins, one ewe lamb and one ram. They were still steaming so he had missed the birth by minutes. Two days later ‘Greenie’ gave birth (at a much more shepherd friendly time of mid morning) to a fabulous single ewe lamb. Polly kept us guessing; we thought she had a while to go as she had not ‘bagged up’ (udders filling with milk) so we dropped our guard! A couple of days later Polly was not herself, she would not come up to speak to us but otherwise nothing untoward. Eventually by the afternoon we decided to have a closer look. Her lamb was on the way. It was not in the normal presentation but sort of ‘upside down’, no wonder she had looked a little preoccupied. She had been straining for a while, it was getting late so she was given a little assistance to produce a nice, but little, ram lamb. Next to the others he looked small, his skin seemed too big for him, he was all wrinkles. The final tally was; two lovely ewe lambs ‘Wilma’ and ‘Genie’ who will bring our breeding flock up to eight, and two ram lambs who will eventually end up in the freezer. The pigs are looking good; I am looking forward to experimenting with them after attending a charcuterie course. We had already made chorizo, it was a little piquant but liked by everyone who tried it so encouraged by our first success, we have now got all sorts of lovely things hanging in the curing fridge. Salami, lonza (salt cured loin), lardo (thyme flavoured cured back fat sliced very thin to line terrines or on warm bruschetta, scrumptious) and our own ‘Pang’cetta! Last Sunday the front doorbell rang just as we were about to fall into a rare afternoon nap, it would appear that the bee swarming season has started albeit rather late this year. We did not have far to go as the swarm was just over the road. The bees had settled high up in a tree. These well-behaved bees were wrangled into a cardboard box and are now happily ensconced in one of our hives. This replaces one of the three colonies lost due to the long winter. This year’s new endeavour is to grow chicken for the table. Young free-range chickens were sourced, housed, fed and watered. They fed, and fed, and fed, and now I think they have be crossed with an ostrich! Within eight weeks of their arrival they had gone from a small chick to a nine pound oven ready bird!
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 21 Restaurant Review
The Cross Keys, Pangbourne The Cross Keys having recently changed hands, I was pleased to find that it still runs a proper public bar. When we went it was too wet to sit in the attractive patio-garden and watch the fish in the Pang, but we were pleasantly surprised by the dining room: three rooms made almost open plan. The low ceilings and ubiquitous hard surfaces give a vibrant atmosphere with the feel of a lively bistro or brasserie. The very pleasant ladies serving made us feel most welcome. The large menu card had been beautifully produced so we looked forward to an interesting bistro-style meal, particularly as the menu had only eight starters, eight main courses and six desserts. All bode well. Unhappily things then started to unravel. The menu offered fairly standard pub fare: what a let-down.
22 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Restaurant Review
We chose what we thought were the four most interesting items on the menu. Rosemary started with a chicken liver pâté (£5.50). It appeared to have been pressed straight out of a tin rather than being tasty home-made. I had scallops with chorizo sausage (£7.95). Thin slices of a more tasty fat sausage would have been an improvement over the chunks of rather ordinary sausage provided. For the main course I went for the rather upmarket-sounding fish and chips, the fish being sea bass in tempura (£11.95). Although the dish was perfectly pleasant, both the batter and the chips could have been crisper. Rosemary chose pea and asparagus ravioli (£10.95). Again, the dish sounded better than it turned out to be, with little taste of asparagus and too strong a tomato sauce. As you may gather, we felt the meal was not as good as it might have been. It could have been so much better if prepared with a little more imagination and expertise. Perhaps The Cross Keys does not intend to serve more than pub food. Certainly that is a market that was being met with obvious satisfaction by others when we were there. Maybe we expect too much, but it would have been lovely if the atmosphere of a lively and pleasant bistro had been translated into the food. With just a little more care The Cross Keys could well be a place we would all want to flock to. Hopefully that will come after the initial period of settling in. Richard Thomas
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 23 Church News
Worship in the Parish of Pangbourne with Tidmarsh and Sulham
St James the Less : St Laurence : St Nicholas
July 7 14 21 28 2013
7:45am Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion St James Order 2 BCP Order 2 BCP Order 2 BCP Order 2 BCP
10am SUNDAY AT TEN SUNDAY AT TEN SUNDAY AT TEN SUNDAY AT TEN St James Holy Communion Family Worship Holy Communion Parish Communion
11am Family Worship Matins St James Family Worship St Laurence St Nicholas Holy Communion St Laurence
6pm Evensong BCP Quiet Service Evening Service St James St James St Nicholas
August 4 11 18 25 2013
7:45am Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion St James Order 2 BCP Order 2 BCP Order 2 BCP Order 2 BCP
10am SUNDAY AT TEN SUNDAY AT TEN SUNDAY AT TEN SUNDAY AT TEN St James Holy Communion Family Worship Family Communion Parish Communion
11am Family Worship Matins St James Family Worship St Laurence St Nicholas Holy Communion St Laurence
6pm Evening Service Quiet Service Evening Service St James St James St Nicholas
24 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Church News
THE PARISH OF PANGBOURNE WITH TIDMARSH AND SULHAM ST JAMES THE LESS : ST LAURENCE : ST NICHOLAS
A Holiday Club for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years 10.00 am – 12.30 pm
12th – 16th August St James the Less, Pangbourne with a Fish and Chip lunch after the final session on Friday. (...an additional fee may need to be charged for the fish &Chips) To find out more about ‘Rocky’s Plaice’ http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/HolidayandMidweekClubs/Rockys Plaice/119168.id
To book a place, complete attached the forms and return them to Julia Sheppard, 116 Cockney Hill, Tilehurst, Reading. RG30 4EX
'Places limited so please apply soon' The cost for the week is £15 for the first child and £10 for additional children in the family. For more information contact Judith (Children’sWorker) Sumner Holiday Club [email protected] 07866614836 12th – 16th August 5 -11 yrs in St James Contact [email protected] 07866 614836
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Parish Magazine July/August 2013 25 Old School Ties
Calling all ex-pupils of Purley CofE Infant School, Purley on Thames Be a part of the school’s history and help us fund raise the building of two classrooms as we progress to Primary status. We are delighted to announce our “Buy a Brick Scheme”. You may have heard about it on local radio or in the press. Please visit our website www.purleyinfantschool.co.uk or ring the School Office for a form (0118 984 2384). Everyone who buys a brick will have their names displayed on a wall in school for posterity!
Englefield School: 150 Years Old This Year Englefield Primary School began teaching children in a house in the village in 1863 before the Victorian school was built in 1870. Generations of children have gone through the school for 150 years. If you are a past pupil of Englefield School or have strong school connections please come and celebrate our 150th anniversary at a garden party on: Friday 19th July 5.30 – 9.00pm at Englefield School We would love to have pupils from as many years as possible to mark the occasion. There will be an exhibition of photographs from the past, entertainment for small children, drinks and nibbles and a band. Please do come. RSVP giving numbers to: [email protected] or ring: 01189 302337
Improvements
• Driveway repair/installa0on/modernisa0on
• Pa0o/Pathway – repair/installa0on/modernisa0on
• General maintenance / Drainage / Fencing
• General Brickwork / Disability Access Installed
• GuAering cleaned No job too small or BIG…
23 years experience / references available / plant licences Call Rob on 07909 006369 / Office 0118 3487000 Email:[email protected] 26 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Sulham and Tidmarsh Book Club
Book Club Review We decided to review The Last Runaway by Tracey Chevalier as she was talking about her new book at the Watermill Theatre near Newbury. It was a gripping book about a young girl called Honor Bright who left Bridport England with her sister Grace to Ohio. (Grace is travelling there to marry her fiancé Adam Cox; Honor is fleeing a broken engagement and a broken heart) she leaves behind a loving extended family as well as a tightly knit Quaker community. Her first stumbling block is the journey itself: as soon as they set sail from Bristol, she’s overcome by a nausea that keeps her in its dismal grip all the way across the Atlantic. From the start, both seasick and sick with nerves, Honor’s commitment to a new life in 1850s America is fraught with her own uncertainties , and her body’s initial reaction proves to be just as unyielding. She realises when she arrives she would not physically be able to make that journey home again. Her sister dies shortly after arriving in America and she is left alone in this strange land observing the vast differences between the physical lands as well as the American people. Honor’s quiet reflective personality means she is the perfect observer, noticing the sense of impermanence of America’s early settlements as she learns to make American quilts she also learns to accept and admire the American people.. Ultimately, however, it is two secondary characters – Mrs Reed, a free black woman and the milliner Belle Mills – and Honor’s relationship with each of them that lends imaginative fire to the story. Belle, especially, is a perpetual breath of fresh air, who kills a copperhead snake in her yard as easily as she sews a bunch of decorative cherries on to that special hat. She’s an astute and strong businesswoman who becomes an essential friend to Honour. She is appalled at the racism and the slavery rules and along with these two strong women she begins to help the secret underground of people who support the slaves from the south flee to North America and Canada. Although there is an evil slave catcher Honour’s relationship with him is complicated but a mix of emotions. We wont spoil the ending but it took us by surprise and was a just ending to an interesting and lasting book.
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 27 2013 Fete
Fete Fete day is fast approaching. If you have not already volunteered to help but would like to join in with this fun local event please let us know. There will be a Flower festival and art exhibition in the Church and contributions to either will be gratefully received, you don’t have to be a florist or a great artist to help. If you have items to donate to the fete stalls, Bric a Brac, Bottles, cakes, raffle prizes, plants and produce, Toys, book or DVD’s etc, please bring them along to Sulham House on the morning of the fete, or if you need to drop items off sooner contact one of the numbers below. We always need as many hands as possible to help put out equipment for fete day and to help put it way at the end. Please come for 18.30 to Sulham farmhouse on Friday 2nd August to help. Fete Contacts Pauline Ross on 984 5432, Gillian Alderton on 984 2729, Gill Haggarty on 984 4122. Emails can be sent to [email protected].
28 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham 2013 Fete
Please get baking!! Once again this year we will be running the cake stall at the Fete and for it to be a success we need cake/bread/biscuit donations. Please either phone (Joy on 984 4213) or to bring along to the bungalow (CherryTrees, Manor Farm Lane) the day before, or bring along to the stall on the day. We thank you in anticipation! Joy and Peter King
Plant and Produce Stall TIDMARSH WITH SULHAM – August 3rd 2013 Once again we shall be running the plant and produce stall at GARDEN FETE the Sulham & Tidmarsh Fete on Saturday August 3rd at Sulham House. rd 2013 Donations of plants, fruit, Sat 3 Aug vegetables as well as jam, marmalade and chutney will be 2pm most welcome. If you are unable to bring your Sulham House contributions on the morning of the fete, we shall be happy Featuring to collect them from you. Penny Norris – 0118 984 2243 Pangbourne Silver Band Jennifer Nutt – 0118 984 2370 Tradi&onal Stalls & Games Teas -‐ BBQ – Licensed Bar & Pimms
Easy Parking
All Proceeds to St. Laurence and St. Nicholas Churches
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 29 Things to Do
Learn to dance like the stars of Strictly...
Dance Excellence Adult Beginners Ballroom & Latin Class
Every Tuesday Evening
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Tidmarsh Village Hall Pangbourne Road Reading RG8 8ER
£7.50 per person per class or book a 6 week course & get £5 off your booking.
Learn how to dance like the stars on strictly with a fun
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Please Visit our facebook page for updates on Contact Dance Excellence Classes & Dance Camps in West Berks & Oxford- shire. Phone: 07876590269 Email: [email protected] Dance Excellence is also available for: Twitter: @danceexcellenc1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Wedding Dances danceexcellence1 Hen Parties Birthday Parties.
30 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Things to Do
COME AND FIND UPPER BASILDON’S 10 SECRET GARDENS Saturday 17th August 2013 GARDENS OPEN 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. In aid of St Stephen’s Church Golden Jubilee Refurbishment Lunches and teas available Children’s Treasure Hunt Raffle, Stalls, Book Sale, Art Exhibition Entry by programme: adult £6 (accompanied children under 16 free) Programmes £5 if purchased before 15th August from: St. Stephen’s Cafe on Monday 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon Collins Hardware, Pangbourne, or tel. John or Valerie Broadbent on 01491 672328
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 31 Garden Photos
Garden Photos Regular readers of the Parish Mag will be aware of Fran Wakefield’s prize winning garden at Tithe Barn and may have even visited it under the National Gardens Scheme. We would like to include pictures of other Tidmarsh and Sulham gardens in the next edition of the mag, so please get your camera out or look through any pictures you have and send them to the editor jenny@candcsystems. co.uk by the end of August. On these pages are examples from Tidmarsh. Does yours look as good or better? Share it with your neighbours by sending us a picture.
RHS MEDALLISTS: Hampton Court Gold 2012 Hampton Court Gold 2012 Chelsea Silver Gilt 2012
32 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Garden Photos Garden Photos
34 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham St Nicholas Church
Everyone on the St Nicholas church committee and on behalf of the congregation would like to express gratitude to Anne Bolam and Jennifer Nutt who have been churchwardens responsible respectively for St Nicholas and St Laurence. Anne has been churchwarden at St Nicholas for the past two years and has worked tirelessly to maintain St Nicholas’ property and to promote unity and peace within the church. She has been responsible for the maintenance of the church building, not always an easy task as St Nicholas is a listed building that frequently needs urgent repairs as age and weather (and lead thieves) take their toll. Anne came to join St Nicholas family in 2002 and has been Organist and member of the church committee since. Until Anne took on the roll of churchwarden in 2011 St Nicholas had not had it’s own churchwarden for many years. Her decision to resign this year from the busy and demanding role of warden is sad but is understood by all. Thankfully Anne will continue to play the organ at St Nicholas and will contribute to its welfare by remaining on the church committee. Jennifer Nutt has this year retired as churchwarden from St Laurence church. All at St Nicholas would like to express their warmest thanks to her for the endless help and guidance she has given us over many years when there was no warden at St Nicholas. She tirelessly and with infinite patience guided, the not very knowledgeable, church committee members of St Nicholas in maintaining and running the church through some difficult times. Words cannot really express how much we have appreciated her help. We wish her a happy and relaxed retirement and although retired, know she will continue to be a big part of church life.
We would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped with the 2013 interior spring clean and churchyard tidy up. If you think you might have time to join the regular cleaning team or would like to occasionally do floral arrangements please contact either Pauline or Gillian on the numbers below.
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH SULHAM FLOWER & ART FESTIVAL SATURDAY AUGUST 3rd 2-5PM Beautiful summer flowers and works by local artists.
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 35 Notes from the Sul
The subject of the Oak Processionary Moth just doesn’t go away. I hope it will after the efforts being made to eradicate it locally. In our parish magazine I first recorded that the woods in Sulham Lane were being surveyed for signs of the pest. I then told of the understory being cleared to facilitate further surveys and expressed the hope that we would see more bluebells. Things have moved on considerably. Even the national newspapers and the BBC are reporting what is happening in our woods. The Forestry Commission is spending a lot on eradication here, through a body called Forest Research and with the consent of Natural England, in the hope that lessons may be learned that can be applied to other outbreaks. On 15th May we had the great excitement of a visiting helicopter. Well at least I was greatly excited, but I did get a ride in it, lucky me. It came to spray the woods with a pathogen poisonous to the caterpillars.
36 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Notes from the Sul
Only a tiny amount of the pathogen needed to be used, so to make the spray visible a blue dye had been added. In order to check that the woods had been fully covered those from Forest Research brought in frames to which they affixed strips of white paper to pick up the dye and hanged them high in the trees. The consequences of being in contact with the hairs shed by the moths’ caterpillars sound really awful. If you think you see the dreaded caterpillars or their gauzy nests please telephone Preparing to monitor the spray: the West Berks senior tree officer, Arthur Bluebells in the background Cullen, on 01635 519675.
Amazingly the marshes of Tidmarsh are still marshes as I write this in mid- May. They have not yet reverted to being the meadowland to which we are accustomed. My ride in the helicopter really brought it home to me just how much floodwater still lies between our two settlements. Oh, and by the way, the bluebells are fantastic! The clearing of the understory to Herridge’s Copse disclosed great drifts The marshes of Tidmarsh: 15th May 2013 of them: beautiful, really beautiful. It is amazing that we had not previously been aware of them.
Oh come with me, quietly by the Sul and let us see what we shall see.
Richard Thomas
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 37 Farm Walk
Saturday 18th May, time for the annual Sulham farm walk, and the weather decided to cooperate as people and dogs of all ages gathered at Sulham farmhouse. After a welcome from Henry Scutt we all gathered round John Haggarty as he introduced us to the estate’s latest newborn Simmental calf and explained about the rest of the herd and how well they were doing. After a jaunt along Nunhide Lane via tractor and trailer we walked up to the pigeon tower, with its views towards Englefield, Sulhampstead, and back towards Sulham House, then sauntered back down across the field to the farm yard at Nunhide. Here John had tubs containing varieties of the different crops planted and harvested on the estate, including barley, wheat, oats, and oilseed rape, and explained how the farm is part of a cooperative thereby enabling them to store and sell their cereal crops collectively to supply at a known level of quality and obtain the best price. Across from the farmyard John and Charlie had laid out a variety of the bigger bits of equipment used on the land. We were intrigued to see large sheets of paper taped to the side of the combine harvester and this was when John released his inner Rolf Harris to draw and explain how the combine works – and what can go wrong! Unlike some farms, the estate owns all of this equipment so they never have to wait for a contractor and can harvest when the time is right. Some of the children took up the offer to clamber aboard and a few grinning faces could be seen peering out over the top of the tractor’s steering wheel.
38 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Farm Walk
The next part of the walk took us back through the woodland that the estate has planted alongside the Sul, between the motorway and Nunhide Lane. Normally this woodland is closed off to enable the trees to mature without damage; the local deer like nothing better than the chance to eat the tender shoots of the young trees. As we made our way back along the footpath towards Sulham we paused by the ford between the fields and Heather Scutt produce some photos that showed the bathing area that used to be here, showing local children all dressed up for the occasion – presumably having come across the field from the nearby Sulham School. Those of us who expected to see a basic platform were amazed to see that there was a substantial collection of buildings and privacy screens, nicknamed the Sulham Lido by some on the walk. Jean Harland was able to provide further details about this area from her extensive local knowledge. From the Sul we made our way back, via the orchard below the farmhouse, to the old barn on Sulham farm yard, where we were refreshed with tea, delightful homemade cakes, and locally made beer and cider. As always our thanks go to Heather and Henry for allowing access to the farm, John for his interesting and informative talk (and drawing), and Charlie for driving us around and making sure everything was closed up behind us.
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Parish Magazine July/August 2013 39 Fund-Raising
Christian Aid Collection Local Artists Exhibit in Support of Charities The Morrell Room, Streatley-upon- Thames will be the venue for a much- anticipated annual event over the August Bank Holiday. Sixty local artists will exhibit paintings for sale, raising money for the Purley Trust and Sue Ryder. The recent Christian Aid Collection in The event is organised by the Rotary Tidmarsh raised £360.79; of this £208 Club of Pangbourne who last year worked was Gift Aided so the total amounted to with Wallingford Rotarians to raise over over £400. £2,400 for good causes. I am extremely grateful to the team of The exhibition will be open to the public five people who helped me to carry out from 10.00 – 17.00 on Saturday 24th the collection and to all those who gave August, Sunday 25th and Bank Holiday so generously. Monday, 26th August. Jennifer Nutt There will be a Preview Party on the evening of Friday 23rd August, for which tickets costing £5 can be obtained from [email protected].
Mercy Harrison MCFHP MAFHP Mobile Foot Clinic
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Holly Watson Dip. ITEC CHTA registered Mobile Massage Therapist 30 minute massage - £25 45 minute massage - £30 60 minute massage - £35 Member of the British Association of Full body massage 75 minute - £40 / 90 minute - £45 Foot Health Professionals Aromatherapeutic Facial - £36 [email protected] Mini Facial - £20 07747 102141 [email protected] Tel: 07526 438361 For an appointment. www.holtherapy.co.uk Male clients on referral only Tidmarsh, Sulham, Englefield & Bradfield 40 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham
Local Sports
Bradfield College Ladies Charity Tennis Tournament Friday May 17th saw the 11th Annual TCT Charity Tournament take place at Bradfield College. Over 100 people took part and a fabulous lunch followed. Alison Boyland and Rosemary Thomas from Sulham and Jenny Cope from Tidmarsh took part. Over the past ten years the event has grown and become an established part of the tennis calendar at the College and the efforts of Sally Lightfoot and Helen Smith in running this event have made it what it is today, they should be congratulated. This year’s event was organised by the Coaching Team at Bradfield College and superbly managed by Liam Phillips, however Liam could not have achieved this level of organisation without the help of many volunteers. Liam said “I would like to thank everybody who helped to make the tournament a success this year and a special thank you to Nicky Anderson for all her hard work and support.” – as a result of which the money raised so far is £4,412. Bradfield Tennis Centre will continue to raise money for the TCT so any donations throughout the year will be gratefully received. Right: Alison Boyland, Jenny Cope and Simone Wild – getting some practice in!
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 41 Local Information
Advice and Support Government West Berkshire Citizens Advice Bureau MP for Reading West Bartholomew St, Newbury 01635 516 605 Alok Sharma (Conservative) 0118 945 4881 Pangbourne and District Volunteer Centre Councillors for the Purley on Thames Mon-Fri (ex Tue) 9:30-11:30 am 0118 984 4586 Ward Tim Metcalfe (Conservative) 0118 942 8001 Ecclesiastical David Betts (Conservative) 0118 967 8280 Priest-in-Charge of Pangbourne with Tidmarsh with Sulham Parish Councillors Tidmarsh and Sulham Mike Broun (chairman) 0118 984 3114 Revd Heather Parbury 0118 984 2928 Steve Webb (vice chairman) 0118 984 4194 Church Wardens Jon Chishick 0118 984 3666 Cherry East 0118 984 2636 Jim Hutchinson 0118 984 1860 Julia Sheppard 0118 956 1820 Colin Pawson 0118 984 2619 Jennifer Nutt 0118 984 2370 Jonathan Pearson 0118 984 4837 Jill Palfrey 0118 984 2698 Ann Bolam 0118 942 1020 Libraries Pangbourne 0118 984 4117 Parochial Church Council Newbury 01635 519 900 Tidmarsh Representatives Susan Worthington 0118 984 2937 Village Hall Committee Valentina Britten Holden 0118 984 4912 Peter King (chairperson) 0118 984 4213 Sulham Representatives Denise Randell (bookings) 0118 326 6138 Gill Haggarty 0118 984 4122 Emergency Contact 07954 140048 Gillian Alderton 0118 984 2729 Judith Sumner West Berkshire District Council Friends of St Laurence Main switchboard 01635 42400 Mike Kenyon, Chairman 0118 984 2768 Streetcare 01635 519080 Jon Chishick, Secretary 0118 984 3666 Planning applications 01635 519111
We welcome all advertisements, articles and letters submitted for inclusion in the magazine but the editor reserves the right to refuse, alter or amend material for any reason. The editor accepts no responsibility for, nor necessarily agrees with, views expressed in such submissions. Please email any items, including photographs, for the next edition of magazine to [email protected] by 8 June at the latest. Whilst we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information printed in this magazine, the editor cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of any errors or omissions that may occur.
42 July/August 2013 Tidmarsh with Sulham Local Information
Medical Public Transport The Boathouse Surgery Rail Travel Whitchurch Rd, Pangbourne 0118 984 2234 First Great Western 08457 000 125 NHS Direct 0845 46 47 National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 Berkshire West Primary Care Trust TrainTracker (train times/fares) 0871 200 49 50 Reading office 0118 950 3094 Bus Travel West Berkshire office (Newbury) 01635 42400 DJ Travel (Tidmarsh Fri Service) 0118 933 3725 Parish Magazine Committee Reading Buses 0118 9594000 Jenny Cope (editor) 0118 984 3466 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Gillian Alderton 0118 984 2729 Thames Travel 01491 837988 Alison Boyland 0118 984 5202 Traveline John Butler (treasurer) 0118 984 2621 National/local bus, train, coach, Alan Maskell 0118 984 5326 ferry and underground info 0871 200 22 33 Jennifer Nutt 0118 984 2370 Tina Shorter 0118 984 3949 Emergencies 999 Cathy Tucker 07773 379920 All non-emergencies 101
Scouts and Girl Guides Beavers, Simon Pickett 0118 933 1615 Cubs, Jane Barkshire 07811 446 488 Scouts, Simon Pickett 01 18 933 1615 Rainbows, Helen Randall 0163548765 The Tidmarsh with Sulham Parish Magazine Brownies, Clare Pincock 0118 984 4286 Guides, Helen Randall 0163548765 is typeset by Tina Shorter, Pangbourne Rangers, Helen Randall 0163548765 and printed by Fericon Press, Reading
Advertising If you would like to advertise in our magazine, please call Jenny Cope on 0118 984 3466 or send an email to [email protected] 12 Months 6 Months Full page: £100.00 Full page: £50.00 Half page: £60.00 Half page: £30.00 Quarter page: £35.00 Quarter page: £17.50 Please send your advert details or changes to [email protected]
Parish Magazine July/August 2013 43 www.tidmarshwithsulham.co.uk