Tuesdays Short Mat Bowling 2.30pm Martley Memorial Hall (2pm winter months) Wichenford Ladies’ Fellowship 2.30pm 2nd Tuesday in the month (usually) Wednesdays Volume 1 No. 1 2006 6 June Teme Valley Shufflers Line Dancing Editor: Andrew Chilvers (01905 641986) 7pm Martley Memorial Hall. Editorial Team: Martley: Alan Boon (01886 Enquiries: Jeff and Thelma 01886 821772 888527), Nellie Bradley (01886 888339), Kate Martley Folk Club: 1st Wednesday in the King (01886 888439), Beth Williams (01886 month at The Admiral Rodney 888273) Wichenford: Janet Andrews (01886 Martley WI: 2nd Wednesday in the 888303), Sheila Richards (01886 888378) month 7.30pm at Heaton House. Advertising: Neil Stammers (01886 888513) Distribution: Martley George & June Lawrence (01886 821064) Wichenford Bill & Jo Root Thursdays (01886 888585) Wichenford Wine Club: 3rd Thursday in Contact The Villager: leave articles at Martley the month Post Office, call Janet or Sheila (Wichenford) or Martley & District Horticultural email the Editor at [email protected] Society: last Thursday in the month Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily 7.30pm Martley Memorial Hall those of The Villager. The Villager cannot be held responsible for any goods or services advertised in the magazine Other events: Citizens Advice Bureau Teme Valley Telephone Service: Mon & Tue 10am— 3pm Thu 10am— 7.30pm Great Witley Regular events in Martley &Knightwick Surgeries: Weds 10am - and Wichenford: 4pm - by appt. 01584 810860 Sundays See Church Words for details of services 2nd Sunday in the month: Teme Valley Farmers Market for local See articles inside for details of special produce 11am The Talbot, Knightwick events AND changes of times or dates of Martley Ramblers meet Church car park regular events 3rd Sunday in the month: Walking Not Working with the Path-or- See the Diary page on Nones. Meet 9.30am Village Hall car park www.martley.org.uk for a complete listing to help survey the footpaths of all forthcoming events (that the Diary page Editor knows about) Mondays 1st Monday in the month: Martley Parish Council 8pm Memorial Hall Articles to go in The Villager must be with the Editor by the 1st of the previous month TheThe Villager Villager * *January June 2006 2006 9 OUT AND ABOUT IN MARTLEY Visit our website—www.martley.org.uk Here comes the summer midnight to welcome in midsummer The summer day, and, when the fires die down, solstice (21st men run or jump through the embers June) is the to bring good luck. Don't try this at day on which home! the sun climbs People thought that midsummer was a to its highest time of magic and wonder-working. point in the Evil spirits were said to appear, and sky. This was people gathered herbs and flowers to originally the protect themselves. One of the most day on which powerful was the plant known as people celebrated midsummer and 'chase-devil', which we now call St there is still a famous summer solstice John's Wort. People used it in potions, celebration at Stonehenge. and wove the flowers into garlands to On the night before midsummer, a decorate their houses or protect their group of white-robed Druids gather at farm animals. Stonehenge to watch the sun rising. As They believed that the herb could it comes up, the sun rises exactly over shield them from evil spirits and could the Heel Stone, one of the stones that help them foretell the future. Herbal- lies outside the main circle at Stone- ists still use St John's Wort in their henge. medicines today. With the coming of Christianity, many midsummer celebrations were moved Pudford Lane to the feast of St John the Baptist (24th June). St John baptised people out- The fruit blossom has faded now but doors in the River Jordan, so there what a glorious show it has been this have always been open air celebrations year, the best for 10 years, according on his day. to some experts. No hedgehogs have In some places, people light fires on been seen for months, too many badg- midsummer eve. They stay up until ers around, perhaps. Butterflies and 10 The Villager * June 2006 ladybirds are in greater numbers this Martley Spurs year and the spring flowers, particu- larly the cowslips, have also done well. At the time of writing, some of April was quite a the residents are suffering a slight good month for the identity crisis. Following the theft of Spurs, it started nameplates and signs, some of us are with all three not too sure where we belong. We teams winning their games over the could ask Matron to help us, but we first weekend with the Saturday Pre- haven’t a matron living in the Lane. If mier eleven beating Welland 3-2; the the culprits will return the signs, we Sunday Premier side netting three shall be very grateful and no questions against Exel Metro and the Reserves asked. overcoming New AFC Barbourne. A Kate King further win came for the Saturday boys on the 9th when they beat Per- Martley WI – shore Manor Rovers, and Steve Prickett netted a pair when the Spurs Wednesday 14 June 7pm Stoneybridge drew 3-3 with Malvern Radar the next House day. The Easter holiday weekend saw Joy and Reg Snow have invited us to the Saturday side beat West Malvern their home for our annual Garden 2-1, but the Reserves lost to Prinner meeting, starting at 7pm so that the Sports the following morning. The business can be finished before the 22nd saw another win for the Sat Pre- party begins. Bring a rose for the com- mier side when they thrashed Hanley petition, a garden chair to sit on and be Swan 4-0, Chris Collins and Steve thinking of whether the draw for the Prickett both netting a pair. There was Denman Bursary will include your a mid-week game for the Reserves name. There will be the usual Fun who drew 1-1 with Pershore Reserves. Auction for funds with our favourite There are quite a few mid-week games auctioneer, although not yet officially at the moment as well as the Martley asked/told he will doubtless succumb Cup final, which will be reported next to torture. So bring any unwanted month. goods, plenty of money to spend on the desirable goods for sale and, of Martley Ramblers course, husbands, partners, family and friends. There will be food and drink We were so very sorry to hear of the to cheer us during the evening. All we death of Pam Hill, one of our long- have to do is keep our fingers crossed term members. Our deepest sympathy for a dry, warm evening. goes out to Colin and family. She was Kate King a lovely, friendly lady and will be much missed by all who knew her. June 2006 * The Villager 11 The walk planned for Malvern was Full house cancelled, due to the illness of Pam Southall who was to lead us. She is The Bingo held on Friday 7 April was now recovered from her chest infec- a huge success and raised almost £900 tion. Helen and George Coombey- for much needed club funds. Some Jones stepped in and took us on the £200 was kindly donated by Mrs Ste- walk around Dunhampstead and Sale vens, to be used as was seen fit, and Green that was cancelled due to snow. for which we are truly grateful. Our This time we started in lovely sun- thanks go to Monica Tippin for all her shine and only had one hailstorm and hard work in organising the Bingo it- snowfall of about 20 minutes before self, everyone who donated the prizes, the sun came out again. This was just sold cards, raffle tickets, made refresh- to prove how fickle April weather can ments and, of course, all those who be. came along and made it such an enjoy- This month we have two walks as we able evening. have our annual midsummer evening walk. On Sunday 11 June 2pm, church Football league crisis car park, we shall be following Jenny Bad news at the moment – the Underhill along the Rea. Wednesday Worcester and District Football league 21 June 6.30pm, Church car park, we is facing a crisis. With the number of have a 7 pm start at Fox and Hounds, clubs setting to fall to 12 next season, Lulsley. Alex Walker will lead us the number of divisions is likely to be around the Ravenswood Nature Re- cut. It appears that League bosses are serve. planning to merge two divisions into just one bigger one. Twenty years ago Kate King there were five divisions and a youth division in the Saturday league, but their number have gradually dwindled Martley Library due to competition from rival Midland leagues. Martley Village Hall, Berrow Green Beth Williams Road, Martley, WR66PQ. Tel: 01886 888396 Martley & District Opening hours Mon 2.00-7.00 Horticultural Society Wed 4.00-7.30 There was a good attendance of mem- Thurs 10.00-1.00 bers at the April meeting of the Soci- Fri 2.00-4.00 ety. The vice-chairman Ray Ellis wel- Sat 10.00-12 noon comed everyone and introduced the speaker for the evening, Roy Fowler, 12 The Villager * June 2006 his subject “Barn Owls”. Roy has been needs. They mate and remain partners a member of the “Barn Owl Conserva- for life. The owls, like humans, don’t tion Network” for 26 years. He illus- like cold and wet weather, and will trated his talk with informative slides.