Teme Valley Times Feb/Mar 2015

Feb/Mar 2015

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District Councillors met representatives of Tenbury Community Pool and Freedom Leisure at the Pool on February 2nd Tenbury Pool is now in the hands of Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit trust that manages a number of leisure and fitness centres in various parts of the country. Freedom, who took over on February 1st, will run the facility on behalf of the owners, Tenbury Community Pool Ltd. Wasting no time, they immediately got to work refurbishing the gym and also started giving the pool area a good clean. The plan is to keep the pool open during the refurbishment work, but closure of the gym for about a week was necessary to permit total refurbishment, including redecoration, new flooring, glass doors, lighting and gym equipment, ready for the scheduled re-opening on Monday 9th February.

Freedom Leisure are also taking on management of the Sport Martley Leisure Centre and the Malvern Splash Leisure complex, with effect from April, as part of a major contract with Malvern Hills District Council.

Councillor Phil Grove, the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing, explained that the District Council was looking forward to working with Freedom Leisure to increase participation, improve the facilities and offer more leisure opportunities to local residents.

Malvern Hills District Council has committed a substantial sum to support the pool over the next five years and local businesses have also been doing their bit to ensure the future

Gym undergoing refurbishment of this much-valued facility. These include Orchard Valley Foods, who are providing a fivefigure sum over the next five years; Bowketts Supermarket, who have been raising money through their ‘Making a Difference Locally’ scheme, raising thousands of pounds; and local solar panel installer SunRG. Managing Director Mike Webb explained “To celebrate installing over 5,000 panels since the company began in 2010, we donated the system, which once completed will be valued at £12,000, to Tenbury Pool, thanks in part to a cash contribution of £4,500 from Tenbury Swimming Club”.

cliffandjohn@hotmail.co.uk

www.cliffslade.co.uk

PREMIUM QUALITY

Call us or visit us at: 38 Teme Street, Tenbury, WR15 8AA. Tel: 01584 810322 110 Corve Street, Ludlow, SY8 1DJ. Tel: 01584 872421 St Matthews House, Market Street, Craven Arms. Tel: 01588 672776 Email: enquiries@dykeruscoe.co.uk Website: www.dykeruscoe.co.uk

Foxwhelp, Kingston Black, Brown Snout and Tom Putt are just some of the traditional Teme Valley cider apple varieties skilfully blended to create Robinsons Flagon Cider. It’s medium dry, variably hazy and gently sparkling to retain that delicious flavour.

Cider just as it should be.

Quantities are limited and you won’t generally find Robinsons Cider much beyond the great local pubs in the immediate area. For the story of Robinsons Cider and a full list of stockists, do take a look at our website.

The locals reckon Robinsons Cider is well worth seeking out.

Discover it and enjoy it for yourself.

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PROMOTE YOUR CLUB, LOCAL EVENT OR BUSINESS FROM LESS THAN £10 PER ISSUE IN THE TEME VALLEY TIMES

Local Services

LOCAL EVENTS & LOCAL CLUBS Promote your event or club here from as little as £10!

New Year, New VeNue, New Dates the royal Oak, tenbury wells 9am to 2pm - Feb 21, Mar 21, apr 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, aug 14, sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 21, Dec 19.

Burford House Dates will be announced shortly - three ‘Fayres’ this year!

More details from 07855 833602 or email twlocalproducersmarket@yahoo.co.uk

How to contact the Teme Valley Times If you want to advertise, or if you have an event to promote, please book your space in our next issue as soon as possible!

You can book adverts by phone, by post, or by email. We can design your advert for you and we can take photographs Over if required. The Teme Valley Times is independent and locally-owned. It is not part of a large publishing group.

10,000 Phone: 01584 781762 or 07946 270523 Post: PO Box 11, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8YP

Email: temevalleytimes@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.temevalleytimes.co.uk

*average print run during 2014

copies per issue*

Editor & Publisher: Chris Dell Deputy Editor: Lucy Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication were accurate at the time of writing, but no responsibility can be accepted for any consequences of any errors or omissions or for any changes. Always check all information before making a special trip, or before booking any accommodation or making any other commitment. It is important to remember that changes can, and do, occur from time to time, possibly without notice.

The contents of this publication (words, images and adverts) are protected by copyright. If you wish to reproduce anything, you must first obtain written permission from the Publisher.

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Martial Arts The Kajuen Ryu, multi-style Martial Arts club for all Successful and well established club offering a variety of disciplines. Positive, friendly, learning environment.

Wednesdays, Aiki-Jujitsu at Sport Martley, 7pm for juniors & 8pm for adults Sundays, Aiki-Jujitsu at Shrawley Parish Hall, 9.30am for all ages NEW CLASS Fridays, Kickboxing at Gym HQ in Tenbury Wells (above The Bridge Hotel.) 7pm for all ages New members always welcome at any of our classes Contact Pete or Amy on

01584 781433 or 07711 699279 sensei@kajuenryu.com

www.kajuenryu.com

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Teme Valley Times

New Era for Business Park?

Units will be available to new tenants

Elgar Foods are leaving Tenbury Wells Business Park

Elgar Foods was established in 1992. Based on the Tenbury Wells Business Park, off Bromyard Road, they specialised in cold mix fruit preparations for the bakery and dessert manufacturing industry. In 2005 they were taken over by Manchester-based F. Duerr & Sons Ltd and this month saw the closure of the Tenbury facility.

Elgar Foods leaving Tenbury is certainly disappointing in the short term but it does create opportunities for other businesses to move onto the park. Elgar Foods occupied a group of relatively small units, not one big unit, and smaller units often suit small businesses or business start-ups, which could inject new life into Tenbury’s Business Park. New signage for the park went up recently, making it look less neglected. A considerable proportion of the park remains undeveloped; this could, in itself, be an opportunity, especially as the planned Household Recycling Site should only require 1.13 acres.

The park was set up about 25 years ago but the lack of investment in the last 20 years or so means that no new units have been built this century, despite burgeoning demand, as demonstrated by the success of Ludlow’s Eco Park and the expansion of Leominster’s Southern Industrial Area.

The availability of industrial units on the Tenbury Wells Business Park will provide a welcome opportunity for businesses that are already in our area as well as for those that are interested in moving here.

The hope is that firms moving onto the site will provide a useful long-term boost to employment in the Tenbury area, where so many people currently face relatively long, expensive, time-consuming and environmentally-unfriendly commuting journeys.

Thrift Shop Reopens The old signage made the park look run-down and neglected

New signage has given the park’s image a welcome boost

Following its usual winter ‘holiday’, the Pensax Thrift Shop, on the B4202 from Clows Top to Abberley, will be back in business from 9am on Wednesday March 4th. People can meet up for coffee and a chat, hopefully pick up a bargain, and perhaps raise a few pounds by selling some no-longer-needed items!

The Stockton Cross Inn Kimbolton, Leominster, HR6 0HD, 01568 612509 stocktoncrossinn@outlook.com

Regulars!

FiSh FRiDAy - 2nd Friday of every month StEAk Night 3rd thursday of every month Quiz & CuRRy - last Wednesday of every month - bookings only

Open 11am - 11pm Every Day

Valentine’s Day A romantic evening starting with a glass of Prosecco.

3 Course locallysourced seasonal menu followed by homemade chocolates served with coffee

Food served all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Mothering Sunday 3-course Sunday Roast plus tea or coffee with homemade chocolates £24.95 Adult £12.95 Child Due to demand 3 sittings: 12 noon prompt, 2.30pm & 5.00 pm

7-Seater courtesy vehicle available for parties of 6+

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Teme Valley Times

Knighton-on-Teme Concert helps local Group Turret In December 2013, the National Lottery Fund agreed to give substantial financial support to the Project to restore the Bell Turret of the Church of St Michael and all Angels, Knighton-on-Teme.

The £69,500 grant is towards an estimated total project cost of £90,500. The first tranche of this was £8,500 for development work to cover The cedar shingles the necessary surveys and have been damaged by investigations. This payment woodpeckers has already been received by the Project Team and has been used for surveys and other preparatory work.

The Project is to replace the 60-year-old Canadian cedar shingles of the Bell Turret, which is no longer watertight due to green woodpeckers pecking holes in the shingles! Under the Project the damaged shingles will be replaced with oak shingles over an inner timber structure which will be long lasting, estimated to be at least 120 years.

In addition to the grant, the Project is part-funded by local money-raising. Fund-raisers to date have included ‘The Tree’, which entailed the design and construction of a large metal tree which has been installed in the Church. Supporters have the opportunity make a donation, in return for which a leaf is marked with a name or inscription and then hung on the tree. The tree now has a good covering of leaves and the scheme is still open for donations.

A lunch was provided by supporters at no charge, but those attending were asked to provide something to auction. This went very well, with about thirty people attending, and the subsequent auction was very productive.

There was a production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in the Village Hall by the Company “Two Score Years & 10+”, with all proceeds, including sponsorship, ticket sales and individual donations, going to the Turret Fund. In total these events have raised £7,260, and further fund-raising is planned.

Tenbury Town Band’s sell-out Christmas concert in December has raised muchneeded funds for the local Riding for the Disabled group. Mrs Janet Lee, Chairlady and riding organiser for the Kyre RDA, joined the band at a recent practice to receive a cheque for £950, the result of monies raised from the concert. She praised the band for their incredible efforts, thanked them for such a great Christmas concert which she attended, and made particular reference to the ever-growing apprentice group and the confident, impressive performance they gave.

Kyre RDA is a member group of the National RDA and Janet commented on how much difference such a generous donation will make. The picture shows the Town Band apprentice musicians with Carol Wright, the Band’s chair of trustees (far left) shaking hands with Janet Lee.

Playground Taking Shape Bockleton

Poultry Plan

Tenbury’s new play area, designed for children under eight, taking shape on The Burgage

The Northern Area Development Management Committee of Malvern Hills District Council met on the evening of February 4th. One of the items on the Agenda was the proposal to erect four broiler units at Bockleton. Each of the proposed buildings would house 47,000 broiler chickens, giving a total of 188,000 birds. Many objections were made, with the amount of HGV traffic being of particular concern, not least because of the nature of the country lanes that serve the site.

The Committee decided to defer consideration of the application, pending the provision of additional information.

Bowkett’s Supermarket Market Square. Tenbury Wells. WR15 8BL. Tel: 01584 810351 email: info@bowketts.co.uk

www.bowketts.co.uk

FREE COFFEE! Buy any hot snack, sandwich or baguette and get a FREE coffee worth £1.50

SAVE at Bowketts Spend £20 and get a £1 voucher to use next time you shop with us, or Spend £50 and get a £3 voucher to use next time you shop with us!

Offers valid during February

FREE parking on The Square and Royal Oak (limit 2 hrs) with complimentary carry to car service Open 7am to 8pm Mon to Sat & 10am to 4pm on Sun

MALVERN HILLS DISTRICT COUNCIL BUSINESS SUPPORT FEATURE

TENBURY WELLS IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS Recent weeks have seen contractors move into the Market Square and Market Street areas of Tenbury Wells, to start work on the First Phase of the Highway Authority’s Public Realm Enhancement Scheme.

Weight restrictions are in place to keep HGVs out of the area while the work is taking place and signs have been erected at entry points to the town, and on main roads that lead to Tenbury, to alert truckers. Unfortunately some have responded to these signs by staying away from Tenbury Wells, even though the town is fully open to cars and shoppers! As a result some businesses have experienced a drop in trade and Malvern Hills District Council is determined to send out a clear message that Tenbury is Open for Business.

District Councillor Phil Grove said “Regrettably works such as this are disruptive and local traders need support from their customers at this time. I would ask local people to make a special effort to support the town’s traders by using the shops and other businesses as they normally would, throughout the time that the works are taking place.”

Some important points for car drivers and shoppers to remember l

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The restrictions in Tenbury generally apply to HGVs rather than cars.

Teme Street (other than a small section near The Crow) is not affected by the works, so shoppers can use the shops and services in Teme Street as normal.

A minimal amount of on street parking has been affected during the work to date - two spaces have been taken out at the time of writing.

Access is not affected to the Library, Post Office, Banks, Doctors, Dentists, Swimming Pool or the Household Waste Site.

Parking for Bowketts Supermarket is available as usual on the Market Square (not Tuesdays) and on the Royal Oak car park (accessed via Church Street).

Bus services are running as normal.

Access to shops will be maintained during the work.

Parking in Tenbury is easy l

The pay and display car park off Teme Street is not affected by the work and parking fees are just 50p for an hour and £1 for 2 hours. l The free Palmer’s Meadow car park, off the B4204 Clifton to Tenbury road, is also not affected. l Parking (1 hour limit) on Teme Street is also not affected.

Enjoy shopping in Tenbury

Tenbury’s Markets are open as usual

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HGV traffic through Tenbury has produced a better, safer and quieter shopping environment in Teme Street. l Mornings and weekends are generally “work free” to enhance the shopping experience in areas where works are being undertaken.

Visit Market Street l

Market Street is home to a wide range of businesses, including a greengrocer, fishmonger, butcher, barber, dress shop, florist, D-I-Y shop, baker, restaurants, takeaways, hairdressers, pubs and three charity shops. Why not explore them all?

On the Market Square every Tuesday.

Inside the Round Market every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. l Country Market in the Scout Hut by the Swimming Pool every Tuesday morning. l Monthly Local Producers Market at the Royal Oak on the 3rd Saturday of the month. l

Visit Tenbury l

Enjoy a film or a show at The Regal.

Enjoy a meal at one of Tenbury’s Pubs, Cafes or Restaurants. l Enjoy a session at the Swimming Pool now under new management (Freedom Leisure). l Try out the new Gym at the Swimming Pool - scheduled to open on February 9th. l

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Teme Valley Times

Kyrebrook Daycare Centre

Spring Lambing Day

A generous raffle, sparkly hedgehogs, cakes, tombola and ‘taster’ hot wax treatments for hands were all part of the Kyrebrook Daycare Centre’s open day.

During the afternoon, manager Ruth Felce gave a short talk about the centre and what it offers. Local MP Harriett Baldwin, who dropped in to see the centre, drew the winning tickets for the raffle, with Harriett’s parliamentary voice announcing the winners loud and clear! Refreshments were on tap all afternoon and it was an opportunity to discover what care is available for elderly and vulnerable adults in the community and to meet service organisations such as Tenbury Transport Trust.

The centre, on Tenbury’s Business Park, is open 10am to 3.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It offers free taster days or people can pop in for coffee and a chat.

On Sunday 22nd March, the Walford Campus of Walford and North Shropshire College (WNSC) will open its doors to the public for the annual Spring Lambing Day. This is a fun day for all the family where visitors can see new-born lambs and may even see one being born!

The Walford Campus is home to over 90 different species, ranging from a 275 strong dairy herd to Alpacas, Meerkats and Chinchillas. People can see the animals and watch or take part in fun activities such as Clay Pigeon Shooting, Dog Agility Display, a Treasure Hunt, Vintage Machinery Display and much more. New for 2015 is the fantastic British Horseball Association doing a display. Horseball is like a combination of polo, rugby and basketball and is one of the ten disciplines officially recognised by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.

The R.D. Park Dairy will enable visitors to see the Fullwood Merlin, a robotic milking machine, milking cows and timed talks will take place in the new Herringbone milking parlour. There is also face painting, Superzorbs and stalls, as well as places to eat, including a Hog Roast. Entrance is £10 per car.

More locally, the WNSC Aspire Centre in Burford is holding an Open Event on 4 March from 3.30pm - 7pm.

The Aspire Centre is a centre for technical engineering and motor vehicle training. It attracts students from a wide catchment area including Ludlow and Stourport.

Hedgehogs and cakes raised funds

Phil Grove MHDC councillor buys a handful of tickets from raffle stalwart Muriel Lanman

Kyrebrook Daycare Centre

Bayton Christmas Concert Bayton Church was filled to capacity for their Christmas Concert in December. The Primrose Choir provided a lively and popular programme and there was plenty of audience participation with the singing of some popular Christmas carols, accompanied by Phillip Ward at the organ.

The Primrose Choir raise funds for the Primrose Hospice, which serves North East Worcestershire, and the choir was delighted with the response.

A sizeable amount was also raised for Bayton Church, to help with muchneeded renovation work. There were many comments after the concert saying how enjoyable it was, and asking the date of the next one!

Brian Link who organises the Christmas concert told us that these concerts started 5 years ago and have been a growing success as news has travelled about them. He promises that the next concert, on Sunday 6th December, will be the best yet! The star performers are due to be announced shortly.

H H W O N

foll us ow on

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LADIES & GENTS HAIRDRESSERS

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Honor Jones (aged 11) holds one of the lambs at Spring WNSC Lambing Open Day 2014.

THE TALLY-HO INN Don’t forg our 11 B&B et R - Double, T ooms win Family avai and la overlookin ble go the finest v ne of iews in the county

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Great Witley Sale!

A bring-and-buy sale was held on 17 January in Great Witley Village Hall to support Save the Children in their work with children affected by the Ebola crisis. The sale raised £3000, with more still to be collected. Donations of good quality items came from near and far and a band of over 30 helpers worked to make the event a success. Local MP Harriett Baldwin opened the event and bargains were carried out of the hall by smiling buyers, passing new arrivals who were bringing their donations. Cakes and teas were served.

The organisers thank all those who donated goods, gave their time and skills, used their contacts and involved their friends to make this an amazing fundraiser.

Teme Valley Times

GOOD BEER GUIDE 2015

The Village Hall was packed with stalls

Bayton Lottery Grant Jane Westacott, one of the organisers, with Harriett Baldwin MP

Tenbury gets a Kick!

Gym HQ is a new venture in Tenbury Wells. Consisting of a weights and cardiac area, it is located in the old ballroom, above the Bridge Hotel in Teme Street.

Weekly classes include Spin, Pilates and Zumba, with Kickboxing being the most recent addition to the timetable. The new class is being run in partnership with the Kajuen Ryu, a successful and well-established Martial Arts school based in Worcestershire. The kickboxing is for students aged six years and older with no upper age limit. Currently the class is all-ages but this may change as membership increases. The Kajuen Ryu also offer other disciplines such as Jujitsu and Karate along with self-protection programs such the nationally-acclaimed Knife and Edged Weapons Awareness Program (KEWAP).

St Bartholomew’s Church, Bayton, held an open afternoon on Sunday February 1st. People could learn about proposals for renovating and improving the church. Development funding of £22,300 has already been awarded through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help progress the plans, in the hope of a full grant of over £200,000 at a later date. We understand that this would be the largest grant given to a Worcestershire church by the HLF. Churchwarden Peter Stanley gave a talk summarising the project and he explained that there was a tradition of major restorations of the church at intervals of about 100 years and that although the church may look quite good, there are problems that need urgent attention.

The project aims to solve long-standing issues, including re-roofing, re-flooring, eradicating dry rot and dealing with damp, masonry and plaster problems. An English Heritage report in 2014 confirmed the need for work and the church was added to the ‘Heritage at Risk’ register. Investigations of the roof and floor are scheduled to take place on 26th February, with major work starting in September 2015 if all goes to plan.

A warm welcome and six superbly kept real ales plus Robinsons, Old Rosie and Stowford Press ciders.

Group bookings and functions welcome • Local Produce • Home-made Food • Sunday Lunch £9.50 • Sandwiches from £4.50 • Tue-Sat Lunch Specials £6.50 • Closed Monday lunch (except Bank Holidays)

John & Trudy Greaves and Ian welcome you to The Bell at Pensax, Abberley, Worcs, WR6 6AE On the B4202 between Clows Top and Abberley

Address:

Hollywaste Workshop Cleobury Mortimer DY14 0HB Wayne: 07875 217975 Bradley: 07813 254761 Office: 01299 271777 Web: www.hollywoods-sheds.co.uk Email: hollywoodsheds@tiscali.co.uk

A private family business for over 130 years

Gym HQ is at the Bridge Hotel

24 hour service offering sensible funerals at sensible prices FREE advice on prepaid funerals Memorials Floral Tributes Guaranteed funeral plans available Ludlow: 01584 872048 Cleobury Mortimer: 01299 879090

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Teme Valley Times

Art in Rock Henry VIII in Tenbury!

An event for your diary for Easter weekend (4-6 April) is the annual Art & Craft Exhibition & Sale in Rock Church. Organised

by The Friends of Rock Church and Birmingham Watercolour Society member John Instance, this event is reliably worth the trip as there will be plenty of original art and craft work on display in the magnificent interior of the church and homemade refreshments will be served. You could spend a relaxed afternoon browsing the beautifully-staged, exhibits and perhaps come away with a piece of art for your wall or an unusual piece of craft work for yourself or as a gift. If you are an artist or craftworker who might like to exhibit your work you can contact Sheila Nott on 01299 266353 for an entry form.

When the new sign bearing a portrait of Henry VIII was put up outside the Kings Head in Tenbury Wells, regulars spotted a similarity to the landlord! So on Christmas Day landlord Tim Freestone dressed in Tudor costume to appear as Henry VIII, to serve customers their Christmas morning drinks. He said, ‘It was just a bit of fun to share with our customers, who’d spotted that local artist and inventor, Paul Snook, who designed the sign, had made it look like me! Although, to be fair, I do bear more than a passing resemblance!” ‘Henry VIII’ is expected to make more appearances behind the bar on future high days and holidays.

Flowers at Number One Don’t forget February 14th, Valentines Day! From a single boxed rose to 12 beautiful hand-tied roses with all the trimmings.

Orders now being taken. Free in town delivery.

Mothers Day and Easter are just around the corner!

Gift vouchers available 1 Market St, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8BH 01584 819562 www.flowersatnumberone.co.uk

Orleton Post Office & Stores "Your local store for almost everything"

01568 780263

Tenbury Wells

30 Teme Street Tenbury Wells 01584 810545

For Quick, Safe & Easy Cash Withdrawals, Banking, Paying In (inc Lloyds) and Bill Payments.

Foreign Currency: Euros, Dollars, Turkish Lira & more

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Teme Valley Times

Tenbury Agricultural Society Dinner

From left: Martin Powell (Chairman), Nick Champion (General Secretary), Gill Handley, Robert Handley (President) & Rose Ayres (Assistant Secretary) Tenbury Agricultural Society held their Annual Dinner at Tenbury High School on January 17th. Rose Ayres, on behalf of the Society, told us that 167 guests attended and added that “Beef was traditionally carved by members of the Society. The Guest Speaker was James Chapman MBE, from Warwickshire.

The Michael Morgan Scholarship 2014 winner was Claire Kerby, from Hanley Broadheath, who gave a brief report on her studies at Harper Adams. The Society’s Gold Medal, which is awarded every 3 years, went to David Hodges from Little Hereford.”

HELP at the TOUCH of a BUTTON 24 HOURS A DAY

Claire Kerby, winner of the Michael Morgan Scholarship

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Ask about a telecare alarm from Worcestershire TeleCare, which is a discreet, easy to use, personal alarm that uses your existing telephone line to connect to our Monitoring & Response Centre based in Kidderminster which is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by professional trained operators.

Mrs S of Tenbury Wells wrote: ‘To know that when pressing the RED button there is immediate attention, is very comforting.’

Mrs W of Worcester wrote: ‘The service I have received from Worcestershire TeleCare has been fantastic. Within seconds someone answers. They have always sounded calm, friendly and polite but also it makes me feel they really do care about you. Very many thanks to everyone.’

What price independence?

Worcestershire TeleCare is helping over 17,000 customers lead more independent lives whilst giving families and carers the peace-of-mind that there is always someone there in an emergency. For as little as £4.36 per week, you can be sure that the right help will be available at the touch of a button whenever it is needed.

For more information, visit www.worcstelecare.org or call

0300 003 2293

Local legal advice Property sale, purchase and disputes Wills, estate planning and tax l Powers of Attorney and “Living Wills” l Commercial and Agricultural l Prenups, cohabitation and separation l Divorce and finances (Court process, mediation and collaborative) l l

Telephone 01584 810575 post@norrismiles.co.uk www.norrisandmiles.co.uk

Teme Valley Times

Ashford Bowdler Crossing The plans to close the level crossing at Ashford Bowdler, effectively cutting the village in two, attracted a lot of criticism. Network Rail held a public meeting in Ashford Bowdler at the beginning of January to present the options and to listen to the views of the community.

Christine Booth, operations risk advisor for Network Rail, said “After meeting with the community in Ashford Bowdler, we have decided upgrading the crossing is the best option to balance the need of improving safety with the concerns of local residents if the crossing was downgraded or closed.”

The upgrade to the crossing, which will see the current half barriers replaced by full barriers, is part of a £75 million project to modernise the railway between Newport and Shrewsbury, with new signalling technology installed along the route.

Charity Shop Open A new charity shop has opened on Market Street in Tenbury Wells. What used to be The Pet Shop is now raising money for Aid4Aspergers. The charity aims to help and support young adults who have Asperger’s Syndrome.

Packed full of goods from clothes, boots, shoes, hats and jigsaws to books, toys and pictures, it really is a bit of an Aladdin’s Cave!

On the day we visited a pink wooden dolls house (even including some furniture) was looking for a new home for only £7.50.

Mrs Palmer, who set up the shop, said “It’s our way to raise money and all the money we raise goes to the charity, for young adults with Asperger’s, to help them achieve and perhaps help them into work or with transport. We would like to thank everyone for their very kind donations to the charity shop.”

West Mercia Police has made the shop a ‘safe place’ where people can go if they are in difficulty. Volunteers are needed to help whether dealing with customers in the shop, or with other jobs.

If you have Asperger’s Syndrome, or would like to refer someone for funding, you can go to their website - www.aid4aspergers.org. uk - for more information or to download an application form.

One of the items for sale

The shop on Market Street in Tenbury Wells

Customer Robert Siviter told us this was his favourite charity shop

Hopton Boarding Kennels Kevin and Vicky Dudley Rochehead Farm Hopton Wafers Cleobury Mortimer DY14 0HD

01299 270394 07714 291032

FLOWERS BY FIONA 19a High Street, Cleobury Mortimer

TEL. 01299 272995 Don’t forget to order your Valentine Flowers for your loved ones (!!)

Mothers Day Flowers at good prices

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Teme Valley Times

Wassail at Frith Common

Farm Saturday August 1st 2015

A great day out for all the family Put the date in your diary! www.tenbury-countryside-show.co.uk Foxs Morris Group Wassails are traditionally held in January to wake up and bless the orchards and scare away evil spirits, to ensure a healthy crop of apples for cider making in the autumn. Wassailing has become a rare sight in recent years but Oldfields Orchard Cider and sister company Hobsons Brewery resurrected the ceremony on January 17th at Oldfields in Frith Common. Food was provided by Phil from The Clockhouse in Tenbury and Oldfields’ ciders were available for people to enjoy.

Merrymaking was provided by Worcestershire-based Foxs Morris Side, with Anthony Chesher taking his turn as Master of Ceremonies. The group performed music and dancing before leading a torch-lit procession to a nearby orchard. Cider-soaked toast was hung in the branches and the crowd sang, banged pots and pans, and released party poppers to frighten off ‘spirits’ before passing round the wassail cup.

Geoff Thompson from Oldfields commented “It was a magical evening with a great atmosphere.

We were really pleased to see so many of our friends and neighbours enjoying the entertainment, including our local MP, Harriet Baldwin, who came along with her husband, Jim.”

CODER TYRES LIMITED AuTO SERvICE CEnTRE

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Young Wassailers

Tenbury Swimming Pool has taken the first step in becoming greener thanks to a generous donation from Tenbury Swimming Club and SunRG a local solar panel installer. Phase 1 of the 10 kW PV installation has been completed just in time to qualify for the higher feed-in tariff rate that will provide an income stream to the Tenbury Community Pool Ltd of over £550 a year, index linked, and over the 20 year life of the feed-in tariff, a total income in excess of £16,000 can be expected.

The new management company of Tenbury Swimming Pool will also get over 3,500 kilowatt hours of green electricity a year produced by the sun therefore reducing the pool’s carbon footprint and running costs.

Mike Webb Managing Director of SunRG said “As a keen swimmer I know the Pool uses a huge amount of electricity and the new operators of the Pool, Freedom Leisure, who took over on February 1st are looking to make the pool far more sustainable. We saw this as an opportunity to help. To celebrate installing over 5,000 panels since the company began in 2010, we donated the system which, once completed, will be valued at £12,000 to Tenbury Pool thanks in part to a cash contribution of £4,500 from Tenbury Swimming Club”.

Phase 1 of the scheme has now been completed but a planning application will be required to complete Phase 2 as this involves putting up more panels at a steeper angle facing due south which will yield more green electricity and increase the income stream to over £1,300 a year for Tenbury Community Pool.

This shows that the Government backed Feed-in Tariff is still very viable for both private individuals as well as businesses considering a solar system, as a return on investment of over 10% is quite typical due to the cost of the panels coming down in price.

SunRG offer a no obligation survey for anyone considering installing panels. Please visit the website - see below - for more information.

Tel: 01584 811866

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www.SunRG.co.uk

info@wynnes.co.uk - Tel: 01568 797314 www.wynnes.co.uk

Mitsubishi’s current L200 is the fourth generation of a long-running model that’s earned itself a reputation for reliability and capability. It would be easy to expect a vehicle of this type to be little more than a practical workhorse, but that would be to sell the L200 short. It’s undoubtedly a capable workhorse, with four-wheel drive, good towing ability and a payload

13

Teme Valley Times

m & Country - Mitsubishi L200 capability of over a tonne, but it’s also a pleasant way to travel.

There’s certainly plenty of choice, including single cab, crew cab, double cab; standard output (134bhp) or high output (175bhp); manual or automatic transmission; various trim levels; and a choice of four-wheel-drive systems, depending on which model you go for.

Mitsubishi describe the L200 as being “tough yet car-like”, they say that it offers “strength, reliability and versatility” and that it’s “as happy climbing a mountain as it is cruising along a motorway”. Some brochure claims can be dismissed as mere hyperbole, but we can’t

disagree with a word of this.

We drove a Barbarian. At around £27,000 (about £22,500 + VAT), this is one of the higher-specification models and it comes with the features you expect in a quality car, including Bluetooth, heated seats and privacy glass, so you don’t have to do without today’s refinements just because you’re driving a pick-up.

The 175bhp engine delivers respectable performance, and the ‘Super Select’ four-wheel-drive, with a viscous-coupled centre differential, offers a ‘full time’ 4WD mode, so you can use 4WD even on dry Tarmac.

Some of the less-expensive models come with ‘Easy Select’ 4WD, where the 4WD is intended for off-road, or for slippery roads, such as on snow.

The latest addition to the range is the Challenger. Priced at just £19,798 (£16,499 + VAT) this is basically a Barbarian minus a few ‘extras’ - for example it has textile rather than leather seats - but you still get 175bhp, ‘Super Select’ 4WD, climate control, alloy wheels, cruise, electric mirrors and privacy glass!

With comfortable seats and decent ergonomics we found the Barbarian to be more comfortable than many cars. The big tyres and competent suspension soak up potholes well and you know there’s no need to worry if the weather turns bad or if there’s a bit of flood water.

The spacious cab, with good headroom and legroom, front and back, puts the Barbarian and Challenger ahead of many cars in the same price range. You also get the benefit of a splendid view out, as you’d expect with the high driving position and big windows.

There’s no arguing that it’s big, so you do need to find the right parking space, and it won’t fit through the tightest gaps, but otherwise it’s entirely at home in town. On longer trips it’s a relaxing place to be at moderate speeds, but noise levels rise at motorway speeds. We did Tenbury Wells to Aberystwyth and back one January afternoon, outbound via the Mountain Road from Rhayader, and back on the main road. The snow-covered Mountain Road meant there was a lot of low-gear 4WD work but, despite this, the computer showed an average of over 38mpg. In easier conditions it was possible to better 40mpg on a run.

The L200 certainly ticks a lot of boxes, particularly as double cab versions are as ‘at home’ on a family day out as they are on a farm or building site. Taken overall, this is an impressive vehicle, and it’s easy to see why the L200 has been such a success for Mitsubishi.

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14

Calendar Girls!

Tenbury and District Art Group have produced their third fund-raising calendar featuring member’s work. Originally an idea of Margaret Dallow (President), the calendar is produced in alternate years. The first, put together in 2010, raised funds for Help for Heroes; the second was in aid of the West Midlands Air Ambulance.

Three local community charities are benefiting from the group’s latest calendar with the £750 raised being split between the Scouts, the Guides and Age UK’s Brookside Day Centre in Burford, each receiving £250. The Art Group pays the production costs of the calendars so all the money raised from sales goes to charity.

The Group meets in Tenbury Wells on Thursday afternoons (2 - 4pm) and Thursday evenings (7 9pm) in the Scout Hut near the swimming pool.

When we visited one Thursday afternoon there was a very warm welcome from the assembled artists and from tutor Jim Bailey. When we asked for comments about the meetings, these included ‘It’s fantastic!’, ‘It’s brilliant!’,’ It’s inspiring!’, and ‘It’s all down to Margaret - she has been the one who for over 15 years has kept, and continues to keep, the club going and driving it forward. We are very thankful!’ For more information contact Margaret Dallow on 01584 811706.

Teme Valley Times

Jim Bailey (tutor) casts an approving eye over a member’s work

Val Davies - January

Tenbury Town Council The Council is holding a number of sessions at the Pump Rooms.

Sessions for people who are interested in joining the Council will be on 26th February (6.30pm - 8.30pm) and 12th March (2pm - 4pm). ‘Open forum’ sessions on Flood Defences, with the presentation seen at the Regal, will be held on 5th March (6.30pm - 8.30pm) and 19th March (2pm - 4pm).

Margaret Dallow - March

Beryl Bevis - June

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16

Teme Valley Times

Oscar sighted in the Teme Valley The Oscars (officially ‘The Academy Awards’ until 2013) is the oldest entertainment awards ceremony.

Overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, it honours cinematic achievements in the film industry.

The awards were first presented in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and this year’s event is scheduled for February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. There will be interest around the globe and millions will watch the ceremony on television.

People tend to focus on the film stars, but you can’t make an Oscar-winning film without an army of back-room talent.

Category winners receive a copy of a statuette, officially the ‘Academy Award of Merit’, better known by the nickname ‘Oscar’. The statuette is made of gold-plated Britannia metal, on a black metal base. It’s 13.5 inches tall, weighs 8.5lb and depicts a knight rendered in Art Deco style holding a crusader’s sword, standing on a reel of film with five spokes, representing the five original branches of the Academy: Actors, Writers, Directors, Producers, and Technicians.

Technicians are responsible for many aspects of a film and it is the award for sound editing that provides a link between the Oscars and our local area.

Almost 50 years ago, Norman Wanstall, who now lives in the Teme Valley, was awarded the Sound Editing Oscar for his work on the classic Bond movie ‘Goldfinger’.

Taking him back to that night in 1965, we asked Norman a few questions about his Oscar win, and here’s what he told us.

After the event I stayed for a few extra days and visited New York and saw a friend in Stanford.

Norman’s Oscar

Most of us will be familiar with the words, but this is what ‘The Winner is’ card looks like

Q. Do you have other memories from the evening?

A. It was unreal, really, to be at a ceremony like that with all those famous people - great stars - especially for a technician who was just a young kid from London. Nominees such as me were towards the front of the audience so whenever you turned to look around, you were surrounded by famous people such as Gregory Peck, Lauren Bacall, John Wayne, Peter O’Toole and John Gielgud.

When I was called to the stage I was fortunately calmed by the applause and by the orchestra striking up with the theme from Goldfinger. There was only one nomination before mine that evening, so after my presentation with Angie Dickinson was over, we could relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.

My wife was, of course, thrilled for me, but sitting listening to Judy Garland perform live on stage just a few yards away was a very special moment for her. I missed it as I was doing a media interview with Angie. At the ball it was really weird - when you bumped into other couples on the dance floor, as you do, they were all famous!

Q. When you received your award you said ‘greatest moment’ Did this turn out to be the case?

A. Well I have had some very important moments in my life but I believe that the Oscars still does top the list. As a technician you never thought about awards - so it was something special.

Q. Did the award affect your career?

Q. Can you remember how you felt when you heard you’d A. Yes, it did. People in the Arts seek respect and an Oscar been nominated? creates this respect, and in later years I believe Mike Sarne used A. I was working in the recording studio on ‘The Ipcress Files’ the fact that I had won an Oscar to get me my first film editing (starring Michael Caine) when the Editor, Peter Hunt, came job. in and said “I have a telegram from the Academy asking who was responsible for the sound effects If you visit www.temevalleytimes.co.uk you can click on Goldfinger’’. We were so busy through to a video of Norman receiving his award in with our work that we didn’t 1965. think much about it, just wanting to get on with the job in hand. It was only when Peter came back and said “This isn’t just an enquiry, this is about a nomination” that the truth began to dawn! There were two nominations that year in the sound effects category, ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘The Lively Set’.

Charlton Heston signed Norman’s programme Q. How was the trip arranged, how long were you there for, and who paid?

A. Not long after the telegram I was told that I had been nominated, so Peter Hunt was right! I asked if I could take my wife with me to the States and I was told that I could, but I would be responsible for any associated expenditure. I told them that I thought she was well worth the expense and we flew out together. In the end though, after winning the Oscar, I don’t remember having to pay a thing!

EON, the production company, probably flew us out. I remember that after the award ceremony we were all transported to a massive ball, where we sat at the United Artists table. I was asked if there was anyone in particular I would like to meet. I thought for a while and said ‘Charlton Heston’ as he was very much a star of the moment. A few minutes later he arrived at our table and congratulated me and signed our programme - even Jan, my wife, who was used to the high-octane atmosphere of the film industry and stars, Norman Wanstall with couldn’t stop herself from being somewhat overwhelmed! his wife on the night

17

Teme Valley Times

A Visit to Somerset Why not let the steam train take the strain as you journey from Bishops Lydeard to the Somerset coast at Minehead? There are many stops and much interest along the route. The West Somerset Railway crosses the road Williton signal box several times but you get a very different experience of the ‘trip to the seaside’ by train.

Bishops Lydeard, Williton, Watchet, Dunster and Minehead stations offer refreshments and many stations have free parking. Stogumber has a lovely picnic area, while a short stroll from Blue Anchor station takes you to a magnificent promenade.

At Williton you can ask to look inside the signal box and find out what the various levers and switches do. Dunster is a lovely little station that in the winter often has a fire blazing in the waiting room. With snacks and a station master who can make you a mug of tea, waiting for a train can be a delight and you can browse through railwayana.

On its way through Watchet, the train passes a large paper mill, but Watchet is a good place to disembark. The harbour is delightful and the small, fascinating museum gives added interest, as does Pebbles “CAMRA South West regional Cider Pub of the year 2014” Tavern, which specialises in local ciders. A short town heritage trail can help inform you about Watchet’s past.

Travelling on the railway can provide plenty of walking opportunities, including along the coast between stations, up to Dunster Castle or along to Cleeve Abbey.

Many stations have picnic areas, refreshments or cafes, so even if you don’t have time to travel on the train, stations can be a place to head for if you fancy a coffee - and if you time it right you might even see a steam train!

THE WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY Minehead to Bishops Lydeard www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk 01643 704996

Dunster Castle

Minehead

With its stunning hilltop setting, this National Trust property is a ‘must see’ if you’re in the area. The steep walk up from the car park might be a little taxing but it’s worth Dunster Castle the effort.

The castle’s cavernous interiors are impressive but surprisingly cosy. Fine plaster work and woodcarving can be seen. One display cabinet has a Worcester porcelain dessert service in the ‘Earl Manvers’ pattern, first produced in the Worcester factory in 1775.

Once you’ve finished inside you can explore the superb terraced hillside gardens. These run down to a stream and a working mill, but there are some steep climbs.

‘Kinlet Hall’, seen here at Minehead station, is named after Kinlet Hall near Cleobury Mortimer, now the home of Moffats school

Yarn Market Hotel

Yarn Market Hotel with Dunster Castle in the background

Dunster, with its delightful high street, sits below its castle. Lined with independent shops and lots of pubs and tea rooms it would be easy to spend the day here. Dunster Museum and Doll Collection opens April to September, the medieval packhorse Gallox Bridge is on the edge of the village and there is a medieval dovecote, a church, a c16th century tithe barn and of course the picturesque octagonal Yarn Market building, dating from 1609.

Coleridge Cottage Minehead Harbour

Dunster

Dunster

By removing walls, farm roads, mounds and pools, the church’s foundations were recovered from the working farm it had become. The State took over custodianship in 1950 and the uncovered medieval tile pavement is exceptional. The high quality tiles were probably made in the 1270’s in a Gloucestershire tilery. Some heraldic floor tiles from the 14th Century show the arms of the Beauchamp family (John de Beauchamp of Hache).

Highlights include an impressive gatehouse and a huge timber-vaulted refectory which was used as a menial storage room in the 19th century. Such colossal buildings are so unexpected in this rural location.

This comfortable hotel is on the main street in Dunster. We stayed in a spacious room looking directly out onto the historic Yarn Market building. The friendly staff always seemed willing to oblige and a Guest Lounge, on the same level as the room, offered books, games, wide screen TV/DVD and comfy sofas.

It’s about a 25 minute stroll to Dunster station (there is a car park at the station if you prefer) and walks from the hotel include up to Conygar Tower and around the extensive Dunster Estate. The hotel specialises in group and small party leisure or activity holidays including singing weekends, photography breaks, artists’ workshops, walking breaks, jazz weekends and murder mystery events. For more information visit www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk or ring 01643 821425.

If Dunster is too quiet for you, the bustle of Minehead, complete with Butlins, might be more your style. The harbour, promenade, park with floral beds (in season) and the walks around and up the headland would easily fill a day, and away from the promenade is the main shopping centre. Minehead is also the start of the South West Coastal Path.

Cleeve Abbey Cleeve Abbey (English Heritage) is a few minutes’ walk from Washford station. Purchased in 1868 by George Luttrell of Dunster Castle, he set about preserving the Cistercian remains.

Impressive roof structure at Cleeve Abbey

Coleridge Cottage Tucked away at the end of the village of Nether Stowey, this atmospheric National Trust property recreates the surroundings where from 1797, for 3 years, Coleridge lived and wrote his finest work, including ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ and ‘Kubla Khan’. Enthusiastic room guides bring the home alive and provide a wealth of information about the poet’s life and times, often pin-pointing the moments that led to verse composition!

You can immerse yourself in poetry in the reading room and listen to recordings of recitations of his work. Even outdoors you can hear passages and prose as several audio installations bring the garden to life. It’s well worth a visit and you can have a go at writing with a quill and maybe, if the mood takes you, composing a verse of your own.

Teme Valley Times

Honda Civic Tourer - the Golfer’s View!

Graham Farr is the Senior Pro at Worcester Golf and Country Club, which is located at Boughton Park, the former home of a number of Mayors of Worcester. The 6,251 yard course, described as “A park land course with narrow approaches to the greens, and a good test of golf accuracy” was designed in 1927 by Dr. Alister Mackenzie, who subsequently designed the Augusta Masters Course in the USA. This year marks Graham’s tenth anniversary of receiving support from Startin Honda in Worcester and his current car is a Civic Tourer, with the 1.6-litre diesel engine. International player Graham is “Tenbury Wells born and bred” and currently lives a few miles from Tenbury. His own golfing record is impressive, including having caddied for K J Choi.

Graham’s son, Ollie Farr, is also making his mark in the sport, with his achievements last year including a Challenge Tour win in Turkey.

Graham explained that he has been driving Hondas for ten years but said that his current Civic Tourer is “the best yet”, not least because of its ability to return 70mpg on the Tenbury to Worcester Road. Graham also commented that “It’s exceptional for a 1.6, the way it pulls” and explained that the car’s size is fantastic, with space for two sets of golf clubs and two trolleys and that it’s very easy to use, with the way the seats work.

Graham added “I need total reliability to get places and none of the Hondas I’ve had has ever let me down.

Reliability is one of the things Honda is known for and it’s also a very easy car to drive. Startin Honda have looked after me very well for a very long time.”

Ian Wild, Group Marketing Manager at Startin Honda in Worcester commented “At Startin Honda we’ve been proud to support Graham since 2005. His professionalism and enthusiasm for his passion is infectious and it very much mirrors the way that we here at Startin Honda feel about our business. Graham is a great ambassador for Startin Honda and through our relationship has driven the entire fleet at one point or another.

He is more than happy sharing his thoughts of his latest Honda with friends and colleagues. He has always been genuinely supportive and impressed by the Honda range and as testament to his recognition of quality and the trust in his opinion, many of his customers whom he advises on golf at Worcester Golf & County Club have bought into the Honda brand. We often quip about who offers the best ‘Drive’!”

Graham Farr with Honda’s Civic Tourer

The Startin Honda showroom

Clehonger, Herefordshire

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Quietly tucked away in an attractive setting close to the Parish Church Three bedroomed end terraced Cottage 16’6 Sitting Room with woodburner and well fitted kitchen Rear garden with paved terrace and lawned area Double glazing and mains gas central heating.

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Near Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire

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Guide Price £179,000

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Quality conversion of a spacious former Hop Kiln with many original features, offering flexible accommodation.

Superb country style kitchen/breakfast room, reception hall and dining room Large downstairs bedroom (equally could provide superb games room/gym).

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Two further bedrooms /study in the original hop kilns.

Large gardens and grounds. Adjoining open countryside yet convenient location.

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Grafton, Hereford

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Three/four bedroom Victorian property 32 ft kitchen/breakfast and two reception rooms Situated in a delightful rural location Just a few minutes drive from Hereford City Former granary building and garden.

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