Meriden Mag Spring 2009 In this issue

An update on the playing fields development

Village Appraisal latest news James and Clare with the Mayor of Solihull Councillor David Bell On 26th January, Rosie Weaver, Chair of Meriden Parish Council and Iain Roxburgh, Chair of the Meriden Parish Methodist Appraisal Steering Group made a presentation of the results nursery School of the Parish Household Survey Questionnaire. The Mayor of Solihull Councillor David Bell hosted the saved from event at Solihull Civic Centre. The Head Boy and Head Girl of Meriden Primary School who both spoke about ideas the closure free children had for addressing some of the issues identified in trial places the Appraisal ably assisted Rosie and Iain. The Mayor thanked them personally at the end of the meeting. available

Children at Meriden School Reception class celebrating Chinese New Year 1st Meriden Scout Group News from the Green Hut

All 3 sections have been raising much needed funds. Back in December we spent an evening carol singing in the Bulls Crate stacking at Broadwater Head, held a bottle tombola and chocolate raffle at the Christmas table top sale at the Methodist Church Hall and we had a chocolate fountain at the School Christmas Fayre.

The leaders and children would like to thank all those that have supported us and given their time and money so generously. In November the Cubs and Scouts held an activity day at Broadwater on the Packington Estate. The children took part in rock climbing, abseiling, shooting, the assault course and crate stacking. The new Scout Leader, Russell and the Scouts moving up from Cubs were invested – all making their promise whilst negotiating the climbing wall. For some of the younger members it was their first attempt at these activities and despite being nervous they all had a go and gained a huge amount of confidence to have a second go. Everyone had a great day and we are now looking forward to our upcoming weekend away there.

WE NEED YOU!! The Scout Group has continued to grow over the past year and at the end of last year the Scout section restarted. We are now in urgent need of adult helpers – in particular another Leader for the Scout section. If you are over 18 and can assist Russell in developing and providing a wide range of activities for young people please contact Gerry (522666).

BEAVERS: We meet on a Monday 6.30pm – 7.30pm for 6 to 8 year olds. Please contact Jo (522625) or Gaynor (523191) for details. A big thank you to everyone who left their CUBS: We meet on a Tuesday 6.30pm – 8pm for 8-10 ½ year olds. Please contact Lis (521080) or Liz (523674) for Christmas cards out for collection. We details. collected two bootfuls altogether which were given in aid of The Woodland Trust. SCOUTS: We meet on a Thursday 7pm – 8.30pm for 10 We have a busy term ahead. We are currently and half to 14 year olds. Please contact Russell (523823) for organising our Thinking Day celebrations, an details. event which takes place every year for Brownies all over the world. Australia is our chosen country for this year and amongst other Abseiling at activities we will be holding our very own Broadwater 'bush tucker trial'! Five new Brownies have just been enrolled. We do have a waiting list but if your daughter would like to join, please contact us on the numbers below. Brownies is for girls aged between 7 - 10. We meet every Wednesday 6.15 - 7.45 pm at Meriden Methodist Hall during term time only. Tracy has left us due to work and family commitments. We all miss her and thank her for her contribution over the past 5 years. Jane 01676 542501 Sharon 01676 522591

Hello from Meriden School! As I write, winter definitely still has us in its grip and the snow is falling but we are looking forward to the spring events coming to school!

Village Appraisal Plan I was pleased to take the Head Boy and Girl with me to meet the Mayor of Solihull on January 26th. We were invited by the Village Appraisal Group to help them explain Meriden’s needs to Councillors. Many people complimented the children on their contributions and I was very proud of them!

Big Writing Every year we have a School Improvement Plan. This year one part of our plan is to develop the children’s writing, and our Friday now is called ‘Big Writing’ day. It is really exciting to see how positively the children have responded to the challenge, and I look forward to including some examples of their writing in the next edition of the Mag.

Inspire Workshops We have been running workshops for parents and children to work together for three years now. They are always popular- and they help us show parents what their child is doing in certain subjects. For instance, Year 5 recently held a rainforest related workshop showing how we are linking Literacy, Geography and ICT. Some of the poetry produced jointly is elsewhere in the Mag.

Building plans We are always trying to ensure we can improve provision for the educational needs of the children here. A wonderful new development will be added to our facilities soon - another new classroom, so that we can create a proper library and music room within school. Once again, this is being largely provided for by grant to the school. We are also helping the outdoor provision for the Foundation Stage children, by building a canopy so that they can have some cover when they are learning outside. We are putting a secure bike and scooter shelter in the playground to help encourage children to be active when they come to school. This is why we are moving the Cycling Proficiency training to Year 5 to enable more children to ride safely to school.

TLA Centre Although this is related to training our teachers, it is worth Meriden knowing that our school is the first in Solihull to be recognised as a full ‘Teacher Learning Academy’ Centre- meaning that we are fully committed to developing the teachers’ skills and knowledge. A number of staff have already worked hard taking part in the TLA- congratulations to them!

Staffing Members of staff have also been adding to their families- welcome to Baby Street and Baby Leadbetter!

Spring events The usual full programme is planned with a range of visits and visitors; Charity Week will be raising money for Christian Aid this year; and the Easter Service will be on Friday 3rd April at 9.10 am. I hope you will join us if you would like to attend.

As always, may I wish you all the best from Meriden School,

Kind regards Jacky Smith, Headteacher, Meriden CE Primary School

Reception children celebrating the Chinese New Table Top Sale Marlene, Grace and Lucy wish to thank all those Year. They made music, ate Chinese food, dressed up who supported the Christmas Table Top sale held on November 29th 2008, in aid of St as a dragon and painted Chinese symbols.symbols.symbols. Laurence Church Roof Restoration. The event raised £693.00; the Meriden Methodist Nursery received 50% from admission and Table Top Hire fees. Operation Samaritan’s Purse St Laurence’s Church sent 63 boxes and £120 to the above appeal. We would like to thank the members of the Methodist Church, the library staff and villagers who so kindly supported this good cause. Grace and Lucy Ball

ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS Rector Rev Michael Dawkins Tel 01676 522 719 The Rectory The Green Meriden CV7 7LN Church Wardens Marian Theobald Tel 01676 523 475 Linda Barnett Tel 01676 523 277

I received an email entitled ‘Nigerian Brothels’. For a moment I felt panic. I didn’t want anything pornographic on my computer. But then I noticed it was from a church I knew. I opened the email and read it. I didn’t know the particular ministry or lady writing but I was struck by the Bible verse she had used when asked, quite recently and unexpectedly, to speak to thirty young prostitutes. She was aware of the abuse the girls had suffered as children and were now suffering every day in the brothel, treated as cheap products to be bought, sold, damaged and discarded. ‘You are bought with a price’ (didn’t they know it) she said and nobody else can buy you. But this was something different. No controlling woman or abusive man can buy you. (This is what Paul and Peter had said to the slaves of the first century.) You have been bought already, not with the wretched clinking of coins passing hands, but with a love so great it gave its life for you. The story of Jesus was unpacked for the girls and the love of God reached into their obliterated selves. The brothel and prostitution were not cleaned up but Jesus was there (how offensive to our self-righteous or doubting selves). Their personal experience proved it. The ministry in Nigeria is struggling with rehabilitation work but Jesus gets it right before we do! I think that is wonderful for each one of us. Let’s hope the Easter services tell it again! ‘The old, old story of Jesus and His love’ as the hymn puts it. I am not sure if I will be in church or in Meriden. I will be an old age pensioner by then and should have retired, but we have been offered another grant, this time to restore the tower. Isn’t that wonderful? I wanted to do that a quarter of a century ago. Admittedly we have to raise another big chunk of money but we have just (I think) settled our debts for the rebuilding of St. Laurence’s roof, and those of us close to that project feel it has been miraculous. Wonderful to say that in a doubting and atheistic age. God is! Therefore we keep going. But when others have tears ….. A prayer for the recession: God, You don’t seem to be there when everything is going wrong. A man has just killed himself and his whole family because he lost his job. Men and women are in frightening and dangerous despair. Reach into their hearts even if the connection, like an internet connection, with You is very, very weak. Give them the first clues how to manage, how to get through the day, how to see a glimmer of hope, the next step. Help them to support each other, even with exhausted love. Help the public figures trying to sort things out and ordinary people defying the wickedness that has got away with so much. Teach us to test our hearts and come in line with the One who is closer than we think and in whose name we pray, Amen. The main services for Michael Dawkins St Laurence continue to be jointly shared with the Methodist Church except for the Good Friday one

Don & Olive Neal hour devotion service on April 10th Don and Olive Neal moved to Meriden from Birmingham which will take place at St in the late 1950’s. They lived in The Woodyard Cottages Laurence Church with their daughter Jane. Along with other residents they at 12 noon fought to keep their homes from demolition in 1962, without success and moved into 91 Alspath Road when it was first built. Olive managed the Triumph Bar at the Manor hotel for many years until her retirement and Don A Variety Show was an industrial photographer with Land Rover until he will be held on Saturday May 2nd retired. at 7.00pm They moved up to Scotland in August this year to be near in the Methodist Church Hall. Jane, but sadly Don died on August 31st, shortly after moving into their new home, but at least he saw Olive In aid of funds for the on- settled. They are sadly missed by those who knew them in going restoration work on the village. Our best wishes go to Olive in her new home. St. Laurence Church Shirley Goodsir Marion Theobald Editor’s note: Woodyard Cottages were in Maxstoke Lane opposite the Firs. Look out for local posters in April

First – class care for PHYSIO MATTERS

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Registered with all major insurance companies Clinic No: 01676 533106 Fax No 01676 532106 Now Open Saturday mornings 8.30am- 12.30pm [email protected] www.physiomatters.com Meriden Village Hall is available for private NOW AT OUR NEW ADDRESS 3 Gipsy Lane Balsall Common CV7 7FW parties etc. Rates are £10 per hour Contact Valerie Martin 01676 522963

Berkswell and District History GroupGroupGroup

Meetings are held in Berkswell Reading Room at 8.00pm unless otherwise stated.

Thursday March 12th 2.30pm in the Village Hall Balsall Common “Wroxall Abbey” by Beryl Ellerslie

Wednesday April 8th “Lost and Deserted Villages”with Ted Walmsley

Tuesday June 9th Visit to Black Country Museum

Visitors are most welcome at all open meetings. Admission to meetings, including refreshments, £2.50 non-members; £1.50 members. Annual membership £5

For our latest news visit the website: www.berkswell-history.org Telephone 01676 535782 or 532645

In Meriden Minister: Rev Andrew Charlesworth BSc BA Tel: 01676 533737 - Phone to arrange marriages, baptisms and funerals Services: Sunday 10:30am (Junior Church and crèche for children) Sunday evening 6:30pm (3rd Sunday in month only)

Peggy Patrick: 1936-2008.

Many gathered from Meriden and further afield to say farewell to Peggy, who passed away so suddenly before Christmas. Peggy, together with her late husband John, had been a huge part of the life of the village and she will be greatly missed.

She had played a huge part in the life of the Methodist Church and had touched the lives of many young people through Sunday School and Youth Club. In later years, she played a big role in the CAMEO group that meets at the Community Centre. Every year she would almost single handedly organise the Kinwalsey Tree Service, part of the Meriden Festival. Although she worked tirelessly on behalf of the Church and village for so many years, Peggy will be missed, more than anything, for the person that she was. She was an incredibly warm and caring person, who had the knack of lifting spirits when they were low. It was said at her funeral that she was the kind of Christian that we all aspire to be. Her life was full of Christian joy. Now happiness is a big part of modern life. If we were sat on a nice sunny beach somewhere with an ice cream in one hand and a good book in the other, we might say that this was a happy day. But if the sun went behind a cloud and the ice cream fell onto the pages of the book, we might decide it was not so good after all. But this is not the happiness that the Bible wants us to know. The Bible uses a particular word for happiness. In Greek the word used is makarios. This is a happiness, which goes beyond our circumstances and is a deep rooted sense of joy. The happiness that God wants us to know is contentment whether the sun is shining or not. Somewhere along the line, the Church got itself a reputation of being stern and not full of joy at all. But nothing could be further from the truth. If you look up the fruit of the spirit in Ephesians, there is joy sat right after love in the list of Christian virtues. Christians should be full of joy and bring joy to others. But the road to this joy is not through good circumstances. Over the next couple of months, the Church will build up towards the season of Easter. It is through the death and resurrection of Jesus that we discover the road to happiness. The way of the cross is a road of self-sacrifice, of putting God’s interests before our own. It is in this sacrifice that the miracle of a new life becomes possible and the joy of that first Easter Sunday can become a daily part of our lives.

This was something Peggy had experienced for herself and it is something I hope we can all know in our lives. Love, peace and joy, Andrew.

Dates for your Diary Friday 6th March Women’s World Day of Prayer 2.00pm Speaker Lyn Hunt from the Meriden Christian Fellowship Sunday 22nd March Mothering Sunday Family Worship 10.30 am th Sunday 5 April Palm Sunday 10.30am Thursday 9th April Maundy Thursday Service 6.00pm Friday 10th April Good Friday Devotion at St Laurence Church 12noon Sunday 12th April Easter Day Holy Communion Service 10.30 am. Preacher Rev Alan Burke Wednesday 15th April Supper Club 7.00pm Cost £ 4.50 numbers please to Maureen Gabbitas 522148

The Background to the Cyclist’s Memorial Service, held every year on the Green in Meriden

CYCLISTS’ WAR MEMORIAL ‘TO THE LASTING MEMORY OF THOSE CYCLISTS WHO DIED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918’ is the inscription on the memorial.

After an idea by the late Mr. ‘Biddy’ Bidlake, an executive committee was formed in 1919, and in less that a year £1,200 was raised from cyclists and cycling organizations throughout Britain. The obelisk was built on a concrete base with a concrete column; the column is thirty feet high and is faced with Cornish granite On May 21st 1921 in the radiance of the lowering sun at six o’clock before an estimated assembly of 20,000 cyclists, Lord Birkenhead, the Lord Chancellor unveiled the memorial. The keynote of the whole memorial service was to be simplicity and strength without ornament and this is still the tone today.

The Green was packed as far as the eye could see, the throng overflowed on both sides of the highway, all traffic ceased. The visiting cyclists had parked their machines in adjacent meadows. Buglers sounded the last post. After the commemoration service the Reverend R.J. Bouchier, who had been a most generous patron of the memorial fund read a simple dedicatory prayer. Following the dedicatory prayer the school children led the singing of the Doxology to the tune of the Old Hundredth. The pronunciation of the Benediction concluded the official service. What followed was an informal wreath laying at the foot of the memorial by representatives of the various clubs and organizations including the CTC, NCU and the many district associations of the CTC. Amongst the wreaths was a touching floral dedication made up from the racing wheel from the cycle of an unnamed hero fallen during the Great War. A service has been held every year since the unveiling, with the highest attendance in the 1920’s and 1930’s. On the 14th June 1923 His royal highness, The Prince of Wales visited the Memorial whilst on his way to Coventry. It is worth noting that the Memorial service at Meriden is still one of the largest gatherings of cyclists in the country. Attenborrow Roofing

Registered with Solihull & Birmingham Age Concern Solihull Trading Standards (Ship Shape)

All Roofing Work Felt, Tile or Slates Canopies In 1963 a bronze plaque was added to the memorial to PVCU Fascia & Guttering commemorate all the cyclists who died during World Small Building Work – Walls etc War II. Now in later years the service has been Contact modified to commemorate all cyclists killed in active Robert Attenborrow service for their country. 0800 073 0294 This year’s service will be held on Sunday mobile 0788 065 7381 17th May at 11.00am on the Green www.attenborrow.co.uk Local recommendations available All insurance work undertaken

The Centre Charity Shop 01676 523050

Happy New Year, Well I can’t believe we’re already nearly into February (and when this edition comes out we will be there). . Firstly as usual I would like to give thanks to our hardworking staff without their dedication the centre wouldn’t run so efficiently.

Isn’t it great that the scaffolding is finally down next door – a lovely new building in its stead!! Thinking ahead to the Meriden Festival, due to the poor turn out of stalls last year we have decided to make a couple of

changes this year for the Centre Celebration. Firstly there will be a £10 holding deposit required for each stall, which will be refunded on the day if they turn up. If there is not enough support shown by the 13th April we will cancel this event from the Meriden Festival calendar. If however bookings are looking healthy then steps are being taken to try and alleviate the parking problems encountered on the green last year and the Centre Celebration will go ahead on the 13th June. If you are interested in having a stall then please contact Kevin Hunt on 01676 523050. At the moment of writing this article we are still awaiting news on the funding we’ve applied for, for the youth work in Meriden so keep looking out in the Centre Charity shop window for details of times/dates etc. Thank you very much for the donations of black refuse sacks they have been much appreciated. Small furniture is very popular so we are using up some of the space in the tearoom as an overspill so if you have any items of small furniture you would like to donate we can fit in a few more items. If you’re not sure if we can fit in your items you can always telephone first and we can let you know if we have any space or not. Also Lego bricks seem to be making a comeback at least three people have asked if we have any, so if you have some and would like to donate it we would be very grateful. Thank you that most of the donations of clothing are washed, as we don’t have any drying facilities in this weather and due to the huge volume of donations it would be impossible to launder them off site. We have had a few new people visit us in the past couple of weeks who have never been inside the shop before so if you’ve never been in pop in and meet us. You don’t have to buy anything you can just come in for a chat, or a browse around. Since the last publication we have given donations to Meriden School, The Methodist Nursery and the Meriden Scout Group but as mentioned in previous editions if you know of a local charity that would benefit from a small donation then just put the details on a piece of paper with a contact name and number and pop it through the Charity Shop door. Hope to see you soon. Kevin and Lyn Hunt I will praise you forever for what you Over 50s can get fit as a fiddle at Age Concern have done; in your name I will hope, Solihull for your name is good. I will praise Solihull residents are now getting fit by taking part in you in the presence of your Saints a range of new activities including Extend classes

(Psalm 52 v 9) at Meriden Village Hall; badminton at Hockley Heath

and Balsall Common; a Craft Group meeting in Solihull

Library Café … all designed to promote active lifestyles

amongst the over-50s.

Come and join us at Meriden Village Hall, Main Road, Meriden, PHYSIOTHERAPY Extend is gentle exercise for the over 50s which includes seated and REFLEXOLOGY standing movements all done to popular and traditional music. The group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays 1.30pm – 2.30pm. March COMPLEMETARY dates are 4th and 18th. with further dates to follow … time for a chat THERAPIES and a cuppa afterwards. Cost is £1.50 per session. Treatment for pain, stress, acute Fit as a Fiddle is a major programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund and launched by Age Concern to help older people all over England to and chronic conditions live more healthy, active and fulfilling lives. Alison Stain Thanks to a £15 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund, Age Concern has developed the fit as a fiddle programme with a coalition of national M.C.S.P., S.R.P., I.T.E.C. partners to meet the demands of demographic changes and increased life The Therapy Centre, expectancy. Older people find it particularly hard to access suitable Balsall Villa activities in their communities, and few take sufficient exercise to meet the international guidelines of half an hour’s exercise of ‘moderate 287 Kenilworth Road intensity’ on at least 5 days per week. Balsall Common For more information about the classes Tel: 01676 521066 or on becoming a Fit as a Fiddle volunteer call Tracy Curtis, Fit as a Fiddle Project Co-ordinator The Priory, Church Hill Road, Solihull, B91 3LF Tel: 0121 705 9128, email: [email protected]

Queens Head

Old Road Meriden

Monday night is music night come along

and join us, music starts 9.15pm approx MERIDEN Meriden C of E Primary School, Fillongley Road,

March 2nd Stevie Best Wednesday 6.30 – 8.00pm th March 9 Nicki Classes also available in Solihull Call Sandra or Jenny on 0121 705 7078 March 16th Andy Marlow March 23rd Mel Day www.rosemaryconley.com March 30th Steve Usher Class Fee - £5.35 Membership Fee - £10

Trialists lost on average 7.25lbs in two weeks. April 6th Julie Christie

April 13th The Players th April 20 Linc April 27th Jakki

May 4th Terry Fox May 11th Guy Surtees May 18th Keith Brett

May 25th TBA

free membership**worth £10 plus Pop in for good food and good company 01676 522256 for further information free portion pots worth £4.99 when you pay for six weeks New Traditional Sunday Lunch at the Queens Head The only Travel Agent you will ever need 111212 noon ––– 4.00pm every Sunday

2 course £10 3 course £12.50

Phone 01676 522256 Suzanne Barney Travel Counsellor or Jenny on 07870 730836 Turning your travel dreams into reality Home visits by appointment 0845 0587 486 Phone 01676 522256 Email [email protected] Everyone’s an athlete, it’s just that www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/suzanne.barney some are in training and some are not! Friends in Retirement We are still thriving in Balsall Common with many members from Meriden. Activities include Art, Bridge, Rambling, Patchwork and monthly coffee mornings. A trip to Windsor is arranged for Tuesday 7th April and a trip to Buxton on Tuesday 9th June. Both trips will pick up in Meriden. Please contact Frank Byrne for further details on 02476 713662 Our Coffee mornings are held in The Jubilee Centre (the old Balsall Common Library) on Friday March 20th, Friday April 17th, Friday May 15th from 10.00am- 12 noon New members are always made very welcome Please ring 01676 523505 for more information Musings from the Allotments

The 2008 season started, as usual in early March with everyone getting ready. Seeds were promptly sown in the greenhouses and tended with loving care. Elsewhere on the allotments digging had started and by the time April and May were with us all digging and rotovating had been completed. The weather early on was quite good and seeds could be sown straight into the ground, but as the season progressed it gradually deteriorated. Did this deter us? Well yes it did a little, but hey, what is a drop of rain? (Liquid sunshine) The gardens were eventually planted up and the hosepipes were reeled backup. I have to say that despite all the wet weather most things did quite well and we managed to salvage some onions and potatoes from the blight. During August we joined the Open garden Scheme for Cancer Research and with all the allotment holders donating fruit, vegetables, flowers and eggs, yes some of us even have chickens, we were able to make a considerable donation to this cause. Being August and a wet day we celebrated by holding a barbecue in the evening, at which a good time was had by all. There is always some sort of friendly rivalry going on between Celebrating the rain with a barbecue the allotmenteers and this year was no exception, what with trying to grow the biggest marrow or the tallest sunflower. There are also the unusual crops that we like to try, which last season included Jerusalem artichokes and watercress, both of which were very nice. During October the task of putting the garden to bed for winter began, with some rough digging and a general tidy up. All the allotments at the moment are taken, but should anyone care to join us for good old fashioned hard work which reaps plenty of rewards, then let me know and you can be put on the waiting list.

Ann Butler 01676 522745

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Club over the last year, including Barker’s Butts RFC, The Heart of England Social Club, The Queen’s Head and all our sponsors. We are very pleased to inform you that last year we Quiz Night managed to raise £2020 for Acorn’s Hospices, a big thank you to everyone who supported our Fun Thursday 19th March Day and Quizzes.

This season we are in need of new players of all 8.00pm ages experienced or not, (coaching available) at the Queen’s Head Pub

Interested? Old Road, Meriden Presented by your ever popular Then call Terry - 07970 119142 or Mike - 07775 567889 Quizmaster

Prospective members/players are welcome to join Rick Wise us at our first committee meeting of the season, on Thursday 26th February 8pm at the Heart of Entry £1 a head England Social Club. (max 5 persons a team)

Nets practice will commence on Tuesday April 7th at 6pm at the Queen’s Head, Old Road, Meriden, (Field at the rear of the pub). Why is it that no plastic bag will A list of this season’s fixtures will be displayed in open from the end that you the Queen’s Head. We look forward to meeting you. first try?

Enjoy a free day trial

More than just Leisure club Call 01676 526107 Offer ends 31st March 2009

Cedar wood Spa For all your Mothers day

and Credit Crunch Stress Busting needs Gift Vouchers Available

Call 01676 526149 for an appointment

Marriott Forest of Arden, Maxstoke Lane, Meriden A Message from Caroline Spelman MP Be prepared for Credit Crunch consequences

Normally I would write my column about issues that are quite specific to Meriden, rather than nationwide issues. However, the Credit Crunch and subsequent recession is far too serious to ignore, even at the village level. Since the recession is predicted to be worse than anything we have experienced since WWII I felt it was important to address this. In my own lifetime I have experienced some pretty tough times, like when my school was only open 3 days a week during the oil shocks and the recession of the 1980s when I came out of university and struggled to find a job. So if it’s going to be worse still, I am very concerned.

Obviously what dominates all our minds is fear of the unknown. The profound loss of confidence in the economy has resulted in a deeper problem than just a credit crunch. People are reluctant to buy items large and small, and who can blame them. But many perfectly sound businesses will go to the wall if confidence doesn’t return and credit doesn’t start to flow again. My own parents were a wartime generation and I marvelled and I observed how resourceful they were. I remember how my mum used to scrape the last remnants off every butter paper because it had been rationed. So I have started to think what I can do to help others through these hard times. That is what we have to rediscover – a real community spirit to help each other through. Village life lends itself to this because it’s easier to get to know people in a smaller community. I am always impressed by the way people rally round when there’s a death in the family: offers to cook, offers of lifts, all sorts of small practical gifts when we don’t know how to say how sorry we are that it has happened. So the first step is to communicate. If someone has lost their job or their home or their savings they may not want to Carolinesay but if we Spelman learn of this advicethen we should surgery offer help. dates I suggest this approach because I am worried about the social fabric of our society. Will people be able to adapt and be as resourceful as that wartime generation once did? The statisticians tell us that when times are good, drink related crimes increase and when they are bad, crime against property increase because of the heightened difference between those who have and those who have not. So sharing what we have seems one of the obvious ways to avoid this. I am not naive and realize it’s not easy. So for that reason can I remind folks that there are organisations out there to help you; the CAB is brilliant at helping people reschedule their personal debt; Solihull Community Housing has many on its waiting lists so try housing associations too. If the recession aggravates dependency on drugs or alcohol I run a drop in charity called Welcome where you can be sure of anonymity and if the pressure results in domestic abuse there is another charity called MABL which stands for Make a Better Life. So don’t suffer in silence during this crisis, we are all there to help you.

Make A Better Life Trust (MABL) To contact Caroline or make an appointment for a surgery please 0800 032 6317 contact Rachel Anderson on If you need to talk to someone in confidence about Domestic Violence please call the above 020 7219 4189 number. It is open 10am till 12 noon www.carolinespelman.com Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) [email protected] We will listen We will believe Caroline Spelman advice surgery dates

Date Time Location Emotional Freedom Thurs 19th March 4.30 - 6.00pm Dickens Heath Technique Library Sat 21st March Vikki Davison 9.00 - 10.30am Chelmsley Wood Library 11.00 - 12 noon Arden Hall Want to find out Castle Bromwich more? Thurs 23rd April 4.30 - 6.00pm Balsall Common Library Smoking is linked to 07528 852106 120,000 UK deaths 01676 534853 Fri 15th May 4.30 - 6.00pm Knowle Parish annually Church Office Resolutions for a Sat 16th May healthier 2009 9.00 - 10.30am Chelmsley Wood Library Try quitting with EFT 11.00- 12 noon Arden Hall www.tap4healing.co.uk Castle Bromwich

THEIR NAME LIVETH FOREVER MORE

In this issue of the Meriden Mag, Paul & Melanie Lee concentrate on the latest information received on the Officers and Men named upon the Meriden War. Memorial. The continued support of the Meriden

Mag readers is greatly appreciated and hopefully some of these anecdotes will spark a memory or two that helps fill the missing gaps in this research project.

Mike Callow, nephew of Private Louis Callow, recently contacted us through the Meriden Mag to share his memories of those on the War Memorial that he and his family knew well. It makes for great reading as it shows how close Meriden was as a community.

Private Louis Callow was one of 6 brothers who fought in the First World War and sadly the only one who did not return. He served with the Hampshire Pioneers, 11th Battalion and died on 9th September 1916, aged 19. Louis is named on the Thiepval Memorial in France on Pier & Face 7C & 7B. Louis’s elder sister Laura was broken hearted when he died, with such a large family she most likely acted as mother to him. Laura signed up as an Auxiliary Post Woman and retired in the late 50s still with ‘temporary’ status. Mike remembers that she would have to sort the Meriden post with her cycle lamp, as it was too dark in the sorting room. He would occasionally help her with her postal rounds and recalls that most houses had no numbers, so his Aunt Laura knew everyone’s name by heart and through helping his aunt, Mike learned everyone’s name as well. Mike’s father, Leslie, was too young to serve, as he was only 14 when Louis died. Mike lost his dad in 1935, when at the age of 33 he contracted double pneumonia.

Another casualty at the age of 19 during the Second World War was Sergeant John Henry Hollis who served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was shot down in Holland on 22nd June 1944 and is buried at Uden War Cemetry in Noord-Brabant. Mike refers to him as Jack but his nickname was ‘Mansh’, short for Mansion Polish, which rhymes with Hollis. Mike was reminiscing with an old friend of his, Ron Jackson, who he was best man for in 1948. Ron recalled that he and Jack were both at the ATC in Balsall Common and he remembers how proud Jack was when he returned from his air-gunner training sporting his Sergeant’s stripes. Sadly, he didn’t get to wear them for too long. Jack was brother- in-law to Gunner James Huntbach, who died fighting the Vichy French in Syria and was featured in the Meriden Mag in autumn 2007. He married Nancy Hollis and Walter Hollis married Alice Huntbach. Mike went to school with Jack’s brothers, the twins Fred and Bob. Sadly, Bob died at the age of 11 having fallen off his bicycle hitting his head and contracting a brain haemorrhage.

Mike remembers Jack Shirley as well, as he went to school with Jack’s niece Mollie Robertson, who contributed to Jack’s article in the summer issue of the Meriden Mag in 2007. Coincidentally, their headmaster, John Penrice, was Jack’s father-in-law. Mike lived in Whichcote Avenue and remembers Leading Stoker Brett’s daughter, Chris Ellison, as a baby. Chris contributed to her father’s article in the same issue as Jack’s. Mike has been back to Meriden a few times in the last five years, and keeps in touch through his friends and the Meriden Mag. It is thanks to Mike Callow, Mollie Robertson, Chris Ellison and Gunner Huntbach’s daughter and granddaughter, Ann and Louise Reid that the memories remain and can be featured in the Meriden Mag. And what is so uncanny is that these four families who have contributed with photos and memories are all linked in some way. They all still live in Meriden except Mike who moved to Allesley Park in 1956 when he got married. In 1972, Mike moved to Somerset when his 26 years service with Triumph ended when the company went ‘bust’. If you have any information on the names inscribed on the Meriden War Memorial and would like it featured, please contact Paul & Melanie Lee via the Meriden Mag. We would like to end this page with special praise and thanks to Margaret Argyle and Val Martin: Congratulations for all your devotion to the Meriden Mag which was voted top in the Meriden Parish Appraisal Results as the best source of information for the residents of Meriden! Letter from Meriden, Connecticut, USA

It’s none of our business

Q: What do Christina Aguilera, Johann Sebastian Bach, Alexander Graham Bell, Laura Bush, Albert Camus, Fidel Castro, Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, Leonardo DaVinci, Bette Davis, Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Gerald Ford, Sigmund Freud, Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Ernest Hemingway, Lyndon B. Johnson, Angelina Jolie, John F. Kennedy, Rudyard Kipling, John Lennon, C.S. Lewis, Douglas MacArthur, Princess Margaret, Edward R. Murrow, Pat Nixon, Barack Obama, Pablo Picasso, Brad Pitt, Ayn Rand, Vanessa Redgrave, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jean-Paul Sartre, Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears and Mark Twain have in common? A: All of them are, or were, smokers. Some smoked cigars, others pipes, still others cigarettes. Bach even wrote a poem about smoking (“Edifying Thoughts of a Tobacco Smoker,” he called it.) Churchill and Davis and Murrow and Roosevelt made smoking such an essential feature of their public images that one can barely conjure up their faces without also picturing their favorite nicotine-delivery devices. No wonder that when the U.S. Postal Service came out with a stamp of Miss Davis, the first thing you noticed was that Uncle Sam had electronically — not to mention rudely — snatched the offending ciggie right out of her hand. Some, like Johnson and Roosevelt, suffered from health problems that surely were closely linked to their smoking. A few, like Castro, smoked for years and then stopped. Others, like President Obama, are trying to quit. OK, it’s a dangerous and disgusting practice, so it’s time for a disclaimer, and maybe no one has ever put the case more effectively than King James I of England, way back in 1604: “Smoking is a custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black, stinking fume thereof nearest resembling the horrible Stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless.” Smoking is also as American as apple pie, which no doubt is why Benjamin Latrobe chose tobacco leaves to replace the traditional acanthus leaves on some column capitals in the U.S. Capitol. Be that as it may, Mr. Obama now inhabits the White House, not the Capitol, and 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is famously (to some, notoriously) smoke free these days, as it has been since Hillary Clinton declared it so in 1992. “And I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House,” Mr. Obama told a TV presenter during the campaign. Notice that he built plenty of wiggle room into that tepid, fudgy non-pledge. But a pledge is exactly what some of the anti-smoking activists want from him. An iron-clad pledge. As if he didn’t already have plenty on his plate. “It’s a wonderful opportunity” for him to set an example for millions of Americans, said the president of one group. Well, sure. But do we really want the guy who’s just taken on all the responsibility of the presidency —questions of war and peace, what used to be called the leadership of what used to be called the Free World, command of the world’s most powerful military during a time of upheaval and global terrorism, the expectations of millions of people that he will somehow be able to bring the economy back from its current and unprecedented derangement — to also load himself down with the stress of giving up the old coffin-nails at the same time? Do we want him coming down with the heebie-jeebies just when Kim Jong-Il starts acting up, or something? I don’t think that’s a situation we want in the Situation Room. So here’s an idea: Leave the guy alone. Glenn Richter email:[email protected]

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Berkswell Village Museum The Orme Hidden away in the centre of School of Dancing Berkswell Village is a small museum full of interesting Meriden branch items from the past with Methodist Church Hall connections to the village and the surrounding area. The museum is housed in a pair of cottages built about 1500 Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, and is very typical of the half-timber framed cottages Freestyle and Contemporary found in Warwickshire. The cottages were turned into Principal Sandra Clarke FIDTA M.B.B.O one property for the home of the village district nurse Advanced Diploma (hons) and midwife early in the twentieth century and were then Fellowship Teaching Degree (hons) condemned for habitation in the 1940s. It has been a museum since 1981 and consists of memorabilia, Tel: 02476 467271 agricultural and domestic articles displayed in four Helping to keep dance available in Meriden attractive rooms. Berkswell’s famous people are remembered with R.J.KENNING displays. Maud Watson – the first Ladies Singles Champion at Wimbledon, R E S Wyatt – a former Painter and Decorator England Cricket Captain and the film star Jeremy Brett All aspects of decorating undertaken – best known for his role as Sherlock Holmes. Come and see the cannon and Russian shield, trophies from the Free quotations available Interiors, Exteriors Crimean War presented to the village 150 years ago. References available on request Woodwork If you are interesting in volunteering please come along No job too big-No job too small th Papering & to an open afternoon on Sunday April 19 from 2.00pm Established over 25 years Painting The museum is open on Sunday afternoons and Bank A reliable and friendly service Holidays from Easter to the end of September and at 02476 460754 Mob 07902 343950 any other time by request, contact 01676 522077 or 533716

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Sunday CLOSED

Meetings are held Heart of England

in the Village Hall Social Club on the first Monday in the Come along and visit us! The club offers a warm welcome, with excellent month at 7.30pm facilities for all, including a large concert room Contact with live entertainment, lounge with the best Joan Russell view in the village, bar, games room, snooker room and beer garden with play area. 01676 522666 We now have It was unfortunate that both our January and Premiership February meetings were held on evenings when snowfalls and icy roads meant that many members Football on were unable to attend. We are hoping for better Satellite things in March! television!!!

nd Monday 2 March “Beyond the Metropolis” Sunday evening Bingo at 8.30pm Speaker Janice Thorpe talking about Hong Kong Room hire available for private functions and China. th Monday 6 April “Elgar Country” speakers Tony Heart of England Social Club

Cross and George Wallis a talk with musical Berkswell Road,Meriden excerpts. th 01676 522430 Wednesday 6 May Resolution Meeting – please note change of day due to May Day Bank Holiday.

We shall also be making our annual trip to “The Queens Head in Bretford in March for Brailes Farm 522318 skittles and a buffet lunch. A flower arranging day is on the agenda in June and there will be a group meeting with four of our th Wilja Potatoes fellow Women’s Institutes in Allesley on 20 May

Today’s Women working for Fresh cut turf, rockery stone Tomorrow’s World Topsoil and other garden needs Village delivery

Are politicians the oldest profession? To let – Wooden Holiday Chalet On the beach at Dunster Beach Holidays Nature Reserve near Minehead, Somerset. A surgeon, an architect and a politician were Sleeps four – arguing as to whose profession was the oldest. one bed settee and two single beds. Fully equipped kitchen. Small washroom with Said the surgeon: “Eve was made from Adam’s rib, toilet (showers and toilet block 50yards). Dining and that surely that was a surgical operation.” area, radio/CD, TV, rear patio with furniture, overlooking lake. Peaceful, safe and relaxing situation. Local to Minehead golf course, nature “Maybe” admitted the architect, “but prior to that, trails, sandy beach, lake and wonderful walks. order was created out of chaos, and that was an Close to site shop. architectural job.” From £240 per week Phone Standley on 01676 5324543 “But” the politician pointed out in triumph or 0785 103 8518 “somebody had to have created the chaos first!” CAMEOCAMEOCAMEO Come and Meet Each Other at the Community Centre on the 4th Friday of the month at 2.00 p.m.

Once again we have had a varied and interesting programme. In November Linda Dutch spoke about the history and

making of Berkswell cheese; a hard cheese made from sheep’s milk, which is matured for 3 to 8 months to give it its unique texture and flavour. It is handmade at Ram Hall from milk produced by a flock of 500 Friesland ewes, all of

which are bred on the farm. The cheese has won numerous awards both national and international. Linda had brought along some of this delicious cheese for us to sample and purchase. . In December we celebrated Christmas with a programme of drama performed by committee members and the singing of carols. We were grateful to Joan Russell for accompanying us on the keyboard. As usual, we enjoyed traditional

mince pies, shortbread and sausage rolls. However, we were shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Peggy Patrick who had played such a vital part in the running of CAMEO and indeed she had been helping to organise the Christmas meeting shortly before she died. She will be sorely missed.

At the beginning of 2009 we were pleased to welcome the new Methodist minister Andrew Charlesworth. This is his

first appointment and his talk reflected on his journey in life which had lead to this Ministry. His amusing talk was entitled “He didn’t bow to Baby Jesus”. Apparently, this referred to an incident in a Nativity play when he was 2 ½ years old! Andrew grew up in Manchester and went to Nottingham University. He told us of his long involvement with the Church before being called to the Methodist Ministry. He said that three things stand out in his life: God’s patience, God’s purpose and God’s passion. Andrew is looking forward to the rewarding, wonderful but daunting responsibility of his new job.

We look forward to welcoming more friends to our meetings so if you need information or a lift please telephone: Ellen 522534

Forthcoming Meetings:- 27th March – “Is there anybody there?” Speaker Christine Philp 24th April - Speaker to be confirmed 22nd May – “The paintings of Dr Kittermaster” Speaker Doreen Agutter

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Rotary Club of Meriden

The Rotary Club of Meriden would like to thank everyone who supported our Santa Sleigh collection this year. Our Rotarians really enjoy accompanying Santa around the villages and it was great to see all those smiling faces (both Children & Parents). We hope we brought some joy and excitement during the Christmas period. Our collection raised £2,250, which will be used to support our main charity – Debra, a national charity working on behalf of people with a severe skin blistering condition. For more information about Debra please see their web site at http://www.debra.org.uk/. Thank you all for you generosity. We hope you had a great Christmas and we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. We hope to see you next Christmas. Once again the Senior Citizens Party has come and gone For more details of Meriden Rotary Club and once again I wonder how incredible it is that each Please contact year it seems to get better. Roger Swindells 01675 481754 or The transport, the delicious meal and the attentive Chris Swindells 01676 523510 service could not have been bettered in any first class restaurant plus there were heaps of beautiful raffle www.meridenrotary.org.uk prizes to win with our free raffle tickets. The entertainment was provided by a virtuoso of the electric On Saturday, 17th January, The Rotary Club of Meriden organ. I know such men have to be dexterous but I once again played host to around 100 senior citizens never realised that they also have to be athletic - he was from here and neighbouring villages. It was a lovely very, very good and also brave for only at the end did evening and I am sure everyone had a lovely time. The we realise that a heavy rainstorm had sprung a leak entertainment was excellent and we are all very grateful which was dripping on the organ and himself. That's to the ladies (and Chris) who helped prepare the meals. I what I call pulling out all the stops which the Rotary would personally like to thank all the members of the members and their helpers do every year in the warmest club and those members of their families who helped and sweetest way. Thank you to Dev for organising it with transporting a number of our guests to and from this year and to everyone involved. Fentham Hall. Without the assistance of all these Margaret Houldsworth volunteers the event could not take place. The Rotary organisation does ever such a lot of good throughout the world as well as locally. I am proud of the part that The Rotary Club of Meriden plays in our local community and long may it continue. If anyone reading this believes that they would make a good Rotarian and is interested in learning more, please give me a call on 01827 68271.David Maugham • Pensions • Investments • Protection • Savings Balsall and District Horticultural Society • Employee benefits

• Inheritance Tax Celebrity Event Chris Beardshaw will share his experiences Impartial Financial Advisers to

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New Business Venture comes to Meriden

In November the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor David Bell, opened the New Berryfields Farm Shop in Berkswell Road Meriden. The day involved local suppliers offering tastings, ranging from cakes and bread to preserves and condiments, along with hot batches. This new venture arose from a redundant barn and Chris and Fiona Barber spent virtually every waking moment researching, designing and planning. Then with the help of the “ Redundant Building Scheme”, built what is now a fabulous shopping experience. The small farm shop had become very popular with customers wishing to buy local produce but demand had out grown the premises. Berryfields Farm has seen a lot of changes over the years, none more so than this latest development. Berryfields has been in the family for three generations and has grown vegetables and reared livestock. In 2000 Chris and Fiona started attending Farmers Markets to sell their home reared pork, bacon and pies. The response from the public was “absolutely fantastic” and the original small farm shop was the result. A particular favourite has been “Auntie Winnie’s Pork Pies. Aunt Winnie is Chris’s Great Aunt and she is now in her 100th year. She is the daughter of Garner’s the renowned pork butchers in Coventry and Fiona took her recipe and with some alterations and tastings “Auntie Winnies” was launched.

The new shop sells Berryfield’s specialist ham and dry cured bacon and an assortment of locally sourced fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, game, dairy, bakery, cakes and delicatessen.

Their latest venture will be a food tasting day on Saturday 28th February

WELCOME TO A FRESH FOOD EXPERIENCE Come and visit our brand new farm shop

We offer a fabulous range of fresh local foods: meats, seasonal fruits and vegetables complemented by the finest preserves, cakes and condiments

Join us at our Food Festival from 10.00am on Saturday February 28th Free tastings from our regular suppliers of cakes, bread, ice-cream, coffee and many more. Home produced hot pork baps for sale

We are conveniently located ½ mile up Berkswell Road from Meriden duck pond Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 9am – 5.30pm Late night Thursday Sunday 10am – 2pm Closed Monday

Contact us on 01676 522155-email:[email protected] CLIMBING PLANTS By Elaine Hitchens of Balsall Common and District Horticultural Society

A rather general title for a huge variety of plants. However I am attempting to look at climbing plants that thrive in the soil of this area and ones that we have had success in growing over the last 25 years. It is therefore not a comprehensive list but may hopefully suggest a few plants that you may not have tried. Starting with A. Akebia quinata will happily creep up any support on a warm, sheltered wall it bears deep purple flowers in March and April. A vigorous, hardy, semi-evergreen twiner. It is also known as the Chocolate Vine and will reach a height 4m or more. We grow several varieties of clematis to scramble through trees, but this year I am growing Clematis ‘Broughton Bride’ in a container as well as in the garden. A pretty plant with large, bell-shaped white flowers specked lilac. It blooms from April to July and likes any well drained soil, but roots should be kept cool. This seems to be the only clematis that has won every prize available One of the best spring flowering clematis in our garden is Clematis Alpina Frances Rivis AGM. It flowers early with delicate violet-blue flowers with white stamens, with silky seeds heads in summer and autumn.. It grows happily through small trees and is very hardy, requiring little attention. Broughton Bride

Clematis Florida “Sieboldii” neeeds a sunny spot in well drained soil, but roots need to be kept cool with mulch or shade. It flowers from June to August with creamy petals and striking central purple rosettes of stamens; blooms can be up to 4 inches across. Sieboldii grows to 6 – 10 feet tall, pruning can be carried out in February or March as it flowers on new growth. Clematis Montana Elizabeth is a very vigourous variety with dark green foliage. When smothered with light pink fragrant flowers in spring it looks sensational. One of its advantages is that it will cover a trellis, fence or wall very quickly.

Florida Sieboldii

We grow several honeysuckles, but perhaps the favourite is the dutch Lonicera periclymenum Serotina. A good tempered plant it produces richly perfumed, tubular, creamy white flowers, streaked dark-red purple, from July to October. A vigourius later flowering, deciduous variety It seems to grow best in light shade. It can be planted from autumn to late winter from cuttings which are easily progated. In fact when our garden was open for the National Gardens Society people formed a little queue as I was pulling up rooted suckers to give away.

One of our best climbing plant finds of the last few years is Wisteria ‘Amethyst’ Unlike most wisterias, this variety differs in that it has a more compact habit, and can be kept to a sensible size - it's ideal for covering just part of a wall or fence or grown as a free standing tree. Plant in full sun or part shade in well-drained fertile soil. The flower heads are born profusely with a delightful amethyst colour and a lovely perfume. It flowers at a relatively young age during April and May. Wisteria Amethyst

Suggesting climbing roses is to enter a minefield. We have grown Passiflora Caerulea - Passionflower However perhaps one that is worth looking out for is for many years. It looks exotic, but flowers reliably Étude. with creamy-white flowers and purple-blue zoned A long flowering rose, coronas. it will reach a height of It clings with tendrils, about 12 feet (3.6 m) so plants won't damage A good tempered rose brickwork or fences but with large clusters of needs suitable supports to attractive deep rose-pink grow on, we use semi-double flowers. wires against a wall. It always attracts It is in bloom from mid- to comment and late summer and later it is appreciation, not unusual to find large and only orange-yellow fruits disappoints with its forming. faint scent. It carries the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

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difference to the quality of your life? ‘Meriden Mag’ would like to thank Peter for his help If you are honest, ethical and hardworking with recent computer problems and are pleased to and can follow a simple system, and want recommend him to our readers to make changes in your life then we would like to hear from you. Year 5’s Magic Rainforest Box Life is for living! Are you living the life you want? I will put in the box the crumbling cast of bright green leaves, Call us TODAY and make today the day a pink sunset sinking into the horizon, you turn your life around! the squawk of a magnificent macaw. Contact Gill or Spence on 01676 534020 or 07817154596! I will put in the box a cacophony of sounds and colours, a cascade of crystal clear water, the spark of a deadly cobra’s tongue.

IDYLLIC GARDENS I will put in the box the purr of a passive possum, a lovely leaf from the tallest tree and the yowl of a black and gold wildcat.

I will put in the box the crunch of crispy rotten leaves, the twinkle of a sparkling sun and the waves of fur in a lion’s mane.

I will put in the box Design and Construction rubbery leaves tumbling like tears, • Cultivated Turf & Lawns a drop of water from the drip tip leaf • Patios - Paths - Yorkstone and a twizzling snake slithering towards its prey.

• Block Paving - Drives I will put in the box • Decking - Pergolas the springing leap of a poisonous dart frog, • Fencing - Trellis Work the whistling wind howling through the trees • and the squelch of mud around the hunter’s feet. All Brickwork - Ponds • Garden Maintenance I will put in the box Free advice & estimates the ease of the orang-utan’s swing through the Portfolio and references available canopy, the crouch before the pounce of a hungry jaguar 01676 522 828 and a burnt orange hair from a tarantula’s back. Meriden School Year 5’s version of the Mobile : 07976 205143 famous poem “The Magic Box” by Kit Wright

The launch event for Solihull in Bloom will be in Solihull Town Centre on 28th March from 11am-3: 30pm where there will be free seeds being handed out, a plant swap stall, demos and displays. We will be launching the 2008 floral garden competition – entry forms will be available from your local library and printed in the Solihull Times as well as applying online at www.solihull.gov.uk . There are various categories from schools to pubs and restaurants to residents’ gardens and hanging baskets. We had some good entries last year and the presentation evening at Notcutts is always well attended.

Events in Solihull Brilliant Bird Watch Walk Wednesday 18th March 10.30am (2 hours approx) Hillfield Park, car park by play area. Star Gazing – Spring Watch Wednesday 1st April 8.00pm (1 ½ hours) Dorridge Park Ranger Road Show Monday 6th April 10.00am-3.00pm Mell Square Town Centre Easter Egg Hunt Friday 10th April 11.00am-2.00pm Elmdon Park £ 1 per child for puppet show and treasure hunt. Scarecrow Making Day Wednesday 15th April from 10.30am (1 ½ hours) Knowle Park. Bluebell Walk Sunday 26th April 2.00pm(1 ½ hours approx) Millison’s Wood Music in the Park 1 Sunday 3rd May 2.00pm-4.15pm Malvern Park Batty Boxes Friday 29th May 11.00am (2 hours) Knowle Nature Sunday 31st May 2.00pm (2 hours) Lavender Hall Park Balsall Common

This is just a selection of activities in or around Solihull. You can find out more by reading the new Events in Solihull’s Parks and Open Spaces Guide which was launched in January filled with lots of events for all ages – from brass bands in the park to scarecrow making and conservation groups to fun festivals. So please down load a copy from www.solihull.gov.uk, visit your local library or call 0121 704 8000 for a free copy.

FREE RANGE MERIDEN PORK We have all probably noticed in the media recently the big discussion about where our pork comes from and you probably saw the Jamie Oliver programme “Saving Our Bacon”, which highlighted two main factors. The first is the condition and treatment of pigs overseas and the second factor is British farmers struggling to compete with cheap pork from overseas. I would like to tell you about a quiet little farm that is starting to have a big impact on local people’s views about pork. This farm in Cornets End Lane has been producing and selling cattle and sheep for 5 generations but their pigs were always produced for friends and family only, where they were famous for being sweet and tender and not too fatty. One of the key reasons the Holtom’s achieve this is that the pigs are fed on a diet of fruit and vegetables (not scraps). They are fed twice a day unlike factory-reared pork where they are fed continuously via an automated feeder. They also have the opportunity to roam free around their field, therefore producing a pig that is happy and healthy. So how has this now become popular amongst many in Meriden? Going back 5 weeks, we had one too many pigs ready for slaughter and no one to buy it, so we offered to sell the pig to Tom’s Butchers in Meriden. Tom, on receiving the pig said it was one of the best pigs that he had ever seen in his time as a butcher. He had an amazing response from his customers and they came back for more. Now we supply them 1½ pigs per week that are free range and bred to the same standards as The Holtom’s tradition. The other benefit is that it has reduced their carbon footprint by a huge amount as the pigs are bred and slaughtered locally. This also ensures that they are of the freshest quality.

Tom’s Butcheries is a father to son business, with the traditional butchery skills passed down. It is important to them that the meat they sell is treated with the utmost respect from farm to customer, and we are confident that you can really taste the difference. Will Markham, Holtom’s and Tom’s Butcheries

Tom’s Butchery Established 25 years 3 The Green T’ai Chi MeridenMeridenMeriden and Telephone:Telephone:Telephone: Meditation and Relaxation 01676 522822 • Now stocking Berkswell Come and discover how the Ewes milk cheese beautiful flowing movements of • Genuine Scotch Angus Beef this ancient art can improve your sold as seen on TV well-being. Relax and enjoy simple calming relaxation and • Wide selection of prize meditation techniques. winning sausages • Best quality English Lamb & pork Mondays 9.30-10.30am • Wide selection of bacon Meriden Village Hall including dry cure English Call Jacqui on • Deli counter with a wide 07703 345210 selection of cheese, pies and cooked meats …the perfect start to your day! . BALSALL COMMON Meriden library

01676 522717 Open Monday 10.00am – 7.00pm Thursday 10.00am – 7.00pm Are you retired or semi-retired and looking for an interest to pursue? Balsall Common has 22 Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm interest Groups ranging from Philosophy to By the time you read this, spring will be imminent Ramblers- Photography to scrabble – all our and warmer weather on its way! (As I write this I can meetings are during the daytime, except for see the frost on the village green outside the library!) social evenings. The New Year has seen us welcome a new member You can join as many individual interest groups of staff, Carole Cooper, to our team. Carole has as you like. already wowed our under 5s at their weekly story We hold monthly core meetings when we invite time with Chinese dragons and lots of rhymes and speakers to talk on a variety of subjects. 1-45 for songs. We hope she will enjoy her time in Meriden 2-00 in the Village Hall, Balsall Common. and being part of our community. In addition we have 2 coach trips a year and social events. Our popular Questers Group With Mother’s Day (22nd March) and Easter (10th – have monthly visits to places of interest and 13th April) just around the corner, please bear in mind during the summer months World Religions the library’s stock of Book Tokens. They are an ideal group commence church visits whilst Garden gift for anyone and suitable for all occasions – visits commences again in April. bringing pleasure and the joy of reading to everyone. Visitors and prospective members welcome, Book Tokens can be used at most bookshops and Fee: £1.50, which is refundable on joining U3A. stationers on the High Street – why not pop in and Further information from Anne Santos – have a chat to the staff about them? email [email protected] or phone 01676 534003. Talking of Easter, our Coffee Morning will be held on Thursday 9th April 2009, between 10.00am and MERIDEN LIBRARY READERS' GROUP 12noon. Come along for coffee, tea and hot cross buns on the day – we look forward to seeing you. One member commented that even when there are only a few of us present, we still manage to find As mentioned earlier, story times for the under 5s plenty to talk about! We should, however, be very continue to take place every Monday during term pleased to have more readers join us. We meet on the time, from 2.45pm – 3.15pm. Come and join in with 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm - details of the stories, rhymes, songs and craft activities, and the venue from Meriden Library staff. meet other parents or carers of young children. Our spring programme: - Don’t forget the library has an extensive range of March - poets and poetry tourist information from country houses to wander April - favourite detectives around, to local events and activities. Drop in and May - books from Richard and Judy's current list help yourself to some of our leaflets, or ask the staff Look forward to seeing you! for more information on a place you would like to Sue Fuller visit. Meriden Knights The library continues to provide free Internet access to the public, with a small charge for any printing Chess Club carried out. Anyone with an interest in Family The chess club is down to two players at the moment History will be pleased to hear that the 1911 Census and have temporarily joined Coventry Chess club (an has been released online for the public to search and amalgamation of Whoberley and Massey Fergusson) as look at for the first time. Searching is free, but at the reserve players with the possibility of a third person moment, there is a charge for viewing transcripts and joining them who has read about our club. We are not original entries on the census. Please ask staff for meeting at the Methodist church at the moment but more details and information on fees and methods of hopefully if a few other people express an interest we payment. have all the equipment we can reopen. We want players of any age or ability, they don’t even have to play every week but obviously we would need Remember, the library belongs to everyone – so half a dozen to put out a team of four during the drop in and have a look around next time you Coventry and District Chess League Season. are passing! . For more details contact Shirley or Graeme 01676521259 or www.meridenchess.org

Meriden` Volunteers for Cancer Research UK of Heart We are busy planning this year’s programme and so far have confirmed the following two events. Friday 3rd April 7.30 pm - Black Country Evening at the Heart of England Club. This event has been well England supported in the past and is back by popular demand. The price of £12 includes a fish and chip supper; please buy your tickets in advance so we can order the correct Property number of meals. Friday 9th October the “In the Pink” Ladies evening will Maintenance be held at Strawberry Bank Hotel. Lorena Dyer, a well- known local flower arranger has agreed to do a Plumbing demonstration for us. A comedienne with Black Country type humour has also been booked. The evening will be Carpentry supported by stalls selling jewellery, cards, make up etc. General Maintenance We hope that you will support both of these good value, fun evenings and at the same time raise money for our Painting & Decorating very worthy cause.

We are also planning a summer garden party for August, so please save your bric a brac, plants, books etc. Contact Paul Morgan on 01676 542885 For more information and tickets please contact Mary Warr 01676 522160 07917 692948 mobile Carol Lindeque 07811613905 or other Committee Members blitz Beauty Salon Telephone 01676 521100 Men and Women welcome

Open 7 days a week Monthly offers available New dual treatment room Gift vouchers available All aspects of Beauty Therapy to include; Manicures, Pedicures, Waxing, Eye treatment, Facials, Caci faciafacialsls and body treatments, microdermabrasion , massages, Hopi Ear Candles, Reflexology, Gel Nail Extensions, Body Wraps, Hot Stone Massage, Spray Tanning and Vertical Sun bed.

Clinics available for Restylane, Muscle relaxing injections and Teeth whitening Also the home of Blitz the Bulge slimming club!! Monday 9-5, Tuesday 9-9, Wednesday 9-9, Thursday9-9, Friday 9-7, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-2 For more details or to go on our mailing list Telephone 01676 521100 Also treatment rooms available at the Windmill Village Hotel and Nailcote Hall Hotel

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Meriden

onday 11th December18 Floral Society JuneMonday £

Monday 16th March “Wax Lyrical” Sandra Meakin

Monday 20th April “Floral Inspirations” Mary Western

th Monday 18 May “Passionate about Plants” Juddi Cripps For the very best for your dog, contact… Meetings are held in Meriden Village Hall Roy & Lesley Thompson, at at 7.30pm prompt Meriroyles For further information 118 Fillongley Road, Meriden. Telephone Val Miller on 01676 540380 Telephone 01676 522405 also Sandra Jones on 01676 523023 “HOLIDAY HOME FOR SMALL PETS” RUN BY SOPHIE. Telephone 01676 522405 for details

PILATES CLASS MERIDEN METHODIST CHURCH HALL Tuesday evening 6.15pm – 7.15pm Classes run in 6-week courses

1 to 1 Pilates reformer equipment at The Hampton Gym, Hampton in Arden Free trial session with this advertisement

For more details contact Jo on 07952 473526

Meriden Surgery 01676 522252 Opening Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8.30am to 6pm Wednesday 8.30am to 12.00

When the Surgery is closed

The Practice uses a GP co-operative Badger for emergencies outside normal surgery hours. For details on how to obtain medical help when the surgery is closed please telephone

01676 532587

Repeat Prescription Requests Home Visits We prefer these to be ordered using the list attached to your If patients are too ill to previous prescription. attend the surgery, or are • Post to the surgery housebound and need a • Hand to the surgery doctor to visit them at • Fax 01676 523865 to the surgery home please telephone the If necessary telephone requests will be taken between surgery 01676522252

10.00am and 12.30pm & 2.00pm-4.00pm Monday, Tuesday, BEFORE 10.00am. Thursday & Friday. Please quote your computer number. 48 HOURS NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN FOR ALL PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS Comments If you would like to make PRE BOOKED APPOINTMENTS any comments, complaints or suggestions concerning We would like to make patients aware that appointments can be the surgery please contact booked with doctors in advance of 48 hours. We understand that Joanne Hope, Practice patients have commitments that require them to book appointments with us further in advance than 48 hours. We have manager on 01676 therefore allocated a number of appointments that can be booked 532213 or in writing to the in advance; these are included in every surgery taken by a doctor surgery. with the exception of locums. Once these appointments have been allocated the remaining will be available on the 48 hour booking rule. Lloyds Pharmacy Please ask at reception if you would like to book further in advance than 48 hours. The Green Meriden

Please Help Us – Your Surgery Needs You To Cancel Tel/ Fax Unwanted Appointments 01676 522722

As I am sure all the readers of the Meriden Magazine are aware, doctor and nurse appointments at the Meriden Surgery can sometimes be difficult to arrange because the appointment times requested by patients have already been allocated to other patients. The surgery tries its best to answer the needs of the patients within the resources we have. We want to offer a service that meets the needs of the patients but we are finding it increasingly difficult to do so with such a large amount of surgery time being lost through patients not cancelling appointments they are unable to keep. Please help us to help you. Monday – Friday If you cannot attend an appointment you have made let us know 9.00am – 6.00pm so that we can offer it to another patient. Letting us know after the appointment time has passed does not help us as the appointment Saturday has already been lost. 9.00am – 5.00pm

Please, if you can’t attend it remember to cancel it. Sunday Closed

Changes to 192/194 Bus service to Solihull with effect from 25th January 2009 As part of a wider review of the Solihull bus network by transport authority Centro, Solihull Council and National Express Coventry, the192 and 194 services are being replaced with improved service 19W and a new 19X service will be extended to Solihull. Additional benefits of the new 19W and 19X service include new links from Solihull and Balsall Common to Warwick University, faster and more regular journeys from Canley to the city centre and an all day service to Westwood business Park. The new 19W and 19X service will continue to run from Pool Meadows bus stop to Tile Hill but will now continue into Solihull rail station via Balsall Common, Berkswell and Meriden the route will follow a slightly different route through Coventry, running via Canley instead of Tile Hill. However the bus follows the usual route from Meriden to Solihull and stops at the normal bus stops in the village. The service is now hourly through the main part of the day. The 900 Bus service to Coventry from Birmingham remains unaffected Please ring Travel line 0871 2002233 for a detailed timetable.

The ‘Taxibus’ provides a door-to-door demand responsive local bus service within an operating area, the service can be used to travel to and from Meriden to Solihull, the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Airport, Birmingham International Rail Station, Shirley and Coventry from where links to other parts of the West Midlands by bus or rail can be made. Registration to use the service is free and the fares charged on the service are calculated on a mileage basis, are similar to regular bus fares and advised to the passenger when a booking is made. All West Midlands concessionary passes, Centrocards and Busmaster tickets are accepted in full or part payment for the fare. The number to ring in order to register or make a booking is: 0121 783 6869 The Booking Office is open between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday The telephone number to ring in order to cancel a booking is: 0121 784 6644 This facility is available between 8am and 11pm daily

The service runs between 8am and 7:30pm Monday to Saturday.

Taxibus service is available for disabled and able-bodied passengers alike and can pick you up from your own home

Community Transport Solihull

Is a local charity supplying transport for non-profit making groups. They have lately seen the number of groups they help rise from 90 to 140 and expect to make 20,000 trips this year. The charity has recently raised over £30.000 to purchase 2 new minibuses. Community Transport can provide CRB checked and MiDAS trained drivers or provide training for your own drivers if cost is an issue. Anyone interested in hiring a minibus for their group or in volunteering please contact David Peplow at the address below

Community Transport Solihull Tel: 0121 779 5547 Fordbridge Club for Young People Chapelhouse Rd bringing people and opportunities Fordbridge together Birmingham B37 5HA email:[email protected]

Local Farmers Markets

st Solihull High Street – 1 Friday in month 9.00am – 3.00pm Still open for business! Kenilworth Abbey End- 2nd Saturday in month 9.00am – 2.00pm st As we enter our 41 year we are pleased to report Warwick Market Square -3rd Friday that we are still open 8.30 am –4.30pm daily in month 10.00am – 3.00pm Sessions, full days, odd hours and lunchtimes Leamington Spa – bottom of Parade available. 4th Saturday in month 9.00am – 2.00pm

Educational activities and play in a caring setting. Coventry - Market Way 2nd Thursday in month 9.00am-4.30pm School nursery collections from local schools. th Large rooms, good outside space and qualified staff Coleshill – Church Hill – 4 Friday in month offering quality childcare at reasonable prices. 10.00am – 2.00pm

Call in and see us any time in the Methodist Church hall Main Road (opposite the duck pond) Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup or ring 0788 270 5490 for any enquiries and ask for Serves 4 Marilyn or Pat.

12oz cauliflower & broccoli florets We are at present offering a free trial chopped to any child aged 2-5 3 spring onions or 1 small chopped onion 1tsp fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried 1 pt vegetable stock ½ pt milk pinch of nutmeg 2tbsps half fat crème fraiche salt and pepper

Simmer cauliflower, broccoli,onion thyme and stock in covered saucepan until tender. Add milk and nutmeg and bring to boil Cool slightly, blend in liquidiser with crème fraiche till smooth. Season to taste. (Can be thickened with 2tsps cornflour [email protected] 139 Yoxall Road, Shirley Solihull B90 3RW when milk is added.)

Holiday Accommodation

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See website: Contact: Please call Lynda on www.stillinspain.com Malcom Hickin Home 02476 381 783 for more information 01676 533716 Mobile 07702 789 264 David James Ellard, March 1914 –January 2009 94 years young.

Since moving from Maxstoke a year or so after marrying Gertrude, where he was in service at Maxstoke Castle, David lived at West Mount, Leys Lane, Meriden for 71 ½ years. He leaves Gertrude his wife of 71 years, two sons, Jeff and Brian, two grand children, Martin and Allan, and two great grand children, Ethan and Emily. David worked his allotment for over 60 years, bringing home the vegetables, which Obviously helped to maintain his health to his fine old age. He was a founder member of the Oddfellows allotments and helped to peg out the site. From an early age of living in Maxstoke, he enjoyed the outside life. Along with Gert, cycling, single and tandem, then motor cycling, and when the children came along, motor and sidecar, eventually travelling around the British Isles in a Morris Minor traveller. In his early days in Meriden being politically minded he helped start the Meriden Labour Party. Working at Samons and Son Wood Yard, he worked wood into coffee tables and other items, working them with love and joy for their beauty. The hedgerows and allotment were plundered for the wine. Over the years, when the grandchildren were visiting Nana and Granddad, many a bottle cork was popped from Elderberry Champagne, elderberry wine and as many other wines as you could imagine. David Ellard enjoyed holidays spent with his family walking in Cornwall, Snowdonia and Dartmoor. He climbed Snowdon when he was 70 years old carrying a bottle of home brewed champagne to toast the climb. When out David was a familiar sight in his tartan beret. He was cremated on Tuesday 27th January 2009 at Oakley Wood Crematorium where family and friends gathered to remember him.

Peggy Patrick July 6th 1936 – Dec 7th 2008 Mother of Cheryl, Melanie, Caroline and Justine

It was with great sadness that we lost our dear Mum prior to Christmas very suddenly. The daughter of a Yardley blacksmith she had lived in Meriden for most of her life. Starting off her married life with our father John at Albert Road in the late 1950’s and then moving to Hillwood cottage, which became our home for 44 years. She touched on the hearts of many people and was an active member of the local community. Her smile would light up rooms and her inner warmth was infectious to those she met. Her work within the community impacted on the lives of both young and old. Many people will remember her from her earliest years when she was active in running one of the first youth groups in Meriden with Dad, based at the ‘Old School’ and being involved with taking away residents from the then Pendrells home which at the time was home to residents with Cerebral palsy Mum’s community work touched on the lives of both young and old. Having a strong faith, Mum was a Sunday school teacher throughout the whole of her life. She established with other church members the Meriden MIG Club, a youth group for young people, which ran successfully for many years and was actively involved with Meriden Cameo group supporting and entertaining older members of Meriden’s community. Her funeral service took place at Meriden Methodist church on 17th December and it was lovely to see the church packed with so many of her friends. We would like to thank members of the church who so kindly served tea and refreshments after the funeral service and would also like to thank all those people who have sent us such lovely messages of support and offers of help during this incredibly sad time. At the time of Mums death we questioned the positives and negatives of having TIME and NO TIME to say goodbye. As a close family we have now experienced both. Having time is painful and having no time is just as painful. We were just so blessed to have the most wonderful mum, whose warmth and love will be with us always.

Cheryl, Melanie, Caroline and Justine Patrick

Family flowers were requested and donations were collected for Acorn Children’s hospice and McMillan cancer support. A total of £870 was collected. In Memory of the 11th Earl of Aylesford

The late Earl of Aylesford took an interest in my educational progress and when I gained a State Scholarship, as the JP, authenticated my official papers. He was an enthusiastic family man and local historian who gave me many snippets of fascinating information. The Earl was hereditary lord of Meriden manor after the Aylesford family purchased it in 1783 from the Earls of Derby. Sadly I was unable to fulfil what was in fact his last request in time: to discover the place in Shropshire where his ancestor Mr John Fisher of Great Packington had originated. I found the answer a week too late. Recently a friend kindly loaned me an old scrapbook and has given me permission to relate an item about the 6th Earl recorded in it. On January 10th 1871 the Rt Hon Heneage Finch, the 6th Earl of Aylesford though only 46 years old died at his town residence in Grosvernor Square, London. He had been in poor health for sometime but had reached the average life expectancy for a man in mid- Victorian England. Born at Gt Packington in December 1824, he had married Anne Wightwick an heiress from Offchurch. In those days the Aylesford Estates encompassed properties in Leicestershire and Kent as well as the Earls being leading landowners in this county. He and the Countess, who outlived him, had 4 sons and a daughter. The scrapbook article tells us about his funeral at St James’s church, Gt Packington on 14 January 1871. The funeral arrangements were made in London though a Coventry firm provided the horses and carriages. A lead coffin inside a wooden one, covered by a crimson velvet pall came by train to Hampton station and from there to Gt Packington by road. Once at Packington about 60 tenants from all his Warwickshire estates amassed to lead the cortege to the church followed next by the Hall servants and his valet preceded by a plume of feathers, carrying his coronet. Next came the hearse drawn by 4 horses and another 5 mourning coaches occupied by male family members identified in some detail and finally neighbours ‘carriages, Mr Darlington of Meriden Hall bringing up the rear. Only men attended funerals in those days. Groups of local residents stood together, silently paying their respects, spaced out along the route of the procession as it wended its way the half mile or so across the Park. The funeral party was met at the church gates by the vicar Revd Waller and a former incumbent Revd Legge, an Aylesford in-law who each took a part of the service. Revd Legge began in the church while Revd Waller continued outside with the committal. Surprisingly the Earl was buried in the churchyard not in the family vault under St James’s. The churchyard gates were left open after the service so that villagers could see the coffin with mourners’ flowers and coronet placed on its lid. The following Sunday, Gt and Little Packington churches were draped in black. Meriden and Bickenhill churches followed suit the Sunday after. The Illustrated London News reported the details of his will shortly afterwards though value of the estate, £120,000.00 means little in contemporary terms. All his offspring except his heir Heneage aged 21 and recently married needed a guardian. The Countess received her father’s property at Offchurch for life. The Gt Packington Estate went to the new Earl who died without heirs. The late Earl was descended from a younger brother. The scrapbook also contains details of Albert, the Prince Consort’s funeral. Doreen Agutter Packington Hall today I’m fine Thank You

There’s nothing the matter with me, I’m as healthy as I can be. I have arthritis in both my knees And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze. Sleep is denied me night after night But every morning I find I’m all right My memory is failing, my head’s in a spin, When I was young my slippers were red But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in. I could kick my heels over my head When I was older my slippers were blue How do I know my youth is all spent? But I still could dance Well my “get up and go” has got up and went. The whole night through But I really don’t mind when I think with a grin, Now I am older my slippers are black Of all the grand places my “get up” has bin. I walk to the store And puff my way back Old age is golden” I’ve heard it said, But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed I get up each morning and dust off my wits With my ears in the drawer, my teeth in a cup, And pick up the papers and read the “obits” My eyes on the table until I wake up If my name is still missing I know I’m not dead Ere sleep overtakes me I say to myself So I have a good breakfast - and face what’s ahead. “Is there any thing else I could lay on the shelf?” With thanks to the anonymous donor from Millison’s Wood

I would like to thank Pat and Val for all the hard work they put into the Monday and Wednesday Clubs especially the lovely Christmas parties, they are both so caring and Thank you thoughtful. Also thanks to them both for all the support On behalf of Corley Golden Years Club I would they gave to Evie Cheadle on the death of her like to thank the ladies from Meriden who husband Sam. Her son John and her daughter supported “The Hot Bag Team” at their fund Margaret really appreciate what they have raising afternoon. We raised £642.10 for done. Thanks again. McMillan Cancer support.

Many thanks Mrs R.Goolding Vi Rapson and Family Why do people constantly return to Mrs Diane Horwood is retiring from her position as caretaker of the Village Hall. The the refrigerator with hopes that Committee would like to thank her for her something new to eat will have years of excellent service and wish her all the something new to eat will have very best in her retirement materialised?

Dear Editors, Many thanks for the winter edition of Meriden Mag. I am still quite active, but feel that it will help to prompt my memory bank to see names, which "ring a bell". (Rather appropriate in my case) Yesterday morning, I Iooked out of the landing window and saw a 12-metre vehicle (on a "no HGV" B road) and on checking, found the name "A. Pettifor, Meriden" emblazoned on the side. Another prompt to remember! I then surfed the Meriden Mag back numbers, from autumn, 2006 onwards for inspiration. At this time of the year, the Roll of Honour articles were particularly interesting. Louis Callow was my uncle, the youngest of six brothers who served and the only one who did not return. I was at school with the Hollis twins (Fred and Bob; the latter unfortunately died as a result of a cycling accident while still at school). They were brothers- in-law of Gunner J.A. Huntbach, who died fighting the Vichy French in Syria, and brothers of Sgt. J.H. (nicknamed "Mansh" as in Mansion polish) Hollis, who was shot down and killed over Holland. One of the "lost youth of Bomber Command". I was also at school with Jack Shirley's niece, Mollie Robertson, and knew her late husband, Bill, from my time at theTriumph. I also remember Leading Stoker Brett's daughter as a baby, when she and her mother lived in Whichcote Avenue with her grandparents. The article on Jack Savage also evoked some memories. Although I only knew Jack slightly, I believe that Tom, who was one of the first tenants in the new bungalows in Digby Place, when I lived in Whichcote Avenue as a child, was his brother. It did, however, remind me of the "two Johns" who used to judge flower shows together. John Penrice was Headmaster in my early years at Meriden school and I also have fond memories of Mrs. Higton, Miss Horsman, Mrs. "Marzie" Jenkins (allegedly because she used to give sweets to her pupils; presumably before rationing), and Mr. "Baggy" Jones (allegedly because he used to wear "plus-fours"). I have many happy memories of "Johnnie" Greaves, latterly as a chorister, when he used to hand round Meloids, out of a tin, during the sermon, making quite a noise doing so. During the Second World War, when it was difficult to go away for holidays, I used to spend a great deal of them with him in the Hall gardens, for which he paid me a few coppers. By that time, he and George Grist were the sole survivors of the gardening staff. One of my favourite experiences was when I used to walk with him, particularly when there was snow on the ground, to lubricate a water wheel down by the Giants' Den, which used to pump spring water up to a tank (which always looked to me like a boat house) at the top of the Hilly Fields, to provide pressure for the Hall.

Best Regards, Mike Callow Treetops, Kenn, Clevedon, BS21 6TT email [email protected]

Painting With Julie Spring is finally here at last and what is the first flower we think of in spring? The daffodil of course! Here is one way of painting the daffodil: -

• Draw out the shape of a daffodil on to watercolour paper. Practice a few first, looking at how the stem turns into the trumpet of the flower and the petals stick out around the edge. (Or you can copy the one I have drawn.)

• When you are happy with your drawing mix two little puddles of yellow watercolour paint, one stronger than the other.

• Wet one petal or area of the flower at a time, with clean water. Add touches of the yellow colours, adding the stronger colour in the shadowy areas and on the trumpet. Try to leave little patches without paint on, so that they stay white, in places where the petals would catch the light

• Make sure you only do one petal at a time, letting the one you have just painted dry before painting the area next to it.

• Add a little yellow to the flower bud

• Mix a puddle of a blue colour. Make this with lots of water so it is very pale. Paint this on to all the shadowy areas of the leaves. Let this dry.

• Mix a puddle of paint using yellow and blue to make green. Paint this all over the leaves including over the pale blue shadows you have just put on.

• Add a few streaks of brown to the flower sheath

• Add two or three dots of brown in the centre of the trumpet for the stamens.

• If you want to add a border, carefully measure in from the edges of the paper and lightly draw the border with a pencil. When you are happy that it’s in the right place go over it with a green crayon.

WE CARE Art Classes with Julie Hyde in FOR Meriden YOUR TREES Julie’s Art Classes take place on Thursday mornings and afternoons in the Village Hall

PROFESSIONAL TREE SURGEONS Meriden. She also has classes on other days TO BRITISH STANDARDS 3998 in different locations.

FORESTRY TRAINING COUNCIL APPROVED Contact Julie on
FULL LIABILITY INSURANCE UP TO £5 MILLION
FELLING 01676 523357
PRUNING
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STUMP REMOVAL
CROWN REDUCTION & THINNING
CABLE BRACING & PINNING LARCH TREE OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE
PLANTING OFFERING A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE BUILT OVER MANY TREATMENT OF MUSCULAR AND YEARS TO ENSURE A PROFESSIONAL & EXPERT SERVICE. SKELETAL PAIN, SPORTS AND FOR YOUR FREE QUOTE PLEASE CALL: PERSONAL INJURIES DUNNS TREE SERVICES Liam Halton B.Sc (Hons) Ost. 12, Okehampton Road 49 Larch Tree Avenue, (Off Broad Lane), T ile H ill, Styvechale, Coventry CV3 5AU COVENTRY, CV4 9FT Tel: 024 7641 3768 www.larchtreeost.co.uk Mob: 07719 005747 TEL: 024 7647 0019 Website: www.dunnstreeservices.co.uk

The public and press are cordially invited to all meetings in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. An opportunity will be given for the public to speak. Look out for the Agenda, which is posted on the parish notice boards prior to the meeting.

SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday 11th March Monday 23rd March Wednesday 15th April (Annual Parish Meeting) Wdnesday13th May Monday 27th April (Annual Parish Council Meeting)

Should you wish to contact your Parish Council please contact the Clerk or individual Councillors through the website:

Mrs J Hall 111 Fillongley Road Tel : 01676 522727 Meriden Email : [email protected] Coventry Website : meridenparishcouncil.org.uk CV7 7LW

Your Parish Councillors are: Rosie Weaver (Chair); Bob Kipling (Vice Chair); Graeme Goodsir; Shirley Goodsir; Marilyn Hamilton; Melanie Lee; Sarah Markham; Will Markham.

1 BUS SERVICES – ALL CHANGE A new Solihull Network of bus services has now been launched with many of the services having been replaced with new ones. There is no change to the 900 or taxibus service serving Meriden village but the 192 and 194 services are being withdrawn to be replaced by the 19W and 19X service from Coventry, which is operating on a similar hourly basis. There is still no evening connection to Solihull town centre. Caroline Spelman is taking up with the operator, National Express the idea of a later bus running from Solihull to Meriden.

2 COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH Thank you to all those residents who have volunteered for the Community Speed Watch initiative. We need more, please contact the Clerk. The police will be carrying out speed tests on the Fillongley Road, Main Road (Meriden and Millison’s Wood) and Hampton Lane. Training will take place soon.

3 PRECEPT 2009 / 2010. The Parish Precept for 2009 / 2010 has been set at £53,157. This is a 3% increase on the precept for 2008/2009 and creates an increase of £1 per annum for Band D property.

4 PLANNING APPLICATIONS The Solihull MBC website, www.solihull.gov.uk enables anybody to access information relating to planning applications. You can view the weekly planning list of new applications, all documentation relating to individual applications, decision notices etc. From the home page select “Planning Services” from the quicklinks on the left. Then select “Development Control and Planning Applications”. If you do not have access to a computer at home, the computers in the library can be used. Please ask the library staff for more information.

5 MAXSTOKE LAND AND HAMPTON LANE DEVELOPMENT We have received a press statement from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and David Wilson Homes, which has been printed within this Mag. The proposed timetable has been given to us and the Parish Council will ensure there will be a public consultation in Meriden prior to the planning application being submitted.

6 MERIDEN POND

You may have noticed recently the temporary drainage and subsequent investigations into the condition of the Pool. The findings will inform a funding bid for repair and refurbishment works. The fish are being saved and stored and will be returned to the pool in due course.

The following press statement has been received from Solihull Borough Council and David Wilson Homes.

“Solihull Council is pleased to confirm that it has recently exchanged contracts with David Wilson Homes, part of the Barratt Group. Working with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Meriden Parish Council, David Wilson Homes are pleased to be helping create a range of new recreation facilities on land at Hampton Lane and subject to obtaining planning approval, build an exciting new housing development on the existing Maxstoke Lane playing field site”. David Wilson Homes anticipates applying for planning permission for the residential site at Maxstoke Lane in May. Before this there will be a public consultation in Meriden that everyone can attend. In the meantime, preliminary works will start on the playing field in readiness for the main works to be carried out. Once the playing field is completed, David Wilson will be able to start work on the residential development at Maxstoke Lane.”

EXPECTED TIMETABLE January 2009 Preliminary works on the recreation site. April 2009 Public Consultation for residents of Meriden and surrounding areas. May 2009 Planning application submitted for residential site at Maxstoke Lane March 2010 Recreation facility works commence. March 2011 Completion of the new recreation facilities. May 2011 Commencement of Residential Site at Maxstoke Lane

Golden Years Social Club Corley Police Surgeries We meet on the last Tuesday in the month from Neighbourhood Police will be 2.00pm onwards at Corley Village Hall, Church Lane, Corley. attending surgeries at For a yearly subscription of £10 our members get afternoon tea each month and three outings a year, Meriden Library on lots of companionship and other social events. Why not come along and join us? th th th Mondays- 16 March, 20 April & 18 May We already have several members from Meriden between 10.00am and noon and would welcome more Please contact Sheila on 02476 460 642 if you would like to know more

Bogus Officials have been reported to be operating in and around the area On the 14.01.09 an incident took place where 2 persons claiming to be from SKY approached a house in Dorridge and were allowed entry. The homeowner was deceived into signing a form and allowing their credit card to be swiped by a hand held card device. Money has since been debited from that account. Please be vigilant andClerk be sure : Julie to Hallcheck – 111 all ID'sFillongley before Road, allowing Meriden, anyone Coventry, into your CV7 home. 7LW If you are approached by any oneTelephone that claims : 01676 to be 522727a SKY agent Email or : [email protected] that you feel is acting in a suspicious manner please call the police on 0845www.meridenparishcouncil.org.uk 1135000 or in an emergency dial 999. Meriden Parish Appraisal and Plan First successes

On 26th January, Rosie Weaver, Chair of Meriden Parish Council, and Iain Roxburgh, Chair of the Meriden Parish Appraisal Steering Group made a presentation of the results of the Parish Household Survey Questionnaire. A dedicated Community Support Officer for Meriden and Millison’s Wood is one of the promises made by the Police, Solihull Borough Council and other agencies represented on the day.

Here is a further excerpt of what they promised:

• Will look to improve our local provision of police staff for the Meriden area. Deploying a Police Community Support Officer to the village as soon as we can recruit to the role. • In order to build relationships and communication we will review our times/dates of our consultation events to ensure we reach out to as large an audience as possible. • Make sure named officers are allocated to the village. • We will support work to close the gap between young peoples’ behaviour and older peoples’ perception. • Officer to make visits to school on a regular basis. • Examine whether “Speedwatch” volunteers can give out parking advice outside schools – also additional patrols at school open/close times to address parking issues.

The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor David Bell, hosted the event at Solihull Civic Centre, with high level participation by the Borough Council, the local police commander, the Chair of Solihull Care Trust, Centro, the bus companies and the Warwickshire Rural Communities Council.

All participants promised to work with us in preparing the Parish Plan and in addressing many of the issues and challenges we have already identified in the Appraisal. Working in theme groups, we are aiming to complete the Plan by the summer. More volunteers are always welcome. Just phone or e-mail Iain Roxburgh on 01676 522496 or [email protected].

PUTTING THE HEART INTO THE CENTRE OF ENGLAND

Poems from Year 5 Predator (Emily S and Dad) Meriden School Camouflage disguise Teeth like knives ‘Inspire’workshop Eyes like fire

Some were Haiku- brief and with syllables Deadly claws. carefully counted; some were Kennings giving Supreme hunter (Andrew B and Mum) clues to the creature they described. I am the eagle So swift and powerful Forest (Thomas C and Mum) King of the blue sky. The tall canopy Vistas of falling cascades

Water becoming mist. Tropical Hunter (Ellie R and Mum) As coarse as sandpaper A forest of mist Footsteps in the crunching leaves The smells of a hunter’s fire Scents all around. Fish still. River alive.

Forest dweller (Darcie and Dad) Colourful sight (Amy B and Mum) Monkeys hanging high Butterflies flutter Screaming, prancing, playful joy Like petals flying by me A tree for a home. Over waterfalls.

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Spring events at Parkridge Centre Brueton Park Solihull

th Saturday 7 March th th Wildlife Watch Family Day- Human Bug Art ! Monday 13 – Friday 17 April 10.00am – 12pm & 10.00am – 12pm & 1.00pm – 3.00pm 1.00pm –3.00pm Children’s Workshops. Join us as we paint big bug bodies for you and your friends to Lots of different sessions throughout the school fashion. Remember to bring your camera along! Search the holidays, there’s a different theme everyday including reserve for bug inspiration. Easter egg decorating, Easter cards, life in the FREE to Watch members £4 per child for non-WWT members undergrowth, scrap heap challenge, Brilliant birds and woodland explorers Saturday 14th March £3 per child £4 for non WWT members

Nuts about Nature Club – Ponds th th 9.00am – 11.00am. Please pre-book Monday 25 - Friday 29 May 10.00am until 12pm & Cost £3 per child £4 for non WWT members 1.00pm until 3.00pm Children’s Workshops. A huge selection of workshops throughout the week, a Monday 6th – Friday 10th April 10.00am – 12pm & different activity each day including peek in the pond, 1.00pm – 3.00pm. Children’s Workshops folklore and fairytales, marvellous mayflies and flights Lots of different sessions throughout the school holidays, there’s of fancy. a different theme everyday including Easter Egg decorating, £3 per child £4 for non WWT members Easter cards, life in the undergrowth, scrap heap challenge, brilliant birds and woodland explorers To book any of these events please call £3 per child £4 for non WWT members 0121 704 0768 Saturday 11th April Nuts about NatureClub - Birds 9.00am – 11.00am. Please pre-book Similar events take place at Cost £3 per child £4 for non WWT members Brandon Marsh Centre, Brandon Lane, Coventry Wednesday Mornings Term time only 10.30 – 12.00pm For details of these please phone “Toddler Trundle” £2.50 per accompanied child, includes some outdoor activity, please ring to book 02476 302 912

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Are you having trouble managing your debts? Or need help negotiating repayment of your debts with those you owe money to? Age Concern is available to assist in money advice for those over 50 and is aware of specialist If you are, get professional advice from an issues for the elderly, including care bills independent agency that will not charge for their 0121 705 9128 services. Useful contacts: Business Debtline is available to provide Solihull Community Housing Money Advice confidential debt advice to small businesses for Council Tenants or anyone in real need. 0800 1976026 0121 717 1515 For more information on money advice, possible Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) benefit entitlement and tips to help you make your Solihull 0121 705 2212 money count for you, visit Shirley 0121 744 3238 www.solihull.gov.uk/moneycounts Chelmsley Wood 0121 779 6707

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Cyclesolihull, the volunteer-led initiative to encourage more cycling in the borough, is launching a new programme of rides, which will continue throughout the spring and summer. Last year nearly 900 people joined over forty Community Cycle Rides, which are based on the simple idea of people just turning up and choosing to ride together. Ride co-ordinator Stephen Holt hopes that even more people will discover the rides this year “The rides are for anyone who would like to get out and about on a bike for a couple of hours with a few other like-minded people. The rides are particularly suited to relatively new cyclists and families who have children who are getting used to cycling on quiet roads”. In 2009 there will be a number of different types of rides. Sunday Cycle Rides will take place most weekends from April and will be between 10 and 20 miles long depending on which of the 19 Cyclesolihull routes is being cycled. Evening Explorer Rides will be about 10 miles long and take place alternate Wednesdays during the lighter months. Occasional five mile Taster Rides will give people the opportunity to sample the rides without having to go very far. For more experienced cyclists there are also monthly Saturday Stretcher Rides which are 20-25 miles long but with no fixed route. Stephen wants to encourage as many people as possible to join in. “Cycling is a great way of bringing together people of all ages. It is great fun, good for your health and, as an added bonus, all the rides are free!” Full and up-to-date details of all Cyclesolihull rides including the remaining winter rides in March are available at www.cyclesolihull.org.uk A Riders Tale... The Cyclesolihull rides provide me with the motivation to get some fresh air and exercise. It is all-to-easy to find excuses to put off going cycling - but there’s an incentive in having a fixed date for a ride and you know that the group will be meeting up. I joined quite a few of the rides in 2008 and am looking forward to taking part in more this year, especially as the summer weather arrives. The company is good – a mix of people who all share at least a small interest in cycling, but are not ‘lycra clad racers’ – there is always someone to chat to whilst riding along and at the refreshment! I’ve also picked up a few handy hints on cycling and on equipment from some of the other riders, and learned about the existence of some traffic-free cycle routes near Cyclesolihull riders in Meriden summer 2008 Solihull town centre. Another advantage of going on the organised rides is that someone else has the responsibility to find the way. It's pleasant to be able to spend time looking at the scenery, rather than battling with an Ordnance Survey map. There are some hidden gems of villages in the countryside just outside Solihull which are all too easily missed when travelling by car, but which I now enjoy exploring by cycle. The Cyclesolihull routes visit many of these places, and have been carefully planned to take advantage of quiet lanes and so offer fun and stress-free cycling. Sarah, Solihull Rides in April & May Route Start point Date Time Miles Women on Wheels Str Brueton Park Warwick Rd Sat 4 April 10am 20-25 Cycling in Britain often seem to be done Tstr Dickens Heath Library Sun 5 April 2pm 5 primarily by men but in countries where S1 Dorridge Rail station Sun 12 April 2pm 9 cycling is just a normal way of getting around, M1 Shirley Park behind Aldi Sun 19 April 2pm 15 the ladies are often in the majority! S2 Knowle parish church Sun 26 April 2pm 9 Cyclesolihull would particularly like to see Str Dickens Heath library Sat 2 May 10am 20-25 more women coming on the rides. “Typically Tstr Cheswick Green shops Mon 4 May 2pm 5 about one third of the riders are female but we L1 Balsall common Library Sun 10 May 2pm 20 would like to get that to 50%! Once women S3 Cath de Barnes Boat Inn Wed 13 May 7pm 9 discover the rides they often become some of M2 Bentley Heath park car park Sun 17 May 2pm 16 the most enthusiastic riders and don’t seem to S4 Dickens Heath Library Sun 24 May 2pm 9 be put off by the rain as much as the men ! S5 Meriden The Green Wed 27 May 7pm 10 M3 Hockley Heath Post Office Sun 31 May 2pm 17

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Don’t forget the Meriden Mag has its own web National Blood Service 0845 771 1711 site, where you can view back issues or friends The next session for blood donors will be rd and relatives not in the area can catch up on Thursday April 23 at the local news Heart of England Social Club www.meridenmag.co.uk 1.30-3.30pm & 4.30-7.30pm Appointments available by calling 0845 771 1711 GO AND LEARN UK

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A Coventry Way

Challenge 2009

This year the Challenge event will be held on Sunday 5th April. Many of you will know that this will be the annual Challenge event, and that in all previous years it was held on the first Sunday in September. The change of date has a number of advantages: Checkpoint at Brinklow • Avoids clashing with the many other events held in September.

• The above leads to improving the chances of attracting more entries.

• April is the school holiday period. Anne Wade will be contacting local schools to attract younger entrants.

• Whilst the weather and daylight hours are similar, the growth season of unwanted vegetation will not be fully underway. After the first ever “wet” event in September 2008, we hope that April 2009 will be dry and sunny, with the snow not too deep (On 6th April 2008 it snowed in Meriden!) Participants start from Meriden village hall. Most Walkers start at 6:00am, most Runners at 9:00 or 10:00 and most relay teams at 11:00 – but others start at times in between, the most important requirement being that they finish the 40-mile route back to Meriden by 21:00! Some people take part in less challenging ways, ranging from a short walk (such as Walk 21), or just part of the 40-mile route (then returning another year to do the rest). The fastest runner to complete the 40-mile route took 5hrs 22mins – in 1999. When Tom Swift's Grandfather Ken completed the 40 miles in 2004, Ken, Mark and Tom achieved a first for three generations of one family to have completed the 40 miles. One person who was blind has run the route. Maybe you would like to try and beat those! However the main reason for taking up the challenge in one form or another is to get some enjoyable exercise in good company. If you would like to participate, please join us. See our website at www.acoventryway.org.uk or phone Bob Carey on 024 7645 5251 for details. If participating in such a challenge is not your cup of tea, then come along to Meriden village hall at any time between 6:00am and 9:00pm to watch, support those who are taking up the challenge, or maybe even have a cup of tea. ACWA members will be available most of the day (just wait a few minutes if they are all frantically sorting out a crowd about to start, or welcoming participants returning triumphant), and can give you any information you need about A Coventry Way.

Spring Fayre ZOE’S MARKET Plants 3,The Green, Meriden cards 01676522822 Saturday March 14th cakes chocolates 10.00am-4.00pm jewellery RC Church Meeting Vegetables leather goods House Lane Balsall Fruit books Common Pet Foods childrens lucky 6 Balsall Common ladies will Fresh Farm Eggs dip be cycling from home to Paris Aloe vera in aid of 6 different charities, Fresh Fish delivered products this event is to support the every Thursday, orders welcome refreshments charities. Frozen Fish always in stock Tree of Thought 2008 I can advise that the Tree raised £2,310 for Macmillan The Farm Shop Cancer Support, which, allowing for the financial Berkswell Traditional circumstances being faced by everyone is an excellent achievement. Farmstead Meats My sincere thanks go to all the individuals who once again Larges Farm Back Lane Meriden supported such a worthwhile cause. In view of the Tel & fax 01676 522409 pressures with which they are confronted, the contributions made by our local businesses and other www.farmsteadmeats.co.uk organisations were appreciated more than ever. For meats of outstanding quality & Acknowledgements go to:- Lord and Lady Aylesford, flavour DeMulder Enterprises, Rockwell, Cassidy Developments, • Fresh Turkeys, geese, cockerels and ducks N.E. Hawthorne and Son, Groundwork Cov and Warks, • Licensed to sell Game Cogent Elliot, Paul Ryan, Centre Charity Shop Spar Shop. • All cuts of beef including beef on the bone Sadly, as was all too apparent, the tree itself was not a • Superb home made sausages & burgers good specimen. Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of this until • Free Range Chickens it was too late. Woods Farm were most apologetic and • Famous Berkswell Ewes Milk Cheese agreed to cancel the invoice. They have assured me • Traditional pork with real crackling absolute care will be taken with next year’s tree.I thank • Real home cured bacon them for their response. The money that the tree would Warwickshire’s only accredited traditional have cost was included in the amount raised. breeds butcher Dedication Day was enjoyed by all; it is a joy to see the enthusiasm of the participating children. Thanks go to

Listed as one of Rick Stein’s “Food Heroes” Carol Maclure, Rev Dawkins, Ron Potter, and Clive Jones

Phil Tuckey who looked after the electrical side and Steve’s Industries. Opening Hours Also thanks to the village businesses that displayed “The Country Monday –closed dedication forms and had counter collections. Tuesday to Saturday Butcher” 9.00am-5.00pm I am still awaiting the figure collected by the Wishing Sunday 9.00am-1.00pm Well at Notcutts, which will be passed on to Macmillan. Believe me, I am deeply aware of the amazing work done by the Macmillan Nurses and I am absolutely certain that Why do banks charge a fee on “insufficient the Meriden Tree helps to fulfill a true need. funds” when they already know there is not Thank-you Alan Lole enough money? Organiser. AA.. PPEETTTTIIFFOORR && SSOONN LLTTDD

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Village Diary

DATE EVENT VENUE TIME CONTACT 2nd March W I Village Hall 7.30pm Joan Russell 522666 3rd March Rotary Celebrity Evening Manor Hotel 7.30pm Jane Maugham 01827 68271 6th March Women’s World Day of Methodist Church 2.00pm Rev Andrew Charlesworth Prayer 533737 11th March Parish Council meeting Village Hall 7.30pm Julie Hall 522727 11th March Readers Circle 7.30pm Sue Fuller 522721 16th March Flower Club Village Hall 7.30pm Sandra Jones 523023 16th March Community Surgery Library 10.00am 522717 19th March Cricket Club Quiz Night Queen’s Head Pub 8.00pm Mike 07775 567889 20th March Firs Coffee Morning Jubilee Centre B.C. 10.00- 12 noon Malcolm Gratton 523505 22nd March Mothering Sunday Service Methodist Church 10.30am Rev Charlesworth 533737 23rd March Parish Council Meeting Village Hall 7.30pm Julie Hall 522727 27th March CAMEO Community Centre 2.00pm Ellen 522534 29th March Clocks go forward 3rd April Black Country Evening H of E Club 7.30pm Mary Warr 522160 3rd April Easter Service Meriden School 9.10am Mrs Smith 522488 5th April Palm Sunday Service Methodist Church 10.30am Rev Charlesworth 533737 5th April Coventry Challenge Walk Village Hall Bob Carey 02476 455251 6th April W.I. Village Hall 7.30pm Joan Russell 522666 7th April Firs Trip to Windsor Frank Byrne 02476 713662 7th April Cricket Club nets practice Queens Head 6.00pm Mike 07775 567889 8th April Readers Circle 7.30pm Sue Fuller 522721 9th April Coffee morning Library 10.00-12 noon 522717 9th April Maundy Service Methodist Church 6.00pm Rev Andrew Charlesworth 533737 10th April Good Friday Devotion St. Laurence Church 12 noon Rev Dawkins 522719 12th April Easter Day Service Methodist Church 10.30am Rev Andrew Charlesworth Holy Communion 533737 15th April Parish Council Meeting Village Hall 7.30pm Julie Hall 522727 15th April Supper Club Methodist Church 7.00pm Maureen Gabbitas 522148 17th April Firs Coffee Morning Jubilee Centre B.C. 10.00- 12 noon Malcolm Gratton 523505 20th April Flower Club Village Hall 7.30pm Sandra Jones 523023 20th April Community Surgery Library 10.00am 522717 23rd April Blood Donors H of E Club 1.30 – 3.30pm & 0845 771 1711 4.30 – 7.30pm 24th April CAMEO Community Centre 2.00pm Ellen 522534 26th April Bluebell Walk Millison’s Wood 2.00pm 27th April Parish Council Meeting Village Hall 7.30pm Julie Hall 522727 2nd May Variety Show Methodist Church 7.00pm Marion Theobold 523475 5th May Meriden Mag Deadline 522963 or 522453 6th May W I (note Wednesday) Village Hall 7.30pm Joan Russell 522666 10th May Knowle Fun Run Simon Newell 07770641027 13th May Readers Circle 7.30pm Sue Fuller 522721 13th May Parish Council Village Hall 7.30pm Julie Hall 522727 15th May Firs Coffee Morning Jubilee Centre B.C. 10.00- 12 noon Malcolm Gratton 523505 17th May Cyclists Service Village Green 11.00am Rev Dawkins 522719 18th May Flower Club Village Hall 7.30pm Sandra Jones 523023 18th May Community Surgery Library 10.00am 522717 20th May W I Group Meeting Allesley Village Hall 2.30pm Joan Russell 522666 22nd May CAMEO Community Centre 2.00pm Ellen 522534 27th May Cyclesolihull ride Village Green 7.00pm Out and About this Spring

Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens These interesting Gardens in Castle Bromwich were sadly neglected and lost beneath a mass of tangled vegetation. In 1985 a trust was established to restore the gardens back to their former magnificence. The period of restoration is set at 1680-1740 with historically correct plants now established. An added feature is The Holly Maze, which is based on the design at Hampton Court. The Gardens are easily accessible by car from Meriden on the B4118 Chester Road.

Open Weekend afternoons in March April to October Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays Admission Charge Special Events Easter Event Saturday 11th April 1-4.30pm Stalls, Children’s entertainer and Hat Parade Morris Minor Club Rally Sunday 26th April Rare Plant Sale Sunday 3rd May Children’ Fun Day Sunday 24th May

*Coffee Shop * Gift shop* Plant Sales *Free Guided Tours * Group Visits

The Knowle Fun Run Sunday May 10th Easter Egg Trails The website, www.KnowleFunRun.org.uk is at Baddesley Clinton on Sunday now open for entries for this year’s 5-mile th run and children’s mini runs on 12 April and Packwood House th Sunday 10 May. This year’s on Monday 13th April charities are Macmillan, Whizz-Kidz, 11.30am-3.30pm Lions Sight First ll (£3 per trail) as well as local causes.

What’s on at the NEC

Sewing For Pleasure and Hobbycrafts Spring Flowers

12-15 March Bluebell Walk at Millison’s Wood National Home Building & Renovating Sunday 26th April at 2.00pm. 19-22 March It’s a fantastic sight, a carpet of bluebells come and join the British Open Show Jumping Park Ranger and see for yourself. Championships 16-19 April And finally don’t forget the wonderful Gadget Show Live display of Daffodils at Baddesley Clinton 17-19 April

Rotary Club of Meriden Celebrity Evening

The Manor Hotel 2009 rd Tuesday 3 March The Meriden Festival will start on the 7.30pm th th weekend May 16 –17 with the Cyclist’s Service on The Green at 11.00am on the Speakers Bruce Grobbelaar,ex Liverpool Sunday. Goalkeeper and Steve Tandy comedian Other events include The Centre Celebration th on the Green on Saturday June 13 and Jazz Tickets priced at £20 to include 3-course dinner by the Lake is also planned for June. Available from Jane Maugham 01827 68271

More details in the Summer Mag. Proceeds will go to the President’s Charity Or contact David Maugham 01827 68271 The DebRA appeal

Don’t forget to put your clock News from the Post Office forward one hour on Postage Price Rise from 6th April th Standard letter rates will be:- Sunday 29 March 1st class 39p nd 2 class 30p Congratulations to When contacting advertisers please Sue and Reg Harper who are celebrating 25 years at Meriden mention The Meriden Mag Post Office in MayMayMay

Reminder!! Deadline date for the summer issue BICKENHILL PUBLIC WASTE DISPOSAL SITE (Out by 1stJune) Tuesday 5th May 2009 OPENING HOURS Val Martin 174 Main Road, Meriden Winter 1st November – 31st March 01676 522963 Monday – Friday 8.00am – 6.00pm [email protected] Saturday & Sunday 8.00am - 4.00pm Margaret Argyle 3 The Croft, Meriden 01676 522453 Summer 1st April – 31st October [email protected] Monday – Friday 8.00am – 8.00pm Treasurer: Adele Fox 16 James Dawson Drive Meriden Saturday & Sunday 8.00am – 4.00pm Deliveries: Mandy & Doug Bacon Last admission 15 minutes before closing time Proof Reader: Claire Rose MAG ADVERTISING RATES Useful Village Contact Numbers Eighth Page £8.50 Meriden Primary School Mrs. J. Smith 01676 522488 Meriden Library 01676 522717 Quarter Page £17.00 Meriden Surgery 01676 522252 Half page £34.00 Lloyds Chemist 01676 522722 Small ads (sale or wanted) St. Laurence Church Rev.Michael Dawkins 01676 522719 Meriden Methodist Church Rev. Andrew Charlesworth 01676 533737 £3.00 Meriden Christian Fellowship Pstr. Kevin & Lyn Hunt 01676 523050 Charity & Community Parish Council Julie Hall (Clerk) 01676 522727 information & events FREE Community Centre Warden Pat Delaney 01676 522867 Views expressed by the Solihull M B C 0121 704 6000 District Councillors Ken Allsopp 0121 782 2408 Contributors are not necessarily David Bell 01676 535211 those of the Co-editors Dr. Peter Lea 01676 532577 We are unable to print anonymous Member of Parliament Caroline Spelman 020 7219 4189 Letters or articles although we will Boy Scouts Group Gerry Russell 01676 522666 withhold name and address on Cricket Club Mike Gallagher 01676 521085 request Post Office Sue Harper 01676 522230 Rural Police Sector WPC Sharon Williams 0845 113 5000