Parish Magazine, May 2018

The Parish Magazine May/June For the Churches and Community of Albrighton & District

2020

Pentecost

______online edition

Who’s Who in the United Benefice

Vicar: The Revd Mary Thomas The Vicarage, High Street, Albrighton WV7 3EQ 01902 373415 Email: [email protected]

Curate: The Revd Ana Lawrence 2 Garridge Close, Albrighton, WV7 3PZ 01902 373031 Email: [email protected]

Reader: Bill Sharples 01902 372469 Email: [email protected]

Baptism & Wedding Enquiries For further information about how to book a baptism or wedding, please look at the website: www.albrightonparishchurch.org.uk or contact the Church Office on 01902 373160 or by email: [email protected]. The office is staffed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am-1 pm.

St. Mary Magdalene, Albrighton Churchwardens: Andrea Tyerman 01902 374055 Chris Cherrington 01902 374687 PCC Secretary: Lydia Radigan [email protected] Safeguarding: Kim Hodgkins 01543 306030 Sunday School: Paul Fisher 01902 373851 Messy Church: Josie Fisher 01902 373851 Bell Ringers: Jan Bumford 01902 372010 Ladies’ Link Josie Fisher 01902 373851 Organist Gerald Leach 01902 372288 United Benefice Pastoral Pam Slater 01902 372436 Visiting Co-ordinator St. Cuthbert, Donington Churchwardens: John Purchase 01902 373773 Jan Concannon 01952 253660 Churchwarden Emeritus Len Warrilow 01902 373799 PCC Secretary: Francis Quilter 01902 375940 St. Chad, Boningale Churchwardens: Pauline Hill 01902 372758 Trevor Elton 01902 789561 PCC Secretary: Jess Harper 07767 390860

The Parish Magazine

Editor: Margaret Leach 17 High Street, Albrighton 01902 372288 Email: [email protected]

Advertising: Denise Cherrington 2 Mayfair Close, Albrighton 01902 374687 Email: [email protected]

Distribution: Bill Tennant 11 Lyncroft, Albrighton 01902 372717 Mandy Murphy 8 Lyncroft, Albrighton 01902 372319

The next issue of the magazine is likely to be an online version also. Print production and distribution will begin again as soon as it is safe to do so.

The views expressed in articles and letters published in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or the United Benefice. The inclusion of advertisements does not mean that they are endorsed by the Editor or the United Benefice.

DEAR FRIENDS,

______Thoughts from the Vicarage...

In our prayers: "And God said, ‘I have set my rainbow in the clouds, +Michael, +Sarah, AD and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever the rainbow appears in the Paul and the Senior Staff clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting team as they continue to covenant between God and all the living creatures of lead and guide the Clergy every kind on the earth." and people of the Genesis 9.13 &16 Diocese. During this season of Covid-19 signs of hope, solidarity, support and gratitude have appeared in windows, on Confirmation Candidates: doors and walls across our community. The rainbow Lesley, Joanne, Luke, has become the symbol for these times. In the Bible the book of Genesis Adam, Steven and Emily. tells of how, after the Great Flood which Noah and his family survived in the Ark, the rainbow was a sign of God's covenant with Noah and his Local Businesses, Schools, descendants that this would never happen again. It can also be seen as a and all who keep our picture of God's beauty and holiness, “Like the appearance of a rainbow in community running the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the smoothly as they appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” (Ezekiel 1:28 :) continue to face challenges posed by So how are you? Has lockdown been a relief from the daily grind? A Covid-19. burden to be borne? Or, a mixture of both? As a Vicar and Priest, I used to ______be in and out of the church all the time. The last time I led a service in St NHS staff, Albrighton Mary Magdalene church was on Mothering Sunday 23rd March. On that Medical Practice, those day, there were only two of us in the building and the outer door was who are working in Care closed. It felt strangely profound to be in the holiest part of the church, Homes as they care for praying prayers and using words that have been said through the ages the most vulnerable. amidst those prayer-soaked walls. The following evening, lockdown was ______imposed. Churches remain closed for public worship. Those who are in need: But, it's only the building that is closed, the church (as people) is very much Lesley & family, family & alive and well. Worship services have moved online or are being broadcast friends of Alan, Jenny & over the telephone; coffee mornings, quizzes and meetings are taking place family, Janet, Bill H, David via video-conferencing platforms; pastoral care and funeral 'visits' are and all who have asked being done over the 'phone. We have also partnered with the Red House, for our prayers. Melville Club and Parish Council to deliver groceries to those in most need ______through the Albrighton Flyer - thank you to everyone who has brightened We remember with my day with a smile and a conversation when I've joined Ken and Phil on thankfulness: David the bus. Clark, Alan Cresswell, Vernon Glanville Norman, This strange season in which we find ourselves will be with us for some Robert John Thompson & time, it seems. Whilst we're apart, know that the love of God is constant Jayne Richardson. and far reaching, our community is being held in prayer and, in every act of kindness, the love of God is made known. With my love and prayers, Mary x

Sunday Worship This week the theme of our worship is: The Importance of Prayer. Jess Harper is leading with Kevin Lawrence reading the Gospel, Evelyn Harper leading the reflection and Lydia Radigan our Prayers of Intercession. The service will be available on our website, www.stmarysparishchurch.org.uk,

on our Facebook pages (@stmarysalbrighton, @stcuthbertsdonington, or @stchadboningale and YouTube: @UnitedBeneficeabd: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCen1APsj7d419bRJre1wgNw?view_as=subscriber

or over the telephone: 01902 906507 You can call at any time to suit you. (Calls charged at local rates.)

'Quiet Reflections' @ St. Chad, Boningale In these unprecedented times, meeting to enjoy a time of Prayer and Reflection among the quiet surrounds of St Chads Church is not possible, so our Quiet Days have gone electronic.

We currently have Prayers, Reflections and suggested Bible readings based around the 'Footprints' poem and these are available via mail and email. If you would like to receive these reflection sheets please email [email protected] or contact Evelyn on 07767 009 634.

PASTORAL CARE

Whilst our churches may be closed, we are still very much here. Our Benefice Pastoral Care team has been doing a fantastic job of keeping in touch with people over the telephone. If you would like a telephone call, or know someone who would appreciate one (with their permission), please let us know.

Office: 01902 373160 or email: [email protected]

Albrighton Flyer Mobile Shop

Contact Ken on 07543 869754 if you would like the Flyer to pop by with some essentials.

ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S TONG

Minister in Charge: The Revd. Preb. Pippa Thorneycroft 01902 375523

Funeral: On 2nd May at Telford Crematorium - Susan Helliwell. Our sympathy is extended to her husband Keith, son and daughter Martin and Sophie, and her beloved grandchildren Amelia, Aggie and Sam. Her death was not Coronavirus-related.

Golden Chapel and South Porch Thanks to the technology we have nowadays, the PCC members have been kept informed of the results of the 4 companies tendering for the next phase of work at Tong and the steering group has had two virtual meetings on Microsoft Teams with the architects. The result is that we have appointed Treasure & Son of Ludlow for the contract which is multifaceted and includes a substantial amount of woodwork. Treasures have their own in-house joinery shop, which was an added attraction. The bulk of the work will be both inside and outside the Golden Chapel and South Porch, but there is the need for some specialised stonework, including re-siting the alabaster top of Humphrey Vernon’s tomb, cleaning the Coade stone coat of arms and preserving the sandstone relief of Tong castle which has sat on the floor of the porch for 30 or more years, but will be raised and securely fixed to the wall. In addition the Chancellor has given permission to put glass doors at the main entrance, though the medieval ones will remain in place, but open during the daytime. The work is scheduled to start mid/end June, more than three years after starting the whole process. Our next project will be the heating and also toilet/kitchen but as there is no ideal solution to the latter, we are not optimistic that we will succeed in getting a faculty quickly. Whilst going through many Tong papers during lockdown, it is obvious that the heating has been discussed for 50 years without resolution, and the toilet/kitchen for more than 20! Can we crack it this time?

ALBRIGHTON FLOWER CLUB It is with regret that our meetings have had to be cancelled and our programme of activities curtailed. However we hope to resume our meetings beginning in September providing the present situation will allow the opening of the Red House. In the mean time we would like to convey our best wishes to all members of Flower Club and look forward to seeing you in the near future for more delightful evenings of flowers and friendship. Val Kirton

ST MARY'S, SHIFNAL & ST JOSEPH'S, ALBRIGHTON Registered Charity number: 234025

Parish Administrator: Father Tom Cunnah Resident at: Cathedral House, 11 Belmont, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TE 01743 290 000 [email protected]

COVID-19 PANDEMIC: During the current restrictions designed to slow the spread of the virus, there will be NO PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF MASS. During this time the Bishops have assured us that we have an excuse for not meeting our Sunday obligation to attend Mass such that this need not weigh on our consciences. Mass will still be celebrated for the intentions of our Parish with only the Priest present at the times shown below so that we can all join in in an act of Spiritual Communion.

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION: This is an act of prayer to use when we cannot be present at Mass. A good prayer to make in seeking to be spiritually united to the Mass, perhaps at the times that Mass is being celebrated in our Churches, might be:

“Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I seek to love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally at the Mass, I pray that you will come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen”

To make this act of Spiritual Communion is an example of how we can be together spiritually and in prayer for the time that we cannot gather together physically.

The Current Mass Schedule is as follows: Sunday 9.00 am St Mary’s, Shifnal Sunday 10.30 am St Joseph’s, Albrighton Monday 12 noon Clergy House Chapel, Shrewsbury Tuesday 12 noon Clergy House Chapel, Shrewsbury Wednesday 6.30 pm Clergy House Chapel, Shrewsbury Thursday 12 noon Clergy House Chapel, Shrewsbury Friday 12 noon Clergy House Chapel, Shrewsbury Saturday 12 noon Clergy House Chapel, Shrewsbury Live stream Services are available on The Diocese of Shrewsbury Website http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/live-masses. The Schedule includes daily Mass at 12.15 (Mon – Sat), Sunday Masses at 8.30 am and 10.45 am.

WEEKLY LIVESTREAM OF EPISCOPAL MASSES: each Thursday at 7.00 pm a Catholic Bishop will celebrate a livestreamed Mass in solidarity with NHS and care workers and those who are sick and grieving to show a spiritual solidarity. Details are included in advance in our weekly newsletters available each week. If you would like to receive the newsletter and/or other parish and Diocesan notices/information by email, please send a request to the email address at the top of this page.

MESSAGES FROM OUR BISHOPS: Many of us will have heard Cardinal Nichols’ interview on the Today Programme in which he urged our Government carefully to consider the possibilities for the reopening of Churches, at least for private prayer. Our own Bishop Mark, too, has made contribution to that debate, reflecting on the priorities which we would all wish to give to the practice of our faith. Bishop Mark’s article can be read here: http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/news/keeping- churches-closed-while-allowing-garden-centres-to-open-is-regrettable-says-bishop-of-shrewsbury

Minister: Rev. Hendry Ponniah Tel: 01952 460600

First of all, may I start with greetings to all of our many friends within the Albrighton community. We can assure you that we are missing seeing you all just as much as you are, I am sure, missing your regular contact with us and the activities that you attend on our premises. Closing the doors of our church on March 15th was a very sad day indeed - and one I never thought I would see. But we knew it was the right thing to do - as was proved just a few days later when the Government instructed all public buildings to shut down.

As I sat down to write this short piece, I was reminded of some words from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. You might not have heard of that name, but many of you will recognise the opening words of Chapter 3: “For everything there is a season . . .” It is quite often read at funerals and back in the late 1950s Pete Seeger set the words to music (“Turn, Turn, Turn”) and a few years later The Byrds took the song to No.1 in the American pop charts.

Over the last 9 weeks, Albrighton Methodists have experienced quite a few of the “times” referred to in that passage from Ecclesiastes:

 “A time to refrain from embracing”: Well this one speaks for itself! No handshakes (or hugs) on a Sunday morning; social distancing outside shops and on our local public footpaths. But well done to everyone for sticking so well to the advice - it has paid off.

 “A time to build up”: Losing the physical contact, whether meeting together in church on a Sunday or at the Café means we have had to seek new ways to support and care for one another. A bi- weekly newsletter sent out to over 30 of our members by email has helped us all stay in touch and share our thoughts and concerns.

 “A time to sew”: One of our members made 200 face masks for home carers working for a company in Shifnal during April, ably assisted by members of the church who dug into their sewing boxes to find elastic, ribbon and bias binding (no, me neither!) for the ties.

 “A time to keep silence, and a time to speak”: We discovered the joys of “meeting” together on Zoom. But also, that it doesn’t work if everyone tries to talk at the same time!

 “A time to mourn”: Sadly, several members and friends have lost loved ones - family and friends - over the lockdown period and we have shared with them in our thoughts and prayers. One of the saddest consequences, shared by so many across the country, has been our inability to attend the funerals of those we have loved and lost - not least, our own member, Steve Owen, who died peacefully in The Cedars on April 11th.

 “A time to keep”: Hopefully, those of you who were able to get into the village, even occasionally, during lockdown have noticed that, although the building may have been closed, we have kept updating and renewing our displays in the church entrance. This is a sign to everyone passing by that the Church is not the building, but the people - and that we still care for every one of you, even though the doors may be locked.

 “A time to love”: Most of all, we continue to go on loving - our family, our friends, our neighbours, our community. So many people in this community have gone out of their way over the last 9 weeks to follow Jesus’ commandment to “Love your neighbour as yourself”. I believe this proves not only what a caring, loving community we are so fortunate to live in, but also that the fundamentals of the Christian faith are as vital and relevant today as when Jesus Christ lived on earth 2000 years ago.

As Christians, we believe in a God who does not desert us, whatever trials we face in life. The words of Psalm 46 are as true today as they were 2500 years ago: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear . . .” And, for that reason, we know that one day - we don’t quite know when - we will reopen our doors. And our services, our Café, and all the other activities you all know and love will start again. And we will be there to welcome you all back. David Corden

I am sure our followers will realise and understand that at this moment in time, we are unable to continue with our programme of monthly films. Hopefully, the present situation will improve and we will be able, though with some changes, to continue in the Autumn with films we had previously booked for your entertainment.

We would like to thank everyone of our past audiences, send our good wishes and live in the hope of seeing you all again at the Red House with more enjoyable films. Val Kirton

Chuckle Corner

Cheers The restaurant where I took my two sons for a meal was crowded with fans watching a sporting event on TV. The harried waitress took our order, but more than half an hour passed with no sign of her return. I was trying to keep my children from becoming restless when suddenly shouts of victory came from the bar. “Hey,” commented my 11- year-old, “it sounds as if someone just got his food.”

Trouble The minister’s son had just received a bad report from school. Seeking to distract his father, he asked: “Dad, what do you think is the trouble with me? Heredity, environment or just plain original sin?”

Friends of Albrighton Swimming Pool Lottery

The draw took place on Friday 24th April 2020. All supporters whose funds had been paid into our bank account by the 21st of each month were included in the draw.

April 2020 draw results: The total prize fund this month was £515.00 distributed as follows:

First prize £206.00 12 Anon Second prize £103.00 201 Anon (redonated) Third £51.50 18 Lucy Stevenson Fourth £51.50 105 Anon Fifth £20.60 120 Pauline Kelly (redonated) Sixth £20.60 91 Jan Medlicott Seventh £20.60 142 Pauline Harrison (redonated) Eighth £20.60 233 Anon Ninth £20.60 112 Anon Tenth Lucky Dip 67 Philip Gee Eleventh Lucky Dip 25 Anon Twelfth Lucky Dip 117 Sheila Lockley

Just a note from us to say, we are still here! Though we cannot meet in person right now (and we look forward to when we can meet again) all our leaders are working behind the scenes and online to keep the Scouting spirit going for 1st Albrighton. Online meets, badge work, videos and ideas have been flying back and forth. Quite a few of our Beavers took part in the National Scouting effort for The Great Indoors and The Big Night In to “Hike to the Moon”, using their allocated daily exercise to help hit the target and raising money for Comic Relief and Children in Need in the process. Currently the total raised across the board is £240, 000. We are so proud that our Beavers here in Albrighton have played their part in helping. We are still asking for all former Beavers/Cubs/Scouts from 1st Albrighton over the last 80 years please get in touch if they have any historical information/photos/artefacts to add to our archive collection, though for now, with face-to-face meets suspended we would ask you to contact us on the following email address; [email protected].

The courts are open for members and those interested in joining. We have guidelines in place to fall in line with the current situation. Currently as at 19.5.20 you can play doubles with members of your own household and singles against anyone. If you are interested in joining please contact Pete Jewell 01902 372925.

Albric WI Albric is due to celebrate its 54th birthday in September, I wonder if we will be able to celebrate in our usual style, dinner, entertainment and being together with our friends. It seems a little unlikely at the moment. There has been a WI in our Perhaps inevitably the original is complete without its WI, and village since just after the First group, with an ageing definitely not a village as diverse World War when the original membership, was unable to and lively as Albrighton. Albrighton WI was formed. It continue and the dynamic Albric When this pandemic is over was an immediate success and grew and flourished. what would be nicer than membership was so sought History unfortunately seems to celebrating with friends over after that a waiting list was be repeating itself. Although dinner and entertainment. needed! Albric had a very healthy Get in touch: email membership last year of 64 the [email protected] In the 1960s the bright young bright young things are not so things coming into the young any more. We need an Look forward to meeting you expanding village joined the WI injection of younger women with Carol Forshaw but membership was large and fresh ideas who want to get President Albric WI unmanageable so they decided together with friends and make For further information on our to form a new more modern and a difference. Could that be you? future programme and other lively group and named it Albric. The WI is a great campaigning activities visit our website at So for several years there were organisation and has a lot to www.albricwi.org.uk two WIs in the village. offer all age groups. No village

DONINGTON & ALBRIGHTON LOCAL NATURE RESERVE sessions so leaving some paths Not everything has been turned and bridges in need of repair, upside down by the ongoing but solitary volunteers have global epidemic. The Natural been doing the odd tidying up World has carried on jobs here and there, both in the regardless, and in most cases Meadow and in the has actually flourished in our Conservation Area. absence. Oblivious to the stresses with which we are all We have all become more struggling Nature has continued The Nature Reserve has of aware of our natural its relentless pursuance of the course been the perfect place to surroundings. This crisis has cycle of life and has therefore experience the annual helped us realise how valuable given many of us a feeling of explosion of life. Our volunteers the Reserve is to us, as much if stability, something on which to have been unable to carry out not more than to Nature. anchor ourselves. their monthly maintenance Clare Bolitho

RNLI ALBRIGHTON BRANCH

Although all fund raising for the RNLI has been cancelled for the foreseeable future, the stations round the country have been fully manned and have been in use. Now that swimming is allowed there is a warning about swimming in the sea because the Life Guards are not working.

On a local note we get a phone call regularly from our regional manager who had some good news for our branch. Three of the committee have been put forward to receive a 30 years or more medal for service for the RNLI. Yvonne Riley (chairman) 372007

ALBRIGHTON CRAFT GROUP

Well, who would have thought to our community. Along with a as individuals who have we would be in this awful few friends we have also made requested them. We would like situation! Thank goodness for the pairs of hearts which have to thank all those who have this wonderful group of ladies, been sent to the local hospitals supported us by donating who have certainly not let this to give comfort to those in need supplies to enable us to make get us down. Your local craft at this time. At the time of them. group have been very busy writing we are busy with making sharing the love in our village. the wash bags: over 250 so far Keep safe everyone please Have you noticed the Rainbows along with face mask savers follow our Facebook page in various shop windows! We and now also face masks. Albrighton Craft Group for any have made these to show our These have and are being further updates. thanks and appreciation to distributed to those in need, these individuals for their hospitals, care homes and Jan Gold continued support and service carers in our community as well

ALBRIGHTON ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION Chairman: Mike Thomas, 01952 460759; Secretary: John Foster, 01902 372125. Treasurer: Ron Hynes, 01902 373367.

April 2020 probably let matters ride until with the potatoes was that in I have to report that the next year. those days potatoes were Allotment Association is in good stored in clamps. These were What we will miss is the order, despite the Coronavirus made up of a straw base, the Albrighton Fayre, along with pandemic, it is said that it’s an ill potatoes were stacked in a many other village wind that blows nobody any wedge formation, then straw organisations; it was a major good: prior to the lock down was laid on them, then earth fund raiser for us. Without this coming into force we had about was mounded up with just the injection of cash we may have to six plots for rent - they were straw protruding through the review our finances more taken up at the speed of light. top, which allowed the potatoes closely next year. to breath. The problem with It has been a renaissance for The current issues do tend to 1947 was the intense frost had the allotment site, with the focus the mind on what to plant; frozen the clamps solid, the restrictions, you can work all that is if you can purchase any potatoes were inaccessible. day on your plot and more than seeds! I am of a certain age! When finally the frost lifted, it maintaining social distance of And I do remember the winter of had penetrated the actual two metres and still have 1947, potatoes were in very potatoes, so they were frosted: conversations and in the fresh short supply, the weekly rations you have to have actually air: what more can you want! had been cut despite the war smelled rotting potatoes - it’s a

ending in 1945, bread was on smell you do not forget. Having We like many other ration for the first time! This was said all that, a lot of us have organisations have a financial due to the partition of Germany planted extra potatoes, if year that runs from April to April, into four administrative zones everything else is in short when we convene our AGM; this controlled by the victorious supply you can always make a has been postponed, maybe powers, Russia; America; meal of egg and chips; in fact until next year; we did not have France & Britain; each power that was the highlight of the any earth shattering issues to was responsible for feeding the week then. deal with, so we will most civilian population. The problem John Foster.

Lots to look forward to at Albrighton & District Historical Society The bombshell that is CV19 has of course hit the country and our little part of it for six. From our point of view, it really is a great pity because we were making lots of progress on a number of fronts we had been planning for some time. We were well on target to beat all records for membership and attendance at our talks. We had really great numbers to our talks on Waterloo, Bournville and the Shrewsbury Chronicle. I just knew we would have many more interested in our talk on Wroxeter and in May, Mary Quant. The good news is we have re booked both of those talks for next year. In addition we have secured the ever popular Max Keen: he will be doing a talk in his unique way about a key event or person yet to be decided. An active archive group had made a good start on the Society archive; our aim was to make it accessible to all. We were well into Parish Council affairs from the 1940s and 50s. We can pick this up soon, we hope. If you recall; the Wolverhampton Archaeology Group had worked with us to find the lost Market House of Albrighton. This was on the village green opposite the Crown. They had just finalised the report and we were planning to do a talk and release the report at a reasonable cost. We also had plans to work on the vicarage lawn where we think an earlier market site might have been. This may be possible as it is self-contained and will not be open as the last site was. In addition we have exchanged emails with Penny Higgs from Oakland House and we may be able to extend some test sites in that location. Who knows, we may find the old manor house! Other than this we made a good start selling the second edition of Ernie Howell’s book ‘120 Years in Albrighton’. It might be that we need to add a chapter when all this CV19 is over. We still have copies if you want one: call John Stretton on 01902 820674. Gaynor Richards has nearly completed the massive task of transcribing all the Ron Watson interview tapes. These give a fantastic insight into the village going back into the 1920s. We have plans for a new book. For VE Day, we put up a display in the Red House windows and put the display as a presentation on our website under special events: go and have a look. Finally if you want to keep in touch why not join our Facebook page or/and look at our website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AlbrightonHistory or on the internet albrightonhistory.wix.com/adhs All the best from Albrighton & District Historical Society Come and Join Us!

Chuckle Corner Crowd The new minister, encouraged by the numbers in church for his first sermon, began: “I have never had the pleasure of preaching to such a dense crowd before.”

MELVILLE CLUB Well, Covid 19 has now arrived and caused life threating changes.. Oracle still advises: Keep bashing on and all will come good. Have you all been enjoying the wonderful weather at least that has kept us smiling?

Covid 19 Virus. As you are all aware the Melville Club had to close its doors, indeed until further notice. Most important you must all stay safe and well. Thank God for tinned tomatoes and toilet rolls… (!!). Due to the current situation this write up will be an abridged version online only ~ unfortunately..

Activities. As you will appreciate all the Melville activities have come to a shuddering halt, regular Wednesday meals, planned Bingo and even a repeat lunchtime 50’s and 60’s singalong songs.

Melville Club Team Work. Many of you will not be aware that a team cooks and delivers meals every Wednesday to Melville Club Members; what a fantastic job they are doing - just shows you what can be done when the chips are down and pulling together. There is a dedicated team who buy the food, cook, deliver, wash-up, you name it ~ big thank you to all the team, we are aware how grateful Melville Club Members

Melville Club Meals Not only is the Melville Club involved in delivering meals, there is also a dedicated team operating a Mobile Shop to help those who cannot get to the shops. Sincere thanks must be extended to Jennie and Graham, Mary, Ken and Phil. Thank you for all the time and patience getting this up and running. Also a sincere thank you to the Parish Council for their kind permission to use the Parish Flyer to operate the Mobile Shop…

Sad News. Whilst we have been in Covid 19, sadly Yana Bolton has passed away {nothing to do with Covid 19}. We extend our condolences to her family. Mr Bill Hutchinson is now in a local nursing home, after spending some time in Hospital. We wish Bill well and look forward to seeing him sometime in the future..

Albrighton Food Bank. The Albrighton Food Bank is currently being run from the Melville Club in conjunction with the Red House and St. Mary’s Church. Thank you so much for all the donations; those who have donated have been so generous and on behalf of the Albrighton Food Bank, we can only express heartfelt thanks and do our very best to make sure we serve the Community and assist those in a less fortunate position.

Refurbishment Programme: Lighting with Strip LED’s. It is with great pleasure I can report that the dining area of the Melville Club has now been fitted with LED strip lighting and now completely finished and ready for use. Thank you to Mike Pitchford and his team for sorting out the well-received grant and overseeing the work involved to completion. When you arrive you will be really impressed and of course the consumption of electricity is very small (95%). We are also looking to purchase another large shed as our storage seems to have increased, thus making the Melville Club less cluttered.. In due course we will require another chest freezer.

Birthdays. Sadly all the Birthdays have been put on hold ~ however on our return I hope we have a big party and catch-up on all those Birthdays which have passed. The last time we all met we were celebrating Richard Gulliver who has just turned 93. One of our favourites, Betty Brassington has now achieved the fantastic age of 97, well done to you both.

Support The Melville Club is here to help and support the elderly; once we have the green light we will be helping and assisting our members at the first opportunity.

Richard H.R. Webster. Melville Club Committee Member. Mob: 07889 573306. Registered Charity No. 500109

NOTES FROM THE CHAIR Christmas Lights Cllr Illes and the Clerk had met the Contractor to review the previous year. There had been some issues including a defective timer switch in the Red House (now fixed) and one of the displays due to defective lamp post timers. Lampposts 1, 2 and 3 on Station Road were due to be replaced by Shropshire Council. Several trees on the village green, opposite the Coop shop where a truck had hit some lights putting them out of action, needed trimming back to ensure continued safety for traffic on the High Street. Many of our current Christmas lights are life-expired and the contract has now run out. Shropshire Council will be asked to ensure that the new light fittings will take our Christmas light fittings and our village warden will trim the trees around the village green as much as he is able. Contractor’s report received, costs and options considered and a new contract for the next year awarded.

Melville Club Cllr Pitchford reported that prior to the Melville Club AGM in April 2019 membership was declining and the Club was starting to make a weekly loss although the Club had good financial reserves. Various options reviewed to stop the haemorrhaging of funds, including the sale of the building and land and moving to the Red House. In April 2019 a new committee had been elected and a plan of action was drawn up – new carpet laid, interior redecorated and the heating system replaced. The toilet area has been re-designed and completely refurbished, creating 1 large unisex disabled toilet, with further improvements being planned. The new committee, and in particular new Chairman Mandy Medlyn, has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the Club, and membership has greatly increased. The Club expressed thanks to the Council which had recently doubled its yearly support grant to the Melville Club - an asset to the village and greatly appreciated by elderly residents.

Complaint received from a council employee. (full details on Council website www.albrightonparishcouncil.gov.uk. See in Meetings, Minutes 5th Feb) The Chairman of Finance & Personnel (F&P) committee, Cllr Maguire, explained that the Council had received a complaint from [an employee], which the Clerk had put to the F&P Committee and he outlined the circumstances surrounding this affair.

Following this discussion (full details of which might be viewed at the library) it was PROPOSED, SECONDED and AGREED by a majority (10 for, 2 against, 0 abstentions) that a Councillor has breached Albrighton Parish Council’s Code of Conduct and Standing Orders and a report of this will therefore be made to the Monitoring Officer at Shirehall.

Appeal (full details on Council website www.albrightonparishcouncil.gov.uk. See in Meetings, Minutes 4th March) The Council heard an appeal by Cllr James Pledger against his ban on contacting the Chairman, Cllr Peter Woodman. It was explained that the ban was not to restrict his activities as a councillor but it was to protect the Chairman from harassment. The Council agreed by a majority to dismiss the appeal.

Clerk’s workload and a ‘Subject Access Request’ (full details on Council website www.albrightonparishcouncil.gov.uk. See in Meetings, Minutes 4th March)

The Clerk had received a Subject Access Request from Cllr James Pledger for information covering a period since 2018. This would involve researching old documents and electronic records for all emails that may be available with Cllr Pledger’s name on and regardless of what subject matter they may be about, she would also have to redact them to remove any names or details which may concern any other councillor or resident within their content.

Several councillors expressed dissatisfaction, noting that this would cost the Council a lot in terms of Clerk’s time and resources. The Information Commissioner Office had advised the Clerk prior to the Covid-19 lockdown that the Council would have a two-month extension for the request as it was complex but there was a legal requirement to comply with the request.

Planning Applications The Council was grateful that Cllrs Beechey, Straney and Woodman offered to review applications received from Shropshire Council (SC) and to summarise them at council meetings and to suggest the council’s response. This would assist Council’s deliberations.

The following items arose after the government provided rules concerning Corona Virus The April Council meeting was cancelled following initial Government guidelines. To enable the Council to function during the pandemic and to pay suppliers and employees and respond to residents etc., powers were delegated to the Clerk to spend against specific items in the Parish Council's budget i.e. for contractors, hall hire, employees’ salaries, electricity and similar all of which having been identified in the budget when setting the precept, any such payments to be reported to Council at the next ordinary meeting. To comply with Government/SC rules we regret that the library has had to be closed.

Albrighton Flyer temporarily becomes a Mobile Shop As most passengers of the Flyer were in lockdown, the usual service was suspended. The Flyer and its driver were loaned to the Village Halls Trust who set up a delivery service to elderly and vulnerable people taking out food and other necessary supplies. The pharmacy has also used the Flyer for delivery of medicines and other medical supplies.

In accordance with recent government provisions the scheduled May Council meeting was held online via Microsoft Teams. To allow councillors to become familiar with the system a test dummy meeting was organised some days before the Council meeting. Website informs residents that as usual they may attend these public meetings by contacting the Clerk for the necessary on-line link at least a day before the meeting.

At the meeting the Council approved the newly drafted Virtual Meetings Policy which sets out how such meetings are organised & run and how voting is to be carried out.

Albrighton Station West Midland Trains (WMT) had produced a questionnaire concerning Albrighton Station Travel Survey. Albrighton Parish Council had organised its delivery to households with the help from other organisations and had set up two collection points at the Library and, by kind agreement of the owner, at Cafe 1232 in the High St. Some 290 replies were collected by APC and sent to WMT for analysis. The overwhelming response was that the lack of parking at the station was causing problems for both rail users and residents living in many streets near, and even not so near, the Station and also for school children and patients of the Surgery. Second was the need to urgently reinstate the pedestrian access ramp, to allow more people to reach platform 1, and build the new footpath on Station Rd (we are grateful that Shropshire Council has already agreed to build this). We are also grateful to WMT for their support for this ramp reinstatement. Cllr Smith reported that the West Midlands Train Workshop which was to have taken place at the end of the annual Council meeting on 29th April was rearranged by WMT to be a virtual Workshop for fewer people but with representatives of the Council, the Ramp Team which included Donington- with-Boscobel PC, Civic Society, Albrighton Development Action Group and Friends of Albrighton Station. Cllr Smith organised a report by the attendees which set out the serious concerns that local people have with the station and included proposals to solve them. This has been sent to WMT. Copy will be made available. WMT will finalise their Prospectus & Survey Analysis which we hope will be published soon.

Peter Woodman – Chairman, Albrighton Parish Council (T: 372225) Rod Smith – Vice Chairman, Albrighton Parish Council (T: 372765)

(These are informal notes of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman based on discussions in the latest meetings of the council or committees but they are not official Parish Council Notes. The official Parish Council Minutes should be used as the official record. However these are not available until reviewed and approved at the next Council meeting a month later by which time some content may be out of date and overtaken by events. The idea of this ‘Note from the Chair’ is to try to provide up-to-date news of Council work and decisions to residents and electors.)

Useful phone numbers*

Emergency numbers:

101 to talk to local police officers based at Bridgnorth [Inspector Nicola Roberts, Sergeant Chris Thomas; PCSOs Jacqui Fletcher & Steven Breeze] 999 Fire/Rescue/Ambulance: emergencies where life is in danger or a crime in progress Albrighton Flyer 07543869754 Albrighton Parish Council: Clerk 01902 375455; Chair 01902 372225 Albrighton Relief in Need Charity 01902 372779 Albrighton Trust Moat & Gardens 01902 372441 Bowls Club (Gerry Connolly) 07425 167922 [email protected]/www.albrightonbowls.co.uk Chemist 01902 372363 Community Cars (Sue Mace) 01902 441319 County Councillor: Malcolm Pate 01902 373217 Cricket Club (Darren Shimmons) 01952 376952 : [email protected] Crime Prevention (Dave Williams) 01902 441397 Dentist 01902 372656 Doctors & Health Centre 01902 372301 Donington & Boscobel Parish Council 07940358733 Flicks in the Sticks…. Tickets from Mogul Diamonds bookshop, High Street Flower Club (Yvonne Riley) 01902 372007 Historical Society 01902 820674 Hopeline (Prevention of young suicide) 087017 04000 Library 01902 372226

Live at Home scheme 01952 879873 Melville Club 07889 573306 MP Mark Pritchard 0207 219 8494 Red House 01902 373605 RNLI (Yvonne Riley) 01902 372007 Royal British Legion 01902 810375 Samaritans 01902 426422 (National 08457 909090) School: Albrighton Primary 01902 372558 School: Idsall 01952 468400 School: St Mary’s C of E Primary 01902 372885 Scouting (Richard Wild) 07780465638 Sports & Social Club 01902 372523 Tong Parish Council [email protected] Walking for Health (Tony Wrighton) 01902 374317 W.I. 01902 372952