Black Mountains Group Newsletter August 2021

The Black Mountains Group Benefice

NEWSLETTER August 2021

St Mary’s Craswall

St Clydawg’s Clodock

St Margaret’s

St Michael’s Michaelchurch Escley

St John’s Newton

St Peter & St Beuno Llanveynoe

Thank you Nicholas!

Vicar and Rural Dean: The Revd. Prebendary Nicholas Lowton Forest Mill, Craswall, Herefordshire HR2 0PW 01981 510675 lowton.nicholas@virgin.net

www.bmgparishes.org.uk

Min

50p donation

Visitors are always welcome at any of our churches

Churchwardens Clodock & Longtown Mr Nick Vaughan

01873 860201

Craswall Mrs Christine Cleaton

01981 510674

Mr Geoff Holder

07580 632273

Llanveynoe Mr Donald Phillips

01873 860298

Commodore Peter Tribe

01873 860260

St Margaret’s Mrs Jane Baxter

01981 510388

Michaelchurch Escley Mrs Olive Howells

01981 510228

Newton (Vacant)

Please ensure all copy is with the editor by email or post before the deadline below.

Editor: Mark Ewins Marlands Longtown HR2 0PD 01873 860829 newsletter@corefields.com

Advertising: Jill Cook Clodock Mill Longtown HR2 0PD 01873 860408 jill@clodockmill.com

ISSUE

COPY DEADLINE

PUBLICATION DATE

September 2021

18 August 2021

29 August 2021

October 2021

15 September 2021

26 September 2021

November 2021

20 October 2021

31 October 2021

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August 2021 – Page 1 From the Vicar WHO DO YOU TRUST? In services of late, we have been making a slight emendation to the printed order. When it comes to the Creed, instead of saying ‘I believe in God the Father, I believe in God the Son …’ we have been saying ‘I trust in God…’, and I have encouraged people to ask themselves what effect making that change has on them.

Now to be clear, this is not a case of my being demob happy, nor of my wantonly rewriting the order of service (which would, of course be illegal). It is, however, a case of retranslation.

Now I know that some people think that the Bible was written in English and that the Book of Common Prayer was handed down to Moses along with the Ten Commandments, but, of course, just as the Bible is a translation of ancient sources in Hebrew and Greek, so our prayer books are all derived from ancient sources from a variety of traditions. It is emphatically not the case that Thomas Cranmer sat down with a blank piece of paper and proceeded to write out the Prayer Book.

In this instance, the Creed – as its name suggests – takes its source from an ancient Latin text affirming what Christians understand as their faith, and it begins with the Latin word ‘Credo’. This word certainly can mean ‘I believe’, but its most common usage in Latin would be translated as ‘I trust’. And that is hardly surprising. It is after all from that word that English words like ‘credit’ come. So saying ‘I trust’ is merely offering a different – possibly much better – translation of the same word.

But if you say ‘I trust in God’ rather than ‘I believe in God’, then you are saying something much more powerful, not about God, but about you. For to say that you believe in something is to say that you adhere to a set of doctrines drawn up by people centuries ago – rather like agreeing to the rules of a Golf Club. But to say that you trust in God is coming direct from the heart. You are saying exactly the same as the psalmist when he says ‘Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit’. It is saying that you model your life by putting it and your soul into the hands of the God who created you, the God who loves and forgives you, the God who inspires and encourages you. It changes your life in a way which saying ‘I believe’ can never do.

Now trust, of course, is not something that comes easy to people, especially in a society in which barriers are so freely put up between people based on race, creed, colour of skin, etc etc etc. And trust is not something encouraged by our leaders many of whom help to build such barriers, and many of whom (insert names at will) regard the truth as their flexible friend. And trust makes you vulnerable. Like love, it makes it easy for other people to take advantage of you.

But if we cannot trust other people whom we can see, how can we trust God whom we cannot see? And if we cannot trust God, how can we begin to claim that we have any Christian faith worth speaking of ?

To trust God is to take a leap in the dark: it is to rid ourselves of all the petty earthly things which are the mainstays of our lives, and to say to God ‘Here I am: speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ How much easier to say ‘I believe’ and

to keep your fingers crossed during all the tricky bits. But how much emptier and drier our lives are as a result.

Nicholas AUGUST READINGS Sunday August 1st Old Testament New Testament Gospel Sunday August 8th Old Testament New Testament Gospel Sunday August 15th Old Testament New Testament Gospel Sunday August 22nd Old Testament New Testament Gospel Sunday August 29th New Testament Gospel

Exodus 16: 2 - 4, 9 - 15 Ephesians 4: 1 - 16 John 6: 24 - 35 1 Kings 19: 4 - 8 Ephesians 4: 25 - 5.2 John 6: 35, 41 - 51 Isaiah 61: 10 - end Galatians 4: 4 - 7 Luke 1: 46 - 55 Joshua 24: 1 - 2, 14 - 18 Ephesians 6: 10 - 20 John 6: 56 - 69 Philippians 4: 4 - 8 Luke 15: 11 - 32 Nicholas

THE TRANSFIGURATION PILGRIMAGE There will be a pilgrimage on Friday August 6th – the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Like so many significant events throughout the Bible, it happened on a mountain. So we will use the mountain on that day. We will begin at Craswall Church at 5.45pm with a meditation on the subject of Transfiguration and will then walk together back up to the Bull’s Head, and along the brief footpath which takes us on to the green lane skirting the mountain. We will then take the track which will eventually lead us to Llanveynoe Church, stopping at various points for quiet and meditation.

We finish with the wonderful night service of Compline in Llanveynoe.

Nicholas

To Nicholas … … FROM BISHOP RICHARD THE REVD. PREB NICHOLAS LOWTON As you go around the diocese you’ll find people talk frequently about the Abbeydore model. I do so myself!

Abbeydore has pioneered new ways of working in a rural context, which I believe gives real hope for a different future of growth and flourishing. Many people have contributed to this, but Nicholas has been the key driver. His vision and tenacity has been a gift, not just to the deanery, but to the diocese and the wider church. Alongside this, he has been an exemplary pastor and priest. The love and esteem with which he is held is plain to see in the parishes in his charge. He will be hugely missed. I am so grateful that his ministry will continue, albeit freed of the responsibilities of the Benefice.

I am delighted to licence him as a Public Preacher, which means he can preserve his much deserved Prebend’s stall in the Cathedral for a little while longer. Nicholas, we are all hugely in your debt and wish you well in the adventures of retirement. +Richard, July, 2021.

August 2021 – Page 2

FAREWELL TO OUR VICAR! Nicholas Lowton retires on 29 August The Thank You Party will follow his final service at our Mother Church of Clodock at 3 p.m. that day.

Come one, come all to wish him well, helped by plentiful food, Pimms, soft drinks and entertainment by the Black Hill Singers and the Benefice Choir The Churchwardens from our six churches are coordinating the farewell, plus Jane Hopcraft for Newton and Hugh Mason for Michaelchurch.

Offers of cakes and savouries would be most welcome and should be passed via your churchwardens or direct to Mary at mary.powell37@btinternet.com by 15th August please. Deliver on the day. Mary has kindly offered to prepare sandwiches etc.

There will be no charge for Food and Drinks but anonymous contributions towards the cost are welcome via your churchwardens or by contacting Bob Burson (Benefice Treasurer) at bobburson@btinternet.com . Any surplus goes towards Nicholas’ chosen charity. Donations can also be made via this link: www.forafrica.org.uk/fundraisers/nicholas-lowton-retirement-gift

August 2021 – Page 3 … FROM THE NEWSLETTER TEAM This month unbelievably marks the completion of my seventh year as editor of this newsletter. For some inexplicable reason, I’ve found that seventh anniversaries have tended to mark major shifts in the pattern of life – and so it is with Nicholas’ retirement. He has been a tremendous source of support for the Newsletter and firmly believed in its ability to bring the community together. This has never been more evident than during the pandemic when it was often the only way we could keep in touch with each other and up to date with what was happening. It briefly looked as if we might need to suspend its production, but Nicholas’ support was the key factor in adapting our ways and keeping it going.

It has been utterly refreshing to have Nicholas’ positive responses to all – absolutely all – that has ever been suggested to him. It’s been a great comfort knowing there was such a wise and understanding safety blanket supporting the Newsletter in its endeavours and occasional dilemmas. Thank you so much Nicholas.

It is incredible to me to think that this is the 77th edition of the newsletter I have edited. Yet, never has it been tedious, not only because of the wealth of content given by our contributors, but an absolute highlight has been reading all 77 versions of “From the Vicar”, eye-openers in every respect.

Nicholas, thank you for making this job so very easy and enjoyable.

Mark & the Team … AND FROM A PARISHIONER His sermons were relished by his congregations; we were invariably treated to a joke or two and sometimes a glimpse of personal history in order to illustrate the chosen text but, above all, he always gave us something profound to think about. Not only that, the colour of his trousers selected for that day was a source of enormous speculation!

Deanery Events It’s been a delight to be able to welcome people to weddings and Christenings again, and we love to hear from anyone who is considering one of these lovely life events – do get in touch.

The first pilgrimage along the Golden Valley Pilgrim Way took place at the end of June as part of the Herefordshire Walking Festival. Perhaps you saw them on their route? If you’ve been inspired to take part, why not join us on the next Pilgrimage from 15th – 21st August. This time you can walk the entire route staying overnight in various churches along the way, join for just a day or more, or come along to share in Morning prayer or Compline each day. There’s lots more detail available – just get in touch.

Another first for the Deanery was welcoming our new curate, Angie Kateley. I’m sure you’ll have the opportunity to meet her soon. Geri Miller, is working with Mums and Tots groups in a couple of our villages, as well as offering support to a Brownie group. Our Grow Strong community has been canoeing and gorge walking - look out for new Grow Strong events for young people in Years 6 – 8.

I hope that you will join in this month either onsite in one of the churches, or online on Zoom or YouTube. We are committed to providing both ways of being part of what’s going on in person – onsite and online.

The best way to keep up to date is to receive the weekly newsletter. Please contact Anne Lloyd on 07432 873422, email abbeydoredmc@gmail.com and the website: abbeydoredeanery.org.uk has lots of information.

You can find out more and join in the chat with the ever-growing Facebook Group – Abbeydore Deanery.

Forthcoming Events SPORTS FEDERATION PICNIC The Escley and District Sport Federation are hosting a Community Family Picnic for FREE. Come along with family and friends, set up your gazebos, chairs and tables, bring your own food and drink and enjoy the company (at a distance, outside). There will be games and music throughout the day starting at 2pm and it is all FREE. The Federation have sourced some great bands for your enjoyment including “Crimes Against Folk”, “The Dirty Dogs” and “The Duchess of Mars”. Did we mention that it was FREE! August 7th 2021 – 2pm until Late at The Cricket Pavilion, Michaelchurch Escley.

LONGTOWN THURSDAY CLUB We are still on course to hold our first meeting of the year on Thursday 12th August, 2 – 5pm, in Longtown Village Hall provided, of course, that there are no further Covid restrictions. New members will be very welcome. If there are any changes, we will get in touch. Please let me know if you need transport.

I am sorry that we have not been able to make progress on future plans, as promised in the July newsletter. In the meantime, if you have email, and would be happy for me to contact you by this means, please let me know, preferably by email.

Pauline (Jones), 01873 851782 jonespauline@pobroadband.co.uk ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH FLOWER FESTIVAL WEEKEND – 14TH AND 15TH AUGUST Please come and see the decorated church during the weekend. The church will also be open to those young or old to display their musical talent (see article below). If you would like to showcase your musical talent please contact Elizabeth May on 01981 510533 or emaylittlem@gmail.com.

To help with the flowers contact Jane Fleet 01981 510116 janefleet@gmail.com. If you would like to help with the weekend, contact either Tim Williams 01981 510641 or tim@newfields.me.uk or any member of the church community.

There will be a church service at 3pm, where we intend to have a few rousing hymns. We can sing again! If you have a favourite you haven’t heard for a while let us know.

Tim Williams MUSIC ALL AFTERNOON St Margaret’s church invite any musicians to come to play during the afternoon of August 14th. This is during our open weekend so you will be in a beautifully decorated church and have the opportunity to play in a greater space than your front room! It is not a competition nor a concert nor an exam but just a chance to come and play and to share your music with others. Many have found renewed purpose during the

August 2021 – Page 4 lockdowns in taking up an instrument or in practising to improve existing skills. (There is a Clavinova so pianists are catered for.)

Do email emaylittlem@gmail.com or call 01981 510533 and leave a message if you are planning to play, but if you suddenly decide to come along then do just come, we look forward to seeing and hearing you.

Elizabeth May

Ross Morris Sunday August 22nd at 3.30pm St Mary’s Church, Craswall HR2 0PN Disappointed to have missed our concert with the fabulous Eusebius Quartet? Our next concert takes place on Sunday August 22nd with talented guitarist Ross Morris.

This concert offers a wonderful opportunity to hear a thrilling young musician in the early stages of his professional career one that has already secured him a place as part of The Glyndebourne Touring Orchestra this Autumn in their 2021 production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale.

A recent graduate of the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, Ross has enjoyed masterclasses with John Mills, Andrea de Vitis, Pavel Steidl, Alvaro Pierri, David Russell, Göran Söllscher, and others.

Clodock’s Creatures of the Rainforest In support of Midlands Air Ambulance August Bank Holiday weekend Thursday 26th to Monday 30th of August 2021 Let your imagination run riot in the rainforest!

Make and display a creature where it can be seen from the road Photographs will be on display in The Cornewall Arms over the weekend 2 classes: ● Best Creature ● Creature most unlikely to attract a mate Entry open to all, each creature must be securely displayed within Clodock, with the property owner’s permission ● Entries: £5 per creature ● Votes: 50p per vote (for both classes) All entries must be in place by 6pm on Friday the 27th of August, with entry registered at The Cornewall Arms, ready for photography Winners to be announced at 6pm on Monday the 30th at The Cornewall Arms

His programme will include works by Scarlatti, Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla, Granados, Houghton, and Llobet – music spanning the baroque to the 21st century.

Tickets are already selling fast. So don’t delay. Come and support this talented young artist, and maybe also enjoy a post-concert pizza at Chapel House farm next door?

Further details and tickets available at https://concertsforcraswall.org/live-music/ or call 01981 510112.

MICHAELCHURCH DUCK RACE & BARBECUE Being held at The Bridge Inn on 28th August 2021, starting at 2.30pm and Duck Race at 5.00pm.

There will be Cake, Plants, Skittles and various competitions to enjoy. For the children to have some fun there will be a Bouncy Castle. Also this year we are having a good Draw with lots of prizes, the 1st being £25.

There will be ducks and draw tickets for sale on the day, so please come to support us and have some fun.

It looks like Covid restrictions will be lifted well before this event takes place, but if the worst happens we will run the Duck Race and the Draw and inform all winners.

Olive Howells

Reverend Nicholas Lowton

The chair and trustees of Concerts for Craswall would like to thank the Reverend Nicholas Lowton for all his support over many years – both as a former chair of the charity, and for allowing the continued use of his parish churches as venues for our concerts.

We wish him well in his retirement and hope to see him at concerts.

MICHAELCHURCH FLICKS IN THE STICKS Inspired by the fabulous Live Music evening with Green Matthews “Brief History of Music” in the grounds of the beautiful Michaelchurch Court, we really hope that there will be an autumn programme of films for you to look forward to SOON. Saturday, 4th December 2021: Keep this date free for ALAW World Class Celtic Music from Wales. The Flicks Team

Local Newsround ESCLEYSIDE HALL We are pleased to announce that from the end of the school term on 21st July we will re-open the Hall to public events, subject to any Covid Hygeine guidelines then appropriate or noted in the Hire Agreement. Bookings can be made through our Booking Secretary Rachel Pritchard on 01981 510368.

We thank Michaelchurch Escley Primary School for looking after the premises carefully during their extended usage through the Covid-19 crisis.

The next Committee Meeting will be on Tuesday 10th August at 7.30pm. Committee members will receive further details nearer the event. The date of the Annual General Meeting will be announced in due course, and this is a public event. We welcome approaches from interested parties who wish to contribute or serve on the committee.

At the Committee Meeting, the outstanding prizes for the 2020 ‘100 club’ will be distributed and should reach the

August 2021 – Page 5 winners shortly thereafter. We will recommence the ‘100 club’ in the autumn, taking this opportunity to bring it in line with our financial year, please support us with this and other fundraising events that we hold on occasion to ensure that this excellent community asset thrives into the future.

Dr Jeremy Davis Chairman, 01981 510463 LONGTOWN AND DISTRICT WI Our July Zoom meeting featured speaker Peter Hawthorne, the author of “The Animal Victoria Cross”. We heard about the heroic exploits of animals that have received the "Dickin Medal" , the highest award for animal bravery. The medal has been awarded to 34 dogs, 4 horses, 32 messenger pigeons and 1 cat. We heard how Roselle, a guide dog, calmly led her owner down 1,463 steps to safety from the 78th floor of Tower 1 in the World Trade Centre after the terrorist attacks on September 11th 2001. Also, Simon the ships cat on HMS Amethyst, who recovered from significant injuries to boost morale with his ratting prowess on board, and Treo, a dog who saved the lives of British soldiers in Afghanistan by detecting numerous IEDs and enjoyed a luxury retirement with his handler. We all enjoyed hearing about the animal heroes, and how their contribution was recognised by those they helped.

Libby Davis MICHAELCHURCH ESCLEY PRIMARY AND PRE-SCHOOL It seems incredible to believe that this is the second end of school year we have come through under the shadow of Covid. It has been a very challenging end of term as we have all tried to make the final primary school weeks of our Year 6s as normal as possible, whilst dealing with bubble closures and contact tracing. But, thanks to the resilience and support of all our children, families and staff the end of term has gone pretty much to plan, albeit with a few changes to our regular events.

Our Highland Games for example, lacked its usual parent audience but despite that, the children had a great time, tossing cabers, running through fields, throwing discus and shot-put and battling it out in the tug-of-war. Their heroic efforts were cheered on by the rest of the school and, unlike our last, pre-Covid Highland Games, there was no Michaelchurch mizzle to dampen our spirits!

The Oak Class production also suffered due to the pandemic, and although our Year 5 and 6 outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream still went ahead in the glorious setting of Michaelchurch Court, its audience was limited to just the parents of Oak Class children and the rest of the school. However, none of that stopped the children putting on a fantastic show and they all thoroughly enjoyed taking part. Well done Oak Class!

Elsewhere in the school, Squirrel Class (preschool and Year R) have been having fun on their bikes with some sessions led by Mr Crocker. It was great to peep out of my office window and see the littlest children in the school ‘pulling wheelies’ as they played balance bike Simon Says!

Sticking to the biking theme, Mr Crocker also led a group of children, Year 5 and 6 (plus one amazing Year 2!) on our, now famous ‘Bay to Hay’ mountain bike ride to Hay. The ride is really challenging and the children (and adults!) have to really draw on all their reserves to complete the journey but, with the reward of a Shepherds ice cream at the end of

it, everyone kept going and completed the ride. Sadly, children from Sapling Class could not join us as they were isolating due to Covid but there is always next year.

Finally, Acorn Class literally ended the year in a blaze of glory as they put a torch to their replica wattle and daub houses bringing their Fire of London topic to a roaring close! With School Fire Officer Mr Hollowood standing by with a fire extinguisher, the children watched as their creations brought the great fire of 1666 to life.

And so another busy year comes to a close. I would like to once again thank our whole school community for all their support this year and wish everyone a relaxing and happy summer holiday.

Louise Crocker, Head Teacher Michaelchurch Escley Primary School, 01981 510208 Please note – my working days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and am only able to check emails on these days.

For urgent emails outside of these times, please send to: admin@michaelchurch-escley.hereford.sch.uk for the attention of Mr Gary Crocker, Deputy Head.

NEWTON ST MARGARETS (AND BEYOND!) WOMEN’S GUILD Our Autumn Programme and Venue has yet to be confirmed but we are still active and keen to meet.

During August we hope to arrange another picnic at another beautiful venue but it will be hard to surpass our tea in the fabulous surroundings of Court y Pella. A big thank you to Linda from the Guild members and friends.

Contact: 01981 510666 for information about future meetings.

Round and About

VOWCHURCH & DISTRICT GROUP PARISH COUNCIL The Parish Council has welcomed two new Councillors to represent Michaelchurch Escley: Mr David Cross and Ms Gabrielle Franklin.

Whilst Coronavirus restrictions begin to be relaxed and we try to get back to some sort of normality, cases are high and rising and everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.

Please get tested if you have any symptoms and isolate when positive or when contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Most importantly, get vaccinated to protect you, your family and friends.

Linda Cowles, Parish Clerk 01544 321906 / vowchurchparishclerk@hotmail.com

August 2021 – Page 6 GOLDEN VALLEY DAY CENTRE We are still not able to open at the moment unfortunately but hopefully with the restrictions easing things will start getting back to normal soon.

The June winners of our draw were Anna Coda Hancorn and Tony Howe. Congratulations to them both.

It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Joyce Hyde. Joyce loved coming to the club and really missed seeing everyone during the past months. With the passing of her son Michael earlier this year it must have been a dreadful blow for her.

Joyce lived in Peterchurch all her life having been brought up in Long Lane and then in Wellbrookside with her husband Wilf and their 3 children . I will remember her as I hope many others will as a lovely lady who was always smiling . Our love and condolences go to Melanie, Chris and their families.

Hopefully with the lifting of some of the restrictions we will soon be able to start again. I’m not sure when, but like the football it’s almost coming home. I am hoping to be able to give you more information soon.

Notices and Advertisements

Come along one and all – we want ALL YOUR VOICES!!

Coming back to your airwaves soon, so now is the time to get in touch!!

Black Hill Community Radio is looking for ● Members of our community to share 5 tracks of music or why not do a family 5 track. ● New Broadcasters/Presenters. ● Advertise your community event on the website ● People to help behind the scenes with social media, admin, editing ● As part of your Duke of Edinburgh award If you would like to be involved in anyway or would like some more information please don't hesitate to call Vicki on 01981240248 Christy on 01873 860607 Lydia on 01873860847 or email admin@blackhillcommunityradio.org.uk To listen to previous shows and have a look at up what community events are planned please visit https://www.blackhillcommunityradio.org.uk And follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Events Planner Wed

1 September

Afternoon Escleyside Gardening Club: Visit to Nant-y-Bedd

Tue

05 October

7.45pm

October Whist Drive, Escleyside Hall. £2.50. Profit to Hall funds.

Wed

06 October

7.30pm

Escleyside Gardening Club: How to take care of yourself in the garden, Alexandra Probert. Longtown Village Hall

Sat

09 October

5.00pm

Concerts for Craswall: Galina Stamenova, Tora Rostvik & Dimitris Spouras, St Mary’s Church, Craswall

Tue

12 October

7.45pm

October Whist Drive, Escleyside Hall. £2.50. Profit to Hall funds.

Tue

19 October

7.45pm

October Whist Drive, Escleyside Hall. £2.50. Profit to Hall funds.

Tue

26 October

7.45pm

October Whist Drive, Escleyside Hall. £2.50. Profit to Hall funds.

Wed

03 November

7.30pm

Escleyside Gardening Club: Apples and Pears for Cider and Perry, Tom Oliver, Longtown Village Hall

Sat

04 December

Alaw in concert, Escleyside Hall (courtesy of Arts Reach for Flicks in the Sticks)

August 2021 – Page 7 LIFE Community Climate Change group WHAT YOU CAN RECYCLE FOOD TINS AND DRINKS CANS

FOOD AND DRINK CANS ONLY. No other types of metals e.g. saucepans, cutlery, tools etc.

Please don’t flatten food and drink cans.

Please make sure all items are clean.

Push sharp lids inside tins.

Separate plastic lids off aerosol cans and put them in your recycling bin loose.

NO FOIL – this can be taken to foil recycling points at Household Recycling Centres.

No foil pouches or coffee pods. These need to go into your nonrecycling bin. Some coffee pod companies offer their own recycling service.

No crisp packets or sweet wrappers.

No gas bottles.

TIP – Labels can be left on.

● ● ● ● ●

Glass food and drinks bottles Glass food and drinks jars Fragrance bottles Moisturiser jars Make up jars

GLASS BOTTLES AND JARS ONLY. No drinking glasses, Pyrex, window glass etc.

No nail varnish bottles.

Please make sure all items are clean.

Pump tops need to be removed and put into your non-recycling bin.

If your kerbside recyclables are collected in sacks, you cannot put glass bottles and jars in the sacks. Glass recycling points are available at many Household Recycling Centres.

TIP - No need to remove labels and Lids can be left on.

TIP - All colours are accepted.

CARD BOARD

CARTONS

PAPER

PLASTIC BOTTLES AND CONTAINERS

Food tins Pet food tins Drink cans Aerosol cans Sweet & biscuit tins Metal jar & bottle lids

MIXED GLASS BOTTLES AND JARS

PLEASE REMEMBER …

● ● ● ● ● ●

All plastic bottles e.g. ● Soft drinks bottles ● Milk/Juice bottles ● Detergent/Fabric conditioner bottles ● Cleaning spray bottles ● Bleach bottles Shampoo and conditioner bottles ● Shower gel bottles Plastic tubs e.g. ● Margarine tubs ● Ice cream tubs ● ● ● ● ●

Newspapers & magazines Phonebooks Catalogues/brochures Junk mail/leaflets Letters

● ● ● ● ●

Milk/juice/smoothie cartons Fabric conditioner cartons Soup/passata cartons Custard cartons UHT milk cartons

Cardboard packaging boxes Cereal boxes Ready meal card sleeves Egg boxes

NO BLACK PLASTIC Don’t flatten plastic packaging.

Bottle tops can be included – just screw the lid back onto the bottle after you’ve cleaned it.

No pump tops (the bodies of these bottles are fine).

No film, foil etc.

No plastic bags e.g. carrier bags.

No crisp packets or sweet wrappers.

No hard plastics e.g. drain pipes, children’s toys, garden containers, water butts etc.

Plastic pots e.g. ● Yoghurt pots ● Cream pots ● Jelly pots ● Custard pots ● Plant pots Plastic trays e.g. ● Fruit punnets ● Meat trays ● Ready meal trays ● Cake trays ● Egg boxes ● Greetings cards ● Envelopes ● Shredded paper (within another paper item e.g. cereal box, envelope, paper bag etc)

Kitchen roll tubes Toilet roll tubes Toothpaste boxes Dishwasher tablet boxes

A few tips for recycling things that can’t go in your green bin.

Soft plastics (ones that stretch) can be taken to most supermarkets, the bins are normally in the lobby area.

Tesco in Belmont is currently taking all plastic bags including salad bags and pet food pouches in the large bin in the lobby. This is part of a pilot to increase the recycling of plastic packaging.

Coat hangers can be taken to Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda all have dedicated bins for recycling.

Crisp packets can be recycled at Herefordshire Community Recycling or via the school (only packets that specifically say crisps

Keep paper flat.

Remove any plastic wrappers.

No glittery card or wrapping paper.

No metallic/film coated wrapping paper.

No dirty/stained paper.

No sticky papers e.g. labels.

TIP – You can compost your shredded paper in your home compost bin too!

Please flatten cartons.

Remove plastic lids, these can be put into your recycling bin separately.

TIP – plastic spouts can be left on.

Flatten cardboard boxes and tubes.

No contaminated packaging e.g. food waste in takeaway pizza boxes Remove inner packaging.

Films and bags need to go into your non-recycling bin.

are accepted for non-Walkers brands. All Walkers packets are accepted).

Foil (including clean but used) can be taken to Widemarsh Ventures in Hereford.

Herefordshire Community Recycling also take many more items to their dedicated drop offs.

It would be wonderful to coordinate local collection of some of these items. If you would be able to volunteer, please do get in touch with lifeclimatechange@gmail.com so we can spread the word.

August 2021 – Page 8

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: Late night Thurs: Saturday: Sunday (May - Oct): (Nov - April): Bank Holiday Mondays

7.30 am - 5.30 pm 7.30 am - 7.00 pm 7.30 am - 4.00 pm 10.00 am - 2.00 pm 10.00 am - 12 noon 10.00 am - 2.00 pm

Community Lucky Dip - Thank you 4th July We joined many organisations to be part of the inaugural Thank you day. Hopes of Longtown have a lot to be thankful for! We have loyal customers, fantastic suppliers, a team who go above and beyond!

So it's only natural we would want to take part in national ‘Thank You Day’ this year.

We hope you enjoyed our community lucky dip on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. ●

£68 plus donations will be going to Longtown Village Hall, our community building that has not been able to hold any events to generate income

●

£70 plus donations will be going to Longtown Community Primary School & Preschool to spend on whatever they wish

●

£66 plus donations will be going to Herefordshire Rural Hub. The only FREE to access business network helping Rural Enterprises Thrive

●

£66 plus donations to Black Hill Communities network, for us all when we need help, signposting to the right place for ourselves and community projects

The Thank You board on Sunday was so lovely to read and really showed off community spirit in our little patch and further afield as everyone took part.

We want to add our thanks to ‘Stop that Thief’ who not only installed our CCTV but made and gifted Derek and Doris for us to keep the community safe.

Look out for a start date as we plan to have a pop up Shepherd’s scoop ice cream on Fridays and Saturdays 2-4pm. Options will be with or without a cone and flakes can be an additional bonus, or an Orange twirl for a Hopes twist.

19th July onwards we are adapted to the new rules whilst continuing to keep everyone safe. We would highly encourage you to continue wearing your masks due to the continuing increase of Covid cases in the area. Please sanitise your hands as before on entry and exit.

Doris has now moved into the shop and will have a green light showing in the front window this means you can enter freely. On occasion we will need to restrict numbers for your and our own safety, Doris will turn red. Please be patient and wait away from the door.

Did you know lovely customers, you are on trend?

What on earth am I on about? Well you may daily collect your reserved paper from outside; telephone order on a Monday for Fresh fruit & veg; pop in on Tuesday to use the Post Office; Thursday, telephone order for a Hereford Times, one of Tina’s cakes, local honey, cheese, meat and ice cream; and pre book a Sunday appointment to safely browse the shop for gifts and shop undisturbed. Hurrah you are a blended customer choosing when and how to shop in one place when it suits you. We are mighty glad you do.

LONGTOWN POST OFFICE Saturday 9am ~ 11am & Monday to Friday 10.30am ~ 3.30pm For holiday insurance go on line and quote our Post office code of 2056186 Holiday season is upon us and it is all changing so if you need to pick euros up last minute the Post Office has them in stock. Other currencies can be ordered for collection. Get a quote from the Post Office for your holiday insurance and please quote our Post Office code 2056186 to help keep the Post Office valued by the powers that be.

Cont’d >>

August 2021 – Page 9 Longtown Post Office can scan QR codes to return your parcels Pay your bills at our Post Office If an invoice has a barcode on it, it is likely it can be paid at the Post Office when you want, using cash, card or cheque (Except Welsh Water). Keep track and you can pay your council tax, BT, Water, N Power, at the Post Office on a day you choose.

Top up your mobile phone at Longtown Post Office, so you can have those important chats and texts with those you care for. (Plus if you need a new sim card just ask) Save time, use our Post Office as your local bank for personal and business reasons ●

Using your bank card you can pay cash into most personal and business bank accounts

●

Using a personalised paying in slip you can pay cash into your personal and business bank accounts

●

Using a personalised paying in slip and an envelope you can pay cheques into personal and business accounts. We have the paying in envelopes, please ask us for spare ones if you are self isolating and wish to prepare in advance.

We are very, very grateful for your continued custom.

Hopes of Longtown – Open seven days a week 01873 860444 www.hopesoflongtown.co.uk / @HopesofLongtown / info@hopesoflongtown.co.uk join our Facebook group Hopes of Longtown and post community/charity events for free Like our Hopes of Longtown business page to keep up to date with news Tag us in your passion for food and community via Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook

Black Mountain Group Newsletter

ADVERTISING DIRECTORY

Contact: Jill Cook Clodock Mill, Longtown, Hereford HR2 0PD

01873 860408 jill@clodockmill.com

Agricultural services

MARK LEWIS AGRICULTURAL, DOMESTIC & EQUESTRIAN HEDGE LAYING, FENCING & FIREWOOD PROCESSING TEL: (01981) 241115

much more than pet food Home Delivery of Pet Food from a local business, one less thing to worry about! ● Free home delivery (using hygienic, no contact methods) ● British-made complete and balanced life-stage pet foods ○ Puppy to Senior, including Working Dog

Washing – De-Fleaing – Ear Plucking Nails Trimmed – Hand Plucking/Stripping Clipping

○ Kitten to Senior with Dental Care ○ Honestly labelled and made from high quality ingredients ○ Sensitive and special diets catered for

MOB: 07807 079027

Professional Dog Grooming Service

● Free samples or £5 starter packs for dogs and cats

City and Guilds Trained Fully Qualified Domestic & Commercial Friendly Reliable Service Reasonable Rates All Breeds Welcome

● Dog chews and treats, and cat treats

ANDREW PHILLIPS, GLANDWR FARM

● Toys and healthcare products ● Rabbit food, Fish food and Bird food

For further information, friendly advice or to book an appointment

Agricultural & Domestic Weed Control Large and small areas

Contact Nic on 07521 607029 To place your order or to find out more.

07980 889 810

Fencing and Ditch cleaning

nic.kinch@oscars.co.uk

thebarn84@gmail.com

Small and large bales of Hay and Straw

www.oscar.co.uk/branches/herefordshire

please contact Becky

FREE DELIVERY!

Weed wiping service

Visit

Any amounts 01873 860208 / 07903 933820

Animal care

The Wild Bird Store Wild Bird Food and Accessories 01432 340500 www.thewildbirdstore.co.uk Free delivery in Herefordshire every weekday from 12.30 pm ‘Click & Collect’ 46 Rural Enterprise Park Vincent Carey Road Rotherwas HR2 6FE Open Monday to Friday 09.30 - 12.30 Call for your free 24 page catalogue

COUNTRYSTORE – Suppliers of Point of Lay Hens from £10, Pygmy Goat Kids, Ouessant sheep & Alpacas.

Specialist feed, pygmy goats, Alpaca, wild bird feed and poultry feed inc an Organic range & layers pellets with wormer.

Manufacturers of Poultry housing, Multipurpose Arks, Livestock Field Shelters, Runs & more.

Open Tues-Friday 9-4.30 – Saturday 9-12.30

August 2021 Directory – Page 10 Arts

Business & Financial

Health and well-being

Personal and Family Support Life can be complicated. If you, your family or someone you care about are having a tough time I offer social, emotional and behavioural support. From an informal discussion (cake optional...) through to intensive mentoring, together we can: Gently explore what is happening.

Set simple goals so the positives replace the not-sopositives.

Find and use your strengths to help you be kinder to yourself.

Impartial, consistent and objective support

Agricultural Insurance

from someone with over 20 years experience.

with Price Checker

INDEPENDENT ADVICE

• COMPETITIVE COVER

50 YEARS EXPERIENCE Farm Insurance

Support grounded in Social Work Theory and Evidence Based Practice.

Acceptance and encouragement

Food & Catering

Reassurance of what is working well. Flexible times and places to meet.

Prevention of issues worsening.

Abergavenny based Neil Smith is best placed to give Independent Advice, Great Premiums, Great Cover being a Farmer in his own right.

Improved self esteem and confidence. Improved relationships.

Satisfied with your existing Insurer or not, it won’t cost you anything to get a quote?

Patient - Sensitive - Friendly

Pick up the phone and give Neil a call on 07885 257788 quoting for your 20% discount.

T: 07885 257788 E: neil@frball.com W: www.frball.com

A stronger, happier you.

For a free initial discussion please call me anytime on 07973 332990 / (01981) 570763 at www.carlgriffithssupport.org or email:carl.griff071@gmail.com I'd like to help.

August 2021 Directory – Page 11

HEALING-SHIATSU Christopher Sheehan. HSEC. FwSS. Sessions in Hereford and Longtown chris@eryritai-ji.co.uk 01873 860667 07870 149 745 www.eryritai-ji.co.uk

ACUPUNCTURE in Craswall HR2 0PN

Christopher Woodward LicAc, MBAcC Come and join us in our beautiful, heated and fully equipped yoga studio (no need to bring anything but yourself!).

We offer a variety of classes suitable, from Gentle (suitable for beginners) to more advanced. Private lessons are also available.

For more details of the timetable, events and prices please look at our website:

Over 20 years of experience helping patients.

Tel 01981 510154 Mobile 0790 321 67 63 christopherswoodward@gmail.com

SARAH L. HOPE

BSc. (Ost)

Registered Osteopath Old Hall Farm, Orcop, Herefordshire HR2 8ET

Tel: 01981 580 371

Home and Domestic

Fountain Cottage Newton St Margarets Hereford HR2 0QW jo.rowland@hotmail.com 01981 510136 07917 125053

Maintenance & Services

Release tension Aid Sleep Encourage the body to re-balance naturally Provides a complementary treatment to conventional healthcare.

AOR registered (hot stone and VRT – vertical reflexology also available).

All types of cleaning – Private houses & House Keeping service for Holiday Homes/Lets/B&Bs etc.

High standard of work.

All aspects of Horse Help undertaken Clipping, sale/show prep, local horse transportation.

Experienced and capable rider and Groom.

Happy to tackle a wide range of jobs, No job too small.

Just Ask Gabz!!!!

Reliable, Local, Friendly, Helpful Excellent references available. Non Smoker Tel – 07875 535 619 / 01981 510606 Email – askgabz@yahoo.co.uk

Airguns Shotguns Rifles Local Makers

For all your soft furnishing needs – curtains, pelmets, blinds, cushions, bedding and more

Please contact Fiona Witcher 01981 242040 / 07811 396258 City & Guilds qualified. Free home consultation.

Servicing, Repairs, Alterations, Refinishing and Gun Fitting.

Registered Firearms Dealer Contact James Phillips 07503 616760 james@thegunworks.co.uk www.thegunworks.co.uk

August 2021 Directory – Page 12 Is your Broadband driving you mad?

Are you unable to use the internet as you would like?

Are you unable to use services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix, which require a faster, more consistent connection?

Access to reliable, high speed broadband is patchy in our area, with some properties struggling to receive more than 1Mbps download speeds.

Hopefully, high-speed fibre broadband will reach us all one day, but if like me, you don’t want to wait, there may be alternatives. In many locations where the existing phone line broadband is only able to provide very low broadband speeds, the 4g mobile phone network is capable of providing 70Mbps, which is easily enough to stream HD movies and can provide a consistent, high quality service. There are other benefits to using 4g mobile broadband over services provided by BT and other cable based providers.

Monmouth MemorialsLtd MONUMENTAL MASONS EST. 1988

Nigel Cave

Property services

Air dried oak for sale Various sizes and thicknesses 01981 510 522

BRAMM Registered Mason (British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons)

Suppliers of quality memorials

at competitive prices, additional inscriptions and renovations undertaken with free quotations and inscription proofs provided

Contact: Ben Hill Tel: 01981 510136 Mob: 07990 638125 Email: bingoben@hotmail.com If you suffer with poor internet speeds or WiFi dead spots in your home, I may be able to help.

Tel: 01600 890 098 Mobile 07950 117 122 monmouthmemorial@aol.com

Personal services Private Hire

16 & 8 seat minibuses 4 seat Land Rover Discovery Weddings, celebrations, restaurants, shopping, rail & air travel Hassle-free travel to suit you

Independent Funeral Directors

Booking

01981 510356 Unit 3, Wormbridge Court, Wormbridge, Hereford, HR2 9DH

Produce and Products

THE GOAT COMPANY Luxury Mohair products from our prize-winning flock of Angora Goats.

Visit the shop and meet the goats.

Darren Farm, Llanveynoe Open 11am to 4.30pm except Sundays

All aspects of groundworks, construction and steel building erections We specialise in: Ground source heat systems Electric cables Ponds/lakes Treatment plants Supply & disposal of soils Tree shear with 300mm cut Bulldozing Tractor & Dump trailer hire Footings Concreting Ditching Pipe laying Site clearance Muck away Driveways Drainage Contact: Tommy Wood-Cole Phone: 07964355422 Email: TommyWood-Cole@hotmail.com

August 2021 Directory – Page 13

DECOR SOLUTIONS tjsj@me.com

Painting & Decorating Tim Jones Tel 01981 540242 Mob 07810 895355

Woodland and Garden

3 Generations of experience, specialising in Painting & Decorating services.

General property maintenance duties carried out.

Fully insured.

Good competitive rates.

A high standard of workmanship & customer satisfaction guaranteed.

RP ELECTRICAL All Electrical Work Undertaken

Scrub Clearance and Timber Extraction Most types of scrub and woodland cleared, including brambles, bracken and gorse, as well as meadow/small field topping. Sloping and narrow access areas reached using compact (Alpine) tractor semi-offset topper and mulching flail.

Timber forwarding service also available.

Felled timber moved using Alpine tractor and trailer with crane.

Call Ben Hill 01981 510136 or 07990 638125

Testing & Inspection PAT Testing & Fault Finding All carried out by Qualified Electrician 07814 008626

Sooty’s ey Chimn Service Richard Watkins 01981 240 185 07947 959 452

AVALON TREE SURGERY WE CARE FOR YOUR TREES

MATTHEW THOMAS OVER 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE NPTC QUALIFIED FULLY INSURED

WWW.AVALONTREESURGERY.CO.UK

01981 541307 07794 569284

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE WORK UNDERTAKEN

Mob: 07810 288115 Evenings: 01432 378163

MATTHEW MAFLIN PROFESSIONAL PAINTING AND DECORATING SERVICES Internal and exterior decoration Tel: 01873 860867 Mobile: 07497258129 matthewmaflin@gmail.com Public Liability Insurance held References available on request

kwilliamson027@hotmail.co.uk

K&D building and landscaping All aspects of building new and old undertake Drainage specialist/septic tanks Fencing specialists All aspects of landscaping/ patios/decking /ponds/retainers and stone walls All internal work carried out Over 20 years experience between us and a large portfolio

TUGWELL TREE SERVICES For a professional service in all aspects of tree care, including Pruning, Felling, Planting Supplying Trees & Shrubs and Hedge Maintenance Specialists in: Tree Reports & Surveys, Stump Removal with a High Power Narrow Access Stump Grinder for all those inaccessible stumps

DAVID TUGWELL Tech Cert. Arbor A Bridge End, Newton St Margarets. HR2 OQP Tel: 01981 510104 / 07968 093898

August 2021 – Page 14 AUGUST SERVICES Sunday August 1st, 9th Sunday after Trinity 9.30am Michaelchurch 11.00pm Llanveynoe Sunday August 8th, 10th Sunday after Trinity 9.30am Clodock 11.00am Newton Sunday August 15th, The Blessed Virgin Mary 11.00am Craswall 3.00pm St Margaret’s Sunday August 22nd, 12th Sunday after Trinity 9.30am Llanveynoe 11.00am Michaelchurch Sunday August 29th, 13th Sunday after Trinity 3.00pm Clodock Benefice Service

Morning Prayer Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion Flower Festival Morning Prayer Holy Communion

AUGUST DIARY Escleyside Gardening Club: Hardy Ferns for Damp and Dry Shade, Robin Pearce. Longtown Village Hall Escley and District Sports Federation Picnic The Cricket Pavillion, Michaelchurch Escley

Wed

04 August

7.30pm

Sat

07August

2.00pm-late

Thu

12 August

2.00pm - 5.00pm

Sat-Sun Sat Sun Thu-Sat Sat

14-15 August 14 August Afternoon 22 August 3.30pm 26-30 August 28 August 2.30pm

St.Margaret’s Church Open Weekend. Flower displays and music Music All Afternoon – part of St.Margarets Church Open Weekend Concerts for Craswall: Ross Morris (guitar), St Mary’s Church, Craswall Clodock’s Creatures of the Rainforest Michaelchurch Duck Race and Barbecue. Bridge Inn, Michaelchurch

Sun

29 August

Reverend Nicholas’ last Service before he retires, followed by a “Thank You” party. St Clydawg’s Church

3.00pm

Longtown Thursday Club. Longtown Hillage Hall

Black Hill Communities Network

Golden Valley Safer Neighbourhood Team Peterchurch Police & Fire Hub, Hereford HR2 0RU. 01981 550253 PC 3687 Jeff Rouse 07870 150972 PCSO 6378 Pete Knight 07773 053 919 peter.knight@westmercia.pnn.police.uk Contact: 101 ext 4820 – Email: goldenvalley.snt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk