Dear Friends

THE PARISH MAGAZINE OF

ST PETER’S, EDGMOND

WITH ST CHAD’S, KYNNERSLEY

AND ST LAWRENCE PRESTON WEALD MOORS

including

VILLAGE NEWS

MAY 2015

Visit us at www.stpeterschurchedgmond.org and www.edgmondparishcouncil.co.uk

RECTOR (usual day off: Monday) The Revd Prebendary Edward Ward, Edgmond Rectory 820217

RESIDENT MINISTER (part time; usual day off: Saturday) The Revd David Stokes-Harrison, Tibberton Rectory 551117

LICENSED READER Paul Benton 603071

CHURCHWARDENS John Ingram, Lovatt Cottage, 5 Turners Lane, Edgmond 810337 Chris Taylor, Provost’s House, High Street, Edgmond 810880

PCC SECRETARY Jane Gill 811201

TREASURER AND STEWARDSHIP RECORDER Rodney Bunyan 810957

ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER Dr Colin Brown 550164

TOWER CAPTAIN and RINGING MASTER Edric Broom 825851

TOWER SECRETARY Paul Lewis 820135

PUBLICITY c/o Penny Westgate 812920

MOTHERS’ UNION Margaret Matthews 825976

MAGAZINE EDITOR Sara Taylor, Provost’s House, Edgmond, TF10 8JY 810880 Email: [email protected]

MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Chris Taylor, Provost’s House, Edgmond, TF10 8JY 810880 Email: [email protected]

MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION Penny Hughes 813017

2 Dear Friends,

By the time you read this the General Election may well have come and gone and you will have voted. I don’t know if you’re like me, but I am completely undecided as to whom I shall vote for. For various reasons I cannot bring myself to vote for any of the three major parties. When I was at University in the late 60’s Harold Wilson was Prime Minister, and there was a rather cruel joke doing the rounds which went, “You can always tell when the Prime Minister is lying. It isn’t when he strokes his nose, or pulls his ear, or when he fills his pipe. It’s as soon as he opens his mouth”. And that is how I feel with the present lot we’ve got in Parliament. As I look at all the political parties I want to cry out (misquoting Shakespeare) “A plague on all your houses”.

All the Diocesan Bishops signed a letter to Anglicans suggesting questions which we should have in mind when deciding who to vote for. As you might expect, the right wing press and Tory MPs all got on their hobby horse and denounced the Bishops for telling voters how to vote. If they had bothered to read it (which I admit takes some doing as it is very long) they would have seen that nowhere does it tell you which party to favour. And then the Roman Catholic Bishops, the leaders of the Sikhs, the Buddhists and the Muslims all issued similar documents, and not a single objection was raised from any M.P. How interesting.

The usual objection is that the Church shouldn’t interfere with politics. Obviously those who say this have never read the Bible or considered Jesus’ teaching (he actually says more about the power and use of money than he does about sex). Religion covers all aspects of life. It influences how you treat people, how you regard them, how you can help them. Religion says that the stronger and richer should care for the weaker and poorer.

This is the year when we celebrate the Magna Carta, the Great Charter, which laid down certain principles. The then Archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton, was instrumental in bringing the Barons and the King together in order to bring peace to the country which was achieved by the Magna Carta. It seems strange that in this year of all years, when we consider the part religion and the Church played in creating this document which laid down fundamental principles of law, the Church is attacked for being involved in politics. Are our MPs so ignorant of our country’s history, a history which they insist must be taught to all school children, that they are unaware of this fact?

On May 14th we celebrate Ascension Day when we commemorate Jesus’ return to heaven, which teaches us that he is our king and ruler, and is far above all these earthly politics - for which we can be truly grateful. We can be reassured that Jesus will not make promises he will not, or cannot, keep. He will not be influenced by wealthy donors, no one can buy Jesus’ favour. It is a pity, we may think, that Jesus is not standing for election, but perhaps not when we consider what the earthly rulers of his time did to him, and what earthly rulers continue to do. For Jesus said “What you do to the least of these my brethren, you do to me”.

While Jesus is above all these politics, we his followers are not. So it is our duty to vote, and to vote for whichever candidate or party we feel will assist in bringing God’s kingdom of reconciliation, freedom, mercy, justice and above all, love into people’s hearts everywhere.

God bless you. Your Priest and Friend, Edward Ward

SERVICES IN THE

MAY

DATE EDGMOND KYNNERSLEY PRESTON Friday 1st 9.30 am St Philip & St James Holy Communion SUNDAY 3rd 7.45 am 10.30 am 9.00 am 5th of Easter Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion 10.30 am Family Communion Thursday 7th 9.30 am Holy Communion SUNDAY 10th 7.45 am 10.30 am 10.15 am 6th of Easter Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service 10.30 am Sung Eucharist 6.30 pm Healing Service Thursday 14th 7.00 am Ascension Day Holy Communion and Hymns from the Church Tower 9.30 am Holy Communion Friday 15th 9.30 am St Matthias Holy Communion SUNDAY 17th 7.45 am 10.30 am 9.00 am 7th of Easter Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion 10.30 am Family Communion 3.30 pm Holy Communion Thursday 21st 9.30 am Holy Communion 8.30 pm Compline SUNDAY 24th 7.45 am 10.30 am 9.00 am Pentecost Holy Communion Family Service Holy Communion (Whit Sunday) 10.30 am Sung Eucharist Thursday 28th 9.30 am Holy Communion SUNDAY 31st 7.45 am Trinity Sunday Holy Communion 10.30 am Holy Communion for the six parishes at All Saints, Tibberton

SIX PARISHES

2015

DATE TIBBERTON GREAT BOLAS WATERS UPTON Friday 1st St Philip & St James SUNDAY 3rd 10 . 30 am 10.30 am 9.15 am 5th of Easter Family Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion

Thursday 7th

SUNDAY 10th 9.00 am 10.30 am 9.15 am 6th of Easter Holy Communion Holy Communion Said Communion

Thursday 14th Ascension Day

Friday 15th St Matthias SUNDAY 17th 10 .30 am 10.30 am 9.15 am 7th of Easter Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion

Thursday 21st

SUNDAY 24th 10.30 am 10.30 am 9.15 am Pentecost Joint Service with the Holy Communion Holy Communion (Whit Sunday) Methodists

Thursday 28th

SUNDAY 31st Trinity Sunday 10.30 am Holy Communion for the six parishes at All Saints, Tibberton

5 FROM THE REGISTERS

HOLY BAPTISM 21st March at St Peter’s, Edgmond – Oscar George, son of Andrew and Melissa Goodeve. 28th March at St Peter’s, Edgmond – Harry Oliver, son of Stuart and Alex Lambert.

HOLY MATRIMONY 21st March at St Michael’s, Waters Upton – Ian Millar and Helen Tong. 4th April at St Peter’s, Edgmond – Jonathan Stiles and Natalie Lake.

FUNERALS 30th March at St Peter’s, Edgmond – Jeremy Tucker, late of Newport. The service was followed by interment at Forton.

CREMATIONS 24th March at Telford Crematorium – Margot Walker. The service was followed by a Memorial Service at St Eata’s, Atcham.

BURIALS 20th March at St Peter’s, Edgmond – Adrienne Almond. The service was followed by a Requiem Mass at St Peter & St Paul’s, Newport.

FROM THE EDITOR

Precariously balanced (and diplomatically arranged in alphabetical order) on our front cover are Natalie Bennett, David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Nigel Farage, Ed Miliband, Nicola Sturgeon and Leanne Wood. This month either David C or Ed M will become our next Prime Minister – but with whose help and support? Our vote is a very precious tool, so don’t forget to use it on Thursday, 7th May. The picture on the right illustrates the hymn singing from Edgmond Church tower early on Ascension Day morning (this year on Thursday, 14th May). Our Christian traditions go back even further than Britain’s proud democracy – so do come along and join the singers or come to one of our villages’ services on Whit Sunday (which you might find more uplifting than the General Election outcome!!)

The next edition of the Parish Magazine and Village News will cover the month of June 2015 and the deadline for contributions is Sunday, 3rd May. Please deliver your contributions in good time to me at the address on the inside front cover – or you can email them to me at [email protected]. I’m always delighted to receive your photos too (preferably by email), especially ones of people, places and events which take place in and around our villages.

Don’t forget that you can also read this magazine online on both the village and church websites (addresses on the front cover).

6 MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORS

We are in need of one or two more distributors of the parish magazine. If you are able to help, perhaps you would contact Mrs Penny Hughes, tel: 813017.

CHRISTIAN AID

Christian Aid Week begins on May 10th. If you can help with delivering, collecting or counting envelopes for the house-to-house collection please get in touch.

Our Annual Cake and Plant sale will be in The Square, Newport on Saturday May 9th from 9.00 am – 12 noon. All contributions gratefully received.

The work of Christian Aid is needed to respond to emergencies, alleviate poverty, to enable people to help themselves and build a better future. Chris Supple (820047)

HEALING SERVICE

The monthly Healing Service takes place at St Peter’s, Edgmond on the second Sunday of each month. The service time now reverts to 6.30 pm. This is a short, contemplative service which lasts about half an hour. It is not a curing service but a healing service which means you may leave with the same illness you came with, but this does not mean that God hasn’t heard your prayers. For what happens at this service is inward, spiritual healing and you may receive calmness or strength to deal with whatever is bothering you, as it is not just bodies which need healing but memories, hearts etc.

EASTER WORKSHOP

Just under 50 children attended the Easter Workshop held in St Peter’s Church, Edgmond on Good Friday morning. They were all busily involved in making various items connected with Easter, including the Easter garden and the Easter Cross. We thank Julia Brown and Jane Ward for all their hard work in organising everything, and their band of helpers in running the various workshops.

7 ST PETER’S CHURCH, EDGMOND

SUNDAY SERVICES

7.45 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Morning Service (as announced) 6.30 pm Healing Service (2nd Sundays)

10.30 am SUNDAY SERVICES AND BIBLE READINGS MAY 2015 May 3rd Family Communion Easter 5 Gospel: John 15: 1-8 May 10th Sung Eucharist Easter 6 New Testament Lesson: Acts 10: 44-end (Rogation Sunday) Epistle: 1 John 5: 1-6 Gospel: John 15: 9-17 May 17th Family Communion Sunday after Ascension Gospel: John 17: 6-19 May 24th Sung Eucharist Pentecost Old Testament Lesson: Ezekiel 37: 1-14 (Whit Sunday) New Testament Lesson: Acts 2: 1-21 Gospel: John 15: 26-27; 16: 4b-15 May 31st Holy Communion for the six parishes at All Saints, Tibberton Trinity Sunday

EASTER THANKS

A large thank you must be given to all those who worked so hard to make this Easter one of the most successful for a long time. Thanks must go to members of the Flower Guild for all their hard work in producing such beautiful flower arrangements which added beauty to our worship. We must thank Colin and the Choir for their loyalty, faithfulness and hard work in attending all the extra services Holy Week and Easter brings. Especial thanks to the soloists and the choir for their offering of music on the evening on Good Friday when they performed Fauré’s Requiem, and excerpts from Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary and Stainer’s The Crucifixion. There are very few town churches, never mind village ones, which could produce music of such good quality as our Church Choir does.

We must also thank Edric and the team of Bell Ringers, the Servers, and those who mow the churchyard, for all their hard work and expertise which add to our Easter Celebrations.

8 EASTER EGG HUNT

After the morning Sung Eucharist there was the traditional Easter egg hunt held in the churchyard, when all the children in church went out to discover the Easter eggs while their parents enjoyed a cup of coffee.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON SERVICE

Last year several people asked about the possibility of holding a service on a Sunday afternoon, as they find a morning service too early for them because of age or other infirmities, or they may be taking children to sports training, etc. So now we hold regular services of Holy Communion on the third Sunday of the month at 3.30 pm in St Peter’s, Edgmond, to see if that may be of help to people. The next afternoon service will be on Sunday, May 17th so if you wish to receive Holy Communion but cannot attend either the 7.45 am or the 10.30 am service, then why not come to this short service?

COFFEE & CHAT

The next Thursday Coffee Morning at St Peter’s Church will be on May 14th following the 9.30 am Ascension Day Holy Communion Service. You don’t have to attend the service to be able to have a cup of coffee. Just turn up at the church at about 10.00 am or thereabouts, and join us for coffee (or tea) and a chat. We shall look forward to seeing you.

CHURCHYARD MAINTENANCE - WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?

The churchyards at St Peter's are currently maintained by a team of about eight volunteers (we call ourselves the Grasshoppers!) who cut the grass and hedges and try to keep the borders tidy. We could use a little more help for mowing, strimming, and general maintenance from one or more people who can use a mower, and have an hour or so to spare about every week to ten days during the growing season. Mower, fuel and other equipment are provided. It may suit a reasonably fit recently retired person who would like to make a contribution to keeping the church grounds tidy and attractive, but any help is welcome. The group also has an occasional social function to foster team spirit!

If you think you may be interested or would like more information please contact Edric Broom on 825851.

9 BRASS CLEANING

A rota of people who clean St Peter’s Church brasses through the year has been set up. We are very grateful to them for helping with this important task.

December & March: *Christine and Tudor Pengelly.

January & February: Currently free for anyone who would like to join the group.

April & September: *Diana Corlett, Jane Norton & Barbara Hemmings.

May & July: *Margaret Bunyan, Doreen Howitt & Wendy Bentley.

June & November: *Beryl Ingram & Anne Parton.

August & October: *Maureen Broom, Margaret Matthews & Penny Westgate.

*Key holders

Members of the rota and anyone else who wishes to join them should please contact their group key-holder (*) for dates and times. Anyone who would like to join the rota – especially for the months of January and February – please contact the Brass Cleaning Co-ordinator, Christine Pengelly, on 813840.

THE FRIENDS OF ST PETER’S CHURCH EDGMOND

Thank you to all who have completed a membership application form to become a ‘Friend’ of St Peter’s Church. We are very grateful for your support. The Friends committee is supporting a number of events throughout 2015.

Good Friday 3rd April – The children’s activity workshop ran from 10 am-12 noon and we were very grateful for the support of the 20 volunteers who joined us to help with activities. Everybody agreed that this workshop was one of our best yet. We had 43 children who worked diligently making Easter cards, baskets, eggs, rice crispie cakes, iced biscuits, bunnies and pasta crosses on plates and they planted sunflower seeds; all to take home with them. They also contributed to the Easter egg tree, the Easter garden and the clay cross that decorated our church. The clay cross was Jane Ward’s invention and everyone was invited to press buttons into the clay. Please visit the church and have a look at the clay cross as it will remain there for all to see. Watch this space for the date of our next children’s workshop. In the evening St Peter’s Church Choir sang Fauré’s Requiem, parts of Stainer’s Crucifixion and parts of Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary, followed by tea, coffee and hot cross buns.

10 Dates for your diary

Saturday 16th May – New College Chorale, conducted by Bob Wysome singing: I will sing with the spirit - John Rutter My soul there is a country - Hubert Parry Sicut Cervus - Palestrina Movements from Lux Aeterna - Morten Lauridsen (1. Introitus 2. In te, Domine, speravi 3. O nata lux 4. Veni, Sancte Spiritus) Interval Feel the spirit - (a cycle of spirituals) John Rutter 1. Joshua fit the battle of Jericho. 2. Steal away. 3. I got a robe. 4. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child. 5. Deep river. 6. When the saints go marching in. A Gaelic blessing - John Rutter The performance starts at 7.30 pm, tickets are £5 and will be available from the Rectory, the village shop and from Friends committee members, or you can just turn up on the night.

Tuesday 23rd June – Friends of St Peter’s Church AGM at 7.30 pm in church

Sunday 28th June – Clypping of the Church, the annual service followed by members of the congregation hugging the Church as we form a circle around it – this is followed by tea, coffee and cake – everyone is welcome to come along to help make the complete circle.

Sunday 28th June – Sunday 5th July – St Peter’s week - An exhibition of Edgmond through the ages in St Peter’s Church. There will be an opportunity to hear the beautiful Church organ and a talk about the history of Edgmond – more details to follow about what will be happening on each day in next month’s parish magazine.

If you would like more information about the Friends of St Peter’s Church please do not hesitate to contact us.

Dr Julia Brown (Chair) Stephanie Egleston (Secretary) 01952 550164 01952 820457 [email protected] [email protected]

SNOWDROPS We have loved sharing our beautiful Snowdrop Wood with everyone. Thank you for your generous donations; a total of £130 has been raised over the past few weeks for The Friends of St Peter's Church. Bluebell Walks: The bluebells are now out in the wood at Caynton House Farm. Anyone wishing to see them can phone Anne Furniss on 01952 550216 to book your walk. All donations are in aid of The Friends of St Peter’s Church Edgmond.

11 PEAL ATTEMPT for bellringing milestones at St Peter’s

St Peter’s, Edgmond is very fortunate to have at its disposal a group of very good and experienced bellringers who all live either in or within four miles of the village. Two of these ringers, husband and wife Chris Wulkau and Abigail Hind, are both approaching bellringing milestones which we hope they can achieve on 30th May. On that day we plan to ring a full peal of over 5000 changes, which for Chris would be his 1000th peal, and for Abigail her 100th. A peal, as well as being a general term for any ringing, has a specific meaning to bellringers. It is a length of ringing of at least 5000 changes, rung by a single band of ringers without stopping and without repeating any changes. Depending on the weight of the bells it can take between about 2 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours, and requires a great deal of concentration by all members of the band. Ringing a peal is a significant step in the progress of any ringer, so to ring 1000 peals (or even 100!) represents a great deal of skill and application.

Though many peals are rung for the sheer pleasure and sense of achievement of the participants, many are also rung to celebrate or commemorate significant occasions in our national, local or personal lives. As well as ringing for Chris’ and Abigail’s personal milestones, we intend this peal to commemorate two other events. Firstly, 2nd May 2015 is the 300th anniversary of the first true peal ever rung – at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich on 2nd May 1715. So keen peal ringers everywhere will be attempting peals for this occasion, as will we. Also, 8th May is the 70th anniversary of VE day, the end of the Second World War in Europe, so our peal will also be to mark this occasion.

We intend to commence the peal at 2 pm on 30th May and should finish by about 5 pm or soon after. Because the ringing requires full concentration, we shall lock ourselves into the church for the duration so that we are not disturbed. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

It is a while since I reported on our ringing activities, so just to bring you up to date: last September we entered the Shropshire Association bellringing competition along with ten other teams from eight towers in the county. We won the cup, narrowly beating our arch rivals Shrewsbury. Over the winter we have hosted three Saturday training sessions for members of the Shropshire Association, as well as a number of other weekday training sessions. This is in addition to our own weekly practices. In January we held our annual dinner at the Hadley Park Hotel, when about 36 ringers and friends enjoyed an excellent meal. In early March we enjoyed a half day Saturday visit to the towers at Hodnet and Stanton on Hine Heath, arranged especially for the benefit of our newest recruits, Rob Herbert and Annette Bailey. This tour included a very good lunch at The Bear, Hodnet.

If you wish to learn more about the ancient art of bellringing I will be pleased to try to help. Edric Broom, Tower Captain

On Thursday 14th May at 2.15 pm in St Peter’s Church, Edgmond, our speaker will be the Revd Alison M Morris, curate at St Michael’s, Pelsall. Everyone is welcome. For further information and/or help with transport please contact Margaret Matthews on 825976.

EDGMOND WI

At the recent meetings chaired by our President Dianne Renshaw we have welcomed some most interesting speakers including Dr Peter Chevins, an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Keele University. He explained how the brain is the most complicated organ in the universe and told us in a most interesting way how different parts work though there is still a lot of mystery connected with it. In March, members had an outing to the AGA factory and were entertained to a fascinating cookery demonstration using all the different modes that can be used. Afterwards we had some very pleasant foods that had been made. We all went home feeling very happy and well fed. In March at our monthly meeting Judy Arliss talked about the time when she entered a convent with the idea of becoming a nun. However the life was not for her and she left before taking final orders. In April the West Midlands Ambulance came to talk about the Heart Start Course.

Various trips are in the pipeline; details have been given to members and final arrangements will be organised for the next meeting. In May Malcolm Miles will be our speaker on ‘Exploring Newport’. Visitors are most welcome. Pat Rex

EDGMOND RURAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

Readers may be interested to know that since the defibrillator (AED) has been installed, team members have received four call-outs. Fortunately, none of these have involved “patients” in Edgmond. (We have a remit to service an area within a five mile radius of Edgmond. This is something we did not know until our training session in January.)

13 We are pleased to advise that the “Fun” Multi Sports Coaching sessions will be organised again during the school summer holidays. This will be for children 6-11 years of age. Obtaining grants is an ever increasing difficulty. We have received financial help from Edgmond Parish Council, St Peter’s School, Edgmond, and The Boughey Trust in Newport – help which we are pleased to acknowledge.

Despite this assistance, it has been decided that a small charge is appropriate this year - £1 per child per session of two hours. This will be non-refundable. Booking and payment should be made ASAP through the School and can be for one or more, or even all, sessions. There will be only four sessions this year – on 29th July, 5th, 12th, and 19th August. All are at Edgmond Recreation Field between 1400 - 1600 (2-4 pm) and will be run by professional coaches.

We would also like to acknowledge the administrative and practical help promised by some of the staff and parents of pupils attending St Peter’s School.

John and Marion Keeping (ERCI)

PARISH WARDEN’S REPORT

Following clarification of the issues concerning details which may be published about reported crime, I am pleased that “normal service” has been resumed this month.

By courtesy of the “Safer Newport Police Team”, I can advise that there were two reported crimes in Edgmond, and one nearby (in Adeney), during March.

In Edgmond there was a burglary in Newport Road when some items were stolen. Entry was gained through a forced uPVC window at the rear. The exact date is unknown, as the break-in was not immediately discovered.

There was a report earlier in the month that eggs had been thrown at the front of a property in Chetwynd Road. (Parents finding their egg stocks less than anticipated might well quiz their offspring!).

In addition, Adeney saw a burglary on 27th March. Entry was through a forced rear wooden door, and a laptop computer and a small quantity of jewellery were taken. (There is currently nothing to suggest that this burglary is linked with the one in Edgmond).

There have been continuing reports to the Police about poor and inconsiderate car parking by parents dropping off and picking up children at St Peter’s School. I am advised that an electronic mailshot is being sent to all parents/carers of pupils at 14 the school “to remind them of the laws over parking” and to ask everyone to be considerate to those living in the area around the School. Bayley Hills and Stackyard Lane are, of course, the main problem areas. While recently on patrol in the village, P.C. Thomas and PCSO Protheroe have been offering advice directly to drivers. They have also left advisory letters on vehicles causing concern.

They have also been made aware of speeding issues on School Road. It is thought that these could be people going through the village (maybe using “sat-navs”) to avoid the various road works in Newport. The local police team will be paying some extra attention to this problem and attempting to resolve it.

A recent innovation has been the visits by the Mobile Police Station. These appear to have gone down well, enabling villagers to meet the Police and discuss any concerns. It is hoped that these will become regular monthly visits. Some will be scheduled in the evening, as a trial. People who work during the day will then have their chance to visit the vehicle and meet the Safer Newport Team. John Keeping (813125)

U3A NEWPORT (SHROPSHIRE) BRANCH

The speakers for the meeting on Tuesday 21st April were John Walker and Anne Griffiths talking about a “Journey through Vietnam”.

On Tuesday 19th May the Annual General Meeting will be held followed by a presentation from Regent Travel from Stone concerning holidays for U3A members. Please note that the AGM is for members only.

On Tuesday 16th June Tony Mugridge, Britain's last itinerant brick maker, will be talking about "The Travelling Brick Maker".

The venue for all meetings is the Royal British Legion Club, Audley Road, Newport. Meetings begin at 2 pm. Admission £1. Visitors are always welcome, except the Annual General Meeting on 19th May which, as noted above, is for members only.

15 News & Reports from Edgmond Parish Council www.edgmondparishcouncil.co.uk

May 7th is Election Day across the country. You will be asked to vote in the Parliamentary elections (for our MP), the Borough elections (for our Borough Councillors) and for your Parish Councillors. All the elections take place on the same day, so you will receive a number of voting papers when you arrive at the polling station. Your polling station will be Edgmond Village Hall.

This year, for the first time, you will be voting for TWO Borough Council Members. The Ward has been combined with Ercall Magna so will have two representatives. You can vote for two names in this election. There are 13 vacancies on the Parish Council.

The Parliamentary and Borough election counts are likely to take place when the polls close late on 7th May. The Parish Council counts will take place on 8th May. The Parish Council will then hold its AGM on Monday 11th May 2015 at 7.30 pm in Edgmond Village Hall. All Members have to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office to sign up to the National Code of Conduct. They also have to complete a register of Disclosable Interests.

At the time of writing we are without a centrally located notice board. We hope to be able to provide a central point for notices as soon as possible. In the meantime please do use the community website.

If you have any questions regarding the work of the Parish Council, please do not hesitate to contact the Clerk of the Council. Contact details are below, but email is the preferred method. Katrina Baker (Parish Clerk) ‘The Oaklands’, Waters Upton, TF6 6NP Tel 01952 541939 / 07813 788094; [email protected]

PROTECT HERITAGE EDGMOND

Edgmond Parish Council has recently proposed some planning principles for the village and encouraged villagers to comment on these at their meeting on 13th April. The AGM of the newly elected Parish Council will take place on 11th May in Edgmond Village Hall at 7.30 pm. Please come along and make your views known.

Many of you will know about the campaign group, Protect Heritage Edgmond (PHE) which has been formed to campaign against large scale and inappropriate development within our village, whilst recognising the need for single and sympathetically designed new properties in appropriate locations. There were more than 230 people at the village hall meeting in January where Local MP Mark Pritchard 16 and Local Councillor Stephen Burrell spoke in support of the campaign. In a show of hands, villagers present at that meeting supported the campaign aims almost unanimously.

Since then the campaign team, with great support from local villagers, have been working hard. There have been several hundred objections posted on the Telford & Wrekin planning website to the recent planning applications behind Provost's House and off Manor Road. Telford & Wrekin Council have very recently produced a Five Year Land Supply Statement for the borough which does not identify Edgmond as an area for development. This should make it more difficult in future for developers to argue that new housing in Edgmond is required to contribute towards the target for the borough as a whole, and is of benefit to the borough.

PHE believes there are some large applications waiting in the wings, and so if you have an opinion, whichever way it might be, you need to stay informed. PHE will endeavour to keep villagers informed by leaflet drops and meetings when required. In the meantime more information is available on the Facebook page, protectheritageedgmond. The email address for Protect Heritage Edgmond is: [email protected].

EDGMOND VILLAGE HALL

In April we held a meeting in the village hall to present and explain the planning application that we have now submitted to Telford & Wrekin regarding the refurbishment and extension of the village hall. The planning application shows how we plan to implement the proposals approved in our application to the Community Pride Fund. At our previous public meeting adding a ‘Field Room’ to the hall (alongside refurbishment of the existing building) met with widespread approval. The generous grant which we have received from Telford & Wrekin, however, was for a more substantial extension. After much discussion with council representatives it became clear that just adding a field room to the village hall would not satisfy the requirements of the grant. Therefore, in order to comply with the conditions of the grant, and make the most of the significant sum of money that they have made available to us, our planning application is made up of two elements. The first phase is a new, initially separate, building at the rear of the existing hall bordering the boundary fence. This building will include new meeting rooms, a kitchen and toilets which can be integrated into the existing hall at a future date. The second phase of the planning application, to be undertaken after the first phase is completed, is for a field room which will create a link between the old and new buildings and a valuable space in its own right.

We believe that the planning application we have submitted makes the most of the funds available to us and offers village hall users some fantastic new facilities while still retaining the charm and character of the old hall. The planning application also endeavours to minimise the impact of any new building on the village hall field which we see as a very important asset in its own right. Details of the application are available on the village hall website and we welcome any comments you may have.

17 Other news:

Afternoon teas are now back on in the village hall. These will take place every Thursday afternoon from 2.30 - 4.30 pm. £3.00 buys a pot of tea or coffee and a hearty slice of homemade cake. During May we will be selling plants at the teas with all proceeds going to the village hall. Please do come along and join us. We are also looking for people who may be interested in helping out with serving and washing up. If you are interested in volunteering for our rota please get in touch with Anne Green on 01952 814312.

Our next film club screening will be on Wednesday 6th May at 7.30 pm. The details of this, and future screenings, are available on the website and will be advertised on the new village hall notice board. Entry is free but any donations for refreshments will go towards the refurbishment of the village hall. If you would like to be emailed with details of forthcoming films please get in touch with Jeremy at [email protected] .

Dates for your diary:

Sunday 14th June: Summer Fun Day 12 noon – 4 pm. We are inviting floats from any village group who would like to enter. There will be a theme of ‘Times Past’ and a prize will be allocated to the float with the most creative display. This theme will continue into the day, so expect an Egg and Spoon Race, Tug o’ War, 3 Legged Race etc. along with stalls, bouncy castle and our wonderful hog roast! Times and further details will be available nearer the time. Enquiries to Anne on 01952 814312. Tuesday 16th June: Village Hall AGM, 7.30 pm.

Sunday 27th September: Vintage Fair. If you would like a stall at this event please get in touch with Janis on 01952 820572. www.edgmondvillagehall.org

EDGMOND VILLAGE HALL PLANT SALES

Alan Bates will be selling plants every Thursday at the Afternoon Teas from 2.30 pm (all profits are going to the village hall).

Also Alan will be selling plants at the village hall on Saturdays May 9th,16th, 23rd, 30th and June 6th (again, all the profits are going to the village hall).

SO PLEASE COME ALONG TO SUPPORT ALAN AND THE VILLAGE HALL.

18 BRIDGE PROBLEM OF THE MONTH

Some interesting and challenging hands have popped up during Thursday night bridge sessions in the Sutherland Arms, so enthusiastically organised by our director, Graham Eyles. Here is an example:

NORTH Spades 7 5 Hearts K 9 3 Diamonds 9 4 Clubs A Q 10 6 4 2

WEST EAST Spades K 4 3 Spades Q J 10 9 8 6 2 Hearts 6 5 4 2 Hearts A 10 Diamonds J Diamonds K 7 3 Clubs K 8 7 5 3 Clubs 9

SOUTH Spades A Hearts Q J 8 7 Diamonds A Q 10 8 6 5 2 Clubs J

At no vulnerability, North dealt and bid 1 Club!

1. What is the par (or best) contract for North/South? 2. How would you bid these hands assuming East pre-empts in 3 Spades? 3. How would you make this par contract?

Solution – see page 20.

EDGMOND METHODIST CHURCH

Minister: The Revd James Whateley 11 Silverdale Close, Church Aston, Newport, TF10 9FA Telephone: 01952 813959

SERVICES in MAY 2015

May 3rd 10.30 am Mr D Shaw May 10th 10.30 am 155th Chapel Anniversary Preacher: the Revd James Whateley May 17th 10.30 am Mrs D Morgan May 24th 10.30 am Pentecost - Dr Jeff Cox May 31st 10.30 am Local Appointment

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us. (Ephesians 5 v.2). Walking in love isn’t automatic when you become a Christian. Love is a choice, one that costs. It will cost your time, your money and self pre-occupation. There are no pre-packaged Christians. God is love, and the more like Him you are, so you will make others your priority. 19 ST CHAD’S CHURCH, KYNNERSLEY

Churchwardens: Mr Jack Edge 07730 217813 Mr Richard Fox 605878 PCC Secretary: Mrs Georgina Edge 670153

SERVICES in MAY 2015 Sunday May 3rd NT Lesson Acts 8: 26-40 Jack Edge 5th of Easter (White) Gospel John 15: 1-8 Catherine Gregory 10.30 am – Holy Communion Sunday May 10th NT Lesson Acts 10: 44-48 Jack Edge 6th of Easter (White) Gospel John 15: 9 - 17 Stephanie Dobson 10.30 am – Holy Communion Sunday May 17th NT Lesson Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26 Jack Edge Sunday after Ascension (White) Gospel John 17: 6-19 Chris Blagden 10.30 am – Holy Communion Sunday May 24th Jack Edge Pentecost (Whit Sunday) (Red) 10.30 am – Family Service Sunday May 31st (Trinity Sunday) 10.30 am – Holy Communion for the six parishes at All Saints, Tibberton

KYNNERSLEY WI

At our March meeting, Kynnersley resident Ruth Evans, Chief Executive of the British Food and Beverage Industry, gave a very interesting talk of her work within the brewing industry – where initially she was a ‘woman in a man’s world’. Members and friends were amazed at the range of beers that are on offer – from fruit to traditional. Ruth travels both home and abroad promoting the industry. She was awarded an MBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours List for services to export. A really enjoyable evening.

Our speaker on the 12th May is Shrewsbury Town Crier, Martin Wood, who will ‘humorously’ tell us the “History of Town, River Bridges, Churches and people of Shrewsbury”. This is an open meeting for anyone who would like to hear Martin’s talk. In August we will be joining Martin for one of his Ghost Walks around Shrewsbury!

Why not give Kynnersley WI a try? Do come along to one of our meetings - the first visit is free to give you an idea of what we get up to. Guests pay £3.50 and are always made welcome. We meet in the Village Hall on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30 pm. For further details, please contact Pat on 603612 or Ann on 670937.

20 KYNNERSLEY VILLAGE HALL

Kynnersley Village Hall is the perfect venue for your club to hold its regular meetings or for a one off booking for a children’s party or other social get together.

The hire rates have been reduced to £8 per hour for Kynnersley residents and £10 per hour for non residents. If you want to book the hall please contact Khadine on 07790 396237 or email [email protected].

ST LAWRENCE’S CHURCH, PRESTON

Churchwardens: Dr D Nurse, 1 Manor Barns 608455 Mr D Brown, The Conifers 676671 PCC Secretary: Mrs P Jones, The Rockery, Wheat Leasowes 603612

SERVICES IN MAY 2015 Sunday May 3rd NT Lesson Acts 8: 26 - 40 Dr T Goode 5th Sunday of Easter Gospel John 15: 1-8 Mrs A Smith 9.00 am – Holy Communion Sidesman Mrs B Vickers Sunday May 10th – 6th Sunday of Easter 10.15 am – Family Service Sunday May 17th NT Lesson Acts 1: 15 - 17, 21 - 26 Mrs B Vickers Sunday after Ascension Gospel John 17: 6-19 Dr D Nurse 9.00 am – Holy Communion Sidesman Mrs J Walters Sunday May 24th NT Lesson Acts 2: 1 - 21 Mrs P Jones Pentecost (Whit Sunday) Gospel John 15: 26-27; 16:4b-15 Mr D Brown 9.00 am – Holy Communion Sidesman Dr D Nurse Sunday May 31st – Trinity Sunday 10.30 am – Holy Communion for the six parishes at All Saints, Tibberton

Palm Sunday with a difference! At our Family Service, Dr Tim Goode had us making our own palm crosses from a strip of card - not necessarily an easy task!! We then put them to good use during the hymn ‘Sing Hosanna’.

Following the service, we processed from church to St Lawrence’s School where we shared a very enjoyable ‘hunger?’ lunch of soup, crusty bread, a selection of cheese and biscuits, followed by tea or coffee. With 18 adults and 6 children present, this was a very happy occasion raising money for the Bishop’s Lent appeal. Thanks to everyone who provided the food and also for donations totalling £63.50. Special thanks to Mrs Gaskell for allowing us to use the School and also to Helen for her help. 21 BRIDGE SOLUTION

North’s opening bid of 1 Club is somewhat ‘light’ but turns out to be advantageous. The bidding might go

North East South West 1C 3S or 4S Double No bid 4C or 5C 4S or NB 6D

So, by ‘fair means or foul’, North/South arrives in the par contract of 6 Diamonds. West leads the King of Spades. South surveys the scene – one certain loser, the Ace of Hearts, and a finesse needed in the trump suit to trap the King of Diamonds. Take the opening lead with the Ace of Spaces and cross to the Ace of Clubs. Lead a low Diamond and finesse the Queen – success (noting the Jack dropping). But the King is probably still protected so we need one more finesse and therefore one more lead from dummy. Lead the Queen of Hearts to force out the Ace (East should actually hold up once – see below). Regain the lead (probably by trumping a Spade) and lead up to the King of Hearts in dummy. Then run the Diamond finesse again and even through the trumps fall 1-3 you can now drop the King under your Ace. The rest of the tricks are yours – small slam made on only 23 points between the two hands! BUT what happens if East holds up on the Queen of Hearts and plays the Ace on the second round, on the Jack of Hearts? Now when South leads up to the King of Hearts to access dummy East can ruff. So, one down!