Tuesdays Short Mat Bowling: 2.00pm Memorial Hall Wichenford Ladies’ Fellowship: 2.30pm 2nd Tuesday in the month (usually) Martley Mums and Tots: 9.30-11.30am Martley Memorial Hall

Volume 19 No. 1 June 2009 Wednesdays Teme Valley Shufflers Line Dancing: Editor: Michelle Higgins (01886 888344) 7pm Martley Memorial Hall Enq. Jeff & Editorial Team: Martley Alan Boon (01886 Thelma 01886 821772 888527), Nellie Bradley (01886 888339), Kate Martley Folk Club: 1st Wednesday in King (01886 888439); Wichenford Janet the month at The Talbot, and Andrews (01886 888303), Sheila Richards 3rd Wednesday at The Admiral Rodney (01886 888378) Advertising: Aileen Parker. 01886 888456 Martley WI: 2nd Wednesday in the Distribution: Martley George & June Lawrence month 7.30pm Heaton House

(01886 821064) Wichenford Karen Furber Thursdays (01886 888449) Contact The Villager: Leave articles at Martley Wichenford Wine Club: 3rd Thursday in Post Office , call Janet or Sheila (Wichenford) or the month email the Editor at [email protected] Martley & District Horticultural Opinions expressed by contributors are not Society: last Thursday in the month necessarily those of The Villager. The Villager 7.30pm Martley Memorial Hall cannot be held responsible for any goods or services advertised in the magazine. See Church Words on page 27 for details of services

See articles inside for details of special events Regular events in Martley AND changes of time/date/venue of regular and Wichenford: events

Sundays See the Diary page on www.martley.org.uk for 2nd Sunday in the month: a complete listing of all forthcoming events (that the Diary page editor knows about) Teme Valley Farmers Market for local produce 11am The Talbot, Knightwick See page 28 for contact details of organisations

Martley Ramblers meet Church car park Articles to go in The Villager must be 3rd Sunday in the month: submitted by the 1st of the Path-or-Nones meet 9.30am Martley previous month Memorial Hall car park to help maintain the local footpaths

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

June 2009 * The Villager 9 OUT AND ABOUT IN MARTLEY Visit our website—www.martley.org.uk

Martley Ramblers News from the Hall 14 June 2pm Church Car Park and Management Committee Tuesday 23 June 7pm Pudford Lane Robert Barlow has agreed to stand in This month Dot and Chris Fletcher as Chairman for the Management will be leading around Tedstone, Committee and the members always a pretty scenic area for welcomed him to the team. Work in walking and not far from home. the bar is progressing well and a new Regarding local walks, in response to carpet has been ordered. Quotes have requests from locals, newcomers and been received to carry out the members, the Committee have agreed refurbishment works to the toilets and to fit in an extra walk around village we just await the final OK for footpaths on Tuesday 23 June. additional funding, then work will Starting point will be at the home of commence immediately. All work will the Chairman, Hillend Cottage, be carried out by local businesses. distance will be about 4 miles. Start Mood lighting will be installed in the time 7pm, park and meet at Hillend bar area. We are now running a Cottage and coffee/tea and cakes will monthly maintenance check and be available afterwards. For further would ask if any of you are aware of details, ring 01886 888439. any repairs needed, can you please let Kate King a member of the committee know so we can arrange for them to be done Engagement News within a reasonable time. The parents of Leanne Hollyhead (of Martley 100 Club Martley) and Andy Stephens (of May winning number is 33 - Mrs P A Worcester) are delighted Milner who has received a cheque for to announce their recent £30.00. Congratulations. Remember - engagement. Love and in June there will be two winners: £20 best wishes for your and £40. future, from both families Annette Smith

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10 The Villager * June 2009 picking “a star plant” which will look best backed by evergreens. In this case it was an Acer. He had brought in many types, shapes and colours of beautifully healthy-looking plants in pots and put them together a design. There was some excitement when members participated in implementing Martley & District the design! Horticultural Society On 18 June we are visiting World’s Chairman, Mike Dunnett, opened the End Nursery, Hallow, 6.30pm, meet at April meeting with a short talk on Martley Village Hall. tulips and their cultivation, and said Tina Steele never to leave weeds removed by hoeing on the soil as they have a crafty way of re-rooting! The Society has sent a card to our joint secretary, Martley WI Mrs Pam Minchin, her husband and family, expressing our very deep sympathy in the recent sad loss of Wednesday 10 June 7pm their daughter, Judith. Garden Meeting Our main speaker, Frank Hardy We have had some lovely summer (formerly a lecturer at Pershore garden meetings (and some wet ones) College of Horticulture), showed his at Stoneybridge House when Joy and incredible knowledge in his talk Reg welcomed us there, and Reg has ‘Creating a Focal Point’ emphasising very kindly invited us back there again that the average garden should have a this year.The start time is 7pm, so surprise round every corner. He talked please bring yourselves, family, about ornaments, plant supports, pot friends, a garden chair and a plate of and seats –decorative items which are finger food. Entry is £1 members and usually seen from key viewing points. £1.50 non-members, to include a glass He mentioned the sun’s effect on any of wine.The competition is for the best design, soil types and general rose. Please bring saleable items for conditions. Frank’s order of the usual fun auction importance for plant arrangement when George Coombey- design is: 1 shape, 2 texture, 3 Jones will be persuading colour, pyramid being the most us to buy things we may important shape ie. conifers. not want but cannot say Ground levels are also to be ‘no’, to a possible considered, and he stated you bargain. The auction will need 50% evergreens in a border, be closed at a reasonable

June 2009 * The Villager 11 time, so we shall not be staggering Martley Appeal to over £8000. We are home through the village at some still short of our £15,000 target and unearthly hour. Please come and join need to raise this amount to safeguard us, non-members are always welcome. the future of the pre-schools. Please Kate King help us. Heart of Martley Appeal posters are displayed throughout the Martley village, collection points are Martley Pre-School Post Office, Central stores and the Snippets. Pre-School. You can also download a form from www.martleypreschool.co. This month the children have enjoyed uk and gift aid it too. planting vegetables, flowers and Thanks this month go to Darren and herbs. They started them from seed in Kate Robson, Bradford Building our Wellie Wednesday activities and Supplies, The R.D Turner Charitable within our topic of ‘fairy stories’ ‘Jack trust, the William A. Cadbury Trust, & the Beanstalk’ gave the perfect The Berkeley Arms Good Causes opportunity for the children to plant Committee, Boss Industrial, Aspect beans and watch them grow. ‘The Powder Coatings, Lifestyles UK Ltd Little Red Hen’ saw children baking and Jane & Nigel Hall & boys. bread, and ‘The Three Little Pigs’ saw THANK YOU for having a them create their own pig mask (of heart. Visit our website: course they all wanted to be the big www.martleypreschool.co. bad wolf though!). uk or call Kath or Lucy on Our front garden is in an ideal position 01886 889127 and with help from Keith, Mary and Kathryn Smith Fred Norgrove and Midwest Landscapers (who very generously Peggy Smith donated our new fence, thank you) it In March Martley lost two of its older is soon to be full of produce that the residents, both of whom were very children have grown at our registered artistic and had a great love of the eco-setting. A new ramp at our front countryside: Peggy Smith and Pat entrance (funded by the Awards for Jackman. All, National Lottery) means that our Peggy was born in Sparkhill, building is now easily accessible for Birmingham where she went to everyone. school. When she left school Peggy A big hello to Philip Evert and Alex went on to Avery Hill College of Mason who both start pre-school this Education in London and trained as a month. Primary School Teacher. Her first post An Eco-School grant from Switched was in Sparkhill during the Second on Communities and Currys gave our World War. Shortly after the end of appeal a £3000 boost, bringing our the war she moved to Garth in Wales current total raised for our Heart Of

12 The Villager * June 2009 where she worked with orphans her frequently. Peggy missed her ranging in age from 0 to 5 years old. independence. From there she moved to Kassel in She died peacefully in the nursing Germany as Deputy Head in a school home on the morning of 19 March for children of members of the British 2009. Army on the Rhine. On her return to HT Sandison she became Deputy Headteacher at a Worcester Primary Pudford Lane School and then became Headteacher The continuing saga of Lane folk at Rose Hill School in Worcester, a A murmur of water trickling down the school for children of all ages who had lane reminds us where we are and that Special Educational Needs because of it is summer time. physical disabilities, who all needed a As several people have asked about sensitive awareness of their particular orchids, here is a short update on the difficulties. She remained at Rose Hill SSSI: the elephant’s grave and until her retirement. adjoining meadows have been a In the 1970s Peggy moved to Martley. wonderful show of snowdrops, During the early years of her primroses, daffodils, cowslips and retirement in the 1980s she made the buttercups. Leaves of twayblades and most of her rural surroundings, common spotted orchids are beginning enjoying walking with her family and to appear and will, hopefully, be in friends and, of course, her much-loved bloom when this is read. At time of dogs. She enjoyed painting, producing writing, end of April, the main query many lovely paintings of her dogs and is, will they have been affected by all the countryside. She loved her the rain last July 2008? The 96 rotting garden - it was a place of colour and bales, the record crop of 2008, have calm, with the gentle sound of the been enjoyed by the hens, but Jacob water feature. When she became less donkey refused it as disgusting and mobile it was faithfully and lovingly avidly ate the bought hay. One lawn cared for by Douglas, her gardener. was colonised by over 100 orchids last Sadly, as Peggy grew older, her health year, and was left rough, but it will be deteriorated, though she would still be cut back this year to some semblance seen about the village in her red of order. mobility scooter with her dogs. Sadly Please remain vigilant re: dubious her hip operation was less successful characters seen in the Lane (no, not then some and her mobility was still the inhabitants) as more thefts have further reduced and had lengthy spells occurred. These items were not in hospital, eventually having to give mechanised goods or marked with up her independence and moving to a Smartwater, so maybe the thieves felt nursing home in Bromsgrove where safe in taking them as they could not her sister and niece were able to visit be traced through any DNA. If anyone

June 2009 * The Villager 13 has not yet used Smartwater and Martley Web Mesh Update displayed the stickers, MWM held its AGM on 24 April. contact Martley Parish Chairman Richard Jackman reported Council - details on the that during the past year, both the Parish Council page of speed and number of mesh boxes had www.martley.org. been increased, enabling significant Kate King improvements to the service and the area it covered. Funding obtained from Nexus had helped considerably in attaining these objectives. He thanked the team for their support and sheer hard work, especially John Child Safety Week 2009: Nicklin, for his work on the Nexus We all know that scrapes and bruises grant. Early in May, John received a are part of growing up, but burns, glowing response to his end-of-project scalds and road traffic accidents are report from Community First, who obviously much more serious. Child provided the grant money through Safety Week is an opportunity to Nexus. This is a short extract: “Thank make child accident prevention a you very much for returning your priority. Accidents are one of the Nexus End of Grant Report … We are biggest killers of children in the UK, very pleased with the results you have with five children and young people achieved with the help from Nexus dying each week. Accidents put more and it is excellent to see that you have children and young people in hospital … over-achieved with regards to than any other cause – over 2000 are outputs which is an excellent outcome admitted to hospital each week. Many that has helped Community First of these accidents could have been ensure that the programme has prevented by making even small achieved very good value for money”. changes in the home or in the MSH everyday routine. As part of Child Safety Week, the Teme Valley Martley Parish Council Children’s Centre has organised a Abbreviated unapproved draft minutes special event at the Coffee Haven on of the general meeting of the held on Thursday 25 June. If you would like Monday 6 April 2009 more information about Child Safety The Democratic Period/Public Week look at CAPT’s website www. Question Time capt.org.uk or contact the Teme Mr Lewington reported to the Parish Valley Children’s Centre – more Council on the current position of the information on our website www. Village Show. He expressed a need for temevalley-cc.org.uk or in our volunteers and gazebos to help cope monthly newsletter. with wet weather. He stated that

14 The Villager * June 2009 donations from Martley Parish MHDC has achieved a rating of 3 out Council would be gratefully received. of 4 for good control of finances. A Parishioner queried the whereabouts Planning: of the bin from the lay-by at Hillside. New. 09/00370/LBC&09/00369/FUL Cllr. Goodyear confirmed that she had (resubmission of 08/01544/ removed the bin for cleaning. A LBC&08/01543/FUL) The Old Barn, parishioner asked for the poor Hillside. Pending. 09/00227/FUL Scar workmanship of the laying of tarmac Cottage, Martley—Replacement on Barbers Lane to be noted and that garage, store and workshop. Refused. Pudford Lane should be swept as is 08/01169/FUL Treetops, Hillside— covered in mud. Replacement of dwelling; 09/00077/ Minutes of the meeting held on FUL Longside, Hipplecote— Monday 2 March 2009: Amendment to 08/01498/FUL It was resolved to accept the minutes replacement dwelling; 09/00138/FUL as a true record. & 09/00139/LBC New House Farm, Progress reports: Hope House Lane—Proposed garage. The Clerk: has written to WCC Permitted. 09/00021/FUL Pennypatch, indicating where the Smart Water Hillside—Single storey extn; signs need to be; is arranging with 09/00020/FUL Old House Farm, Vicky Bilton and Peter Newman to Horsham—Renovation of existing discuss development sites; noted that outbuilding. speed checks have taken place in Refuse not being collected from Martley and more are likely to take Ankerdine: place soon; confirmed that Martley The bins on the viewpoint have Parish Council supports the Borrowers collapsed and are unusable. People are Toy Library in Martley on 27-28 of dumping rubbish over hedges into July 2009 and will arrange with the gardens. The Clerk will investigate Playing Fields Association for the replacing bins and collecting rubbish Play Rangers on the school field; has and report at the next meeting. written to The Crown about the bottle Representation on SPORT Martley banks; will ask the Lengthsman to committee and Playfields clean the village signs and check the Association Committee: bus shelter; will chase WCC about the The Clerk is to advise both works needed at Prickley Green and organisations that at present Martley Pudford Lane. Parish Council is unable to offer a District and County Councillor’s representative. report: Annual Parish Meeting: District Councillor. Mrs. B. Williams The Clerk is to write to organisations reported that MHDC launched its opt- that have had a stand at previous in garden waste scheme in March and annual meetings to ascertain the level over 700 residents have signed up; of interest.

June 2009 * The Villager 15 Finance: Noake (1850). Donations of £50 will be made to: “A walk of two hours through a Citizens Advice Bureau, Air country rich in pasture, hops, garden Ambulance; MacMillan Nurses; ground, tillage crops and timber, Acorns Hospice; to St. Richards brought me to the pleasant little Hospice and allocate £500 to YIMMS. village of Martley, situated nearly The Clerk is to speak to Nora Parsons eight miles north of Worcester. The Day Centre to discuss a donation and villagers were hastening churchward to Mr Lewington to discuss a possible in obedience to the summons then donation of £300.00 to the Village issuing from the tower; and the Show dependent on receipt of a schoolchildren, in their neat Sunday development plan detailing plans for attire, were pouring down from their the show, equipment needs, funding new school house (1846) winding sources, etc. Martley Parish Council round the parsonage garden, (?) and agreed to. the foremost of them reaching the old Urgent Decisions since the last wooden porch of their old parish meeting: church. How pleasing the sight, Cllr. Mr. D. Cropp asked the Path-or- unknown to our forefathers! And how Nones to inspect a vandalised stile hopeful the prospect arising from whilst repairs are made to it. these institutions! The reverend Councillors reports and items for gentleman who performed the future agendas: services, was, as I understood, the Rev The Clerk will request a meeting with Mr Thomas, curate of Shelsley. the tip. Councillors reported the (details of preaching omitted. ALB) danger on Ankerdine Hill due to The choir, consisting of rustic voices overgrown hedgerows. Councillors and instruments, did their part pretty also reported the danger caused at the smoothly in a variety of tunes which I cul-de-sac end of St. Peters Drive by a cannot but fancy are indigenous to and van being parked on the footpath. The have never escaped beyond this parish Clerk is to write to Environmental (! ALB) The custom prevails here, as Health with regard to the crows in some other primitive places, to causing problems in the coppice. chalk on a slate the psalms to be sung, Date of next meeting: and hang it over the gallery for the The next meeting will be held on information of the flock below. This is Monday 11 May 2009 and is the a very convenient custom for Martley, Annual Meeting of the Parish Council. where no one can hear the clerk.” (There follows a description of the Martley’s Past church which I shall include next Extracts from ‘The Rambler in month. ALB) ’ or ‘Stray Notes on Alan Boon Churches and Congregations’ by John

16 The Villager * June 2009 Over the Garden Wall in Wichenford WICHENFORD NEEDS YOUR NEWS

Janet Andrews 01886 888303 Sheila Richards 01886 888378

Lynnne Burnett Flower Rota We are so sorry to hear that Lynne has 7 June Mrs Britten-Long died after a long illness so bravely 14 June All Age Worship Team borne. We send our heartfelt sympathy 21 June Mrs Weatherall to her husband Mike, to Hannah, 28 June Mrs B Whyatt Emily, Gwen and to all her family. Ladies Fellowship She will be very sadly missed by all who knew her. Ladies Fellowship this month meet at the home of Janet Andrews on 16 June Wichenford 100 Club at 2.30pm. This has yet to be April winners: No 144 Sue Palmer confirmed. £75.00 and returned subscriptions to Wichenford Open Gardens No. 140 Rod Latham & No. 118 Mrs G Hancock. Drawn by Jeff Wheatley- Weekend Mills Saturday& Sunday 27-28 June 2009 11 am – 6 pm. Bake & Brew Tea Party Lunches & teas, home grown produce, Bake and Brew Tea Party in aid of plants for sale. Adults £4.00 (children The Children’s Society was an free). All proceeds to St Richards enjoyable Hospice and local Wichenford afternoon. The organizations. lovely weather We need sitters for the Open Gardens encouraged people weekend in Church, so that we can into the garden, open it to visitors. Any offers would thus easing be much appreciated. Please contact pressure indoors. Carma or Pam if you can help. Everyone was very Pam Webb generous, and George and myself are very grateful to all those who spent,

June 2009 * The Villager 17 made cakes and sent donations in their Harewood House, Leeds. Our own absence. The result was £145 to help Brownies will join with other units to these unfortunate children who so take over PGL and take part in need our help to re-build their lives. kayaking, zip wire, trapeze, fencing Thank you again. and loads more. Pam & George Webb 580,000 members in the UK are committed to ‘do your best’ and help Birthday Congratulations others and to make a change in their Many congratulations to Elsie local communities and the Whitehead who celebrates world. The Guide Association her 90th birthday this has devised ‘Changing the month. Elsie is a valued World’. 19 Charities such as member of our community Woodland Trust, Railway and we wish her many Children, Crisis and Book Aid happy returns and a International, have put together wonderful day. an activity pack to provide fun ideas whilst challenging us to ‘Change Guiding News the World’ through community action. Guiding celebrates its centenary in The girls decide which project they 2010 and in September 2009 the wish to do, have fun, learn a lot and celebrations will be launched. What a celebrate their achievements. Just fantastic opportunity to be part of think - although Guiding was started celebrating a dynamic movement that by a handful of girls who spoke out; has enhanced so many lives! Ten what can we achieve today with million members worldwide make it 580,000 members taking action? the biggest organisation for girls and Interested? Want to know more? Want women in the world. to join Rainbows, Brownies or In our centenary year there is a huge Guides? Contact Sue Ganderton on variety of events such as Rainbows 01905 422711. becoming Princesses and Brownies taking over PGL, Popsland Theme Memorial Hall Whist Drives Park in Belgium and Acorn Adventure The very popular and well-supported in the Brecon whist drives have raised the Beacons. magnificent sum of over £700 for hall Guides can get funds. Many thanks to all involved in away to arranging these enjoyable events, and Stockholm or to those who supported them. Switzerland Particular thanks to Ivy Perkins, Sue and join the Ganderton, Grace Lane and Kate centenary Leach who organised some of the camp at whist drives. We are most grateful to

18 The Villager * June 2009 Derrick and Marion Jinks who always let myself or Susan Britten know. I prepare the hall, our thanks to them. know we are missing an owl and the The whist drives will restart in dovecote, but cannot remember what October. We look forward to seeing the other one was. Many thanks. everyone again and would welcome Georgina Britten Long new faces. Motocross Race Meetings Garden Open: at Alsetts Sunday 14 June 2009 As far as I know, the dates are: 12 The garden at Keepers Lodge Venn July, 30 August and 4 October. Lane, Wichenford (opposite the Court, GBL next to the church) will be open by kind permission of Mrs EE Britten, in Wichenford Bluebell Ride aid of SSAFA Forces Help. Garden 2009 open 2-6pm. Sale of plants. Stalls. A beautiful sunny and warm English Entrance £5 to include super tea spring day greeted us on Sunday morning, 26 April, for the Bluebell Ride - a beautiful day after last years dreadful wash-out. Much preparation of the course had gone on. We had nearly 200 horses and riders of all shapes, colours and sizes taking part in the 11 miles cross-country ride through beautiful bluebell woods, fields and spinneys, with the trees bursting into bud, and the blossom coming up to its best. There were Wichenford Church even several brave souls who followed We have lost some tapestry kneelers their riders on foot, one lady leading for Wichenford Church. For the her small child on a rein. We had one Millennium my mother, Susan Britten, small drama when an enthusiastic ex- designed and drew several tapestry racehorse wanted to be a race horse kneelers on canvas for the church. again and unseated his rider, so we They were to be tatted, but as they had to call the Air Ambulance to the were in petit-point, there were not rescue. However, it proved to be many people who could cope! We nothing more serious than a major have three which are nearing bruise, and we will donate something completion, but have lost another to the Air Ambulance as a result. three. I cannot remember who we gave With the help of a cheque from them to – it was a few years ago now! Equestrian and Leisure at Top Barn, If anyone has one, could they please and another generous donation, we

June 2009 * The Villager 19 will have raised some £4,000 to divide Kenswick and Wichenford between St Richards Hospice, Parish Council Wichenford Church, Memorial Hall, Unapproved abbreviated draft minutes Millennium Green and the Nora of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Parsons Day Centre, and of course the Council held on Monday 20 April Air Ambulance. Many thanks to 2009 in the Memorial Hall Richard, Skinny and Matthew for Wichenford. setting up the course, and many thanks Councillor Britten-Long chaired the again to the faithfull Randall family meeting. (Chairman). who manage the ‘office’, with help Democratic half hour/public this time from Shirley and Robert, question time (Annual Parish who also sold lots of choccy quiz Meeting forms for the Nora Parsons Day All present came to discuss the Motor Centre. To Ken who managed to Cross event which took place at create neat precision in organising the Allsetts Farm during the weekend of parking of the horseboxes - To Denis, the 11-13 April. The chairman Richard, Brian, Matthew and Jack explained that the parish council are who patrolled the course and did the working with the Environment road crossing, to Caroline and Sara Agency and Enforcement officers at who spent hours manning the horses Malvern Hills and they will visit the crossing the road, even rescuing a site. The Parish Council will ask the couple of riderless mounts as they owner of Allsetts for a timetable of careered towards the road; to the future events and for these events to Barwell family and Helen, to Vicky be advertised locally. and the Woodwards, and lastly to District and County Councillors Carma and Helen who laid on the Report refreshments in aid of Wichenford The District and County Councillor Church. Lets hope next year is as gave a report at the Annual Meeting. enjoyable, with perfect weather, but The minutes of the meeting held on 2 minus the appearance of the March 2009 were accepted and signed helicopter! as a true record. GBL Progress Reports Mistletoe Lakes: Malvern Hills are keeping an eye on this site and Councillor Britten-Long agreed to chase it up. Planning The Parish Council has received notification of the Tree Preservation Order at Pughs Rough. Applications considered since the last meeting.

20 The Villager * June 2009 09/00255/Ful. Land at Wants Green. permanent weight limit of 7.5T is to Erection of stables and barn. The be put on Holt bridge. The road from parish council has concerns. 09/00326/ Holt to Ombersley will be closed for FUL. Replacement Porch. Mallenders 10 weeks from 22 June. There is a Wichenford.The parish council has no meeting at Ombersley village hall on objection. 09/00328/FUL. Change of Thursday to discuss the closure. use from domestic annex to staff Date and Venue of Next Meeting accommodation at Colketts Farm. The Next meeting will be the Annual parish council has concerns. Meeting on the 18 May 2009 Applications Approved/Refused/ Meetings were arranged for 29 June, Withdrawn. 09/00131/Ful. Bramley 17 August and 28 September 2009. Barn, The Kedges. Proposed garage conversion. (Approved) 09/00044/Ful. Mobile Library The Tallett. Cockshoot Farm. Single Ockeridge storey side extension. (Approved) Silver Oaks 9.45–10.05 Applications to be considered. Wichenford 09/01810/Ful. Erection of agricultural Malvern View 10.10–10.35 Church 10.45–11.05 barn. Crabtree Orchard. Willow Road. Kings Green Farm 11.15–11.40 A site meeting was arranged for Rosses Green 11.45–12.05 Monday 27 April. Martley Hillside Finance Horn Lane Bungalows 12.10– A quote has been received for the 12.25 drainage works in Wichenford but the Martley parish council feel that it is to Taylors of Martley 12.30–12.45 expensive and will seek another LUNCH contractor. The bill for the NPDC Heaton House 1.20–1.50 Church. 1.55–2.15 including the dilapidations is Clifton approximately £2,700, which the Village Hall 2.30–3.50 parish council will have to pay. For discussion on the next agenda. The Mobile Library will be visiting these Rosses/Guises Lanes stops on Wednesdays on the dates listed Worcestershire County Council is below: 3 June 2009 18 Nov 2009 seeking a proposed permanent Traffic 24 June 2009 9 Dec 2009 Regulation Order and would like any 7 Oct 2009 30 Dec 2009 comments by 19 May 2009. 28 October 2009 Lengthsman Review Any enquiries should be made to The parish council agreed to keep the Stourport Library, Worcester Street, Lengthsman contract the same. Stourport, Worcs DY13 8EH, tel: 01299- Urgent Decisions Since the Previous 822866, stourportmobile@worcestershire. Meeting gov.uk The parish council have heard that a

June 2009 * The Villager 21 Harvesting the Past An Oral History Project

o you know someone with Worcestershire County Council, we great stories to tell about life have the opportunity to record the D around Martley in the 1930s, experiences of people who’ve lived 40s and 50s? Someone who really around here all their lives. The next ought to be recorded for posterity? stage will be sharing these stories with If so, we would like to hear from you! the whole community.” It’s for a new oral history project Julia explains that she is relying on the called ‘Harvesting the Past: Memories people of Martley and the surrounding from Rural Worcestershire’ which has villages to help find the interviewees two main aims; to create and get involved in the an archive of farming and community play. countryside stories for the “People often say “if Worcestershire Record “We have the only I’d interviewed so Office and to create a and so before it was too opportunity to record the community play based on late”. Well, now is our people’s memories and experiences of people chance. I can reassure experiences. The play will who’ve lived around anyone who’s interested be written by a local in being recorded that it scriptwriter and produced here all their lives” is a very informal and staged at The Chantry process, and quite fun.” High School... and it’s As the project develops, hoped that as many local the team will also be people as possible will get involved. looking for amateur actors and Coordinating the project is former actresses, and anyone with any BBC producer Julia Letts, who has theatrical or technical skills. If you’d spent the past 10 years recording oral like to find out more or suggest an history interviews in Worcestershire interviewee, please contact researcher and Herefordshire. “I am very excited Sue Broome on 01299 251512. about Harvesting the Past,” admits Julia. “I know there are some wonderful characters out there with amazing stories to tell. We all lead such busy lives these days that often we don’t find time to listen to the older generations. Here’s a chance to change that. Thanks to funding from

22 The Villager * June 2009 Forthcoming Events—June and July

Blues at the Fold , Saturday 4 July 2009 Live music from 2-11pm Tickets £10 WICHENFORD (adults) and £3 for children under 12 . OPEN GARDENS Tickets and information are available from the website www.bluesatthefold. More than 18 beautiful co.uk or by calling 01886-812888. gardens to visit The programme will include short performances between the bands from Saturday& Sunday 27-28 Dave Reeves, a performer poet and June 2009 free reed player. 11 am – 6 pm. For more information contact Oliver Carpenter, Blues at the Fold, 01886- Lunches & Teas 812888 or email: home grown produce [email protected] plants for sale

Win a pair of free tickets to Blues at Adults £4.00 (children free) the Fold or win a free copy of the Big Blues Tribe’s new album – All proceeds to St Richards “Warning May Contain Blues”. Hospice and local Wichenford Answer this simple question. Where is organizations. St Richards Hospice is registered under the The Fold? Email your answers to Charities Act. No. 515668 [email protected]

Garden Party at Hartlebury Castle (by kind permission of the Church Commissioners) Saturday 13 June 1.30-4.30 p.m. To be opened by Cath Mackie-BBC Midlands Today. Come and take this rare chance to see inside the Castle with guided tours of the staterooms, Keepers Lodge the bishop's house, the Chapel and the Venn Lane, Wichenford Garden Hurd Library. Live Music, Tombola, Open: Sunday 14 June 2009 Cream Teas, Cakes, Raffle, Children’s games, Treasure trail, Exhibitions, Face Painting, Craft Demonstrations. More events on page 29.

June 2009 * The Villager 23 In the Garden

encourage new, neater growth. Cut In the Garden in June flowered stems of Euphorbias back to The weather has warmed up and ground level. garden plants are growing fast. The Greenhouse crops such as tomatoes, weeds are growing even faster and this peppers and aubergines now need month you have to put in a bit more regular feeding. Keep pinching out the time just to keep on top of things. June sideshoots on tomatoes and when 4 or is often dry, so watering is a key job. 5 flower trusses have formed, pinch Try to use rainwater or recycled water out the growing point. Tender where possible and remember that vegetables such as sweetcorn, mulching will help the soil retain cougettes and runner beans can be moisture. Anything newly-planted and hardened off outdoors and planted out. annuals need more water than Lettuce can be sown others. Hanging baskets and outdoors but remember that summer pots can go out now - the seeds wll not germinate try grouping containers together if it is too hot, so find a to save time when you water. spot that has some shade. If You can also include a soluble you have apple, pear or high-potash fertilizer and feed plum trees pick off young at the same time. While you are fruit showing damage or watering, keep an eye open for aphids disease, wait until after the natural on the new growth. Also look out for 'June Drop' to do any final thinning. 'problem of the month' - powdery This is the last month for harvesting mildew. This fungus produces a white rhubarb, after this it tends to be coating on leaves of plants which are stringy, and the crowns need some too dry and\or overcrowded. time to build up for next spring. Deadhead and prune spring-flowering A final tip for June, get some use out shrubs and Clemetis montana. You of your garden furniture! Just sit can now cut off dead foliage from outside and enjoy your plants! spring bulbs and overcrowded clumps Local gardens open for charity this can be lifted and replanted. Primroses month and primulas can still be divided but 6-7 June a group of 8 keep the new plants well watered. gardens. Trimming back alyssum, aubretia, Rose Cottage, Hallow, and Worlds heuchera and hellebores will End Nurseries, Hallow, 7 June

24 The Villager * June 2009 Keepers Lodge Venn Lane, Weeding by hand allows you to get Wichenford 14 June close to one of our most precious Eastgrove Cottage Garden, resources; the soil. It lets me see when Treetops, Lower Broadheath, 19-20 it needs more compost, or grit to June improve drainage. Astley 21 June, a group of 8 gardens Some weeds are edible. Chickweed is Wichenford Open Gardens 27-28 June. good in salads and tastes cucumbery. JC Young nettle leaves can be steamed, and treated like spinach, or made into On My Knees Again..... soup. You may have seen the I have been on my knees for hours..... expensive packs of Lamb’s lettuce in At this time of year, what grows the supermarkets: this is a “weed” that rampantly, unfazed by extreme regularly grows in gardens. Pull the weather or hordes of pests? You whole rosettes when they are young guessed...weeds! And so that I can for a free, home grown salad addition, gaze freely upon my flowers and along with a few young dandelion veggies I have to curb their enthusiasm leaves. somewhat. This involves much Please consult a book or the internet kneeling and subsequent close for identification of edible weeds. scrutiny. One enters another world, at AH plant level. “Why bother”, you might say, “There Allotments for Martley? are herbicides on the market that deal Angie Hill (together with other key with such uninvited guests”? I garden people from the Martley area) is still organically, so that isn’t an option for busy working to find a site suitable for me. I actually like weeding...strange allotments. She is hoping to move the though it may seem. Some folk like car project into another phase at a meeting washing, lawn mowing, even ironing! to be held in early June. If you are I like weeding. I find it therapeutic. interested or want to find out more But it has other benefits. There’s no about the allotments, contact Angie on better way to get to know your plants, [email protected], 01886 checking them over at the same time. 888762 or 07793211933 At such close proximity you can It is hoped that by the time you read appreciate the colours, scents, textures this, there will be page about the and patterns of leaves and flowers. Allotment project linked from the Some are sweet; Primula roots smell of Leisure page on the Martley website spicy Vanilla. Some, like Penstemons, www.martley.org.uk. News and are pungently acrid. It wasn’t until I updates can then be posted on the was hand weeding that I noticed the page.. vibrant, purple stem bases of Creeping Buttercup.

June 2009 * The Villager 25

Church Words The Rectory 01886 888664

he Martley Parish magazine for Whilst the physical foundations of our T June 1909 tells us that churches are made of stone, the preparations were underway for the church’s spiritual foundation stone is restoration of the church. A network Jesus. Peter in one of his letter tells us of scaffolding was around the tower, of the founder and foundation stone pictures of which show a very upon which our faith is built being one precarious wooden structure. The in whom we should believe and place architect at the time, Charles our trust. Foundations in life are all Nicholson, went onto the scaffolding too often shaken and even uprooted to investigate the and trust and belief can stonework to see what disappear. The Church at needed repair. “Some the time of the tower being shaking”, he said, “must built was led from Rome, have caused some but only 59 years after this cracks over the years”. Henry VIII would challenge Repairs were made and all around him. The Church the grand tower, built of England did not exist in about 1450 during the 1450, only the Church in reign of Henry VI, England. The Church of St. would stand for much Peter has seen many longer yet. This made changes in its history and me stop and ponder the will continue to see change, time the tower was but one thing remains built. It was during the constant, or should I say reign of the last Lancastrian King one person: the foundation stone upon before the brief Yorkist reigns began. whom our faith is built. He, Jesus, is The Yorks were followed by the more the same yesterday, today and forever, famous Tudors. It was a time of as told in the letter to the Hebrews. changes, of battles, of the loss of Don’t be afraid of change, rather hold Normandy, a time of foundations fast to the one foundation that never being shaken. changes, Jesus. God Bless Foundations are certainly important in Rev David Sherwin buildings like the medieval churches that stand so proudly in our villages.

26 The Villager * June 2009 Church Services for June Mon 1 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, W’ford with Archdeacon Roger Morris. Tue 2 June 10.00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Wed 3 June 10.15am Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Thu 4 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 7 June 8.00am Holy Communion, Knightwick Chapel Trinity Sunday 10.30am Holy Communion, St Laurence, Wichenford 10.30 am Family Worship, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Morning Worship, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 6.30pm Songs of Praise Evensong, St Leonard, Tue 9 June 10.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 10 June 10.15 Holy Communion, Heaton House Thu 11 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 14 June 8.00am Holy Communion, St Leonard, Cotheridge 10.30am Family Worship, St Laurence, Cotheridge 10.30am Holy Communion, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 6.30pm TAIZE, St Laurence, Wichenford Mon 15 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Tue 16 June 10.00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 17 June 10.15am Morning Prayer, St Peter, Martley Thu 18 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford 7.30pm Back to Church Sunday Meeting in Worcester SUN 21 June 8.00am Holy Communion, St Peter, Martley 9.00am Matins, St Leonard, Cotheridge 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 10.30am Morning Worship, St Peter, Martley 3.00pm Evening Worship, Knightwick Chapel 6.00pm Evening Worship, St Laurence, Wichenford Mon 22 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Tue 23 June 10.00 Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas Wed 24 June 10.15am Holy Communion, Heaton House Thu 25 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Wichenford SUN 28 June 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 9.30am Holy Communion, St Peter, Martley 10.30am Family Worship, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas 10.30am Holy Communion, St Laurence, Wichenford 6.30pm Evening Worship, St Peter, Martley Mon 29 June 9.00am Morning Prayer, St Leonard, Cotheridge Tue 30 June 10.00am Morning Prayer, St Mary Magdalene, Broadwas

June 2009 * The Villager 27 Village Contacts

Editor of The Villager Michelle Higgins [email protected] or 01886 888344 or leave articles at Martley Post Office Advertise in The Villager Aileen Parker—01886 888456

Church Rector: Revd David Sherwin—01886 888664 or (Worcestershire West [email protected] Rural Team) Curate: Revd Bruce Thomson—01886 888098 Assistant Priest: Revd Jennifer Whittaker—01886 833897 Martley Parish Council Chair: Dave Cropp—01886 888398; Clerk: Sally Williams—01299 832949 Martley WI President: Helen CoombeyJones—01886 888294 Martley & District Pam Minchin—01886 888521 or Margaret Jackson— Horticultural Society 01886 888654 Royal British Legion Joyce Tyler—01886 821551 Martley Ramblers Harry King—01886 888439 Martley Young Farmers Lou Wickens—01886-812754 or Caroline Bullock— 01905-333617 Path-or-Nones John Nicklin—01886 888318 [email protected] Resource Centre Alan Boon—01886 888527 Police “Surgery” CSO Matt Smith 7184—Martley Local Policing Team Police Station extn. 3581 Martley Website [email protected] Martley Web Mesh Richard Jackman—01886 821237 [email protected] John Layton—01886888460 [email protected] Tom Pearsall—01886 888256 [email protected] Martley Pre-School Kath/Lucy—01886 889127 www.martleypreschool.co.uk Wichenford contacts for Janet Andrews—01886 888303 or Sheila Richards—01886 The Villager 888378 Kenswick & Wichenford Clerk—Shirley Sanders 01886 888302 Parish Council Wichenford Wine Club Chairman—Bill Hylan 01886 888431

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

28 The Villager * June 2009 Abberley Hall Fete Abberley Hall are holding their five- yearly fete on Sunday 5 July, starting at 2pm. All the usual stalls plus trips up the Clock Tower (and abseiling back down if desired), Silent Auction and The Midland Balloon Club will be landing (weather permitting) in the grounds and at 6pm several balloons will be taking off for a race. The proceeds will be split between the charities ‘Ewe & You’, ‘Megan Baker House’ and the Abberley Foundation.

Holt Road Closure The following is extracted from a communication from Fraser Pithie, Senior Operations Manager at Severn Trent: “Although we have been in consultation with various local parties and the Local Highway Authority for some time, and following on from the public consultation meeting, we now believe that the proposals communicated have not sufficiently taken into account both the need to carry out the works safely with the need to minimise disruption to traffic and the local environment. As a result, we have now temporarily suspended the scheme, to allow a rigorous re-evaluation of those elements of the project that involve traffic disruption.” Further news reaching the eyes and ears of the ever-vigilant Martley website team will be uploaded to the Martley website.

June 2009 * The Villager 29