CRIME WATCH Merlin’S Bridge Our Village and Others in the Local Area Have Recently the Footpath Team Experienced Thefts of Both Cars and House Contents
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Easter 2018 Keep in touch with village life at www.ashtonunderhill.org.uk and on www.facebook.com/AshtonunderHillParishCouncil On a freezing snowy weekend earlier this month, 7 Times Table, the first Ashton Players production for more than 15 years took place. Both performances were sold out and both were a resounding success. The play was written by former Ashton Player actor turned writer & director, Nick Thomas. After the show Nick said, “the show went on despite the best efforts of the weather and the community made a special effort to turn out”. There were some memorable performances from around 30 local residents* including John Kenrick as a grimy monosyllabic miner, and later as a burly ex boxer bouncer who had received one too many blows to the head. Rebecca Hughes and Meg Archer were spookily brilliant as two morticians desperate for dead bodies in a very black comedy story. Scarlett Begley was beautifully imperious as the museum curator; whilst in a touch of role reversal her dad, Graham, beep beeped and revved his way round the hall in his imaginary ‘getaway wheels’ in ‘Surprise Party’. Jenny and Chris Simpson were sublime as the dishevelled and dazed couple blissfully unaware of an alien invasion. Frank Moore and Jez Taylor were all too convincing as a camp couple in the ‘Viva la Revolution’ story! The younger actors were amazing; no lines were forgotten (so prompts from stage managers Izaak and Roger Jackson not required!) and the dance routines (choreographed by Suzie Windscheffel) were faultless. Compere Will Archer almost stole the show with his alter ego Twerpy the clown, complete with his pet iron-on-a-string, paying excellent homage to the slightly more famous Tweedy of Gifford’s Circus. Watch out Tweedy. This review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning all the other behind the scenes team who really pulled out all the stops with Stacey Locke, Sam Dickens and Nicky Archer in charge of costumes, props and make up (with not a single blue eyeshadowed eye in sight, but lots of fluorescent green and skeleton faces!). Lighting, effects & sound were taken care of by Malcolm Nelson (a former Ashton Player stalwart) and Jessica Thomas. Well known songs had some very funny substitute lyrics..‘what the world needs now, is death, sweet death’…!!. Audience soon learnt the lines though and sang and clapped along enthusiastically. Were there perhaps future Ashton Players lurking in there? The play was a great combination of drama, comedy and pathos and very professionally produced by Heather Williamson-Peters, Nick’s other half. Finally and most importantly, the performances raised an amazing £750 for the Social Centre, with the Players generously contributing to the expenses for the production. So, Ashton Players, what’s next? Nick tells me they are considering a music hall production at the end of the year. If you’d like to be involved in any way; contact Nick at [email protected]. Would you enjoy it? Just ask a still buzzing cast or crew member! Editor *Please see cast list along with more pictures on P18 CRIME WATCH Merlin’s Bridge Our village and others in the local area have recently The footpath team experienced thefts of both cars and house contents. Local recently completed this farms have also been targeted. Please be extra vigilant and footbridge to be named if you see anything suspicious, call West Mercia Police on Merlin’s Bridge in 101. You can also get updates on incidents by going to their honour of popular local website. There you can either report a crime or find out about resident Russ Cook, incidents in our area. who sadly died last Report an Incident year. Read more about www.westmercia.police.uk/report this and the Footpaths Local incidents team’s work on P2 www.westmercia.police.uk/article/2200/Pershore-Rural- South-and-Rural-North Ashton News 2 As I write this I am looking out of the office window at the field between us and The Groaten. I can spy 12 pheasants and at least 20 partridges. I like to watch them in the fields but not so keen when they get into the greenhouses. They are all partial to trying to fly out though a pane of glass, often killing themselves and breaking the window. They are pretty, but oh so silly! Our popular biennial Fete and Produce What’s happening at Rails End? Show will be held this year. The afternoon • Spring is definitely on its way with catkins on the hazel tree, and evening will be packed with stalls, snowdrops and crocus flowering. The daffodils will be next. entertainment, food and drink. The team are looking for volunteers now to help • The chickens continue to lay well and keep us, and our with preparations leading up to the big customers happy. day and also on the day itself. Why not • By the time you read this, Severn Trent will be doing some run a stall, help with tea and cakes or work at the treatment plant at the bottom of our property. man the bouncy castle? They will be using part of the field to store equipment and car parking. Please avoid the area (it should be fenced). They will If you are a gardener, start growing those runner beans, roses and giant vegetables! not be obstructing the footpaths as they are on the other side There will be many other categories, of the field. check on facebook and the website for • We also hope to have some hedging plants along with some regular updates. native trees along the brook line and the track to the treatment plant. It is our aim to encourage the fauna and Without your help, the show cannot go on! flora of the area. We have been discussing this issue with the Contact Andy or Sheila on 881715. ******** local Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG). • The nursery will now be open for the 2018 season (our fifth already!). Orders will as always be taken for hanging baskets and planters. We have a lovely new stock of perennials. Bedding plants will be available in May, but remember not to GRIT BINS plant them out unless you can protect them until the frosts Please remember that village grit bins are for public pavement and road use only. You can buy have finished. bags of grit for your drives at most DIY centres. The caravan site is proving to be popular. Bank holidays Thank you. especially. Why not pop down and see us? We are open 10am till Parish Council 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. Jackie Locke FOOTPATH TEAM REPORT Another hectic year for village footpaths with much to be pleased with - but marked by the sad loss of Russ Cook, our old buddy and founder member of the Footpath ‘chain gang’. Already in village memory for his fabulous amdram stage performances, we also wanted to remember his contribution to the chain gang by reconstructing the old bridge he and wife Pam often walked over with their dog, Merlin. The bridge can be found on the first footpath out of the village on the popular route running behind the Bredon Hill Academy (aka Middle School). MERLIN’S BRIDGE It took three mammoth sessions, REBUILT IN 2017 IN MEMORY OF RUSS COOK- some in poor weather, to complete ‘ONE MAN AND HIS DOG, MERLIN’ this feat of engineering. We almost named it ‘New Bridge Over The River AND FOR PAM AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS AND THE VILLAGERS Kwai’, which would have amused the WHO PASS THIS WAY old boy! Instead a plaque is being made which simply says……… We are looking forward to ‘cracking on with the patch’ when spring finally arrives! Leo Enright Ashton News 3 SAVE THE DATE! You are invited to th Ashton Under Hill’s 9 Run Around Supper Ashton under Hill Playgroup is Ofsted Saturday 23rd June 2018 registered for two to five years (with Meet at the Village Hall for complimentary drinks then go to your first host for starter, your second host for main childcare funding available for all three and course and desserts will be served back at the Village Hall at 10pm. four year olds). EVERYONE is very welcome – it’s a lovely way to meet old and new friends. ALL PROCEEDS TO ASHTON UNDER HILL FIRST SCHOOL If you are interested in a space for your child, please contact Ashton under Hill More details to follow or contact Claire VincentKirke (Plough Cottage, Elmley Road, 07715 698999) [email protected] or contact Sally Guibert, Lucy Taylor, Jules Birch or Danielle at the First School. Playgroup on 882289, Ruth on 882014 or Mirka on 882105 to get an admission form. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Term time on MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS from 9 am to 3 pm You are warmly invited to the Run Around Supper on 23rd June. Now in its 9th year, it gets bigger and better every time. Always good fun, great company, many laughs and lovely food plus a chance to meet new and old friends. For more details, speak to Claire Vincent Kirke 07715 698999 or email to [email protected]. Everyone is very welcome. Claire World Book Day at the First School! (Please see P6 for more school news) (TKFC[0KIJVKU/WUKE0KIJV +H[QWJCXGPņVDGGPVQ6JG5VCTQPVJGNCUV The (TKFC[QHVJGOQPVJ[QWCTGOKUUKPICTGCN Mobile Post Office VTGCV.QECNUPGCTCPFHCTJCXGYCVEJGF visits Ashton (Car CPFUWPICNQPIVQ UQOGGZEGNNGPV Park, Free Church) RGTHQTOGTURNC[KPIOWUKEHQTCNNVCUVGU every Tuesday & &GXQP/C[UQPRKEVWTGFJGTGCEVWCNN[NKXGU Thursday 12:30- KPVJGXKNNCIG 1:30pm. 9J[PQVVT[KVQWVCPFDTKPIUQOGHTKGPFU! Please ignore any 9CVEJQWVQPHCEGDQQMCPFVJGXKNNCIG websites that state it YGDUKVGQTECNN'FQT8KEM[QPHQT is only Tuesdays.