ONNYCAMLAD PARISHES Rev

Home , Bishop of Ludlow, Bishop of Wolverhampton, Claverley, Hyssington, Myndtown, Ratlinghope

ONNYCAMLAD PARISHES Rev. Prebendary Norman Morris, Rector of Wentnor with Ratlinghope, Norbury, Myndtown, Lydham, More & Snead, & Priest in charge of Churchstoke & Hyssington & Rural Dean 01588 650244 Rev. Carol Whittock Mission Priest at Churchstoke 01588 620228 David Jelves, Reader 01588 620434 Mette Wardle, Reader 01694 751466

The Rector writes...Advent is upon us that great season which ushers in a new year in the life of the Christian Church and prepares us for Christmas! Soon we will all of us be caught up in the busy run in to Christmas and poor Advent gets pushed to one side! Sadly most people will scarcely give a thought! I'm keen on a lot of preservation of all kinds - churches, prayer book services, country houses, railway heritage, particularly signal boxes, locomotives, both steam and classic diesel, so perhaps consideration should be given to including the season of Advent as part of the Heritage movement? Heritage Lottery money might be used to educate us once again into the disciplines of Advent? Advent is a dramatic season of four Sundays with the traditional preaching themes of Heaven, Hell, Death and Judgement just to wake us all up and pave the way for the most extraordinary thing which God has done since the dawn of Creation at the time of the Big Bang! Yes it's the next Big Bang ...coming into our world as His Son Jesus Christ whom Christians believe over came sin and death and so redeemed humanity and our world! It's a big claim to make and dear old season of Advent is there to prepare us once again to fully celebrate, as we should, Jesus' coming into our lives as Saviour of the World!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER ADVENT SUNDAY 10.30 Benefice Holy Communion Lydham Rev Jo Evans & David Jelves 11.15 Clun Valley Benefice Holy Communion Hopesay The Rural Dean 3.00 Hyssington Advent Party Hyssington Village Hall

SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER ADVENT 2 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington Preb.Michael Pollit 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Rev Carol Whittock 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury Celebrant & Preacher: Rt Rev Richard Frith, Bishop of Hereford 6.30 “From Darkness to Light!” Advent Evening Service Wentnor

FRIDAY – SUNDAY 12- 14 DECEMBER CHURCHSTOKE CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER ADVENT 3 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion More 4.00pm CHURCHSTOKE CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL SERVICE Rev Carol Whittock & David Jelves 6.00pm Hunt Carol Service More

FRIDAY 19 DECEMBER RATLINGHOPE CAROL SERVICE 6.30PM

SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER ADVENT 4 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Rev Carol Whittock 6.30 Hyssington Chapel Carol Service 6.30pm BENEFICE “CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT” MORE 6.30pm Hyssington Chapel Carol Service

WEDNESDAY 24 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS EVE 4.00 “CAROLS ROUND THE CRIB” CHURCHSTOKE Rev Carol Whittock 6.30 HYSSINGTON “CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT” 11.30 MIDNIGHT COMMUNION WENTNOR

THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS DAY 9.30 HOLY COMMUNION WITH CAROLS NORBURY 9.45 HOLY COMMUNION WITH CAROLS RATLINGHOPE Rev Graham Lloyd 10.30 HOLY COMMUNION WITH CAROLS CHURCHSTOKE Rev Carol Whittock 11.00 HOLY COMMUNION WITH CAROLS LYDHAM

SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS 1 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 10.30 MYNDTOWN CAROL SERVICE

SUNDAY 4 JANUARY CHRISTMAS 2 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington at Hyssington Chapel Preb Michael Pollit 11.15 Holy Communion by extension Norbury David Jelves 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Community Hall Rev Carol Whittock 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor (Barry Preston)

SUNDAY 11 JANUARY EPIPHANY 1 THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST PLOUGH SUNDAY 8.00 Holy Communion Wentnor PLEASE NOTE EARLIER TIME 9.45 Holy Communion by extension Ratlinghope David Jelves 11.15 Morning Praise More Mette Wardle (10.00 Middle Marches Benefice Service Stowe Preacher & Celebrant; Rural Dean) 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Community Hall Rev Carol Whittock 6.30 Plough Service Norbury

SUNDAY 18 JANUARY EPIPHANY 2 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Community Hall Rev Carol Whittock 11.15 Plough Service Lydham 6.30 Plough Service Wentnor

SUNDAY 25 JANUARY EPIPHANY 3 CONVERSION OF ST PAUL 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope Lay Led 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Community Hall David Jelves 11.15 Holy Communion More 2.30 Hyssington Chapel United Service

SUNDAY 1 FEBRUARY EPIPHANY 4 SEPTUAGESIMA EDUCATION SUNDAY 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington Chapel 9.45 Holy Communion by extension Ratlinghope David Jelves 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Community Hall Rev Carol Whittock 6.30 Songs of Praise Wentnor

Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. 5 December Hyssington; 12 December Norbury; 19 December Lydham; 9 January More; 16 January Churchstoke; 23 January Wentnor; 30 January Lower Snead; 6 Feb Ratlinghope.

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES:

Benefice choir practices for the Carols by Candlelight service at More Sunday 21 December at 6.30pm will be taking place on Wednesday afternoons at Ambridge, Lydham on 26 November, 3 December, 10 December, 17 December at 3.00pm. All are welcome to join the choir. Further information from Rev Norman Morris or Marion Denwood.

Ratlinghope 200 Club: Time has come to renew membership. Please continue to support or join by contacting Margaret 650280 or Janet 650232 to renew tickets for the forthcoming year. More Monthly Draw October 1st Claire Lavender 2nd Catherine Evans 3rd David & Anthea Jones Many thanks to everyone who supports our More Church monthly draw.

LYDHAM NEWS Lydham ‘100’ Club - Monthly Draw Winners: 1. 'Congratulations to Lydham Church 100 Club October winners- 1st prize no 42 Andrew Smith £23.50 2nd prize no 79 Terry Reynolds £14.10 3rd prize no 51 David Preshous £9.40 Anybody wishing to join this worthwhile monthly draw contact Jimmy Garnier 01588-638486, Neil Hird 01588-638379 or church wardens Joyce Yapp and Tony Martin

LOCAL MINISTRY NEWS: Our Local Ministry Group assists with pastoral visiting and Home Communions across the parishes, meeting monthly to share concerns and pray for those who are in any kind of need. Members of the Local Ministry Group are Anita Bright, Trish Macmullan; Margaret Wallsgrove, Shirley Jones, Bob Berry (Convenor), Mette Wardle, Rev Carol Whittock, & Rev Preb. Norman Morris. All concerns and prayers are made in total confidence. Please be in touch with any member if you know of anyone who would like to be visited. Anyone wishing to receive Home Communion please be in touch with the Rector 10588 650244 Saturday 17 January AWAYDAY.

AROUND THE PARISHES: FUTURE EVENTS

NEW YEAR’S DAY THURSDAY 1 JANUARY: Annual New Year’s Day Walk will take place as usual. Please meet at Lydham Village Hall 11.00am Bring wet weather clothing & packed lunch. Local walk. Return c. 2.30 – 3.00pm. All welcome.

Wentnor Churchyard help needed? We need to check the headstones in the old Churchyard. Volunteers to check, using the “Dave Marpole” testing technique, and, if necessary, and make safe old headstones are very welcome Saturday morning 10 January from 9.30am. We also need at the same time to remove ivy from the church walls.

DEFIBRILLATOR FOR LYDHAM VILLAGE: QUIZ NIGHT FRIDAY JANUARY 16TH LYDHAM VILLAGE HALL

A quiz night will take place in Lydham on Friday January 16th to raise money for a defibrillator for the village. A hot supper will be included and there will be a bar. Prizes for outstanding teams - a fun evening - not too testing of the grey matter! 7pm for 7.30 start. Teams of 4 people at £5 per head to include supper. Thanks to the success of the bingo night we are well on the way but still need to get the box, have it installed and pay running costs and training.

Please call Shirley Rowson 01588 638016 or Jane Semple 01588 630664 to book in so they can plan the food as we don’t want you to go home hungry!

“Filling Station” The opening evening for this “Fresh Expression” – exploring the Christian Faith” - was at Newcastle, in the Clun Valley. There are many other 'Filling Stations' in the UK (about 40 according to their literature and website 'thefillingstation.org'). Meetings are on the 2nd Friday of the month from 7.30-9.30. Please contact Rev Robert Payne 01588 661008 for details

There are now thirteen Food Banks in the diocese. Thanks for the support many churches are giving to our Deanery one at Clun which is at St George’s Church, Vicarage Road, Clun - Clun Community & Advice Centre - which is open on Thursday 12 – 2.30 & 5.30 – 7.00pm CONTACT: Douglas Ogram 01588 640830 [email protected] Thanks from Douglas for harvest gifts.

AGE UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER & WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015 - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER & TUESDAY 20 JANUARY- to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you.

NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: December 10th WEDNESDAY Entertainment: Christmas Party Speaker: John Croft “The Ukulele Man”Hostesses: The Committee Flowers: Carol Buxton Competition: Christmas table decoration–any format Thursday January 8th 2015 Speaker: Val Littlehales “The Laws & Legends of Trees” Hostesses: Janet Brandon, Liv Goode & Doris Roberts Flowers: June Pinches Competition: Your own photo of an interesting tree. LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: TBA

ONNY VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB: This Club usually meets on the first Tuesday afternoon in the month at Norbury Village Hall 4 November Films of OVSC Outings with Jim Russell New members welcome. Club Leader: Eileen Ashley 07530 687497 Future outings: Saturday 10 January Shrewsbury Pantomine.

CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310

FROM THE DEANERY MAGAZINE 20 YEARS AGO! Bishop of Hereford spoke to the Deanery Synod about the new Diocesan Strategy whereby each Deanery planned its own future. A new Framework for Faith produced by the Gloucester Diocese would equip the parishes to answer questions. Kath Farmer and Marion Humble were Course Leaders. Bucknell and Wentor parishes had each been experiencing an Interregnum but it was announced that Rev Dr Richard France, Principal of Wycliffe College, Oxford would be the new Wentnor Rector; Bishop’s Castle would be having a Nativity Festival; Sarn Church had a new car park; Bill Hopkins at Hyssington led a Family Service at which Hyssington Church was compared with the Temple at Jerusalem; The Crown at Clunton was re-opening; Wentnor Christmas Bazaar raised £461.

TABLE TENNIS! Now in action! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Usually taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2.30 – 3.30pm for details contact The Rector 01588 BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Contact: The Rector NEXT MEETING 6 JANUARY NORBURY BIBLE STUDY GROUP: New members always welcome! Contact: The Rector 01588 650244 FLOWERS/CLEANING: (From now on notification will be through the churches) Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org. Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

ONNYCAMLAD PARISHES Rev. Prebendary Norman Morris, Rector of Wentnor with Ratlinghope, Norbury, Myndtown, Lydham, More & Snead, & Priest in charge of Churchstoke & Hyssington & Rural Dean 01588 650244 Rev. Carol Whittock Mission Priest at Churchstoke David Jelves, Reader 01588 620434 Mette Wardle, Reader 01694 751466

The Rector writes....November brings us once again All Souls Day 2 November when we remember our friends and family who have died and, of course, Remembrance Sunday this year is particularly poignant in that it's a century since World War One broke out. Commemoration has been observed in all sorts of ways both in the media and locally. In so many ways the modern age, if I can put it like that, was already born when in 1914 WW1 began with newsreels, photographs, motor transport, planes and railways all pretty well established, if somtimes primitive by our standards so that we have much audio and visual material to draw upon. We see the faces and see the action as it happened then, just as we view stuff on our screens today - what's poignant, to use that word again, is to see the cheering crowds in every capital city of Europe roaring the War on - the excitement of the coming war, over by Christmas ,of course, is cruelly caught by these happy faces! Bring on the War they seem to say! Well we know what happened in the massive loss of life, injury, destruction generally over the next four years. Lots of lessons for us all to learn even now a century later and for churches to measure up to what we say to the world with our message.... that we follow one who came into the world, heralded by hosts of angels with a message of peace and goodwill to all men!

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER TRINITY 20 ALL SOULS DAY 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington Preb Michel Pollit 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.15 “Saints & Sausages” Churchstoke Community Hall 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 “Those we have loved” - Memorial Service for those who have died Churchstoke David Jelves & Rev Carol Whittock 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor

SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER TRINITY 21 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 10.30 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE “Wentnor parishes” Ratlinghope 10.55 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE Churchstoke David Jelves & Rev Carol Whittock 3.00 ACT OF REMEMBRANCE LYDHAM

SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER TRINITY 22 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Rev Carol Whittock 11.15 Holy Communion More 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE ADVENT “CHRIST THE KING” 9.45 Holy Communion (by extension) Myndtown David Jelves 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope Lay Led 11. 15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Rev Carol Whittock 2.30 Hyssington United Service

SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER ADVENT SUNDAY 10.30 Benefice Holy Communion Lydham Rev Jo Evans & David Jelves 11.15 Clun Valley Benefice Holy Communion Hopesay The Rural Dean 3.00 Hyssington Advent Party Hyssington Village Hall 3.00 Christening Wentnor

SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER ADVENT 2 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington 9.45 Advent Service Ratlinghope Mette Wardle 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Rev Carol Whittock 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 “From Darkness to Light!” Advent Evening Service Wentnor

Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. ; 31 October More; 7 November Churchstoke; 14 November Wentnor; 21 November Lower Snead; Wednesday 26 November Ratlinghope; 3 December Hyssington; 10 December Norbury; 17 December Lydham; 9 January More; 16 January Churchstoke; 23 January Wentnor; 30 January Lower Snead.

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES:

Congratulations to Rev Carol Whittock on being licensed as Mission Priest to Churchstoke and Mette Wardle on being commissioned as a Reader last month at Hereford Cathedral! Special thanks to all those who prepared St Nicholas Church, Churchstoke for the Licensing service taken by the Bishop of Ludlow. We had wonderful Harvest Festival services last month at all the churches – many thanks to our visiting preachers and all who decorated the churches!

Snead reaches parts you would never imagine ! The successful Balloon Race and Dog Show had winners in Reading and Liverpool and most surprising of all, one balloon made it to South West of Paris ! After much searching on Google and verification that the balloon had not been “planted” the winner was identified. Thank you to everyone who supported our fund raising events this year. A special thanks to Karen Jones for selling so many tickets. The congregation becomes nomadic until Easter when services resume so we hope to meet some of you in your nice warm churches.

Ratlinghope 200 Club: Time has come to renew membership. Please continue to support or join by contacting Margaret 650280 or Janet 650232 to renew tickets for the forthcoming year.

More Monthly Draw October 1st Claire Lavender 2nd Catherine Evans 3rd David & Anthea Jones Many thanks to everyone who supports our More Church monthly draw.

LYDHAM NEWS Lydham ‘100’ Club - Monthly Draw Winners: August: 1st Prize: Darren Price - £21.00 2nd Prize: Joy Chisholm - £12.60 3rd Prize: Diana Newcombe - £8.40

September: 1st Prize: Tony Martin - £21.25 2nd Prize: Peter Sargent - £12.60 3rd Prize: Russell Price - £8.50

Anybody wishing to join this worthwhile monthly draw please contact Jimmy Garnier 01588-638486 , Neil Hird 01588-638379 or Lydham church wardens Joyce Yapp and Tony Martin. Congratulations go to Joyce & Corwen Yapp for the excellent July Sweet Pea Festival! Their displays were greatly admired and Lydham Church was transformed by an array of colour and scents. Many thanks also to all those involved in catering and hall sales. Remembrance Day Service – Sunday 9th November @ 3.00pm.

Autumn PCC Meetings More PCC Wednesday 5 November 7.30pm Wentnor Rectory

AROUND THE PARISHES: FUTURE EVENTS Local Ministry Group meets Robery Ring on Tuesday 4 November at 2.00pm . Benefice Book Club: . Contact: Rector 01588 650244 Benefice Bible Study: St Matthew Chapter 4 & 5 – meet Wentnor Rectory Friday 14 November 4.00pm.

Saturday afternoon 15 November Churchstoke Christmas Bazaar Community Hall. All welcome!

Myndtown Entertainment to raise funds for roof repairs takes place at Lydbury North Village Hall on Friday 21 November at 7.30pm Tickets - please contact Malcolm Corfield 01588 650205

Saturday 22 November from 10.30am. Norbury Christmas Bazaar & Coffee Morning Norbury Village Hall

The Enthronement - welcome service - of the Rt Rev Richard Frith as the new Bishop of Hereford takes place at Hereford Cathedral on Saturday morning 22 November .

David Hardham, would like to encourage you to come to “Filling Station” The opening evening for this “Fresh Expression” – exploring the Christian Faith” - was at Newcastle, in the Clun Valley. There are many other 'Filling Stations' in the UK (about 40 according to their literature and website 'thefillingstation.org'). Meetings are on the 2nd Friday of the month from 7.30-9.30. Please contact Rev Robert Payne 01588 661008 for details

AGE UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 12 NOVEMBER - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 18 NOVEMBER - to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you.

NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER AGM Speaker - Jackie Horridge "Scarves & Accessories Hostesses - Margaret Wells & Jane Pugh. Flowers - Rita Preston Competition - Favourite Brooch.

LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER ANNUAL MEETING 7.15pm “Being a JP” “Speaker: Mr Peter Swanson Competition: Photograph of Clouds Teas: Doris & Barbara.

CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310

November magazine 1998 - 16 years ago! Bishop John Oliver commended the 1999 Diocesan Swanwick Conference; SHARING & GROWING courses were underway to encourage lay leaders of worship in smaller churches; Bishop’s Castle was planning ALPHA courses; CADS had put on a Theatr Clera production of “Bedwitchery”; St George’s Clun had raised over £3000 to put electric motors to work the church clock; the new diocesan Agricultural Chaplain Nick Read preached at Lydbury North Harvest Festival; the deanery stipendiary numbers were reducing from seven to six - Rev Graham Lloyd had been appointed to care for the parishes of Lydbury North, Hopesay & Edgton while a Local Ministry Team got underway; Wentnor had a successful “Wentnor Bygones” Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend; Lydham had had a marvellous”Harvest Home” exhibition organised by Mr & Mrs. Preshous; an East Onny Neighbourhood Watch scheme was underway.

FROM THE REGISTERS: CHRISTENINGS Samuel Andrew Medlicott WALL Sunday 28 September Norbury WEDDINGS Joshua Edward Charles WRIGHT & Hannah Victoria DAVIS Saturday 27 September Wentnor Ralph Hensley Charles PELL & Laura Victoria OWEN Saturday 4 October Churchstoke FUNERALS Margaret Jean Jerman ROGERS (88) 23 September Churchstoke Assheton St George GORTON (84) 24 September Churchstoke

TABLE TENNIS! Now in action! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Usually taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244 Taking a break in August. Resuming Monday 1 September. BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Contact: The Rector BIBLE STUDY GROUP: New members always welcome! Contact: The Rector 01588 650244 FLOWERS/CLEANING: (From now on notification will be through the churches) Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org. Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

The funeral took place in Churchstoke in October of Assheton Gorton, a highly respected British production designer who was nominated for an Oscar for his work on “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (1981), where he successfully reproduced a section of Lyme Regis to the way it would have looked in the mid-19th Century.

Gorton did national service in the army and served in Hong Kong. He studied architecture at Cambridge University - where he designed sets for stage productions - and fine art at Slade in London. His first “proper job” was as a draughtsman at ABC Television Company, where he went on to produce set designs which were both imaginative and practical, combining his talents of artist and engineer. Gorton also worked on “Armchair Theatre” productions for TV, before moving on to film work, where he served as Art Director on films such as The Knack and Blow-Up. Other films in his repertoire were: Get Carter, 101 Dalmatians, 102 Dalmatians, Revolution – with Al Pacino, and Legend - with Tom Cruise; where he covered the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios with a forest of trees three times normal size, making the actors look tiny, and adding mirrors that created a never-ending appearance,

In the 1970s Gorton, and a fellow group of like minded artists, bought a large property in Powys, where he continued to work on film designs, as well as creating many drawings and etchings. Despite failing eyesight in his later years he continued in his work and produced greeting cards and picture books. Assheton Gorton leaves behind a wife, Gayatri, and three children; Steve, Barnaby and Sophie. Our condolences to his family.

ONNYCAMLAD PARISHES Rev. Prebendary Norman Morris, Rector of Wentnor with Ratlinghope, Norbury, Myndtown, Lydham, More & Snead, & Priest in charge of Churchstoke & Hyssington & Rural Dean 01588 650244 Rev. Carol Whittock Mission Priest at Churchstoke David Jelves, Reader 01588 620434 Mette Wardle, Reader 01694 751466

The Rector writes... It's a remarkable fact that Sunday worship at our country churches has been going on continuously for over a thousand years. We really have no idea when it actually began as stone churches were probably built on the sites of much earlier Saxon wooden churches. To keep all this regular worship going along with Christenings, Weddings and Funerals required in the past a succession of vicars and thankfully there has been a long line of faithful incumbents and congregations to sustain worship and ministry down the centuries. Times are changing and for various reasons incumbents are now few and far between and lay people are now contributing more than ever, including leading worship. This month on Saturday 11 October, Mette Wardle will be licensed as a Reader in the Church by the Bishop at a special service at Hereford Cathedral and so will be able to lead worship in our churches. Readers remain members of the laity but they've done lots of training to better equip them to take services. All credit to Mette for fulfilling all the training on the Theology course at Ludlow over the past three years. She will join David Jelves of Churchstoke as a Reader in our benefice. We look forward to Mette's ministry at Ratlinghope and beyond in the years ahead and we hope others will be encouraged to respond to a call to contribute to the life and worship of the God's Church in the future.

We welcome at Churchstoke as Mission Priest, on a half -time basis, Rev Carol Whittock who will live at the Vicarage with her husband, and will take responsibility for the church and its mission and ministry at Churchstoke. Rev Norman continues as Priest in Charge but Carol’s help will be very welcome in view of a rather heavy Rural Dean’s load at present! All our welcome to Rev Carol’s Licensing at St Nicholas Church, Churchstoke on Tuesday 7 October at 7.30pm.

SUNDAY SERVICES FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER 6.30 MYNDTOWN HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Rt Rev Michael Bourke

SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER 1.00pm CHURCHSTOKE WEDDING:Ralph PELL & Laura OWEN

SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER TRINITY 16 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 11.15 MORE HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Preb Richard Shaw 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke David Jelves 3.00 HYSSINGTON HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Rev Andrew Champley 6.30 RATLINGHOPE HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: African Village Speaker

TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 7.30 LICENSING & INSTALLATION OF REV CAROL WHITTOCK AS MISSION PRIEST TO CHURCHSTOKE AT ST NICHOLAS, CHURCHSTOKE BY THE BISHOP OF LUDLOW

SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER 11.00 LICENSING OF METTE WARDLE AS READER AT HEREFORD CATHEDRAL BY THE BISHOP OF LUDLOW

SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER TRINITY 17 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion More 3.00 Churchstoke World War One W1 Commemorative Service (Rev Carol Whittock & Preb Norman Morris) 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Norbury

SUNDAY 19 OCTOBER TRINITY 18 9.45 Morning Praise Wentnor Barry Preston 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Rev Carol Whittock 6.30 Evening Prayer Ratlinghope Mette Wardle

SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER TRINITY 19 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope Lay Led 10.00 Hyssington United Service 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Rev Carol Whittock 4.00pm German Visiting Choir/Marches Community Choir Joint Concert at St John’s, Bishops Castle. 6.30 NORBURY HARVEST FESTVAL Preacher: Rev Robert Payne

SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER TRINITY 20 ALL SOULS DAY 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington Preb Michel Pollit 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 “Those we have loved” - Memorial Service for those who have died Churchstoke David Jelves & Rev Carol Whittock 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor

Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. 1 October (Wednesday) Ratlinghope; 10 October Hyssington;17 October Norbury; 24 October Lydham; 31 October More; 7 November Churchstoke.

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES: Thanks to all those who helped or supported The Wentnor Fete, Fun Dog Show & Annual Draw Bank Holiday on Monday 25 August - despite poor weather over £4000 raised! in aid of the parishes of Wentnor, Ratlinghope, Norbury & Myndtown (& Norbury Village Hall. net profit of £4003.24 – the detailed accounts are available to be viewed) £900 to each of the 4 Churches and £400 to the Village Hall. Thanks to everyone for a very successful Snead Balloon Race & Companion Dog Show at Churchstoke. Over £800 was raised. We are very appreciative of all that's done to keep Snead going. Balloon tickets have been returned from Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Same direction as last year but the balloons travelled further this year Further thanks to all involved in the Bagbury Bull Festival at Hyssington – a really great weekend was held there! Myndtown had a marvellous Myndtown Quiz in September thanks to all who supported that! Won’t say whose team won!

Ratlinghope 200 Club winners:- July:- £20 - Dave Marpole £15 - Nancy Randell £5 - Margaret Cooke August:- £20 - Prudence Sansom £15 - Margaret Davies £5 - Angela Jones

LYDHAM NEWS 'Lydham 100 club monthly draw June's winners 1st prize ticket no 46 Peter & carol Griffiths £18.75 2nd prize ticket no 5 David Jones £11.25 3rd prize ticket no 31 Rosemary Farr £7.50

July's winners 1st prize ticket no 63 Darren Price £21.- 2nd prize ticket no 84 Joy Chisholm £ 12.60 3rd prize ticket no 1 Diana Newcombe£8.40 Anybody wishing to join this worthwhile monthly draw please contact Jimmy Garnier 01588-638486 , Neil Hird 01588-638379 or Lydham church wardens Joyce Yapp and Tony Martin.

Autumn PCC Meetings (proposed dates) Monday 6 October Wentnor PCC The Rectory 7.30pm Wednesday 8 October More PCC The Rectory 7.30pm Wednesday 1 October Norbury PCC Lea Farm 7.30pm Snead PCC Lower Snead TBA

Ros Brown who has just retired from Norbury School writes “A huge thank you to all who contributed to my very generous retirement present. It has been a great pleasure to teach at Norbury and I am very grateful for the support and friendship of past and present pupils and families.I hope you enjoyed your time at Norbury as much as I did. Withvery best wishes to all.”

WEDDING BELLS! Bob and Hilary Berry write....What a wonderful wedding we enjoyed back in mid July. Despite a dire weather forecast and being woken by ground shaking claps of thunder, lightning and a power cut - as repeatedly promised by John Glover, it did not rain in Norbury during the important time at the church (nor when we arrived at Maes Mawr for the photographs and reception).

We would like to give our thanks to all in Norbury for their help in making the church and surroundings look so wonderful for our daughter Sarah’s wedding day, and for their contribution in making it such a happy and memorable day. Many people had worked hard in the churchyard, a stunningl flower archway had been prepared for the gateway entrance, the interior of the church had been beautifully decorated and it all looked an absolute delight. The Rev Norman Morris conducted the wedding service in a relaxed manner helping to defuse any inevitable tension which tends to arise on such important occasions, but also incorporating thoughtful insights into the long term practicalities of marriage beyond the wedding day.

The Coachhouse opposite the church provided a useful and convivial meeting place and refreshment for guests arriving at the church early. Friends on the other side of Corndon Hill provided a Rolls Royce decked out with ribbons to transport the bride and her father and later the happy couple to the reception. Three local school children helped direct the cars to suitable parking spaces and a local bus company transported a coach full of people from the hotel to the church and back again. The butcher in Bishops Castle helped provided sustenance for people staying over the Sunday, and many others all supported the occasion. We are very appreciative to all the people and businesses in the local community who assisted in contributing to such a joyful occasion.

There was a special significance in Sarah getting married at Norbury church because her great great great great grandparents Thomas and Sarah Beamond then farming at the Clapper high on the side of Norbury Hill, were married there in 1828, worshipped there, and are buried in the churchyard by the ancient yew tree. The bother of Thomas ran the Sun Inn (currently the Coachhouse) from 1841 for 10 years and others in the family lived and worked in the Norbury area. It was good to carry on the family association with the area and continue to be part of the history of Norbury.

AROUND THE PARISHES: FUTURE EVENTS

Norbury Bumper Jumble Sale Saturday 4 October at 2.00pm Norbury Village Hall - also secondhand books - refreshments - soup and roll – cakes - teas.

Local Ministry Group meets Wentnor Rectory on Tuesday 7 October at 2.00pm with Rev John Daniels Local Ministry Officer.

Tuesday 7 October Norbury Village Hall committee meets at 7.30pm in Norbury Village Hall.

Benefice Book Club: Thursday 25th September meeting 3 pm Norbury to discuss “Just so “ stories and also his war poetry & meeting at Asterton on Thursday 30 October at 3.00pm to discuss William Dalrymple - "From the Holy Mountain" . Contact: Rector 01588 650244

Churchstoke Christmas Bazaar Saturday 15 November

Myndtown Banquet takes place at Lydbury North Village Hall on Saturday 22 November at 7.30pm Tickets please contact Malcolm Corfield 01588 650205

The Enthronement - welcome service - of the Rt Rev Richard Frith as the new Bishop of Hereford takes place at Hereford Cathedral on Saturday morning 22 November .

AGE UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 21 OCTOBER - to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you.

NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: THURSDAY 9 OCTOBER Speaker: Stephanie Gaston "Decorative Items with Rags” Hostesses: Jules Spille, Mary McGoldrick & Wendy Oakley Flowers: Jane Pugh Competition: Handmade item by member.

LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: THURSDAY 16 OCTOBER “My trip to Moscow”Speaker: Mr Oliver Goode Competition: An overseas souvenir” Teas: Daphi & Jacqui

CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310

October magazine 1979 - 35 years ago! Rev Terry Bryan thanked the parishes of Churchstoke, Hyssington and Sarn for the warm welcome he'd received at his September Institution and Induction; the new Memorial Hall was opened at Clun; Rev Ernest Buckley had been appointed Vicar of Clun, Chapel Lawn, Bryn, Newcastle and Bettws; the Bishop of Hereford highlighted the Nationwide Initiative in Evangelism; the TV series God's Wonderful Railway was being filmed in and around Worfield; a three week three centre holiday for the over 50s was being advertised for £189!

FROM THE REGISTERS: CHRISTENINGS Miles Stuart Atkins Churchstoke Saturday 12 July Toby Rueben Griffiths Churchstoke Saturday 19 July Carl Anne Julie Corfield Churchstoke Saturday 26 July WEDDINGS Neil Yapp & Laura Tulett Churchstoke Saturday 16 August More Benjamin Edwards & Justine Martin More Saturday 23 August Ralph Dundas & Sophia Garnier More Saturday 6 September

FUNERALS John Muller (79) Shrewsbury Crematorium Tuesday 29 July Molly Healey Interment of Ashes Norbury Friday 8 August George William Humphries (66) Churchstoke Thursday 21 August

The next gathering for the Marches Spirituality Network will be on THURSDAY OCTOBER 9, 2014 The theme will be: MARTIN BUBER Speaker: Revd Bryan Podmore The meeting will be at the Ludlow Conference Centre (Bishop Mascall) Start 9.30 for 10.00, Finish 3.30 The cost for the day will be £15.00 including light lunch and tea/coffee Booking is open now at: the Ludlow Conference Centre Lower Galdeford, Ludlow, SY8 1RZ Cheques To be made payable to THE BISHOP MASCALL CENTRE FOUNDATION Further information can be obtained from C.C.PRICE 01746712398 (if not in please leave name and number on answer-phone. Please do not ring after 8.00 p.m.) A meeting is being arranged for April/ May 2015 where the speaker will be a Jesuit from Birmingham

The Spiritual Railway In memory of William Pickering Who died Dec 24 1845 Aged 30 years. Also Richard Edger Who died Dec 24 1845Aged 24 years.

The Spiritual Railway The Line to heaven by Christ was made With heavenly truth the Rails are laid. From Earth to Heaven the Line extends. To Life Eternal where it ends Repentance is the Station then Where Passengers are taken in. No Fee for them is there to pay For Jesus is himself the way God’s Word is the first Engineer It points the way to Heaven so dear. Through tunnels dark and dreary here It does the way to Glory steer. God’s Love the Fire, his Truth the Steam Which drives the Engine and the Train. All you who would to Glory ride, Must come to Christ, in him abide In First and Second, and Third Class, Repentance, Faith and Holiness. You must the way to Glory gain Or you with Christ will not remain Come then poor Sinners, now’s the time At any Station on the Line. If you’ll repent and turn from sin The Train will stop and take you in.

The Rector writes...Amazingly we are halfway through the year and in my forward planning I have organised the benefice Harvest Festivals and suggested some autumn PCC dates! Looking after all our churches does require a lot of time and attention from our Churchwardens and PCCs which is something we all are very grateful for, especially work that needs to be undertaken like Norbury's heating, Churchstoke's refurbishment, Ratlinghope’s replastering, Myndtown's roof repairs and Wentnor's tower and churchyard wall repairs just to name a few of the more practical concerns we have been concerned with lately. And that's before we consider services and ministry generally! Resources are needed all the time to keep these wonderful buildings in good heart and a ministry ready and waiting to respond to whatever need is required usually at quite short notice apart from weddings! When I think of it there are few families in the parishes who have not been involved with the church one way or another over my fourteen years here. All this leading up to say is that wider material support for the church to meet parish share and expenses like insurance and churchyard maintenance on a regular basis is always very welcome! Please contact the Rector or Churchwardens to know more about how to keep our churches going. Thank you.

SUNDAY 27 JULY TRINITY 6 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 11.15 LYDHAM "SWEET PEA" FLOWER FESTIVAL SERVICE followed by coffee in Lydham Village Hall Preacher: Rev Graham Earney, formerly Hereford diocese Local Ministry Officer. Banns (3) Ralph DUNDAS & Sophia GARNIER Banns (3) Benjamin EDWARDS & Justine MARTIN 2.30 Hyssington United Service 6.30 Songs of Praise Churchstoke

SUNDAY 3 AUGUST TRINITY 7 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope Rev Mike Plunkett 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 “100th Anniversary of the outbreak of WW1” Service Wentnor Banns (1) Joshua WRIGHT & Hannah DAVIS Wentnor 1.00pm

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST TRINITY 8 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Preb Richard Shaw Banns (1) Ralph PELL & Laura OWEN 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury Mette Wardle

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 12.30 WEDDING Churchstoke David YAPP & Laura TULETT

SUNDAY 17 AUGUST ST. BARTHOLEMEW & TRINITY 9 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor Banns (2) Joshua WRIGHT & Hannah DAVIS Wentnor 1.00pm 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Jon Price 11.15 Morning Praise Lydham 6.30 Festival Songs of Praise Snead

SATURDAY 23 AUGUST 2.00 WEDDING More Benjamin EDWARDS & Justine MARTIN

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST TRINITY 10 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Preb Richard Shaw Banns (2) Ralph PELL & Laura OWEN 6.30 Evening Prayer More Canon Julia Francis

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST TRINITY 11 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Pet Service Myndtown 11.15 Clun Valley Benefice Holy Communion Clunbury (Rural Dean)

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 3.00 WEDDING Ralph DUNDAS & Sophia GARNIER More

SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER TRINITY 12 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke David Jelves Banns (3) Ralph PELL & Laura OWEN 3.00 Bagbury Bull Festival Songs of Praise Hyssington 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor Banns (3) Joshua WRIGHT & Hannah DAVIS Wentnor 1.00pm

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER TRINITY 13 FESTIVAL OF CHURCHES WEEKEND 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 9.45 Holy Communion Norbury 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 11.15 Holy Communion More Rev Jo Evans 3.00pm Ratlinghope Open Church Event: "Music of Wheel and Rill “Poems of Ratlinghope & Songs by “Rapsquillion” from Hyssington. Teas. All welcome. Retiring Collection.

SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER ST MATTHEW & TRINITY 14 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Morning Prayer Wentnor Barry Preston 10.00 SNEAD HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Canon John Tiller 11.15 LYDHAM HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Rev John Daniels Local Ministry Officer & Warden of Readers 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Preb Michael Pollit 6.30 WENTNOR HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Rev Sarah Hare

SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 1.00 WENTNOR WEDDING Joshua WRIGHT & Hannah DAVIS

SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER TRINITY 15 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 11.15 CHURCHSTOKE HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Captain Jon Price 6.30 Evening Prayer More

FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER 6.30 MYNDTOWN HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Rt Rev Michael Bourke

SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER 1.00pm CHURCHSTOKE WEDDING: Ralph PELL & Laura OWEN

SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER TRINITY 16 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Morning Prayer Wentnor Barry Preston 11.15 MORE HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Preb Richard Shaw 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke David Jelves 3.00 HYSSINGTON HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: Rev Andrew Champeys 6.30 RATLINGHOPE HARVEST FESTIVAL Preacher: African Village Speaker Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. Wednesday 30 July Ratlinghope; 8 August Hyssington; 15 August Norbury; 22 August Lydham; 29 August More; 5 September Churchstoke; 12 September Wentnor; 19 September Myndtown; 26 September Snead; Wednesday 1 October Ratlinghope

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES:

A huge thank you to you all of Myndtown PCC for the great efforts to put on the Myndtown "Raising the Roof" fund-raising event with Idriss Evans and the meal and celebrations afterwards on 20 June! I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that it was a memorable evening and did a marvellous job in launching an appeal. Over £1100 was raised. Other events are planned as we need to raise £10,000 to undertake necessary repairs. There will be a Myndtown Banquet at Lydbury Village Hall on Friday 21 November. It’s great that the PCC and friends of Myndtown Church do to keep such a unique church going year after year.

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST 9.45 BENEFICE PET SERVICE MYNDTOWN Pets please bring your owners!

Stuart and Carol Buxton would like to say thank you to everybody for their support and contributions to a very successful National Garden Scheme Open Day on 1st June – another record year!

Ratlinghope Draw: April & June £20. Joan Evans £15 Sylvia Kingsbury £5 Richard Langford June £20 Dave Marpole £15 Nancy Randall £5 Margaret Cooke

Autumn PCC Meetings (proposed dates) Wednesday 30 July Churchstoke PCC Oakfields 7.30pm Wednesday 24 September Ratlinghope PCC Coppice Farm 7.30pm Friday 26 September Hyssington PCC 7.30pm Monday 6 October Wentnor PCC The Rectory 7.30pm Wednesday 8 October More PCC The Rectory 7.30pm Wednesday 1 October Norbury PCC Lea Farm 7.30pm Friday 10 October Snead PCC Lower Snead 2.30pm Friday 10 October Lydham PCC Lydham Village Hall 6.45pm

The Wentnor Fete, Fun Dog Show & Annual Draw Bank Holiday Monday 25 August in aid of the parishes of Wentnor, Ratlinghope, Norbury & Myndtown (& Norbury Village Hall) takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August in the grounds of the Old Rectory Wentnor, Usual attractions, including a Bouncy Castle, Garden Games, Stalls, Teas, Band music, beginning with a Hog Roast at 1.00pm. Offers of homemade cakes, nearly new items, tombola prizes, garden produce, plants, raffle prizes, and help on the day are most welcome. Plants, vegetables, & homemade cakes are popular so offers will be gratefully received. Rose Jones & Lorna Middleton need tombola prizes, please. Further details; please contact the Rector 01588 650244. Good quality second-hand books, including children’s books, likely to sell, wanted - please contact the Rector 01588 650244 Tombola items can be left at Wentnor Shop. Gilly and Rita down at The Walkmill will be on “Bric a Brac” We especially need more homemade cakes – please respond to the flyers going round the parishes PLEASE SUPPORT THE DRAW!

UP UP AND AWAY ! BALLOON RACE Don’t forget The big fundraiser for a little church SNEAD CHURCH SUNDAY 31 AUGUST 2014 2.30 AT CHURCHSTOKE COMMUNITY HALL & GROUNDS ALSO COMPANION DOG SHOW 4 Pedigree Classes 8 Novelty Classes Trophies, Rosettes (to 5th place) and FUN Refreshments and stalls (inside if wet) Contact Trish Macmullan 01588620275

FESTIVAL OF CHURCHES 2014 ‘Music of Wheel and Rill’ Poems about Ratlinghope by Nigel Sustins, Songs by “Rapsquillion” from Hyssington Performed in Ratlinghope Church Sunday 14th September at 3.00 p.m. Open Church Event; 2.00 onwards Teas All welcome!

David Hardham, Lay Co Chair would like to encourage you to come to “Filling Station” The opening evening for this “Fresh Expression” – exploring the Christian Faith” - was at Newcastle, in the Clun Valley. There are many other 'Filling Stations' in the UK (about 40 according to their literature and website 'thefillingstation.org'). Meetings are on the 2nd Friday of the month from 7.30-9.30. Please contact Rev Robert Payne 01588 661008 for details

AGE UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCHES are WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST & WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCHES are TUESDAY 19 AUGUST & TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER - to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you.

NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: THURSDAY 14 AUGUST Walk with Shirley Betton 6.30pm from Meadow View, Medlicott Refreshments: all participants. THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER Speaker: Karen Mary Evans “Hand Painted Ceramics” Hostesses: Dilys Owen, Jayne Godsman, & Pauline Phillips Flowers: Margaret Cooke Competition: Hand painted ceramic item.

LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: No Meeting in August THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER “Corn Dollies” Speaker: Mr Bernard Edwards Competition: A Bow for a Corn Dolly Teas: Betty & Diana 25 SEPTEMBER GROUP MEETING

ONNY VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB: This Club usually meets on the first Tuesday afternoon in the month at Norbury Village Hall New members welcome. Club Leader: Doris Roberts 01588 638570 Future outings: Wednesday 20 August Llangollen Canal; Wednesday 17 September Jodrell Bank & Dagfield Centre; Wednesday 15 October Lichfield & Shugborough Hall.

CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310

From the August 1979 magazine Rev Terry Bryan was due to be instituted as Vicar of Churchstoke, Hyssington & Sarn – minding the parishes at that time was the retired Bishop of Worcester, Rt Rev Charles Edwards; the centenary of the death of the diarist Francis Kilvert was being commemorated in the diocese; Clun, Bryn, Bettws, Chapel Lawn & Newcastle were in an interregnum; a new body called Christian Advance had been established in Hereford; The church Army was launching its Christian Service scheme for volunteers to engage in social care.

FROM THE REGISTERS: WEDDING SATURDAY 5 JULY: Peter SMALL & Suzanne OWEN Wentnor

Our sympathies to John and Jane Glover on the passing of Jane’s father William Horace (Bill) Parker. The family writes..Bill was born in September 1920, the youngest of four children, at Pelsall and educated at the village school. He was the son of a coal miner and his mother ran the local shop. Bill sang in the local church choir. He left school at the age of fourteen, attended night school and trained as a draughtsman. In the holidays he went on regular cycling trips with friends to the Welsh coast, stopping off to camp on the Wrekin, and ending up most years at Clarach Bay. In the war years he worked in a reserve occupation in the drawing office at Boulton Paul Aircraft, near Wolverhampton. He met his future wife, Joan, who also worked at Boulton Paul, along with her sister Olga (Og). To his family he was called “SOS”, and to his friends he was Horace. Bill did not like any of these names so Joan called him Bill, and he has been known as Bill ever since. Bill and Joan married at Easter in 1946 and toured Devon for their Honeymoon in an old MG car which Bill had bought and had lovingly restored. When made redundant Bill went into partnership with his friend, Jeff Tomkis in the business that they both knew well, which was Jig & Tool engineering. They rented a small property in Sharrock Street, Wolverhampton and with contacts made while they were at Boulton Paul, the business steadily grew. By the early 60’s they started looking for bigger premises. With the help of the Bank, they bought premises in Poutney Street, Wolverhampton, along with an existing business “Haywood’s Fabrication” - which was for sale at a bargain price! The deal was that the deal included all the outstanding debts of that Company! Bill & Jeff worked long hours, Jane and Mike not seeing their father as much as they would have liked. However, with the new premises, the new Company was called “Bee-Jay Jig & Engineering, and employed thirty staff. The business did work for most of the major motor manufacturers in the Midlands, including JCB. Bee-Jay Jig & Engineering built the machine that made the first Mini gearbox. In 1964 the family moved home to Trysull. Bill & Joan loved caravanning and took their family away each year. Bill was always a very sociable person, who liked meeting people. He was a keen photographer and an enthusiastic golfer, and did not stop playing till he was 86!

Bill & Joan also loved Jazz and it was on their regular weekly visits to hear the jazz playing at The Mill at Alveley that they met John. One Monday Jane popped in to see her parents at The Mill and was introduced to John! Bill retired in 1984 and moved to Claverley. Unfortunately Joan passed away seventeen years ago. In 2011 Bill moved to Abbeyfield House in Bishop’s Castle, and spent the last fifteen months at Coverage Care Stone House.

He will be sadly missed.

Further information can be obtained from C.C.PRICE 01746712398 (if not in please leave name and number on answer-phone. Please do not ring after 8.00 p.m.) A meeting is being arranged for April/ May 2015 where the speaker will be a Jesuit from Birmingham

The Rector writes…… We move closer to the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 and I know many people are seeking to find out more about members of their families who served in the armed services then, many of whom sadly lost their lives and who are remembered on our War Memorials. There have been some outstanding television programmes when one might have thought there would be nothing more that could be said about the Great War. Much has come to light, especially the way Britain got totally mobilised for War 1917-1918, the way the farmers stepped up food production to avert the U Boat danger which could have starved the Nation - above all the role of women who grasped with enthusiasm transport and engineering opportunities which came from men having to serve on the Front. As much as in the Second World War, there was by the end of World War One a total effort to win the War, or more accurately, to win the Peace and seek to build a safer world. We know things didn't turn so well with World War breaking out again in 1939 but that generation of 1914 deserve to be commemorated - some of the issues may not have been as clear as resisting Hitler's tyranny in 1939, but, in my view, given the challenges there were, they served us well and one hundred years later, we should give thanks for their sacrifice.

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 29 JUNE 10.30 Benefice Holy Communion Lydham Rev Jo Evans (10.00 Clun Valley Benefice Communion Clun Rural Dean)

SATURDAY 5 JULY WEDDING: Peter SMALL & Suzanne OWEN Wentnor 12.30pm

SUNDAY 6 JULY TRINITY 3 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke David Jelves Banns (1) David YAPP & Laura TULETT Churchstoke 12.30pm 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 Evening Prayer Wentnor Marian Humble

SUNDAY 13 JULY TRINITY 4 SEA SUNDAY 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope Mette Wardle 9.45 Holy Communion More Banns (1) Ralph DUNDAS & Sophia GARNIER Banns (1) Benjamin EDWARDS & Justine MARTIN 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Banns (2) David YAPP & Laura TULETT Churchstoke 6.30 Evening Prayer Norbury

SATURDAY 19 JULY 11.30 WEDDING Norbury Joshua BENNETT & Sarah BERRY 3.30 Christening Churchstoke

SUNDAY 20 JULY 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 10.00 Holy Communion Snead 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Banns (3) David YAPP & Laura TULETT Churchstoke 3.00 Hyssington Open Church & Churchyard 6.30 Evening Prayer More Banns (2) Ralph DUNDAS & Sophia GARNIER Banns (2) Benjamin EDWARDS & Justine MARTIN

SUNDAY 27 JULY 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 11.15 LYDHAM "SWEET PEA" FLOWER FESTIVAL SERVICE followed by coffee in Lydham Village Hall Preacher: Rev Graham Earney, formerly Hereford diocese Local Ministry Officer. Banns (3) Ralph DUNDAS & Sophia GARNIER Banns (3) Benjamin EDWARDS & Justine MARTIN 2.30 Hyssington United Service 6.30 Songs of Praise Churchstoke

SUNDAY 3 AUGUST TRINITY 7 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope Rev Mike Plunkett 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 “100th Anniversary of the outbreak of WW1” Commemorative Service Wentnor Banns (1) Joshua WRIGHT & Hannah DAVIS Wentnor 1.00pm

Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. 4 July Churchstoke; 11 July Wentnor; 18 July Myndtown; 25 July Snead; Wednesday 30 July Ratlinghope; 8 August Hyssington; 15 August Norbury; 22 August Lydham; 29 August More

DEANERY MISSION & PASTORAL COMMITTEE meets at Wentnor Rectory on TUESDAY 22 JULY at 7pm.

We shall be having a Joint PCC meeting on Wednesday 9 July at 7.30pm with Rev Caroline Pascoe, Diocesan Advisor on Parish Development – venue is Norbury Village Hall –it’s important as it will have help shape the future of the parishes and plan for the successor to Rev Norman when he reaches retirement age in the summer 2016. Please put the date in your diaries.

In May, Frank Wood decided to retire from being an Organist at More and Norbury. At his final service at More a presentation was made and thanks expressed for the many years he has contributed to playing at Church services. Frank has also played a large part over the years organizing the music and carols at the Benefice Carol Service at More. He and his wife Margaret have also, again over many years, maintained a wonderful connection for the More parish with the Bosano parishes in Uganda. They are also retiring from the More PCC after many years service. Our grateful thanks for all they have done over many years.

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES:

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Thanks everyone for your support! The “Wentnor parishes” contribution to Christian Aid this year were Plant Stall £50.00; Coffee morning £201.90; Envelopes £112.80 – In all over £300! Thanks to Anita for hosting the Coffee morning.

Holly Cottage Garden Open:

The garden at Holly Cottage, Prolley Moor, will be open for the National Garden Scheme on Sunday 6th July from 2-6pm, signposted from Wentnor village. The organic garden is just over 2 acres and has ten year old native broadleaf woodland, wildflower meadow and allotment area as well as a large ornamental area stocked with herbaceous plants, trees and shrubs and with a wildlife pond. There will be a plant stall and refreshments. Dogs on leads are welcome. The garden is also open to groups at other times. To book a date ring 01588 650610. Heather Williams

LYDHAM "SWEET PEA" FLOWER FESTIVAL SATURDAY 26 JULY & SUNDAY 27 JULY HOLY TRINITY,LYDHAM 10.30am – 4.00pm arranged by Corwen & Joyce Yapp Saturday Sandwich Lunches at Lydham Village Hall Also Teas/Coffee/Cakes Draw for the special Festival Cake Sunday 11.15am Flower Festival Service at Lydham Church followed by Coffee at Lydham Village Hall Preacher: Rev Graham Earney, formerly Hereford diocese Local Ministry Officer. EVERYONE IS VERY WELCOME TO COME AND SEE THE DISPLAYS!

KINNERTON CHAPEL SONGS OF PRAISE & MEAL NORBURY VILLAGE HALL SUNDAY 27 JULY MEAL 1.00pm SONGS OF PRAISE 3.pm Tickets £10 Available from 01588 638570 OR 01588 650639

Snead “SOUNDS OF SUMMER” 6 June at 7.30pm – thanks to Julia and Peter and all those who supported the Concert – over £120 raised

Norbury School dates: “”Brew with a View” Norbury Village Hall Friday 4 July 11.30am – 2.00pm

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 9 JULY - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 15 JULY - to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you.

NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: THURSDAY 10 JULY 7.30pm GARDEN MEETING Evening Out: “In the Garden” with Dilys Owen at Cold Hill farm, Ratlinghope” Bring & Buy. Hostesses: Margaret Cooke, Brenda Jones & June Pinches. Competition: Quiz

LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: THURSDAY 17 JULY SHROPSHIRE HEART START 6.30pm Speaker: Mr Andy Davies No Competition: Refreshments: Doris & Margaret. Report on NFWI AGM. No WI meeting in August.

ONNY VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB: This Club usually meets on the first Tuesday afternoon in the month at Norbury Village Hall New members welcome. Club Leader: Doris Roberts 01588 638570 Future outings: Wednesday 16 July Bourton on the Water & Adam’s Farm; Wednesday 20 August Llangollen Canal; Wednesday 17 September Jodrell Bank & Dagfield Centre; Wednesday 15 October Lichfield & Shugborough Hall.

CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310

From the July 1979 magazine In the Queen’s Birthday honours Jasper More received a Knighthood; Wentnor Fete raised £430 surplus despite poor weather (need to x10 for today’s values), Travelling expenses were then 12.3 per mile; the Bishop of Hereford wrote about over-worked clergy now; having to look after three or four parishes, the parishes of Clun, Chapel Lawn, Bryn, Bettws, and Newcastle were in an interregnum; Hyssington was celebrating church restoration; Rev Terry Bryan had been appointed Vicar of Churchstoke, Hyssington & Sarn; Bucknell at that time was linked with Buckton, Stowe & LlanfairWaterdine.

FROM THE REGISTERS: CHRISTENINGS Saturday 31 May Mia Grace Pugh Churchstoke Saturday 8 June Frazer John Barker- Jones Lydham FUNERAL Thursday 12 June Bill Parker (93) Norbury

TABLE TENNIS! Now in action! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Usually taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244 BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Contact: The Rector BIBLE STUDY GROUP: New members always welcome! Contact: The Rector 01588 650244 FLOWERS/CLEANING: (From now on notification will be through the churches) Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org. Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

The Rector writes……The Annual Meetings marathon is now over which is a relief for me but also a humbling experience as I realise every year how much hard work PCCs, our church committees, put in every year to keep these wonderful country churches and churchyards available as going concerns for everyone else! I for one am hugely appreciative and my message is one of encouragement to all the readers of the magazine please play your part in helping our churches where you can! We have God's help at all times but to adapt St Theresa's famous prayer God has no hands and feet but ours so he's calling on all of us to play our part in sustaining our churches and their ministry or even simply sustaining our churches as historical buildings or our churchyards as havens of wild life. Ours is broad church in every sense! Looking to July there's an opportunity to find out what's happening in all our churches at a Joint PCC meeting at Norbury Village Hall - open to all -please attend and make your contribution!

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 1 JUNE SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Marian Humble 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 MORE FESTIVAL EVENSONG Preacher: Prebendary Michael Whittock, Rector of the Longden parishes & Acting Archdeacon Banns (2) Peter SMALL & Suzanne OWEN Wentnor

SUNDAY 8 JUNE WHITSUNDAY (PENTECOST) 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor Banns (3) Peter SMALL & Suzanne OWEN Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 1.15 Christening Lydham 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Norbury

SUNDAY 15 JUNE TRINITY SUNDAY 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 10.00 Holy Communion Snead 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke David Jelves 6.00 pm Confirmation Service led by Rt. Rev. Michael Bourke, former Bishop of Wolverhampton, Hyssington.

SUNDAY 22 JUNE TRINITY 1 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Morning Praise Wentnor Barry Preston 10.00 Hyssington United Service 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Preb M Pollit 11.15 Holy Communion More Rev J Evans 3.30pm Hereford Cathedral Evensong Preacher: Preb Norman Morris (All are welcome!)

SUNDAY 29 JUNE TRINITY 2 10.30 Benefice Holy Communion Lydham Rev J Evans (Rev Norman Morris taking Clun Service)

SATURDAY 5 JULY WEDDING: Peter SMALL & Suzanne OWEN Wentnor 12.30pm

SUNDAY 6 JULY TRINITY 3 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Hyssington 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 “Songs of Praise” Wentnor

Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. Snead 6 June; Weds 11 June Ratlinghope; 20 June Lydham; 27 June More

CONFIRMATION 2014: Confirmation Service will be taking place for our parishes on SUNDAY 15 JUNE at 6.00 pm at St Etheldreda, Hyssington. The Rt. Rev. Michael Bourke, former Bishop of Wolverhampton, who lives in Church Stretton, will officiate. Confirmation is open to all, young and old alike, above the age of 10 or 11 years, and enhances and completes our membership of the Church which began at our Christening. Do think about this – Confirmation is for all ages – so please do talk to the Rector if you are thinking about being confirmed. 01588 650244.

DEANERY MISSION & PASTORAL COMMITTEE meets at Wentnor Rectory on TUESDAY 22 JULY at 7pm.

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES:

Holly Cottage Garden Open:

Lydham church 100 Club April draw winners 1st prize £27.50 Ticket no 81 Mr Arthur Wood 2nd prize £16.35 ticket no 87 Mrs Janet Semple 3rd prize £10.90 ticket no 95 Miss Sarah Ellison Next season's draw starts in June. Anybody interested in joining in this very worthwhile monthly draw please contact Jimmy Garnier 01588- 638486, Neil Hird 01588-638379 or Lydham's church wardens Joyce Yapp and Tony Martin.

Bishop's Castle Hospital Equipment Fund gratefully acknowledges receipt of a £400 donation from the Bishop's Castle Group which continues to operate under its constitution. This welcome donation will go towards the cost of diagnostic equipment required for the additional clinics, ultra sound, chemotherapy and osteoporosis, recently outlined by Dr Adrian Penney at the B.C.Medical Practice

More Monthly Draws March 1st Mark Evans 2nd Mr R Tanner 3rd D Preshous

April 1st Carol Griffiths 2nd Clare Williams 3rd Robert Carlos

May 1st Dave Owen 2nd Lesley Thomas 3rd Pat Oldworth

National Garden Scheme (NGS) Garden Open Stuart and Carol Buxton Marehay Farm, Gatten, Ratlinghope Sunday 1st June 2014 11am - 6pm Home Made Teas Plants Adults- £3 Children- Free

SOUNDS OF SUMMER 6 June at 7.30pm A variety to suit all ages and tastes Julia and Peter Francis will be joined by some friends and audience participation Tickets in advance or at the door £5 and £2 for accompanied children – in aid of the church. Find our “hidden church” All are welcome to spend a summer’s evening at this wonderful country church. Trish Macmullan 01588 620275 Thank you everyone who supported Peter’s Talk and the Quiz

Churchstoke Strawberry Fayre Saturday 28 June 1 – 4pm (please see Churchstoke Notes)

LYDHAM "SWEET PEA" FLOWER FESTIVAL SATURDAY 26 JULY & SUNDAY 27 JULY arranged by Corwen & Joyce Yapp Saturday Beef/Ham sandwich Lunches at Lydham Village Hall Sunday 11.15am Special Flower Festival Service at Lydham Church followed by Coffee at Lydham Village Hall EVERYONE IS VERY WELCOME TO COME AND SEE THE DISPLAYS!

Norbury School dates: Batch Burner Saturday 7 June & “”Brew with a View” Norbury Village Hall Friday 20 June & Friday 4 July 11.30am – 2.00pm

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 17 JUNE - to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you.

NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: THURSDAY 12 JUNE 7.30pm Speaker: Mrs Heather Game "Life & Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber" Hostesses: Vivien Ridgway, Gilly Batchelor, & Rita Preston Flowers: Shirley Betton Competition: Theatrical Face Mask

LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: THURSDAY 19 JUNE Garden Meeting at Ambridge 7pm Home of Marion Denwood Speaker; “A Surprise Talk” Anthea Jones Competition: A Button Hole Refreshments: Marion & Anthea

ONNY VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB: This Club usually meets on the first Tuesday afternoon in the month at Norbury Village Hall New members welcome. Club Leader: Doris Roberts 01588 638570 Future outings: Wednesday 18 June Bourton on the Water & Adam’s Farm; Wednesday 16 July Llangollen Canal.

CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310,

FROM THE REGISTERS: CHRISTENINGs: Flynn Arian Swallow Hyssington Sunday 4 May Lyra Annabel Swallow Hyssington Sunday 4 May

FUNERALS: Reginald James "Jim" Bradbury (78) Shrewsbury Crematorium followed by a Churchstoke Memorial Service 11 April Robert Charles Madeley (79) Shrewsbury Crematorium 3 May

Our sympathy to the family of the late Robert "Bob" Madeley whose funeral took place at Shrewsbury Crematorium on Saturday 3 May. Bob was born in 1934 at Pontesbury on a farm and throughout his life had a deep love of the countryside and knowledge of country ways. He worked on farms and for the Council until retirement when he came to live at Lydham. Bob was a conscientious and caring man who supported many good causes. He gave good support to Lydham Church and worshipped there when he was more able to do so. At his funeral thanks were expressed for the care his family and hospitals had given him in later years.

Condolences to the family of Jim Bradbury who died on 31 March and whose funeral took place on 11 April. We are grateful to the family for a summary of Jim's life and times. Jim was born on 30th November 1935 in Churchstoke. His parents moved to Cwnd House Wentnor to farm and Jim attended Ratlinghope School during the war. When he was twelve, the family moved back to Churchstoke and were one of the first families to occupy a house on Crosslikey. Jim went to Welshpool Modern School. When he left school he went to work at Madeley’s of Rhiston on the farm and later he worked with his uncles; Jack and Tom Morris the builders until he was called up to do his National Service. He came home to Churchstoke in 1957 and married Marion at Mochdre Church in 1959 - they would have been married 55 years in October. With a growing family, Jim decided to go into business on his own and thus the start of a long association with diggers began. There are not many parts of Montgomeryshire that Jim has not drained or ditched. He was known to receive letters addressed to: Jim Bradbury King Drainer Churchstoke and the postman usually found him. Jim was a proud father to his two children; Eleanor and David and father-in-law to John and Hayley. In later years Jim and Marion enjoyed active retirement in Hyssington. Jim was an extremely talented man with many hobbies. He was good at making model carts under the watchful eye of Delwyn Pugh, Calcot and attended classes at Newtown Technical. In later years Jim enjoyed renovating his vintage tractors and ploughs and using them at ploughing matches. He joined the Mid Wales Vintage Machinery Club and enjoyed the company of many good friends. Jim was extremely proud of his six grandchildren and he provided them with endless support, encouragement and advice. Over the years Jim enjoyed numerous holidays with Marion, John & Margaret, going to many countries. Jim, you brought joy and happiness to many of us; we will all treasure our fond memories of you. Rest in peace.

The Rector writes……. A big Hollywood film is coming to our cinemas very soon and when you read this it may well be near you and you might have seen it! It’s "Noah" and purports to tell the story of the biblical hero Noah and the great Flood or it doesn't according to some critics! Noah is an ecological Saviour and God doesn’t come into the film - well that's what I read! Perhaps we should go to see the film and make up our own minds? There's an issue, however, about how we learn about moral and religious truths? There's the view of those who feel the story of Noah can only be told from the text as have received it but there's another view which says that truths about God and how we should live may be drawn from all kinds of sources, including a version of Noah which sees him as an ecological Saviour - at least, we might have an idea of what a Saviour is, and so be able to move a step closer to understanding Jesus as the ultimate Saviour figure? I have to say my theological training all those decades ago was along those lines - the Good News of God's presence in the world can be found in his world! If you're seeing “Noah" let me and others know what you think?

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 4 MAY EASTER 2 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham NB later time 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor Banns (2) John Charles Timothy Rawdon-Mogg & Olivia Alexander Mary Walker 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke David Jelves 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 3.00 Christening Hyssington (Swallow’s family) 6.30 Evening Prayer Ratlinghope

SUNDAY 11 MAY EASTER 3 Christian Aid Week begins 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor Banns (3) John Charles Timothy Rawdon-Mogg & Olivia Alexander Mary Walker 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.15 Holy Communion More Rev Jo Evans 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 6.30 “Christian Aid Week” Service Norbury

MONDAY 12 MAY ARCHDEACON’S VISITATION AT PONTESBURY CHURCH FOR ALL CHURCHWARDENS 7.00pm

SUNDAY 18 MAY EASTER 4 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 10.00 Holy Communion Snead 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Mette Wardle 11.15 “Christian Aid Week” Service Lydham 6.30 “Christian Aid Week” Service Wentnor Banns (1) Peter SMALL & Suzanne OWEN

SATURDAY 24 MAY Christian Aid Week: Coffee Morning Robery Ring, Wentnor 10.30am – 12 Noon SUNDAY 25 MAY EASTER 5 Rogation Sunday 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Morning Praise Lay Led Ratlinghope 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke 2.30 Hyssington United Service 2.30 meet More Church “Hymn, Reading & Prayer” then this year “Beating the More Bounds” - two hour walk – All welcome from the benefice – do join in!

THURSDAY 29 MAY ASCENSION DAY DEANERY EVENT: 6.00pm - meet at Mitchell’s Fold turning to ascend Corndon Hill for a short Ascension Day Service & Picnic. If wet, meet Hyssington Church for HC. All welcome.

SUNDAY 1 JUNE SUNDAYAFTER ASCENSION DAY 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Marian Humble 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 6.30 MORE FESTIVAL EVENSONG Preacher: Prebendary Michael Whittock Rector of the Longdon parishes & Acting Archdeacon Banns (2) Peter SMALL & Suzanne OWEN Wentnor

Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. 2 May Norbury; 9 May Lydham; 16 May More; 23 May Churchstoke; 30 May Wentnor; 6 June Snead.

We have had to date eight out of the nine of the church Annual meetings and our thanks to those who serve the churches in so many different ways – we shall be having a Joint PCC meeting on Wednesday 9 July at 7.30pm – its planned to be held in Norbury Village Hall –its important as it will have help shape the future of the parishes and plan fos the successor to Rev Norman when he retires. Please put the date in your diaries.

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES: (Problems this month as at a critical time the Rector’s BT line has been out of order for a week at the time of printing so there are some gaps)

THURSDAY MAY 1, 2014 Marches Spirituality: The theme will be: PSALMS: Speaker: Revd Dr John Bell At the Ludlow Conference Centre (Bishop Mascall) Start 9.30 for 10.00, Finish 3.30 The cost for the day will be £15.00 including light lunch and tea/coffee *Booking is open now at the Ludlow Conference Centre

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK COFFEE MORNING & BRING & BUY Anita’s home Robery Ring Farm, Prolley Moor, Wentnor All welcome! 10.30am – 12 Noon SATURDAY 24 MAY

National Garden Scheme (NGS) Garden Open Stuart and Carol Buxton Marehay Farm, Gatten, Ratlinghope Sunday 1st June 2014 11am - 6pm Home Made Teas Plants Adults- £3 Children- Free Lydham News: Many thanks to everyone for all your support and help for the Lydham/Snead Quiz at Lydham in April - financially and socially it was a great success with 49 competitors in 13 teams. Andrew Semple was excellent as quiz master. After costs were removed, nearly £600 was raised for the two churches. I am reminded, as quizzes are so popular these days, how Francis Carlos had those monthly Whist drives at Norbury in former years to keep the funds rolling in! Lydham Church 100 CLUB Anybody wishing to join this worthwhile Club please contact Jimmy Garnier 01588-638486 or Neil Hird 01588 -638379

In case you missed it last month. Exciting News! It’s just been announced by the BIG LOTTERY that an Award of £500, 000 has been awarded for the building of a new Village Hall at Norbury! This is tremendous news for the parishes of Wentnor, Ratlinghope, Norbury & Myndtown and is the culmination of almost ten years work by Alan Brandon and his committee who have worked tirelessly to achieve this Award! As Chairman of Norbury Village Hall, may I also say that the support of the local community in responding to consultations and being positive about the project has contributed to achieving this funding – we are also grateful for the support of Norbury School over the years too! In the meantime the existing Village Hall will continue in use.

LATEST NEWS The new Village Hall at Norbury After the wonderful news that we have been awarded the grant to build the new hall we now need to think about getting it built and kitted out to ensure you can do all the activities you said you needed. But in the meantime things are moving on......

On Saturday 17th May at 1145 am we hope that as many of you as possible will come to witness the cutting of the first sod of turf on the site of the hall. The event will involve members of the school and local residents and include a short concert by pupils. Afterwards there will be a free buffet in the hall which will be decorated with a small exhibition about the new hall.

Earlier in the day at 1045am Janet Brandon will be presented with her BEM award by The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire who will meet contractors and find out about the new hall and all the work that has gone into making it happen.

Our Churchyards! New Projects!” As I said last month, we have new initiatives – there is a hardworking and enthusiastic group of God’s Acre volunteers who are doing remedial work on a host of churchyards in the diocese. We have been fortunate that they have already spent a day at Norbury and they plan to come to Wentnor Churchyard on Tuesday 6 May from 10.00am until 4.00pm – we need to clear the ivy from the south churchyard wall and later repair the wall which has fallen down in many places. Help from anyone else is very welcome during the day. Please contact the Rector 01588 650244 or the Churchwardens of Wentnor if you would like to help!

As everyone will know by now, preparations are underway to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 this coming August 2014 - in our churches and churchyards there are War Memorials dating back to the end of the First World War with further names added after World War Two and since. For most of us, these Memorials only become significant on Remembrance Sunday when wreaths are laid. But who were those local men who volunteered or who in 1916 might have had to leave their villages to serve their country? Our centenary commemoration gives us the opportunity to discover who they were and give thanks for what they did for their country - a generation whose lives were cut short - the ones who didn't come back. Thanks to the internet we can research the lives of those who served their country in World War One with unprecedented ease! But we need volunteers to do? In all our nine churches I'd love to have groups of people coming together to list the names and find out something about the names listed on the War Memorials - several parishes in the Deanery have started on this exercise - Norbury School is keen to take part too. If anyone is interested to take part in this search to discover more please be in touch with the Rector as soon as possible - I'd particularly like to know of anyone willing to help me coordinate this project? Its also planned to have a couple of Summer Saturday Walks as a kind of Pilgrimage to visit the War Memorials at churches across the benefice along the lines of the Walks we did from church to church in 2011 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible

LYDHAM NEWS 'Lydham 100 Club -March draw winners - 1st prize ticket no 31 -Mrs Joyce Yapp, Lydham - £ 27.50 2nd prize ticket no 66 -Mr Charlie Morris, Wentnor -£ 16.35 3rd Prize ticket no 55- Mr P.France, Snead- ££10.90 Congratulations Anybody wishing to join this worthwhile Club please contact Jimmy Garnier 01588- 638486 or Neil Hird 01588 -638379

Shropshire NHS Medical Services. Dr David Hinwood, the Shrewsbury based consultant radiologist responsible for expanding an ultrasound service to the south west Shropshire community has replied favourably to Bishop's Castle Hospital Equipment Fund's request for this service.Dr Adrian Penney the hospital's clinical leader includes this important service in the NHS Future Fit range of services along with blood transfusions, chemotherapy and osteoporosis treatment which could be provided from Bishop Castle Hospital's new outpatient clinic and treatment rooms.

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 14 MAY - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 20 MAY - to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you. NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: THURSDAY 8 MAY 7.30pm Speaker: Mrs. Barbara Maitra “A Passage to India 19502 style” Hostesses: Margaret Rowson, Jane Ingram: Competition: Anything from the 1950s. LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: THURSDAY 15 MAY Outing to the Bog Centre No competition Please bring written suggestion of Speakers and competitions for our 2015 programme ONNY VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB: This Club usually meets on the first Tuesday afternoon in the month at Norbury Village Hall Tuesday 2 May Skittles match with Hyssington 7.30pm New members welcome. Club Leader: Doris Roberts 01588 638570 Future outings: Wednesday 21 May TBA; Wednesday 18 June Bourton on the Water & Adam’s Farm; Wednesday 16 July Llangollen Canal. CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310,

CONFIRMATION 2014: Looking ahead: a Confirmation Service will be taking place for our parishes on SUNDAY 15 JUNE at 6.00 pm at St Etheldreda, Hyssington. The Rt. Rev. Michael Bourke, former Bishop of Wolverhampton, who lives in Church Stretton, will officiate. Confirmation is open to all, young and old alike, above the age of 10 or 11 years, and enhances and completes our membership of the Church which began at our Christening. We usually form small groups or sometimes see candidates in their homes. Do think about this – Confirmation is for all ages – so please do talk to the Rector if you are thinking about being confirmed. 01588 650244.

FROM THE REGISTERS: Funeral: Michael Roy Nash (67) Churchstoke Monday 24 March

TABLE TENNIS! Now in action! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244 BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Contact: The Rector BIBLE STUDY GROUP: New members always welcome! Contact: The Rector 01588 650244 FLOWERS/CLEANING: (From now on notification will be through the churches) Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org. Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

. ONNYCAMLAD PARISHES Rev. Prebendary Norman Morris, Rector of Wentnor with Ratlinghope, Norbury, Myndtown, Lydham, More & Snead, & Priest in charge of Churchstoke & Hyssington & Rural Dean 01588 650244 David Jelves, Reader 01588 620434

The Rector writes…….Communication is all the rage now and changing fast! When I was small and in the Wolf Cubs I remember being taught to use a public phone in a red telephone box putting coppers in, dialing and pressing Button A to speak - and didn't Button B give your money back when you couldn't get through! Well that's probably mystified anyone under 55! Never mind, its history now and today we're never without our phone and access to our Facebook, Twitter, and Google! But does God still call us? Has he called you? The Bible, Old and New Testaments, has God being busy all the time calling up all kinds of people just like ourselves to carry out his wishes in the world. Many people would reject the idea that God was calling them yet can we be so sure? We might think that God calling us belongs to the past - to press Button A days - but God is always with us and ahead of us, gradually revealing to us the secrets of our Universe which include these new ways of being in touch. So as our New Year unfolds, be aware that God may be calling you? Please reflect on that calling of those first disciples so wonderfully told in the Gospel of John 1: 35 -45. This being the first 2014 magazine a Happy & Blessed New Year to everyone! Many thanks for all the Christmas cards and gifts that I was fortunate to receive over the festive season! Thanks too to all who so beautifully decorated our churches over the Christmas period!

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY EPIPHANY 4 PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE “CANDLEMAS” 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington (at Methodist Chapel) 11.15 Holy Communion Norbury 11.15 Morning Prayer (Churchstoke Community Hall ) David Jelves 6.30 Evening Prayer More

SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY EPIPHANY 5 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.15 Holy Communion More Rev Jo Evans 11.15 Holy Communion (Churchstoke Community Hall) 3.00 Christening Wentnor 6. 30 “Songs of Praise” Norbury

SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY SEPTUGESIMA 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor (BCP) Rev Michael Plunkett 9.45 Holy Communion Lydham (BCP) Rev Jo Evans 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Community Hall Preb Michael Pollit 6.30 Evening Prayer Ratlinghope Rev Ian Ball

FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY 6.30 Myndtown “Valentine Service of Hymns & Readings”

SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY SEXAGESIMA 8.30 Holy Communion (CW) Norbury Rev Jo Evans 9.45 Holy Communion (CW) Wentnor Rev Michael Plunkett 9.45 Morning Praise Ratlinghope lay led 10.00 Hyssington United Service in the Chapel 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Community Hall Rev Michael Plunkett

SUNDAY 2 MARCH QUINQUAGESIMA 8.00 Lydham Holy Communion 9.15 Hyssington Holy Communion 11.15 Norbury Holy Communion 11.15 Churchstoke “St David’s Day” Service David Jelves 6.30 Wentnor Evening Service theme: “St. David”

Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. 7 February Lower Snead; Wednesday 12 February Ratlinghope; 21 February Norbury; 28 February Lydham; 7 March More.

LOCAL MINISTRY NEWS: Our Local Ministry Group assists with pastoral visiting and Home Communions across the parishes, meeting monthly to share concerns and pray for those who are in any kind of need. Members of the Local Ministry Group are Anita Bright, Trish Macmullan; Margaret Wallsgrove, Shirley Jones, Bob Berry (Convenor), & Rev Preb. Norman Morris. All concerns and prayers are made in total confidence. Please be in touch with any member if you know of anyone who would like to be visited. Anyone wishing to receive Home Communion please be in touch with the Rector 10588 650244 Saturday 8 February OnnyCamlad Local Ministry Group meeting with Clun Forest Deanery LM groups Saturday morning at Norbury Village Hall 10.30am - c.1.00pm.

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES:

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETINGS (APCMs) - Proposed 2014 dates These are the AGMs of the churches and we would like all PCCs and all those associated with our churches in any way to come and take part in these important Annual Meetings! We need new people to share the responsibility of caring for the churches – last year one PCC managed to get three newcomers on the PCC – so lets see if each PCC can please get a couple of new members! I will try and see what I can do!

Monday 10 March Ratlinghope - Coppice Farm 7.30pm Tuesday 18 March Churchstoke - Court House 7.30pm Monday 24 March Wentnor - Rectory 7.30pm Friday 28 March Snead - Lower Snead 2.00pm Friday 28 March Lydham - Lydham Village Hall 6.30pm Wednesday 2 April More - Rectory 7.30pm Thursday 3 April Norbury - Lea Farm 7.30pm Friday 4 April Hyssington - Efail Hen 7.30pm Friday 11 April Myndtown - TBA 7.30

LYDHAM NEWS Friday Market: The Friday Market, originally held in Bishop's Castle Town Hall, is now in Lydham Village Hall. Paul Amess, from his Henford nursery, has a wide selection of fruit, vegetables and flowers for sale, Mr. Bun the Baker will has a selection of bread and cakes and Sue Averis has a selection of ethnic giftware Recent excellent news- a fish man ' Grimsby Fish' with a good selection including salmon will now be in attendance early at the Friday Market. Please do support your Friday market it is your market!

Lydham Church '100 Club' December winners - 1st Doris Wright £ 27.25; 2nd Kerry Derne £16.35; 3rd Angela Smith £10.90 Anybody interested in joining please contact Jimmy Garnier 0158-638486 or Neil Hird 01588- 638379 Lydham's 'Christmas cheer' Friday Morning on 6th December went very well raising £337. Our sincere thanks to all who supported the event. The Christmas Day Service was well attended and delighted to see eight children in the congregation. Thanks to all who decorated the church so well. Unfortunately the church's central heating system failed so the following Benefice Service with Communion was held in the warmth and comfort of Lydham Village Hall. Again a well attended service, delighted to that Rev Michael Pollit and Rev Richard Shaw joined us, and Canon Julia Francis and Peter were thanked for all the work they have done in the Benefice. Annual New Year's Day walk despite the appalling weather ten cheerful souls completed the walk and enjoyed warm soup and rolls in the village hall afterwards. Shropshire NHS medical services. Bishop's Castle Community Hospital cannot provide a minor injuries service. Dr Caron Morton's Clinical Commissioning Group has been asked if the services of an advanced nursing practitioner, who could deal with minor cuts, bruises, burnings, etc., would be possible at Bishop's Castle thereby saving folk the necessity of having to travel to the busy A & E units in Shrewsbury or Telford.

LENT GROUPS: Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 5 March . There will be a Lent Group as usual at Wentnor Rectory and it is likely there will be one at Churchstoke – details will be circulated of the one at Churchstoke nearer the time, and certainly in the March magazine. At Wentnor Rectory we shall have five sessions using the new York course “Build on the Rock” with tape contributions from Bishop Richard Chartres, Dr Paula Goodier, Rev Joel Edwards, with closing reflections from Rev David Gamble and an introduction by Dr David Hope. Meetings at the Rectory are proposed for Wednesday 19 February at 2.30pm; Wednesday 26 March at 2.30pm; Wednesday 2 April at 2.30pm, Wednesday 9 April at 2.30pm & Wednesday 16 April at 2.30pm. All are welcome. Please give your names to the Rector 01588 650244 if you’d like to order a Booklet costing £4 These sessions will be excellent and will take our faith further so do think of joining in even if you can’t make all five.

Talk on "World War 1 Shropshire War Memorials” Peter Francis hosts an evening in aid of Snead Church on Friday 21st March at 7.30pm at Lydham Village Hall. Peter has recently published “Shropshire War Memorials, Sites of Remembrance” he is sure to provide an interesting and entertaining evening with time for audience participation with family memories and anecdotes of 1914 - 1918. Tickets cost £5 and are available from Trish Macmullan 01588 620275 and Revd Norman Morris 01588 650244

More monthly draw winners December draw 1st Jacqui Self; 2nd Toby Morris 3rd Eileen Hudson

Ratlinghope 200 Club Draw winners as follows:- November: £20 Chris & Sarah c/o John Fildes £15 K Boraston £5 Roy Edwards c/o John Fildes December: £20 Roy Edwards c/o John Fildes £15 Robin & Julie Edwards £5 David Cooke £30 Christmas Bonus - Jackie Horridge

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 18 FBRUARY - to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you. NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 7.30pm Speaker: Oliver Goode “With Boris to Moscow” Hostesses: Jenny Burdett, Shirley Betton, & Rose Jones Flowers: Kathy Hughes Competition: Items inspired by Russia LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 7.30pm “My Trip to Japan” Speaker: Sarah Screen Competition: An item from Japan Teas: Shirley & Joy.

Message from Joe Penfold, Community Officer for the Stiperstones & Corndon Hill Country Landscape Partnership Scheme As you know there is a Upper Onny Wildlife Group in your area, and we’d like to involve the community in developing two more community wildlife groups. One of these will be involved in the survey and conservation of plants and animals in the Camlad area and I’ve arranged to give a presentation, with colleagues from Mont Wildlife Trust, to talk about the project on: Wed 12th Feb, 7pm – Hyssington Village Hall Wed 26th Feb, 7pm – Churchstoke Community Hall Stiperstones & Corndon Hill Country Landscape Partnership Scheme 3, Shepherds Yard Chirbury Shropshire SY15 6BH Tel: 01938 561741 Mob: 07582 004985

Spend a week on Iona in 2014! There is an Iona visit by a group from The Marches area and there is a vacancy for 2 in a twin-bedded room at Bishop's House. Iona - April 26th to May 3rd 2014. Cost for full board and travel both ways will be around £500 per person. We have had three Iona Pilgrimages over the past ten years or so from our Clun Forest Deanery - if you'd like to go again or would like to go for the first time. please be in touch More information phone Hilary on 01432 761588 OR Rev Norman Morris 01588 650244

Our Churchyards Looking after nine Churchyards is a huge undertaking for all our churches, so now the “growing season” is over, may I, as have done in previous issue, thank all those who maintain our churchyards, many of which are still maintained by volunteers – our thanks too to all those involved with church cleaning and flower arranging. In all our churchyards the task is immense, especially at Wentnor where there is a second churchyard. There we employ a professional gardener, Robert Carlos, who this year will be looking after the old Churchyard (and thanks to the good efforts of volunteers here over many years). Some Wentnor parishioners with family links are kind enough to provide annual donations to pay for this care - further contributions to help maintain our nine churchyards are much appreciated.

FROM THE REGISTERS: Funerals: Ian Langford (78) 28 November Ratlinghope Tony Summers (89) 29 November Hyssington James Lowther (74) 12 December Churchstoke Christopher Morgan Churchstoke (62) 14 December Joseph Orlando Lawley (91) 11 January Churchstoke

FROM THE MAGAZINE TWENTY YEARS AGO: Bucknell was debating the merits of wind turbines; the Churchstoke Games Group had had a busy year! Prayers were being said for the former Yugoslavia; Clungunford had had a highly successful Promise Auction; The Head of the Community College, David Preshous, wrote of the launch of new leisure facilities to be built by 2000; “March for Jesus” was being planned; Bishop John Oliver wrote about the new Diocesan Strategy Committee which was looking at future needs in the light of the “£800m Church Commissioners’ losses”, envisaging Local Ministry Teams and a Local Non-Stipendiary Ministry as helping in the diocese – over 200 people were also doing Framework for Faith courses; Circle Dancing was being offered for Tens and Teens in Clungunford Church; Rev Francis Carlos announced that he would be retiring in July .

TABLE TENNIS! Now in action! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244 BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Friday 21 February “Travels with a Donkey” R L Stevenson Contact: The Rector BIBLE STUDY GROUP: New members always welcome! Contact: The Rector 01588 650244 Currently studying “Ecclesiastes” - moving on to study more Old Testament “Wisdom” literature. Friday 7 February 4.00pm Wentnor Rectory. Onny Valley Social Club: This Club usually meets on the first Tuesday afternoon in the month at Norbury Village Hall Tuesday 4 February David & Janet Preshous – Slides; Tuesday 4 March Local Slides with David Evans. New members welcome. Club Leader: Doris Roberts 01588 638570 Future outings: Wednesday 16 April Ledbury Town & Eastnor Castle; Wednesday 21 May Jodrell Bank & Dagfield Centre. CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310, FLOWERS/CLEANING: (From now on notification will be through the churches) Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org. Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.

CfGA Churchyard needs some TLC? Caring for God’s Acre’s Churchyard Task Team is an enthusiastic group of volunteers providing help and support to people in Shropshire who care for their churchyards and burials grounds. The Churchyard Task Team is able to help with a variety of practical conservation tasks, and thanks to a grant from the Jean Jackson Charitable Trust, dry-stone walling, scything, raking, scrub clearance, pruning and coppicing and compost bin building are some of the tasks they will be doing. If you think that your churchyard or burial ground could benefit from the Task Team’s help then contact Colin for further information at Caring for God’s Acre on 01588 673041 or email [email protected]

Pilgrim: the new discipleship course for the Church of England Bishop Alistair is commending the first module of Pilgrim to parishes as a great new resource to consider using in Lent 2014. The Board and Ministry and the Evangelism Committee are providing one copy of the Pilgrim Introductory Pack for each benefice. To get a pack contact Lay Development at the Ludlow Office on 01584 871086 (mornings Rev.Caroline Pascoe

The Rector writes……Welcome to a New Year in the life of the Church beginning on Advent Sunday 1 December! Advent is the dramatic season of four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day when the arrival of the Christ Child is celebrated! Advent Sundays traditionally focus on the Four Last Things - Heaven, Hell, Death and Judgment - so nothing is missed to fully prepare us to greet our Saviour. We are, however, not alone, for, as the hymn puts it "we are all pilgrims on a journey" and we go forward together – yet our companions change from year to year. At this time, sadly, we're having to say some good byes - Jon and Sally are leaving Churchstoke after four and half years. Jon has achieved much as our Community Evangelist in his ministry to young and old - Jon’s taking up a post in the Bangor diocese - congratulations too to Jon and Sally on the birth of a daughter, Ffion in November – our Reader Canon Julia Francis and her husband, Peter, have moved further into Wales, having spent over three years in our parishes, leading worship and undertaking pastoral work. We do wish them well and thank them for their ministry in our parishes.

SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER ADVENT 1 8.00 Holy Communion Lydham 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington; Sending out of Mary & Joseph 9.45 Holy Communion by Extension Ratlinghope Canon Julia Francis 11.15 Holy Communion by Extension Norbury Canon Julia Francis 11.15 Churchstoke “CELEBRATION OF ST NICHOLAS ” SERVICE David Jelves & Rev Norman Morris 6.30 ADVENT SERVICE “FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT” Wentnor

FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER LYDHAM “OPEN CHURCH” “CHRISTMAS CHEER”– 10.00 – 12.30pm

SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER ADVENT 2 8.30 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 9.45 Hoy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion More 3.00 Hyssington “Roving Nativity” meet at the Chapel 4.00 CHURCHSTOKE “CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL CAROL SERVICE” with “Fortissimo” Brass Band accompanying Carols & playing seasonal music 6.30 ADVENT SERVICE “FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT” Norbury

SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER “MARCHES CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT BC CHURCH 7.30pm”

SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 6.30 BENEFICE “CAROLS BY CANDLE LIGHT” MORE

TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER Norbury School Christingle Service Wentnor 6.30pm

FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER 6.30pm Ratlinghope Carol Service

SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 7.00pm Hunt Carol Service More

SUNDAY 22 DECEMBER 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke

TUESDAY 24 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS EVE 4.00 CHRISTMAS CRIB SERVICE CHURCHSTOKE 6.30 “CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT” HYSSINGTON 11.30 BENEFICE MIDNIGHT COMMUNION RATLINGHOPE

CHRISTMAS DAY 25 DECEMBER 9.30 HOLY COMMUNION WITH CAROLS WENTNOR 9.45 HOLY COMMUNION WITH CAROLS NORBURY Rev John Daniels 10.30 HOLY COMMUNION WITH CAROLS CHURCHSTOKE Preb M. Pollit & D. Jelves 11.00 HOLY COMMUNION WITH CAROLS LYDHAM

FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER 6.30pm MYNDTOWN CAROL SERVICE

SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS 1 10.30 BENEFICE HOLY COMMUNION & FAREWELL SERVICE TO CANON JULIA FRANCIS LYDHAM Preacher: Canon Julia Francis 6.30 Christmas “Songs of Praise” Norbury

SUNDAY 5 JANUARY CHRISTMAS 2 9.15 Holy Communion Hyssington Methodist Chapel 11.15 COVENANT NEW YEAR SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION MORE 11.15 NEW YEAR SERVICE Churchstoke Community Hall David Jelves 6.30 COVENANT NEW YEAR SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION WENTNOR

SUNDAY 12 JANUARY EPIPHANY 1 BAPTISM OF JESUS 8.30 Holy Communion Lydham 9.45 Holy Communion Ratlinghope 11.15 Holy Communion More Rev Jo Evans 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Community Hall 6.30 “Plough Sunday “ Service Norbury

SUNDAY 19 JANUARY EPIPHANY 2 8.30 Holy Communion Wentnor 11.15 Morning Praise Churchstoke Community Hall David Jelves 11.15 “Plough Sunday “ Service Lydham 6.30 “Plough Sunday “ Service Ratlinghope

SUNDAY 26 JANUARY EPIPHANY 3 8.30 Holy Communion Norbury 9.45 Holy Communion Myndtown 9.45 Ratlinghope Lay Led Service 11.15 Holy Communion Churchstoke Community Hall 2.30 Hyssington United Service Chapel

Weekday Morning Prayer at 8.30am on Fridays Join us for a short service at our parish churches. 29 November Norbury; resuming Friday 10 January Lydham; 17 January More; 24 January Churchstoke; 31 January Wentnor; 7 February Lower Snead.

SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER Rehearsals for the 6.30pm BENEFICE “CAROLS BY CANDLE LIGHT” at MORE will be taking place at Lydham Village Hall on Wednesday 20 November, Wednesday 27 November, Wednesday 4 December & Wednesday 11 December between 2.30 – 3.30pm. All are welcome!

LOCAL MINISTRY NEWS: Our Local Ministry Group assists with pastoral visiting and Home Communions across the parishes, meeting monthly to share concerns and pray for those who are in any kind of need. Members of the Local Ministry Group are Anita Bright, Trish Macmullan; Margaret Wallsgrove, Shirley Jones, Bob Berry (Convenor), Canon Julia Francis & Rev Preb. Norman Morris. All concerns and prayers are made in total confidence. Please be in touch with any member if you know of anyone who would like to be visited. Anyone wishing to receive Home Communion please be in touch with the Rector 10588 650244 Saturday 11 January Local Ministry Annual “Away Day” meeting at Lower Snead 10.30 – 4.00pm Saturday 8 February OnnyCamlad Local Ministry Group meeting with Clun Forest Deanery LM groups Saturday morning at Norbury Village Hall 10.30am - c.1.00pm.

DEANERY NEWS: 'Clun Forest Deanery has agreed a £500 grant to Mrs. Edith Wakumire the founder of Uganda's church based 'Women Concern Ministry'. Edith was taught by both Frank and Margaret Wood of More parish when they were teachers in eastern Uganda. Edith's mother died when Edith was only six months old and her upbringing, one of five daughters, was very hard. Edith, a strong Christian who and saw women's unenviable place in poverty in Uganda and recognizing the urgent need for girls' education, trained as a teacher in Kampala during Idi Amin's appalling years of terror. In 1991 Edith founded the Women’s Concern Ministry a Christian organization whose volunteers care and work with Ugandans affected by HIV/Aids and sponsor the education of numerous orphans. Edith is a remarkable lady and her WCM deserves our support.'

AROUND THE PARISHES:EVENTS LYDHAM “OPEN CHURCH” MORNING “CHRISTMAS CHEER” FRIDAY MORNING 6 DECEMBER – 10.00 – 12.30pm - RAFFLE FOR JOYCE’S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CAKE at Lydham Village Hall! ALL WELCOME! Do pay a visit to the church once you’ve done your Friday Lydham Market shopping Lydham church '100' club October draw winners - 1st Mr and Mrs Ivor Leeke £27.25 2nd Mr Terry Reynolds £16.35 3rd Mr John P.Brayford £10.90 Anybody interested in joining please contact Jimmy Garnier 01588- 638486 or Neil Hird 01588-638379

WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK! All are welcome to come on this walk – meet Lydham Village Hall at 11.00am to explore “the lost roads of Lydham and More” Good footwear & waterproofs needed. Intriguing route. Not a strenuous walk. (Donations £1 min per head to Lydham Church restoration , please) Return c.1.30pm for Soup & a Bread at Lydham Village Hall. All welcome!

FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 7.30pm SNEAD & LYDHAM QUIZ at LYDHAM VILLAGE HALL All welcome £8 per person To book in Teams ring Rev Norman 01588 650244 In aid of Lydham & Snead churches

AROUND THE PARISHES: NEWS UPDATES: LYDHAM Shirley Rowson's final successful Harvest lunch raised £657 for More church and the same sum for Lydham church. Both PCCs are very grateful to Shirley and her team for these generous donations. Fortunately Shirley's daughter Carol Griffiths has agreed to carry on providing annual harvest lunches which are excellent social occasions where rural communities come together in the village hall. Shropshire's NHS medical services Following Dr Caron Morton's recent 'Call to Action' on Shropshire's future medical services presentation to the Bishop's Castle Hospital Equipment Fund's members and hospital staff the Fund's trustees have asked if additional services and clinics could be provided by Bishop's Castle Community Hospital in its role as south west Shropshire's rehabilitation hospital . These additional services could include chemotherapy, respiratory, urology and falls clinics, more diagnostic equipment is required to include ultra sound equipment along with in and out patient physiotherapy treatment. The recently formed steering group of Dr Morton's Clinical Services Group, responsible for the provision of medical services through a county wide Clinical Services Strategy Programme aiming to bring care closer to home, will consider these requests. Lydham's Remembrance Service We are very grateful to Mr. David Preshous for the interesting poems, particularly the Three Boys in Afghanistan, that he read at this well supported service, surprisingly the congregation included four primary school pupils and two very new babies, and thank all who attended to remember those who served.'

Friday Market: The Friday Market, originally held in Bishop's Castle Town Hall, is now in Lydham Village Hall. Paul Amess, from his Henford nursery, has a wide selection of fruit, vegetables and flowers for sale, Mr. Bun the Baker will has a selection of bread and cakes and Sue Averis has a selection of ethnic giftware Recent excellent news- a fish man ' Grimsby Fish' with a good selection including salmon will now be in attendance early at the Friday Market. Please do support your Friday market it is your market!

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETINGS (Proposed 2014 dates) Monday 10 March Ratlinghope - Coppice Farm 7.30pm Tuesday 18 March Churchstoke - Court House 7.30pm Monday 24 March Wentnor - Rectory 7.30pm Friday 28 March Snead - Lower Snead 2.00pm Friday 28 March Lydham - Lydham Village Hall 6.30pm Wednesday 2 April More - Rectory 7.30pm Thursday 3 April Norbury - Lea Farm 7.30pm Friday 4 April Hyssington - Efail Hen 7.30pm Friday 11 April Myndtown - TBA 7.30

Age UK Lunches for those 60 & over at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, 12 Noon for 12.30pm Normally SECOND WEDNESDAY AND THIRD TUESDAY in the month. NEXT LUNCH is WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER & WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY - to book this meal please ring Rachel Bright 01588 650242. NEXT TUESDAY LUNCH is TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER & TUESDAY 21 JANUARY - to book please ring Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 Mrs. Janet Brandon on 01588 650232 – is your Age Concern Parish Link – who will be pleased to help you. NORBURY & DISTRICT WI: THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER Entertainment Christmas Party Hostesses: The Committee Flowers & Competition: Christmas Table decoration any format. THURSDAY 9 JANUARY Speaker: Caroline Malim “Mazws, Minotaurs & Maidens” – The Wall and Whittington Castle” Hostesses: Anne Littlehales & Margaret Rowson Flowers: Judy Sheard Competition: Any old Artefact. LYDHAM, MORE & SNEAD WI: December CHRISTMAS MEAL TBA; THURSDAY 16 JANUARY Members evening Spend a week on Iona in 2014! There is an Iona visit by a group from The Marches area and there is a vacancy for 2 in a twin-bedded room at Bishop's House. Iona - April 26th to May 3rd 2014. Cost for full board and travel both ways will be around £500 per person. We have had three Iona Pilgrimages over the past ten years or so from our Clun Forest Deanery - if you'd like to go again or would like to go for the first time. please be in touch More information phone Hilary on 01432 761588 OR Rev Norman Morris 01588 650244

FROM THE REGISTERS: Wedding: David Whittock & Kiatsi Beauclerk Saturday 26 October Norbury 2.00pm

FROM THE MAGAZINE THIRTY FIVE YEARS AGO: The Bishop was attending Deanery Synod to hear views relating to forming a “Group Ministry” for some of the northern parishes of the Deanery – Bishop’s Castle & Mainstone, Lydham, More & Snead; Churchstoke was having a Sacred Concert in support of a new Community Hall; Norbury Church was having an Appeal for funds to re-decorate the Church – a Gift envelope would be distributed to all residents; Hopesay had had a successful Flower Festival; Rev John Benson retired from being Vicar of Bucknell with Buckton – plans were afoot to create a Clun Team Ministry with one member living in Bucknell or having a Group Ministry to take in ten parishes

TABLE TENNIS! Now in action! Open to all! Anyone wanting a good game! Taking place Mondays at Norbury Village Hall 2- 3pm for details contact The Rector 01588 650244 BENEFICE BOOK GROUP: Contact: The Rector BIBLE STUDY GROUP: New members always welcome! Contact: The Rector 01588 650244 Currently studying “Micah” - moving on to study Old Testament “Wisdom” literature. Onny Valley Social Club: This Club usually meets on the first Tuesday afternoon in the month at Norbury Village Hall Tuesday 3 December Christmas Lunch Tuesday 7 January: Soup & Pudding Lunch followed by entertainment 12.30pm New members welcome. Club Leader: Doris Roberts 01588 638570 Future outings: Saturday 11 January Shrewsbury Pantomime “Sleeping Beauty” CHURCHSTOKE “OVER-SIXTIES”: Meet alternative Wednesdays 3.00pm Churchstoke Community Hall contact: Margaret Chislett 01588 620310, FLOWERS/CLEANING: (From now on notification will be through the churches) Find out what is going on across the Hereford diocese at the website at www.hereford.anglican.org - have a look at the Notice board. For details of service times at the Cathedral, please telephone 01432 374212 or visit the cathedral website www.herefordcathedral.org. Want a Magazine? Know someone who would like one? Please encourage sales & distribution! Please contact Margaret Cooke 01588 650280 (Shropshire & Snead parishes) Myndtown Combined Parish Council Contact: Parish Clerk Mrs. L Thomas 01588 650509. Wentnor Stores: The Post Office OUTREACH service is OPEN on TUESDAY 9.00AM – 11.00am - offering personal banking, Car Tax & Euros- please support our village shop WENTNOR STORES as much as possible! Bus enquiries: 0870 241 2 216 National Rail Enquires: 08457 484950 Hall Bookings: Norbury 650660 Anita (or if need be Rev Norman Morris 650244) – Lydham 638737 – Hyssington Village Hall: 01588 620197 - do use our halls! Norbury Village Hall: Tables, chairs, hostess trolley, crockery, & boiler available for hire 01588 650660 The Rector is always available to discuss Wedding and Christening dates at any time Office Hour: Saturday morning at The Rectory 9-10am. Tel: 01588 650244. House Communion is available to anyone who cannot easily get to Church. Photocopying at The Rectory: 5p per sheet – reductions for longer runs. Bishop’s Castle Dial-a-Ride and Community Car scheme: Available for individuals or groups regardless of age or disability. All journeys must be pre-booked. Volunteer drivers and escorts urgently required for this worthwhile community service. Contact: Adrian Varcoe or ring 01588 638350.