THE MAGAZINE for the Parishes of Hallow, Grimley with Holt and Lower Broadheath

THE MAGAZINE For the parishes of Hallow, Grimley with Holt and Lower Broadheath

February 2021 Price 70p

Vicar in Charge HALLOW Revd Kalantha Brewis St Philip and St James Tel: 07808 295457 Churchwardens Mrs Cath Thorpe Tel: 01905 641349 [email protected] Vacancy

PCC Honorary Secretary The Vicarage Court Close Vacancy Main Road Hallow PCC Honorary Treasurer WR2 6PW Mr David Heywood Tel: 01905 339062

Assistant Minister HOLT Revd David Morphy St Martin Tel: 01905 422007 Churchwardens

Vacancy Licensed Lay Ministers Vacancy PCC Honorary Secretary Mrs Barbara Beard Vacancy Tel: 01905 640139 PCC Honorary Treasurer & Mr Brian Higgins Tel: 01905 620653 Mrs Denise Pollock

Tel: 01905 620080 GRIMLEY St Bartholomew EDITORIAL POLICY Churchwardens The editor reserves the right Mr Timothy Richards Tel: 01905 640350 determine the publication of all Mr Robin Humphrys Tel: 01905 640601 submitted material and the right to PCC Honorary Secretary edit as needed for the purposes of Mr Roger Canavan Tel: 07812 670680 space etc. Contributors are asked to PCC Honorary Treasurer identify themselves at the time of Mr Chris Chapman Tel: 01905 422317 submission. Their identity can be

withheld from publication on request following consultation LOWER BROADHEATH between the Editor and the PCC Christchurch Chairman or their nominee. Churchwardens Opinions of individual writers are their own and not necessarily those Mr Michael Beard Tel: 01905 640139 of the Editor or any affiliated bodies Mr Dave Barnet Tel: 01905 640519 or persons. This publication is not PCC Honorary Secretary responsible for goods and services Mrs Barbara Beard Tel: 07812 640139 advertised herein. PCC Honorary Treasurer Mrs Joyce Wilson Tel: 01905 641025

The West Worcester Beacon Group of churches

Our website: www.hallowchurch.co.uk (this gives details of all four of our churches)

Our YouTube Channel: “West Worcester Beacon Group of Churches””

Our Facebook Page: “West Worcester Beacon”

Instagram: west_worcester_beacon

NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST- A TRIBUTE TO FREDA DAVIES

Freda was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. This is well deserved recognition for someone who has worked hard and fund raised for organisations in Hallow and wider Worcestershire for a great many years. Her selfless voluntary work and fundraising for a range of village organisations, principally our Church, and Worcester based charities such as St Richards Hospice has gone on since 1965. This is a sustained period of over 50 years, and includes 22 years as a Sunday School Teacher, and fund raising has been in excess of £90,000. She was also a ‘Pride of Malvern’ finalist in 2020.

It was my privilege to nominate her for an award, and as part of the process I sought feedback from a number of long-standing parishioners and the words that come back were: fundraising, fun and fellowship. A number commented that they have developed skills and talents they didn’t know they had- and have extended their own capacity for organisation and service. Freda just seems to have a knack of getting you to do something you didn’t know you could do (and you enjoy it)! Her drive, commitment and selflessness were also noted by parishioners, as were the sheer number of years, and the range of activities including lunches, suppers, flower festivals, sponsored walks, bridge drives, Christmas fayres and concerts, all of which provide pleasure to those in Hallow and West Worcester. If a means to raise money can be found Freda will find it and use it, and get the community working together at the same time. Freda is always at pains to ensure that Fellowship and team work are an inclusive part of all that she does. She is often heard to say “it’s not just about the money,” and “there is no ‘I’ in team”.

Freda has also contributed strongly to the Women’s Institute in Hallow and Worcestershire, holding a range of offices at branch and Federation level, and has raised £4,000 for the WI by walking 147 miles around Worcestershire. These funds were used to support Denman College in Oxfordshire for the benefit of WI members and their continuing education. She has also served as a Churchwarden, on the Parochial Church Council, and as a Governor of Hallow School. She embodies the phrase “community spirit”, and is held in deep respect and admiration by the whole village.

She will receive the BEM from the Lord Lieutenant when COVID-19 restrictions allow- presumably with tea and buns (and possibly wine), and best frocks and matching accessories will be required. The British Empire Medal (formally British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service) is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. The current honour was created in 1922 to replace the original medal, which had been established in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire.

Hazel Kemshall

The beauty of small things.

It’s February- many of us are tired- and a lot of us are fed up. There isn’t a huge amount left in the tank, and we may feel pretty disenchanted with the way things are. COVID- and everything that goes with it- continues to cast a real shadow, to cause real strain, sadness, illness, loneliness and death. It’s really hard.

Of course, we have good things to look forward to. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Even if it’s a pretty awful tunnel. As I write this, in the second week of January, we have three vaccines licensed for use in the UK. The days are getting longer. By my very rough calculations we will be enjoying about an hour per day more sunlight by the beginning of February than we are right now. I have even seen a couple of very wary shoots in my garden, peeking out of the soil. It is a comfort to me, and perhaps to you, to know that the seasons roll on and that this season of physical darkness is waning.

But the things that have comforted me most in recent weeks have been the kindnesses of other people, in which I see the love of God breaking out, sometimes where I would hope to see it, sometimes in very unexpected places. An unexpected bunch of flowers. A phone call from an old friend. An email from a colleague. Someone who anonymously provided food for some individuals and families in need over Christmas. The donations to the Foodbank that get left in my porch every week.

Jesus talks a lot about little things making a big difference. He talks about the widow’s mite- a tiny financial contribution given with a big heart. He talks about a tiny bit of yeast raising a whole basin full of flour. He talks about a mustard seed of faith growing into a great tree. He talks about someone who offers a little one a cup of water being rewarded in heaven.

Locked down as we are, we may feel helpless or useless, but we can all be bringers of light, encouragement and comfort to others. When you have to go out to buy necessities, make a point of thanking the person who serves you at the till. If you live on your own, perhaps you could call a friend and hear their news. If you live with someone else, perhaps you could be the one to put the bins out. If you have a neighbour who is home schooling their children, could you offer to pick up something for them at the shops so that they don’t have to drag the whole family around Sainsbury’s?

You yourself, I am sure, will have memories of small acts of kindness which have made a big difference to you. It’s not rocket science, but kindness really works. It really transforms people’s lives.

I pray for each and every one of you, the blessing of giving and receiving unexpected small kindnesses in the coming weeks.

Revd. Kalantha

Anne Stark: saying our farewells and remembering Anne It was with the heaviest heart that I had to share news of Anne Stark’s death on New Year’s Day. Anne was a devoted and beloved mother, sister and grandmother. A person of enormous energy and faith, extraordinarily generous with her time, and dedicated to building community. Anne managed to combine both huge kindness and the sort of no-nonsense determination which made us all sit up a bit straighter. There was hardly a single organisation in the village to which she had not given her time and talent. She was an exceptional person, and to say that she will be greatly missed is a huge understatement.

Anne’s funeral Anne's funeral will take place at Hallow Church on Tuesday 26th January at noon, followed by a private committal at Worcester Crematorium. Numbers in church will be restricted to 30 and due to current COVID restrictions attendance will have to be by invitation only. We will walk from Anne's home to church as we have done for some other funerals in recent months. If you wish to pay your respects to Anne by lining the route to church, socially distanced, I know this would be of very great comfort to her family.

Remembering Anne-a memorial issue of the parish magazine There is not time now to say all that we would want to say about Anne. We are planning to make the March issue of this magazine a memorial issue for her.

If you have a memory of Anne and you would like to submit a short piece to be included in the March issue, please send it to me ([email protected]) in Word format as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday February 10th. Please be aware that we may have to edit submissions.

Hallow Village Community Group

~ NEWS ~

Doggie deposits! Sad times You will have all heard that we have lost a long serving member of our committee Anne Stark, who joined the group during the first year of its conception in 2006. Anne was fully committed to working for the community of Hallow and we send our thoughts to daughter Helen, Roy and granddaughter Marianne and to Anne’s sister Mary. We shall be giving a fuller tribute to Anne next month. Her input Many of you will have had my email asking if as a committee member will be greatly dog-owners would have more thought when missed. taking their dogs for a walk. Since then I have had several replies and the photograph above. If you can’t see it clearly it is a picture Hallow History Group of piles of discarded filled bags and would you One thing lockdown has given us is time to believe it’s on the allotments where folk are do our own thing, and I know that many growing organic vegetables! members of the history group are on their computers continuing their research. I personally had the privilege of spending an Coffee, cake and a chat. afternoon (between lockdowns) with Dr. Paul This was the last event we held - a year ago Johnson who, as far as we know, is the only – where has that time gone? However, it is surviving pupil to attend Hildersham School, heart-warming to see that Freda Davies and which was moved from Kent to Thorngrove Karen Gorman, with support from Hallow during the war. It was such an interesting Church will be home baking and delivering to afternoon and one which he says he enjoyed many of you during lock down; a generous too in recalling his childhood. We will share treat during these dreadful times. his memories sometime soon, but in the mean-time, why not take a look at the Hallow Voluntary Help Offered History website. It contains so much A young lady in our midst is completing her information on Hallow’s past and will fill many Duke of Edinburgh Award and needs to hours of your time. undertake several hours of voluntary work. Is there anything you can offer her? If so please The website is: hallowhistory.blogspot.com email me below and I will pass it on.

Further details if you wish to join the group – WHY NOT JOIN US – CONTACT contact Ann Finn the group’s chair [email protected] secretary or [email protected] phone 641691 who will email you a welcome pack and regular news via email.

Climate Change - in the next two months plant a tree or two in your front or back garden?

At around 10% woodland, England is one of the least densely wooded countries in Europe, and is an indicator of how intensively farmed our countryside is. This compares with 38% for the EU as a whole and 31% worldwide.

In the 2019 General Election every major political party backed the necessary increase in trees and woods in response to the climate and nature crisis. The Government’s climate change advisers have set a target of 17-19% woodland cover as a key part of the UK’s actions to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

According to the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust …

“… in Worcestershire, there are or have been, concentrations of orchards in the Teme Valley, a stronghold for cherries; in the Severn Vale and Vale of Evesham, for apples; and around the Wyre Forest for plums and cherries. Pears are a particular Worcestershire speciality. Pershore ‘ –Pearshore – ’was the heart of the pear country. Few pear orchards survive today, although pear trees remain widespread in hedgerows. Worcester City has had many cultural associations with fruit trees and orchards. The city crest itself incorporates three black pears. Historically the city has been important for this fruit and also the pearmain.”

Worcestershire is perhaps most famous for its plums, Evesham Wonder, Pershore Yellow Egg and Purple Pershore and for its Black Worcester pear and perry pears.

Clearly planting a tree or two in your own gardens is not going to have a massive impact on the above numbers. However, we should work on the basis that my little bit DOES actually make a difference.

Trees provide a multitude of benefits, both long and short term. As well as being attractive aesthetically, they remove and store carbon from the atmosphere, slow heavy rain and so reduce the risk of flooding and enhance air quality. In addition, the physical weight of a tree consists of approximately 50% carbon, as such trees have a potentially strong climate change mitigation effect when in high enough numbers. Trees greatly benefit the people living around them by having a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, reducing stress and encouraging outdoor exercise.

Whilst planting any indigenous tree will be of benefit, consider planting one of our traditional Worcestershire fruit varieties. Not only does one get the benefit of the blossom in spring – which supports pollinators, shade in the summer to save you getting your umbrella out, there is also the benefits of the fruit in late summer and autumn. Either to eat directly, turn into jam, or cider, or just leave for the birds during winter.

Furthermore, one can underplant the tree or trees with early wild spring flowers such as snowdrops, wild garlic, Welsh daffodils, English bluebells - giving us an uplift after Christmas through to spring, all of which should have died back by the time we feel the need to get our lawn mowers out.

If you only have limited space, have a look at the dwarf varieties and those best suited to planting against a wall or fence, yet providing some of the above benefits, albeit on a smaller scale.

Many local nurseries will be in a position to provide a selection of trees. However, you might wish to consider the following nurseries who specialise in providing a wide variety of trees, which also appear to be open during the current lockdown.

Happy planting! Walcott Nursery. Walcott. 01905 841587 Frank P Matthews Tenbury Wells +441584812800 PS. 2020 was the hottest global temperature on record.

Holt WI Holt WI is limping along in these awkward times, communicating by newsletter and phone calls, now that socially distanced visits are again at an end. The planned Committee meeting, which was addressing the issue of our AGM, fell foul of the second lockdown, but we have permission to postpone it until the Spring, by which time, hopefully, inoculations permitting, we will be meeting again in person.

Sadly, some of our members have been having a torrid time, as well as suffering the COVID restrictions we all have to bear: bereavement, a fractured pelvis, two hospitalisations, a permanently lost voice and various other stresses and strains. All this means that the loss of a little social time is all the harder to deal with. However, one bright point was the afternoon tea up at Ombersley Golf Club, back in October.

“It was a nice mild afternoon, lovely venue, beautiful views of very colourful autumn trees, very safe environment, well-spaced around a large table. There were six of us, we were the only ones in a large room and all rules were obeyed. The food was delicious, lots of lively chatter and laughs. So nice to meet up again”.

Book club continues to meet, monthly, on WhatsApp. Having thoroughly enjoyed Tracey Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures (the story of Mary Anning of fossil fame) and been depressed by Yeonmi Park’s tale of her escape from North Korea, we embarked with high hopes on Raynor Winn’s follow-up to The Salt Path, called The Wild Silence. Maybe we expected too much, but decided it is not as engaging as her first book in total, although the language is exquisite and parts of it up-lifting. Then we tackled JoJo Moyes’ The Giver of Stars, set in 1930s Kentucky, based on the true story of a mobile library. It is well worth a read, as was agreed by the whole group. Philippa Gregory’s A Respectable Trade caused much discussion of the complete immorality of slavery and a sad reflection that it is still with us. Indeed, the horror of slavery has been there in some form somewhere in the world as long as history records – the slave triangle being just a particularly notorious example of man’s inhumanity to man. And on that theme, our January book is In Extremis by Lindsey Hilsum, a biography of the conflict journalist, Marie Colvin, whose determination to tell the victims’ stories produced much first-class reportage, until she lost her life in a targeted rocket attack in Syria.

Our resident historian has continued her research into the Holt Fleet Inn.

“1892 – Worcester Journal 13 January 1900 - West Bromwich Albion Team will shortly go into strict training for their English Cup Tie with Walsall. They will probably take up the quarters at the Holt Fleet Hotel, the old training quarters of Aston Villa. FEBRUARY 1908 - for the Third Round of the Cup tie between Aston Villa & Manchester United, the United players stayed at Holt Fleet.

1909 - WILLIAM F ROBERTSON - Shetland ponies (direct from Shetland) riding lessons for adults. August 1911 – Ford & Addison Ltd had Dinner & Tea at the Holt Fleet Hotel, after a drive by “brake” from Brierley Hill via Harvington and Ombersley. Birmingham Mail advert 15 August 1914 “IF NOT THE SEASIDE, WHY NOT THE SEVERN and see the Hop Yards, only one minute walk from the Holt Fleet Hotel.”

August 1915 the 4th Warwickshire Battalion at Westwood Park marched to Holt, accompanied by lady friends, then went by river to Worcester. MAY 1916 - Mr & Mrs J.W. Arnold - Wharf Hotel - Dudley Disabled Soldiers Outing – a host of neat-handed and clean waitresses and members of the Committee gave 52 guests a sumptuous tea “2 farm fed eggs were allotted, several managed 3 or 4 but “Erny” outdid them all, nearly half-a- dozen.”

Finally, the Committee managed to ensure that every member got a surprise goody bag for Christmas, but of course what everyone would really have liked for Christmas was a return to normality.

YOU WANT ME TO GIVE THINGS UP You cannot FOR LENT?! be serious!! Lent – traditionally a season of 40 days of penitence and fasting. I don’t know how you feel about Lent this year, but I feel as though I have done nothing but give things up for the past year. I’ve given up hugs, holidays, dinners with friends, weddings, singing, Christmas with my family, visits to my Dad: I could go on, but I don’t need to. Because you all know exactly what I mean. The idea of giving anything else up just makes me want to weep- or spit feathers- maybe both…….

BUT if we think of Lent as a time when we turn away from the things that distract us from God’s love; and turn towards the things that reconnect us with God’s love, that might be more helpful. Here are some things which might help you to do that:

GET OUT… Spend time outside every day if you can- even if it’s just a few minutes- and jot down in a notebook or journal what you see, and what you are thankful for. For me, as I hear a bit more birdsong, and see a few more green leaves, and watch the early shoots of bulbs popping up, there is a real gladness in the coming of Spring. I am reminded of God’s goodness and my own part in creation and it lifts my heart.

GET WRITING… You might want to get in some writing paper and go through your address book- try writing a letter or an email every day to someone you care about- maybe somebody you haven’t been in touch with for a while- thank them for their part in your life as a friend or neighbour. Pray for them.

GET THE KETTLE ON… Most of us drink tea or coffee most days. Can you switch to a brand of tea or coffee that is organically produced and Fairly traded, so that every time you brew up you are helping a farmer in a developing country to live sustainably on a decent wage?

GET A BIT OF PEACE AND QUIET… If you are not already in the habit of praying, try this: After you’ve had your breakfast each day, find a quiet spot, light a candle, and just spend five minutes quietly. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Ask God to be with you through the day. Ask for God’s help in knowing His presence. Ask for peace in your heart as you begin the day. Say the Lord’s prayer.

This Lent, be kind to yourself, take things gently, remember that God’s love is all around you. And whatever you do, don’t give up.

Blessings Revd Kalantha 13

Artistic flair? IT Skills? Community minded? Calm?

Could you be our new editor?

Following the sad death of Anne Stark, the parish magazine is in need of a new editor. The parish magazine is a great community resource and an important link for many people to what is going on in the parishes of Hallow, Grimley and Holt. This is a voluntary, part-time position which could be shared by two people or by a small team.

What does it involve??

The main tasks are • Gathering contributions, fitting and formatting them into pages and putting them in order. • Forwarding content to the printer and liaising with the printer if any problems arise. • Anyone with an artistic flair and good IT skills would enjoy the role. • You will need patience with contributors- not all of whom stick to print deadlines! You would not need to be involved with:

• collection of the magazines from the printers or distribution, • collection of payment from advertisers and subscribers as these tasks are dealt with by others.

Interested? Please contact – [email protected], or phone 07808 295457 to discuss.

Eliza Maria – The elusive mistress of Thorngrove, Grimley for over 50 years and her first husband Edwin Shelton

Eliza Maria was the elder of the two daughters of John Chadborn, a wealthy Attorney at Law and Gloucester City Alderman who was one of the four executors of the will of James “Jemmy” Wood, who owned Gloucester City Old Bank and died in 1836. Jemmy was famously known as “The Miser of Gloucester”, his Punch like face decorated Toby Jugs and Staffordshire pottery.

There were doubts and complications about Jemmy Wood’s will and a contested codicil with a prolonged court case which reached the Privy Council. Some people believe Dickens used the case as a basis for Jarndyce and Jarndyce in “Bleak House”. Eliza Maria’s father took his own life in August 1839, it was thought by his sons-in-law because “his originally strong mind had been worn down by unjust insinuations” about the case. Following the death of Chadborn’s wife Eliza Ann in October of the same year, Eliza Maria and her sister Frances Anne became co-heiresses to their estates.

In September 1836 Eliza Maria had married Edwin Shelton at the fashionable church of St George’s, Hanover Square, London. He had been a Birmingham timber merchant in partnership with his brother George, but by 1836 Edwin had entered a partnership with John Whitehead Greaves (Shelton & Greaves) concerned with the selling of slate from Edwin’s slate quarries in Caernarvonshire and elsewhere. In the same year, his partner travelled on the first train on the Ffestiniog railway which connected Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog.

At the time of their marriage Edwin Shelton’s main residence was “Glanwilliam”, Meantwrog, Merionethshire. Some of Shelton’s correspondence with Lord Newborough about the lease of land for slate mining were written first from Merionethshire and later Droitwich, where Eliza Maria and her husband were living at the timbered mansion Meer Hall at time of the 1841 census. They were still at Meer Hall when in April 1842 Shelton formed another partnership, buying a share in a Steam Sawmill Company, on the recently widened section of the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal, which is still known as Baker’s Quay. This quay was developed by Samuel Baker banker & sugar merchant and his partner Thomas Philpotts. Probably by 1837, the Sheltons were acquainted with Samuel Baker, as he and Edwin were two of the many partners in the Gloucestershire Banking Company. Samuel Baker would become Eliza Maria’s second husband. The explorer Sir Samuel White Baker was his son from a previous marriage.

By June of 1843 Eliza Maria and Edwin had moved to Thorngrove which had been remodelled by an earlier owner Richard Griffiths. Messrs. Shelton & Greaves continued its slate quarrying and mining ventures and in 1846 opened the Llechwedd Quarry, Blaenau Ffestiniog, although it was not until after Shelton’s death that Greaves found the enormous vein of excellent slate which was worked and is now the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, a popular tourist attraction.

1846 was a busy year for Edwin Shelton, he and Eliza Maria were settled at Thorngrove and in March she had performed the ceremony of laying the first stone of the new tower at Grimley church, which “was attended by a large number of parishioners and a sprinkling of visitors”. Edwin’s thoughts had turned to farming improvements and in September he patented a design for a root washer!

The newspapers of the day reported Edwin’s many social and business interests. Grimley church needed a new tower and he gave £50 as well as the new quarry tiles. He was a member of the Hallow Loyal Agricultural Lodge of Oddfellows of England and the Royal Agricultural Society. He bought the best shorthorn stock for Heath Farm which he owned. His shepherd won £3 in a Worcestershire Agricultural Society competition in 1847 for “the shepherd who reared the greatest number of lambs, with the least loss of ewes” - 109 ewes 123 lambs, with no ewes lost. In 1847 he was a subscriber to the Worcester Royal Infirmary; on the Committee of the Hereford and Gloucester Canal and a Commissioner of the Severn Navigation which implemented so many improvements concerning the river’s weirs and dredging. Edwin was co-owner of a schooner the “Bertholly”, trading to and from Porthmadog harbour and was interested in railway plans for Worcestershire and other counties, and invested £5,000 in the Gloucester and Forest of Dean Railway.

On 10 April 1848 39-year-old Edwin Shelton died, having suffered for some time with an enlargement of his heart. Other than two bequests totalling £3,000 to his brother and sister, he left everything else to his dear wife and executrix Eliza Maria. The memorial to Edwin Shelton is the stained-glass east window at St Bartholomew’s, Grimley.

All research at the moment is undertaken on-line, but hopefully later this year I will be able to see what the Worcestershire Libraries Archives and Archaeology Service have in their records about Eliza Maria and her three husbands. Jacquie Hartwright Hallow History Group

Special thanks for the photographs to Mike Finn for Thorngrove and TudorBarlow (Flickr) for St Bartholomew’s East window.

READ OUR RESEARCH TO DATE ON OUR WEBSITE: www.hallowhistory.org.uk

District News by Dean Clarke Hallow & Grimley District Councillor Any concerns or suggestions… 640850 or [email protected] That was the year that was… There is only one way to start this New Year and that is to thank all of those individuals in our community who have helped others through this pandemic. I did gather a list of willing volunteers when we first went into lockdown but as all of you have helped family, friends and neighbours I had no need to make any formal requests. What a lovely community we have in the Hallow Ward; well done everyone!

Enjoying life in a different way Pat and I have survived quite well being semi-retired, though the lack of a social life has been a stark contrast to the phrenic activities of my 1st year as Chair of MHDC. Unusually, and because of Covid, I was elected for a second term. It would have been no fun for any new Councillor taking over the Chair this year. My daily walks took on a new socially isolated direction on route to the Ladygo store. I learnt the enjoyment of a walk down to the river, a meander along it, and a scramble up the steps of Squires Bank emerging into Church Lane. I definitely remember a delightful Spring when it was wonderful to stop, listen and really appreciate the joyous bird song and enjoy our gorgeous local scenery. I became used to accidental meetings and physically distanced conversations with old friends and sometimes new acquaintances.

So what of this New Year? Well, we have had our inoculations.; no hesitation from either of us… the National Health system has spent too much on me for me to prevaricate over my and others safety. Hopefully by extending the time between first and second jab we will cover lots of people quickly and get back to some sort of normality, I can’t wait to give the grandchildren a hug. I have missed meeting people at our local events, visiting our pubs and when selling ice cream at shows, events and festivals. Here’s hoping that many of the organisations are able to get up and running again this year… even our car boots in Hallow are great for meeting friends and neighbours.

Getting together again I have been able to direct some District Council money to the Hallow Community group to support their coffee and cake sessions and similarly to the Peace Hall Committee in Sinton Green so that they can set up a similar session when circumstances allow. All of our pubs have suffered but the Camp doubly so because of the flooding so I will do my best to extend my river side walk and take in some refreshment. I’m afraid that it’s going to be goodbye to Sasha at the Crown; with the normal wisdom of pub companies they have seen the unusual success of this hard working couple and refused to renew their lease. I wish them well in their future ventures. Meanwhile Clegg’s have ceased to sell cars but the premises will still be selling wheeled vehicles… I wish the new business every success.

Solar Panels My phone has been hot recently with calls from those concerned about the prospective application for several large solar panel sites. At the moment there is no validated application, I expect there will be may one sometime in the future and I will of course let you all know. If you wish to contact me directly…my email is [email protected]

Brexit… for better and or for worse it has happened. The negotiation was aggressive and we probably came out the worse for it. Time now to kiss and make up with our European neighbours and gradually work on an improved, constructive and cooperative relationship.

Anne Stark I think most of you will have heard the sad news about Anne Stark, who edited this magazine. Typically of Anne she put great energy into producing this magazine…I often had reminders that submission dates was very near! Anne was part of many village based institutions which have helped maintain our community. I will miss her hardworking, honest and straight forward approach. Our sympathies go to her daughter Helen and her sister Mary.

Hallow Church Cleaning Rota

Through the pages of the magazine we would like to thank all those who are involved with the cleaning of Hallow Church. In this issue of the magazine we especially mention those stepping back from the rota and thank Dee & Bob Browne, who have been on the team for many, many years and they continue to lovingly tend the cremation area of the churchyard. Also a big thank you to Inglis & Helen Thomson, Janet & John Crabbe, Maureen Munslow and Christine Osmond. Thank you for all of your past hard work. Very much appreciated.

So, we are fewer - currently 22 volunteers who give up time (approximately 4 hours per year) to yield a mop, duster, vacuum! This year the majority have agreed to two separate shifts but there are spaces to be filled. If you would like to join the team please do come forward, either by phoning Viv on 640355 for full details, or Cath Thorpe 641349 who will be pleased to take your name and number!

Many hands make light work

Bill Moore William Dennis Moore 26.6.1946 – 1.11.2020

When you move house you know you are getting new surroundings, a different space, a new view. When we moved to Hallow over 20 years ago we knew nothing of the warmth, friendship and support that our neighbours, Bill and Viv Moore, would bring to our new location. His short illness and death in the autumn of last year has shocked and saddened us all.

Bill was a local boy, brought up in Worcester and starting his working life as an apprentice engineer at Metal Castings. He co-founded the Worcester Branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club in the late 60's. This led him to be a commercial diver working in many locations: the North Sea, Jersey, the Middle East - Oman, Qatar, finally based in the United Arab Emirates for many years. Bill and Viv returned to the UK with their three sons to live, first in Everard Close, then to Hallow in 1983.

Bill was an enthusiast - walking, birdwatching, singing, motor bikes, anything mechanical. Annual walking holidays in the Lake District were a highlight. He would phone us excitedly to share with us sightings of a nuthatch, fox or muntjac deer in the garden. His singing and whistling in the garden was legendary, often in recent years a medley of Worcester Male Voice Choir’s repertoire. His last motorbike did not see the road often but was lovingly restored and maintained!

Another annual highlight for Bill was Worcester Beer Festival. A discerning and enthusiastic beer drinker, Bill combined two loves, walking regularly with his mates to local hostelries!

Whilst not a churchgoer, Bill supported the church with churchyard maintenance, running repairs and bacon sandwiches at the car boot sales. He was the go-to person for any practical help, rising to the challenge of fixing anything fixable, moving cattle, even inventing deterrent devices for predating woodpeckers!

Bill’s warmth and friendliness with everyone was so evident in his interaction with his grandchildren, teaching them the intricacies of football and gardening whilst keeping them safe and entertained.

To us Bill was the ultimate good neighbour, who also became our friend. We all miss him. Ann Finn

HALLOW WI

I’ve just read through my contribution for last Jan/Feb 2020 – how normal and lovely it all sounded – reporting on our Christmas shopping trip, the Christmas party and how daffodils, snowdrops and camelias were visible everywhere. Really? Little did we know what was ahead of us for the coming year. Will we ever get back to ‘normal’? We are now in our third lockdown, the virus has mutated and is rampant, the weather is either cold or wet, or both, and we are confined to our homes. Luckily, I can get out and exercise with Tilly, which is a lifesaver. The other lifesaver will of course be the vaccine and many of us are due our first jab pretty soon if we have not already had it. Then what? Don’t think we can resume life as we knew it immediately but at least we will be less fearful of catching this awful virus.

We have been keeping in touch with our members in various ways and at the beginning of December we organised a second goody bag which, again, proved to be extremely popular. It contained a card, a cracker, a handmade decoration, chocolates, a mince pie, a bottle of wine and a tea bag, along with WFWI News, our monthly newsletter and a poem. The chats on doorsteps whilst we delivered were invaluable. We still have a weekly Zoom meeting on a Thursday lunchtime, we have had our latest Book Club meeting via Zoom, we aim to get a newsletter to all members at least once a month and Knit and Natter members frequently WhatsApp. My goodness, all these new technical mediums that we silversurfers are getting acquainted with – can’t imagine how we would have coped before the advent of the internet. Probably the same way our ancestors would, stoically but with far less information available.

Very many congratulations to our very own Freda Davies who has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List for her services to the Community. Long overdue for her outstanding and tireless fundraising for the church. She should also be recognised for her wonderful contribution and dedication to the WI over the last 60 years. Well done Freda.

Sadly, we have received news of Anne Stark. She was always at the forefront when it came to community events in Hallow and she developed the Parish Magazine into a very interesting and good read. I hope a suitable replacement can be found.

So, for the foreseeable future, we will all have to be vigilant, follow the rules and keep ourselves safe. There is light at the end of the tunnel if only better weather, longer days, and the advent of Spring in the coming months. Still too early to start organising anything but as soon as we can, rest assured we will be holding a celebratory meeting – LET’S PAAAARTY!!

Jeanette Riddex, President

CHRISTMAS CAKES & GOODIES

A huge Thank You to everyone who ordered and collected their Christmas cake and goodies and for the donations received. Thanks to all of you £500.00 was paid into Hallow Church account. Let’s hope that this year we will be able to have a full fundraising event at Christmas.

On a personal note I have been amazed and humbled by the response I have received following the announcement of being awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queens New Year’s Honour List. Many thanks to those who put my name forward. I know without a shadow of doubt that I owe a great deal to the many people past and present over almost 60 years who have supported me, encouraged me, and worked with me that it wouldn't have happened. Thank you, God bless you all.

I am so looking forward to coming out of the dark time we are in now to some more 'FUN' raising and know that the support will still be there so watch this space......

Freda

Update from Broadheath with Rushwick WI

After a lockdown hiatus, which saw many of our members isolated, and most of us at our sewing machines, making sourdough, and sharing jokes and chat on our members’ WhatsApp group, the committee bounced back into action (virtually, via Zoom of course). Beautiful veg boxes were delivered to all of the members, a lockdown recipe book was created from member contributions, and virtual coffee mornings and quizzes took place.

In December it was time to say goodbye and thank you to several members of the committee, including our president of two (and a bit) years, Jenny. Angela has taken over the helm – not an easy task when who knows when we’ll be able to meet in person again. However, she started with a bang, handing out goody bags and festive cheer to all of our members in her garden just before Christmas (all legal and socially distanced, of course).

We then were treated to a fascinating talk at our January “meeting” by Tim Cogger about his years growing up in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia in the 1950s.

The new committee are determined to keep things active and exciting in 2021, whatever it throws at us. We may not be meeting in person for a while, but we are very much active and open to our members, old and new.

Forthcoming meetings will feature talks via Zoom by Liz Every from the Meru Women’s Garden Project in Kenya (Feb 10), and Jerry Reakes-Williams from Worcester Street Pastors (March 10). Please let us know if you’d like to join in and we can send you a Zoom invitation. Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of every month except August, at 10.30am.

You can contact us by email: [email protected], on Facebook: @broadheathwithrushwick, or call Angela Cogger on 01905640754.

AN APPLE A DAY

Last year, as we had a mixture of weather which was, apparently, well suited to the production of apples, and Nature gave us what is commonly called a glut. Although the weather didn’t always please me, the abundance of Malus fruit suited me because I am partial to apples in any form; fresh from the tree; baked; in a crumble or pie (ideally with a sprinkling of blackberries). And just as the weather is good for the fruit, so the fruit is good for yours truly. I tell myself that apples are good for me – one of my prescribed daily five portions. And anyway a daily apple is supposed to keep the medics from the door. Isn’t it?

And what about a glass of cool scrumpy on a hot summer’s day? – there’s a real tonic.

My earliest recollections of apples go right back to my attendance in junior school when we used to sing (perhaps sing isn’t the best word) these lines from a song written by a man of Dorset, William Barnes: “An there vor me the apple tree do lean down low in Linden Lea”

At that stage of my life apples had little significance, but as I grew older and Linden Lea became but a memory, they grew more and more to my liking. And eventually I had space enough to have a couple of apple trees of my own.

Two years ago I bought a new tree to serve as a pollinator. I was assured it would do what was required, although I had not heard of it before. It was called Red Falstaff and last year, though still only a small tree. it was heavily laden with firm, round, bright red fruit, full of juice and flavour. The Pre- Raphaelite artist Rossetti (who was also a poet) could have been thinking of my tree when he wrote about “the sweet apple which reddens upon the topmost bough”

Apple trees and their fruits have been around since the start of time, or even longer. Thomas Hood wrote about the apples that allegedly grew in the Garden of Eden: “When Eve upon the first of Men the apple pressed with specious cant, Oh! What a thousand pities then that Adam was not Adamant”

Mark Twain also made reference to this when he said: “Adam was but human – this explains it all. He did not want the apple for the apple’s sake; he wanted it because it was forbidden”

Leigh Hunt, poet and dramatist wrote these lines on a very similar theme: “Stolen sweets are always sweeter; stolen kisses much completer, stolen looks are nice in chapels, stolen, stolen be your apples”

I’ve quoted several eminent writers in this page, and I shall quote one more to finish. These lines are from Eugene Field an American poet with a sense of humour: “But I, when I undress me each night, upon my knees, will ask the Lord to bless me, with apple pie and cheese”

Unfortunately apple pie and cheese at bed time gives me indigestion. So I shall abstain tonight, sleep well, and savour a couple of Cox’s tomorrow. Maurice Whitehouse 23

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES After a quiet Christmas, and now into another ‘lock-down’ I’ve been thinking more of happier care free days just like you have I expect, but I thought I’d tell you about some of my mine - as a child growing up in post-war London.

Home was a Victorian tenement block in Fulham, which had four storeys, we lived on the third and this was my bedroom. Forty two steps up, which kept us all fit, or perhaps for mum and dad, out of breath. Everything had to be carried up, including coal but luckily the coalman did that. Coal was kept in a bunker which had a wooden draining board as the cover - yes, coal was loaded into this - in the kitchen! Mum was house proud so she must have had to clean everywhere when a delivery was made. Milk was delivered to our door too – so you can understand that no one was short on exercise in those days. Exciting times were when a chimney caught fire, as one main stack serviced all the flats - the firemen would run up the stairs looking in all the flats trying to find out which part of the chimney was alight. They always took a few moments to talk to me, probably I was looking a bit startled, but absolutely admiring the impressive uniforms they wore in those days! Less exciting was when there would be a quarrel going on because someone had made too much noise – if it was the flat above you the usual thing was to bang on the ceiling with a broom handle to show your displeasure. We had a noisy family above us, and mum would quite often be telling me to “Go and fetch the superintendent!” She would say that she never heard someone called a ‘cow’ before she came to London – “cows lived in fields in Cheshire.” I’ll say no more, you’ll get the picture. Left, is the front block of the flats which was quite impressive, typical Victorian, though I don’t remember the metal railings as these would have been used for the war effort. Looking on Google, I see that the railings have now been replaced. Strict rules applied and there was no playing outside on a Sunday, so the usual thing was church in the morning, Sunday school in the afternoon, or a visit to a park for a stroll – should I say, this meant putting on your best clothes and ‘parading’ up and down – usually in Kensington Park or Bishops Park at Putney. Apart from the flats, all these areas are now for the wealthy with properties costing millions. I used to enjoy playing on the bombsites of which there were a few in Fulham, to me it seemed full of adventure, never knowing what bit of household rubbish I’d find, or someone’s false teeth. I had no inkling or understanding of the misery for those who used to live there. Once a week, bath night meant heating up water in a large metal pan on the gas cooker, and climbing into the butlers sink, even mum who was a little on the plump side managed – not sure about dad. Eventually baths were installed in an outside building, with coin-in-the-slot

24 meters. My sister wouldn’t use them once she realised the local lads climbed onto the roof to try to peer through the frosted glass windows. The flats comprised of 4 blocks with 3 access stairways across, 4 flats per landing. We lived in K13 and my grandparents lived in J1. I’m thinking now that this sounds more like a prison complex. There were a couple of ‘bushes’ growing along the walls at one end, but other than that there was no other greenery, just concrete yards - and I absolutely loved it. When my parents moved out when I was 13, I really didn’t understand why, but my mother had been a country girl and how she coped living here I don’t know. Now I live in a lovely part of the village with views of fields and distant hills and I wonder “How did I get so lucky in my old age” by Andrea Unwin

Fat Tuesday! ‘Mardi Gras’ or ‘Fat Tuesday’ falls on February 16th this year. I notice the announcement that the famous New Orleans Carnival procession won’t be taking place in 2021 and wonder whether the noisy, elaborate and sometimes anarchic processions we have enjoyed in Portugal, Cyprus and Madeira in past years will suffer the same Covid restrictions too. Fat Tuesday is traditionally the day to use up and enjoy the rich and fatty foods that might be forbidden during Lent so, here in England, we may not celebrate the day with music and carnival processions but the day is still marked by pancake making, using up butter and eggs on Shrove Tuesday. What do you put in your pancakes? The traditional sugar and lemon, banana and grated chocolate, or apple puree with sultanas and cinnamon? Those are our family favourites but maybe you raise your game with Crepes Suzette or savoury fillings. It is definitely too cold here for a Brazil style Carnival in February, but maybe a pancake race round Hallow Green again in the future? Ann Finn 25

Grimley Solar Farm

An industrial-scale solar farm covering up to 99 football fields of land is being proposed for Hallow and Grimley Parish. A screening application (20/01872/SCR) has been approved by Malvern Hills District Council which should mean that a developer will shortly submit a full application to that council. At 41Mw, it will consist of almost 100,000 panels up to 3m high, plus transformers, inverters and large Battery Energy Storage Systems, surrounded by deer fences and guarded by CCTV - for at least 40 years. A screening application is just a preliminary step. Residents will have plenty of opportunity to write to the council, but first ask yourself what, if anything, makes this project different from any other in the country?

Several aspects of this application are unusual. The solar panels will be situated on three separate sites, all within a mile of each other. The northern-most area runs alongside the eastern edge of Monk Wood bounded by the lane to Ockeridge. A second, lies west of Moseley, straddling both parishes. The third lies along the eastern side of Shoulton within the Hallow Parish. Another unusual characteristic is the first two areas’ close proximity to two Special Sites of Scientific Interest – Monk Wood and Monkwood Green. And the third unique angle is this landscape’s rich history, particularly its Anglo Saxon heritage, documented in Boundary Charters dating from the 9thC onwards. Much of that has yet to be formally documented by Historic England or our Worcestershire Historic Environment Record. Once restrictions are lifted, we hope to organise walking parties doing tree and hedge surveys along footpaths and lanes, ecology surveys and ventures into the region’s history.

Although few would argue that green energy is not important, it must not be to the extreme detriment of the existing environment. “The right development in the right place” is a key principle of the UK National Planning Policy Framework. The proposed solar farms are located in areas synonymous with natural beauty. This abundance of nature is an escape for many who travel here to enjoy the Worcestershire countryside. The appeal of this lush, green area would surely be lost by the introduction of expanses of black, and begs the question, do the benefits outweigh the price we will all pay?

For more information, email [email protected]

HALLOW NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

REGULATION 16 LOCAL AUTHORITY CONSULTATION

Hallow NDP will begin Regulation 16 consultation on January 15th up until February 26th 2021.

THIS IS A MALVERN HILLS DISTRICT COUNCIL CONSULTATION NOT A PARISH COUNCIL CONSULTATION. You can find further information, including the submitted Hallow Neighbourhood Plan, supporting documentation and Response Forms, are available on the Malvern Hills District Council website at https://www.malvernhills.gov.uk/planning/planning- policy/neighbourhoodplanning/hallow-neighbourhood-plan Please return response forms to Malvern Hills District Council. Hallow Parish Council undertook consultation on an earlier draft of their Plan between June and August 2020. Comments made during this period helped inform changes to the document now submitted to Malvern Hills District Council. The draft Plan includes 15 policies. The draft Plan proposes a site allocation for around 40 new dwellings at Greenhill Lane and includes policies to ensure that any new residential development has a mix of housing types and would be appropriately designed. The draft Plan also includes policies to protect important views, protect valued community and recreation facilities, retain existing wildlife habitats, protect and enhance Hallow Conservation Area and proposes the designation of six new Local Green Spaces. It also proposes 30 historic properties for the MHDC Local Heritage list. It is the responsibility of Malvern Hills District Council to collate all the responses and forward them on to an independent examiner, who will consider the responses and the Plan documents when assessing whether the Neighbourhood Plan meets the relevant legislation and can therefore proceed to referendum. Paper copies of the draft Hallow Neighbourhood Plan are available on request from Malvern Hills District Council at [email protected] or telephone 01684 862370. Supporting documents are available on the Malvern Hills District Council website. Hazel Kemshall Chair Hallow Parish Council.

Ready, steady, census The decennial census is almost upon us. Households across Worcestershire will soon be asked to take part in the nationwide survey of housing and the population. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

Information from the digital-first census will help decide how services are planned and funded in your local area. This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, housing or new bus routes.

It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets. Paper questionnaires will however be available for those that prefer them. Households will receive a letter with a unique access code in the post, allowing them to complete their questionnaire online. Paper questionnaires will be available on request. Census day is March 21.

For your Local Electrician, call: J & S Trade Supplies D W LEES Haven Nurseries ELECTRICAL SERVICES Bank Road Ring Dave: Little Witley Tel: 01905 748912 Mob: 07850 958491 Nr Worcester Re-wires, Heating, Shower Installations, Plugs, WR6 6LR Domestic and 3-phase work, Intruder Alarms & Security Lighting Jason Bull Tel: 07966-804007 XX FREE ESTIMATES XX Tel/Fax: 01886-888024 NAPIT-approved Suppliers and Installers of: Aluminium Windows

Aluminium Bi-Folding Doors Hardwood and Softwood Bespoke Timber THE CORNER SHOP & POST OFFICE HALLOW Tel: Windows, Doors and Conservatories including (01905) 640403 Grade I and Grade II listed Newspapers & Magazines Secondary Glazing and Replacement Sealed (Delivered if Required) Free Cash Machine Fresh Glass Units Bread & Cakes Daily Off Licence UPVC Windows, Doors and Conservatories Garage Doors, Fascia and Soffits SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POST OFFICE 0% Commission currency, € in Stock We now also specialise in small building Home/Car/Travel/Life Insurance Car Tax projects Mon - Fri 6.30am - 6pm Sat/Sun Till 1pm And all aspects of carpentry and joinery PLEASE CALL FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION

Red Kite Pest Control & Wildlife Management Combining Tradition and Innovation

For all your local Pest Control requirements ~ BPCA and NPTA Qualified ~ NPTA Member Humane, Environmentally responsible methods Individual Treatments ~ Flexible Contracts ~ All Insect pests ~ All Rodent pests ~ All Wildlife pests

Free Advice ~ Free Initial Survey ~ Free no obligation Quotations Specialised Trapping Service ~ Pest Prevention ~ Proofing ~ Cleansing ~ Decontamination ~ Disinfection Telephone Andy Staples on: 07977 044987 / 01886 832730

MJL Painting & Decorating

All aspects of interior/exterior decorating covered For a quote/estimate please Your local convenience store call - with friendly local service Matt Lewis OPEN DAILY 6.00am to 7.30pm (Sunday 5.00pm) on 07788 631388 or 01905 FRESH FRUIT & VEG. – GROCERIES- OFF- 22818 or e-mail LICENCE - NATIONAL LOTTERY [email protected] Main Road, Hallow. Tel: 640270

Collett Accountancy Ltd Robert Adam Furniture Accountancy and Taxation Services www.robertadamfurniture.co.uk Annette Collett Bespoke Hand Made Furniture Whitehouse Farm, Monkwood Green Nr. Worcester WR2 6NX Kitchen, Bedrooms Tel/Fax: 01886 888812 & Home offices Mobile: 07860 748222 Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] Otherton Farm, Otherton Lane Cotheridge WR6 5LS Tel/Fax 01886 889059 Mobile 07754004595

ADVERTISE HERE FOR £150 FOR A YEAR

E.J. GUMERY & SON Funeral Directors * Independent, Family Funeral Directors * * Established 1870 * * Helpful and Efficient Personal Service * * Private Chapels * * Pre-payment Plans * Tel: 01905 22094 24 HOURS 68, 70 & 72 Ombersley Road, Worcester, WR3 7EU

Email:enquiries: [email protected] All electrical installations carried out to 17th Edition and BS7671 Local, Experienced and Reliable Domestic, Commercial and Industrial New Installations and Rewires Lighting - Interior and Exterior Additional Electrical and Telephone sockets Electrical Health Check/Certification Fault finding Contact Maria or Jeremy on: 01886 888493 Email:[email protected]

At Home Physiotherapy in and around Worcester

Rosanna Ellis HCPC Registered and Chartered Physiotherapist. To arrange a Physiotherapy appointment or to register for classes, please call or email: 07753 672542 / [email protected]

Pilates Classes at Little Witley Village Hall

Hallow Pre School & Playgroup Registered charity no. 1000222 www.hallowpreschool.org.uk OFSTED registered recently rated ‘ OUTSTANDING (2014) for children aged 2 - 5 years . High ratio of highly qualified adults:children. Open 9am - 3 pm Mon - Fri. A safe indoor and secure outdoor environment for children to freely access throughout the day & regular forest school. A warm, friendly & fun environment where children are encouraged to play and inspired to learn. Hallow Pre School & Playgroup, Parish Hall, Main Road, Hallow, Worcester, WR2 6PH 01905 641834 email:[email protected]

BLISSETT PROPERTY MAINTENANCE The Peace Hall, Sinton Green Friendly, reliable service from a local Take a look at our recently decorated Hall which is the ideal handyman. venue for club meetings, parties and celebrations. Basic Plumbing, Carpentry, Furniture Construction, Kitchen & Bathroom Facilities include seating and tables, well equipped kitchen, Installation, Painting & Decorating, stage and refurbished toilets with disabled facilities. Ample Plastering, Tiling. parking and grounds to the rear. Light Engineering and Toolmaking Excellent hourly hire rates, with discounts for those in the Parish. FREE QUOTES Nigel Blissett - 5 New Inn Lane, Shrawley, Details and booking: Worcs., WR6 6TE Lesley Moule on 01905 641880 01299 822879 & 07786 838818

Ambleside Veterinary Clinic The Wagon Wheel Home visits 24 hours a day in Hallow from £40 including examination.

01905 724445 Grimley 357 Tolladine Road Worcester (01905) 640 340 A la carte, bar meals, Sunday lunches

Liz Whittaker - Lady Chauffeur Affordable Comfort - Travel in Style

Transport solutions for up to eight passengers. All air/seaports. Weddings & Sporting events. Local & National journeys Tel: 07814006179 Email: [email protected]

Bible Readings from Candlemas 2021 to Lent

Sunday 31st January 2021 (Candlemas) Malachi 3.1-5 Psalm 24 Hebrews 2.14-end Luke 2.22-40

Sunday 7th February 2021 (2nd Sunday before Lent) Proverbs 8.1,22-31 Psalm 104.26-37 Colossians 1.15-20 John 1.1-14

Sunday 14th February 2021 (Sunday next before Lent) 2 Kings 2.1-12; Psalm 50.1-6 2 Corinthians 4.3-6 Mark 9.2-9

Sunday 21st February 2021 (1st Sunday of Lent) Genesis 9.8-17 Psalm 25.1-9 1 Peter 3.18-end Mark 1.9-15

Sunday 28th February 2021 (2nd Sunday of Lent) Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16 Psalm 22.23-31 Romans 4.13-end Mark 8.31-end

Sunday 7th March 2021 (3rd Sunday of Lent) Exodus 20.1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1.18-25 John 2.13-22

Services, February 2021

Wednesday 17th February 10am St Philip & St James, Hallow Holy Communion ASH WEDNESDAY with Imposition of Ashes 2pm Christchurch, Lower Broadheath Parish Communion with Imposition of Ashes

Sunday 21st February 8:30am St Martin’s, Holt BCP Communion 10am St Philip & St James, Hallow Morning Worship 11am Christchurch, Lower Broadheath Parish Communion

Sunday 28th February 8:30am St Bartholomew’s, Grimley Holy Communion 10am St Philip & St James, Hallow Parish Communion 11am Christchurch, Lower Broadheath Morning Worship

There will also be an online service available on all Sundays during February. Please refer to the church website for details. www.hallowchurch.co.uk

Due to the current high levels of COVID infections, all the churches in our Benefice will remain closed at least until Ash Wednesday on the 17th February. The situation will then be reviewed. Please check with the church website or phone Cath Thorpe (01905 641349) nearer the time to confirm whether services will be recommencing at that time.