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A Newsletter for the Villages of King's Thorn, & – July/August 2010

Herefordshire Advanced Motorists DIARY DATES FOR JUJUJULYJU LY & AUGUST 2010 The branch of the Institute of Advanced Motorists 29 TH JUNE – Institute of Advanced Motorists Course holds four ‘Skills for Life’ courses a 30 TH JUNE – Gardening Club year at Much Birch Community 1ST JULY – W.I. Outing Hall. 3RD JULY – Little Birch Church Fête The next course begins on 7TH JULY – Little Birch Parish Council Meeting TUESDAY 29 THTHTH JUNEJUNE. If you 11 TH JULY – Much Birch Church Gift Day would like more information about 13 TH JULY – Evergreen Club Outing the IAM, or to register for a course, 13 TH JULY – Whist Drive - LBVH please contact Mary Bevan on 14 TH JULY – Gardeninc Club Outing 01874 712267, or go to the web 20 TH JULY – W.I. site, www.advancedmotorist- 23 RD JULY – Much Birch Village Market hereford.org ______ADVANCE NOTICES 10 TH AUGUST – Whist Drive LBVH Gardening Club Gardening Club 15 TH AUGUST – History Walk On WEDNESDAY 30 THTHTH JUNE, JUNE a WEDNESDAY 30 JUNE 17 TH AUGUST – W.I. visit to ‘The Laskett’ has been 27 TH AUGUST – Village Market arranged with a tour of the garden 3RD SEPTEMBER – Children’s Annual Show Workshop led by Sir Roy Strong. Numbers are 4TH SEPTEMBER – Annual Horticultural Show limited, so please let the Secretary 12 TH SEPTEMBER – Little Birch Dog Show know if you would like to attend. 14 TH SEPTEMBER – Whist Drive LBVH Members are asked to meet in the lay-by on the A49 opposite Laskett Lane at 6.30pm. sharp. with plants and vegetables, cake, MMMuchMuch Birch Church Gift Day For further information, phone book, bric-a-brac and bottle stalls is on SUNDAY 11 THTHTH JULY. There Helen Fox 01981 541004 or John and a GRAND DRAW. Hot Dogs will be a Thanksgiving Songs of Bryant 01981 540316. and other refreshments will be Praise Service at 6.30pm. that ______available. This is a lovely site and is evening. Thank you for your situated a few yards down the lane Much Birch WI support. Any queries please past Little Birch Church. Following the Open Meeting in contact Sylvia Jones 01981 540980 Offers of help and donations of June members of Much Birch WI ______look forward to their trip to prizes and loan of gazebos will be Stocktonbury Gardens on greatly appreciated TheTTThe Evergreen Club THTHTH THURSDAY 1 STSTST JULYJULY.... Further information from John On TUESDAY 13 JULY we are Caton 540267 or John Bryant going to Kenilworth. There will be ______540316 or any other PCC member. a guided tour of the re-constructed Little Birch Church Fête The PCC would like to publicly Tudor garden (£2 extra) and time This will be held at “The thank Helen and Chris Atkinson to visit the old village. Sycamores”, by kind invitation of and their family, who have hosted The cost is £14 (or £9.50 for Gerald and Dot Skyrme on and put so much effort into the English Heritage members). SATURDAY 3 RDRDRD JULY from Fete over the last 10 years. These The number to ring with queries is 2.00pm. There will be fun for all have always been hugely successful 01981 540932540932. the family with Target bowls, and very enjoyable occasions. The pick-up times this month are: Welly wanging, football hot shots ______Brandon Coach Depot 8.45 and other competitions together The Park, Wormelow 8.55

Tump Lane (bungalows) 9.00 Peter Davies, who wrote, for his Aconbury and Tump Lane (middle) 9.05 family, about his wartime parishes. Poor Clares Convent 9.10 recollections, and later had them The walk will take place on Kings Thorn bus shelter 9.15 published, will be with us again, SUNDAY 15 THTHTH AUGUST. It will M. B. Church bus stop 9.20 with copies of his book. start from Little Birch Village Hall at Axe & Cleaver bus stop 9.25 Tracy, from The Squeaky Pig, has a 2.00pm and we will return there Peterstow (Broome Fm. lay-by) 9.35 back problem but, in order not to for a delicious cream tea Edde Cross Street Merton Hotel 9.40 let down her customers, has a afterwards. Cost for the tea will be Fonteine Court 9.45 friend, Sharon, manning her stand. £3.50. The length of the walk will The number to ring with queries is We hope Tracy is soon feeling be about 3 miles on mostly roads 01981 540932540932. better and can be with us in the not or tracks. ______too distant future. ______i have no doubt that Lynn, from Whist Drives WI Carey Organic Produce, will have a Our next Whist Drive is on TUESDAY 17 THTHTH will be our August large selection of fresh fruit and TUESDAY 13 THTHTH JULY at Little Birch meeting when the speakers will be vegetables. The double cream is Village Hall. We shall start at Valerie Bingham and Joyce Hughes delicious too, especially teamed 7.30pm. The entrance fee is £1.50. and the subject will be 'Men'. with strawberries! Excellent prizes and refreshments ______We look forward to seeing you on will be available. New players 23 rd . Supporting local suppliers is MB Village Market always welcome. important to the local economy The Market will be from 2.30 – The dates for the next two Whist and well being of this lovely rural 4.30 on FRIDAY 27 THTHTH AUGUST Drives are TUESDAY 10 THTHTH AUGUST area. when we hope our usual suppliers and TUESDAY 14 THTHTH SEPTEMBER. For further information about the will be there. ______market, please contact Kath, 01981 ______Gardening Club Outing 540382. Annual Horticultural Show The next meeting will be a visit to ______This will be held at 2.00pm. on Bryan’s Ground, Presteigne on Evergreen Club SATURDAY 4 THTHTH SEPTEMBER at WEDNESDAY 14 THTHTH JULY departing On TUESDAY 10 THTHTH AUGUST we Little Birch Village Hall. Schedules from the bus shelter 5.30pm sharp. have a scenic drive to Llandrindod are nnowow available. Admission £4 concessions. Wells and then to Llandovery for At this time of year the Refreshments tea/cake £2,50. tea. preparations for our popular Further information from Helen The cost is £8 for members (£10 for Horticultural Show are well Fox 541004 or John Bryant non-members) advanced. We all look forward to 540316. The pick-up times for August will be: this local, colourful, family event. It ______Fonteine Court 9.00 gets bigger and better each year. W.I. Peterstow (Broom Fm. lay-by) 9.05 Little changes and slight The next meeting is on TUESDAY Axe and Cleaver 9.15 adjustments each show keep it all 202020 THTHTH JULY , in Much Birch M B Church bus stop 9.20 fresh. Community Hall, at 7.30pm. The Tump Lane (bottom bungalows) 9.25 We have introduced a new Floral speaker will be Rosemary Prosser, The Park, Wormelow 9.30 Art Section this year and have whose talk has the intriguing title Tump Lane (middle) 9.35 added ‘A ‘Plasticine’ Flower to the ‘From Farm Records to Criminal Poor Clares Convent 9.40 Children’s classes. Once again Janet Records’. Kings Thorn bus shelter 9.45 Gwinnett will be running a New members and visitors are Coach Depot Brandon 9.50 Children’s Workshop the afternoon always welcome. For further details The number to ring with queries is before the show. This will be at of Much Birch WI please contact 01981 540932540932. Little Birch Village Hall at 4.30 pm Kath, 01981 540382 or Jennifer, ______on FRIDAY 3 RDRDRD SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER. This 01981 540698. A HistoryHA H istory Walk year all children entering the show ______Come and join us to find out more will receive a packet of Sunflower seeds, courtesy of Wiggly Wigglers, Much Birch Village Market about the old Aconbury Common as we walk round much of its who are very happy to encourage The next market takes place perimeter as it was at the time of little green fingers. FRIDAY 23 RDRDRD JULY in Much Birch enclosure in 1824. The original To commemorate the 10 years we Community Hall between 2.30pm common or wasteland covered enjoyed with our popular Judge, and 4.30pm. parts of Little Birch, Much Birch, the late Harold Salisbury, we have a new Trophy. The Harold Salisbury Shield will be awarded to Jonathan Seddon-Brown and solos and by her neighbours, Elizabeth the winner of the Collection of 6 were sung by Kizzy Jackson. A Dinnen and Ken and Hazel Wilson. different vegetables. tribute was given by her niece, Liz A few months ago, full time care We also have refreshments on sale, Jackson, from which these notes became necessary and so she so you can join us for a drink and were taken. Edith was born on 11 th moved into ‘Hazelhurst’, at Kerne home baking together with a sit Feb. 1925 on the outskirts of Bridge. She donated her body to down and a chat. Then you will be Liverpool and was the middle child medical science. She will be missed ready for the prize giving and the with 2 brothers making up the by many friends and family, to auction of produce. family. She was sent to a boarding whom we extend our condolences. Exhibits can be brought to the hall school in Hertfordshire and On the 29 th . May, RON POWELL between 9.00am and 10.45am and obtained excellent results in the of Tump Lane, passed away after a then the show opens to the public First School Certificate lengthy illness. His funeral Service at 2.00pm. Look out for the Examination. Sadly, her father died took place on 12 th . June at St. schedule and plan your entries. We and she left school to teach Maths David’s, Much Dewchurch, which look forward to seeing you all and English. She was a gangly tall was conducted by the Rev. David there. Let’s make it another record girl with rather large feet but she Johnson. A tribute, written by breaking year! played hockey and tennis ANDREW HELME, was read by For any queries please contact :- extremely well. Edith then obtained Rev. Johnson. Children’s Workshop - Janet a post in the Foreign Office and her Ron was born at Sollershope but Gwinnet – 540651 first posting was to Nigeria. when his father was offered the job Club Chairman - John Bryant - Subsequently, she was posted to as ‘waggoner’ by the late John 540316 or Stockholm, where she became a (grampy) Helme in 1937, the Show Secretary - Gillian Clouder – very proficient skier. Later, she family moved into Grove Farm 540080. worked in Singapore and Kuala Cottages on the Monmouth Road ______Lumpur and enjoyed dinner parties opposite the farm. Ron completed and playing bridge. Her mother his education at Much Birch School Little Birch Dog Show then remarried whilst Edith was and at the age of 14 began his farm This is an advance notice that the working in Dusseldorf. Her mother work. He worked in the early years Dog Show will take place on was widowed for a second time both on the Grove Farm and SUNDAY 12 THTHTH SEPTEMBER this and so Edith came home and they helped the late Tom Helme in his year. lived together in Malmesbury, contracting business and later, ______where Edith looked after her until became skilled in all operations on L.B & M.B. Local News she died. Edith then obtained her the farm. He was a good MRS MARGARET BLYTHE of degree at the Open University and ploughman and often won the Tump Lane had a very enjoyable was a teacher over the years at classes he entered in the local day on Saturday 12th June when several schools in London. In 1970, ploughing matches. Ron was also a she attended her son, Stewart's she developed diabetes, which was good livestock man. His father died wedding to Catherine Fulton at severe throughout the rest of her in 1974 but Ron continued living Welsh Newton Church. The Best life. with his younger brother, Michael, Man was Stewart's son Samuel. We In 1979, she came to live in Much in the family cottage. Michael later wish the bride and groom a long Birch with her cousin, Col. married Margaret Bowen of Church and happy marriage. Edmundson, who had previously Farm Little Birch. He was an Congratulations are extended to had to have part of both legs extremely good gardener and kept TESSA and KEVIN BOKOLE on the amputated but managed to get himself and others with fresh birth of their daughter, around on prosthetic limbs. Edith vegetables for most of the year. He NATEFO,(known to the family as moved to King’s Thorn in 1981 and finally retired aged 74 after serving NATY), a sister for JO-JO and kept a series of ‘rescue’ dogs, of at the Grove Farm for 60 years PHENYO and granddaughter to which ‘Pepe’ was the best known, with 3 generations of the Helme Sylvia and John SKLAN of Parish as he roamed all around the family. He moved into a flat in Lane. adjacent parishes and had more Tump Lane and at first, was a bit A Service of Thanksgiving for the than 9 lives. Edith enjoyed playing apprehensive of living so close with life of EDITH FLETCHER, erstwhile bridge and was a fierce competitor neighbours. However, they all of King’s Thorn, took place on 11th. in solving ‘crosswords’. Sadly, her made him very welcome and soon June at Much Birch Church, sight deteriorated and she was became good friends. He had his conducted by Rev. Mark Johnson. almost blind in 1998. She was new veg. patch and continued to Readings were given by Henry extremely well cared for, especially help Mrs. Betty Helme with her Jackson, Simon Jackson and by Anna Doran from Wrigglebrook garden. His health began to deteriorate some 6 years ago and particularly on Continental canal Ship, HMS Ganges. The daily he was devastated by the sudden boats. In due time, Richard, Alison routine was rigorous and the death of his brother, Michael. and John were born and Val weekly pay was 1 shilling (5p). Despite all this he was always devoted her life to them. Val and Reveille was sounded at 4.30am. cheerful, had a ready smile and a Geoff were proud of their for a swimming test. Frank could dry sense of humour. The Helme achievements and when the grand not swim but was put in at the family and his neighbours kept a children were born, they enjoyed deep end and prodded vigorously ‘good eye out’ for him but great pleasure watching them grow to keep going. Breakfast was at eventually he spent several weeks up. Val was an excellent cook and 5.30 am followed by making the in hospital and was taken to St. there was a lovely photograph of bed, cleaning up and a session in Michael’s Hospice. Ron was a real her enjoying a homemade lemon the gymnasium. This was followed countryman and loved all nature meringue pie on the front of the by classroom and practical lessons and it was appropriate that one of funeral service sheet. Geoff suffered on the art of seamanship, rowing, the funeral hymns was ‘We plough a stroke a few years ago and Val tying all types of knot, signalling the fields and scatter the good seed gave him the utmost care but and rifle drill. This initial training on the land’. His body was buried earlier this year, her back gave out lasted for 9 months. Frank was in the churchyard near to that of and they both had to go into then drafted to Plymouth to join his brother, Michael. He will be respite care. They enjoyed the HMS Berwick, a cruiser. The first sadly missed by his sister-in-law, Meals on Wheels service again tour was to Hong Kong via the Bay Margaret, the Helme family, his when they returned home but of Biscay (very rough), the neighbours and many friends in the sadly, Val had to go into hospital Mediterranean, Malta, Suez Canal, farming world. for several weeks when her health Colombo and Singapore. Whilst on The passing of VALERIE PRIME of deteriorated and she sadly never leave, he was able to visit the Great Tump Lane after a short spell in came home. Meanwhile, Geoff was Wall of China. The tour took the hospital was a shock to both the well looked after by carers and the ship all round the Japanese Islands family and friends. Val’s funeral family and friends and her passing and then back home to Plymouth. service was held at Hereford was a severe blow after 53 years of On leave in December 1929, Frank Crematorium on Thursday, 17 th . marriage. Val will be greatly missed first met Daisy Cooke from Yew June, attended by some 70 family by her family, neighbours and Tree Cottage, Little Birch at a and friends and was conducted by friends and we send to them our Christmas party at Litley Court, the Rev. Mark Johnson. The deepest sympathy. when Daisy happened to be staying poem,’ Death is nothing at all’ was FRANK GORDON SHORT was at a relative’s cottage on the estate. read by Mr. Michael Billingshurst born on 12 th September 1912 at Frank wrote to Daisy’s parents for and the Eulogy was given by her Tupsley and was the youngest of permission to write to Daisy while brother-in-law, Mr. Pat Mann. Val three children, having a brother, he was at sea. This caused some was born in Hereford and was one Bill, and a sister, Edith. The family controversy as her mother was in of four sisters. Pat first met Val later moved to Litley Court, favour but not her father and this when she went to stay at a Hampden Park when Frank’s father perplexed Hubert Cooke so much relation’s farm in King’s Caple and was appointed head gardener that he forgot to post his pools he was holidaying at his there. Frank attended St. Pauls coupon and it turned out that he grandmother’s cottage. She was School , left aged 14 and his first would have won a substantial then aged 7. They next met up job was as messenger boy at a amount of money. However, they when she was 15 and they became chemist’s shop, at the princely did become engaged on Daisy’s good friends. However, she met wage of 7shillings and six pence per 21 st . birthday and Frank sent the Geoff soon afterwards and so week (37.5p). His family left engagement ring by post. Frank began their courtship. Later, Pat Hereford in 1928, when his father then went off on several tours to married Doris, Val’s eldest sister became head gardener at Eastnor. Africa and the South Atlantic, and they went to live in Ross on There was no work available in the including taking supplies to Tristan Wye. This situation helped the Eastnor area and so Frank decided da Cunha. He took a gunnery courtship as Geoff. came from the to join the navy as his brother, Bill, course at Devonport on 4.5 to 18 Newent area and Ross was sort of had already enlisted. He travelled inch guns and passed with flying halfway house between Newent to Bristol for an interview and colours. Further tours all around and Hereford.. During the WW2, medical check and the same day the west and east coasts of Africa Val joined the Women’s Land took the train to Paddington where followed before he came home to Army. She and Geoff married in the he was met by an RSM, walked to Plymouth for a hernia operation 1950’s and enjoyed many hilarious Waterloo and then to Harwich by and was in the Royal Naval holidays with Doris and Pat, train to join the Boy’s Training hospital for 6weeks. He was given leave and on 4th August 1937, Daisy he worked as clerk at Freezer Fare Charnwood , where he was well and Frank were married in Little on the Three Elms Trading Estate cared for. Sadly, he was Birch Church and the late Frank until he reached 65. hospitalised after a few weeks there Cooke, Daisy’s cousin, was best In retirement, Daisy and Frank and remained in the County where man. walked all round the surrounding his condition worsened and he He was then posted to HMS Drake parishes taking flasks of tea and passed away peacefully aged 97 and again attended a gunnery sandwiches and meeting many old years. school for updating on new guns. and making new friends. They His funeral service was held at After a spell at Chatham dockyard settled into Tump Lane when that Much Birch Church on 18 th June, where preparations for war were was built and Frank remained there where the congregation taking place, he joined the until a few months ago. He had overflowed to the churchyard. It submarine HMS Forth at Dunoon been a Parish Councillor including was conducted by the Rev. Mark where he was promoted to Petty the Chair for many years. When Johnson and was attended by Officer. He was very worried when Daisy died in 1985, he was totally standard bearers from the naval war broke out, as Daisy had taken devastated as he had looked after associations of Hereford, Yeovilton a flat in Plymouth. In March 1941, her so well during her illness. and Plymouth and the local British he joined HMS Victorious, a brand However, he bounced back and Legion as well as many members of new aircraft carrier, at Barrow in continued running the Evergreen those associations. Relatives came Furness. Frank was responsible for Club for some 10 years and was a from all over the country and one training new recruits, many of the leading light in the annual niece and her husband from young boys found it very difficult, Evergreen Concerts. He was deputy Switzerland. Tributes were paid by many suffered badly with sea churchwarden and a regular his two grandsons, Matthew and sickness especially in the rough seas member at Much Birch Church . He Ian. Frank was very proud of the around the Pentland Firth. was also a member of the British three grand children Matthew, The Victorious chased the German Legion and treasurer of the Marie and Ian especially as they Bismarck with HMS’s Hood and Hereford branch of the RNA for have all attended University. Norfolk and made the first strike many years. He regularly attended He was buried with Daisy and against the enemy. Frank was reunions at Plymouth and given full military honours. The engaged in the gunnery control Yeovilton. Remembrance Day citation was tower firing at German aircraft. The To say that Frank enjoyed a party spoken by Peter Davies of the St. Victorious then went on to escort would be an under statement, he Weonards British Legion Branch the shipping convoys across the organised the annual Evergreen and ‘The Last Post’ was played by Atlantic to and from America and Christmas party and threw himself Andy, an ex-regular trumpeter, Artic oceans to Russia. After the into it to make sure it was a from the Axe and Cleaver. Frank war, Frank was posted to the Royal success. He found great will be sorely missed by so many Naval College at Dartmouth, companionship with Olive, as they people as well as his family, to where he was chief gunnery both loved dancing and having a whom we offer our deepest instructor and promoted to Chief good time. He went on many sympathies. Petty Officer. He trained cadets coach holidays with Alan at Golden There are still many friends from all over the world and stayed Pioneer and the highlight was requiring our prayers as they until 1949. He served for 21 years always the Christmas in Scotland. In continue hospital treatment or are and could have stayed on but it recent years, his sight deteriorated in full time care. would have meant 2 and a half and reading and writing became Steve, our Little Birch postman for years on foreign tours and 2 and a very difficult but he battled on and some 20 years retires in August and half years based in UK. Frank still sent out some 300 Christmas it would be appropriate to give decided to leave the navy as cards and he never forgot a him a good send off party. Offers Margaret had been born and he birthday. His family, especially of help would be greatly wanted to spend more time with Robert and Karen, looked after him appreciated. Please ring John Caton his family, especially as it expanded extremely well while other friends 540267 or John Bryant 540316. with the arrival of Robert. baked cakes and visited him ______His first job at home was with regularly. He battled cancer in the Hereford Council as a Rating throat and arm and Gill and Dick Andy Watts and Fern Officer, then he joined Wiggins as a Brimacombe drove him to Following a ‘trip of a lifetime’ to commissionaire. He later worked Cheltenham on numerous occasions the Bandhavgah tiger reserve in for Tarmac, checking loads of for treatment. A few months ago, India Andy Watts, of Kings Thorn, materials as they arrived for after a spell in the County, he was inspired to walk from Land’s building the Ross by-pass and then decided to go into full time care at End to John O’Groats, accompanied by his fox terrier, Fern (known to many people in for domestic purposes and the congestion that is caused by King’s Thorn and Little Birch!), to therefore the breach of planning parent’s cars being parked for long raise money for the charity Tiger rules had ceased but they will periods during the start and finish Awareness and a small Indian return at a later date and also to of the school day. charity, The Planet Era Foundation, look at the outside space. The Speed Indicator Device which help support tigers in the outcome is awaited. Analysis of the information wild through small, locally based ______collected by the Speed Indicator projects in India. The charities work Devices which is installed from time Chalice Infill with local people in and around to time at four main sites, indicate Regarding the refusal of the Chalice the tiger reserves, giving education the benefits in keeping traffic speed Infill Planning Appeal by the Bristol and assistance to children, farmers down. The vicinity of the school Planning Inspectors, Ann and I and park rangers on living in and the King’s Thorn village remain would like to thank all who gave harmony alongside tigers for the a priority in the deployment us such wonderful support. We benefit and safety of both the programme of the SIDs. The were very touched to realise just people and the severely Parish Council has, and will how many very good friends we endangered tigers. continue to seek, remedial have in Kings Thorn and The The walk began at Land’s End on measures to reduce the speed of Birches, with the resulting decision April 12 th and ended, eight weeks, a vehicles throughout the parish. being a triumph for the village. fair few blisters and many Ann and David Evans Footpaths th wonderful experiences later, on 7 ______Councillor Glen Sims and June in John O’Groats. After a brief parishioner Mo Ross continue to bird watching trip over to Stroma, Save the Castle Plant Sale undertake the regular inspection of Andy and Fern, together with the Thank you for coming to our plant all footpaths within the parish and home made cart used to transport sale at Kings thorn on 30 th May and ensure that repairs are carried out his tent, food, clothes etc., took the to those who donated extra plants. where necessary, resulting in the train from Thurso, via several We raised $106.50 for Save the footpaths remaining open and are changes, to meet family and friends Castle Inn Campaign Fund. safe for use. in Stoke-on-Trent, before being met Sandra & Ros Parish Plan Meeting by Dad, Peter, who brought him ______There will be a Steering Group THTHTH home to King’s Thorn. MB 100 Club Draw meeting on FRIDAY 25 JUNE at So far Andy has raised just over (A fundraiser for the Community Hall) Much Birch Community Hall at £1,500 for the charity. To date The March draw took place on 7.30pm. Andy has raised just over £2000 Wednesday, 16 th June at Much The first Parish Plan of Much Birch for the charity, £500 of which has Birch Community Hall. was completed in the Autumn of been donated since his return to The winners were: 2004 and is due to be reviewed in Kings Thorn. 1. No. 38 – Mrs. McLeod, King’s order to revisit matters such as ______Caple. planning issues, play areas, public transport and to consider for Little Birch Pantomime 2. No. 16– Mrs. J. Hounsell, Much inclusion any other issues which Janice Bishop has kindly loaned 4 Birch. will influence the future of the scripts which Paul Bishop wrote to The next draw will take place on th Parish. Parishioners are encouraged the village hall committee. It is Friday, 16 July at 12 noon in to come along to this important possible that one of these may be Much Birch Community Hall. meeting and to take part. used for this year’s pantomime for John Jones, Chairman/Promoter. Planning Appeal decision noted which rehearsals will begin in the ______The Chalice, The Thorn, Kings autumn. If anyone is interested in MBPCMBP CCC Thorn - erection of a detached being involved please ring Jackie Report on the Annual Parish dwelling with ancillary works. Morley on 541027. ththth Council Meeting 14 May and Appeal dismissed. ______rdrdrd Parish Council Meeting on 3 June Finance The CastleC astle InnInnInn John Jones was re elected as The accounts for 2009/ 10 were A visit was made by the Chairman and Dave Davies was re approved & adopted. enforcement officer from the elected as Vice Chairman The precept for the year 2009 to planning department at the Parking Problems outside Much 2010 was £6,500 and was fully beginning of June at the end of the Birch Primary School expended. in addition the extension period allowed for use of The Parish Council encourage all lengthsman’s grant from the restaurant area. They were parents parking outside the school Council was spent in satisfied that it was no longer in use to drop off their children and then total on ditching and other allied leave promptly to help alleviate works. Donations were made to  Ensure doors and windows are making the county an even better the Parochial Church Council locked at all times. place to live and work." towards the upkeep of the  Fit sturdy deadlocks (British AntiAnti----SocialSocial Behaviour Is Down churchyard and to the King’s Thorn Standard BS3621) to all external Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) has and The Birches Newsletter. doors dropped by 15% so far this year. Correspondence.  Use timer switches to turn lights This is due to a change in shift Parish Councillors had previously on in the evenings while you patterns that ensures local policing been given the correspondence list, are out teams are on duty when they are the contents of which were noted.  Ensure newspapers, post, milk most needed, which is generally Next Meeting etc are not left on display late shifts, 2pm till 10pm. They are THURSDAY 1 STSTST JULY at 7.30pm in  Ask a friend or neighbour to supplemented by their response Much Birch Community Hall. keep an eye on your home colleagues whose shifts cover 24 Please note there will be no parish while you’re away hours per day seven days a week. council meeting during August and the  Don’t forget your garden! We have managed this by using NDNDND next meeting will be THURSDAY 222 Effective garden security resources effectively and reduce SEPTEMBER If you have any queries on Parish includes defensive planting and levels of ASB. The short term Council matters please telephone the well-kept fences and will help approach is to highlight target Clerk on 01432 870874 or write to: keep your home secure offenders who are involved in ASB Mrs Kath Greenow, Hackford House, Finally, if you have been trying to or highlight vulnerable people or Dinedor, Hereford, HR2 6PD. call Kevin or Fiona on their team hotspots where this is occurring. For more information on Much Birch mobile, unfortunately the phone We can use resources to find the Parish Council please visit our website has broken and they have been causes of the problems via at www.muchbirchparish.org.uk unable to switch it on. It has gone communication, liaison and ______for repair, so in the meantime building relationships in the NeighbourhoodNNNeighbourhood Watch please use either the main 0300 community. Ensuring that we Crime Trends number or try PC Bundys phone. problem solve in the appropriate Between 4.30pm on Thursday 10 th Alternatively, send a message on areas. The longer term approach is June and 7.30am on Tuesday 15 th our team e-mail. selecting priority policing areas June an Ifor Williams trailer was House Burglary Is Down based on the results of a previous stolen from a farm at St Owens The records show that crime and safety survey. Then we Cross. The trailer was a 12’ x 6.6” Herefordshire Division has seen a use a diverse range of data flat bed with no sides attached, and drop in house burglary. including: police data, data from had been left in an open yard – Information shows that in the 6 Partners and Communities another reminder to keep your years since the 2003/4 performance Together (PACT), Mosaic trailers well secured as they are year, there has been a 61% fall in information, partnership data always a popular target for thieves! the number of burglaries, and 15% from Multi agency tasking and co- Have a Safe & Secure Summer! fewer than 2008/9. ordination meetings and crime and West Mercia is a safe place to live "This is a fantastic result," said safety surveys have. This gives us a and burglary figures remain low. In Superintendent Kevin Purcell, who better understanding and allows us fact, less than one per cent of is in charge of the Division. "As the to make improvements at a local homes are burgled each year and graph shows, house burglary in level. we are working hard to reduce this Herefordshire has been coming ______down steadily. Further proof, if it figure even further. Your Officers based at Peterchurch Most burglaries are carried out by were needed, that we are living in Local Police Officer opportunistic thieves and up to half one of the safest areas in the PC 799 Andrew Bundy are committed by thieves who country. Mobile 07855 385 844 enter the house through an "We are working very closely with Community Support Officers unlocked door or an open Herefordshire Council and other CSO 6173 FiFiFionaFi ona Witcher window. local partner agencies to address Mobile 07779 141 232 CSO 6993 Kevin Powell With the advent of hot weather, house burglary. Because we now Mobile 07779 141 232 West Mercia Police is reminding have less crime to investigate, we have more quality time to look at EEE-E---mailmail residents to be vigilant and follow herefordruralsouth.lpt@ a few simple steps to significantly other issues and through education, westmercia.pnn.police.uk reduce the chances of their home and other activities with our Answer phone --- 01432 346756 being broken into over the summer partners, can come up with Local Police Officer months and while away on solutions that already have seen the ______holiday: levels of house burglaries drop Your Local Representatives East ––– JOHN BULBECK 540178 Monet Landscape Centre Central ––– BOB PETERS 540670 West ––– At Pengethley Garden Centre BETTY PHILPOTT 540614 ______Come and visit our landscape centre for all your Items/Copy Please may I have items for the landscaping needs. JUJUJULY/AUGUJU LY/AUGULY/AUGUSTSTSTST issue via email attachment in Word format to: Materials including stone, paving, gravel, [email protected] or by hand or post to Mrs. S.E. Mathews, fencing, gazebos, stone garden ornaments, bird Folly Cottage, Little Birch, HR2 8BD. baths, turf, stone pots, benches, rocks, paving, by      trellis, water pumps and accessories, and much 181818 THTHTH AUGUST more. Delivery service available.     

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO NEWSLETTER IN AUGUST Now stocking children’s play equipment, including swings, trampolines from £99, sandpits,

There are new play tables, climbing frames etc. advertisements in this Fishing tackle in stock now! issue. We also offer a complete landscaping service

from design to construction and maintena nce. WANTED Come and view our extensive portfolios and Good home given to tabby kitten, long wander round our beautiful water gardens. or short haired. Please telephone 540274 Open 7 days a week.

Tel: 01989 730710 www.waterfeaturespecialists.co.uk E Mail@ [email protected]

LOCAL BUS 411 - Wednesdays only The 411 bus to Hereford operates on Wednesday mornings, returning at lunchtime. From Wormelow it runs via Much Birch, Kings Thorn Road, Little Birch Road, New Road, Pendant Pitch, Barrack Hill, The Thorn and Kings Thorn bus shelter. It can be hailed at any suitable point along its route through the area.

10.06 Wormelow, Tump Inn 13.20 Hereford, Country Bus Station 10.07 Wormelow, Tump Lane 13.28 Hereford, Broad Street 10.12 Little Birch, Castle Inn 13.41 Kings Thorn, Bus shelter 10.18 Kings Thorn, Bus shelter 13.46 Little Birch, Castle Inn 10.31 Hereford, Bridge Street 13.51 Wormelow, Tump Lane 10.38 Hereford, Country Bus Station 13.52 Wormelow, Tump Inn

These are the officially published times, but the bus can run up to 15 minutes early. Note that on its return journey the bus stops by request only – tell the driver where you want to alight. The service is subsidised by Herefordshire Council.