Memorial Hall Wichenford Ladies’ Fellowship: 2.30pm 2nd Tuesday in the month (usually) Toddler Group: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays (term time) 10.30am Martley Memorial Hall

Wednesdays Volume 20 No. 13 June 2011 Teme Valley Shufflers Line Dancing: 7pm Martley Memorial Hall Enq. Jeff & Advertise in The Villager: Aileen Thelma 01886 821772 Parker. 01886 888456 Martley Folk Club: 1st Wednesday in Editor: Gail Dawson (01886 889180) the month at The Talbot, and Editorial Team: Martley Alan Boon (01886 3rd Wednesday at The Admiral Rodney 888527), Kate King (01886 888439) Martley WI: 2nd Wednesday in the Wichenford Janet Andrews (01886 888303), month 7.30pm Heaton House Sheila Richards (01886 888378) Distribution: Martley George & June Lawrence Thursdays (01886 821064) Wichenford Karen Furber Wichenford Wine Club: 3rd Thursday in (01886 888449) the month Contact The Villager: Leave articles at Martley Post Office, call Janet or Sheila Martley & District Horticultural (Wichenford) or email the Editor at Society: last Thursday in the month [email protected] 7.30pm Martley Memorial Hall Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of The Villager. The Villager See Church Words p. 27 for details of services cannot be held responsible for any goods or services advertised in the magazine. See articles for details of special events AND changes of time/date/venue of regular events

Regular events in Martley and See the Diary page on www.martley.org.uk for Wichenford: a complete listing of all forthcoming events (that the Diary page editor knows about) Sundays See page 28 for contact details of organisations 2nd Sunday in the month: Teme Valley Farmers Market for local Articles to go in The Villager must be produce 11am The Talbot, Knightwick submitted by the 1st of the Martley Ramblers meet Church car park previous month

3rd Sunday in the month: Path-or-Nones meet 9.30am Martley Memorial Hall car park to help maintain the local footpaths

Mondays Rhythm Time: 9.30-11.30am Martley Memorial Hall Enq. Rachel 01886 812565 Martley Parish Council: 1st Monday in Records of the Parish Council meetings in the two parishes are not intended to be full the month 8pm Memorial Hall and complete minutes. Minutes of meetings Tuesdays can be seen by contacting the respective Short Mat Bowling: 2.00pm Martley Clerks to the Councils.

The Villager June 2011 9 OUT AND ABOUT IN MARTLEY Visit our website—www.martley.org.uk

Martley

Ramblers This month we have

two walks for the price Midsummer Family Madness of one! Pauline and Come along to Martley C of E Richard Mills will be Primary School‘s annual summer leading our usual Sunday walk on community bash which is to be held Sunday 12 June. This walk will take on Friday 24 June between 6pm and us around the Stanford Bridge area 8pm. There will be lots of family and they always lead an interesting activities and games, BBQ and bar, walk, so meet at the church car park bouncy castle, other children‘s for 2pm for a quick get-away! activities and stalls, musical Our second walk in June will take performances from our very own place on Thursday 23 June, we call pupils, as well as the ever popular this our midsummer evening ramble! tombola and raffle. Please support Please meet at Hillend Cottage, your local school. It‘s sure to be a Pudford Lane at 6.30pm for a short, good night! Everyone is welcome. circular walk around the area, Martley Parents, Teachers and friends finishing afterwards for rest, Association is exactly that, a friendly bunch that helps raises much needed recuperation and refreshments! Please funds for school and students. If you keep your fingers crossed for good would like to get involved and help or weather! just have a chat about how you could Kate King help, please contact me on Martley WI [email protected]. have a look Wednesday 8 June at 7pm at our school website too, it‘s packed Reg Snow has kindly invited us to with lots of information! www.martley-pri.worcs.sch.uk. hold our garden meeting at Mary Burton Stoneybridge House. Hopefully the

10 The Villager * June 2011 weather will be warm and dry so that other and to jump and skip around is we can wander around and admire his lovely to watch too. Oh what it is to be lovely garden. After supper, there will young and fit! Sadly, the swallows be the fun auction in aid of funds, which nested in our barn last year, when auctioneers will persuade us to have not returned, rather to Jacob spend our money, wisely or unwisely! Donkey‘s regret. The flies can be The competition this month is for the troublesome to him at times and best rose. Please bring family and would make good meals for swallow friends to share this evening with us. families. Former residents, John and Members are kindly asked to submit Jacqui Owen are planning to return their favourite family recipe for our from Canada during July and August 90th Birthday Cook Book and we shall and send their regards to everyone, be entering a team for the County especially the ladies at the library. At Quiz at on 4 July. There is so the time of writing, the Lane is drier much going on in the WI world at the than it has been for years, but there is moment, there is not space here to still some water running down, mention everything, but coming up is probably from meadow springs of a County WI Day at Croome Court which the blackbirds and thrushes are which will include a House of Fraser glad of it for drinking. The pond of fashion show, demonstrations and one Pudford Lane family is regularly displays by different groups within the visited by passing ducks. Geese fly WI, plays and mime, photographic over regularly, luckily they do not stop competitions, guided tours of the as they are probably en route to the house and grounds, and of course Teme. Tales are afoot in the village plenty of refreshments on hand. A about a large turtle or terrapin residing coffee morning is planned and a tea in in the Millennium Meadow pools. We the garden of Brook Court during the hope it doesn‘t hear about the wetness summer. Please come along to our of Pudford Lane and decide to change meetings and find out how much fun its home-ground! members get out of their WI. Kate King Kate King Desperate 2 play Pudford Lane in Martley Life has been fairly quiet in the Lane, The Martley or at least quieter, now the lambs are Recreation getting bigger and used to outdoor life, Association and the leaving their mums side to chase each Parish Council are thrilled to let you

The Villager June 2011 11 know we have now been officially July 2011 at 7.30pm in awarded a grant of £10,000 from Martley Village Hall. Awards For All, Big Lottery Fund, for Admission is only £5 improvements to the children‘s Play which will include wine area. This is a great deal of money but and light refreshments!. To having done lots of research we found purchase your tickets please telephone that the equipment is extremely 01886 888246, 01886 821127or 01905 expensive. Therefore we are asking 333225 for help, advice, suggestions, and The Chantry School donations to improve the facilities or The Chantry Library Learning Centre just come along to a meeting to be has now been open for 18 months, and involved. Regularly updated information will be placed in the we have a wonderful conference room village shops. As we would like to which has recently been used to hold incorporate Natural play, we would talks for the pupils and we would like like a huge log or huge stones to climb to extend the invitation to the local on, also some good contacts are community also. Read International, a needed for a few tall trees to plant and book charity who send unused/ for large amounts of soil which will unwanted text and story books to form a couple mounds. We are also requesting local parents and their Tanzania and Uganda schools came in children to get involved and really get recently to talk to the children about that community spirit well and truly how the books are distributed to going ! Please contact Pat Owen on schools in those countries. So far, this 01886 888406 or email directly at year we have sent out approximately [email protected] 30 boxes of books to deprived schools Pat Owen across these two countries. The MAD children enjoyed the talk and realised Just a little reminder that we are performing a children‘s musical how fortunate they were to have the ―Sourpuss‖ which should appeal to all resources needed to study and the ages from 2 to 102! Please come along opportunities they have in life. The to the Village Hall on June 2 or 3 and RSPCA also came to do a presentation support our young cast, they have put about responsible pet ownership, a lot of effort into learning their songs, welfare of animals, fundraising and lines and dancing routines. th the purchase of their new centre in 25 Anniversary Concert Worcester. They also brought a dog Please put this date in your diary, an which added to the excitement. Pupils evening not to be missed! The Ferndale Singers will be holding their who attended were very moved by the Anniversary Concert on Saturday 2 DVD shown of neglect and were keen

12 The Villager * June 2011 to help and asked questions about how arithmetic lessons to Standards IV and they could make a difference. We are V respectively‖ holding many presentations in the Alan Boon future and if you are interested in Ursula Nellist attending, please contact the school on A beautiful tribute 01886 887100, extension 305. Ursula was born in Bromyard in 1912, Vicky Warr & Roz Shipley and spent her childhood days at Stoke Chantry Library Learning Centre Lacy and before moving to where she lived for 22 years. Martley’s Past There she worked on her Uncle's farm, Ellen Mercy seemed to stay at the organised village dances and, during girls‘ school from January 1875 until WWII, collected national savings (for August 1887, when the school broke- which she was honoured with an up for the harvest holiday. When the invite to Buckingham Palace, a visit school re-opened on 3 October 1887, that was one of the highlights of her the logbook stated, ―I, Annie Jones, life. She moved to Horsham Farm commenced my duties as head of this after marrying her husband Babs in school today.‖ She would have been 1948 and they retired to Wants Green very busy, as two days later on 5 in 1974. Ursula worshipped at Martley October, she wrote, ―Attendance good, for more than 60 years, and played an 68 children being present in the active role in the village especially in morning and 64 in the afternoon‖. On her Horsham years (doing the Church 12 October she wrote, ―In the flowers, helping with fetes, serving on afternoon the lessons of the 1st class the Church Council and being a (the 5‘s–ALB) were not according to member of the Ladies Club). She the time table, the children were loved the countryside, took an active engaged in repairing their sewing bags part in the farming year, was a keen and winding the wool and cotton for gardener and cook, adored her family the use of the school‖. Towards the and much enjoyed the company of her end of the month the average many friends and neighbours in attendance had reached 72! On 14 Martley. Ursula died just before her November an entry stated, ―The Rev 98th birthday. Her Memorial Service H A Pomeroy visited school in the at Martley was held on a cold snowy afternoon and brought with him some day last December. She is survived by sweetmeats which were distributed her sons Roger and Stewart, who no among the children. On 16 January longer live in Martley but look 1888 the entry said, ―Mr David Jones, forward to receiving copies of The College Student came into school Villager each month and intend to Monday afternoon and gave two visit here as often as possible. They express their sincere appreciation to the Rector and his church team, and to

The Villager June 2011 13 all their Mother's kind neighbours, subject of ‗Plants for Difficult Places‘. who were such a support to her in her Her husband Peter was ‘slide final years. With many thanks and best operator‘, the illustrations showed the wishes from us both. many plants which the couple had Roger and Stewart experimented with over the years in a Suffolk garden, a property they had acquired without knowing the soil would prove a ‗gardener‘s nightmare‘. They persevered however and gained Martley & District lots of knowledge in the process, some Horticultural Society failures of course, but Susan has The Society sent a team to the three- obviously really studied the habits, way Quiz at Inkberrow on 27 April needs and secret lives of all sorts of and back they came with the plants and is very knowledgeable in Trophy! On the 28 the this sort of science. She suggested meeting began with this wonderful plants for heavily shaded areas, boggy news, congratulations! Following this bits, very dry parts, even coastal a presentation was made to Margaret gardens too. The Russell‘s found that Jackson by our Chairman, this being sugar beet factory waste was a very the Arthur Mason Cup for the most useful soil improver. At the end of the points gained at March‘s Spring Show meeting Susan asked for members‘ and is kindly donated by Elaine Rice own experiences and answered in memory of her father. Members questions. An excellent speaker who have been invited to hear Reg Mowle certainly provided us with many new speak at Alfrick Village Hall on 19 ideas. Dates for your diary, Thursday May. The Society received a card 30 June, Social Meeting at the home from Margaret Rushgrove thanking of Brian and Pat Finch, 6.30pm. them for the flowers and cards she Saturday 9 July, coach trip to received following the loss of her Rosemoor Gardens, starting 8am, husband, Ray. Mike Dunnett‘s topical members £9, non-members £15 tips this month are winter damage, Tina Steele watch your soil drainage as water- The Chantry Geology Garden logging can damage plants; pruning The Chantry has for the last few years Eucalyptus they do shoot up from the been reclaiming the conservation area bottom of the plant; the soil types at the back of the school, alongside the most suitable for azaleas and Worcester way, through the input of rhododendrons and what can be added groups of amazing young students. to help sustain their well-being. He This work has been part of their had brought three lovely healthy Environmental accreditations. We blooms to share with us too. Our have taken advice from Ecologists, Speaker was Susan Russell on the Conservationists and village

14 The Villager * June 2011 biodiversity exerts. We have removed suggestions and efforts of the students. the brambles and allowed wild flowers Our thanks to John Nicklin from the to come through. We were fortunate Path e nons who have showed the too to receive a grant from the Cecil students how to make the steps Duckworth Trust, which provided for correctly .The lower path edges and a pond liner and natural seating. When bricks, were kindly donated by the we dug the pond ‗Million ponds Low‘s who answered a plea from one project‘, a dragon fly circled around it very productive work session with as a wonderful symbol of future Natalie and a few of her geology team. biodiversity, and it is used for pond Along the sides of the viewing area dipping and even quiet meditation. For fence is a display of rocks in age many years, thanks to Mr Bob Allison, order .These have very kindly been many of the Chantry students have provided by local villagers, Mr Bray, received an excellent grounding and Ian Pennell, Pam Spokes and Pat very successful GCSE results in Owen, plus a number of landowners geology. Some students have from across the county including the continued with this study and have Malvern Hills Conservators, chosen this subject as part of their Broadway Quarry and the Forestry University degrees and onto their Commission. Wild flowers are being future careers. At the far end of the put down on a cleared area, the badger Conservation area, alongside the sets remain active, and nature remains Martley circular walk footpath we in harmony with this wonderful asset. have established a Geology garden. We will soon have the information This is shown by a wonderful oak boards completed, and have an notice board. We have been fortunate opening and thanks ceremony, with to have been guided, over the last two ‗rock cakes and mineral water!‘ It will years, by Natalie Watkins of The be used by other schools, geology Herefordshire and groups and walkers. The public are Earth Heritage Trust and Geopark welcome and encouraged to view this walk, working from Worcester lovely Geology garden, outside of University. She helped us gain a grant normal school opening hours. from The Tomlinson Brown Trust and Pat Owen-Chantry Sustainability in addition accessed funding through Governor the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund to provide an aggregate base viewing area, information boards and a fence. Our thanks must also go to Hillend Sawmills, who have shown amazing generosity with our wood requests. The viewing is on two levels, again thanks to the proactive

The Villager June 2011 15 Edited draft unapproved minutes of been contacted by a parishioner who the Parish Council meeting of has some tabards available for use. Martley Parish Council held on Wichenford had recently carried out a Monday 4th April 2011 at the Me- litter pick in the village The Clerk will morial Hall contact Wichenford to query insur- The Democratic Period/Public ance, etc. Question Time Progress Reports Concerns in relation to recent events The Clerk in Nash Close were raised. The Police Notices for any cars causing an ob- were involved in a further incident last struction in the village, such as those week. The incidents involve residents by Heaton House will be displayed in or visitors to flats 7 and 8. The Clerk future. David Hunter is on leave at the is to write to Elgar Housing requesting moment and will address the dropped another meeting at Heaton House. curbs at Hollins Lane upon his return Once a date is confirmed the Clerk to work. The Litter Wardens contract will invite District Councillor Wil- has been terminated and the liams and . Con- Lengthsman will carry out these duties cerns have been raised around cycle in the future. The Recreation Associa- races whereby groups of cyclists are tion has also been asked to speak to riding together, not time trials races. teams using the field to request that The Clerk will contact West Mercia their litter is taken with them where Police again to find out who author- possible when they leave. E-On have ises the road races. Concerns were agreed to send us quarterly invoices also raised around the constant abuse from now on for the electricity used in of the weight restriction on Ankerdine the Weighbridge. Pot holes were re- Hill. All companies will be contacted- ported at Hope House Lane, Hollins who have abused the weight restric- Lane, St. Peters Drive, Ankerdine and tions in the last month. The Clerk is outside Brook Court. Highways are also to make representation to High- investigating the damage being caused ways regarding the possible removal to the lane through Newtown for de- of the 7.5Tonne weight restriction at liveries being made to Shelton House. Broadheath Common. The Chantry students will bring a Outstanding actions from previous made planter to the meeting after minutes: Easter. The wood has been purchased Litter pick for the village, the Clerk from Martley wood yard. The students needs to obtain a risk assessment from are currently helping with a pond for CALC, contact MHDC and WCC re- the pre-school and they will also be garding any available equipment, clearing the village hall car park contact The Chantry and Wichenford flower bed and complete the restora- Parish Council to see if they would tion of the orchard at the Crown pub. want to be involved. The Clerk has Worcester County Councils speed re-

16 The Villager * June 2011 view is on-going. District Councillor 11/00407/CLE Callow Farm, Hillside, Williams has requested a site visit by siting of one residential mobile home members to Hillside as she has con- 11/00325/LBC Tee Farm, Martley, cerns regarding the proposals to in- replacement of all windows to dwell- crease the speed limit. ing Lengthsman 11/00389/HOU Hollings End, New- The Lengthsman submitted his invoice town, single storey extension and work schedule for the work com- 11/00294/HOU Primrose Bank, New- pleted in March 2011. The list for this town, two storey and single storey month reads, clear lay-by at Hillside extension (monthly), repair 14 grips marked 11/00204/HOU Fairview, Pudford with yellow paint, bag up bins and Lane, proposed rear attic conversion leave out for waste collection each with new velux roof lights Monday morning (weekly). Pending Allotments 11/00137/FUL Tomkins Farm, Hope The Clerk distributed some informa- House Lane, siting of static caravan tion to Councillors around the Parish 11/00196/HOU 3 Lorien, Martley Council‘s duty and the management of Replacement patio doors, new window allotments. The Clerk will email to ground floor, replace existing win- Councillors with regard to the amend- dow frames and internal modifications ment made in 1972 to the 1908 Allot- 11/00271/LBC 3 Lorien, Martley ment Act. The Parish Council will Court Barns, Replacement patio doors, await written requests in relation to new window to ground floor, replace allotments. existing window frames and internal District and County Councillor’s modifications reports: Approved Concern was raised over the proposed 11/00098/FUL Tomkins Farm, Hope increase to the speed limit at Hillside House Lane, upgrading and alterations and a request for a site visit was made. to farmhouse. Conversion of attached The question was raised as to whether barn to form granny annexe, and al- the Village Hall Committee had sub- terations of adjacent barn to form bat mitted an application for the Act on roost with storage under Energy £1,500 grant towards carrying 11/00022/HOU Bramblewood, out recommended energy efficiency Hipplecote, construction of new ga- measures as there is possibly an expiry rage and hard standing date to this grant. Councillor Stam- 10/01074/HOU White Cottage, mers will look into this matter as a Kingswood, erection of replacement Representative on the Village Hall garage and store. Appeal allowed and Committee. permission granted Planning Withdrawn by applicant New 11/00073/FUL Land at The Stables,

The Villager June 2011 17 Willow Road, Conversion and exten- invoice for some recent additional sion to form live/work unit work undertaken on the church clock. Speed sign The Clerk is to write to confirm the The Clerk referred to Worcester Parish Council meet the costs of the County Councils policy in terms of annual service but additional costs siting the sign. The Clerk is to ask should be met by the church. Davis Hunter to visit the site and look Date of next meeting: The next meet- at proposed locations ing will be held on Monday 16th May Finance 2011, this is the Annual Meeting of The accounts for April were issued. the Parish Council. There were 3 cheques totalling Volcanos in Action £714.61 for payment. Payment of the Book up for one of Dr Paul Oliver‘s invoice for the £75.00 towards the fascinating, easy to follow courses, dishwasher for Nora Parsons Day Centre was agreed. This will form the this time on Volcanoes. Commences full donation for 2011/2012 financial June 22 at Martley Memorial Hall, year. End of year accounts for 2010/11 cost £50. Book through Natalie were approved. The Clerk advised that [email protected] or call her on a further invoice has now been re- 01905 542014) ceived from British Gas Business for approximately £300 for supposed ar- Mobile Library 2011 rears due. The Clerk has written to Ockeridge query the invoice and is awaiting a Silver Oaks 9.45–10.05 response. A payment made recently Wichenford for the domain name martleypc.org Malvern View 10.10–10.35 was unfortunately to a company who Church 10.45–11.05 were not reputable. Therefore, the Kings Green Farm 11.15–11.40 Clerk has written asking for a refund Rosses Green 11.45–12.05 and the Parish Council agreed to re- Martley Hillside main for a further 2 years with a local Horn Lane Bungalows 12.10–12.25 company based in Worcester. Martley Correspondence Taylors of Martley 12.30–12.45 Urgent decisions since the last meet- Lunch ing Heaton House 1.20–1.50, Martley An urgent decision was made to proc- Church 1.55–2.15. These visits will take ess the payment of £300 for the works place on Wednesdays on the 8 and 29 carried out to remove the tree from St. June. The Mobile Library will also visit Cob House Fisheries every 3rd Thursday Peters Drive. 1.30-2.15pm. Enquiries should be made to Councillors reports and items for Stourport Library, on 01905 822722 or future agenda [email protected] The Parish Council had received an v.uk

18 The Villager * June 2011 Over the Garden Wall in Wichenford WICHENFORD NEEDS YOUR NEWS

Janet Andrews 01886 888303 Sheila Richards 01886 888378

Nora Parsons Day Centre usual plant sales and various other In the April edition we reported that stalls. A mini flower festival and vil- lage heritage exhibition will also be Kenswick and Wichenford Parish displayed in the church. The Wichen- Council had purchased a dishwasher ford Open Gardens has a wonderful and this was correct on going to press and very informative website includ- in the May Villager, however, since ing details of the various garden then several local Parish Councils location. Donations of cakes for the have made a donation towards the cost teas, plants, bric-a-brac, books and of the dishwasher and we would like tombola prizes would be very much appreciated. Please ring Alan Green to express sincere thanks to them all 01886 888158 for more details. Please for their kind donations. have a look at their lovely informative Janet Dale website too which has lots more info www.wichenfordopengardens.com Wichenford 100 Club The lucky winners of this month‘s prizes are: 1st place number 90, L Wichenford Memorial Hall Webb, 2nd place number 46 P M Whist Drives Bather and 3rd place number 29 Clive The very popular and successful whist Brookes. Many congratulation to you drives in aid of Memorial Hall funds all. The draw was made by Abi Birks raised in excess of £700. Special Clair Corbett thanks to Ivy Perkins, Grace Lane and Wichenford Open Gardens Kate Leach for helping to organise This lovely event will take place on them and to Derrick and Marion Jinks June 25 and 26 this year from 11am to for all their help which is much appre- 6pm on both days. We hope to have at ciated, and of course profuse thanks to least 16 gardens open ranging from John and Sheila Richards. small village gardens to those cover- ing several acres which are all very Royal Memorabilia different in style. Morning coffee, Heather Rendall organised a most in- drinks and afternoon teas will be teresting exhibition of royal memora- available in the gardens as are the bilia on the occasion of the marriage

The Villager June 2011 19 of Prince William to Catherine Mid- dent Prevention Trust‘s annual flag- dleton. Thank you Heather (and your ship community education campaign. helpers) for your time and expertise in It aims to raise awareness of the arranging a fascinating collection of number of accidents that seriously items, the exhibition was very much injure or kill children every year and enjoyed. the steps we can take to help prevent Sympathy them. Accident prevention is not about We were all very saddened to hear restricting children or wrapping them up in cotton wool, instead it is about recently that Beryl Sanders has passed creating safer environments, both in away. We would all like to send our the home and elsewhere, to enable deepest sympathy to her husband Cliff children to thrive and lead a healthy and to the rest of her family and active life. Child Safety Week pro- friends. Beryl was a well known and vides the opportunity to inform par- respected member of our community ents/carers to have fun in an engaging and will be very sadly missed by her way, helping carers learn how to fit safety into their busy lives. Thousands family and friends alike. of national and local organisations, Teme Valley Children’s through a series of events and activi- ties, large and small help make Child Centre Safety Week a great success year after National Bookstart and Child Safety year. Child Safety Week runs from Week Monday 20 June to Sunday 26 June This year the annual celebration of the 2011, and Teme Valley Children‘s Bookstart programme will be bigger Centre will be incorporating the event and better than ever! The theme, All into the sessions which they run Aboard! provides families with the during that week, having lots of perfect opportunity to share all your information readily available. Please favourite stories, books and rhymes contact the children‘s centre on 01886 about transport, journeys and, of 812982 or email Sam at course, flights of the imagination! [email protected] for Bookstart runs from Monday 6 to Sun- more information. day 12 June 2011 with lots of places holding fun, exciting activities to cele- Wichenford History brate the world of books. Don‘t forget Hundred Court Roll,, Wichenford 12th that you can receive your child‘s September 1664 Bookstart pack from your Health Visi- Item, We present the Death of John tor, Children‘s Centre or Childcare Greene of our parish and due to the Setting. lord upon his Death one herriot ac- Child Safety Week 2011 cording to Custome, and the said John Child Safety Week is the Child Acci- Green's Widow to be admitted the

20 The Villager * June 2011 next lord's tenant. Item, We present The Masons Arms Charles Tovie to serve Ale Taster. For those of you that know us well, Item, We lay a pain (fine) that every- you will be aware of the trauma we one in Wichenford keep their Swine have endured over these last 18 ringed at all times upon pain that months, starting with the burning every one being un ringed for the down of our restaurant in Malvern, the space of a week upon complaint or loss of Suti‘s father and step mother in three days warning given to the owner a road accident in Thailand, the burn- of him to forfeit to the lord one shil- ing down of our home in Thailand by ling for every week's neglect. Item, lightning strike, then culminating in We lay a pain of 39s upon Thomas the fracture of Suti‘s Mum‘s pelvis Cooke of the parish of Cotteridge for due to a fall and the severe deteriora- the saide Thomas Cooke to scour his tion of her Alzheimer‘s. Suti has been ditch in a lane by the name of Tinkers spending one month here and one Lane and likewise for the said Thomas month in Thailand supporting her Cooke to cleanse the water course mother, as she has no-one else to turn through his meadow joining to the to. This has put an enormous strain on said Tinker's Lane at or before All our business. My mum lives in Saints Day next. Item, We lay a pain Australia and is also old and frail, of five shillings upon the Widow needing constant care, I also want to Greene to cleanse a ditch in the lane spend valuable time with her, so it is joining to the Ridgend at or before All with a very sad and heavy heart that Saints day next. Item, We present our we have decided to sell The Masons parish pound forth of repair and we do Arms. We plan to spend time between understand that Robert the reverend both our respective parents doing the father in God Lord Bishop of best we can, but would genuinely like Worcester is to repair the said pound. to thank you one and all for your Item, We present the inhabitants of custom and support throughout the last Wichenford for not keeping bows and 4 wonderful years we have been here. arrows in their houses according to the We have made many friends, (and statute the sum of 3s 4d. Item, We lay hopefully not too many enemies!), the inhabitants of Wichenford in a trying our best to provide some com- pain of Ten Shillings to put their butts fort and happiness through our food, in repair before the next lord's Court. events and music, and will take away Item, We lay a pain of 20s upon John some wonderful memories of our Walstead gent or his tenant to scour times here. We wish you all a very his ditches in a lane called by the long healthy and peaceful life and name of Withermore Lane at or before hope that when we pop by we will be All Saints Day next. able to share a pint or two at the bar. Fondest memories of you all Andi and Suti, The Masons Arms

The Villager June 2011 21 Edited draft unapproved record of Cob House Fisheries the meeting of Kenswick and- Numerous emails have been received Wichenford Parish Council Minutes from Malvern Hills and the held on Monday 11 April 2011 at advertising boards on the roadside the Memorial Hall, Wichenford have been removed. It seems that 14 District and County Councillors Re- events can be held at the venue every port year. The District Council have asked No report was submitted at this meet- a local parishioner to monitor the ing as this had been delivered in the number of events held. Annual Meeting prior to this meeting. Village Green Sign Progress Report A vote was held as to which sign to Litter Pick. erect on Kings Green. Councillor This was arranged for 26 March and Barrow will order the sign and send proved to be very successful. Many the invoice to the Parish council. bags were collected and thanks must Councillor Wells volunteered to erect go Councillor Panton for collecting the sign once it arrives. the equipment necessary to do the lit- Planning ter pick. Councillor Rendall will Applications considered since the contact BT to lodge a complaint about last meeting. the amount of litter dropped by BT 11/00298/HOU The Stables Allsetts staff at the telephone exchange. Farm. The parish council has no ob- Royal wedding celebrations jection to this proposal. Unfortunately the plans for the Royal Applications approved, refused, Wedding Party on the Millennium withdrawn. Green have had to be cancelled due to 11/00040HOU The Firs, Wichenford lack of volunteers/helpers. The royal (Granted) memorabilia exhibition and hand out Applications to be considered. of mugs will still go ahead as planned 11/00157-00074/HOU. but in the memorial hall. Every child Erection of timber fencing along north from the age of 0-18 will be given a and south boundary, for The Tallett, free mug. Cockshoot Farm. The Parish council Damaged Railings has no objection to this proposal. Still outstanding. These were first FINANCE reported in October 2010 to The The balance for the 31 March 2011 Worcestershire Hub. We now also stands at £9,711.43. There were 3 have a similar situation at Laugherne cheques totalling £702 for agreement Corner. The Chairman spoke to the and signature which included the County Councillor about this and will Lengthsman salary, skip hire and hall email the names of the contacts we rent. have spoken too and follow up. Nora Parsons Day Centre. Currently 11 cheques towards the cost

22 The Villager * June 2011 of the dishwasher have been received band, one of the UK's finest for over from the 16 parishes that use this facil- 30 years; we've also got the Bex ity. The end of year accounts were Marshall Band, Bex is a spectacular approved and the clerk will contact the performer who'll be coming to us fresh internal auditor. The acceptance of the from a performance at Glastonbury. financial statements was approved. We've also secured Rollo Markee and Elections the Tailshakers with their 1940's style The parish council has an uncontested authentic blues mixed with their own election as it has the correct number of contemporary song writing. Plus of candidates. course we have the spectacular The To report any urgent decisions since Big Blues Tribe rounding off the the last meeting night. Great music, combined with Nothing to report. The Fold's fabulous setting, great Councillors Reports and |Items for local beer, cider, perry and fabulous Future Agendas food, it will be a bostin' day (and with The annual Blue Bell ride is to take camping available too, you can really place on May 7 2011. make the most of it). We look forward Date and Venue of Next Meeting to seeing you there! Meetings were arranged for 9 May Flu Vaccine which is the Annual Meeting of the Letter from our local GP Surgery, Parish Council, 20 June and 8 August 25 March 2011 2011. The uptake this year of influenza Blues At The vaccine in the Surgery Fold was 69%. This is a little lower than we would have wished and we think that The Annual Blues Festival at The the negative publicity surrounding the Fold, is swine flu component of the vaccine to be held on Satur- may have put a few people off. Never- day 2 July 2011, between 1pm and theless, we did see quite a few people 11pm. Tickets cost only £11.00 in with rather unpleasant flu like advance (£13.00 on the gate) and only illnesses and as a Practice we would £3.00 for the Under 14‘s. Camping is available and costs £6.00 per person. wish to promote the further uptake of Tickets are available from the website seasonal flu vaccine to reduce, not www.bluesatthefold.co.uk or by only the ill health during the flu calling the ticket hotline on 01886 episode but also the risk of death. The 812989. What a line up we have for annual flu vaccine programme has this great little festival at The Fold this been a great success at reducing the year. We have the fabulous blues harp occurrence of flu in the population. of Simon 'Honeyboy' Hickling and his

The Villager June 2011 23 Most General Practitioners promote Hall‘s Director of Music, the offer of flu vaccine to the ―at risk‖ Martin Schellenberg. Unreserved population, which are predominantly tickets (£10.00) can be purchased all of those patients over 65 and online‘ via the website, anybody under 65 with other chronic www.abberleyhall.co.uk o r illnesses. Once again, in the autumn www.oxboffice.com, by post from we will be promoting the vaccine and ‗Gala Tickets‘, Abberley Hall, asking patients to either see the prac- Worcestershire, WR6 6DD, by phone tice nurse or come to one of the open Saturdays on October 15 or November on 0845 680 1926 or at the door on the 5 2011 between 9-11.30am for their night. We look forward to seeing you! immunisation. If there is any doubt The Teme Valley Geological about the vaccine service would you Society Update please contact the Surgery. The inaugural meeting of TVGS was Dr S P A Watson & Partners held on 20 April at Martley Memorial A Concert Not To Be Missed Hall and membership to the TVGS has been set at £5 per member for the first Abberley Hall School will present a year. We are pleased to say that 14 of Gala Charity Concert of music by you joined at the meeting (some of us Mozart and Haydn in Worcester have still to pay our subs, ahem!). Cathedral on Friday 24 June at Thank you to you, we know there are 7:30pm. The concert will be in aid of many others who wish to become the ABF The Soldiers' Charity and the members. Welcome, thanks, we have Ifakara Bakery Project. The Chapel an exciting future ahead. John Nicklin Choir will be accompanied by a is the Acting Secretary of TVGS and professional orchestra and soloists can be contacted on 01886 888318. Sarah Westwood (soprano), Harriet TVGS—Future programme By popular request there will be a Goodwin (alto), John Bowen (tenor) field trip to Martley Pit, led by Natalie and Paul Mocroft (bass) will join them Watkins (thank you Natalie). This is for a performance of the uplifting and likely to be early June, so will advise very tuneful ‗Coronation Mass‘ by of the date asap. There will also be a field trip, following on our initial Mozart. Also included in this concert lecture, again the date and time will be will be special solo performances, arranged and advertised. Beyond that, trumpet solos and a Piano Concerto. lots of ideas; we have some, I am sure The concert will be conducted by you do too, please do let me know.

24 The Villager * June 2011 control is a strong jet of water, aimed In the Garden under the leaves, which knocks the aphids to the ground where beetles and other insects soon make a meal of them. Soapy water is very effective if you are using a hand spray. Remember that if you use pesticides you risk June is often dry, so watering will be killing the natural predators of the one of the main tasks this month. You aphids, such as ladybirds and will have to spend less time watering, lacewings, causing a bigger aphid and weeding, if you mulch around the problem in the future. In the vegetable base of trees, shrubs and climbers garden, keep feeding those tomatoes. early in the month. Compost, bark or Shear perennial herbs to stop them gravel are all very effective. Grouping flowering so they keep going to the pots together cuts down the time it Autumn, and peg down a few takes to water, you could also try strawberry runners to refresh your planters with reservoirs, or include stock, as they are past their best after 3 water retaining granules in the com- years. post. An inch of rainfall delivers around 5 gallons of water per square National Gardens Open for Charity metre, so this is the amount you will June is the peak month for those need, every 10 days, for the most sus- gardens which are open for charity ceptible plants i.e. anything newly under the National Gardens Scheme. planted, plants in pots, young vegeta- bles and lettuce, anything in flower or Local Open Gardens producing fruit, and shallow rooted Our local 'Open Gardens' include; 68 shrubs such as rhododendrons and Windsor Avenue, St. Johns on June 5, azaleas. Soak the soil at the base of the The Barton on June 4, and 5, Hellens plant, preferably in the evening or Manor House, Much Marcle on June 3 early morning, don't sprinkle on the and 4, Shuttifield Cottage in Storridge leaves. A preliminary fine spray is on June 25, Bachefield House, Kim- helpful as it soaks into the soil and the bolton on June 5 and Harrells Hardy water then doesn't run off or cause Plant Nursery, on June 5, 16 'panning'--that hard surface layer. and 25. Towards the end of the month it would be a good idea to include plant food when you water plants in containers. While you are watering keep an eye open for aphids, greenfly and black fly on the new growth. The easiest and safest method of aphid

The Villager June 2011 25

Church Words The Rectory 01886 888664

You may be aware of the small chapel which the people would pray. The in Knightwick, surrounded by a church- Church of , though a protestant yard where services for Knightwick are church, has different traditions within it held twice a month. It was the only that mean some will still attribute the church in the group that did not have a intercessory power of a saint whilst dedication to a saint, but its predeces- others feel the only intercessor we need sors at and Knightwick is Christ himself. However, we do cele- were namely St Andrew and St Mary brate the saints after which our churches respectively. It has been felt that the are named and thank God for their life names should be established with the and witness from which we can learn. In chapel, and so on Sunday May 15, with our own group we have St Peter the Archdeacon of Worcester present, it Martley, St Mary Magdalene , became the Chapel of St Mary and St St Leonard , St Laurence Andrew, Knightwick. The reason for Wichenford and now St Mary and St church dedications to saints goes back to Andrew Knightwick. We are well the early church. Once the Roman blessed with saints yet it is worth noting Empire allowed, church buildings began that the word for ‗martyr‘ in the New to be erected over the graves of martyrs. Testament, from which we translate the Soon Christians began to dedicate word ‗saint‘, refers to all God‘s people. churches to other Holy men and women It is therefore important to realise that as who were not martyrs and it was the Christians we are the saints of God who practice for many centuries and in some are called to live sacrificial lives, even places still to this day for a ‗relic‘ of a though we may not be called to be saint to be inside the altar of the church. martyrs. We are all important to God It was the hope of those who had so and through Christ he calls us to follow named their church after the saint that him in that ‗when the saints go march- they would ‗intercede‘ for them in ing in‘, we too will ‗be in that number‘. heaven whilst they were on earth. These saints also became patrons for various David occupations or associated with particular illnesses and of course countries, to

26 The Villager * June 2011 Thursday 2 June Ascension Day 7.30pm Deanery Holy Communion, St Laurence, Wichenford SUNDAY 5 JUNE 8.00am Holy Communion, The Chapel of St Mary and St Andrew 10.30am Holy Communion, St Laurence, Wichenford 10.30 am Family Worship, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Morning Worship, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 6.30pm Evensong, St Leonard, Cotheridge Monday 6 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford 7.30pm LTV PCC at St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Tuesday 7 June 10.00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 7.30pm Martley PCC at St Peter’s Wednesday 8 June 10.15am Holy Communion, Heaton House 7.00pm Nora Parsons Day Centre AGM SUNDAY 12 JUNE Pentecost 8.00am Holy Communion, St Leonard, Cotheridge 10.30am Family Worship, St Laurence, Wichenford 10.30am Holy Communion, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Monday 13 June 8.30am Prayer Breakfast at David’s Tuesday 14 June 10.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas SUNDAY 19 JUNE Fathers Day (Pulpit Swap) 8.00am Holy Communion, St Peter, Martley 9.00am Matins, St Leonard, Cotheridge 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 10.30am Morning Worship, St Peter, Martley 3.00pm Evening Worship, The Chapel of St Mary and St Andrew 4.30pm Confirmation, St Phillip and St James, Hallow 6.00pm Evening Worship, St Laurence, Wichenford Monday 20 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Tuesday 21 June 10.00 Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wednesday 22 June 10.15am Holy Communion, Heaton House Saturday 25 June Wichenford Flower Festival and Open Gardens SUNDAY 26TH JUNE 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 9.30am Holy Communion, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Family Worship, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 10.30am Holy Communion, St Laurence, Wichenford 6.30pm Evening Worship, St Peter, Martley Monday 27June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Tuesday 28 June 10.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wednesday 29 June 7.00pm Harvest Supper Planning Meeting at The Rectory

Bible Study Group Tuesday 7 / 14 / 21 / 28 June at 7.30pm at the home of Chris Woodburn, Berrow View, Hollins Lane, Martley

The Villager June 2011 27 Village Contacts

Editor of The Villager Gail Dawson 01886 889180 or 07725 644 322, or email [email protected], alternatively please leave articles at the Post Office Advertise in The Villager Aileen Parker—01886 888456 [email protected]

Church Rector: Revd David Sherwin—01886 888664 or (Worcestershire West Rural [email protected] Team) Assistant Priest: Revd Jennifer Whittaker—01886 833897 Martley Parish Council Chair: Cllr. D Goodyear—01886 888423; Clerk: Sally Williams—01299 832949 Martley WI President: Helen CoombeyJones—01886 888294 Martley & District Horticultural Pam Minchin—01886 888521 or Margaret Jackson—01886 888654 Society Royal British Legion Joyce Tyler—01886 821551 Martley Toddler Group Will—01886 888340 or Jane—01886 888852

Martley Ramblers Harry King—01886 888439

Martley Young Farmers Lou Wickens—01886-812754 or Caroline Bullock—01905-333617 Path-or-Nones John Nicklin—01886 888318 [email protected] Resource Centre Alan Boon—01886 888527

Police ―Surgery‖ CSO Matt Smith 7184—Martley Local Policing Team Police Station extn. 3581 Martley Website [email protected] Martley Web Mesh Richard Jackman—01886 821237 [email protected] John Layton—01886888460 [email protected] Tom Pearsall—01886 888256 [email protected] Martley Pre-School Kath/Lucy—01886 889127 www.martleypreschool.co.uk

Martley Recreation Association Bookings—Pat Owen 01886 888406 [email protected] (playing fields) Martley Memorial Village Hall Chair—Neil Stammers 01886-888513 [email protected] Committee Secretary—Annette Smith 01886-821895 [email protected] or Lyn Wheeler 01886-889240 [email protected] Wichenford contacts for The Janet Andrews—01886 888303 or Sheila Richards—01886 888378 Villager Kenswick & Wichenford Parish Clerk—Shirley Sanders 01886 888302 Council Wichenford Wine Club Chairman—Bill Hylan 01886 888431

Wichenford Local Heritage Heather Rendall—01886 888239 Group Martley Local Policing Officer Helen Cooper, 40061, phone 0300 333 3000 or email [email protected]

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

28 The Villager * June 2011 Don't forget to check out what is going on in our neighbouring village by visiting www.littlewitley.org.uk Dates for your diary 19 June is Fathers Day Cycling for St Richards You may have spotted three local ladies cycling around Martley and the Teme valley over the past few months in preparation for a 200 mile charity cycle ride. Helen Griffee from Shelsley Kings, Sally Webb from Stockton and Lucy Mockett from Menith Wood have now successfully completed the trip from St Malo to Ile de Re in France and raised £1,200 for St Richard's Hospice. Helen said, "We made it completing 210 miles and no punctures! Good fun, hard slog at times but our bodies coped remarkably well so the Teme Valley training paid off. The only hiccup was a Belgian lorry reversing into the support driver's car at the toll queue on day one, doing a lot of damage but with bonnet strapped down and headlights smashed our support vehicle limped on. Thank you to everyone who had faith we could do it and sponsored us to raise funds for the hospice. We still all love cycling and are back training in the valley and beyond for our next challenge!" Helen Griffee, St Richards Hospice

The Villager June 2011 29