MeridenMag Spring 2015

Meriden Mag

MERIDEN COVER 2015 OPT2.qxp_Layout 1 10/02/2015 15:33 Page 1

Spring 2015

See inside for News of the new curate for St Laurence Church Changes to Meriden Library • Cyclists’ Service • WI Centenary News and photos from the schools and Scout Group

Happenings at Meriden school 365 Penguin Maths Morning On Wednesday 21st January, we invited parents to join us for a challenging, but enjoyable morning of maths. The whole morning was based around a brilliant book which carried the story of penguins being delivered each day to a family until there were 365! Imagine the smell and the mess!

Challenges included having to organise penguins into groups, finding the areas of different sized penguins and creating penguin patterns.

All pretty cool!

In English year 3 are looking at poetry. They have interpreted and Year 1 were set the task of designing their own dinosaur for homework.

performed “the Coming of the Iron Man” by Brenda Williams, this picture is of the performance.

There were some fantastic and very scary looking

DINO DEN!

dinosaurs but Cerys went

Take a sneaky peek at

the extra mile and decided

Year 1's dino den! We love

to make her dinosaur out of

exploring the den and digging

clay! Isn’t it amazing!?

for fossils in the sand. We

Well done Cerys!

wear lab coats and goggles to help us with our

“As part of our dinosaur topic we have been learning all about fossils and how they are formed. We used coffee, flour and salt and then imprinted the dough mixture with shells and stones to create our own fossils.

We also became palaeontologists and had a go at extracting our own fossils out of ice!”

investigations!

Hello from Meriden Primary!

We have had yet another very busy start to the year!

Unfortunately we came back in January to a wet and damaged Year 1 classroom due to a roof leak. I am pleased to say that this has now been fixed and Year 1 are now back in their room after being taught in the hall for a few weeks. They love their new floor and rugs!

Although a few months ago now, I feel I ought to mention the activities that took place, both in and out of school, such as the Macmillan Tree of Thought on The Green with a friendly donkey and Christingle at the Church where the children (and parents!) sang beautifully in a full church. In school, Key Stage 1 performed ‘Santa’s on Strike’ and our nursery (FS1) pupils performed the nativity at St Laurence’s church which ensured that the true meaning of Christmas was clear in our thoughts.

During the spring term children in year 5 will again be able to take part in cycle training in March, ensuring that they are safe to travel on their bikes. This will help them become healthier and fitter for life. To support this, and to reduce traffic around school, Meriden Parent Council will once again be running their ‘Scoot to School’ programme to encourage children to walk, scoot or cycle to school as often as they can. Fingers crossed for dry weather!

We continue to invite parents and family in to share their children’s learning and experiences. Last term saw English and anti-bullying open mornings. This term we held a maths morning on the theme ‘365 Penguins’ and on the 13th March there will be an open session to complete our Faith Week in school. We hold regular coffee mornings on the first Friday in every month and also Caterpillar club for our pre-schoolers every fortnight.

As well as ensuring the pupils’ learning is the best it can be, we are also working hard to improve the outside environment too. We are hoping to install a trim-trail, an outdoor classroom and new playground markings and need considerable funds to do this! . If you work for a company who may be worth approaching regarding sponsorship or support, please do get in contact on 01676 522488 or office@meriden.solihull.sch.uk . Every penny helps.

With best wishes Lucy Winkler, Headteacher, Meriden CE Primary School Children hard at work on the Penguin Maths Morning

Meriden School PTA Another Indulgence Night 7th May 7.30 pm till late Manor Hotel we would love you & your friends to come & join us & our many varied stallholders.

Tickets £3 in advance, £4 on the door.

Ticket price will include a raffle ticket.

Quiz Night Meriden School Val and Margaret would like to thank all the kind people who provided the photos for this issue. The front cover was by Roy

Thursday 19th March Organised by the PTA

Hands this time. If you a have a photo you would like in the Mag please send it to us in a high resolution to enable a good reproduction.

For more information about both events please contact meridenschoolpta@hotmail.co.uk or the school office 01676 522488.

ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS

Assistant curate Rev Lynda Edwards 01676 522825 Lay Reader: Peter Wright 01676 522414 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Church Wardens: Jonathan Douglas 01676 522455 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ John Baker 01676-522939. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ www.stlaurence-meriden.co.uk ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++j

Services are held on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Sunday at 10.30 am

Easter is fast approaching. Easter is the biggest Festival of the Church year, the time we celebrate the Resurrection after the Crucifixion, God’s act and message of reconciliation. But what if you find that rather difficult, or even impossible to accept ? Well here’s the thing; something happened in or near Jerusalem about 1,985 years ago to make the friends of Jesus set out to take his teaching West into Europe, South into Africa, North and East into Russia and Asia, and even to the East Coast of India (St. Thomas was killed near Madras (modern Chennai)). Jesus clearly lived on after the crucifixion (at which he undoubtedly died), you wouldn’t set out to walk and preach your way to Chennai without having witnessed something more than remarkable. Love God, Love your enemies, Love your neighbour, Love one another. It’s worth going the extra mile for that message. Happy Easter.

New minister for Meriden.

Many in Meriden may regret that Rev. Kate Massey could only stay working in Meriden for 2 years and has now moved on to be vicar of St. Paul’s Church in Stockingford, but we are extremely happy to announce that another minister has been appointed to work here, at least for a year, and possibly a lot longer. Rev. Lynda Edwards is a curate completing her training here, and is continuing the good work. Lynda will be taking Weddings, Baptisms, and all sorts of services, visiting the children at the school, and bringing Christian ministry to the village.

Church diary

Mothering Sunday, 15th March.

Good Friday (3rd April) Walk of Witness, 10.30 am to 12.00, starting outside the school on Fillongley Road.

Good Friday observance 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm in St. Laurence Church.

Easter Sunday, 5th April, Festival Communion.

Sunday 26th April, Special service to remember those from Meriden who died in WW1.

Sunday 17th May, Cyclists War Memorial service 11.00 am on the Village Green.

Sunday 24th May, Pentecost.

Messy Church, every 4th Sunday of the Month at the Methodist Church Hall 4.00 pm.

Vacancy! Church Organist.

After something like 60 years (amazing) of playing the organ for us at St. Laurence Church, and at St. James, Packington, Marian Theobald would like to wind down a little and play the organ less frequently. If you would like to play occasionally or frequently for our services at St. Laurence, please contact the churchwardens, we would be interested to hear from you.

Friends of Meriden Churchyard.

This group meets at the Church at 10.00 am on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month to do some gardening and other maintenance in the Churchyard for a couple of hours, and also to share coffee, cake, and conversation. Please come and help11th and 25th March, 8th and 22nd April, 13th and 27th May.

Church Opening on Sunday afternoons.

Visit your historic, beautiful, and peaceful church between 12.00 and 4.30 on Sunday afternoons from tree April 19th The Christmas th to October 18 . Please festival at St Laurence, also offer to help by being see centre for page forhours. the a steward a few

winning tree

Annual Cyclists Memorial Service Sunday 17th May 2015 A memorial service at Meriden each May commemorates those cyclists who died in the World Wars It is over 90 years sincethe an World obeliskWars. of Cornish granite

was unveiled on Meriden’s village green, in memory of all those cyclists who had died in the First World War. More than 10,000 cyclists attended the dedication; many had ridden through the night to be there.

These days the Memorial commemorates cyclists who have been killed in all conflicts worldwide.

A service will be held on the village Green at 11.00am attended by cyclists from all over the country and afterwards everyone is invited back to the village hall for refreshments.

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND

“The Imitation Game”

arigold Hotel”

Friday 24th April 2015 at 7.30p.m

At Meriden Village Hall

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” Saturday 21st March 2015 at 7.30p.m Please note revised date

A newly released historical thriller starring Benedict Cumberbach as the British code breaker, Alan Turing and Keira Knightley as Turin’s fiancée. Set during the Second World War at Bletchley Park, it recounts the triumphant successes of the code-breaking centre and, some years later, the sadness of Turin’s ultimate personal tragedy.

***

PG 13

An ill-assorted group of British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe to be a newly restored hotel. The Marigold Hotel turns out to be less luxurious than its advertisements claim, but slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways. This is a glorious comedy with a star-studded ensemble featuring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton and Tom Wilkinson. Not to be missed and well-worth a second viewing.

12

“The Hundred Foot Journey” Saturday 23rd May 2015 at 7.30p.m

PG

A lively culture-clash comedy tells the story of a feud between two adjacent restaurants in France. Helen Mirren stars as a snobbish Michelin-starred restaurant owner who comes into conflict and competition with an Indian establishment which opens across the road. Set in Paris with additional filming on location in beautiful areas in Southern France, the film has received nominations for a Golden Globe Award.

Tickets £5.00 will be printed for sale Tickets £5.00 will be printed and available for sale 3 weeks before each screening butand canavailable be reserved in 3 weeks before each screening but can be reserved in advance of this date. Tickets and advance reservations available from advance of this date. Tickets and advance Chris Copper (01676 522645) and on sale at “Fredanita” Floweravailable & Gift Shop reservations from on the Village Green Chris Copper (01676 522645) and are also on sale at “Fredanita” Flower & Gift Shop on the Village Green.

Take away service

Come and visit the Meriden Spice, Meriden’s newest Indian restaurant.

With a name inspired by its location the restaurant introduces high quality Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine.

10% discount on collection Free home delivery service 4 miles radius Minimum order £15

Saj, the proprietor who has been in this business for over 20 years both locally and nationally, has brought his experience to Meriden and would like to welcome both his old and new customers to Meriden Spice

Meriden Spice, Old Road, Meriden, CV7 7JP Tel: 01676 523740 Entrance and parking at rear of Queen’s Head Pub

One free starter onion bhajees or samosas with every Takeaway order of £20 or more Not to be used with any other voucher

In Meriden Minister: Rev Andrew Charlesworth BSc BA Tel: 01676 533737 - Phone to arrange marriages, baptisms and funerals Services: Sunday 10:30am. Messy Church 4.00pm 4th Sunday of the Month This image is taken from Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, which can be found on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It shows God straining to touch and help humanity, whilst Adam is almost dismissive of God’s approach.

A few years ago I was privileged to see this photograph in person, although the Sistine Chapel was very busy that day and the security guard who would shush very loudly every 30 seconds made attempts at quiet reflection on it impossible!

It is a picture that I think about when I have to consider one of the deep questions of the Christian faith.

This question is sometimes expressed explicitly but often it is only asked indirectly. The question is how can we believe in God in the midst of all of the pain and suffering that we see in the world?

The reality is that there is no easy answer to this question. And it is not only the presence of pain and suffering in the world that we must consider, but it is also the depth of such pain and suffering which can be a greater hurdle for some to comprehend.

When I try and explore this issue with those who are often struggling with the pain and suffering of a loved one, my simple response is that there is fragility to human life. As much as we try and protect ourselves against it, we live in bodies that get sick and that can experience terrible pain. If we believe that God is involved in the creation of the world, then we must conclude that God bears some responsibility for the fragility of human life.

But this is where the picture comes in. In the Church, we do not believe that being a Christian will protect us from the fragility of life, that it will save us from pain and suffering. Quite the opposite, in the Church we believe that such suffering is inevitable, but God wants to help us in the midst of such trouble. In particular, during Lent and Easter, we believe that God especially shows his love for us, how he wants to reach out and help us in the middle of life’s problems, through the pain and suffering that Jesus endured in his life. The message of Good Friday is in part God taking responsibility for the mess of the world when he planted the cross of Christ in the ground at Calvary.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we need never be alone in the midst of pain and suffering. Through the Easter story, we need never give up hope that better days lie ahead.

Love, peace and joy, Andrew Diary Dates: Love, peace and joy. Andrew th

6 March 2pm Women’s World Day of Prayer nd 2 April 6pm Love Feast rd 3 April 10:30am Good Friday Walk of Witness, starting at Meriden Primary School th 5 April 10:30am Easter Day Celebration at Balsall Common Methodist Church

Women's World Day of Prayer Friday 6th March 2 pm at the Methodist Church followed by tea All welcome

The Methodist Church Hall is available for hire.

Please contact Alan and Maureen Gabbitas On 01676 522148

THE CHRISTIANS OF MERIDEN JOIN TOGETHER FOR

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITIES FOR 3-10 YEAR OLDS OF ALL AGES MUSIC, SINGING AND A STORY FOLLOWED BY FELLOWSHIP AND FOOD VENUE: MERIDEN METHODIST CHURCH 4TH SUNDAY IN MONTH @4.00PM SUNDAY 29th March @ 4PM SUNDAY 26th April @ 4PM COME ALONG AND BRING A FRIEND Joint association between *Meriden Christian Fellowship* Meriden Methodist Church* * St Laurence Anglican Church*

Queens Head Old Road Meriden Monday night is music night come along and join us, music starts 9.15pm approx.

March 2nd 9th 16th 23rd.

30th

Dean Thomas Paul Tracini Irish Night Micky Dean Laura Mac

April 6th 13th 20th 27th

Kirsten Sweet Natasha Julie Christie Sam Southall

May 4th 11th 18th 25th

Chris Robin Chrissy Steve B Keith Brett

March 16h Irish night Come and celebrate St Patrick’s Day Featuring David McGrath Watch the Irish dancers Join in with the singing Enjoy some Irish stew come along and enjoy the 'craic'.

ALLAN SMITH SLATING

Now serving Breakfast on Sunday mornings 10.00am-1.00pm Full English £5.25.

Pub lunches Mon – Sat 12.00- 2.30pm Pop in for good food and a warm welcome Take away available 01676 522256

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Servicing Repairs Tyres Exhausts Suspensions Brakes

Call in for a quotation for your motoring needs

01676 521010 Meriden Garage, Birmingham Road Millison’s Wood CV5 9AZ

Meriden Christian Fellowship Well we'd like to start by wishing you all a very blessed New Year and hope you all had a great Christmas and you got everything you wanted. Now come on be honest how many of the toys now lie broken or discarded? I have to say the Christmas morning service at the Methodist church put on by the three fellowships in Meriden was incredible as it ended up with standing room only and what a great time we had. Many people commented on how they enjoyed it, and how it had made their Christmas.

Well Christmas is now over and the weather has changed quite dramatically as the cold has really taken hold. Talking of changes it's been three months plus since Lyn and I closed the Centre Charity Shop and it has given us time to reflect on what we want to do next. Having prayed a lot about our next move we have decided to continue to work in Meriden and try to do as much as we can to help the people and organisations within the community. We have started by running a monthly Coffee Morning with a Table Top sale with all the proceeds going to local charities. Our first one was in December and we raised £45 which is going to the 1st Meriden Scout Group. Our second in January raised £43 so if you know of an organisation or charity that could do with some money please let us know. Why not come along and join in on our next one we'd love to see you and have a chat. Look out for the poster in the village advertising it. We are also looking to do other things which we hope will be of benefit and enjoyed by as many as possible.

Jesus told us to love one another, in fact in John's Do you love to sing gospel He says “A new command I give you: Love Why not join our choir? one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34). This is a command to love one another, and so we want to do exactly that and share the love of God with the people of Meriden in any way we can. This is a desire of Meriden Christian Fellowship, to We are a very friendly group of mixed ages and reach out and help in any way we can with meeting both sexes who enjoy singing and socialising needs and giving support where required, we don't just whilst raising money for charity. Since our want to meet together on a Sunday we want to do church the way Jesus did. We accept people just as they are, we inception 5 years ago we have raised over don't judge, we don't jump to conclusions and we don't £4,000 discriminate, so if there's ever anything we can do to help We are now rehearsing for 2 summer concerts you please ask. You can either come along to the Sunday service at 12:30 in the Meriden Methodist the first of which we are very proud to building we hire, or contact us through the web site announce will be www.meridenchristianfellowship.co.uk or simply Google Meriden Christian Fellowship. For those “Moments of Musical Magic” who know us you will start to see us around the village so please stop us for a chat if you do, we'd at the Warwick Arts Centre Studio love to catch up with you. on In closing remember "The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God Saturday 13th June. will make us good because He loves us".

(CS Lewis).

We always welcome new members; no audition May God bless you this year, and may you find the and no need to read music just come along and peace and joy that only He can give. sing. Our repertoire includes Bohemian Rhapsody, Every blessing. Kevin and Lyn Hunt

PHYSIOTHERAPY REFLEXOLOGY

Treatment for pain, stress, acute and chronic conditions Local home visits to ladies available

Alison Stain M.C.S.P.,M.S.R., HCPC. Registered The Therapy Centre, Balsall Villa 287 Kenilworth Road Balsall Common.

Tel : 01676 522284

Songs by Maroon Five, Coldplay and Take That as well as musical standards.

Come along for a few weeks free trial before you join.

We rehearse at Meriden Village Hall most Friday evenings at 7.30pm

Please call for more information John Bentick 07716 721467 Val Martin 01676 522963 0r see our web site www.firebirdsingers.org.uk

We would love to see you!

A Message from Caroline Spelman MP Countryside Connectivity

In our pocket of the West Midlands, there is a combination of urban and rural communities.

Solihull’s motto is ‘urbes in rure’, or ‘town in the countryside’. It is crucial we maintain our rural communities by offering them the very best support and opportunities for growth.

I am delighted that the Government have been rolling out superfast broadband to 2 million homes and businesses outside of city centres, and continue to extend their coverage with £1.7bn investment. Locally, 26,365 homes and businesses in rural areas and villages have been connected to superfast broadband. For small and medium business owners, access to fast broadband can improve the way their businesses function and allow expansion into online services. For the rest of us, fast internet connections help us to keep up to speed with all the online communication, TV downloads and browsing that many households frequently use.

Meriden suffers from the fact that mobile networks can be slow to increase their coverage for rural areas. Along with superfast broadband, the Government have a binding agreement with all the main mobile networks to ensure poor signal issues are a problem of the past. £5bn has been invested by mobile networks to guarantee a more comprehensive coverage for communities in the countryside.

Investing in infrastructure provides better connectivity for Meriden, which has huge social and economic benefits. With faster broadband and better mobile phone coverage, improved transport links around the countryside and changes to working practices, productivity could grow faster in the countryside than urban areas over the next decade. A rise of more than 300,000 rural jobs is predicted over the coming years. This means higher wages for people working outside the big towns and cities, increasing employment opportunities and a potential output increase of £35 billion from rural areas, including vibrant villages like Meriden.

CAROLINE SPELMAN

Forthcoming Events

Meetings are held at Meriden village Hall 7.30pm – 9.30pm approx.

On the 3rd Monday of every month

16 March 2015

ME SC HO OR OL

Julie Mitchell - “A day at the races”

To contact Caroline or make an appointment for a surgery please contact Katy Steele on 0121 711 7029 or email caroline@carolinespelman.com.

TH E

Meriden Floral Society

20 April 2015.

Jakie Page – “In the style of .....”

18 May 2015.

Laura LeongSPELMAN - “Statements and details” CAROLINE Come on ladies do something different this year!

Join the flower club. You will enjoy it and pick up lots of hints about flowers and about your garden. Please come and join us.

It will only cost you £24 per year or £5 per session New members are always welcome.

For more information please contact Mo Reynolds 01676 521457 Spring Fever: Four students afflicted with spring fever skipped morning classes. After lunch they reported to the lecturer that they had a flat tyre. Much to their relief she smiled and said, "Well, you missed a test today so take seats apart from one another and take out a piece of paper." Still smiling, she waited for them to sit down. Then she said: "First Question: Which tyre was flat?" source:

Jennifer Faulkner F.I.D.T.A BA Hons Fellowship Teaching Degree

The Orme School of Dancing Meriden Branch Methodist Church Hall Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Freestyle and Contemporary

Tel: 02476 467271

dip A.B.R.S.M Principal- Sandra Clarke

New Beginners Adult Tap Class!

No experience necessary. We are a friendly, social group and are building up the new sessions on a Monday evening at the Methodist Church in Meriden – get in touch to find out more.

Also – Now is the perfect time to get your child

involved in our Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz sessions.

We have classes suitable for 2 year olds up to seniors at our Meriden Branch.

Visit our web site for more information

www.ormecoventrydance.co.uk

Fresh, Local & Delicious!

Local poultry, game, beef & lamb plus our own pork, gammon, hams & pork pies.

Plus: a full deli & cheese counter & a large selection of fruit & vegetables.

Plus: chocolates, cakes & sweets as well as home ware & great gift ideas.

Relax and unwind in our Coffee Shop ‘The Hayloft’

Fantastic gift ideas for Mother’s Day and Easter.

Find us on Facebook to keep up to date with special offers, new products & events!

Berryfields Farm Shop, Berkswell Road, Meriden.

Email: info@berryfieldsfarmshop.co.uk CV7 7LB Web: www.berryfieldsfarmshop.co.uk 01676 522 155 Find us on facebook

Open 7 days a week. For further details & seasonal opening times please see our website.

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Pensions Investments Protection Savings Employee benefits  Inheritance Tax Chartered Financial Planners and Employee Benefit Consultants

Professional small family business covering Meriden, Fillongley, Berkswell & surrounding villages

Jamieson Christie Wealth Management Ltd Regent House 430 – 432 Kenilworth Road Balsall Common CV7 7ER Tel 01676 532 210 www.jamiesonchristie.com Email: mail@jamiesonchristie.com Jamieson Christie Wealth Management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

[

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J B Decorators and Property Services

General Property maintenance Insurance Work Undertaken Domestic and Commercial Work Plastering No job too small Coving Fully insured Carpentry Work Over 30 years’ Tiling experience

Call for a free quote 07966186957 JimmyBailiedec@hotmail.com 147, Elmdon Lane, Marston Green B377DN

MIDLANDS CLEANERS

Domestic & Commercial Cleaning Services • Window Cleaning • Fascia & Soffit Cleaning • Gutter & Cladding Cleaning • Conservatory Roof and Patio Cleaning

Adam Eales 0794 389 3354 midlandscleaners@mail.com

Do you need a cleaner?

Do you want someone to do all those household jobs you haven’t got time for?

Then call Jenny now on 07901 530861 Domestic cleaning, Office cleaning Professional cleaning service

Mrs C Booker

Home visiting Chiropodist/podiatrist State and HPC registered

Tel 01676 534265 Friendly and professional advice on all foot problems

EDEN HOLISTIC DOG FOOD 5 STAR RATED DOG FOOD

(Check out the review of the food you feed your dog with the review for Eden on www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk)

Made from only the best ingredients:All meat and fish of human grade and sourced within the UK. No animal derivatives, by products or flavours.

Herbs, vitamins and minerals with joint support and prebiotics.

TOTALLY GRAIN FREE – NO FILLERS HIGH DENSITY FOOD USE LESS FOR EACH FEED 2 VARIETIES AVAILABLE: EDEN ORIGINAL 80% Chicken, Salmon, Herring, Duck and Egg EDEN CATCH OF THE DAY 80% Salmon and Herring, including seasonally available Cod, Haddock, Hake, Plaice and Pollock Local prices for 15kg (smaller quantities can be provided):

Original : £50 Catch of the Day: £53

Tel: 01676 522466 to order and collect Nutritional and general dog advice given Dog pet sitting service provided – days, weekends or longer in a non-kennel environment

Balsall Common Country Market A weekly market is held at Balsall Common Village Hall, Station Road CV7 7EX every Saturday from 10.00 - 11.30am and the first Sunday of the month at the Saracen’s Head from 1 - 4pm Home baking and preserves, meat, plants and seasonal vegetables, crafts and homemade cards

Mothering Sunday gifts and Easter goodies Hampers can be ordered and delivered countrywide.

Contact 01676 534148

A free cup of tea or coffee with this voucher

For more details call June Smitten on 01676 523007

It never comes too soon for me. I blooming well love the spring!

As always at this time of year, I am busy helping brides and grooms design their wedding cakes. It strikes me as I drive round to meet people in their homes for consultations, how delightful almost every couple, and their families, actually are.

I think when you read all the horror and disengagement in the news, it’s easy to imagine the world full of scary and unpleasant people, plotting and scheming behind every door. But in reality, the neighbourhood (Meriden and way beyond) is rather nice, and the people are charming, funny, and totally enchanting! So don’t believe all you see on the television!

I think I am very lucky to go out to see so many people, and to be involved in such a lovely and exciting part of their life events.

Inevitably I seem to acquire a bit of a patter with my conversation, just to guide us through everything that needs to be covered, but my favourite story to tell them at the moment is the You Tube clip I saw the other day, where grandma gets confused hands, and throws her glass of champagne over the bride whilst retaining in the other hand, the box of confetti. It has me chuckling just thinking about it.

Anyway here is a yummy new recipe for you to try, and I hope to see you on the Green in June for the Fun Day- come and have a cupcake and say hi!

I discovered this wonderful recipe whilst searching for a suitable dessert for my Burn’s Night party, to follow our ‘haggis, neeps n tatties’. It’s a Jamie Oliver recipe, and totally discoverable for free on the internet, so I don’t feel bad sharing it. I have fiddled with it a little, as all cooks do! Cranachan is a Scottish dessert that resembles Eton Mess, only using ingredients more indigenous to Scotland- heather honey, oats and Scotch whisky. With the addition of raspberries and double cream it lends itself to all sorts of dessert ideas that should not be confined to the highlands. It just isn’t right. This version of Cranachan cake is heavy, moist and almost ‘crumble’ like- making it a winner for a pudding after a big Sunday roast, served with whisky cream.

Cranachan Raspberry Cake

150g soft butter, 60g soft brown sugar, 3 large eggs, 100ml scotch whisky 100ml heather honey, , 250g SR flour, 50g Scottish rolled oats, 250g fresh or frozen raspberries, 75g granola/muesli 1. Line a 7 or 8” cake tin base with greased proof paper and grease lightly.

2. Preheat an oven to 180C/gas 3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar till fluffy, then beat in the eggs, honey and whisky. Add a little flour each time you add an egg to prevent splitting 4. In another bowl, sieve the flour, then mix in the oats.

5. Fold the flour mix into the butter mixture, 6. Spoon half the mix into the baking tin. Top with berries, then remaining cake mixture. Sprinkle over the granola 7. Bake first for 20 minutes then lower the oven to 170C/gas 3, and bake for a further 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

If the granola starts to catch, cover with foil.

8. Allow to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving with double cream- whipped up with a wee dram of whisky added for a truly authentic taste.

Balsall Common U3A

Are you retired or semi-retired; have you considered joining the Balsall Common U3A? The local U3A is part of a national voluntary learning co-operative whose aim is to encourage activities for people no longer in full time employment. Members join not only to learn new subjects but also to meet and socialise with likeminded people.

We have 25 active groups providing something different on each week day.

Since the last publication of this magazine a Theatre Group and a monthly Swimming Group has started. There are also plans for a French speaking group.

Beside the group activities, each month we have a core meeting. Included in the core meeting is a talk on subjects of interest to the group, the subjects and speakers for the next few months are as follows: Date 23rd March 2015 27th April 2015 18th May 2015

Topic Bertie Greethead’s 18th Century Grand Tour of Europe Local Cheese and its History Life and Times of Michelangelo

Speaker Anne Langley John Fowler Margaret-Louise O'Keeffe

Core meetings are held in the Balsall Common Village Hall Station Road and start at 1-45 pm. Prospective members are welcome to attend.

For more information see our web site www.balsallcommonu3a.org or telephone Mary Dawson 01676 532467.

Heart of England High Speed Railway Action Group (www.hhag.org.uk) It's been a very busy few months, with a Select Committee of the House of Commons hearing presentations about the impact of the £50 billion HS2 scheme on Solihull Borough. A total of 26 petitions were heard from individuals, parish councils, and associations including the Heart of England High Speed Railway Action Group (HHAG).

The hearings were the result of many weeks of effort by the people concerned. The Committee members were impressed with the extent of the problems, and they requested HS2 Ltd to listen better to what local people were saying. However, they haven't so far directed HS2 Ltd to make any significant changes, or to carry out a proper cost-benefit analysis of options for putting some of the line in a tunnel. The door was left open for Solihull Council to request such a study, and they will be urged to do so.

Solihull Council did not appear before the Committee, but they provided a letter of support. One Solihull Councillor appeared on behalf of Chelmsley Wood.

The process of putting in petitions, and then making presentations, really brought home the seriousness of the impact on the whole area. HS2 would be the largest construction project seen in the country in peacetime, and we would be in the thick of it for 7 years. The line would cut a 14 km swathe through the Borough, and on top of that, the Council is intending to build on the 140 hectares of Greenbelt land around the proposed station.

It's difficult to imagine the landscape that will emerge after all that. Apart from the closure and diversion of roads and footpaths, farms will be fragmented and much land will be lost to agriculture. Land next to the line would be unwanted for housing, so there could be a long sprawl of unsightly low-grade commercial developments. Estate agents have estimated property values will decline by 20% and more in the affected areas - it's simply that people will prefer to live somewhere else.

The whole saga has arisen from the secret discussions 6 years ago between HS2 Ltd and Solihull Council. They drew a line across the map without any regard for the communities living there. HS2 is in sharp contrast to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, which was designed to minimise the impact, by putting it alongside existing roads and railways. Unfortunately, the Government doesn't seem prepared to pay proper compensation, nor to spend money making the scheme quieter and less intrusive.

Every objective analysis shows there will be little, if any, pay back from the scheme, yet career politicians want to be seen to be doing something. Unfortunately, there are strident voices who want to build in the Greenbelt and shift jobs from one place to another.

The Government wanted to get the HS2 Bill through Parliament before the election, but due to indecision and the intrinsic flaws in the project, they will miss the target by at least 3 years. Like the Chilcot enquiry and the expansion of Heathrow all the hard choices have been delayed till after people have It's a story we've so many times before - a grand voted.

There is seen still no plan for even getting HS2 scheme, into wholly paid for by the taxpayer, with no obvious need or benefit, and with all the key decisions made in secret by people without knowledge or experience. The next steps for seeking mitigation will be Euston, let alone Heathrow. The link to the Channel Tunnel, whenever local changes are announced, and when the Bill reaches the House of Lords. For all of us, the sooner it's knocked on the which was the sole plus-point for many, is dead and buried.

Quality Hand Car Cleaning head, the better!

It’s a story we've seen so many times before - a grand scheme, wholly paid for by the taxpayer, with no obvious Richard Lloyd Find us off the A45 in Shepherd’s Lane Meriden need or benefit, and with all the key decisions made in secret Chairman by people withoutHigh knowledge or experience.

The(www.hhag.org.uk) next steps Phone 07538 238 005 Heart of England Speed Railway Action Group for seeking mitigation will be whenever local changes are Open 9.00am -7.00pm 7 days a week announced, and when the Bill reaches the House of Lords.

For all of us, the sooner it's knocked on the head, the better!

Richard Lloyd Chairman Heart of England High Speed Railway Action Group (www.hhag.org.uk)

Bubbles Hand Car Wash

Meriden’s next coach trip to commemorate the centenary of the First World War 1 National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas Saturday 18 April 2015 Tickets £5 Depart Meriden at 9.30am (outside Meriden C of E Primary School) Depart Arboretum at 4pm Children and young people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for tickets please contact paul@meridenparishcouncil.org.uk

Prices from £6 wash only £12 -£15 for inside and out including full vacuum and interior windows

20% prices when 20%off off all when you bring you bring the the Meriden Mag Meridenwith Mag with you! you!

Terry and Mike’s Charity Bike Ride Terry Dyer (of Tom’s Butcher’s fame) and his friend Mike Baker from Balsall Common are taking part in the Malin to Mizen Bike Ride at the end of May 2015 to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care The ride over 7 days covers 427 miles from Malin in the north of Ireland to Mizen Head in the south.

They are now cycling over 100 miles a week in training for the big event and would like your support.

Terry and Mike have already held several fund raising events in 2014 including a Foot Golf tournament at the North Warwickshire Golf course a Music Festival and a duck race, raising in total £5345 so far They would like to thank everyone concerned who have already given so generously and invite entrants to another Foot Golf day on 3rd May If you would like to sponsor Terry and Mike please go to :

www.justgiving.com/Mike-Trigg-In-Ireland

9 Hole Foot Golf Tournament 3rd May North Warwickshire Golf Club To Sponsor the whole event or any of the 9 holes at £100 each or just take part please contact Terry at trigger49@hotmail.co.uk Or call into Tom’s Butchers on the Green

T’ai Chi and Meditation and Relaxation Come and discover how the beautiful flowing movements of this ancient art can improve your wellbeing. Relax and enjoy simple calming relaxation and meditation techniques.

Mondays 9.30-10.30am Meriden Village Hall Call Jacqui on WARWICK OFFICE BALSALL COMMON OFFICE 61 Coten End 2 Meeting House Lane Warwick CV34 4NU Balsall Common CV7 7FX Tel:01926 499889 Tel 01676 533755 Fax: 01926 499552 Fax 01676 533699 www.macnamaraking.com

07703 345210 …the perfect start to your day!

CAMEO Come and Meet Each Other at the Sports Pavilion on the 4th Friday of the month at 2.00 p.m.

CAMEO

At our November meeting Jacqui Walters-Hutton spoke to us about The Island Project at Diddington Hall. She th Come and Meet Each Other at the Community Centre on the 4 Friday explained how it had come about from helping one child with autism to becoming a schoolofforthe 30 children. month at lifelong 2.00 p.m.

Autism is a perplexing developmental disorder which impairs the natural instinct to communicate and form relationships. Without functional communication adults with non-verbal autism are isolated from their community, family and even those who care for them. They are frustrated by being unable to ask for their basic needs to be met. It is therefore essential that as a child their education is based around the ability to communicate.. Each child at Diddington Hall has an individual plan using applied behaviour analysis. Even the most challenging seem to respond to the differential lessons and we were given examples. It was very interesting and informative and we understood so much more about autism at the end.

To help us celebrate Christmas, Doug Field came to give a talk on the authors and background of various carols. He turned it into a quiz and after giving us certain information we had to guess the carol which he then played to us. We also enjoyed singing a number of our favourite carols before we indulged in mince pies, stollen cake, shortbread and sausage rolls.

In January we welcomed John Davis, Manager of Warwickshire Vision Support, a registered charity which until 2014 was known as The Warwickshire Association for the Blind. It offers a combination of rehabilitation and social support services in order to promote independence and self- reliance to enable people with sight loss to live full and satisfying lives. John then described the various types of sight-loss and the services the charity offers from a desk at Warwick Hospital, clubs and drop in centres to a home visitor service. Volunteers call on visually impaired members to help with reading related tasks; anything from reading newspapers, books or magazines to helping them with correspondence. There are a team of Rehabilitation Officers to help people adjust to the challenges presented by limited vision. They visit the home and assess day to day living skills, mobility and how individuals cope with cooking and whether there are difficulties with reading, writing or using the telephone. They then advise on the use of various low-vision aids. We were shown a number of these aids from different types of cane, a gadget to help pour liquid into cups and others to help use the microwave, cooker etc. There are a number of different magnifying glasses and many other helpful aids available. John was accompanied by Paul who has been blind from birth and he told us how various aids, particularly his mobile phone, helped transform his life.

We look forward to welcoming more friends to our meetings so if you need information or a lift please telephone:

Ellen 522534 or Pam 523372

Forthcoming Meetings:-.

27th March – David Crout talking about the hymn Amazing Grace by John Newton.

24th April – A Meal Out. 22nd May – To be confirmed.

LARCH TREE OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE TREATMENT OF MUSCULAR AND SKELETAL PAIN, SPORTS AND PERSONAL INJURIES Liam Halton B.Sc (Hons) Ost. 49 Larch Tree Avenue, (Off Broad Lane), Tile Hill, COVENTRY, CV4 9FT

www.larchtreeost.co.uk TEL: 024 7647 0019

100 years of the Women’s Institute Contact Flick Blewitt 01676 523229 The WI movement started in Canada in 1897 to encourage country women produce better homes , Mrs Adelaide Hoodless had lost a child in babyhood which she realised was largely due to her own ignorance of food hygiene and she campaigned for institutes to be formed to educate country women. The first WI in England and Wales was formed in Anglesey in Wales in September 1915.

By December 1915 rules had been adopted to be non-conformist and non- political. By 1917 one hundred and forty WIs had been formed and the following year Meriden WI was started.

The WI movement has been responsible for many campaigns “Keep Britain Tidy”, “Time to talk about organ donation”, ”SOS high streets and town centres” ,”Equal pay for equal work”, “More Midwives”, “SOS for Honey Bees”, Breast Screening” and many more.

During the Second World War the WI bottled fruit, grew food, organised and cared for evacuees, and supported women in the community while their men folk were at war.

The WI offers a place where women from all places in our society meet us as equals. The centenary year will be filled with activities to mark the event, especially at our annual meeting at the Royal Albert Hall where the speakers will be Dr Lucy Worsley, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Helena Morrisey.

Mrs Letitia Adelaide Bankes of Meriden Hall was the first President of Meriden WI. She was married to Edward Nugent Bankes who was killed in France in 1915 and there is a fine stained glass window to his memory in St Laurence Church.

She was president until 1948 with two breaks, one when she lived in London during the Second World War when the Hall was requisitioned by the War Office.

Many members in the early years were young mothers and often took their children to the meetings. The meetings were held in the afternoons so the members could be home in time to prepare their husbands’ evening meal. An important event was the opening of a welfare centre in Hampton- in Arden in 1922, Mrs Bankes hoped mothers from Meriden would take their babies there and Mr Newcombe offered to take the mothers in his horse and cart for a small charge, In 1923 £4.0s.0d was set aside to help members with the cost.

Also in 1922 a library was started, each member presenting one or two more books, the result being 350 books, it was open to the entire village, possibly this was the start of the village library.

Over the years there have been many popular events, Garden parties, Flower shows, Baby shows, Christmas parties and outings. On 10 July 1924 thirty seven members and 12 boys went to The Wembley Exhibition. A piano was purchased in 1924 which cost 38 guineas, a choir was formed and people were charged 10 shillings for the hire of the piano in the Parish Rooms. (The WI secretary kept the key!)

The WI has continued to flourish in Meriden despite all the changes in life styles. Today the WI meets in the Village Hall on the first Monday in the month usually with a speaker and tea, coffee and cakes. There are lunches at local restaurants, theatre visits and outings, and craft days. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

In December we held our Christmas party (very early as our meetings take Mrs Bankes on her wedding day place at the beginning of each month!) and had a very pleasant evening with a buffet supper, plenty of chat and some carol singing.

We made a change to our programme in January. Instead of having a speaker we discussed the short list of resolutions submitted by the National Federation for the AGM in June. We then voted individually for our choice for the resolution to be chosen; we shall not know the final choice until every W.I. has voted.

At the February meeting Diana Slocombe showed us lots of interesting ways of using up spare material, making cushion covers, table mats, lavender bags and clothes with lovely embroidery together with stitching skills.

Future programme nd

Monday 2

March: Welcome to spring in the garden

David Howell Monday 13th April: Anecdotes Jackie Brighouse (change of date due to Easter) Monday 11th May: Forensics Paul Taberner

A Step too Far!

Living at the top of Meriden Hill in the 50s and Sixties

No gym membership was needed when you lived in Millisons Wood! I walked up and down the hill twice a day to the Village School and four times on a Sunday to sing in the choir. Sometimes I would walk down to the Youth Club on a Friday night run by the lovely John Patrick. How I envied all my friends lucky enough to live right in the Centre of England!

I was born in August 1952 and Nurse Hartwell battled up the hill on her trusty bike to attend to my Mum, Joan Jackson. My Father, Ron was well out of the way in the garden! Imagine Mum’s surprise when, in her hour of need, Nurse Hartwell sat and listened to ‘The Archers’ in our front room before climbing the stairs.

We lived at the last house on the left hand side before ‘The Wood’; this was something that would be of great consternation to me as I grew up. Mr Tuckey kept his animals down at the bottom and they were known to get out from time to time and frighten the daylights out of me.

My grandparents, Eva and Cecil Mitchell, lived opposite and had a wonderful thing called a television! ‘Crackerjack’ on Friday teatime with a buttered crust of a new loaf from Hems’ shop was complete heaven. On a Saturday, for a treat she would sometimes take me on the 159 Bus to Birmingham and I thought that was wonderful. Mr and Mrs Probert lived next to them and were kindness itself. Later on John and Margaret Patrick moved in next door to them and at about the age of nine or ten I played with their two girls, Cheryl and Melanie. Grandma would have a little red book she kept for her weekly shopping order from Hems, she kept a note of every penny she spent as money was tight. She worked a night-shift at the Triumph to make ends meet as my Uncle Ron had passed his 11 plus to Bablake School and the uniform was a huge expense.

Coming from Leeds, her Yorkshire Puddings would have put Jamie Oliver’s’ to shame and we always had a huge plateful with gravy before the meagre main course.

Dad was good fun and made go-karts made of old crates and pram wheels, hobby horses out of broom handles and stuffed socks and balsa wood planes for any child in the street who didn’t have very much. Often there would be a knock on the door and someone would ask if ‘Mr Jackson was coming out to play’. Our back garden was very long and backed on to a field at the back of the Triumph factory. The perimeter fence often had to be scaled if the model planes floated over by an inexperienced ‘pilot’ and had to be retrieved.

School days were mainly happy! Classmates included, Lesley Golding, Trevor Wrist ,Ian Pitman, Richard Trigg, Helen Hulse, Gillian Threadgold, Johnnie and Patsy Wilcox, Kevin Lord, Angela Hughes (her father kept the Bull’s Head and was allowed to stay up quite late) Ilse Kuplens and her family had moved from Latvia and lived in a tiny flat in Darlaston Hall. I loved going there because she would cook potato omelettes for me. The little outbuilding in the grounds was reputed to be haunted. She is now a Preacher in Canada I believe and still has her long plait. Angela Purdey was a super friend and lived in one of the cottages facing the Green. She was lucky enough to have a record player and a copy of Helen Shapiro’s ‘Walking Back to Happiness’ released in 1961. We played it to death.

I remember the little milk bottles lined up by the stove in the classroom with their little frozen foil tops all pecked by sparrows. Well behaved kids were allowed to count the dinner money in Mr Fallowell’s office. Mrs Standing taught us craft skills and her standards were so high I remember doing copious unpicking before the sewing passed the test. (My Mum still has the cross stitch knitting bag) A teacher from Shropshire (can’t remember her name) taught us about living things and gave each of us a tiny geranium cutting to look after. Very special.

This article is part one of a contribution to the Mag by Angela Wheeler, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ron Jackson, she writes “apologies if I have missed anyone or left out anything that is of significance. If any reader remembers my Mum and Dad please drop them a line to 2 Riverdale Close, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 1LJ”

Angela has sent this photo of Meriden Young Wives March 1963. If you recognise anyone please let Angela know -bookwheeler@hotmail.com

The Meriden Plumber NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

Franklin Construction Services Established 1979

Fully Qualified in Natural Gas & LPG Our services include:  Full Central Heating installations  Landlord Gas Safe Certificates & Servicing  Boiler Replacements  Cooker & Fire Installations  Power Flushing  Shower installations  External & Internal Taps No. 544788  Blocked Drains  Underfloor Heating Systems  Bathroom installations from start to finish

For all aspects of building work  Domestic + Commercial + Industrial.  New Build + Extensions + Renovations  Full property maintenanceall trades carried out  Sewage treatment plants installed and repaired

(inc electrics, plastering, tiling & carpentry work)

All Plumbing Work Undertaken

Workmanship may be inspected locally

07972 868 512

Tel:02476 422 999

email:meridenplumber@hotmail.co.uk www.themeridenplumber.co.uk

Mob: 07801 579910

BALSALL COMMON VETS 384a Kenilworth Road Balsall Common CV7 7ER Open by appointment Monday – Friday 11am-6pm Sat 9am-10am Local friendly practice, established over 40 years Highly qualified and experienced staff Car parking at rear of surgery Selling food, toys and other pet care items 24 hour emergency care & advice

Grove House Bed & Breakfast Bill and Sheila Hunt would like to welcome you to

Grove House

A spacious and friendly quality B&B offering luxury rooms and delicious food

Located off a quiet lane in Meriden, we are newly opened and AA graded.  Airport Transfers  Secure parking  Business people catered for  Warm friendly environment

Tel: 01676 530792 www.broadlanevets.co.uk

8, Whichcote Avenue, Meriden Coventry CV7 7LR

Our surgery at 255 Broad Lane CV5 7AQ is open until 7.30pm weeknights, Saturday 8.30am-5pm & Sundays 11am-3pm

Email: enquiries@grovehousebandb.co.uk

01676 523295 www.grovehousebandb.co.uk

First – class care for your car is closer than you think!…

Meriden Fish and Chips The Green, Meriden

ACE GARAGE RADFORD 024 7659 7879 S KENSINGTON GARAGE EARLSDON 024 7667 0054

Under new management since April 2014

For MOT, service, tyres & exhausts call:

Courtesy car, collection & delivery options call Brendan McManus direct on: 07958 518924

We service, repair and care for your vehicle

Opening hours Monday – Saturday 11.30-2.00pm & 4.15 -9.30pm Closed Sundays

01676 523476 Berkswell and District History Group The aim of the History Group is to give its members and the general public the opportunity to acquire information and understanding on items of historical interest through meetings, visits and research projects.

We normally hold a meeting or a visit in each calendar month.

Meetings are held at Berkswell Reading Room at 7.45pm for 8.00pm start Wednesday 11th March “Hospital Radio at Warwick” Margaret Legge Radio Warneforde at Warwick Hospital was established in 1971 to provide quality radio to patients and staff.

Wednesday 8th April “In Praise of Early Photography” Tom Garner

Wednesday 13th May “The Late Victorian Soldier” Paul Thompson.

A look at the lives and equipment of the last soldiers to wear the red coat of the British Army.

1850 to 1900.

Membership £5.00 per calendar year. Meeting fees are £2.00 for members; £3.00 for non-members (incl. refreshments). For our full programme and details of our publications, please visit our website

www.berkswell-history.org or telephone 01676 535782.

It’s amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one !

A family run business, for the ultimate ladies hair, barbering and beauty experience

v

fORDES

Spoil her for Mother’s Day Sunday 15th March top and toe nourishing, relaxing and customised; restore optimum skin health

onthegreen

 Personalised luxury facial accompanied by luxury file and polish allow 11/2 hours special price only £45 Clients receive 5% off any skincare retail price

01676 521653

 20% off selected courses of electrical treatments includes Photon Therapy and Mesoderm  Deep conditioning head and neck massage followed by blow dry special price only £35

the green Meriden CV7 7LN

 Complimentary Chocolates and Bubbles

Opening hours: Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9.00-7.00pm 9.00-5.00pm 9.00-8.00pm 9.00-5.00pm 8.30-4.30pm

Gift boxes, vouchers and couple packages available

Local businesses supporting each other – all clients having cut and finish at Fordes claim a 10% discount at Meriden Spice

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust The Parkridge Centre, Brueton Park, Solihull WWT 5 acre Nature Reserve /Dragonfly Tearoom, Gift shop and second hand children’s/adults books

Support our Help for Hedgehogs Campaign Donate by text – WKWT04 and your donation amount e.g. WKWT04 £10 to 70070

EASTER HOLIDAYS From the 30th March until the 10th April we have something every day, Pond Dipping, all day Crafty drop in’s, Wildlife Watch where children can work towards a hedgehog award, Foxes & Rabbits and Frog workshops and of course our traditional Easter Eggstravaganza session on the 31st March

MAY HALF TERM 26-29th May Come and make new friends, learn more about nature and of course have some tremendous fun!

Full details on our website, under ‘Events’:

www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

To book any of these events please call

0121 704 0768.

Workshops: £3:50 members and £4.50 for non WWT members Crafty Drop-ins: £2.00 60 minute Marvels: £3:00 members and £4.00 for non WWT members Similar events take place at Brandon Marsh Centre, Brandon Lane, Coventry Telephone: 02476 302 912 You will always be assured of a big welcome

Highly Successful Business Woman Working with an expanding international company with UK turnover of £50 million, seeks working partners, (flexible part time/full time hours) who must be ambitious and self motivated.

If you have leadership skills, are a team player, like helping others, are keen to succeed, have excellent communication skills and are sociable, I would like to hear from you.

Incentives include annual bonus, car and free international travel.

Call Gill Pritchard 01676 534020 / 07817 154596 Ongoing training and support for the right people

grace

your living space bespoke curtains * blinds* frippery *furniture Expertly tailored hand-crafted curtains, blinds, festoons, valances, pelmets, tie-backs, cushions and throws Curtains and blinds are custom made in our workroom and hung and dressed as part of the service.

Free home measuring and consultancy service A range of fine accoutrements and adornments together with exquisite pieces of antique and vintage furniture

grace

68 Balsall Street Balsall Common CV7 7AP 01676 541 961 07817 961 222 www.graceinteriors.co.uk

Interiors

Heart of England Social Club Come along and visit us!

Families welcome

The club offers a warm welcome, with excellent facilities for all, including a large concert room, bar, games room, snooker room, darts and a beer garden with play area

Non Members Welcome Happy hour 5.30 – 6.30pm Monday to Friday £2 a pint

Live Premiership Football

Heart of England Social Club, Berkswell Road, Meriden 01676 522430

ARE YOU IN NEED OF SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE IN FINDING THE RIGHT CARE SOLUTION FOR YOU OR A LOVED ONE?

Well look no further.

Senior Care Support Services are here to help, guide and support you with what can be an extremely difficult, stressful and emotional time.

As a local senior care specialist, with many years experience working with the elderly and frail, support, advice and guidance is offered in finding the right care home, albeit residential, nursing or dementia care, or domiciliary care in the home for you or a loved one.

Why not speak, in confidence, with a ‘real’ person with years of experience of ‘the care system’ to help you through this minefield.

Telephone Geraldine Davies on 01564 743067 or email: info@seniorcaresupport.co.uk

Contact: 07549 603 601 01676 521 243

The Job Squad

www.

TheJobSquad. co.uk

The Job Squad is not just for plumbing, carpentry, electrical repairs and general maintenance! We are available whenever you need a “spare pair of hands”.

Small odd jobs such as assembling flat-pack furniture, hanging pictures and televisions, changing light bulbs in awkward places, finishing that job you started! Our local handymen are always on hand to help. At a time that suits you, even evenings and Saturdays.

All work guaranteed Fully insured State pensioners discount Minimum one hour

Free estimates Charged in half hour units No call out charge Established 1996

John Sleath, 01676 532833 07876 415 350 JOHN@THEJOBSQUAD.CO.UK. 

Director: Mr. Neil Massey Address: Leys Lane, Meriden

Services we offer: Garden Design Maintenance Landscaping Paving and patios Fencing Decking Water Features Natural Stone specialists ...And many more!

Call for your free quotation

www.greenroomlandsacpes.org.uk sales@greenroomlandscapes.org.uk

Bennetts Road North Corley Coventry CV7 8BG

nday 11th D

01676 540178

Opening hours Mon-Sat 9.00- 5.00pm Sun 10.00 – 4.00pm

Hanging baskets made to order Many of our bedding, herbaceous and perennial plants are home grown

WE ARE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK

The Countryside Forge

Email: hayleystanley1@hotmail.co.uk

Tel: 01675 443752 07828939513     

Hand forged sporting game priests £40 Interior and exterior wrought iron work undertaken.

Hanging basket brackets £45 Sporting weathervanes made to order Commissions undertaken.

www.tibeagundogs.co.uk

Tel: 07904 239365

A COVENTRY WAY Sunday April 12th is the date for the 2015 ‘A Coventry Way Challenge. The 40 mile circular route follows a series of footpaths and bridleways, starting and finishing at The Queens Head pub here in Meriden, thanks to the support of Lawrence and Caroline at the pub.

The 250 entry limit was reached by the end of January. Those signed up to take part have come from all over - Sheffield, Bristol, Pontypool , Bolton, St Albans, Paignton , Bradford, Matlock, Ely, Ringwood (Hampshire), Needham Market (Suffolk), Wallasey (Cheshire).There is even an entry from Aspe in Spain. Many also are more local, such as Mark Swift and Martin Townend from Allesley. Mark is taking part in his 15th consecutive Challenge (600 miles), whilst for Martin it is his 14th event. After 10 circuits, each of these two was presented with a special 400 mile T-shirt. This year it will be the turn of Peter Ibison from Brownhills who is entered and hopes to complete his 10th circuit to gain that special T-shirt.

During February every effort has been put in to make sure that the whole 40 mile route is clear of undergrowth and brambles. Also the route has been checked to ensure that it is still easy to follow the “Coventry Way” waymark signs. Hopefully the weather will be kind to all taking part.

George Kacarevic is congratulated by Bob Carey on completing his 40 mile Further information about A Coventry Way may be challenge (the full 40 mile challenge obtained from the web-site www.acoventryway.org.uk repeated 10 times).

The record is 14 times!

Every year I put “winter flowering” Pansies in and every year they don’t flower properly until the spring. They are such cheerful flowers I had to have a go at painting them.

Yow will need watercolour paper and paint for this.

1. Lightly draw the pansies, leaves and pot.

2. Painting one petal at a time, carefully dampen the petal with clean water making sure its damp and not soaking wet. Start with the palest colours first and add a little: Yellow (very weak)  Crimson red (weak)  Crimson red (stronger)  Blue + Crimson red (very strong blue/purple) you may need to add a slight touch of Dark Brown to darken this mix Paint every brush stroke towards the centre of the flower.

Adding the dark centre to the petal is the difficult bit. If it’s too wet it will blur too much so wait until almost dry to add the dark tone. Move on to another petal on another flower and repeat.

3. Leaves. Use varying mixes of:• Yellow + Blue (Yellow Green) • Blue + Cadmium (Blue Green) Add small patches of water to the leaf and then drop in the Yellow and Blue greens. Leave some small white patches.

4. Flower centres. On to dry paper add a semi circle of: Yellow (strong)  And then a touch of weak Blue + Brown (grey) 5. Pot. Wet the pot and the shadow with clean water so its glossy wet (avoid the highlights) While this is still wet add in:-





Blue + Brown (grey)

Blue (medium strength)  Blue (strong)  Blue + Crimson red (very strong) Keep the weaker colours to the left and the stronger to the right and under the flowers.

Let the colour flow into the shadow. When it’s almost dry add in a flick of darker tone to the bottom edge.

6. Background.

Wet the background with clean water so it’s glossy wet and add patches of:• Yellow + Blue (weak Yellow Green) • Blue (weak) • Crimson red (very weak)

"For weekly classes and one off workshop at Centre of England Arts contact Julie on 01676 523357 or see website www.COEA.co.uk for more information."

Created by Julie Hyde

Email:jph300@hotmail.com

Copyright © 2015

A springtime walk Hampton-in-Arden to Barston and back 4.5 miles 3.5 hours Beginning at the Beeches(1), turn left out of the Fentham Hall carpark onto Marsh Lane and follow the road in a westerly direction to its junction with the High Street. Here you can see the parish church in front of you and the building known as the Ring of Bells. From here turn left 20 metres later onto Belle Vue Terrace. Follow the footway down to the bottom of the road where it will join a public footpath which runs between hedges. Once you are on the footpath you will notice that the path forks. At this point turn left and follow the footpath which takes you south directly away from the village. This will take you across a number of fields which at this time of the year will be quite wet so suitable footwear is recommended. Having crossed a footbridge you will shortly reach the picturesque hamlet of Walsall End. Please be aware that there are a number of changes in gradient and surface condition on this section of the route.

Walking through Walsall End, continue heading south towards the village of Barston. Leaving the footpath you will join Oak Lane, and then Barston Lane, which will take you through the village. As you are passing through Barston you may wish to stop for refreshments at the Bull’s Head pub which is open daily.

Continue through the village until you reach the junction of Ryton End Lane. A short walk along this country lane, takes you to a bridleway that will allow you to continue on towards Barston Lanes which form part of the West Midlands Golf Club (2). From here continue along the bridleway which will take you past the Marsh Lane local nature area (3) and onto Marsh Lane. From here and taking care, follow the historic Marsh Lane in a north westerly direction back into the village and your start point at the Beeches (1).

The pack horse bridge in Hampton

About Rights of Way In Solihull Solihull has a rich and diverse network of public footpaths which can be enjoyed throughout the year. All of the footpaths will be signed along their length by green and yellow waymark discs and many will have stiles or kissing gates to aid access. Solihull Council work hard to maintain the network of rights of way and have made significant improvements to many routes; however if you do experience any difficulty using a footpath, please contact us at connectcc@solihull.gov.uk The number 82 bus Coventry to Solihull leaves Meriden Green at 33 minutes past the hour and takes 5 minutes to get to Hampton by the church. On return the bus leaves Hampton at 30 minutes past the hour. There are no buses on Sundays.

Meriden Rotary Club organised another successful Santa Fun Run

The Christmas tree Festival at St Laurence Church was extremely creative and enjoyed by all the visitors

Members of Meriden WI in the centenary year

Signs of Spring-Meriden Spartans Cricket Club practising in the nets and snowdrops appearing in the gardens

The Cubs had a great session on the climbing wall at the Alfrey Activity Centre at Broadwater, where they all got to experience climbing up the different types of wall faces

A Police Officer visited the Scout Hut with his Police Motorbike

and talked to the Beavers about important safety information such as The Green Cross Code and Stranger Danger

1st Meriden Scout Group – News from the Green Hut Group News

As noted in the last Meriden Mag, at the end of December 2014 Lis Willis retired from the Scout Group after a number of years firstly as the Cub Scout Leader and more latterly as the Leader of the Beaver Scout section. At the last meeting before Christmas the Beaver Scout parents made a presentation to Lis, and Gerry Russell made a small presentation on behalf of the Group. We would all like to thank Lis for all of her work with the young people in Meriden Scouting and wish her well in the future.

The Scout Group is fortunate that both Emma West-Eggar and Becky Billingsley have kindly agreed to take up new appointments in the Beaver Scout section. Emma as the Beaver Scout Leader and Becky as the Assistant Beaver Scout Leader. Both have been through the appointment procedure and have started the normal training process for Leaders.

Steve Evans has volunteered to be a new Assistant Cub Scout Leader working with Malcolm. Steve is also going through the required appointment process.

In addition to his Scout Leader role Mark Jones has kindly agreed to become the Assistant Group Scout Leader, working with Gerry Russell to further develop the Group.

One of the areas we are looking to develop is a new section called Explorer Scouts; this section follows on from the current Beavers Scouts (6 to 8 year olds), Cub Scouts (8 to 10.5 year olds), and Scouts (10.5 to 14 year olds). The Explorer Scout section is for young people from 14 to 18 years old and like all the sections in Scouting is open to both boys and Girls.

The number of young people in the Scout Group is continuing to grow, so there is still room for additional sectional Leaders and Group supporters. If you can help us in any way please do contact any of the section Leaders or Gerry Russell.

All the sections have an exciting programme for 2015, including the regular meeting nights together with outings and camps. This year there will be a County Camp where many thousand Scouts of all ages will be going to Ragley Hall.

Cub Scouts

Firstly, we would like to welcome Steve Evans as our new Assistant Cub Scout Leader, as well as our new Cubs (Olivia, Joel and Archie) that have moved up from Beavers. Our recent activities have seen the Cubs create and design their own Christmas meal and cook it from scratch. It looked and tasted great! We also created our very own Christmas tree that was entered into the annual Christmas tree competition at St Laurence's. The Cubs also had a great session on the climbing wall at the Alfrey Activity Centre at Broadwater, where they all got to experience climbing up the different types of wall faces from the easier straight climb to the more difficult overhang. This was a very enjoyable night. The varied programme that we have planned for Cubs has many exciting challenges ahead, which includes Chinese New Year celebrations, a technology night and a scavenger hunt around the village.

It has been another enjoyable programme to date and the Cubs are having great fun in being a part of it. If you would like your son or daughter to be a part of this, there are still spaces available, so please do not hesitate to get in touch and bring your children (aged between 8-10 and-a-half) down to the Scout Hut on a Thursday night from 6:30-8:00pm

Beaver Scouts

The New Year has seen the start of two new Beaver Scout Leaders at 1st Meriden, coupled with an increase in the number of Beavers now attending. We have our very own woodland creature groups and have learned interesting facts about each animal and the importance of teamwork activities. We are now working towards our Global Challenge badge by learning about Chinese culture and working out which animal we are on the Chinese Zodiac, along with making Chinese lanterns. The Beavers got their hands messy by making camp fire cakes and we were very excited when a Police Officer visited the Scout Hut with his Police Motorbike and talked about important safety information such as The Green Cross Code and Stranger Danger. This activity has helped us to work towards our Safety badge. We are all very excited to be going on the Beaver Youth Involvement Day in February where we will be meeting up with other Beaver Scouts from the District and earning our Disability Awareness and Communicator badges. Next term we will be working towards our Animal Care badge and continuing our work on Safety and Global badges. This year is a very exciting year with lots of events planned with the District/County Beaver Scouts as well as our Monday night sessions. An Investiture of new Beaver Scouts is planned to take place during February.

Please contact the Leaders below if you would like to join – Go on, come and meet some new friends, learn something new and have FUN!!

Beavers: Girls and boys aged 6-8 years meet on a Monday at 6.30pm. Contact Emma (evenings only 07811 905456) Cubs: Girls and Boys aged 8-10½ meet on a Thursday at 6.30pm. Contact Malcolm (07967 325520) Scouts: Girls and Boys aged 10½-14 meet on a Tuesday at 7pm. Mark (07801 773352) or 1stMeridenScouts@gmail.com We also need help from any adults out there that would be willing to spare some time with any of the sections – even if it is just for the odd hour or two each month.

Meriden Volunteers for Our financial year ends at the end of January and we have sent £8,000 to the national account of CRUK this year This is less than our usual yearly income but we plod on thinking that we’ve accomplished something worthwhile. Thank you for your continued support with our fund raising events.

On Friday April 10th at the Heart of England Club we are pleased to have booked Knoxville Highway a country group of 5 men.

We have had them before and we are very lucky to have booked them again. They are playing in the studio at Solihull theatre in February and if they are good enough for Solihull they are good enough for us! Tickets to be booked beforehand are £10 and will include hot dogs.

On Thursday April 30th we welcome a ladies clothing sale of leading labels at 7.00pm the entrance will be £1. Cash and cheque sales only, no card facilities. There will be refreshments available whilst you wait for your best friend!

Knoxville Highway Country Group Friday 10th April At Heart of England Club Tickets must be booked in advance £10 to include a hot dog

Ladies Clothing Sale Thursday 30th April 7.00pm At Heart of England Club Entrance £1 on the door

“We will beat cancer sooner”

Mary Warr, Meriden Volunteers for Cancer Research Please Telephone for tickets and information 01676 522160 * 01676 522855 * 01676 22702 01676 522555 Award Winning Baby Development Classes Designed for babies from birth to 13 months Babies have an extraordinary capacity to absorb information in their first year and at Baby Sensory we don’t waste a single moment!

With 40 themed lesson plans, you and your baby will discover a magical underwater world, explore a tropical jungle, journey into Space and have fun at our Baby Olympics!

Classes held in:- Shirley, Solihull and Meriden

Contact - Nina 07971 945 242 solihull@babysensory.co.uk

Newly open 20% off Food bill on your 1st visit on presentation of this Magazine and 10% off future visits until 31st May

Exclusive business lunches One course £6.95 2 courses £8.95 Sunday special 4 courses £14.95 Please ask for our loyalty card Take away menu available Open 7 days Lunch:12noon – 2.00pm Sunday – Thursday Evening – 5.00pm – 10.30pm Friday and Saturday 5.00pm until 11.00pm

Shephards Lane Meriden Bypass, Gt. Packington CV7 7JT off A45 Birmingham Rd

01676 521 218 www.thaibrasserienec.co.uk info@thaibrasserienec.co.uk

Meriden library 01676 522717 Monday Thursday Saturday

10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 1pm

Meriden library works commenced on Monday 9 February Solihull Council would like to inform residents that Meriden library has been closed for a short period, from Open21 Monday 10.00am – 6.00pm Saturday February.

– 6.00pm The site isThursday undergoing10.00am both external and internal works, Saturday – 1.00pm comprising repairs to10.00am the chimneys, the roof covering, brickwork repairs, window repairs, damp-proofing works and decoration externally and internally.

In addition to this work, funding has been secured from Meriden Parish Council to upgrade the ICT facilities for customers using the library.

The works have been combined into one programme resulting in only one period of closure for the library site.

External works commenced on Monday 9 February. The Meriden Library site closed on Saturday 21 February so that the internal works and the ICT facility works can begin. The library will re-open on Monday 30 March 2015 with a new offer for customers, which includes 6 new computers and tablets.

During the closure period access to library services for local residents will be via a re-routed mobile service, book drop off points in the local community and an extended loan period of 6 weeks.

The temporary mobile stops will be: Thursday 5th March 2.15pm – 3.30pm The Pavilion Monday 9th March 2.00pm – 4.00pm The Pavilion Thursday 12th March 1.50pm – 3.20pm The Pavilion Thursday 19th March 10.00am – 10.30am Albert Road (existing stop) Thursday 19th March 1.30pm – 3.10pm The Pavilion Thursday 26th March 2.15pm – 3.30pm The Pavilion Monday 30th March 2.00pm – 4.00pm The Pavilion For further information please contact Kate Bunting,

Operations and Community Engagement Manager, Library and Information Service, Tel: 0121 704 6958, Email: kate.bunting@solihull.gov.uk

Meriden Playgroup Come and join us for a little playtime crafts, indoor and outdoor play, a healthy snack, a cup of tea and a warm welcome

Every Tuesday (term time only) 9.30 – 11.30am Meriden Methodist Church Hall, Main Road £1.50 for one child + 50p each additional children (first session free)

Please call Vanessa Walker 07779 235 248 for more details

Meriden Library Readers Circle Meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month from 7.30 to 9.00 p.m, but the March meeting will not be held due to absences If you would like to join us do please call me for details of the venue. We usually read round a different subject each month and the Library staff provide us with a selection of books to choose from so we can contribute what we have discovered.

The April and May meetings will be as usual 8th April 2015 The Supernatural - this can be serious or scary depending on you. "Ooooooh!"

13th May 2015 It's been fifty years since Winston Churchill died. Let's have a look at the changes we have seen in politics over that half century. The book can be fact or fiction.

If you are interested in either of these subjects it would be good to hear your thoughts on them so do come along and join us.

Margaret Houldsworth 01676 523603

Balsall Writers

At our December committee meeting we reviewed past progress and looked confidently at the group’s future. Whilst new members are always welcome we continue to have effective group meetings with members submitting work for appraisal.

Many members of the Thursday group are concentrating on their second novel or producing a kindle edition of their short stories.

The Tuesday group also has two published members, whilst the Poetry group now has six members and continues to meet on a regular basis in members’ homes.

After having produced such a successful Anthology, now available in paperback & kindle we are having 2015 off and concentrating on an exhibition by our authors to be held in the autumn.

For more information see our website www.balsallwriters.org.uk or email Anne Santos at Info@balsallwriters.org.uk

The Woes of Being a Graduate Graduate unemployment: a term that has been in increasing use with a growing sense of foreboding for the future of young people attached to it. Despite the world-renowned education that young people receive from British Higher Educational institutions, nearly 40% of graduates are without work after six months of graduating, according to graduate recruitment website Totaljobs.com. The repercussions of this in a time of economic volatility could be precarious for the long-term unemployment figures for young people as well as the legitimacy of the university degree in the competitive job market of today.

Since the turn of the century, figures for undergraduate study have remained fairly stable, with a slight dip following the increase in tuition fees. Compounded by the notion that British higher education is as strong as ever, with an 86% rate of student satisfaction in 2014, surely graduates are turning out with more kudos than ever before. They have sound grounding in academic study having spent at least three years under experts in their field of study.

This does little to explain the jobless but qualified young people that are perhaps struggling to realise their potential through desirable employment.

Indeed, the cut-throat job market of the 21st century means that competition is deadly for the thousands of graduates searching for their “ideal” job. Perhaps they are suffering from the implications of their sky-high expectations: do some graduates think they can skip a few steps on the career ladder, rather than working from rock bottom?

Equally, with a wealth of graduates to choose from, the value of holding a degree, especially one in a non-specific field, may no longer impress employers to the extent that graduates even stand out in a group of applicants.

Maybe a lack of employability is to blame. Whilst new graduates may have excelled in their exams and become intellectual beings, their skillset may be too much lacking to reach the bar set high by inundated employers. A failure to complete work experience against a small elite of high-flyers may see some graduates missing the mark on employment.

It is certainly a hard pill to swallow that well-qualified people are being turned away from the jobs that they are most likely fit to fulfil. It is even bitterer that jobs cannot be plucked out of thin air and a stagnation of the current situation would be the best to hope for. However, as, under the current government, it is reported that 1,000 jobs are created every single day, one would hope that graduates will soon see their prospects improving.

Moreover, graduate recruitment fairs take place at most universities and institutes of Higher Education on a regular basis, providing important networking between soon-to-be graduates and employers. Events and programmes such as these are incredibly useful in placing graduates in viable work placements and should continue to develop across the country.

Internships are considered another bone of contention in the graduate employment question. Whether they act as a hoist to give graduates experience and contacts or whether they exploit the skills and availability of unemployed university leavers remains ambiguous. However, similar types of work placements, even apprenticeships, should be encouraged to give both school and university leavers a gateway into the workplace.

Graduate unemployment is a sad truth that affects our society and economy significantly. Although a recovery from such a state of affairs is hardly imminent, that is not to say that with engagement and motivation from employers, the goal of reducing the imbalance of graduates and jobs cannot be achieved.

Claire Hargreaves year 13 student at Heart of England Sixth Form Meriden Spartans Cricket Club The Spartans ended the season with their presentation evening where players were recognised for their achievements during a great season.

Preparations for the upcoming season are under way with nets training sessions every Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening until April. This year the Sunday afternoons will include coaching sessions for the juniors.

Friday night junior coaching sessions will return to Meriden Sports Park on Friday 24th April at 6pm.

The first, second, Sunday and midweek 20/20 teams will be playing at Meriden from the start of May. A full list of fixtures will be available shortly and displayed at the pavilion.

We look forward to your continued support and another successful season!

For any queries about membership, junior coaching or sponsorship please email: admin@mscc.info

Potato Bake Mary-Ann Beaty is one of the cooks who writes recipes for The Farmers Weekly, she lives at the Dairy Farm Packington. sd We have chosen her potato bake as she writes that it is a struggle to find something quick and easy to do with the humble spud. This is really tasty and with the addition of a handful of chopped ham or chicken and a sprinkling of herbs, makes a meal on its own.

Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 50 minutes Oven: 190C/Gas 5/Fan 170C

serves 4–6

Ingredients



Method



1. Put all the ingredients in a food processor and “blitz” until the potatoes

3 large potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped 

1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped



3 eggs



3oz mature cheddar (optional)



4fl oz milk



2 tbsp butter or margarine



Salt and pepper

Save the Children Warwickshire Walks Sunday April 26th Start Lapworth Village Hall from 10.00 am to 4.00pm Last registration at 2.30pm 3 lengths: 3, 5 or 10 mile walks The walk includes Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House (with special concessions on entrance charges) There will be a nature trail for children Teas and cakes will be available in the hall Cost:£5 per adult, free for children all proceeds to the Save the Children

Phone 01676 533513

Brailes Farm 522318 Fresh cut turf Potatoes Rockery stone and Other garden needs Village delivery

and onion are grated size and everything else is well blended. 

2. Season well with salt and pepper.



3. Pour into a greased dish.



4. Bake, uncovered for 50min.

Top Tips for Gardeners in March  Protect tender shoots from slugs  Plant shallots, onion sets and early  potatoes  Plant summer-flowering bulbs  Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials  Top dress containers with fresh compost  Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed)  Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) grown for colourful winter stems  Weeds come back in to growth - deal with them before they get out of hand  Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain; remove pond heaters  Open the greenhouse or conservatory doors and vents on warm days

M.J. Mowing martin@mjmowing.co.uk

Grass Cutting Hedge Cutting Pruning Strimming Weed Control –Pesticide Licensed Leaves Cleared No Job Too Small Competitive Prices - Free Quotes Call Martin 01675 465 204 07922 241 181

Eric King 26.01.1945 – 31.01 2015 Eric William King was born on 26th of January 1945 along with his brother Peter who was born a few minutes later. He lived with his father, mother and two brothers in Sheldon where he grew up and gained his education. He then moved to Moseley when he had met his future wife Diane Warren, the love of his life.

When their thoughts turned to starting a family they fell in love with the leafy lanes of Warwickshire and moved into a house in Eastern Green and a few years later after the birth of their first son Adrian they moved to Glovers Close, Meriden.

It was here that they felt home. Warren and Nadine soon appeared and it was through their attendance at the local primary school that Eric and Diane started to make many friends in the village. Eric was always an active member of the village community he would help with the social events and dance at the school, helping run the bar for the PTA. At Christmas and other holidays he would make sure the kids were entertained, by putting on film shows of Disney films and children’s movies.

One of his great enjoyments was setting up and running a football team for the Meriden Cubs. With no formal coaching training he would make sure everyone got a game (Whether you were a cub scout or not). It was all about enjoying the beautiful game. A keen fitness enthusiast he would often be seen jogging around the village and the surrounding lanes, as well as on the golf course of the old Forest of Arden golf course. He took part in many an Outward Bound Weekend in Wales and completed many half marathons; the Coventry marathon was a highlight as he got to jog through his home village.

He moved out of Meriden for a time when he bought a guest house on the Kenilworth Road. Bibury House was definitely Mr King’s Castle and he welcomed all with a smile and good company. Eric was certainly a character and even when he lived away from the village he was very much a member of the community. Especially the Queens Head.

When the children had grown and moved on. Eric and his Diane moved back to Meriden where they lived happily and became involved with the Meriden Cricket Club. Eric relished his position in the club and had some memorable tours away with the lads. A keen Birmingham City fan you would often find Eric sharing the banter as the results came in and supporters returned to the Queens Head on a Saturday evening.

In later life the death of his beautiful Diane and the decline in his health took its toll on him. It was a struggle for him but he would always look on the bright side of life and appreciate the warmth and support of the community he was such a part of.

He would twist his signature moustache tip his hat and carry on. He will be sadly missed by his friends, children and beloved grandchildren Alfie, Ruby, Miles, Freya, Frankie and Roman. ‘Gar Gar’ will always be in their hearts.

Eric is in a better place now. He made his 70th birthday against all odds. He smiled and was at peace with the world when he passed away, in his bed, in his home, in his village. I imagine he will be with his beautiful Diane now, happy and in each other’s arms forever. Meriden will miss you.

Lavender Hall Lane Berkswell CV7 7BN 01676 530 299 / 07949 119 436

b

Cafe open to the public from 8.00am – 2.00pm week days and now until 3.30pm Saturday & Sunday Serving hot and cold food Specialising in an all day Breakfast for £4.20!

“Coffee and Cake” We are pleased to be able to offer our customers Freshly Ground Coffee & Homemade Cakes served daily

Gates open at 7.00am close at dusk

Introductory offer Coffee and cake £3.00

Mother’s Day Lunch Sunday 15th March

MANOR HOTEL Main Road, Meriden, Solihull, West Midlands, CV7 7NH Tel: 01676 522735 events@manorhotlmeriden.co.uk Wedding Open Day’s Want something different in 2015 – Outdoor ceremonies in our Private courtyard Wednesday 4th March; 6.00 -9.00pm

Don’t miss the perfect opportunity to see how your special day could look in one of our amazing suites! Visit our stunning hotel and see first-hand how all of our 4 beautiful rooms can be set for your big day. Our experienced team will also be on hand to assist with questions and to help tailor your day at the Manor to your dreams…

Show your mum how much you love her this Mother’s Day and treat her to a delicious 3-course Sunday lunch with no washing up! Free gift for all Mums!

Regency Restaurant Including 4 course meal Adult £23.95 Child £11.95 Aylesford Suite Including 3 course carvery Adult £17.95 Child £8.95 Houstons Bar & Grill Including 3 course meal Adult £14.95 Child £7.95 Children 2 years and under eat FREE Sunday 5th April Easter Lunch Carvery and Disco With a visit form the Easter bunny for the kids plus a traditional egg hunt, a great way to spend Easter with the family.

Adults £21.95 Children £10.95 Children 2 years and under eat FREE Regency Restaurant Join us for a truly traditional Sunday Lunch giving you the chance to unwind and enjoy our award winning food and service.

Adults £19.95 Children £9.95

Barkers’ Butts RFC

Pickford Grange Lane Coventry CV5 9AR   

11 Mini & Junior age groups from 6-16 years Non-Contact Rugby for girls 11-18 years Under 18 Colts Side

Our facilities are 1st class and all our coaches are RFU Qualified and CRB checked

Contact Scott English 07963 134923 

We also have 4 adult sides 1st XV to Vets



There will be a special welcome to players returning to the game in time for the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Contact Glen Southwell 07598 980546

Do you want to clean up?

Fredanita Flower & Gift Boutique Sarah Mcguigan Proprietor & florist We will be open Mother’s Day Sunday 15th March

Treat your Mum to a bouquet of our beautiful flowers Free local delivery

Call in and see our range of renovated shabby chic furniture Commissions undertaken

The Green, Meriden, Coventry CV7 7LN Tel: 01676 523 050 Mob:07803 941931 Email :sarahcolver@hotmail.co.uk

No? Then let me do it for you. I have twenty years’ experience in cleaning and am trustworthy and hard working References can be provided.

Contact Rachel on 07518538829

We had a great run up to Christmas with the Brownies gaining their artist badges. Now we are into 2015 and are working our way through the craft badge and speaker badge.

The Brownies enjoy lots of games as well and we are looking forward to a talk about hedgehogs from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. We can’t wait till the lighter evenings so we can go out and explore Meriden.

Sarah Markham 07572 508727 sarahmarkhamuk@yahoo.co.uk

Living on Earth is expensive, however it does include a free trip around the sun.

Greetings from Meriden Rotary Club and a belated Happy New Year! Hope you all had a very wonderful and relaxing Christmas and New Year Break!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people of Meriden for supporting us in this festive season through Santa Fun Run and Santa Sleigh events. We had yet another very successful Santa Fun Run and you will find all the details of the event opposite. We also had yet another year of successful Santa Sleigh collections through Meriden and surrounding areas. Once again you came out in great number, especially children, to meet Father Christmas on the Sleigh.

So Thank You very much once again for supporting our Club during these events.

We hosted our annual Senior Citizens’ Party on 31st January.

We once again welcomed the Senior Citizens for the fun filled evening and they enjoyed every bit of it.

In the past few months, we had many speakers from various sections of the society presenting us information about their chosen areas and we had a great fellowship.

Why not join us one evening on Tuesday at Manor Hotel at 7 for 7.30pm and know a bit more about us?

Dev Kulkarni President, Meriden Rotary Club Temple Balsall A Sure Start Children’s Centre

The Children’s Centre at the rear of Meriden C of E Primary School next to Beechwood Nursery Play and Stay Mondays 12 noon to 2.00 pm (in term time) For families with children age 0 – 5 Adult Craft Exchange Fridays at 9.00 am – 12.00 noon At Meriden Children’s Centre Please call Vanessa to book 07779235248 Alternate Fridays 1.30 pm-2.30 pm Caterpillar Club - messy session in the school nursery contact school for further details

For more details of the Children’s Centre activities call 0121 248 7654 Anything you need relating to children and families, we can help

Santa Fun Run 2014 Meriden Rotary Club held their third Santa Fun Run on 7th December and it was again a big success with our largest event so far and runners having great fun on a pleasant winter Sunday morning.

Whilst a few covered the 4km course in amazingly short time others extended the fun by taking a more leisurely pace. The mayor of Solihull came to start the run in spite of having a very bad cold - our sincere thanks to her.

Thanks to a really good turn out and wonderful sponsorship of runners and our many corporate sponsors, we have raised some £6000 for local and Rotary Charities primarily Marie Curie and Princes Trust.

We have many great photos of happy smiling faces particularly children and we will post many of them on our website shortly. Electronic copies will be made available on request.

Many thanks to all our runners, supporters and sponsors. We hope that you will support our event again next year.

Tony Hill Meriden Rotary club

Spring into fitness in 2015 at the Marriott Forest of Arden Leisure Club 01676 526107 During March and April enjoy a 4 week membership including:  18m Leisure pool  Spa Bath  Sauna & Steam room  Exercise studio with over30 classes per week  Flood lit tennis courts & table tennis facilities  Splash pool  Cardio gym  Free weights gym  Resistance suite

All for just £49* Open 6am – 11pm 7 days a week.

Coventry Breathe Easy

Come along to a warm welcome with Candy at Meriden Village Hall

Zumba Thursday evenings 6.00pm £4 per session

*Terms and conditions apply. Offer only available March and April 2015

For more information please ring Cynthia on 02476 440316 Pilates Thursday evenings 7.00pm £4 per session

Pilates focuses on building your body's core strength and improving your posture through a series of low repetition low impact stretching and conditioning exercises.

It not only provides a complete body workout (you will be working muscles you didn't even know you had!), but also helps you develop an awareness of how your body works, helping your mind and body to work in harmony.

Any queries please contact: Tel. 07828709650

A support group for all those affected by a lung condition, including friends, family and carers.

Meets on the 2nd Friday of every month.

2 – 4 pm The Lounge, Central Hall, Methodist Church Warwick Lane, Coventry, CV1 2HA Friday 13th March Karen Payne - Specialist Nurse – Bronchiectasis Friday 10th April Sarah Fellow – Living with Chronic Illness and enjoying a good quality of life Friday 8th May Dr Colin Gelder – Consultant - Allergies

ONE OF THE UK’S LARGEST DISTRIBUTORS OF PLASTIC BUILDING MATERIALS • MULTIWALL POLYCARBONATE SHEETS • GLAZING BARS & ACCESSORIES • DECORATIVE WALL CLADDING & SHOWER PANELS • UPVC FASCIA, SOFFITS, SKIRTING & ARCHITRAVE • CORRUGATED PVC, GRP & POLYCARBONATE ROOFING SHEETS • GUTTERING & DOWNPIPES - SQUARE & ROUND • CUT TO SIZE ACRYLIC & POLYCARBONATE SHEETS • DECORATIVE COVING & CORNICE • HYGIENIC WALL & CEILING LININGS • DYNOTILE - CLIP TOGETHER GARAGE FLOORING

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Rockwell Sheet Sales Ltd Tel: 01676 522224 Rockwell House Birmingham Road Millisons Wood, Coventry CV5 9AZ

Opening Hours - Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat Morning 9am-12pm

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All aspects of domestic installation and repairs    Fully equipped with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private roof terrace, swimming pool, garage, TV and air conditioning.

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Contact Malcolm Hickin 01676 248673 mhickin@tiscali.co.uk

   

Fuse box upgrades Test and inspection Extra lights and sockets Security lights Full or partial rewires Digital TV aerials Free quotations

Phone Paul Telephone: 0121 764 5872 Mobile 07979 064835 Email: paulheath11@yahoo.com

The public and press are cordially invited to all parish council meetings at 7.30pm. An opportunity will be given for the public to speak. Look out for the agenda and venue which is posted on the parish notice boards and our website www.meridenparishcouncil.org.uk prior to the meeting.

Should you wish to contact the Parish Council, please contact the Clerk or drop into the Parish Council office on Monday or Thursday mornings where you may access information or have a private chat with the Clerk to address local community issues.

The next meeting dates are:

Barbara Bland

  

23 March 2015 - The Pavilion, Parish Council Meeting 27 April 2015 - The Pavilion, Annual Parish Meeting 18 May 2015 - The Pavilion, The Annual Meeting, Election of Chair, Vice Chair and Committee Members

The Pavilion Meriden Sports Park Main Road Meriden CV7 7SP

Tel: 01676 522474 (Mondays and Thursdays) Mobile: 07767 162423 Email: barbarablandmpc@btconnect.com Web: www.meridenparishcouncil.org.uk

Please note the change of venue to the Parish Council office for all meetings is to afford access to wi-fi and Parish Council files for effective and efficient use of meeting times.

Your Parish Councillors are:

Melanie Lee (Chair)

Rosie Weaver (Vice Chair)

Bob Kipling

Paul Lee

Mandy Haque

Frances Lynch-Smith

Jon Barber

Matthew Nunn

Community surgeries at Meriden Library

Community surgeries are held by Barbara Bland, our Clerk, and Bruce Brant, our Neighbourhood Co-ordinator, from Solihull Council to discuss any issues at Meriden Library on Monday mornings from 10.00am – 12.00 noon on the following dates: 13 April 2015 and 11 May 2015.

If there is a preference for confidentiality you may arrange to meet Barbara and Bruce at The Pavilion. Please call Barbara so she may organise this for you during the Community Surgery time slot.

Note: March’s surgery will take place at The Pavilion on 9 March 2015 while the library is closed for renovation.

Police beat surgeries Sgt Craig Hurst and his team will conduct their beat surgery on Thursdays 26 March at the Pavilion and 23 April 2015 at Meriden Library between 11am and 12noon. If you have any policing concerns do come along and discuss them with one of the local officers that is responsible for patrolling your area.

Neighbourhood Planning

The Neighbourhood Planning consultation concluded on 16 January 2015. We confirm that Meriden Neighbourhood Plan Area is on the forward plan for the Economic Development & Land Decision Session on 25 March 2015. There has been only one representation received by SMBC in support of the application for Parish Designation. Following the Decision Session and Solihull Council’s decision, it will then be for the Parish Council to take forward. Any resident interested in joining the Neighbourhood Plan working group please contact the Clerk.

2015 is the year for General and Local Elections

Not only are the general elections taking place this 7 May 2015, but also the local elections for your ward and parish councillors. All local councillors are able to stand for re-election. YOU may also wish to stand for election for your Parish Council.

If you are a resident or work within the Parish, are over 18 and do not have a criminal record then you may be able to stand. If you wish to do this, or discuss this further, please contact our clerk, Barbara Bland, on 01676 522474 or 07767 162423 or email barbarablandmpc@btconnect.com.

To find out more about standing for local election, you can attend a briefing session at Solihull Council’s Civic Suite on Wednesday 4 March 2015 at 6.30pm. The deadline to submit your nomination papers is 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2015.

Alternatively you may follow this link on http://www.solihull.gov.uk/About-the Council/Voting/elections2015/TownParishCouncilElections2015 at SMBC for the appropriate forms/information as soon as possible. Further information will be posted on the notice boards shortly.

Sports Camps this Easter at Meriden Sports Park 30 Mar – 2 Apr 2015 7 – 10 Apr 2015

9am – 3pm each day. £10 per day or £40 per week. For boys and girls aged 5-12.

For each day please ensure you bring a packed lunch, healthy snacks, warm waterproof clothing as well as boots/trainers. Please book through the Parish Council’s sports co-ordinator Paul Jayes on 07508 611922 or email Paul at visionfootballacademy@ymail.com to guarantee your child’s place on our Sports Camps. Book your place early as places are limited.

YOUR DOG YOUR JOB - latest news on dog fouling

Any calls made to Solihull’s contact centre regarding dog fouling will receive a green intervention which means cleansing by their Litter Blitz crew. Between 3 and 8 incidents on the same road will receive an amber intervention which includes cleansing and stencilling and anything over 8 per month on that road will receive a red intervention which is more detailed monitoring and patrolling.

Spread the word, rather than the muck, call Environmental Services on 0121 704 8000 to report any dog fouling.

Solihull Council is also currently working with schools to educate the children which hopefully they will pass on to their family and friends who are pet owners, YOUR DOG YOUR JOB. More information will feature in the next issue of the Meriden Mag.

The Parish Council would like to thank

Ashley Prior and Tejinder Chagger, SMBC Highways, for their work including the replacement new bus shelter, removal of lay-by, new bus stop arrangement with raised curbs and tactile paving on both sides of Main Road at the bottom of Leys Lane.

Thanks to Taylor Wimpey Homes for their contribution towards the planting of the Living Poppy Memorial at Memorial Approach.

Thanks to Bruce Brant, Neighbourhood Co-ordinator, for the installation of the long awaited bollards at the busy crossing point of Fillongley Road and Maxstoke Lane.

Solihull Neighbourhoods in Bloom 2015 Volunteer Appeal

With the success of achieving Meriden Best Village accolade for 2014, we are keen to defend our "winner status" in 2015. Therefore we are seeking volunteers to assist with growing the plants. If you have a polytunnel or greenhouse(s) with spare room to bring on plugs and plant into trays, please contact the Clerk on 01676 522474.

Our contractors, Advanced Maintenance Services (West Midlands) Limited and Dovetail Facilities Services Limited, are once again generously donating their labour pro bono. Alan Lole has purchased hanging baskets for the shop fronts ready for planting.

   

Brick built heated/fully tiled kennels with individual runs.

Highly recommended, small family run business Vaccinated dogs only please Working Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel puppies sometimes for sale

For the very best for your dog, contact…

Lesley Thompson, at

Meriroyles

118 Fillongley Road, Meriden.

Telephone 01676 522405 email: meriroyles@aol.com

Tom’s Butchery Established 25 years 3 The Green Meriden Telephone

01676 522822

Fresh local farm chickens Hand raised pork pies all sizes Ribs of beef on the bone Free range English pork Top quality lamb Wide selection of prize winning sausages  Wide selection of cheeses  Wide selection of bacon including dry cured English bacon      

 Newspapers and Magazines  Beer and Wine  Groceries and fresh produce  Cash Machine and cash back available  Dry Cleaning  Lottery  Award winning Lashford sausages  Send and receive parcels from here Normal opening hours throughout Easter Weekdays 6am – 10pm – 10pm OpenWeekends Weekdays7am 6.30am-10pm

Weekends 7.30am-10pm

Spar, 1 The Green, Meriden 01676 522287

MERIDEN TREE OF THOUGHT What amazing people we have in our Village!! I received wonderful donations from:- The Earl & of Aylesford, De Mulder Enterprises, Pertemps, The Cassidy group, to book, the Manor Hotel, Fordes on the Green and Meriden Christian Fellowship. In addition, there were individual contributions made by so many of you.

The Christmas Cards I published made £ 504 profit. All residual money was shared, equally, between Macmillan Cancer Support and The Marie Curie Hospice, Solihull. The symbols of Thought raised £405. -- for Macmillan and £693.75 for The Hospice. Put together, The Tree raised ** £ 3,298.75** over the Christmas period. During the Summer, I received an excellent donation from Meriden Rotary Club which, with the money raised from my Meriden Midsummer Draw, made the TOTAL for 2014-** £ 5,648.75**. This means that the overall total raised so far for the Cancer Care Charities, since I founded The Tree on the 17th November 2005,to **** £ 42,726.25. **** I think it is fair to say that everyone enjoyed The Tree with the new LED Lights, the large majority of which was paid for by Guy Salmon-Land Rover, Coventry. The Insurance for the duration of The Tree was, again, covered by The Parish Council. Dedication Day was most enjoyable with proceedings having been, beautifully, conducted by The Rev Kate Massey. The donkeys were, again, sponsored by Gary and James Olsen of Meriden Tearooms, Carol Todd, Ron Potter, John Sleath (The Job Squad) and Phil Simister played a great part, on the day, with their help and kindness. A lovely time was had by all who were at The Special Lunch at The Manor Hotel on the 10th December.

The food, service and atmosphere, they provided, were just brilliant. Instead of writing "Thank you" many times, please let me say ****** A HUGE THANK YOU****** to everyone who supports what I do!!!!!!!!

Alan Lole

North Warwickshire Golf Club Just starting or looking to improve?

Quality golf lessons for all ages

01676 522295 Andrew Bownes PGA Golf Professional 1 to 1 lessons from £20 ½ hour Course of lessons available Juniors class Saturdays 2.00 - 3.00pm Tri.golf and golf junior passport centre No equipment necessary/non-members welcome Gift vouchers and lesson vouchers available from the club shop

Steve’s Industries Ltd Are proud to have helped with the Meriden Tree of Thought for the tenth time and look forward to many more

Gift vouchers and lesson vouchers available from the Club shop

For Free Quotations/Advice Phone 01564 770560.

Or go onto http://www.stevesindustries.co.uk

Funday Sunday I have started preparations for another Funday Sunday, which will be on The Village Green on the 7th JUNE. At this stage, I am pulling together the many factors needed for the day, such as Stalls, Features, Prizes for The Meriden Midsummer Draw and, hopefully, volunteers for setting up and stewarding. Anyone willing or wishing to take part, do please feel free to let me know. As before, all proceeds will be shared, equally, between Macmillan and The Hospice. My aim is to make it as much fun for all as possible, so I hope you will mark the date on your calendars and come along.

Another THANKYOU!!!! Alan Lole Doris Mary Hughes 1922 – 2014

Doris Hughes, nee Wheeler was born in Bickenhill in 1922, shortly after her birth the family moved to a row of cottages in Little Packington. When she was 12 years old the family moved to Glover’s Yard (now demolished), close to the Bull’s Head Pub. She grew up there with her two older brothers, Jack and Ernie, her sister Doreen and her younger brother Cyril.

She started work at Wakes in Coventry where she became Mangeress at the age of 17.

She married John (Jack) in 1951 and they started married life in South Africa. In 1953 they returned home and their only daughter, Jackie, was born. The family lived with Doris’s parents Ernie and Elsie and after a time they bought a house in Corley Moor. In 1958 they moved to Fillongley Road where Doris managed the fruit shop, Dingley’s, on the Green until she retired.

In 1982 Doris lost her husband and also her brother Jack, their mother passed away in 1985. Doris moved with her daughter to Thornton, near Blackpool and she passed away in hospital in October last year.

Meriden Surgery

01676 522252

School House, 200 Main Road, Meriden, CV7 7NG Dr M Bhandal Dr S Barratt Dr A Carlile Dr T Nadeem Dr R Horsley (Partners) Associate GPs Dr L Palmer & Dr C Bayliss

1. www.balsallcommongrouppractice.co.uk

Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Wednesday

8.30am to 6pm 8.30am to 12.00

For details on how to obtain medical help when the surgery is closed please phone

01676 935000

Medical Students at Balsall Common Surgery and Meriden Surgery The practice has a long tradition of undergraduate medical education. Many of you will remember that Dr Peter Lea frequently had a medical student in tow.

Being taught skills and knowledge by working GPs rather than academics who don’t deal with the public on a daily basis is an important contribution to the development of junior doctors. It can also be an opportunity for our team to be challenged by these young enthusiastic people whose ideas and questions keep us up to date. The students are bound by the same confidentiality as any of the qualified staff.

We have placements for final year students (6th year of university) from the Imperial College in London. They usually come to spend three weeks with us, at first just sitting in with a doctor, nurse or other member of the team. They can also see how the pharmacists liaise with us and how the administration of our business works. They are then expected to see patients on their own in surgery to take the history, conduct an examination if appropriate and discuss a possible plan of action with the patient. The student has thirty minutes allocated for each patient and one of the GPs will be present during the last ten minutes to oversee the case.

Patients will be offered appointments with students by our staff and of course there is no obligation to accept. The patient will be seen by one of the regular doctors anyway if they do accept and many patients love the opportunity to spend up to half an hour discussing a subject and being part of the educational discussion.

Because they are in their final year the students are working towards their final qualifying exams whilst they are with us.

The exams tend to be in spring/early summer and they start work as junior doctors in August. Sometimes they want to practice a particular type of clinical examination if they don't feel confident enough in it. We have many generous publicspirited patients who have been very kind in letting students practice their examination skills repeatedly. We are always grateful if patients with long-term conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are willing to let the students practice their technique!

If you wish to make any comment about our undergraduate teaching or volunteer to discuss an interesting case with a student for one of their case-reports please contact Dr Aileen Carlile.

Booking Appointments in Advance ********

We would like to make patients aware that appointments can be booked with doctors in advance of 5 weeks If you are aware that you need to see a Doctor for a review, please book this appointment as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Waiting to book the appointment on the day or week of the review may result in you not being able to book an appointment that is convenient to you.

NHS Blood and Transplants The next sessions for blood donors will be Thursday 7th May 2015 at The Heart of England Social Club 1.30 – 3.30 & 4.30 – 7.30pm

Appointments available by calling 03001232323

David Deakin Plastering Services Interior plastering and coving work.

Insurance work welcome.

Free Estimates, reliable, friendly, clean service.

Tel: 01676 521389 Mobile: 07767 237860 A man speaks frantically into the phone, "My wife is pregnant, and her contractions are only two minutes apart!"

"Is this her first child?" the doctor queries.

"No, you idiot!" the man shouts.

"This is her husband!"

‘Fall in love with life’ with Donna Higton Meriden born Donna has been helping people get the best out of life for the last 10 years.

In this book, Donna shares her favourite techniques, tips and tools for helping you fall deeply, madly in love with your life right now. Drawn from her own experience of falling in love with life, and coaching clients all over the world since 2004, this book is a celebration of joy, laughter and happy dances.

Donna’s book is priced at £7.99 and is available from Fredanita Florists on the Green, Meriden or on line from Amazon.co.uk and Donna's website www.donnaonthebeach.com It is also available to download as an eBook.

A chapter from Donna’s book is featured below

See the wonder in the world

“When it’s over I want to say, I was the bride married to amazement.

I was the bridegroom taking the whole world in my arms.” Mary Oliver

There's beauty all around. Can you see it? Yeah, on a drizzly grey cold miserable day it's tough to see the wonder in anything, but look anyway. Make the effort to see the magical, the wondrous, the beauty around you. It's in people, in animals, in the natural world, even in the man-made world.

Stop and smell the flowers, appreciate the architecture, savour the taste, enjoy the sunset, hear the birds sing, watch people laugh. Look for things to enjoy the beauty of - see the world through fresh, young, eager eyes (even if you feel stale, old and jaded). In fact, that's why we get stale, old and jaded, because we stop seeing the wonder in life.

A child sees easily the wonder in the world - the beauty, the joy, the fun. What fascinated you as a child? What would fascinate you now if you took the time to stop and look?

Clouds in the sky? Waves crashing on the shore? Stars? Sunsets? Beautiful writing? Amazing apps? Historical discovery? With the wonders of the internet, we can share in most experiences, wherever we live. We can watch the waves crashing on 100 shores without leaving our couch; we can discover new worlds, new people, and new ideas without putting on a coat.

Life is full of fascinating people and places and animals and technologies and achievements and wonders of all stripes.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to be impressed by something in the world? Whether it’s how a spider spins their web, or how tomatoes grow from a teeny tiny seed, or how electricity powers everything from a toothbrush to a computer.

Take the time to notice all of the wondrous, beautiful, incredible things that surround you in your life – things that you normally take entirely for granted. There is so much to be enjoyed and admired and fascinated by. Put on your sparkly, wonder-full glasses and see it all.

A. PETTIFOR & SON LTD Warehousing & Distribution SELF STORAGE Now available For home and business CONTAINERS 10ft &20ft (600&1200 cubic ft)

Lockable containerised units Easy access with your own personal key Drive direct to your clean and dry unit 10ft Containers from £18 per week 20ft Containers from £30 per week Discounts available for longer periods

Berkswell Road, Meriden, Coventry CV7 7LB Tel: 01676 522403 Mob: 07917518724 Fax: 01676 523181 Email: martin.pettiforandson@gmail.com

Acanthus Picture Framer ------Calvin----Home Workshop 279 Kenilworth Road Balsall Common Tuesday -Friday 10.00am thru to 5.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 4.00pm

Any other time by appointment

Needleworks – Prints - Photos Medals - Artworks Mirrors available and framed

0845 388 8178 Men and Women welcome Open late nights Monthly offers available Dual treatment room Gift vouchers available Friendly, welcoming environment

blitz Beauty Salon

Telephone 01676 521100

Over 65 special Tuesday 25% off any treatment Also complimentary tea & biscuits

All aspects of Beauty Therapy to include; Manicures, Pedicures, Waxing, Eye treatment, Facials, Caci facials and body treatments, microdermabrasion , massages, Hopi Ear Candles, Reflexology, Gel Nails and Extensions, Body Wraps, Hot Stone Massage, Spray Tanning and Vertical Sun bed, Vibration plate and Ultrasonic Liposuction Monday closed, Tuesday 10-5, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10-8, Saturday & Sunday 10-4

For more details or to go on our mailing list - Telephone 01676 521100 wwwblitzbeautycoventry.co.uk Join us on Facebook & Twitter

Lost Buildings of Meriden 4

The Old Manor House

Demolished almost 50 William years ago, the site of this property, the junction ofcalled Leys‘ Lane andRichard Hill [[[[[[[Kinwaldsey, son of Gerard (possibly Geoffrey’satbrother elsewhere Gilmyn’), Main Road now Nicolas occupied by modern landthem adjoining the Methodist Chapel. the is Mason, Godyng and manyhouses others. and I imagine all crowding round listening, all of 700 years ago.

Elevated on the hillside, the main structure was half-timbered, dating from C16th and divided into two distinct Doreen Agutter. sections: housing, and after 1883 the original Methodist Chapel at the end next to Darlaston Hall or in modern terms next to the present chapel site. A long brick building running down the side of Leys Lane with a conspicuous window looking out onto the pathway may earlier have been stabling or a barn. I remember it as cottages. When I was a girl Meriden folk called this ‘Sadler’s’ Yard’.

It is likely that the real name of this once imposing structure was ‘The Old Manor Court House’ as there were other village buildings considered manor houses: Meriden Hall, Walsh Hall, Alspath Hall and The Manor (Hotel).It stood in the heart of the original Meriden hamlet and if tradition is correct in front of it was the market cross now on the Green. A number of significant families related by marriage to royalty were chief lords of Alspath and Meriden with the right to hold manorial courts that controlled and taxed the villagers. One, the Segraves gave Meriden its market in 1318 and later the Stanleys, Earls of Derby who feature prominently in the 1485 Battle of Bosworth saga, purchased these rights. The Stanleys main property was in Lancashire so to aid travelling to and from London they purchased estates along the entire route.

What of ‘Sadler’s Yard’? This was a fairly recent name perhaps adopted in the 1870s when a skilled leather worker William Grubb trained at a Meriden business some 20 years earlier, moved to these premises to be followed in Edwardian days by the Bedhalls from Walsall.

And the Methodist Chapel? Methodism was significant in this neighbourhood from the 1790s onwards with meetings initially held in different farm houses but after1816 to 1840 centred on the prestigious school run by Mr Albutt at the Manor now the Hotel. Meriden became a regular, popular venue so by 1883 leading members managed to purchase one wing of the Old Manor House from an absentee landlord in Burton on Trent.

I had wondered about the added feature: the large window. In the early 1820s a Devonshire grocer Giles Edwards made Meriden his home setting up in a shop and soon to be joined by relatives William Russell and his young family. The Russells remained here after Giles’ death, until moving to a shop on the Green in what is today the Library.

At the end of my illustrated talk on ‘Meriden in the Great War’ last October, a lady in the audience asked me if one of my slides showed a building at the end of Leys Lane as her house was on that site now. I hope this answers her question.

Doreen Agutter

PC Technical Services Tile Hill Lane Coventry

Home Computer Repairs Upgrading & Problem Solving

Telephone 024 7667 4952 Independent personal attention Internet & e-mail Troubleshooting & tuition

Letter from Meriden, Connecticut, USA When bad ideas cease to be unthinkable Many years ago, a friend of mine from high school moved to North Kemptville, Nova Scotia, which seems to be too small a place for the Canadian government to bother taking a head count, but the population couldn’t have been more than a few hundred souls back then. Actually, Fred moved to an isolated “camp” about seven miles outside of town, and he’s still there.

Fred’s place is well past where the pavement stops, not to mention the power and telephone lines, so there are no services to speak of. Oh, the Mounties will come out to investigate a crime, if absolutely necessary, but if your cabin should catch fire, it’ll burn down long before word gets around. Come to think of it, the R.C.M.P. did investigate me the last time I was there (this had to be 1972, because it was the summer of the total eclipse of the sun that Carly Simon sang about in “You’re So Vain”).

You see, a local fellow had lost his week’s pay in a card game, so he told his wife he’d been robbed; then, the very next morning, a long-haired American driving a van (moi) showed up at the village post office and bought one stamp, paying with a Canadian $20 bill, and Marilyn the Postmistress notified the appropriate authorities. Case closed? Hell no, I was innocent. Still am.

Downtown North Kemptville, called “the corner” by locals, consisted at the time of Vic Green’s store, which also had gasoline pumps (calibrated in imperial gallons, mind you; none of that French litre stuff you hear about today), plus a `m.with a wood stove and presided over by Marilyn, who kept church, plus the post office — a little corncrib of a place heated her stamps between the pages of magazines, perhaps so they wouldn’t stick together during humid weather.

I thought of Marilyn’s post office the other day as I was dropping off a batch of bill payments at my local post office. (Yes, I still do it the old way: first I strike a flint to light an oil lamp, then I write some checks with a quill pen, hitch up the horses and ride into town).

Anyway, I also thought about how crappy things will be if the United States Postal Service goes out of business. After all, we’ve been hearing for years about plans to save a few billion dollars by ending Saturday delivery, and closing post offices, and anything else they can think of to pinch pennies. Why not just call it quits? The Postal Service is up against email on one side and package delivery services like UPS and FedEx on the other. While it’s trying to modernize, it still loses tens of billions of dollars every year. How long will it be before Uncle Sam pulls the plug?

Of course, that would put half a million workers out on the street, and probably not even Congress has the gall to do that.

What Congress did have the gall to do was turn a government department into a “quasi-governmental agency” and then insist that the new outfit somehow break even while also funding health care benefits decades in advance, something no other public or private entity in this country is made to do.

Getting rid of that onerous mandate — which costs the service around $6 billion a year — wouldn’t solve all of its problems, but it sure would help. Our esteemed politicians could do something about this, of course, but every time the hot TV lights are switched off, they seem to lose interest.

Officially, the postal service still adheres to “a single, great principle: that every person in the United States — no matter who, no matter where — has the right to equal access to secure, efficient, and affordable mail service.” Doesn’t that mean this is an essential public service that needs to be funded?

In all likelihood, the institution founded by Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin in 1775 (he had been doing the same job for the Crown for years, but George III fired him for his rebel sympathies) will be allowed to continue to muddle through, but in their drive for brutal efficiency, our politicians have made what should have remained unthinkable — its

demise — thinkable.

How modern.

Reach Glenn Richter at grichter@record-journal.com.

Steven Russell Do you need a hand in the garden? Yes...

Then call Ken on 07542 944975 Full range of garden services: Mowing, Edging, Weeding, Hedges and preparation.

Very competitive rates 20 years garden experience

Singing Teacher Singing for fun, choral Director Graded exams and Oxbridge Choral Scholarship preparation

senzadolcenew@aol.com 07854631284 02476673181 15a Ainsbury Road Coventry CV5 6BA

The New Year was welcomed in style at the Heart of England School by a traditional piper in full highland dress.

Students and staff expecting a quiet start to the term were greeted by traditional Scottish tunes played on bagpipes by Governor Malcolm Halliday during tutor time.

Beginning in the main yard, Malcolm walked across the playground, into the maths, languages and music block and then to Sixth Form and back to the main building, visiting Enterprise along the way. Students watched from the windows, came out of classrooms and some were amazed by a visit from the piper in their tutor rooms. "Wow, it was really loud," said one student. "It certainly woke me up!"

The sound reverberated around the corridors and could be heard from quite a distance. There were spontaneous rounds of applause from some and even some dancing in one classroom.

Many thanks to Malcolm for getting off to a rousing start for 2015 and for helping us begin the New Year in such style!

Back to the Eighties Pupils went back in time at Heart of England for the February production of Back to the Eighties.

If you thought we'd left those Rubik's cubes and leg warmers in the past then think again Students had been rehearsing hard in the run up to the show and the pace increased nearer to the date to get those dance moves perfect and the singing up to scratch. With great tunes like Man in the Mirror, Kids In America and Video Killed the Radio Star it was a great performance.

Back to the Eighties rehearsal

Award for Poppy Appeal Student Heart of England student Harry Barnes was awarded a trophy for his remarkable effort selling poppies for the Royal British Legion.

Harry, who is in Year 11, sold poppies for a week in the run-up to remembrance Sunday at Cannon Park. Donning his kit with other cadets from Canley Platoon AFC the young cadets stood outside the main shops giving out poppies and collecting funds in their tins.

"I managed to raise £625 in two tins, the second highest in the whole city of Coventry," reported Harry who was presented with his trophy by the Royal British Legion. He is considering a career in the army and joined the Cadets two years ago to see what it might be like.

Well done to Harry for his dedication in collecting for this worthwhile charity. So many people, young and old, help to make the poppy appeal a success in order to help ex-service personnel and their families whether it's coping with bereavement, living with disability, or finding employment.

Harry and his friends certainly set a good example!

Producer and head of drama, Sally Owen said, "It was cheesily fantastic! “

Award winning student Harry Barnes

Village Diary DATE

EVENT

VENUE

TIME

CONTACT

2nd March 6th March 9th March 15th March 16th March

WI Women’s World Day of Prayer Community Surgery Mothering Sunday Flower Club

Village Hall Methodist Church Sports Pavilion

7.30pm 2.00pm 10.00am–12noon

Flick Blewitt 523229 Rev Charlesworth 533737 Barbara Bland 522474

Village Hall

7.30pm

Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457

th

19 March

School PTA Quiz

21st March 23rd March 26th March 27th March 29th March 30th March 30th March – 2nd April 7 -10 April 2nd April 3rd April

Big Picture Show Parish Council Police Beat Surgery CAMEO British Summer Time begins Meriden Library Reopens Children’s sports camps

Village Hall Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion

7.30pm 7.30pm 11.00 -12 noon 2.00pm

Chris Copper 522645 Barbara Bland 522474 Sgt Hurst 101 Ellen 01676 522534

Sports Park

9.00am-3.00pm

522717 Paul Jayes 07508 611 922

Love Feast Good Friday Walk of Witness

Methodist Church Meet at School

6.00pm 10.30am

Rev Charlesworth 533737 Rev Lynda Edwards 522825

3rd April 5th April 5th April Week beginning 6th April 8th April 10th April 12th April 13th April 13th April 18th April 20th April 23rdApril 24th April 24th April 24th April 26th April

Good Friday Service Easter Sunday Communion Methodist Easter Service Green bin collection starts

St Laurence Church St Laurence Church Balsall Common

12 noon

Rev Lynda Edwards 522825 Rev Lynda Edwards 522825 Rev Charlesworth 533737 0121 704 6000

26thApril 27th April 30th April 4th May 7th May 7th May

Readers Circle Cancer Music evening Coventry Way Challenge Community Surgery WI Trip to National Arboretum Flower Club Police Beat Surgery Big Picture Show CAMEO Junior Cricket Coaching Service to remember WW1 fallen Save the Children Walk Annual Parish meeting Ladies Clothing Sale Meriden Mag deadline General Election Voting Blood donations

7th May 11th May 11th May 13th May 17th May 17th May 18th May 18th May 22rd May 23rd May

School PTA Event Community Surgery WI Readers Circle Cyclists’ memorial service Knowle Fun Run Flower Club Parish Council Meeting CAMEO Big Picture Show

522488

10.30 am

7.30pm

Margaret 523603 Mary Warr 522160

Library Village Hall Leave school Village Hall Library Village Hall Sports Pavilion Sports Park St Laurence Church

10.00am–12noon 7.30pm 9.30am 7.30pm 11.00 -12 noon 7.30pm 2.00pm 6.00pm

01676 522717 Flick Blewitt 523229

Lapworth Village Hall Sports Pavilion Hof E Club

From 10 am 7.30pm 7.00pm

Village Hall H of E Club

Meriden Green

6.00 am -10 pm 1.30- 3.30pm 4.30- 7.30pm 7.30pm 10.00am-12 noon 7.30pm 7.30pm 11.00am

Margaret Walls 533513 Barbara Bland 522474 Mary Warr 522160 522963/ 522453

Village Hall Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion Village Hall

7.30pm 7.30pm 2.00pm 7.30pm

H of E Club

Manor Hotel Library Village Hall

Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 Sgt Hurst 101 Chris Copper 522645 Ellen 01676 522534 Rev Lynda Edwards 522825

03001 232323 522488 01676 522717 Flick Blewitt 523229 Margaret 523603 Harry Childs 0121 353 5814 www.KnowleFunRun.org.uk Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 Barbara Bland 522474 Ellen 01676 522534 Chris Copper 522645

Out and About this spring Herbert Art Gallery and Museum Recording Britain Exhibition Until April 26th Admission Free

Grainfoot Farm by Kenneth Rowntree

In the winter of 1939 an extraordinary art project was begun.

Beneath the spectre of invasion and aerial bombing, the scheme for recording the Changing Face of Britain rapidly commissioned artists to paint ‘places and buildings of characteristic national importance’. The resulting collection of over 1500 paintings created a remarkable, yet highly selective snapshot of a fast changing country.

Now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, Recording Britain features many beautiful watercolours by prolific artists such as John Piper and Kenneth Rowntree, along with a host of lesser known contributors. By focusing on quiet corners and local scenes Recording Britain takes us off the beaten track of iconic British landmarks and postcard images.

In addition to works from the original collection, the exhibition will feature a host of contemporary works including paintings and photographs by Conrad Atkinson, Richard Long , David Nash and Laura Oldfield Ford. Shown alongside these will be works from the Herbert’s collections, depicting the landscape of Coventry and Warwickshire.

Exhibition organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum London

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House National Trust properties Friday 3rd to Monday 6th April 11am to 4pm Join in with the family Easter trail with chocolate egg and crafts in the Baddesley activity tent and take home activities from Packwood house. £2.50 per trail

Don’t forget the bluebell trail in Millison’s Wood from the end of April into May

What’s on at the NEC Crufts 5th -8th March Big Bang Fair 11th-14th March (Free family day) Hobby Crafts and Sewing for pleasure 19th -22nd March Who do you think you are? Live 16th -18th April Grand Designs Live 2nd -10th May

Knowle Fun Run Entries are open for this year’s Knowle Fun Run which is on Sunday 17th May. Hundreds of runners have already made their New Year's resolution to run in Solihull's biggest fundraising event of its kind. Why not join them for this popular 5 mile Fun Run with great community atmosphere on trafficfree streets and help raise funds for Arthritis Research UK, Knowle Football Club, Solihull Young Carers and local causes. This year 4 Mini Runs for years 1-4.

More details and entry online at www.KnowleFunRun.org.uk.

Refuse Collection Information

Dates for hoisting the flag on Meriden Green

The green bins will be emptied again during the week beginning 6th April 2015 .

Bickenhill Public Waste Disposal Site Opening Hours Winter 1st Nov –31st March Monday-Friday (except Tues) 9.30am – 4.00pm Tuesday 9.30am – 5.30pm Saturday and Sunday 8.30am - 4.00pm Summer 1st April- 31st October Monday-Friday (except Tues) 9.30am -5.00pm Tuesday 9.30am – 6.30pm Saturday and Sunday 8.30am- 4.00pm Last admission 15 minutes before closing time

Lord and Lady Aylesford are opening their Gardens for The National Garden Scheme on May 17th from 2.o0pm – 5 pm Admission £5, children free

Packington Hall Meriden CV7 7HF (CV7 7HE for sat nav)

Come and enjoy a wander round the beautiful gardens, followed by a delicious tea with freshly baked cakes made by the WI

Tea not included in entrance price

March 9th Commonwealth Day 10th March Birthday of the Earl of Wessex 21st April Birthday of her Majesty the Queen 23rd April St George’s Day (St George’s Flag) 9th May Europe Day 17th May Cyclists Memorial Service

To get back to my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early or be respectable!

Reminder! Deadline date for the summer 2015 issue: Monday May 4th Out by 1stJune.

Val Martin 01676 522963 val.simon@btinternet.com Margaret Argyle 01676 522453 margarete.argyle@gmail.com Deliveries: Doug Bacon and Paul Lee Proof Reader: Claire Rose

Useful village contact numbers Meriden Primary School Meriden Library Meriden Surgery Lloyds Chemist St. Laurence Church Meriden Methodist Church

Mrs L. Winkler

Meriden Christian Fellowship

Pstr. Kevin & Lyn Hunt Barbara Bland (Mondays & Thursdays only) Paul Jayes

Parish Council Sports co-ordinator Solihull M B C Solihull District Councillors

Member of Parliament Meriden Scout Group Post Office Rural Police Sector

Rev Lynda Edwards Rev. Andrew Charlesworth

Ken Allsopp David Bell Tony Dicicco Caroline Spelman Gerry Russell Sue Harper Sgt Craig Hurst

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Mag advertising rates Eighth page £10 Quarter page £20 Half page £40 Small ads (sale or wanted) £5.00 Charity & Community events FREE Views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the co-editors.

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