The Rector Writes…. to Me One of the Most Moving Encounters with Jesus

Home , Archdeacon of Ludlow, Asterton, Bishop of Ludlow, Hopton Wafers, Hyssington, Lydham

The Rector writes…. To me one of the most moving encounters with Jesus recorded in the Gospels is when a number of Greeks, we are told, approached the disciples in northern Galilee with the words “Sir, we would see Jesus?” What lay behind that? Evidently, the fame of Jesus had spread to their community and they travelled to learn more. They had heard that this man and his message were important and mattered to them. Is the question “Sir, we would see Jesus?” one that we would ask, does the question resonate with us today? Well I hope it does and I am sure it does for anyone reading this editorial! But can Jesus be found and is it possible to know more about him? This coming month March sees the beginning of Lent, rather late this year, it has to be said! Easter Sunday this year is not until 24 April…the latest possible day for Easter is 25 April. For those who like to know these things the next Easter Sunday on 24 April is 2095 and for 25 April 2038! Back to “Sir we would see Jesus?” yes we can see Jesus or at least find out more about him and so meet him better in prayer and meditation. How? Well, as I say, Lent approaches us when we remember Our Lord‟s time in the Wilderness, and, as usual, we will be having Lent Groups which provide a marvelous opportunity to find out more about our faith in Jesus. Ash Wednesday is on Wednesday 9 March so on Wednesday afternoons thereafter there will be a Lent Group meeting in the Rectory, using the new York course “Rich Inheritance: Jesus‟ Legacy of Love” and there will be a Lent course in Churchstoke too (details elsewhere in the Churchstoke section) “Sir we would see Jesus? “can also be answered in the new Bishop of Ludlow‟s course “Marking Lent”, copies of which the Rector has. To be a Christian and have a living faith in the Lord Jesus is the greatest gift possible and I am immensely grateful to my parents, my home village church in south Herefordshire, and all the other influences that made my faith possible ….”Nothing, St Paul, said can take us away from the love of God in Christ Jesus!” Whatever happens in this life God‟s love in Jesus is always there to pull us through! Please be encouraged this Lent to be with those Greeks asking the disciples “Sir we would see Jesus? Let‟s know more about our faith and so increase our confidence to share God‟s love for us all with those around us!

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 6 MARCH QUINQUAGESIMA NEXT BEFORE LENT Transfiguration Sunday 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington 10.00 Family Worship “Celebrating St David” Churchstoke 10.30 ALL AGE SERVICE & HC Ratlinghope (Canon Julia Francis) 3.00 Memorial Service for Hilda Eustace & Dedication of a new Carpet Norbury 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Wentnor

ASH WEDNESDAY & DAY OF PRAYER 9 MARCH 10.00 Holy Communion Norbury 12 Noon Holy Communion Churchstoke

SUNDAY 13 MARCH LENT 1 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 10.00 Morning Praise Hyssington (Canon Julia Francis) 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 11.15 Family Communion Norbury (David Jelves) 6.30 Choral Evensong More Singers More

SUNDAY 20 MARCH LENT 2 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 10.30 “Yesterday & Today: Three Parishes Special Exhibition” Service Lydham Preacher: Canon Dick France 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke (Preb.Michael Pollit) 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury

SUNDAY 27 MARCH LENT 3 (Clocks go forward one hour 2-3am) 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Morning Prayer Ratlinghope (Lay) 9.45 “Spring Lamb Service” Myndtown 11.15 Methodist Holy Communion Churchstoke (Rev.Ian Waugh) 11.15 Holy Communion More (Rev. Jo Evans) 1.00 Christening (Ethan George Morris) Hyssington 2.30 United Service Hyssington 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor

SUNDAY 3 APRIL LENT 4 MOTHERING SUNDAY 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 10.00 MOTHERING SUNDAY SERVICE Churchstoke 10.30 MOTHERING SUNDAY SERVICE & Family Communion Ratlinghope Licensing of Canon Julia Francis as Reader Celebrant & Preacher: Bishop of Hereford 6.30 “Spring Lamb Service” & Evening Prayer Wentnor

Wednesday Morning Prayer 8.30am All are welcome to this short weekly act of worship from all the parishes. Weds 2 March Churchstoke; Ash Weds 9 March No MP Special services; Weds 16 March More; Weds 23 March Wentnor; Weds 30 March Myndtown; Weds 6 April Snead.

AT THE CHURCHES: On Sunday 3 March at 3.00pm a Memorial Service for Hilda Eustace will take place at Norbury Church which will also see the Dedication of new Carpet in her memory. Hilda was a wonderful person who contributed much to the village of Norbury and she continues to be much missed.

ASH WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH & DAY OF PRAYER 9 MARCH 10.00 Holy Communion Norbury & 12 Noon at Churchstoke – all churches will be open (Lydham by request) and prayer guidance given in each one.

On Sunday 13 March we have a very special occasion when the More Singers will sing a full Choral Evensong at More Church at 6.30pm. Richard Walker will be the organist. The More Singers, based in Church Stretton, take their name from More because one of their leading lights some thirty years ago lived in More. We don‟t often have the chance to experience a fully choral evensong so please support this service and encourage our visitors!

Annual Parochial Church Meeting dates (APCM) Very important! All are welcome! Please attend – and we always need new PCC members!! Monday 7 March Ratlinghope APCM 7.30pm Coppice Farm Tuesday 22 March Churchstoke APCM 7.30pm St Nicholas, Churchstoke Friday 25 March Snead APCM 2.30 Snead Mill Friday 1 April Hyssington APCM Cefn Farm 7.30pm Monday 4 April Wentnor APCM The Rectory 7.30pm Wednesday 6 April More APCM 7.30pm The Rectory Thursday 7 April Norbury APCM 7.30pm Lea Farm Friday 8 April Myndtown APCM Handless Farm 7.30pm Thursday 14 April Lydham APCM 7.30pm Upper Broughton Farm

The Local Ministry Team runs a Prayer Line which is like the School Snow Line. You phone the first number and we phone several volunteers to pray for any worrying situation you feel you need help with. Prayer request number: contact 0782 7750 665. News of The Local Ministry Team: Members are ; Anita Bright (Wentnor & Myndtown), David Hardham (Ratlinghope), Oliver Goode (Norbury), Trish Macmullan (Snead); Janet Wilcoxon (Lydham & More), David Jelves (Churchstoke), Capt Jon Price, Canon Julia Francis, Margaret Wallsgrove (Hyssington) & Rev Norman Morris. Ann Remfry (Ratlinghope) has retired from the Team but will continue as Convenor. Many thanks Anne for all you have done for the Team and we are glad you are continuing to be active with us! Thanks too to Mary Hardham (Ratlinghope) who has served the Team for five years and has stood down but will continue to be active in the parishes especially in the Ministry of Prayer & Healing. Rev Dr John Daniels is the new Diocesan Local Ministry officer. We always welcome new members, especially at this stage when we are renewing for another four years. . “Calling out” is being called for so please look around and if you think someone young or old would be a good potential team member, please put her or his name forward.

'Yesterday & Today: Lydham, More & Snead Celebrating Life in Three Border Villages” This month on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th March we have a special exhibition at Lydham Village Hall - „Yesterday and Today - celebrating Life in three border parishes- Lydham, More and Snead' David and Janet Preshous are kindly putting on this Exhibition in support of the three parishes, especially the Lydham East Window Appeal - Taking place in Lydham Village Hall Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm & Sunday 11.30am – 4.00pm On Sunday 20 March there will be a special Morning Praise service at Lydham Church at 10.30am, as part of the festivities when the preacher will be Canon Richard France, formerly Rector here, who has strong family connections with these border parishes. Please support this weekend! The Exhibition will be absolutely fascinating and the service will be especially worthwhile if well-supported too!

A Youth Alpha course - an exciting development - is being run by run by Captain Jon Price and has just begun, , assisted by the Rector and the Local Ministry team. Many young people have been involved with “Sunday Stars” over the years so we hope that they will join in this Youth Alpha course which may lead onto Confirmation. Young people from all the parishes are invited to join in too! Do talk to the Rector 01588 650244 about this if you wish or know of someone who would like to be involved. Adults who are interested are very welcome to discuss getting confirmed too.

WENTNOR FLOWER FESTIVAL JUNE 2012: The next planning meeting will be held on WEDNESDAY MARCH 16 at 2pm in Wentnor Church Good progress has been made in the meetings held to date. Please do continue your support by attending on March 16 if at all possible. If you have not yet had an opportunity to come to the previous 3 meetings, please do come and join us, your support is needed and will be very warmly welcomed. For any further information please call Victoria Cockburn (650454) or Angela Turner (650352)

More February Draw: 1 Mr D.E. Lewis 2 Janice Evans 3 More PCC The More PCC is from a subscriber who wants the proceeds to be paid to the PCC.

NEWS ROUND Bev Lee of Ratlinghope writes “I would like to thank the ladies at the Ratlinghope Ladies' Lunch for their generosity in giving me the collection towards my London Marathon sponsorship. I have pledged it online to the Cardiomyopathy Association. On 17th April I will be running in the London Marathon to raise money for the Cardiomyopathy Association in memory of my younger brother, Gordon, who died of a heart attack four days after his 29th birthday. My fundraising target is £1600, and so far I have raised approximately half of that. If you would like to sponsor me for the London Marathon, I would be very grateful for any contribution, however small. In addition to sponsorship, I will be selling cakes, cards, and the general contents of my house in order to reach my target of £1600! You can let me have cash, or a cheque payable to the CARDIOMYOPATHY ASSOCIATION or, if you prefer, you can donate online by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BevLee. I can be contacted at Stitt Cottage, Ratlinghope, and on telephone number 01588 650581. Thanks for your support."

IONA WEEK 21 -28 April 2012 FOUR SPACES AVAILABLE (TWO ROOMS WITH TWIN BEDS) In the past years I have organized a couple of pilgrimages to Iona in 2007 and 2009 which were much enjoyed, and a former parishioner, Hilary Jackson, is planning to take a party to Iona, staying at Bishop's House, in April 2012, which I am attending myself. We may possibly still have a couple of rooms (twin beds) available so there are vacancies for a couple of couples or a couple of people to share. Anyone expressing interest is very welcome to get in touch with me 01588 650244 or Hilary Jackson 01432 761588 who now lives near Hereford

UP AND COMING EVENTS BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Next meeting Friday 1 April at 3.00pm at The Stables, Asterton - "Gate of the Stairs" by Lorrie Moore & Friday 6 May at 3.00pm at The Rectory “Never let me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro” . The next book after that will be by AS Byatt “The Children‟s Book”. Potential new members are welcome Contact Rev Norman Morris 01588 650244.

COUNTRYSIDE QUIZ: Lydham Village Hall Friday 4 March 7.00pm £5 per person To include light supper Teams of Four Contact: Rachel 01588 620301; Daphne 01588 650259 Proceeds for Lydham, more & Snead WI.

A Myndtown/Snead Quiz is taking place at The Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle on Friday 11 March at 7.30pm – Supporting our smallest churches Myndtown & Snead – Last year this was a very popular event so please form teams of four and take part! £5 per person Phone Malcolm Corfield for details 01588 650205

LENT GROUPS: LENT begins on Ash Wednesday 17 February and we will be having parallel LENT COURSES on weekday afternoons at Churchstoke & at Wentnor. At Wentnor Rectory, we shall follow the NEW 2011 York Course – Rich Inheritance…Jesus‟ Legacy of Love”? - A Challenging topics! – with taped comments by Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Dr Paula Goodier, Jim Wallis, introduced by the former Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, with closing comments by Inderjit Bhogal. Meeting at WENTNOR RECTORY at 2.30pm on Thursday 17 March (Wentnor Flower Festival meeting on Weds 16 March); Wednesday 23 March; Wednesday30 March & Thursday 7 March. All are welcome to come to all or any of the sessions. There will also be a Lent Group meetings at Churchstoke run by David Jelves & Jon Price. (Please ring David & Jo Jelves for details 01588 620434) There are Lent Bread & Soup Lunches for Christian Aid every Friday from 12 Noon at BC Methodist Hall from 12 Noon. This year our benefice contribution will be by Hyssington parish kindly providing a Bread & Soup Lunch on Friday 15 April.

NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME OPEN DAY AT MAREHAY FARM, RATLINGHOPE SUNDAY 22 MAY 11.00am – 6.00pm Entrance £3 children free Coffee & teas Proceeds to “The Porridge Project”, Tanzania Contact: 01588 650289

4TH OPEN GARDENS EVENT WENTNOR “Shropshire’s Tuscany” Sunday 29 May/Bank Monday 30 May 2.00-6.00pm Tickets: £4 In aid of Wentnor Church Teas & Stalls at Walkmill Farm (In aid of Norbury Church) All are welcome!

SPONSORED WALK SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 2011 ADSTONE FARMHOUSE WENTNOR To raise funds for the Wentnor Flower Festival 2012 Courses to suit all ages and levels of fitness with a choice of 1, 6 1/2 and 11 Miles. Start times between 0930 and 1230. For further details, and sponsorship forms, contact Tim Bevan 01588 650158 or: [email protected]

MAPS WILL BE PROVIDED AND ALL COURSES WILL BE SIGNED.

The Bible Study Group Meets at the Rectory, usually occasional Fridays - new members always welcome! Currently studying St John‟s Gospel at the Wentnor Rectory. Contact: The Rector 01588 650

ADVANCE NOTICE Rev John Cribb informs us of 2011 Marches Spirituality dates …14th April Michael Tavernor Dean of Hereford; 7th October Esther de Waal Writer; also 5th November John Bell of Iona - a return visit to Bishops Castle. Weddings in 2011 are currently booked for Saturday 9 April at More; Saturday 18 June at More; and Friday 19 August Ratlinghope

TWENTY YEARS AGO! The Deanery Synod discussed the forthcoming Decade of Evangelism; the Ordination of Women was on the agenda for the next meeting; Kate Wolf (then 15) had been chosen to take up the Columbus Challenge (500 years since his famous voyage) to be a crew member in a Tall Ships Race; Days of Prayer for the Gulf War were taking place in Churchstoke; it was pointed out that the Welsh for daffodil is cenhimen pedr – Peter‟s leek - or Cenhinen fawrth – March leek – people believing that it was the Welsh National emblem because of its name; Barry Iron retired as Vicar of Newcastle; A Women Apostle (?) Junia was recalled in the Diocesan News: The Bishop of Hereford had encouraged using the train to come to his Enthronement; Wentnor was planning a Flower Festival in August.

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY in the month – NEXT LUNCH IN MARCH Wednesday 9 March to book your meal please ring Vera Brookfield 01588 650230 BY 3 March and THIRD TUESDAY in the month, NEXT LUNCH IN MARCH Tuesday 15 March please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 to make a booking

Table Tennis! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Often taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244 Local public transport? DIAL-A-RIDE Wentnor to Bishops Castle & back every Friday pick-up 10.00am Wentnor Church & Wentnor Shop (can stop at Norbury) return 12.45pm from Tuffins BC. SHROPSHIRE LINK ring 01743 210368 – need to make a booking a day or two before. Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org. Norbury & District WI: Thursday 10 March; “Diabetes UK – Talk on Diabetes awareness” Speaker: PATRICIA GRUBB; Hostesses Sally-Ann Jones, Kath Hughes & Sue Pinches; Flowers: Janet Brandon; Competition: Diabetic recipe (cake, biscuit, choc or drink) Lydham, More & Snead WI: Thursday 17 March; “Retirement from a Man‟s Point of View” Dr Nick Howell; Competition: Member‟s photograph of a rainbow; Refreshments Caroline & Tricia. Onny Valley Social Club: Usually meeting at Norbury Village Hall; .Social gatherings & outings for the over- fifties: well worthwhile – do join! New members welcome. Monthly meetings First Tuesday in the month through the year in Norbury Village Hall 2,30pm - next 1 March Dr Arian Penney Stone house TBA; DAY TRIPS TO COME; 20 April Black Country Museum; 18 May Blaenarvon Big Pit 15 June Brecon railway; 20 July Aberystwyth; 17 August Blists Hill Ironbridge; 21 Sept Snowdon Railway; 19 Oct Coventry Museum & city. Churchstoke Mothers Union: Contact: Olive Fitzhugh 01588 620698 The Mothers Union has a scheme to provide holidays for families in need – any recommendations, please contact the AFIA Holiday Organizer at the Mother‟s Union 01432 373306 or email: [email protected] Churchstoke “Over-Sixties”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Jay Frank 01588 620081 Age UK: please contact Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – your Age Concern Parish Link – who will also be pleased to help. FLOWERS/CLEANING: Following the usual custom winter foliage as decoration in the churches during Lent. Wentnor 20/Feb27 Feb/6 March: Mrs. R Preston & Mrs. P Bevan 13 March – 17 April (inc) No Flowers – Mrs. A Bright Ratlinghope 6 &13 March: Mrs. Margaret Cooke & Mrs. J Pinches 20 & 27 March; Mrs. J Ryan & Mrs. A Remfry 3 & 10 April: Mrs. C Mansell & Mrs. P Sansom Norbury: March LENT; April Marion Rose Lydham: March LENT; April Mrs. A Jones More: March LENT; April Marion Denwood.

NOTICEBOARD Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) or Jay Frank 01588 620711 (Churchstoke & Hyssington) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

RATLINGHOPE’S FESTIVAL OF CEREMONIES A Celebration of Weddings and Christenings 9th - 10th JULY 2011 Were you christened or married at St Margaret‟s Church, Ratlinghope? We are looking to display associated items: wedding dresses, family photos, Christening gowns, memorabilia, interesting tales etc. relating to wedding and christening celebrations at Ratlinghope Church over the decades. We would like to hear from you should you be able to contribute to our festival. Please contact Margaret Cooke (tel: 01588 650280) or Janet Brandon (tel: 01588 650232). Proceeds to: St Margaret’s Church, Ratlinghope & The Rainbow Unit, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

A major Exhibition! 'Yesterday & Today: Lydham, More & Snead Celebrating Life in Three Border Villages” Saturday/Sunday 19/20 March In aid of the Lydham East Window Appeal and the Churches of More & Snead at Lydham Village Hall Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm & Sunday 11.30am – 4.00pm Contact: David & Janet Preshous 01588 638363 Rev N Morris 01588 650244

Ludlow Choral Society

Saturday 19th March 2011

Ludlow Choral Society Annual Workshop

"A Contemporary Collection": unaccompanied 20th & 21st century choral music, directed by Patrick Larley.

Singers interested in participating in this one-day workshop should contact Sue Jones on 01584 874747 or email [email protected].

The fee for the workshop is £17.50. OnnyCamlad Parishes Rev Norman Morris, Rector of Wentnor with Ratlinghope, Norbury, Myndtown, Lydham, More & Snead, & Priest in charge of Churchstoke & Hyssington 01588 650244 David Jelves, Reader 01588 620434 Jon Price “Fresh Expressions” Community Evangelist 01588 620693

The Rector writes…. Which book has had the greatest influence on the English-speaking world over the past four hundred years? It should not be a difficult question to answer as its the Authorized Version of the Bible – the King James Version – which was produced in May 1611. This year is the 400th anniversary of that famous Bible! Until a generation or so ago, it was The Version of the Bible you were likely to come across and , as a child, I remember the School version I was given for Divinity lessons with those wonderful line drawings which illustrated the text. The AV was the product of a group of divines who had been brought together by King James 1st who had succeeded Queen Elizabeth in 1603. There had been earlier versions of the Bible – Tyndale, Great Bible, the Geneva Bible (the Bible Shakespeare used) and the Bishops Bible – and the AV owed a lot to Tyndale – but the AV was definitive in its own day, using the best Hebrew and Greek sources, and held sway until quite recently, especially in Protestant America. It was designed for public reading from its inception and its subsequent success owes much to the beauty of it language and its poetic cadences. Remarkably, the AV held its own as The Holy Bible across the English- speaking world and helped to bring the English-speaking world into being, being the Bible of the Church, School and Home until the 1960s when the New English Bible and other modern versions began to appear, benefiting from newly discovered manuscripts like the Dead Sea Scrolls. So 2011 – the 400th anniversary of the AV – is a wonderful celebration to be living through for anyone who loves their bible! It‟s also a great opportunity to return to the Bible, especially if you have not turned its pages for a while! The Bishop of Hereford has issued a challenge and produced a plan to read the Bible in a year! If you are up to this then please contact me and I will give you details. We shall have some special services and events to mark this 400th Anniversary in the course of the year - our hope should be that there will be a revival in reading the bible so that we can appreciate more keenly God‟s Word in our lives, His love for us, and come to know and love Him better,

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 30 JANUARY EPIPHANY 4 10.00 BENEFICE HOLY COMMUNION LYDHAM (followed by Coffee in Lydham Village Hall)

SUNDAY 6 FEBRUARY EPIPHANY 5 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington (Hyssington Chapel) 9.30 Family Worship Churchstoke 10.30 ALL AGE SERVICE & HC Ratlinghope 11.15 Family Communion Norbury 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor

Friday 11 February 6.30pm St Valentine’s service of Readings, Poems & Hymns Myndtown

SUNDAY 13 FEBRUARY EPIPHANY 6 8.30 Holy Communion Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Holy Communion (CW) Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion (CW) More Rev Jo Evans 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Norbury

SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY SEPTUAGESIMA Education Sunday 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 10.00 Holy Communion Snead (Hyssington Chapel) 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 11.15 Morning Praise Lydham 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Ratlinghope

SUNDAY 27 FEBRUARY SEXAGESIMA Creation Sunday 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion 9.45 Morning Prayer (Lay led) Ratlinghope 10.00 Hyssington United Service 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 6.30 “Songs of Praise” More SUNDAY 6 MARCH QUINQUAGESIMA NEXT BEFORE LENT Transfiguration Sunday 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington 9.30 Family Worship Churchstoke 10.30 ALL AGE SERVICE & HC Ratlinghope 3.00 Memorial Service (Hilda Eustace) Norbury 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Wentnor

Happy & Blessed New Year to everyone! Many thanks for all the Christmas cards and gifts that I was fortunate to receive over the festive period! Rev Norman

Wednesday Morning Prayer 8.30am All are welcome to this short weekly act of worship from all the parishes. Weds 2 Feb Snead;; Weds 9 Feb Ratlinghope; Weds 16 Feb Norbury; Weds 23 Feb Lydham; Weds 2 March Churchstoke; Ash Weds 9 March No MP Special services; Weds 16 March More; Weds 23 March Wentnor; Weds 30 March Myndtown; Weds 6 April Snead.

AT THE CHURCHES: The Local Ministry Team runs a Prayer Line which is like the School Snow Line. You phone the first number and we phone several volunteers to pray for any worrying situation you feel you need help with. Prayer request number: contact 0782 7750 665. The Local Ministry Team members are Ann Remfry (Ratlinghope) ; Anita Bright (Wentnor & Myndtown), David Hardham (Ratlinghope), Oliver Goode (Norbury), Trish Macmullan (Snead); Janet Wilcoxon (Lydham & More), David Jelves (Churchstoke), Capt Jon Price, Canon Julia Francis, Margaret Wallsgrove (Hyssington) & Rev Norman Morris. Rev Dr John Daniels is the new Diocesan Local Ministry officer. We always welcome new members, especially at this stage when we are renewing for another four years. . “Calling out” is being called for so please look around and if you think someone young or old would be a good potential team member, please put her or his name forward.

Possible Annual Parochial Church Meeting dates (APCM) Monday 7 March Ratlinghope APCM 7.30pm Coppice Farm Tuesday 22 March Churchstoke APCM 7.30pm St Nicholas, Churchstoke Friday 25 March Snead APCM 2.30 or 7.30pm TBA Thursday 31 March Lydham APCM 7.30pm Upper Broughton Farm? Friday 1 April Hyssington APCM Cefn Farm 7.30pm Monday 4 April Wentnor APCM The Rectory 7.30pm Wednesday 6 April More APCM 7.30pm The Rectory Thursday 7 April Norbury APCM 7.30pm Lea Farm? Friday 8 April Myndtown APCM Handless Farm 7.30pm ?

More Church Monthly Draw: November 1. W.H. Tomlinson 2. Helen Langford 3. A & D Jones December 1. Gary Whale 2. Sue Cooke 3. M. Reynolds January 1. Crystal Hamar 2. D & J Preshous 3. Brian Haddigan The More Quiz held on 19th November at the Inn on the Green was a great success. More PCC would like to thank the Semple family and all who prepared the quiz or helped in any way. Winners were Eleri and Adrian Fairbanks and Helen and Richard Langford. The winner of the £1 in the Pot competition was Sarah Burke.

Lydham News Celebrating her 81st birthday our indefatigable verger Joyce Yapp organized a very successful Christmas Fayre in the church. The Fayre raised £886 and rising for the East Window repair project. Thank you Joyce, the Lydham Ladies who helped with stalls and all who supported this excellent event. Lydham is very grateful to David Preshous for the £750 donation from the sale proceeds following the publication of the 'Upper Onny Valley' book. This very generous donation has also gone into the East Window repair project. For a 19th and 20th March exhibition in Lydham Village Hall of 'Yesterday and Today - celebrating Life in three border parishes- Lydham, More and Snead' David and Janet Preshous would greatly appreciate readers lending them photographs, tools and artifacts connected with life in these parishes. Thanks to from the Rector to all at Lydham for holding such a magnificent Christmas Fayre, supporting the Lydham Church East Window Appeal

On New Year's Day fifteen of us enjoyed a walk on the Lydham and More parishes, looking at their two Norman motte and baileys, and thank Barbara for the walkers‟ lunch in Lydham village hall.'

Ratlinghope 200 Draw October £20 - Chris Remfry £10 - John Brisbourne £5 - Joyce Pinnock. November £20 - Joyce Ashley £10 - Millie Pinches £5 - Charlie Morris. December £20 - John Brisbourne £10 - Chris Remfry £5 - Jill Middleton Christmas Bonus winner of £30 - Martin Pinches.

WENTNOR FLOWER FESTIVAL, JUNE 2012 The next meeting will be held on Wednesday February 9th at 2pm.Please do join us if you can, if flower arranging is not for you perhaps crafts might be, woodworking, candle making, or fabric crafts, too many options to list. Whatever your skill you will assured of a warm welcome as we plan for the Flower Festival. Bring a mug with you if you would like to have a tea or coffee. If you are interested in becoming involved, but unable to come to this meeting please call either: Victoria Cockburn (650454) or Angela Turner (650352)

Norbury Church is holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday 26 Febrary at 2.00pm for church funds. All are welcome!

NEWS ROUND IONA WEEK 21 -28 April 2012 FOUR SPACES AVAILABLE (TWO ROOMS WITH TWIN BEDS) In the past years I have organized a couple of pilgrimages to Iona in 2007 and 2009 which were much enjoyed, and a former parishioner, Hilary Jackson, is planning to take a party to Iona, staying at Bishop's House, in April 2012, which I am attending myself. We may possibly still have a couple of rooms (twin beds) available so there are vacancies for a couple of couples or a couple of people to share. Anyone expressing interest is very welcome to get in touch with me 01588 650244 or Hilary Jackson 01432 761588 who now lives near Hereford

A wonderful Children’s Craft & Activity Day took place on Tuesday 21 December at Norbury Village Hall when some 25 children of all ages had a very interesting and creative morning. Our thanks to Sue Cooke and her team for all their good efforts! We have running these art days for more than ten years now and a great blessing they have been! On SATURDAY 1 JANUARY there was an excellent NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK around the parishes of Lydham and More, led by Neil Hird, with Soup & rolls at Lydham Village Hall afterwards. Our thanks to Neil & Barbara and all who helped organize such a good occasion!

Happy Birthday Janet and thank you for holding another Ratlinghope “All Day Breakfast” on Saturday 22nd January and at the same time supporting Ratlinghope Church and new Norbury Village Hall.

NEW POETRY BOOK: THE SIN-EATER: A collection of poems by Nigel Sustins is on sale at Wentnor Stores. It contains the poem written for the „Sin-Eater‟ concert at Norbury Village Hall last May, which raised funds for the repair of Richard Munslow‟s monument in Ratlinghope churchyard. The book also includes a tribute to the late Anne Oakes Jones, and poems on local places and Shropshire traditions. There are colour illustrations by Jean Couper. For each copy sold, £1 will be donated to Ratlinghope Church.

UP AND COMING EVENTS BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Next meeting Saturday 5 February 2.30pm Norbury – Discussing "The Death of Ivan Illich" by Tolstoy Discuss of Tolstoy generally, particularly as this year is the anniversary of his death Also references to "Resurrection" by Tolstoy & "The Cossacks and other stories Further date Friday 4 March 2.30pm at The Stables, Asterton "Gate of the Stairs" by Lorrie Moore

A Myndtown/Snead Quiz is taking place at The Three Tuns, BC on Friday 11 March at 7.30pm – supporting our smallest churches Myndtown & Snead - last year this was a very popular event so please form teams of four and take part! Phone Malcolm Corfield for details 01588 650205

'Yesterday & Today: Lydham, More & Snead Celebrating Life in Three Border Villages” Lydham is holding a major Exhibition, organized by David & Janet Preshous over the weekend Saturday/Sunday 18/19 March called “Yesterday & Today: celebrating Life in three border villages Lydham, More & Snead” - in aid of the Lydham East Window Appeal and also supporting the other two Churches of More & Snead. Taking place in Lydham Village Hall Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm & Sunday 11.00am – 4.00pm Please be in touch with David & Janet Preshous 01588 638363 or Rev Norman 01588 650244 if you can help with stewarding or refreshments and preparing on the Friday evening beforehand. An earlier exhibition was enjoyed back in the 1990s so I am sure this one will be a great success! Please support it!

The Bible Study Group Meets at the Rectory, usually occasional Fridays - new members always welcome! Currently studying St John‟s Gospel at the Wentnor Rectory. Contact: The Rector 01588 650

TWENTY YEARS AGO! From the February magazine 1991 Barry Irons retired for the Clun parishes; the Deanery Synod was going to discuss the Decade of Evangelism; Clungunford parish now had street wardens; Rt Rev John Oliver had been enthroned as Bishop of Hereford; a meeting was arranged in Ludlow to discuss Entended Communion; a Mission to Churchstoke was being organized; Graham Lloyd was ordained at Churchstoke; “Arthur‟s Plough” was a play being shown in Shrewsbury and was booked to be shown in BC.

Our sympathies extend to the families of the late Alan Eyres. Alan Eyres was a well-known and well-loved figure in the parish of More and beyond. The local press described Alan as “a well-known farmer…prominent in the local and agricultural communities throughout his life.”All those who met and knew him were touched by his wonderfully cheerful presence, his good humour and unfailing interest in life around him. He was for years, practically an epoch, a member of More PCC, Churchwarden and Treasurer of More Church, utterly devoted to the church, always to be found doing all sorts of jobs necessary to keep the church up and running for the services he loved. For any parish priest, he was as a churchwarden a shining example. Although poorly in recent years, Alan was very well looked after by Diana and Frederic and by local carers, He much enjoyed the visits of family and friends, getting out for drives, and was still occasionally able to get to church. At a More Breakfast a couple of years ago, Alan was presented with a fine commemorative mug as a token for his immense service to More Church and parish – a very happy occasion. It is fitting that he should be finally be laid to rest in More churchyard beside his beloved May who died in 2005. Alan farmed at More Farm with May whom he married in 1966. He was Chairman of Shropshire NFU in 1965, on the Milk Marketing Board, a County Councillor, and a Governor of Adcote School, near Shrewsbury. He loved farming, had wide countryside interests, especially training sheep dogs, competing successfully in sheep dog trials. Alan was born in Stockport where his family had a successful iron foundry business, J Eyres & Sons, Manchester. He was educated at The Kings School. Chester, and studied Agriculture at the University of Wales, Aberystyth. Desiring a country life, Alan, his father, and his brother, Gordon, moved to Belgrave Farm on the Duke of Westminster‟s estate and later bought Abertanat Farm, Llanblodwel. Diana writes…”Frederic and I can take comfort from remembering all the happy times that we spent with him, particularly over the past few months, when his health had improved and he was able to get out and enjoy the farm and life in general. His sense of humour kept us entertained and his cheerful smile always lit up our days.” Alan will be very much missed – may he rest in peace and rise in glory.

FROM THE REGISTERS Funerals: Alan James Eyres (80) More Monday 13 December Fiona Elizabeth Marshall (33) Wentnor Thursday 6 January Pete Postlethwaite (64) More 15 January

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY in the month – NEXT LUNCH IN JANUARY Wednesday 9 February to book your meal please ring Vera Brookfield 01588 650230 BY 3 June AND third Tuesday in the month, NEXT LUNCH IN JANUARY Tuesday 15 February please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 to make a booking

Table Tennis! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Often taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244 Local public transport? DIAL-A-RIDE Wentnor to Bishops Castle & back every Friday pick-up 10.00am Wentnor Church & Wentnor Shop (can stop at Norbury) return 12.45pm from Tuffins BC. SHROPSHIRE LINK ring 01743 210368 – need to make a booking a day or two before. Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org. Norbury & District WI: Thursday 10 February; “Yoga - tips on yoga – loads of fun too!”” Speaker: DAVID HEDGE; Hostesses Jenny Burdett, Christine Mansell & Mary Atkins; Flowers: Margaret Wells; Competition: Limerick on exercise. Lydham, More & Snead WI: Thursday 17 February; Skitttles; Competition: Most articles in a small matchbox; Soup: Sarah & Shirley. Onny Valley Social Club: Usually meeting at Norbury Village Hall; .Social gatherings & outings for the over- fifties: well worthwhile – do join! Contact: Pat Varcoe 01588 650204 New members welcome. Monthly meetings First Tuesday Norbury Village Hall 1 February TBA; Val Littlehales; 1 March Dr Arian Penney Stone house TBA DAY TRIPS; 20 April Black Country Museum; 18 May Blaenarvon Big Pit Churchstoke Mothers Union: Contact: Olive Fitzhugh 01588 620698 The Mothers Union has a scheme to provide holidays for families in need – any recommendations, please contact the AFIA Holiday Organizer at the Mother‟s Union 01432 373306 or email: [email protected] Churchstoke “Over-Sixties”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Jay Frank 01588 620081 Age UK: please contact Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – your Age Concern Parish Link – who will also be pleased to help. FLOWERS/CLEANING: Thanks for all the wonderful Christmas decorations in the churches! Wentnor 23 & 30 Jan: Mrs. M Rowson & Mrs. B Jones 6 & 13 Feb: Mrs. R Jones & Mrs. L Middleton 20/27/6 March: Mrs. R Preston & Mrs. P Bevan Ratlinghope 6 & 13 Feb: Mrs. J McNamara & Mrs. S Cusack 20 & 27 Feb: Mrs. J Brandon & Mrs. V Harley 6 & 13 March: Mrs. Margaret Cooke & Mrs. J Pinches Norbury: February: Mrs. L Pinnock & Mrs. J Pinnock: March LENT Lydham: Feb: Mrs. M Denwood; March LENT More: Feb: Mrs. D Pritchard; March LENT

Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

A major Exhibition! 'Yesterday & Today: Lydham, More & Snead Celebrating Life in Three Border Villages” Saturday/Sunday 18/19 March In aid of the Lydham East Window Appeal and the Churches of More & Snead at Lydham Village Hall Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm & Sunday 11.00am – 4.00pm Contact: David & Janet Preshous 01588 638363 Rev N Morris 01588 650244

The Rector writes…..Nearly twenty years ago, the diocese of Hereford carried out an extensive exercise looking to the future of its parishes sand churches. This exercise involving Planning, Pastors and Parishes was nicknamed “Pompey”! Its conclusions for the Clun Forest Deanery recently came to light recently at the September Chapter meeting when the retiring Vicar of Clungunford unearthed its proposals form his Study clearance! One of Pompey’s major expectations was that by2002, yes nearly ten years ago, several of the deanery churches would have been closed, possibly six or more! What’s happened? Twenty years on in the event only one...Bryn has closed! All the rest – amazingly – all 27 have survived, and in many ways all these churches are now better appreciated locally and by the diocese than twenty years ago with their tourism, visitor potential, churchyard interests etc seen as assets. All these churches and their ministry come at a price, a heavy price! Yet the fact that 27 churches are still with us is testimony to the dedication, hard work and commitment – sheer Christian determination - of groups of people, some large mostly small, in our villages – there is a lot of fundraising and good Christian Giving by many folk. But sadly, there are many bills to pay; you won’t believe it but we have to find c. £10,000 for insuring our nine churches every year! All our churches could do with more friends, able and willing, from our parishes to “adopt” their village church, sign up to a direct debit, whatever can be afforded, and so support the valiant efforts of the existing dedicated congregations! More helping hands will be thankfully shaken! Please be in touch with the Rector and Churchwardens!

SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER TRINITY 15 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 10.00 Family Worship Churchstoke David Hardham/Jon Price 11.15 More Harvest Festival Preacher Bishop Michael Bourke 3.00 Hyssington Harvest Festival Preacher: Rev Alan Backhouse 6.00 Ratlinghope Harvest Festival Preacher: Preb Dick France

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER: 7.30pm Myndtown Harvest Supper using “Local Produce” Handless Farm

SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER TRINITY 16 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.00 Myndtown Harvest Festival Preacher: Canon Michael Tiller , formerly Archdeacon of Hereford 11.15 Holy Communion More Canon Julia Francis 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke (Preb M Pollit/D Jelves) 2.00 Christening (Wallsgrove family) Hyssington All welcome 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury

SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER TRINITY 17 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 10.00 Holy Communion Snead 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke (D Jelves/Rector) 11.15 Morning Praise Lydham (Canon Julia Francis) 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER TRINITY 18 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope (Lay Led) 9.45 Holy Communion More 10.00 Hyssington United Service 11.15 Churchstoke Harvest Festival Preacher: Bishop of Ludlow 6.30 Norbury Harvest Festival Preacher: Rev Jo Evans

SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER TRINITY 19 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor (Canon Julia Francis) 10.00 Family Service Norbury (Canon Julia Francis) 6.30 “Those we have loved” Memorial Service Churchstoke (David Jelves/Jon Price)

SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER TRINITY 20 9.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington 10.00 Morning Praise Churchstoke (David Jelves) 10.30 All Age Service & Holy Communion Ratlinghope 4.00 SAINTS & SAUSAGES CHURCHSTOKE VICARAGE 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 Evensong with the “More Singers” Wentnor

Wednesday Morning Prayer: All are welcome to this short time of prayer: 5 Oct Lydham; 12 Oct More; 19 Oct Wentnor; 26 Oct Myndtown; 2 Nov Snead.

Remaining autumn PCC dates: PCC secretaries please let PCCs know as these meetings are very important. Anyone welcome to come! Hyssington PCC Friday 30 September 7.30pm Cefn Farm Wentnor PCC Monday 3 October 7.30pm The Rectory Churchstoke PCC Tuesday 11 October 7.30pm Oakfields More PCC Wednesday 12 October 7.30pm The Rectory

SNEAD BALLOON RACE AND DOG SHOW Our new venture and venue with a Balloon Race instead of the Duck Race and using Churchstoke Community worked well. Over £700 was raised Karen Jones once again was amazing at selling tickets and the support on the day from so many helpers was very much appreciated. The balloons set off down the Camlad Valley and distances and destinations of the winning balloons were 70 miles Bedworth; 48 miles Dodford, Bromsgrove; 28 miles Middleton Scriven, Bridgnorth; 23 miles Ditton Priors and 20 miles Broncroft. The Rector writes…many thanks to Trish, Albert, Karen, Pam, and all those families who were involved in making this afternoon such a success! Snead TAI CHI NEWS Snead Church’s Tai Chi classes at Hyssington Chapel have been running since April and so far have raised £250. Tai Chi is gentle exercise with flowing movements and can be learnt by all ages. The participants in the class have been enjoying it and have nearly learnt the first part of the Yang style 36 step form (there are three parts). Learning the form requires quite a bit of co-ordination between mind and body, but it’s all good fun and there is much laughter. They also enjoy the social side of coming together, so the tea break is important too! Among the benefits attributed to the exercise so far has been: Improvements in balance; Less stiffness; Feelings of well-being. We are now moving on to the Hyssington Village Hall for the winter months, and to give more space which we also need. If anyone would like to join in a second class is now possible – open to all! See below for details. TAI CHI beginners’class October Thursday mornings from 10.30 am to 12 noon At Hyssington Village Hall £5 per session No booking required up to mid November Contact: Pam Blaxland 01588 638145 Or email [email protected]

WE STILL NEED HELP PLEASE! At Wentnor Churchyard we have had a gardener to look after the new churchyard which now looks very tidy. However, there is an expense involved so all those who a family interest in the new churchyard, in keeping with the past two years, are invited to contribute to the upkeep of the churchyard. Please make any cheques out to Wentnor PCC and drop them in at the Wentnor Shop or at the Rectory in an envelope marked “Wentnor Churchyard Fund” Thank you to those who have already contributed this year. . Many thanks to all those who helped to cut the grass of the old churchyard over the summer!

The Inaugural Parish Croquet Match took place on Sunday afternoon 4 September at the Wentnor Rectory and teams from Ratlinghope, Norbury, Snead, Lydham and Wentnor took part. Once it had been decided what the croquet layout should be and what rules to go by, there was sufficient time left in the afternoon for play to commence! After having a series of matches, Ratlinghope were winners with Norbury runners-up! Other parishes taking part were Wentnor, Snead and Lydham.

Marion and Les Denwood would like to thank all the friends who sent cards and good wishes on the occasion of their Golden Wedding and Les’ 80th birthday. They enjoyed a lovely family tea party at the home of their youngest son Jonathan and his wife Sally, where the whole families were able to help them celebrate.

Congratulations to Miss Emma Bullock on her 100th birthday on Thursday 1 September! For many years Miss Bullock lived in More parish and was one of More Church’s best supporters and she still continues to be on More PCC. On the Saturday following Miss Bullock had a very happy birthday party at Lydham Village Hall.

Thanks to Julia Francis for leading the Children’s Art Day “Fish & Ships” on Saturday 3 September at Norbury Village Hall. We have been running these splendid Children’s Days for over ten years now and the next one will be before Christmas!

Tea Towels! Please return your washed and ironed tea towels to Norbury Village Hall! Very few left at the moment!

STOP PRESS: Congratulations to Norbury for holding such a magnificent Hiring Fair – Heritage weekend - Saturday 10 September – a report in next month’s magazine

MORE MONTHLY DRAW July 1. Laura Pugh 2.Mrs. M. Hill 3.Mr.& Mrs. D Rowson August 1.Clare Williams 2. J. C. Waring 3. Sarah Screen

UP AND COMING EVENTS On Saturday October 1st Churchstoke WI are holding a Macmillan Coffee Morning as part of the Macmillan nationwide fundraising. This will take place in the Churchstoke Community Hall from 10am to 12noon. Donations of cakes and raffle prizes will be gratefully received, and do come along to give this extremely worthy cause your support. SALE OF HARVEST PRODUCE on Tuesday 4th October at THE INN ON THE GREEN, Wentnor to start at 7pm. Proceeds will be equally shared between The Bosano project and St. Peter's Church, More.

Norbury Village Hall Committee meeting Wednesday 5 October at 7.30pm

Harvest Suppers planned for Myndtown at the Handless Farm – home of Sally & Matt Mellor – Friday 7 October at 7.30pm – and a Wentnor Harvest Supper is planned as usual at The Crown date TBA

Please see the Churchstoke Notes for details of the Megan Beddoes Memorial Concert at St Nicholas Church, Churchstoke on Saturday evening 8 October - not to be missed!

BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Later in the autumn, we shall consider George Eliot’s “Middlemarch” – “the greatest English Novel of the Nineteenth century – Discuss?” on Saturday 19 November at “The Barns” at 7.30pm The next meeting to discuss Chekov’s “The Steppe” in on Saturday afternoon 15 October 3.00pm at Moreton on Lugg. . Contact Rev Norman Morris 01588 650244. The Bible Study Group Meets at the Rectory, usually occasional Fridays - new members always welcome! Currently studying St John’s Gospel at the Wentnor Rectory. Contact: The Rector 01588 650

PATCHWORK QUILT GROUP: The Patchwork Quilt Group is underway. Come and join us – learners and more experienced patchworkers are all very welcome. Phone Jean Cooper for date and more details: 650 590. [email protected]. WENTNOR FLOWER FESTIVAL 2012 moves to 2013 2012 is proving to be a busy year for events locally and nationally, June 2 – 5 is the 4day Diamond Jubilee Celebration weekend, with which the Flower Festival would compete, closely followed on July 8th by the Upper Onny Country Show, then the Olympics and finally the four Parish annual Fete in Wentnor on August 27th. There will also be other local events of which we are yet unaware.

Therefore the Wentnor FF Steering Group have taken the decision to delay the Flower Festival until 2013 and it will be held over the week end of July 13/14 2013.

The ‘Teach In’ evening for flower arrangers on October 5th will go ahead as planned at 7.30pm in Wentnor Church. An opportunity for all who have been involved to date, plus anyone who feels like they would like to join in for 2013. A relaxed evening, during which Anne Littlehales will share her knowledge of the world of flowers with us, a glass of wine, juice or a hot drink will be served. We look forward very much to meeting up with you all again. Victoria Cockburn, Co-ordinator & Angela Turner, Secretary. WFF 2013

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY in the month – NEXT LUNCH Wednesday 12 October - to book your meal please ring Vera Brookfield 01588 650230 BY 4 September and THIRD TUESDAY in the month, NEXT LUNCH Tuesday 18 October Please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 to make a booking Age UK: please contact Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help.

Dates for your diaries please! The very popular NORBURY QUIZ takes place on FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER AT 7.00pm (for 7.30pm) at The Inn on the Green, Wentnor – please contact John Glover at Norbury for details 01588 650427 Teams welcome! The CHURCHSTOKE CHRISTMAS FAYRE takes place at CHURCHSTOKE COMMUNITY HALL on SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER an d the LYDHAM CHRISTMAS FAYRE takes place on SATURDAY 26 NOVEMEBR AT LYDHAM CHURCH – both very popular last year – do attend please !

Message from Barbara Hird ..” Grand Xmas Fayre Saturday 26th.November Sat. Nov. 26th. 11am- 3pm in Lydham Church with refreshments in the Village Hall. Buy your presents, cards, mincepies, fudge, cakes, mincemeat & marmalades and enjoy a glass of mulled wine. There will be Xmas sacks, tree decorations, Xmas wreaths & poinsettias for sale and also a gift wrapping service.

Table Tennis! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Often taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244

Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org.

AROUND THE WIs Norbury & District WI: Thursday 13 October Speaker: LESLEY ALLSOP “The truth behind those old wives tales with minifacials (volunteers) ” Hostesses: Shelagh Cusack, Nid Garratt & Julie Spille Flowers: Sally-Ann Jones Lydham, More & Snead WI: Thursday 20 October Speaker: Mrs. Penny Vingoe “Tips and Tricks to Remember” Competition: Verse of a Poem Remembered from our Youth Teas Daphne & Rachel & Others. Onny Valley Social Club: Usually meeting at Norbury Village Hall; .Social gatherings & outings for the over- fifties: well worthwhile – do join! New members welcome. Monthly meetings First Tuesday in the month through the year in Norbury Village Hall DAY TRIPS TO COME; 19 Oct Coventry Museum & city. Churchstoke “Over-Sixties”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310 and Joan Osborn 01588 620653 Age UK: please contact Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – your Age Concern Parish Link – who will also be pleased to help. TWENTY YEARS AGO FROM THE MAGAZINE! There was a Deanery Songs of Praise, Wentnor had a successful Flower Festival which raised £2,500, and the church was made very colourful with new Kneelers, Bishop John Oliver wrote about Essential Christian Healing, Rev Keith Crouch was about to be inducted as the new Incumbent at Bishop’s Castle and Mainstone, Mainstone were fundraising for roof repairs, a still young but experienced Richard Shaw had just been appointed to the Clun parishes!

FROM THE REGISTERS Christenings: Casey May McIntosh Sunday 21 August Churchstoke Evie Rose Corfield Saturday 20 August Myndtown Freddie George Corfield Saturday 20 August Myndtown Thomas James Peacock Saturday 10 September Churchstoke Matthew Adam Peacock Saturday 10 September Churchstoke Weddings: Adrian McNamara & Vicky Hughes Ratlinghope Friday 19 August Funerals: Ellis William Wall (66) Friday 2 September Churchstoke

FLOWERS/CLEANING: Wentnor 25 Sept & 2 Oct: Mrs. T Rogers-Coltman & Mrs. SA Jones 9 & 16 Oct: Mrs. V Cockburn & Mrs. A Parry 23 & 30 Oct: Mrs. L Middleton & Mrs. R Jones 6 & 13 Nov: Mrs. A Turner & Mrs. J Sheard Ratlinghope 2 & 9 Oct: Mrs. C Buxton & Mrs. A Remfry 16 & 23 Oct: Mrs. Anne Littlehales & Mrs. D Owen 30 Oct& 6 Nov: Mrs. S Betton & Mrs. S Pinches Norbury: October: TBA November: Mrs. A Cooke & Mrs. B Wall Lydham: October: Mrs. P Brayford November: Miss J Wilcoxon & Mrs. J Yapp More: October: Mrs. D Pritchard November: Mrs. R Farr

NOTICEBOARD Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) or Jane Frank 01588 620711 (Churchstoke & Hyssington) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350. Your Local Shropshire police team is : PC 157 Paul Sparrow CSO 6460 Ross O’Neil CSO 6419 Sheena - Dee Jones SO 5012 Sandra Garland SC 4743 Chris Richardson SC 5752 Duncan Price Miss Emma Ransford – Police Volunteer You can contact us in the following ways: Police contact numbers Emergency 999 Police Station 0300 333 3000 Local Police Team 01743 264777 (message service) (Not to be used for reporting crime or emergencies) Crime stoppers:0800 555 111 Web site: www.westmercia.police.uk Contact Email address:[email protected]

Stay-at-home Christmas? Are you staying at home for Christmas? Would you open your home and share Christmas with a student from China, India, or some other part of the world, who would otherwise be stuck at an almost deserted UK university? HOST invites you to give Christmas, perhaps for the first time in their life, to someone who is a guest in this country, who would love to experience your way of life and make your stay-at-home Christmas special. HOST will match you with one or two guests to suit your household. More volunteer hosts are urgently needed for 1-3 days at Christmas, and weekends all year round. Please see www.hostuk.org or call your local voluntary organiser for a chat: Lynette Chappin 02920 693903

The Rector writes…Just twelve months to go and the Queen‟s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics will be upon us! Already we have had controversies about the ticket allocation so I hope both the Jubilee and the Games will be an occasion for national and community celebration. I hope too that we will celebrate our Queen‟s Diamond Jubilee nationally and locally in early June 2012 and we already have plans in Wentnor for a Flower Festival at the church which will be a wonderful opportunity to draw people together to have a joyful celebration at one of our well- loved parish churches. I grew up in postwar years in a country village in south Herefordshire and my love of community events was nurtured by a well-supported annual Flower Show and Gymkhana at which my Dad was always one of the moving spirits behind that and everything else that seemed to happen in our village! He was Churchwarden and Church Treasurer from 1946, aged 28 then, when he came back from War service in the Royal Navy, and carried on until the time we left the district in 1973 – he was soon Churchwarden at the next village he lived in! You can appreciate the lasting influence on me of that local active involvement in community activity – all about making things happen! Life in villages is unlike life anywhere else – it‟s far more social and caring than usually found in towns and cities, very fulfilling for most people - but it comes at a price. The price is that it needs the support of everyone , young and old, to keep churches, pubs, shops (if you are lucky to have one as we are) football clubs, the WI, to keep them active and alive for our benefit and future generations. This month and next, indeed, we will be having the Parish Cricket, Ratlinghope Festival of Ceremonies, , Churchstoke Strawberry Fayre, Lydham Flower Festival, Snead Balloon Races, Wentnor Fete and much more - please give them your full support – love God and love your neigbour – be involved and enrich our common life!

SUNDAY SERVICES: All are welcome to services at all our churches!

SUNDAY 3 JULY TRINITY 2 ST THOMAS 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham (Canon Julia Francis) 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington (Canon Julia Francis) 10.00 Family Worship Churchstoke 10.30 Family Communion Wentnor 1.00 Christening More (Logan) (Rev Jo Evans)

SUNDAY 10 JULY TRINITY 3 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 10.00 Morning Praise Hyssington (David Jelves) 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion More 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke (Preb.Michael Pollit) 4.00 RATLINGHOPE “FESTIVAL OF CEREMONIES” CELEBRATION SERVICE PREACHER: BISHOP OF LUDLOW

SUNDAY 17 JULY TRINITY 4 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 10.00 Holy Communion Snead (Canon Julia Francis) 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Norman 11. 15 Morning Praise Lydham (Canon Julia Francis) 1.00 Christening Hyssington (Doyle) 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Norbury

SUNDAY 24 JULY TRINITY 5 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope (Lay Led) 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 3.00 Hyssington “Open Church & Churchyard” Service 6.30 “Songs of Praise” More 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor (Barry Preston)

SUNDAY 31 JULY TRINITY 6 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 10.00 Family Service Churchstoke (David Jelves) 10.30 Lydham Flower Festival Service Preacher: Canon Chris Pullin Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral 12.30 Christening Snead (Blaxland) 3.00 Christening Wentnor (Charley Wood) 6.30 Evening Prayer Ratlinghope (Canon Julia Francis)

SUNDAY 7 AUGUST TRINITY 7 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham (Rev Jo Evans) 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington (Rev Jo Evans) 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope (Canon Julia Francis) (note earlier time No All Age being August) 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury (Canon Julia Francis) 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor (Barry Preston)

SUNDAY 14 AUGUST TRINITY 8 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke (Rev Jo Evans) 11.15 Holy Communion More Norman 6.30 Snead Festival Evensong Preacher: TBA

FRIDAY 19 AUGUST WEDDING: Adrian Macnamara & Vicky Hughes RATLINGHOPE 2.00pm

SATURDAY 20 AUGUST 12.00 Christening Myndtown

SUNDAY 21 AUGUST TRINTY 9 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 9.45 Holy Commuion Ratlinghope 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke (David Jelves) 11.15 Morning Praise Lydham 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury

SUNDAY 28 AUGUST TRINITY 10 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope (Lay Led) 10.00 United Services Hyssington 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 6.30 Evening Prayer More (Canon Julia Francis)

SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER TRINITY 11 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington 10.30 Family Worship Churchstoke 10.30 All Age Service & Holy Communion Ratlinghope (Canon Julia Francis) 11.15 Family Communion Norbury 6.30 Evening Prayer “Celebration of the King James Bible” Wentnor

Wednesday Morning Prayer 8.30am All are welcome to this short weekly act of worship from all the parishes. 6 July More; 13 July Wentnor; 20 July Myndtown; 27 July Snead; 3 August Norbury; 10 August Lydham; 17 August Churchstoke; 24 August More; 31 August More

RATLINGHOPE FESTIVAL OF CEREMONIES At ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH 9th JULY – 11.00am to 5.00pm 10th JULY – 11.00am to 3.45pm followed by A Special Service at 4.00pm with the Bishop of Ludlow A rare opportunity to see a collection of Wedding Dresses and Christening Gowns worn in the Church over the past 70 years Displayed in the Church with appropriate flower arrangements & accessories Refreshments – Ploughman’s Lunch, homemade cakes, tea, coffee, soft drinks, etc.

HOLY TRINITY, LYDHAM FLOWER FESTIVAL Celebrate the Restoration of the East & West Windows SATURDAY 30 JULY 10.00am – 4.00pm & SUNDAY 31 JULY 10.30am – 4.00pm Light Lunches – Teas – at Lydham Village Hall 10.30 Lydham Flower Festival Service Preacher: Canon Chris Pullin Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral

LOCAL MINISTRY NEWS: We are reforming! We always welcome new members, especially at this stage when we are renewing the Team for another four years. . “Calling out” is underway until early July , so please look around and if you think someone young or old would be a good potential team member, please put her or his name forward. The Local Ministry team has been a major success story in the parishes these past five years, both for the members in their spiritual development but also the parishes, in terms of ministry, worship and mission. As I said last month, please let‟s take Local Ministry forward for the next four years! Nomination Forms are being emailed and also issued at services - please ask the Rector for a form if you do not have one Current Members are : Anita Bright (Wentnor & Myndtown), David Hardham (Ratlinghope), Trish Macmullan (Snead); Janet Wilcoxon (Lydham & More), David Jelves (Churchstoke), Capt Jon Price, Canon Julia Francis, Margaret Wallsgrove (Hyssington) & Rev Norman Morris.

NEWS ROUND The Corndon Singers evening at Wentnor went very well and £341.50 was raised for the Wentnor 2012 Flower Festival after costs which was marvellous. Several members of the Corndon expressed how much they had enjoyed singing in the Church "It has everything, and warmth too!" was one comment from one of the basses. So thanks to all those involved with that happy event.

A 'Patchwork Group' is beginning sometime in July. People with all levels of experience (or none) welcome, spending as little or as much time as they wish. We plan to make a patchwork quilt for the Flower Festival. Anyone interested please contact Jean Couper: 650 590, [email protected].

Thanks to all those who opened their gardens and who helped in any way with the 4TH OPEN GARDENS EVENT in Wentnor and who provided Teas on Sunday 29 May/Bank Monday 30 May. Open Gardens proceeds went in aid of Wentnor Church Flower Festival (from Walkmill Cottage £100 & Margaret‟s Plant Stall £100) and to Wentnor Church & Churchyard Fund £324 (from “Fairview” and “Holly Cottage” – thanks to Geoff & Sheila and to Heather & Julian - and teas proceeds £147 – thanks to Gilly & Brian for hosting at the Walkmill Cottage - went to Norbury Church – and thanks to Val for her illustrated guide to the open gardens. Very good and encouraging outcome! Thanks to all those who did a sponsored Walk at Adstone for the 2012 Flower Festival. Carol and Stuart Buxton would like to thank all those who provided refreshments at their Marehay Open Gardens event in May. £800 was raised for the National Gardens Scheme and £385 for the Porridge Project provided breakfast for children at St Augustine‟s School, Dar in Tanzania. “THANK YOU MAREHAY FOR OUR BREAKFAST” Angela Turner writes: Malnourished children in the „Porridge Project‟ at St Augustine‟s Primary School, Dar es Salaam will benefit from the generosity of Carol & Stuart Buxton. Their magnificent garden at Marehay Farm was opened on Sunday May 29 for the National Gardens Scheme. Members of the Parish of Ratlinghope, plus family and friends of Carol & Stuart donated an incredible selection of cakes for visitor refreshments, which raised £385 for the „Porridge Project‟, a significant start to the 2011 fund raising for the provision of porridge for 2013. Thank you to Carol & Stuart, and to all who donated cakes - £385 will feed 32 children for the school year.

An Invitation to ASTERTON HALL Home of Marian and Bob Gatward for a GARDEN PARTY FRIDAY JULY 1st 2011 from 6 – 8.30pm Enjoy the delightful garden at Asterton Hall Light refreshments, to include a ploughman‟s plate, with a glass of wine. Tickets £8.50 (to include your 1st glass of wine) Early booking essential, a limited number available. Tickets available from: Brenda Jones 650673 & Angela Turner 650352 [email protected]

A fund raiser for the Wentnor 2012 Flower Festival WENTNOR FLOWER FESTIVAL 2012 – DATES FOR DIARIES CRAFT AFTERNOON - Wednesday 14th SEPTEMBER at 2pm. Norbury Village Hall With thoughts (perhaps reluctantly!) turning towards the Autumn and Winter, might you feel more inclined to take on craft projects as the days become shorter? This afternoon is to share ideas, and be mutually supportive. If you would like to contribute but are unable/prefer not to join us, please give me a call with your ideas. In addition, if anyone has any material or wool tucked away in a cupboard for which you no longer have any use, donations of these materials are most welcome. Hope to see or hear from you – Angela Turner Tel: 650352.

A „TEACH IN‟ FOR THE WENTNOR FLOWER FESTIVAL ARRANGERS Thursday 6th OCTOBER, at 7.30pm Norbury Village Hall Anne Littlehales will share her knowledge and expertise in flower arranging, we will learn how to condition our flowers and foliage, advise on availability and suitability if we have ideas of which flowers we would like to use in our Festival arrangements. Many of us attending our last meeting in May felt this will be an invaluable opportunity and a confidence builder for us all. Hope to see you there – Angela Turner 650352 More monthly draw for June 2011: 1. Mr. and Mrs. D. Rowson 2.Nancy Beamond 3.Mervyn Owen More breakfast A very enjoyable breakfast took place on Saturday 4th June. The money raised for More church amounted to £677- 65. More PCC would like to thank all those who attended, gave donations or helped in any way. Writes the Rector “It was a wonderful effort by a great team of people to put on the scrumptious More Breakfast in support of More Church – thanks you very much indeed!” The evening service went well too and we are grateful to our visiting Preacher Rev Carol Whittock and the Benefice Choir.

CALLING ALL PCCs! On Wednesday 27 July there will be the combined Annual PCC Meeting at Norbury Village Hall at 7.30pm for all the PCCs of the nine OnnyCamlad parishes at which Rev Caroline Pascoe, the Hereford Diocesan Lay Development Officer will be our Guest Speaker. This is an opportunity for all our PCCs to meet and consider matters of common interest and on this occasion to have a session with our Diocesan Parish Development Officer, building on our 2015 Lydham Supper and Table Cloth session last July. All are welcome.

SNEAD CHURCH NEWS: Churchwarden Pam Blaxland's TAI CHI CLASS at Hyssington Methodist Chapel has been running since 28th April and now has as many Tai Chi beginners as there is space for. Should there be more people interested in learning Tai Chi they should contact Pam on 01588 638145 or email [email protected]. She is willing to give private lessons in her home or yours. Should there be sufficient interest; a second class at Hyssington may be a possibility.

Snead Church takes flight: Pam and Simon Blaxland have generously provided a venue for the Snead Annual Duck Race for many years. This year our major fundraising event will find us two miles down the road at Churchstoke. Keeping to our ariel theme and without a stretch of Camlad for ducks we are having a balloon race! We hope to have the same support for our new venture and Karen Jones has once again promised to call on as many as possible of you with tickets. (Please be assured that we are following environmentally sound advice in staging this event) Trish Macmullan 01588620275

Wentnor Churchyard – with the summer coming upon us, we have once again engaged a gardener to look after the new churchyard and he does very well. However, there is an expense involved so all those who a family interest in the new churchyard, in keeping with the past two years, any contribution to the upkeep of the churchyard would be most welcome. Please make any cheques out to Wentnor PCC and drop them in at the Wentnor Shop or at the Rectory in an envelope marked “Wentnor Churchyard Fund” Thank you.

UP AND COMING EVENTS Further information on the Evening Garden Party is to be held on Friday July 1st from 6 - 8.30pm, at the home of Marian and Bob Gatward. They live at Asterton Hall, Asterton, very close to the bottom of the road down from the Long Mynd. They have very kindly invited us to enjoy their pretty garden, or their home should the weather be less than clement! The cost of the ticket is £8.50 to include your first glass of wine, and light savoury and sweet refreshments will include the option of a 'ploughman‟s plate' for those who would like something more substantial. Marion and Bob are hosting the evening for the benefit of the 2012 Wentnor Flower Festival, I hope you may be free to join us for what I think will be a very pleasant mid summer social gathering. Tickets are limited so contact me soon. Call Angela Turner on 01588 650352 or [email protected] for tickets. If you wish to pay by cheque please make it out to 'Wentnor Flower Festival'

Ceilidh, Beer & BBQ! It will be music, dancing and fun for all the family on Saturday 2 July at the Upper Onny Country Social, when Norbury Village Hall will be the venue for a ceilidh and barbecue. The event will start at 6.30pm, with local ceilidh band Canol Music playing until 8.30pm, and the social, barbecue and bar carrying on late into the evening. The event is raising funds for the 2012 Upper Onny Country Show, which supports Norbury Primary School and the planned new Norbury Village Hall. Tickets cost £7 for adults, with 16 year olds and under free of charge. For more information and tickets ring 07794 033211 or email [email protected]. Tickets are also available on the gate, and the UOCS committee looks forward to seeing you there!

On Tuesday 5 July there will be the third (very Trinitarian) Deanery Consultation, led by the Bishop of Ludlow, at Lydbury North Village Hall at 7.30pm

Friday 8th July 8.00 p.m. 'Words and Music for a Summer Evening' Music from Early Music group Parsley's Clocke And wit and wisdom from Richard Beaumond. Tickets £5 (to include a glass of wine) In support of St Margaret‟s Church, Ratlinghope From Frances Williams 01743 790769

ANNUAL PARISH CRICKET MATCH TBA NORBURY FOOTBALL GROUND Knock-out Competition – current holders Ratlinghope Teams: Wentnor, Ratlinghope, Linley, Myndtown, Norbury & Snead (Welsh parishes) Contact: Malcolm Corfield All welcome – players, spectators needed – barbeque – raffle - please support

The Rector would like to inaugurate an Inter-parish croquet competition at The Rectory if we can agree on the rules – please be in touch – 650244 to express interest – some replies have been received Any more?

SATURDAY 23 JULY BIBLE WALK! The Local Ministry Team is planning to do a second WALK linking up our Welsh churches to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the KING JAMES BIBLE with readings from the KJV at each church. The plan is the start at Churchstoke Church at 9.00am walk to Hyssington by c.11.15am, then on to Snead by 1.00pm. Those interested in being involved walking all or some of the way or just joining in some of the day, providing cups of tea close to the churches… please contact the Rector 650244 as we shall sort out times etc nearer the day. The first walk involving all six of our Shropshire churches was much enjoyed.

SATURDAY 30 JULY & SUNDAY 31 JULY: LYDHAM FLOWER FESTIVAL LYDHAM VILLAGE HALL & LYDHAM CHURCH Teas at Lydham Village Hall - Sunday 31 July: 10.30 Lydham Flower Festival Service Preacher: Canon Chris Pullen Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral

BALLOON RACES In aid of Snead Church Sunday 14 August from 2.30pm At Churchstoke Community Centre FUN DOG SHOW 6.30 Festival Evensong at Snead Church All welcome!

BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: There will be a meeting on Saturday 27 August at 2.30pm at The Stables, Asterton to discuss “The Hare with amber eyes” by Edmund de Waal. In the autumn, we shall consider George Eliot‟s “Middlemarch” – “the greatest English Novel of the Nineteenth century – Discuss?” Contact Rev Norman Morris 01588 650244. The Bible Study Group Meets at the Rectory, usually occasional Fridays - new members always welcome! Currently studying St John‟s Gospel at the Wentnor Rectory. Contact: The Rector 01588 650

The Wentnor Fete & Annual Draw – in aid of the parishes of Wentnor, Ratlinghope, Norbury & Myndtown (& Norbury Village Hall) takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 29 August in the grounds of the Old Rectory Wentnor, Usual attractions, including a Bouncy Castle, beginning with a Hog Roast at 1.00pm. Offers of homemade cakes, nearly new items, tombola prizes, garden produce, plants, raffle prizes, and help on the day are most welcome. Plants, vegetables, & homemade cakes are popular so offers will be gratefully received. Rose Jones & Lorna Middleton need tombola prizes, please. Further details; please contact the Rector 01588 650244. Good quality second-hand books, including children‟s books, likely to sell, wanted - please contact the Rector 01588 650244 Heather Williams is looking after Plants and Margaret Rowson is running a stall of jams, vegetables etc.. Tombola items can be left at Wentnor Shop. Gilly and Rita down at The Walkmill will be on “Bric a Brac” We especially need more homemade cakes – please respond to the flyers going round the parishes PLEASE SUPPORT THE DRAW! In recent years the churches have sponsored a wide range of activity for children & young people, assisted Norbury School sport, provided festivals, open garden events, and, with others, kept the Village Hall going, initiated the Parish Plan process, continue to plan for a new Village Hall, and much more, which has benefited the community.

SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER: NORBURY HERITAGE DAY Heigh, Ho, Come to the Fair! Norbury Victorian Day, Saturday 10 September 2011

Come and join us as Norbury celebrates its Victorian past on Saturday 10 September from 11am – 5pm. From jesters, singers and lace making to history displays, heavy horses and steam engines, there will be something for all the family to enjoy. One of the highlights of the day will be a Victorian Hiring Fair, and donations, from fresh produce to ironing, from half a pig to half a dozen eggs, or any other ideas you may come up with, are all welcome. Please contact Richard and Val on 650437 or Liv and Oliver on 650364 for more information or if you would like to get involved in any way. On Sunday 11 September 6.30 “Victorian Evensong” Norbury Church You are welcome to come dressed in Victorian costume.

Julia Francis Anniversary Party: Some of you may already be aware that my ministry began in the Pontesbury Deanery during my training which coincided with a 22month interregnum, however, my official admittance as a Reader was Michaelmas of 1986. Hence this is my Silver anniversary this September. In thanksgiving for this I would like to invite anyone who is able to join me on Saturday 24th September to tea in Snailbeach Village Hall. From 4pm We shall have refreshments and a little light entertainment; hopefully after tea a few country dances/ceilidh. Until about 8pm Donations would be welcome to share between the following three charities,'The Porridge Project' - supported in Onny Camlad group, St Luke‟s Church, Snailbeach and in view of my long association with ministry amongst Deaf People---' The Deaf Africa Fund.' I expect to run a raffle at the party to boost their funds

2011 HARVEST FESTIVAL DATES SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER: 10.00 Snead Harvest Festival Preacher: Rev Jon Daniels SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 11.15 Lydham Harvest Festival & Harvest Lunch Preacher: Rev Mark Dayborn 6.30 Wentnor Harvest Festival: Rev Michael Kneen SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER TRINITY 15 11.15 More Harvest Festival Preacher: BISHOP MICHAEL BOURKE 3.00 Hyssington Harvest Festival Preacher: Rev Alan Backhouse 6.00 Ratlinghope Harvest Festival Preacher: Preb Dick France SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER TRINITY 16 11.00 Myndtown Harvest Festival Preacher: Canon John Tiller SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER TRINITY 18 11.15 Churchstoke Harvest Festival Preacher: Bishop of Ludlow 6.30 Norbury Harvest Festival Preacher: Rev Jo Evans

2011 Marches Spirituality dates … 7th October Esther de Waal Writer; also 5th November John Bell of Iona - a return visit to Bishops Castle. FROM THE REGISTERS Christenings: Emma-Louise Jones Churchstoke Sunday 22 May Karl Jones Churchstoke Sunday 22 May Cai Jones Churchstoke Sunday 22 May Oscar James Barker-Jones Wentnor 22 May

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY in the month – NEXT LUNCHES Wednesdays 13 July & 10th August to book your meal please ring Vera Brookfield 01588 650230 BY 4 June and THIRD TUESDAY in the month, NEXT LUNCHES Tuesday 19 July & 16 August Please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 to make a booking

Table Tennis! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Often taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244 Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org.

Norbury & District WI: Thursday 14 July; GARDEN MEETING “In the Garden” with Janet Brandon at Glebe House, Ratlinghope Hostesses: Margaret Cooke, Brenda Jones & Jo Evans; Competition: Garden Quiz; Bring & Buy: Jayne Godsman. Thursday 11 August WALK with Margaret & Kath 6.30pm from The Coppice, Ratlinghope Refreshments: All participants. Lydham, More & Snead WI: Thursday 21 July Garden meeting at Housemartins 7.00pm home of Joy & Tony Martin No competition Teas Joy & Anthea Report on the NFWI No WI meeting in August. Onny Valley Social Club: Usually meeting at Norbury Village Hall; .Social gatherings & outings for the over- fifties: well worthwhile – do join! New members welcome. Monthly meetings First Tuesday in the month through the year in Norbury Village Hall DAY TRIPS TO COME; 20 July; Blaenarvon Big Pit; 17 August Blists Hill Ironbridge; 21 Sept Snowdon Railway; 19 Oct Coventry Museum & city. Churchstoke “Over-Sixties”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310 and Joan Osborn 01588 620653 Age UK: please contact Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – your Age Concern Parish Link – who will also be pleased to help.

FLOWERS/CLEANING: Wentnor 3 & 10 July: Mrs. A Turner & Mrs. J Sheard 17 & 24 July: Mrs. M Rowson & Mrs. B Jones 31 July & 7 August: Mrs. R Jones & Mrs. L Middleton 14 & 21 August: Mrs. R Preston & Mrs. P Bevan 28 August & 4 Sept: Mrs. J Sheard & Mrs. A Turner Ratlinghope 3 July: Mrs. C Buxton & Mrs. K Hughes 10 & 17 July: FLOWER FESTIVAL 24 July: Mrs. Anne Littlehales & Mrs. D Owen 31 July: Mrs. S Betton & Mrs. S Pinches 7 August: Mrs. J McNamara & Mrs. S Cusack 14 August: Mrs. J Brandon & Mrs. V Harley 21 August: WEDDING 28 August: Mrs. Margaret Cooke & Mrs. June Pinches Norbury: July: Mrs. Pat Prettiman August: Mrs. Eleri Fairbanks Lydham: July Mrs. J Yapp August: Mrs. S Rowson. More: July Mrs. M Wood August: Mrs. D Wright

NOTICEBOARD Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) or Jane Frank 01588 620711 (Churchstoke & Hyssington) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop‟s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

Open Eco Homes July 9 & 10 2011 Nearly 30 homes will be taking part from in an Open Eco Homes weekend organised by Bishop‟s Castle‟s Household Energy Service on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July, located from the Gravels Bank area north of Bishops Castle down to Presteigne by way of Montgomery, Clun and Knighton. The homes will be open from 10-4 each day and all are taking part because they have something special to share about saving energy and therefore money, and, importantly, about reducing carbon emissions. The Open Eco Homes weekend gives everyone the chance to get practical advice on systems, products and installers direct from the householders and to learn from their experience about practical solutions to particular problems. Directions on how to reach all the houses will be available on the HES website or from the information hubs in each town. These will be Decorative Antiques, High Street, Bishop‟s Castle, Tower House Gallery and Café, High Street, Knighton, Caractacus, Market Square, Clun and The Workhouse Gallery in Presteigne Industrial Estate.

Open Eco Homes weekend 2011 will be a chance to see a wide range of interesting answers to the question “But what can I do in my own house?” from the people who have found out what works for themselves.

An Earlier attempt at Pastoral; Reorganization in the Clun Forest Deanery!

From an Obituary of PREBENDARY RIOU BENSON, who died aged 88 some years ago, was a country priest who exercised a pioneering ministry in the Clun valley, on Shropshire's Welsh border, and soon after his retirement in 1979 was awarded the Queen‟s Gallantry Medal for his involvement in the disarming of a mentally disturbed parishioner. Although astonished by the news that he was to receive a medal, Benson had acted in keeping with his family tradition, for he was a descendant of Captain Edward Riou, who was killed in 1801 while commanding the leading flagship at the Battle of Copenhagen, Amazon. Nelson, who was second-in-command of the Fleet at the time, expressed his great admiration for Riou's courage and skill. Born at Aston Hall on January 23 1914 into a well known land-owning family in Shropshire, Riou George Benson was educated at Shrewsbury and University College, Oxford. He then worked for a short time in industry before entering Lincoln Theological College to prepare for Holy Orders. There he came under the lasting influence of the Warden, Eric Abbott, who later became Dean of Westminster. Benson was what used to be known as a Prayer Book Catholic - a High Churchman who was devoted to the Book of Common Prayer and would use no other. There was a deeply conservative element in his make-up that made him resistant to all suggestions for change, apart from the need for small rural parishes to be re-organised to meet new pastoral demands. For most of the Second World War Benson was a curate at Penistone in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and he then spent six years as Vicar of Goffe Oak in Hertfordshire. At this point, the Bishop of Hereford enticed him back to his home diocese as Vicar of Burghill, with a particular responsibility for the chaplaincy of St Mary's Mental Hospital, near Hereford. Although he was undoubtedly a formidable personality, Benson was a very sensitive pastor, and his ministry - both in the parish and in the hospital - made a considerable impact. He remained at Burghill until 1961, by which time serious problems were arising over the deployment of the church's manpower and money in rural areas. An extensive survey carried out by Leslie Paul, a sociologist, revealed that, whereas urban dioceses, such as London and Manchester, had only one priest for every 5,000 in their populations, rural dioceses such as Hereford had one for every 1,000. Many of the priests in the latter category were said to be lonely, underemployed and underpaid. Benson went to Clun to initiate one of the first of what became known as group ministries. To this country parish - which included a church at Chapel Lawn, and the chaplaincy of St Mary's Hospital - there were added in 1963 the parishes of Bettwys-y-Crwyn with Newcastle and Clungunford. In 1965 Bedstone with Hopton Castle was taken over, followed, in 1973, by Llanfair Waterdine with Stowe, through which Offa's Dyke runs, and finally, in 1975, by Clunbury. Benson, assisted by three curates, was now responsible for 10 parishes in which there were 14 churches. He was an ideal choice for this difficult task. His considerable leadership gifts were combined with a deep knowledge of, and love for, the countryside. Farmers came to him with their agricultural and financial, as well as their spiritual, problems; and they always received perceptive advice. His conservative outlook also went down well, and enabled the united churches to maintain their traditional patterns of life more or less undisturbed. Benson presided over each of the church councils, enjoyed shooting with the churchwardens, and was skilled in dealing with stretched finances. He also worked extremely hard and, always ready for a battle, enjoyed challenging ecclesiastical hierarchies and civic bureaucracies. Only rarely did he concede defeat He was a Prebendary of Hereford Cathedral in 1965, and served as Rural Dean of Clun Forest from 1968 until 1972. Benson's style and his ministry, marked by the independence and integrity of a country gentleman, seemed by the time of his retirement to belong to a bygone age, but his work as a priest is still recalled with admiration and affection.

The Rector writes…How often do you come across a book which really makes you think and which may change your life? One of the books I have been reading recently has certainly made me think and reassess how I believe. Melvyn Matthews‟ “Awake to God” (2006) which tackles how we can believe in God in a post-modern age was the choice of a Hereford Theological Book Group I attend occasionally. Now don‟t let that sentence put you off because the subject is one we all find challenging – how do we make sense of God at dark and difficult times? In my role as Parish Priest one experiences just about everything , and there are many happy moments such as Weddings and Christenings when its easy to thank God and feel life is marvelous…and then …there‟s a phone call …someone is seriously ill…an unexpected death ..And before you know where you are the smooth tenor of life has been interrupted and one is having to cope with family grief and upset. We have all experienced it and the question …where is God in all this inevitably arises even with people who don‟t really believe in God at all! This book”Awake to God” points out challenging times are nothing new and that in our post -modern times – meaning there are no longer single big answers to everything – one man‟s view of life is as good as another‟s – means that that one of the mystical paths to God – a negative view of God – may have something to say to us if life is difficult or we find belief in a loving God challenging. Basically the mystics way back in the Midd le Ages grasped that God could be found in the darkness (there‟s an intriguing reference in Exodus 20 of Moses and the Israelites experiencing God n the darkness) . Even in the darkness, in the feeing that God is absent, we may be nearer than we think to experiencing God who can help us. God may only be caught in glimpses in this life for some people but he can be there nonetheless – an absence that may yet be a presence – the experience of some of those who survived the Holocaust – may be of help and possibly inspiration to those who are passing through dark times?

SUNDAY SERVICES: All are welcome to services at all our churches! SUNDAY 29 MAY EASTER 5 ROGATION SUNDAY 10.30 BENEFICE HOLY COMMUNION RATLINGHOPE All Welcome! Please come!

THURSDAY 2 JUNE ASCENSION DAY 12 noon Holy Communion Wentnor 6.00 Ascension Prayer Walk up Hyssington Motte (meet Hyssington church 6.00pm) & 6.30pm Holy Communion Hyssington

SUNDAY 5 JUNE 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington 10.00 Family Worship Churchstoke 10.30 ALL AGE HC Ratlinghope (Canon Julia Francis) 11.15 Family Communion Norbury 6.30 MORE FESTIVAL EVENSONG MORE Preacher: Revd Carol Whittock

SUNDAY 12 JUNE PENTECOS T 10.30 DEANERY EUCHARIST CHURCHSTOKE PREACHER: EARL OF POWIS All Welcome! Please come! Coffee at the Community Hall afterwards/Church Army Activity Trailer! Do bring a Picnic!

SATURDAY 18 JUNE WEDDING: Richard Bryant & Isobella Dowden More 3.00pm

SUNDAY 19 JUNE TRINITY SUNDAY 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 10.00 Holy Communion Snead 11.15 Morning Praise Lydham 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke (David Jelves) 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Ratlinghope

SUNDAY 26 JUNE TRINITY 1 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Morning Praise (Lay Led) Ratlinghope 10.00 United Service Hyssington 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke (Special Rite: David Jelves Ministry of the Word) 6.30 “Songs of Praise” More

SUNDAY 3 JULY TRINITY 2 ST THOMAS 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham (Canon Julia Francis) 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington (Canon Julia Francis) 10.00 Family Worship Churchstoke 10.30 Family Communion Wentnor

Wednesday Morning Prayer 8.30am All are welcome to this short weekly act of worship from all the parishes. 1 June Myndtown: 8 June Snead; 15 June Ratlinghope; 22 June Norbury; 29 June Lydham; 6 July More NEWS ROUND The Annual Parochial Church Meetings have taken place and our grateful thanks to all those who serve as Officeholders and PCC members of our churches. Once again its been a busy year with lots of achievements though tempered by sadness at the loss in some parishes of very loyal and longstanding members and tributes were repaid to then at the Annual meetings. We always need new PCC members, supporters and helpers of all kinds! Please let the Rector know if you know if you can contribute in any way.

A new Churches Officer to the Hereford diocese has been appointed for a three year term, Tim Bridges, as part of an English Heritage scheme called “Inspired” to help congregations tackle church restoration and to advise on funding. In the diocese there are over 400 historic church buildings. Currently we have major restoration work happening in the churches of Ratlinghope and Lydham so advice and help are always welcome! In due course we shall try and secure a visit from Mr. Bridges.

LOCAL MINISTRY NEWS: The Local Ministry Team runs a Prayer Line which is like the School Snow Line. You phone the first number and we phone several volunteers to pray for any worrying situation you feel y ou need help with. Prayer request number: contact 0782 7750 665. News of The Local Ministry Team: Members are : Anita Bright (Wentnor & Myndtown), David Hardham (Ratlinghope), Trish Macmullan (Snead); Janet Wilcoxon (Lydham & More), David Jelves (Church stoke), Capt Jon Price, Canon Julia Francis, Margaret Wallsgrove (Hyssington) & Rev Norman Morris. We always welcome new members, especially at this stage when we are renewing with a new Team for another four years. . “Calling out” is being called for this month of June , so please look around and if you think someone young or old would be a good potential team member, please put her or his name forward. The Local Ministry team has been a major success story in the parishes these past five years, both for the members in their spiritual development but also the parishes, in terms of ministry, worship and mission. As I said last month, please let‟s take Local Ministry forward for the next four years!

SNEAD CHURCH NEWS Churchwarden Pam Blaxland's TAI CHI CLASS at Hyssington Methodist Chapel has been running since 28th April and now has as many Tai Chi beginners as there is space for. Should there be more people interested in learning Tai Chi they should contact Pam on 01588 638145 or email [email protected]. She is willing to give private lessons in her home or yours. Should there be sufficient interest; a second class at Hyssington may be a possibility.

Snead Church takes flight: Pam and Simon Blaxland have generously provided a venue for the Snead Annual Duck Race for many years. This year our major fundraising event will find us two miles down the road at Churchstoke. Keeping to our ariel theme and without a stretch of Camlad for ducks we are having a balloon race! We hope to have the same support for our new venture and Karen Jones has once again promised to call on as many as possible of you with tickets. ( Please be assured that we are following environmentally sound advice in staging this event) Trish Macmullan 01588620275 More Monthly Draw Results for May. 1. Shirley Betton 2.Peter Swanson 3.Goodwin Self.

UP AND COMING EVENTS BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Next meeting will be at Norbury on Saturday 25 June to discuss “Never let me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro”. Following that there will be a meeting on Saturday 27 August at 2.30pm at The Stables, Asterton to discuss “The Hare with amber eyes” by Edmund de Waal. In the autumn, we shall consider George Eliot‟s “Middlemarch” – “the greatest English Novel of the Nineteenth century – Discuss?” Contact Rev Norman Morris 01588 650244.

The Bible Study Group Meets at the Rectory, usually occasional Fridays - new members always welcome! Currently studying St John‟s Gospel at the Wentnor Rectory. Contact: The Rector 01588 650

The Rector is planning to show a couple of series of videos (sorry old technology but the Word is timeless!) I have during the summer evenings for viewing and discussion - lectures by Tom Wright "Living Faith” (2005) and a former Bishop of Salisbury, John Austin Baker, on "Beyond Reasonable Doubt" (1994) - very good lectures - just for interest – starting on MONDAY 6 JUNE at The Rectory and probably continuing on some subsequent Monday evenings. All are welcome!

4TH OPEN GARDENS EVENT WENTNOR “Shropshire’s Tuscany” Sunday 29 May/Bank Monday 30 May 2.00-6.00pm Tickets: £4 obtainable at the gardens In aid of Wentnor Church/Wentnor Churchyard Fund Teas & Stalls at Walkmill Farm (In aid of Norbury Church) All are welcome!

"The Great Poppy Party Weekend" In support of the national celebrations to mark 90 years of the Royal British Legion Bishop's Castle Branch invites you to

A Mid Summer Day Tea Party Saturday 11th June from 2pm at Ashlea, Norbury with "Anything Goes" Bishop's Castle Swing Band £8.00 per adult Come and enjoy Super Sandwiches, Homemade Cakes, Traditional Puddings and a Glass or two of Norbury Elderflower Champagne, whilst enjoying the view. 1920's Dress optional

RATLINGHOPE FESTIVAL OF CEREMONIES at ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH 9th JULY – 11.00am to 5.00pm 10th JULY – 11.00am to 3.45pm followed by a Special Service at 4.00pm with the Bishop of Ludlow A rare opportunity to see a collection of Wedding Dresses and Christening Gowns worn in the Church over the past 70 years Displayed in the Church with appropriate flower arrangements & accessories

Refreshments – Ploughman’s Lunch, homemade cakes, tea, coffee, soft drinks, etc.

Friday 8th July 8.00 p.m. 'Words and Music for a Summer Evening' Music from Early Music group Parsley's Clocke And wit and wisdom from Richard Beaumond.

Tickets £5 (to include a glass of wine) In support of St Margaret’s Church, Ratlinghope From Frances Williams 01743 790769

ANNUAL PARISH CRICKET MATCH SUNDAY 17 JULY From 12 Noon onwards NORBURY FOOTBALL GROUND Knock-out Competition – current holders Ratlinghope Teams: Wentnor, Ratlinghope, Linley, Myndtown, Norbury & Snead (Welsh parishes) Contact: Malcolm Corfield All welcome – players, spectators needed – barbeque – raffle - please support The Rector would like to inaugurate an Inter-parish croquet competition at The Rectory if we can agree on the rules – please be in touch – 650244 to express interest

SATURDAY 30 JULY & SUNDAY 31 JULY: LYDHAM FLOWWER FESTIVAL LYDHAM VILLAGE HALL & LYDHAM CHURCH Teas at Lydham Village Hall - Sunday 31 July: 10.30 Lydham Flower Festival Service Preacher: Canon Chris Pullen Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral

SATURDAY 10 SEPETEMBER: NORBURY HERITAGE DAY SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER: 6.30 “Victorian Evensong” Norbury Church

2011 HARVEST FESTIVAL DATES SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER: 10.00 Snead Harvest Festival Preacher: Norris Boyland SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 11.15 Lydham Harvest Festival & Harvest Lunch Preacher: Rev Mark Dayborn 6.30 Wentnor Harvest Festival: TBA SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER TRINITY 15 11.15 More Harvest Festival Preacher: TBA 3.00 Hyssington Harvest Festival Preacher: 6.00 Ratlinghope Harvest Festival Preacher: Preb Dick France SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER TRINITY 16 11.00 Myndtown Harvest Festival Preacher: Canon John Tiller SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER TRINITY 18 11.15 Churchstoke Harvest Festival Preacher: Bishop of Ludlow 6.30 Norbury Harvest Festival Preacher: Rev Jo Evans

WENTNOR FLOWER FESTIVAL JUNE 2012: If you have not yet had an opportunity to come to the previous meetings, please do come and join us, your support is needed and will be very warmly welcomed. For any further information please call Victoria Cockburn (650454) or Angela Turner (650352)

Rev John Cribb informs us of 2011 Marches Spirituality dates … 7th October Esther de Waal Writer; also 5th November John Bell of Iona - a return visit to Bishops Castle. Weddings in 2011 are currently booked for Saturday 18 June at More& Friday 19 August Ratlinghope

TWENTY YEARS AGO! Rev Alan Denyer had been appt Vicar of Lydbury North, Edgton & Hopesay; 25 people attended the Deanery Study Units on Worship; at the Bishop‟s Castle APCM details of changes in the production of the magazine were outlined – the Deanery magazine was then very much a BC effort with sales of 1200producing an income of £120 pcm plus £50 pcm from advertising with expenses of £230 pcm ; Ven Andrew Woodhouse retired having been archdeacon of Ludlow and then of Hereford for 21 years; Churchstoke had a Mission called “Churchstoke Awake “ & Churchstoke Guides celebrated 70 years of guiding at a packed church service.

FROM THE REGISTERS Christenings: James Joseph Rogers Sunday 1 May Wentnor Funerals: William Andrew Burt (91) Monday 18 April Myndtown Interment of Ashes Stewart Curran Holy Saturday 23 April Hyssington Joan Holder (88) Tuesday 10 May Tenbury Wells

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY in the month – NEXT LUNCH IN JUNE Wednesday 8 June to book your meal please ring Vera Brookfield 01588 650230 BY 4 June and THIRD TUESDAY in the month, NEXT LUNCH IN JUNE Tuesday 21 June Please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 to make a booking

Norbury & District WI: Thursday 9 June; “Palmistry How to read your own palm” Speaker: SUE MILLER; Hostesses Vivien Ridgway, Gilly Bachelor, & Rita Preston; Flowers: Kath Hughes; Competition: Hand & Nail care tips. Lydham, More & Snead WI: Thursday 16 June; Visit to Marehay garden 7.00pm Home of Mr. & Mrs. Buxton Members bring their own food & drink No competition. Onny Valley Social Club: Usually meeting at Norbury Village Hall; .Social gatherings & outings for the over- fifties: well worthwhile – do join! New members welcome. Monthly meetings First Tuesday in the month through the year in Norbury Village Hall 7 June Shrewsbury River Trip DAY TRIPS TO COME; 20 April Black Country Museum; 18 May Aberystwyth 15 June Brecon Railway; 20 July; Blaenarvon Big Pit; 17 August Blists Hill Ironbridge; 21 Sept Snowdon Railway; 19 Oct Coventry Museum & city. Churchstoke “Over-Sixties”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310 and Joan Osborn 01588 620653 Age UK: please contact Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – your Age Concern Parish Link – who will also be pleased to help.

FLOWERS/CLEANING: Many thanks for wonderful Easter decorations! Wentnor 5 & 12 June: Mrs. V Cockburn & Mrs. A Parry 19 & 26 June: Mrs. Lorna Middleton & Mrs. Rose Jones Ratlinghope 5 June: Mrs. J Ryan & Mrs. A Remfry 12 June: Mrs. C Mansell & Mrs. P Sansom 19 Jubne: Mrs M Atkins & Mrs. M Hardham 26 June: Mrs Sue Cooke & Mrs. Allison Littlehales 3 July: Mrs. C Buxton & Mrs. K Hughes 10 & 17 July: FLOWER FESTIVAL Norbury: June: Mrs. A Cooke & Mrs. J Cooke Lydham: Church restoration taking place More: June: Daphne Matthews

NOTICEBOARD Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) or Jane Frank 01588 620711 (Churchstoke & Hyssington) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

SERVICES AT GREEN CHAPEL JUNE June 5th. - 6.30pm Own Arrangement. June 12th. -6.30pm Miss M. Savage. June 19th. -2.30pm Mrs. Rachel Powell, Camp Meeting Tea. June 26th. -6.30pm Rev. E. Reddington, Holy Communion.

More Bible According to Kids The following statements about the Bible were written by children and have not been retouched or corrected (i.e., bad spelling has been left in.) Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him. David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought with the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times. Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines. When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta. Then the three Wise Guys from the east arrived and found Jesus in the manager. Jesus was born because Mary had an Immaculate Contraption. St. John, the blacksmith, dumped water on his head. Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says do one to others before they do one to you. He also explained that "Man does not live by sweat alone". It was a miricle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entran ce. The people who followed Jesus were called the 12 decibles. The epistles were the wives of the apostles. One of the opossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached the holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage. A Christian should have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

PRAYERS FOR 2015 VISION – Change, Guidance, Local Churches, Youth From David Hardham Dear Father God, there are so many concerns weighing heavily on our hearts. We lay them at your feet: concerns for where our church is going, changes in liturgy, our young people, acceptance and inclusiveness of all, division, money, decision making, outreach, communion practices, and so much more. But Lord, help us not to forget how many times you have blessed our lives; walked with us, and carried us through. We thank you Lord, with grateful hearts, for all that you have done, are doing, and will continue to do for us into the future. We praise you for your mercy, grace and love.

Thank you for being with us as we work through all our concerns and issues, in order to grow in our Christianity. Help us to remember that nothing is impossible with you in our hearts, minds and souls. Thank you Heavenly Father for granting us your grace; picking us up and forgiving us when we fall; and for sending us forth with your blessing; strengthened by your love. Amen.

Almighty God, as your church goes forth into the future, guide us to know your will and purpose. May your church be truly alive in your Holy Spirit; with a true and full love of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. May we walk together on our journey with love, compassion and acceptance of all. Grant us understanding of each other and respect for the opinions of all. May we go forth to make decisions with open-mindedness and love, guided by you. May the worship we offer be always filled with reverence, life and joy, so that each heart, young, old, and in between, will be filled to overflowing with love of you. Then may we take that love out into our world working towards bringing others to you. This we ask in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

A PRAYER OF THANKS AND GUIDANCE FOR OUR LOCAL CHURCHES O God, Creator of all, we thank you for this Church of...... , the place we call our church home, where we gather to worship you and to have fellowship with one another. It is a calm, welcoming, caring place to be; a community of love and hope. Continue to guide us by your Holy Spirit; to be flexible and open to change; accepting of everyone, and sensitive to their needs. May we continue to grow in your love, and in love for one another. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE Dear Lord, we pray for your Holy Spirit to inspire the hearts of our young people, who are our future. Guide us in helping them to become all that is your will for them to be. Grant us the inspiration to be creative in worship, and intelligent with youth programs; give us wisdom in dealing with each other, so that we may be drawn closer in fellowship with you, our Saviour. Amen.

Reflection: The Heart of the Matter. The Lord God said: „I myself will dream a dream within you. Good dreams come from me you know; My dreams seem impossible, not too practical, Not for the cautious man or woman; A little risky sometimes, a trifle brash perhaps; Some of my friends prefer to rest more comfortably In sounder sleep with visionless eye. But for those who do share my dreams I ask a little patience, A little humour, some small courage, And a listening heart – I will do the rest. Then they will risk and wonder at their daring, Run and marvel at their speed, Build and stand in awe at the beauty of their building.

You will meet me often as you work – In your companions who share your risk, In your friends who believe in you enough to lend you Their own dreams, their own hands, Their own hearts to your building; In the people who will find your doorway, stay a while And walk away knowing they too can find a dream. There will be sun filled days and sometimes it will rain – A little variety…. Both come from me – so come, be content; It is MY dream you dream, It is my house you build, My caring you witness, My love you share – and this is the heart of the matter. (Anon.)

In celebration of the life of Joan Holder, mother of Pat Simon Joan was the third daughter of William and Helen Havart (known to the family as Nan and Pop), who longed for a son! Perhaps that was the reason that the three sisters were known as Chris, Jimmy and Johnnie. Years later, a mispronunciation of „Johnnie‟, by one of her nieces, and „Granny‟ by her eldest grand -daughter, sealed Joan‟s nickname of „Nonny‟ by which she was fondly known.

Pop owned a garage so there was always a car available and the children were able to have frequ ent holidays with Nan‟s family in Swanwick, Hants where Grandad owned the pub, “The Jolly Sailor”, which later featured in the BBC television series “Howards Way. At 17, Johnnie wanted to join the ATS. Being under age she needed her father‟s permission, which was granted on condition that she be allowed to join the same regiment as Jimmy. There began many adventures and hilarious episodes as the two sisters, on radio location, listened out for enemy planes on a base protected by wooden guns. In the later years they would often reminisce about the night they cowered in their lookout hut, listening to the bombers going low overhead fearing that the next one was for them - only to find out that they were „ours‟ going out not „theirs‟ coming in.

Shortly after that, Joan‟s interest in sports and her ability to run fast, led to her training to be a P.T. instructor. That is how she met Ernest, who she married at the end of the war. They moved to the Midlands, where they brought up their children, Pat and Joanne. Joan enjoyed baking, flower arranging and could often be heard singing her favourite songs. Through the W.I., she became interested in amateur dramatics and her talent was recognised when she played Catherine of Aragon in the play, “Lace Maker to the Queen” and won the regional cup, the prize being presented by John Gielgud.

In 1959, the family moved to Sussex and were soon joined by her parents, after her father suffered a stroke. For the next 30 years, a large part of Joan‟s life was taken up with looking after people: her father, her mother and Lynne, who arrived to spend one night and stayed for twenty years! At the same time, Joan ran a series of shops, a decision brought about by Ernest‟s failing eyesight: After Lynne‟s death, Joan was taken on as manager of a brand new Abbeyfield House in Stow-on-the-Wold. Prince Charles came to open it and Joan was showing him round when a sudden flash alarmed them, the prince grabbing hold of Joan to protect her, no doubt, from ambush – but it was only one of the residents breaking the rules and trying to snap a photograph of the two of them.

In 1987, Joan and Ernest finally retired and moved to Tenbury Wells, a house with the river flowing at the bottom of the garden, just round the corner from this church. They both helped at the local museum and the little church at Burford. Joan also became treasurer of the W.I. After Ernest‟s death she moved to Bishop‟s Castle and then to College Court in Ludlow. In January 2005, Joan became Mrs. Holder and Owen became one of the family. Six months later came the stroke But Joan still kept her sense of humour and her love of children and caring for others. In Shrewsbury Hospital, barely two weeks before she died, hardly able to move or to speak, Joan managed to play „crocodiles‟ with one of her great grandchildren and signaled for help because the patient opposite had missed her cup of tea. Joan moved many times during her lifetime and will always be fondly remembered by so many friends and family for her hospitality, caring nature and sense of humour. She was an example to us all of kindness and selflessness and she will be greatly missed.

The Rector writes…. There are a few advantages to be gained from being old, one being Senior Rail cards and associated concessions which has included this winter being able to travel on the Arriva Wales Rail network for £13 for a day! One day in March I took advantage of this and went by train to Pwlheli and back, something I had meant to do for a long time! It has to be said that this rail journey must rank among the top five in the British Isles, possibly in Europe! The rapid sylvan descent to Machynlleth, the travel across the broad Dovey and Mawddach estuaries, hugging the cliffs from Aberdovey before the train reaches Fairbourne, crossing into Barmouth on that astonishing bridge over the Mawddach estuary, travelling past the vast sandy stretches of Harlech beach, the scenic variety has to be experienced to be believed! Such an experience is exciting and uplifting to the soul! Naturally enough, it led me to compare such a wonderful experience with the joys of Easter and the Resurrection! How transformed those first disciples were to encounter the Risen Jesus and what amazing results followed, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles! Because this astonishing event – the resurrection of Jesus Christ – occurred over two thousand years ago it’s easy to lose sight of or hard to recall how exciting it was! When we have a good day out its great, of course, and maybe it can give us a small reminder of the great joy experienced by the disciples and followers witnessing Christ’s resurrection, especially Mary Magdalene’s as recorded in John’s Gospel! Everyone is invited to share in the events of Holy Week as our services take us through the week to Good Friday and thence to welcome the Risen Christ on Easter Day! “Lo I am with you always to the end of the Age” said Jesus, and in these troubled times its good to know Our Lord and Master is always our constant Friend and Companion - Easter Good News indeed!

SUNDAY SERVICES: All are welcome to services at all our churches! SUNDAY 3 APRIL LENT 4 MOTHERING SUNDAY 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 10.00 MOTHERING SUNDAY SERVICE Churchstoke 10.30 MOTHERING SUNDAY SERVICE & Family Communion Ratlinghope Licensing of Canon Julia Francis as Reader Celebrant & Preacher: Bishop of Hereford 6.30 “Spring Lamb Service” & Evening Prayer Wentnor

SATURDAY 9 APRIL 5.00pm WEDDING MORE: Nicholas Russell & Kate Taylor 5.00pm

SUNDAY 10 APRIL LENT 5 PASSION SUNDAY 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor (Rev Jo Evans) 10.00 Holy Communion Hyssington 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke (Preb Michael Pollit) 11.30 Holy Communion More 2.30 Kinnerton Methodist Chapel Lambing Service 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury

HOLY WEEK: SUNDAY 17 APRIL PALM SUNDAY Blessing of Palms at all services 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 10.00 Holy Communion Snead 11.15 “Palm Sunday Praise” Churchstoke 11.15 “Palm Sunday Praise” Lydham (Rev Jo Evans) 7.30 Marches Community Choir Concert “Faure Requiem” St John’s Church. Bishop’s Castle

Monday 18 April 12 Noon Stations of the Cross Churchstoke Tuesday 19 April 12 Noon Stations of the Cross Churchstoke Wednesday 20 April 12 Noon Stations of the Cross Churchstoke MAUNDY THURSDAY 21 APRIL 10.30 Chrism Eucharist Hereford Cathedral 6.30 Benefice Maundy Eucharist Ratlinghope

GOOD FRIDAY 2 APRIL 10.30 Liturgy for Good Friday Churchstoke (Jon Price) 2.00 “Meditation, Hymns & Prayer” Part one Norbury & Good Friday Walk “Following the Cross” to Wentnor 4.00pm “Meditation, Hymns & Prayer” Part two Wentnor

EASTER EVE 3 APRIL 7.30pm Easter Vigil Hyssington (Preb M Pollit)

SUNDAY 24 APRIL EASTER DAY 6.00 “Dawn Service” Knolls car park, Stiperstones 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope (David Jelves) 11.15 Holy Communion More (Rev Jo Evans) 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 6.30 Evening Prayer & Holy Communion Wentnor

Wednesday Morning Prayer 8.30am All are welcome to this short weekly act of worship from all the parishes. Weds 30 March Myndtown; Weds 6 April Snead; 13 April Ratlinghope; 20 April Norbury; 27 April NO SERVICE; 4 May Lydham AT THE CHURCHES:

MONDAY 11 APRIL at 11am THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH by Rt Rev ALISTAIR MAGOWAN, BISHOP OF LUDLOW OF THE NEW CLUN FOREST DEANERY CHURCH TOURISM LEAFLET AT THE CROWN, WENTNOR. NEAR BISHOP’S CASTLE, SHROPSHIRE All are welcome – we need representatives please from all churches in the Clun Forest Deanery to attend and collect their leaflets. This has been a project undertaken by Rev Norman Morris, on behalf of the Deanery to encourage visitors and raise the profile of all our churches. The leaflet has been designed and prepared by Bob Calver, Editor of the Hereford Diocesan Newspaper, with photographs of the Churches by Roger Turner – it’s a vey attractive leaflet which profiles all the deanery churches

Annual Parochial Church Meeting dates (APCM) Very important! All are welcome! Please attend – and we always need new PCC members!! Remaining meetings:- Friday 1 April Hyssington APCM Cefn Farm 7.30pm Monday 4 April Wentnor APCM The Rectory 7.30pm Wednesday 6 April More APCM 7.30pm The Rectory Thursday 7 April Norbury APCM 7.30pm Lea Farm Friday 8 April Myndtown APCM Handless Farm 7.30pm Thursday 14 April Lydham APCM 7.30pm Upper Broughton Farm

The Local Ministry Team runs a Prayer Line which is like the School Snow Line. You phone the first number and we phone several volunteers to pray for any worrying situation you feel you need help with. Prayer request number: contact 0782 7750 665. News of The Local Ministry Team: Members are ; Anita Bright (Wentnor & Myndtown), David Hardham (Ratlinghope), Trish Macmullan (Snead); Janet Wilcoxon (Lydham & More), David Jelves (Churchstoke), Capt Jon Price, Canon Julia Francis, Margaret Wallsgrove (Hyssington) & Rev Norman Morris. Ann Remfry (Ratlinghope) & Oliver Goode (Norbury) have retired from the Team but Anne will continue as Convenor. Many thanks Anne for all you have done for the Team and we are glad you are continuing to be active with us. Thanks you Oliver for all you have contributed too. We always welcome new members, especially at this stage when we are renewing for another four years. . “Calling out” is being called for so please look around and if you think someone young or old would be a good potential team member, please put her or his name forward.

On Saturday 16 April there will be a Children’s Activity Day – Craft Day - Preparing for Easter at Norbury Village Hall, organized by the Rev Norman Morris, Julia Francis & members of the Local Ministry Team 10.30 – 1.00pm – please sign in from 10.00am The day is always a good one. The day will also include our World famous ANNUAL EGG ROLLING Contest at c.12.30pm - always great fun! Parents please come at c.12.30pm Children are welcome – 5-11 year olds - with teenagers welcome as helpers - under fives with a parent/carer, please. £1 per child (£2 per family) Bring hard-boiled eggs & pack lunch Drinks & biscuits provided.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 15 – 21 MAY: For almost the past ten years the Rector has held a benefice-wide Coffee Morning for CHRISTIAN AID in CHRISTIAN AID WEEK at The Rectory – maybe it would be good to have a change of venue so an offer would be very welcome & the event can be advertised in the next magazine. Please respond!

More Draw results for March for the parish mag were as follows: - 1.Claire Lavender 2 Marion Denwood 3 More PCC Many thanks to all who helped and supported the Myndtown/Snead Quiz , our smallest churches , which took place at The Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle on Friday 11 March at 7.30pm – This year Myndtown won he trophy!

UP AND COMING EVENTS BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Next meeting Friday 1 April at 3.00pm at The Stables, Asterton - "Gate of the Stairs" by Lorrie Moore & Friday 6 May at 3.00pm at The Rectory “Never let me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro” . The next book after that will be by AS Byatt “The Children’s Book”. Potential new members are welcome Contact Rev Norman Morris 01588 650244.

LENT GROUPS: LENT began on Ash Wednesday 17 February and there are parallel LENT COURSES on weekday afternoons at Churchstoke & at Wentnor. At Wentnor Rectory, we are following the NEW 2011 York Course – Rich Inheritance…Jesus’ Legacy of Love”? - A Challenging topics! – with taped comments by Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Dr Paula Goodier, Jim Wallis, introduced by the former Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, with closing comments by Inderjit Bhogal. Meeting at WENTNOR RECTORY at 2.30pm – remaining meeting Thursday 7 April. All are welcome to come to all or any of the sessions. There will also be Lent Group meetings at Churchstoke Vicarage run by David Jelves & Jon Price. (Please ring David & Jo Jelves for details 01588 620434) There are Lent Bread & Soup Lunches for Christian Aid every Friday from 12 Noon at BC Methodist Hall from 12 Noon. This year our benefice contribution will be by Hyssington parish kindly providing a Bread & Soup Lunch on Friday 15 April.

The Bible Study Group Meets at the Rectory, usually occasional Fridays - new members always welcome! Currently studying St John’s Gospel at the Wentnor Rectory. Contact: The Rector 01588 650

Cllr Peter Phillips on the Shropshire Council contributes the following “SCHOOLS THREATENED AGAIN” Readers will have read of Shropshire Council’s threatened closure of 8 primary schools, most being Church of England. Lydbury North in our Deanery is on the list. We recall with both awe and anguish the tenacity and endurance of that community – fighting the arguments for 12 months! – and the jubilation when they won. Appropriately marked by the ringing of church bells as the children came out of school on that wonderful afternoon. What has changed? What possible new and compelling argument has been adduced. None at all. Not one. Nor has Lydbury’s determination to stand firm again. I trust readers will lend prayerful and practical support. The Diocese is 100% the 5 schools threatened with closure – and indeed explaining its own alternative route (Academies should Shropshire Council remain obdurate.) Bucknell, Clun, Clunbury and Newcastle schools are being urged to federate. The potential perils of this, as a precursor to the closure, are well know; and colleagues and communities in the “frame would undoubtedly be alive too”. The Issues The Independent Schools Commission set up after the furore of 2008 concluded there was not reason for attacking Shropshire’s network of schools. They were absolutely right. Readers will undoubtedly wish to rally round Lydbury and the others in our Church Family which are threatened (Onny, Hopton Wafers, Stiperstones and Barrow). Perhaps the best initial contact is the Diocesan Director of Education, Philip Sell – email: [email protected] Rev John Cribb informs us of 2011 Marches Spirituality dates …14th April see below Michael Tavernor Dean of Hereford; 7th October Esther de Waal Writer; also 5th November John Bell of Iona - a return visit to Bishops Castle. Weddings in 2011 are currently booked for Saturday 9 April at More; Saturday 18 June at More; Friday 19 August Ratlinghope & possibly late August at Hyssington.

TWENTY YEARS AGO! The Deanery debated the Ordination of Women. Voting was Laity 22 – 6 in favour; Clergy 6- 1. George Carey would be installed as Archbishop of Canterbury in April; the deanery was undertaking study units; eleven parishes were late with their parish share; the winter had been bad with snow and ice; Wentnor was looking forward to a Concert given by the Craven Arms Male Voice Choir

FROM THE REGISTERS Christenings: Ruth Georgina & Grace Charlotte Shaw Sunday 20 February More Fay & Dylan Pritchard Churchstoke Saturday 5 March Funerals: Patricia Mildred Kate Varcoe (80) Wentnor Friday 18 February Gaynor Mauvie Bright (71) Hyssington Saturday 5 March

Our sympathies are extended to the family of Pat Varcoe of Rock Close who died, aged 80 on 7 February and whose e funeral took place at Wentnor Church on Friday 18 February. Pat was born in January 1931, the youngest of seven children, and the family lived at Virginia Water until she was nearly two when sadly her Mother died. The family split up and Pat was raised by her Aunt near Farnham. After leaving school, she worked in London and later trained as a PE Instructor in the Women’s RAF but switched to Office Administration. In May 1953 she married Douglas Varcoe and they honeymooned in Paris – they recalled watching the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on French TV! They lived in Basingstoke and in 1954 a son, Adrian, was born. Pat worked as a Secretary & Office Administrator in Basingstoke (Eli Lillys, Smiths Aviation) until the family went to Wentnor I 1972, Douglas having relatives in the area. Pat then worked in Shrewsbury then Church Stretton. She was Parish Clerk for 25 years, an active member of the WI until ten years or so she founded the Over 50s Club which has been such a great success. Malcolm Corfield, for many years Myndtown Parish Councilor recalled Pat excellent service as Parish Clerk and her good use of a waste paper basket when it came to the cascade of mail that seemed to grow larger and larger by the year! As the Rector said at her funeral, “Pat was well-known and well-loved in Wentnor and beyond and she will be greatly missed. It was very poignant that in January the social Club – her creation – gathered to celebrate her 80th birthday even though Pat was not well enough to come out of hospital you join in. Nonetheless, Pat’s birthday was joyfully celebrated by the club she had founded! Pat was one of those hardworking people who brought people together and showed how coming together people could have fun! The Club’s meetings and numerous outings were and continue to be very enjoyable! There’s much sadness in life but Pat knew how to make things happen and so brought joy and laughter into the lives of many people, particularly the elderly, in our very rural area. We shall remember Pat with affection, with her bright smile and her chucking laugh! “May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY in the month – NEXT LUNCH IN APRIL Wednesday 13April to book your meal please ring Vera Brookfield 01588 650230 BY 3 April and THIRD TUESDAY in the month, NEXT LUNCH IN APRIL Tuesday 19 April Please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 to make a booking

Norbury & District WI: Thursday 14 April; “Hand weaving” Speaker: ANN SMITH; Hostesses Shirley Betton, Rose Jones & Kate Robinson; Flowers: Janet Brandon; Competition: Diabetic recipe (cake, biscuit, choc or drink) Lydham, More & Snead WI: Thursday 21 April; “My latest Adventure” Mrs. Pam Love; Competition: Interesting item from a foreign holiday; Refreshments Janet P & Margaret. . Onny Valley Social Club: Usually meeting at Norbury Village Hall; .Social gatherings & outings for the over- fifties: well worthwhile – do join! New members welcome. Monthly meetings First Tuesday in the month through the year in Norbury Village Hall 2,30pm - next Tuesday 5 April Penny (daughter of Maureen & John Walker of Gatten) “Riding across America on a Harley Davidson motorbike”; DAY TRIPS TO COME; 20 April Black Country Museum; 18 May Blaenarvon Big Pit 15 June Brecon Railway; 20 July Aberystwyth; 17 August Blists Hill Ironbridge; 21 Sept Snowdon Railway; 19 Oct Coventry Museum & city. Churchstoke “Over-Sixties”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310 and Joan Osborn 01588 620653 Age UK: please contact Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – your Age Concern Parish Link – who will also be pleased to help.

FLOWERS/CLEANING: Following the usual custom winter foliage as decoration in the churches during Lent. Wentnor 13 March – 17 April (inc) No Flowers – Mrs. A Bright 24 & 1 May: Mrs. J Sheard & Mrs. A Turner 8 & 15 May: Mrs. B Jones & Mrs. M Rowson Ratlinghope 3 & 10 April: Mrs. C Mansell & Mrs. P Sansom 17 & 24 April: Mrs. M Atkins & Mrs. M Hardham EASTER 1 May: Mrs. Sue Cooke & Mrs. Allison Littlehales 8 May: Mrs. Anne Littlehales & Mrs. D Owen Norbury: March LENT; April Marion Rose Lydham: March LENT; April Mrs. A Jones More: March LENT; April Marion Denwood.

NOTICEBOARD Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) or Jane Frank 01588 620711 (Churchstoke & Hyssington) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

RATLINGHOPE’S FESTIVAL OF CEREMONIES A Celebration of Weddings and Christenings 9th - 10th JULY 2011 Were you christened or married at St Margaret’s Church, Ratlinghope? We are looking to display associated items: wedding dresses, family photos, Christening gowns, memorabilia, interesting tales etc. relating to wedding and christening celebrations at Ratlinghope Church over the decades. We would like to hear from you should you be able to contribute to our festival. Please contact Margaret Cooke (tel: 01588 650280) or Janet Brandon (tel: 01588 650232). Proceeds to: St Margaret’s Church, Ratlinghope & The Rainbow Unit, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

MARCHES SPIRITUALITY MEETING Date Thursday 14th April Speaker The Dean of Hereford - Michael Tavinor Theme Saints and Sinners of the Marches - introducing characters, poems and prose and a way into lateral thinking prayer Place Ludlow Conference Centre - [Bishop Mascall] Time 9.30 for 10.00 finish 3.30ish Cost £15 including light lunch and tea/coffee Cheques payable to Bishop Mascalll Centre Foundation Address: Ludlow Conference Centre [Re Marches Spirituality] Lower Galdeford, Ludlow SY8 1RZ All welcome!

What is a grandparent? If you are not a grandparent you will still love this. If you are it shows how precious the babies are and what we mean to them. WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT? (Taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds) Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people's. A grandfather is a man, & a grandmother is a lady! Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money. When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars. They show us and talk to us about the colours of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on 'cracks.' They don't say, 'Hurry up.' Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth and gums out. Grandparents don't have to be smart. They have to answer questions like 'Why isn't God married?' and 'How come dogs chase cats?' When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again. Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television because they are the only grownups who like to spend time with us. They know we should have snack time before bed time, and kiss us even when we've acted badly. A 6-YEAR-OLD WAS ASKED WHERE HIS GRANDMA LIVED. ''OH,'' HE SAID, ''SHE LIVES AT THE AIRPORT, AND WHEN WE WANT HER, WE JUST GO GET HER. THEN WHEN WE'RE DONE HAVING HER VISIT, WE TAKE HER BACK TO THE AIRPORT.'' GRANDPA IS THE SMARTEST MAN ON EARTH! HE TEACHES ME GOOD THINGS, BUT I DON'T GET TO SEE HIM ENOUGH TO GET AS SMART AS HIM! It’s funny when they bend over; you hear gas leaks, and they blame their dog.