MeridenMag Autumn 2016

MERIDEN COVER autumn 2016.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 10:53 Page 1

Meriden Mag

Autumn 2016

See inside for

Members of the GB Olympic and Paralympic Archery Teams visit Meriden Archery Club Proposed new housing sites in the village Remembrance service Sunday 13th November

Summer events at Meriden School On Friday 8th July Year 3 braved a potentially wet night and camped out on the school field! Mr Browning had set up a treasure trail for the children, which they really enjoyed. After cooking a scrumptious meal the children toasted marshmallows on a campfire which they ate between chocolate biscuits! The rain stayed away until 4.20am, and an hour later the first of the early risers stirred!! A fab time was had by all!

The week commencing 4th July was charity week at school. Each class were given £10 which they had to invest in order to raise funds for our school charity this year, World Wildlife Fund. There were cake sales, a nerd gun shooting range, homemade photo frame sale, homemade, car wash tea light holder sale and even 'soak the teacher'! Year 1 raised the most money but more importantly we raised £640.54 for our charity.

Our KS2 performed Lion King Jnr at the end of term and what a performance!! We had so many wonderful comments from parents, friends, families, staff and governors, as the children sang and acted their socks off!

A huge thank you to the children for their hard work and dedication, and to all the staff involved, who lived and breathed ‘Lion King’ for weeks!

End of year memorable events…

In the final few weeks pupils in key stage 2 entertained the masses with their version of ‘The Lion King’. It was a tremendous success; brilliant acting, dancing and singing combined with the wonderful set to create a truly incredible show.

Year 6 said their sad goodbyes, but not before they made everyone cry with their final assembly on the last day. All children were awarded with a trophy for being a superb year 6, but special mentions went to Joe for Sportsmanship, Oakley for Progress and Tess for Achievement. Meriden Governors also presented an award for overall attitude and commitment to ‘the Meriden way’ to Tommy.

The final assembly also saw the Chris Fryer Courtesy Award being awarded to Sophia in Year 5, for being someone who is always polite and friendly. The Queen’s Jubilee Cup, donated by Meriden United Charities, went to Jake in Year 3. Jake has overcome serious health issues this year but has always come to school cheerful and full of a smile. He is a real inspiration to everyone.

Awards for 100% attendance were given and those children who had been in school every day from 3rd September to the 22nd July went into a prize draw for an Amazon Fire Tablet!

A huge thank you as always goes to our PTA who organised a very successful summer fayre.

Due to the very unusual scorching weather, our end of year service was held this year at school. The children enjoyed giving their thanks to God for their learning experiences and friendships made during the year.

I am proud to announce that we have been awarded the Youth Sport Trust Silver Quality Mark for our work in physical education (PE) and school sport.

The Youth Sport Trust is a national charity that is building a brighter future for young people through the power of sport.

We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded this accolade which recognises our commitment to delivering the best possible sporting experiences for the young people at our school. There are a whole range of educational, health and wellbeing benefits from delivering high quality PE and school sport, and we see on a regular basis that when it is delivered well it can transform the lives of all pupils.

We are proud of the range of curriculum experiences and out of school clubs on offer to our pupils and pledge to continue to support our pupils to live healthy and active lives which in turn helps them achieve their personal best in school and life.

www.meridenceprimaryschool.co.uk @meridenprimary Autumn Term dates September 5th Inset day- staff only th Back to school 6 October 21st Break up Half term 24th – 28th October November 1st Back to School December 16th Break up

Our results across all year groups are a testament to the fantastic children we have in our school; national results in FS2, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 6 reflect the hard work that our pupils put into their learning throughout their primary school life.

We will miss our Year 6 too – good luck everyone!

ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS Assistant curate Rev Lynda Lilley 01676 522825 Mobile 07811 545 247 (for emergency use only) email: rev.lynda.lilley@talktalk.net +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lay Reader: Peter Wright 01676 522414 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Church Wardens: Jonathan Douglas 01676 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++522455 John Baker 01676-522939. www.stlaurence-meriden.co.uk Although I had trained as a tea

Services are held every Sunday at 10.30 am As I write this it's 'Skools out 4 the summa!' however when you read it, it may be a case of 'Back to School' (hurray for some!).

This prompted me to thinking about school and what we learn there. The basics being the 3Rs. Reading, wRiting and aRithmatic. Yes, these are important but there are far more 'Rs' that are needed to survive and flourish. I'm recovering from an operation and the time has prompted me to think about what is really important, Rest and Recuperation coming high on the list.

There comes a time when it's important, and necessary, to reflect on and review the past – but not to remain there.

To take time out to rest in the present. It passes all too quickly. Make the most of the time that is gifted to you – that's why it's called the present – it is a present, a gift from God. We often struggle on – thinking that if we just keep on going then everything will be okay. But will it? We all know that we need to put fuel in the car or charge up our mobile phones, without this they won't work. We are exactly the same.

We need to refuel. We can't run on empty. We need to stop and refill and recharge ourselves. That's why the principle of the Sabbath is so important – though not necessarily a Sunday. We live in a 24/7 society – we forget to stop; we forget to take care of ourselves; we forget to live! Jesus frequently took himself away to a quiet place where he could connect with God the Father. It's not a luxury, it’s not self-indulgent – it's a necessity. Take time to stop. Take time to feed yourself. Allow yourself to be refuelled and refreshed.

We need to gather the resources that we need to face the joys and challenges of today, tomorrow and the future. We need to build good and healthy relationships that will support and sustain us. Relationships with one another and a relationship with God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The 3Rs from school are important but so are the Rs of the school of life. I often have to remind myself of them. We all get too hung up on 'doing' rather than just 'being'. Rest, Reflect, Resource and Refuel so that we can be Ready and Refreshed to live to our full potential rather than just existing.

Rev Lynda Lilley

Dates for your diary Harvest Festival 9th October 10:30am Come and join us for this celebration of God's gifts to us all. Bring your harvest offerings and join us for a bring and share Harvest Lunch following the service.

Bereavement Service 6th November 4pm This service provides us all with an opportunity to remember those whom we have loved but are not

longer with us. Join us for cake and coffee before the service from 3pm.

Remembrance Day 13th November 10:30am at St Laurence walking to the War Memorial Meriden Play Group “Where Friends are made”

Enquiries for Baptisms and Weddings, please contact Lynda on 01676522825 for further details Meriden Methodist Church Hall Every Tuesday during Term Time 10am-12 Join us for a fun playtime with your child, where you can make new friends, do crafts, play with different toys, sing songs and enjoy a healthy snack (and a cup of tea or coffee.) £2 for one child + 50p for each additional child.

Call Sharon Corrigan 07811 588504, or Vanessa Florey 07876 301620 for more information

Enquiries for Baptisms and Weddings please contact Lynda on 01676 522825 for further details

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.

Saturday 15th October 2016 “Florence Foster Jenkins” (PG)

At Meriden Village Hall 7.30pm

Saturday 17th September 2016

A laugh out loud movie starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant Based on real events a New York Heiress has dreams of becoming an opera singer despite having a terrible voice. It does not improve but she insists on booking a concert at Carnegie Hall with hilarious consequences

“45 Years” (15)

Saturday 19th November 2016

In a week leading up to final preparations for a party to celebrate a couple’s 45th Wedding Anniversary, a letter arrives with news from the past. This re-awakens longhidden memories which are likely to change the course of events. Anchored by sensational performances from Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling, the critics have judged “45 Years” to reflect “British Film making at its very best.”

To be confirmed

Meriden Movie buffs choice Our loyal supporters will be given the opportunity to vote for a film of their choice selected from a short list which will be circulated at our September screening.

Tickets will be printed and available for sale 3 weeks before each screening.

We are most grateful to “Fredanita” flowers and gift shop on the Village Green for continuing to sell tickets for us. Tickets and advance reservations are also available from Chris Copper (01676 522645)

Take away service 10% discount on collection Free home delivery service 4 miles radius Minimum order £15 Quote from the Coventry Telegraph: “Revealed: Best Indian restaurant in the West Midlands isn’t in Birmingham!”

“Want the best curry in the West Midlands? Then head for Meriden, according to official Tripadvisor statistics. Meriden Spice Indian restaurant situated in Old Road Meriden has been crowned the region’s best-rated restaurant for Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi food on the popular review web site.”

Meriden Spice, Old Road, Meriden, CV7 7JP

One free chicken or vegetable curry with every Takeaway order of £25 or more

Tel: 01676 523740

Not to be used with any other voucher

Entrance and parking at rear of Queen’s Head Pub

In Meriden Services: Sunday 10:30am.

Keep a look out for

Reverend Andrew Charlesworth and his family have now moved to Nottingham. We thank them for their work, support and Christian witness over the last eight years in Meriden and Balsall Common.

In September Reverend Jane Braund and her husband will be moving into the Manse at Balsall Common and replacing Andrew.

We are having a welcoming party at Springfield House, Temple Balsall on Saturday September 3rd from 2.30pm so that we can introduce ourselves.

Our Harvest Festival is on Sunday September 25th at 10.30am and the harvest Supper is on Wednesday September 28th. (see below for details) We join St Laurence Church on the first Sunday of the month and the other services are at our own church.

The service starts at 10.30am and we all join for coffee afterwards and we would love to see you there.

Church Stewards

Supper Club All are Welcome Dear Friends in Meriden, Supper Club has now been running at Meriden Methodist Church, for many years and has been a wonderful opportunity for neighbours in Meriden to share some home cooked delicious food (particularly the puddings!), chat and make friends and listen to all sorts of various speakers. Recently we have had some wonderful speakers covering many subjects from a nurse who had been working in the NHS since the 1960’s to a lady who talked to us about Dogs for the Disabled. She brought her dog with her and he stole the show.

We have a Christmas Party each year with a quiz, which is great fun.

The supper club runs from September to April.

Our first one this year is September 28th starting at 7.00pm. Our first speaker Sam Doras who is joining us from the Renewal Helping Hands food bank in Solihull.

Our second supper club will take place on Wednesday 9th November and our speaker is Mr Doug Timmis who will be talking about the Maundy Thursday Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

The cost of this fun evening is £5.00, which includes a two-course meal and drink to follow and the speaker.

If you would like to join us at any time please call

Gail on 07913 872280 or 02476 272752 or Maureen on 01676 522148.

If you require transport we would be very happy to help with this.

Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month 7.30pm at Meriden Village Hall.

Contact Flick Blewitt 01676 523229

`At our June meeting Ruth Lowe – clad in a complete Mary Quant outfit - came to talk to us about the designer’s early career and her rise to fame. We were amazed to learn that her first collection was all put together with the help of friends, in her small bed sitting room.

On the 8th June we held a tea party to celebrate the Queen’s official 90th birthday with an Afternoon Tea at the Village Hall. The tables were decorated with red, white and blue and we enjoyed a delicious tea provided by Wendy’s lunch box.

July was our annual Members’ Evening, a social event with plenty of chat, a quiz and strawberries for refreshments.

On 11th July a small group of members took part in an evening ramble along the footpaths in the fields behind the Queen’s Head – and enjoyed a refreshing drink afterwards.

Cakes 4 Casualties was the theme of Kathleen Ryan’s talk in August. What an amazing lady she proved to be. She arrived wearing a dress made of Union Jack material-and then donned a sailor’s hat emblazoned ‘HMS Cake’. Seven years ago she went to visit her sister in Selly Oak Hospital taking a cake which was then shared among some of the severely injured soldiers. Requests for more cakes has led to her baking thousands of cakes to take to Selly Oak and the Rehabilitation Centre. She has even made wedding cakes for some of the troops. Now known as the cake lady she has been to many events such as the Invictus Games and been introduced to Royalty. What an inspiration!

Future Programme Monday 5th September Antiques and a Quiz – Janet and Harvey Wroe Monday 3rd October Albrighton Pottery John Christopher ( NB this meeting will be at 2.00pm)

Monday 7th November Annual Meeting

QueensHead Head Old Old Road Road Meriden Meriden Queens 01676 522256 + Monday night is music night come along th March 9.15pm Keithapprox.

Brett and join us,---music7 starts 14th March Chrissy 21st March Matt Bowen th 285th March Bee SeptemberStevie Heidi

01676 522256

Monday night is music night come along and join us, music starts 9.15pm approx.

12th September Sam Southall

SeptemberJakki Elena 4th19th April th September Priestly 1126th April GuyGary Surtees th 18 April Marade th October April 2 Stu LeftClements Feet 253rd 10th October October 2nd17th May th24th October 9 31st May October

Chrissie Jackie King Micky Dean Steve Dee Dean Natasha

Thomas th 167th May Southall NovemberSam Guy Surtees rd 2314th May Stevie November TBABest th 3021st May NovemberTBA Steve Dee 28th November

Keith Brett

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

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, Temporary premises Back of Shirley’s Garage, Main Road, Meriden

New Showroom.

Now open

Direct Carpets & Flooring

Stockists of leading Manufacturers Carpets, vinyls, laminates, real woods, underlays and accessories For a no obligation free quotation call in to see us or…we will come to you

The Old Forge Stores, 68 Balsall St, Balsall Common CV7 7AP T: 01676 530695 Mob: 07775 515504

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 • Fresh barbecue meats

• • • • • •

Newspapers and Magazines Beer and Wine Cash Machine and cash back available Dry Cleaning Lottery Award winning Lashford sausages Send and receive parcels from here

Opening hours Weekdays 6.00am -10pm Weekends 7.00am-10pm

Spar, 1 The Green, Meriden 01676 522287

A Message from Caroline Spelman MP Now the dust is settling on one of the most dramatic times in British history, we can begin to chart the way ahead for our nation and establish how to make a success of the momentous decision that was made on June 23.

Here in Meriden constituency, the majority of people voted to leave the European Union, and despite having campaigned for Britain to remain, I accept the democratic outcome of the vote on EU Membership. For that reason, I would like to reassure local residents that I will work hard to ensure that our region and the United Kingdom continues to thrive outside of the EU, and that we get the best possible deal during the forthcoming Brexit negotiations.

Already I have met with farmers in Parliament and was pleased to pledge my support to helping the National Farmers Union to build a ‘post-Brexit’ domestic agricultural policy which is adapted to our needs, easy to understand, simple to administer and keeps British farming competitive.

I also spoke from the floor of the House of Commons in David Cameron’s final Statement as Prime Minister, urging him and the new Government to consider the needs of the automotive industry – a key employer for residents in Meriden – when they go to the negotiating table.

Now more than ever it is important that we all come together in the interests of the nation – one United Kingdom. That is why, in my role as Second Church Estates Commissioner, I recently welcomed the publication of the ‘All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society’s ‘Statement of Hope’.

The statement was released in order to help tackle growing concerns around social and economic disparity and uncertainty emphasising the importance of why in every event – no matter how small - we must all unite to reconcile our differences.

Only that way can we ensure that we have the best possible foundations upon which we can look to build a bright and prosperous future.

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

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Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Meriden Fish and Chips The Green, Meriden

Gift boxes, vouchers and couple packages available

Pensions Investments Protection Savings Employee benefits • Inheritance Tax • • • • •

Chartered Financial Planners and Employee Benefit Consultants

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

01676 523476

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

The Firebird Singers We are very proud to announce that thanks to everyone’s support and generosity we have recently sent a cheque to the Multiple Sclerosis Society for £2000.

Our new season of concerts starts in September with a Supergroups Concert. This year we will be raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society, another very worthy cause.

We are also very excited to have been invited by the Manor Hotel to perform a stand alone concert this Christmas instead of performing at the senior’s lunch.

With grateful thanks to the Manor Hotel who have kindly donated a room, our grand Christmas concert will be on

Sunday 11th December at 6.00pm We do hope you will all support us to make this a lovely village event in the run up to Christmas, tickets and more details will be available nearer the time.

We have been delighted to welcome recently several new members from Meriden. If you would like to join us, you will be made very welcome; there is no audition and no need to read music, just a love of singing and enjoyment of good company.

We rehearse most Friday evenings at Meriden Village Hall from 7.00 until 9.00pm For more info please ring Val Martin 01676 522963

Featuring the music of The Beatles, Abba, Coldplay, Queen, The Beach Boys, The Who and many more!

For tickets and information contact Anna on 07792 525999

Housing Development in Meriden’s Green Belt? 5 Facts you should know

By David McGrath (Former Chairman of Residents Against Inappropriate Development) RAID Having spent over 1000 days on a protest camp in Meriden (like many others) successfully defending our green / belt, I get ‘twitchy’ when I learn of more local green sites being promoted for housing development potentially affecting the whole village. Having received various calls from residents I decided to research the facts: 1/ Yes there are currently 12 landowners or agents promoting land to develop (mainly) in our local green belt.

List shown on opposite page.

2/ Why is this? Solihull Council is short of land to build 4000 houses that they targeted to build by 2023.

This figure ‘should be seen as a minimum’ as (a) the Council also has a ‘duty to co-operate with other Councils around the region and there is a regional shortage of 37,500 houses (e.g. Birmingham). So, if Solihull Council took only 10% of this quota they would need to build another 4000 houses by 2033. (b) ‘Other factors’ are likely to push the required numbers up even further (employment trends, HS2 interchange, house and land prices etc.)

3/ So what is happening? The Council put out a general ‘call for (new) sites’ across the Borough for land owners/developers to identify potential land for development. 245 sites have been put forward and 12 sites are in Meriden (accounting for potentially over 1000 new houses). Landowners quite properly responded to this invitation from the Council and have done nothing wrong 4/ But they are on green belt! Yes but Solihull Council acknowledge that they can’t fit ‘need’ onto existing sites so they need new sites and are looking at all options 5/ Is it a done deal that we will face transformational levels of new house building in Meriden? NO! Consultants working for Solihull Council will soon (mid August?) publish their findings as to which sites could be taken forward for more detailed assessment. Residents can have their say on these finding AND will also be formally consulted on the ‘draft local plan’ in the early new year (Jan/Feb 2017?) Sites will of course still need planning permission and may possibly have to succeed against local appeals etc. before any housing happened The Council is clear too: ‘just because a site is being promoted does not mean that it will be considered suitable for development…..it does not carry any weight or judgement from the Council as to the suitability of any of the sites’ Conclusion: Whereas it is reasonable that villages should grow organically to serve the needs of their local population it is not reasonable that we should become the repository for mass housing. It is not reasonable that we should trade part of that thing that makes our village special (our countryside) to satisfy regional needs. We need a firm regional ‘brownfield site first’ policy from Government and the Council to protect our green assets (leisure, ecology and local food production). We also need concerted action by local people, local politicians and planners to get this right. Have a look at http://www.solihull.gov.uk/lpr Click on ‘Local Plan Review Evidence Base’ and then ‘published schedule’.

So it is down to you to help decide the future of our village. Focused resident action can make a huge difference. We need to start the debate now about the potential effects of development on parking, highways, facilities, schools, doctors appointments (etc.) and the character of the village. (All potentially taking place during a period of disruption from HS2 works). I looked at individual applications for each site and have made an ‘educated guess’ at the number of houses proposed (in brackets). If I am wrong I hope that landowners will write to me to correct any errors: David McGrath Innellan House Eaves Green Lane Meriden West Midlands CV7 7JL

The Parish Council have arranged a public display funded through the Locality bid, when residents are invited to comment on the 12 identified sites at the Village Hall on Saturday 24 September between 10am and 12 noon.

SITE REF

SITE

SIZE of DEVEOPLABLE AREA in HECTARES

.

POTENTIAL NUMBER OF NEW HOUSES

35

Green Meads Fillongley Road

81

Land at Fillongley Rd. West of Meriden School

3.7

25-30 per hectare?

Therefore max 60?

100?

105

Land on Maxstoke Lane

0.93

43?

119

Land at Birminham Rd (inc Caravan Storage space)

1.02

51 max?

128

Area G (Meriden Quarry) land off Hampton Lane

137

‘The Firs’ Maxstoke Lane

144

Land at Fillongley Rd (North of Meriden School) Part owned by Solihull Council Hampton Lane Meriden

3.36

Land south of Meriden (r/o Meriden Hall/ Meriden Park Homes) East of Leys Lane (allotments) r/o 159 Main Rd & Fillongley Rd. Joint & separate applications

9.1

30- 50 per h.a. therefore 86 max?

200?

23

Max 575 houses

179 197 186/187 and 211

2

Believed to be 41 h.a.

1.52

1.72

Not know – but this is a BIG SITE 30 – 50 per h.a. therefore 75 max?

118?

Congratulations to Claire and Chas Rose on their 50th wedding anniversary in July (Claire is the proof reader for the Mag)

Lavender Hall Lane Berkswell CV7 7BN 01676 530 299 / 07949 119 436 Meriden Floral Society Meetings are held at Meriden Village Hall 7. 30 – 9.30pm approx On the 3rd Monday of every month

19th September

“As we go down to the woods” Emma Remington

17th October

Practice Class – Alison Glover Cost to New members is £5. Please ring the number below nearer the time to find out what flowers you will need to bring

st

21 November

“You never Know” - Alison Glover

New members are always welcome.

For more information please contact Mo Reynolds 01676 521457

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Gates open at 7.00am close at dusk

Introductory Offer Coffee and cake £3.00

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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

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

CAMEO

In May Chris Philp shared with us her wonderful experience of receiving Maundy Money at the Maundy Service in St. which has its origin in the George’s Chapel in Windsor on 24th March. The Royal Maundy is an ancient ceremony th Each Other Centre on the 4 Friday.

FridayThe of the commandmentCome Christ and gave Meet after washing the feetatofthe hisCommunity disciples on the day before Good commandment (also month at 2.00 p.m. known as a ‘mandation’ from which the word Maundy is derived) was to love one another. For the past seven hundred years English Monarchs have presented gifts and money to the poor. The Maundy Service is usually held in a Cathedral and the people chosen to receive the money are chosen from that Diocese. However, this year in order to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday the 90 men and 90 women were chosen from the whole of the country for their service to their churches or communities. .

As they were allowed a companion Chris took her nephew, Bartholomew. During the service the Queen personally handed each recipient two purses, a red purse which contained a £5 coin to commemorate the Queen’s 90th birthday and a 50p coin to commemorate the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This money replaces the original gifts of clothes and food given in the past. The second purse, a white one, held specially minted silver Maundy coins which added up to 90p, the age of the Monarch.

After the service they were invited to a Reception Luncheon held in the State Rooms at Windsor Castle. Chris’s impression of the whole day was of love, all participants felt loved and cherished by everyone involved. It is said to be one of the Queen’s favourite ceremonies. Chris kindly allowed us to look at the service programme and to handle the precious money and purses.

In June we held our annual ‘Holiday at Home’ in Berkswell Church with the aid of a generous donation from the local charity HERO which helps people in retirement. Julie Hyde started the day with an art lesson on how to draw and colour birds using water soluble coloured pencils. We learned to draw blue tits and a cockerel and with Julie’s help the resulting pictures were surprisingly good! Sylvia Prideau spoke for a short time before lunch on why we should not worry using Matthew 14 verse 22 as the basis of her talk. We then enjoyed our usual delicious lunch before the children from Berkswell School once again entertained us with a variety of songs. This year they sang songs from six different categories after reading out the various nominations. We therefore had songs such as The Bare Necessities in the Best Musical Category and four of the girls sang Half the World Away under the Best Tearjerker Category. After a welcome cup of tea John Tearne entertained us for the rest of the afternoon with monologues, poems and many well known songs such as Bring me Sunshine, The Continental and Maybe It’s Because I’m a Londoner.

In our July meeting we shared our favourite poems etc. and as it was the Queen’s 90th birthday Sue read ‘They are changing the guard at Buckingham Palace’. We also had readings from The Diary of a Church Mouse, Two Men in A Boat and poems from The Friendship Book and others. We then enjoyed strawberries and cream with scones and shortbread.

We look forward to welcoming more friends to our meetings so if you need information or a lift please telephone: Joan 523507 or Pam 523372 Forthcoming Meetings:-.

23rd September – A Speaker from The Children’s Society.

28th October – Stephanie and Ken Sherlock on ‘Treking in Nepal’. (this meeting is in the Village Hall) 25th November – Glynis Gayton with an update on The Malawi Project.

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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

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Are you someone who doesn't like change? If you are then I imagine the things that have been happening in this Nation over the last few months have been quite unsettling for you. However, change isn't necessarily a bad thing, and when it comes how we deal with it could well determine how we feel about it. For instance now the UK has decided to 'BREXIT' we can either embrace it and be the best that we can be on the world stage, or grumble and moan about it and lose the opportunities this may now afford us. Either way the change is happening and burying our heads in the sand is not the way to success. It's the same when change comes in our personal lives too, though some change may be uncomfortable it is never-the-less inevitable and how we handle it will determine the level of stress and anxiety we will go through. This is true whether the change is for the good or the bad and whether it is put on us or whether we ourselves have to make changes. So how do we handle change when it comes? Well there are a number of things to consider. Firstly we can turn to our family, our husbands or wives, mom's and dad's, brother's and sister's, nan's and granddad’s and if our relationship with them is good then we often find a great support system there. Secondly, we can turn to our friends for help, and if we have good ones who give good advice and we're willing to listen to them, then this can also give us a great deal of support, help and strength to deal with changes. Even if we're lucky enough to be able to get advice from all these people it can still leave us with an uncomfortable or uneasy feeling and in some instances complete turmoil, when what we actually want is peace and assurance in our hearts about any change that comes or we have to make.

When I have had to make changes or difficult decisions then the only time I've been able to find that peace and assurance is when I've taken the best advice I've ever been given and followed it. And whenever I do that peace and assurance never fails to come. So where do I find this amazing advice? Well it's found in Philippians 4:4-7 of the Bible which says 'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'

Trust me it works, or at least it has for me every time I've done it. The change will still happen, the decision will still have to be made, but by taking our requests to God and trusting Him in them, 'the peace that transcends (or goes beyond) all understanding' doesn't only guard our hearts and minds, but fills them as well. The challenge here though, is that we have to trust God in the change or decision and take His advice on it, and the only way we can be sure and certain of that is to have a relationship with Him. Just like when we take advice from our family or friends, we do that because of our relationship with them, we can do the same with God. How do we make friends? We ask people to be our friends or we spend time with people we want to be our friends, in other words we make the choice who we want to be our friends and then we do something about it, but like any relationship it's a two way thing. Well God has chosen to be our friend and has demonstrated this and His love for us at the cross. All we have to do now is decide if we want Him as our friend, and if we do then we just need to ask Him and invite Him to come and be our friend. If we do that, He will. The bible tells us of a man who did this. James 2:23 says 'And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ''Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,'' and he was called God's friend.' The promise is for us also. John 1:12 says 'Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God.' I pray that you will invite God to be your friend and in doing so find His peace.

If you would like to know more about this, then either join us at MCF - Life Church on a Sunday at 12:30p.m. At the address below (we use the Methodist Building), or call me, Kevin for a chat on 07970 552 667.

And now may I leave you with this blessing: 'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).

Kevin and Lyn Hunt, MCF – Life Church, 113, Main Road, Meriden, CV7 7NH

Tel: 07970 552 667.

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 is full time employment. Members join not only to learn new subjects but also to meet and socialise with likeminded people. We have over 275 members 28 active groups providing something different on each week day.

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: Day Date Topic Speaker th Thursday 6 October 2016 Miniature Art Graham Short Thursday 3rd November 2016 Live British Birds of Prey Eclipse Falconry Core Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month in St Peters Hall, Holly Lane, Balsall Common CV7 7EA. Thursday 1st September 2016 is the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Balsall Common U3A and members will enjoy a special meeting and afternoon tea at the Lake @ Barston – this event is for members only.

Prospective members are always welcome at our regular Core Meetings. For more information see our web site www.balsallcommonu3a.org or telephone the Chairman Jim Melville 01676 534938.

Lord and Lady Aylesford Invite you to a coffee morning In aid of the Chapel of St James Great Packington At Packington Hall Packington Park CV7 7HF On Thursday 3rd November 10.30am-12 noon Cakes Please bring your friends Raffle Entrance £4 Including tea and biscuits Odds ‘n

Further information 01676 522274 Professional small family business covering Meriden Fillongley, Berkswell and surrounding villages

ends

Books

ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITION Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th October 10am -5pm Fentham Hall, Marsh Lane Hampton in Arden Refreshments, cakes Light lunches available £1 entry (children free)

What will fall on the lawn first? An autumn leaf or a Christmas catalogue?

The Midland Charities Association Christmas card shop Is back in Balsall Common library for seven weeks from Monday, October 24th until Saturday December 17th.

The shop operates at all library opening times during that period, i.e.

Monday & Thursday 10-6; Tuesday 10-5; Wednesday closed all day; Friday 2-5; Saturday 10-4 There will be cards from 16 different charities. please contact

For more information, Judith Woodcock 01676 533428 or Pam Brown 01676 532580

In addition, the card shop in Allesley Park Community Library, Whitaker Road CV5 9JE will be open for 7 weeks from Monday October 31st until Saturday December 17th.

The opening times there will be Monday & Thursday 1-7;Tuesday 9-1; Wednesday closed all day;Friday 9-12;Saturday 9-4 We are looking for volunteers to help in 1½ or 2 hour slots on our rota at Allesley Park, so if you can help, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Please contact Janice Whittlesey 01676 534407

The Meriden Plumber NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL 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 (inc electrics, plastering, tiling & carpentry work)

All Plumbing Work Undertaken

07972 868 512 email:meridenplumber@hotmail.co.uk www.themeridenplumber.co.uk

BALSALL COMMON VETS

Run for dog lovers by dog lovers

Harvest Hill Kennels

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

Tel: 01676 530792 www.broadlanevets.co.uk Our surgery at 255 Broad Lane CV5 7AQ is open until 7.30pm weeknights, Saturday 8.30am-5pm & Sundays 11am-3pm

Harvest Hill Cottage Harvest Hill Lane, Allesley Coventry CV5 9DE 02476 404608 or 07584294144 Family run business with over 40 years combined experience in ALL breeds.

Offering boarding, taxi service, training and advice. Viewings welcome by appointment, or simply give us a call for a friendly chat to discuss your best friend’s needs.

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

For MOT, service, tyres & exhausts call:

ACE GARAGE RADFORD 024 7659 7879 S KENSINGTON GARAGE EARLSDON 024 7667 0054 Courtesy car, collection & delivery options call Brendan McManus direct on: 07958 518924

We service, repair and care for your vehicle

Quick drying time Call us for a free, friendly quote, 7 days a week Professional small family business covering Meriden, Fillongley, Berkswell & surrounding villages

NO VAT On our prices

02476 312332 07977 631734 www.whiteknight-cleaning.co.uk

BERKSWELL & DISTRICT HISTORY GROUP

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

Meetings are held at Berkswell Reading Room at 7.45pm for 8.00 pm start unless otherwise stated Wednesday 14th September “Keep the Home Fires Burning” Paul Thomson.

Major Thomson returns home in WW1 to a very different world to that which existed pre-war.

Wednesday 12th October “The Most Dissolute Man in London: the Duke of Devonshire & the Building of Chatsworth.”

Dr Gill White Wednesday 9th November “The Story of the Monument.” Chris Holland The monument on the A45 roundabout at Ryton-in-Dunsmore.

For our latest news visit the website: www.berkswellhistory.org or telephone 01676 535782 Meeting Fees: Members £2, Non-Members £3.

Refreshments included. Annual Membership £5.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

The Parkridge Centre, Brueton Park Solihull 0121 704 0768

New Wild Play Trail at The Parkridge Centre Get wild this autumn with the new play trail at The Parkridge Centre, Brueton Park. Thanks to funding from The Big Lottery, Award for All we have developed a self-guided trail that you can explore with your child. With areas to build homes for fairies, create natural collage art and get close to trees with bark and leaf rubbings as well as prompt cards for stories, games and activities you will never hear the dreaded “I’m bored” again. Our aim is to get children outside playing but learning games and activities that they can recreate in any park with any friends and learn to play imaginatively with minimal resources.

If you need a helping hand exploring the outdoors we offer a wide range of outdoor activities that you can join in with. Nature Tot’s runs every Friday during term time for 2-4 year olds, toddlers can play in the mud kitchen before heading outside on an adventure; we read a story, explore the woods, play games and learn all about mammals, minibeasts, birds and pond life.

For older children, visit us during the October Half Term and join in with our exciting school holiday activities.

We will make spooky crafts, build survival dens and learn all about hedgehogs.

Check out our website for Events Listings – we have a host of events for Adults too! Holiday Events are now available to book online www.warwickshirewildlife trust.org.uk/whats-on

Why not become a member? Joining online by direct debit is secure and straightforward If you would like to talk to us about joining Warwickshire Wildlife Trust please contact our Membership Team on 024 7630 8972 or email membership@wkwt.org.uk Warwickshire Wildlife trust is the leading local environmental charity, protecting wildlife and wild places throughout Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. Join over 23,000 members helping to make a real difference for wildlife.

By becoming a member of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust the contribution you make will help us to: • Create and manage our nature reserves.

• Inspire the next generation of wildlife enthusiasts.

• Tackle some of the biggest threats to Warwickshire's wildlife.

When you join you will receive: • A Members Pack full of information about local wildlife and how you can get involved.

• Discover Wild Warwickshire, your free guide book to local nature reserves.

• Membership Cards giving your free entry to over 2000 Wildlife Trust nature reserves nationwide including our flagship nature reserve and visitor centre at Brandon Marsh near Coventry.

• Wild Warwickshire Magazine three times a year plus news from Wildlife Trusts around the country.

• Natural World Magazine containing the latest news from Wildlife Trusts across the UK. • Events and Special Offers - access to local events, activities, courses and special offers run by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

Vintage afternoon Teas at the Meriden Sports Pavilion Sundays September 11th and 25th October 9th and 23rd Look for our teapot advertising board outside the Sports Park

Remembrance Sunday 13th November

10.30am at St Laurence Church and walking to the War Memorial for 11.00am

BUBBLES HAND CAR WASH Quality Hand Car Cleaning Find us off the A45 in Shepherd’s Lane Meriden

Phone 07538 238 005 Open 9.00am -7.00pm 7 days a week

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

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

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

New and Non Members Welcome •

Every Thursday - Meriden Black and White Bike Meet with BBQ in the garden

•

Saturday 24th September Billy LeeTom Jones Tribute

•

Friday 25th November - Ian Scott as Neil Diamond Every 3rd Thursday ‘Open Mike Night’

• •

Every Friday eveningCash Bingo, meat raffle and ‘Open the Box’

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

Director:

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.

All work guaranteed Fully insured State pensioners discount Minimum one hour

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

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

Got a job - Large or small - but not sure who to call?

Call the Job Squad!!

01676 532833 01926 803 803 jobs@thejobsquad.co.uk

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

Email: hayleystanley1@hotmail.co.uk nday 11th D

Bennetts Road North Corley Coventry CV7 8BG

01676 540178 Opening hours Mon-Sat 9.00- 5.00pm Sun 10.00 – 4.00pm Autumn is for planting …….We have a large selection of autumn bedding, perennials and shrubs.

Winter hanging baskets, readymade & to order

WE ARE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK

Tel: 07904 239365 : From Richard Lloyd Chairman

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

In July, the House of Lords HS2 Select Committee heard the petition of Meriden Parish Council. Representing the Council were Richard Lloyd of HHAG and local resident David McGrath.

The proposed line of HS2 runs the other side of the A452, but the impact on the parish will be significant, both during and after construction. The Committee were left in no doubt about the need for community engagement on matters like construction traffic, the external appearance of the HS2 buildings and bridges, flood risk, and the impacts on woodlands, habitat, wildlife and agriculture. But above all, it was made clear that any relocation of the Bickenhill Waste Recycling Centre, bringing traffic through Meriden village, was unacceptable.

In an ideal world, the Select Committee would instruct HS2 Ltd to act in an appropriate way, but that might be too much to hope for. As with so many issues, the detail decisions will rest with Solihull Council. The construction of HS2 might give Solihull an opportunity to avoid some of the costs of maintaining their infrastructure, bringing potential conflicts of interest.

A key outcome of the hearing down in Parliament is that the views of the Parish Council have been placed firmly on record, together with the responses from HS2 Ltd. These could become relevant factors in any future dispute as to whether Solihull was acting reasonably.

It's very disappointing that, in order to expedite the hearings, many people who asked to address the Lords Select Committee were disqualified. Those disqualified include not just our MP, but HHAG and virtually all the individual petitioners. As a result, numerous issues will not get a hearing. No-one represented issues affecting Bickenhill parish (where the new station is proposed), and just one represented concerns in Chelmsley Wood.

However - just in case anyone missed it - the political environment has shifted somewhat. Several of the main supporters for HS2 have left office, and it looks as if Mrs May will expect a higher standard of proof before committing tens of billions of public money. She wouldn't need to read the whole of the recent report from the TaxPayers' Alliance called "Rich man’s toy: The case for scrapping HS2" - just the cover would suffice. The TPA contrasts their current cost estimate of £88 billion with the Government's figure of £30 billion given in 2010. But they overlook the £16 billion stated in 2009 for the whole high-speed network, which at that time was expected to link to the Channel Tunnel and go right up to Scotland.

It was planned to start construction in 2015, which would have been possible if the Government had reached agreement with communities along the route to mitigate the environmental impacts. The only funds approved, so far, are for the drilling of test boreholes and the shifting of utility lines.

Well, when Theresa May has sorted out Hinkley Point and the new runway for the South-east; she'll be free to focus on HS2.

News from Centre of England Arts…

We, at CoEA, are all very excited as we are getting more space by taking over another unit at Patrick Farm Barns, Meriden Road, Hampton in Arden, B92 0LT. The art classes that we started running there six years ago are now so busy that we are having to start more classes with new tutors to cope with the demand. The new unit adjoining our current one will give us the space to start not just more weekly drawing and painting classes but also some craft classes such as pottery, stained glass, jewellery... plus lots of one off workshops anyone can attend.

We are also hoping to be starting a “Creative Kids Club” on Saturdays after Christmas.

For more information see our website www.COEA.co.uk or pick up a leaflet at the art centre or in the library or contact Julie on 01676 523357

2016 Art Exhibition We will be having an exhibition of the students work and showcasing some of the new tutors work on:-

Saturday and Sunday 22nd and 23rd October 10:00am to 4:00pm.

We are delighted that the Mayor of Solihull will be officially opening the new unit at 1.30 on Saturday 22nd October.

MERIDEN

Fredanita

AGUAFLAME UK

Flower & Gift Boutique

Boiler servicing and repairs Boiler replacements New radiators and valves All plumbing work carried out Fully qualified in Natural gas and LPG • Under floor heating • New Bathrooms

Sarah Mcguigan Proprietor and florist

• • • • •

01676 523 192 home

07970 119142 mobile email : aguaflameuk@gmail.com Terry Griffiths

We specialise in wedding flowers Please call in and discuss your requirements with us

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

Autumn Canal Boats

By Julie Hyde Using watercolours on watercolour paper. Using a pencil.

1. Lightly draw boats, bridge and tow paths. Keep the bank and boats horizontal on the left bank 2. Sky and background trees. Mix separate washes of:• Blue • Blue and Yellow (to make a bluish green) • Yellow a little Blue (yellowish green) Wet all the sky area, and trees with clean water using a mop brush. Tilt your board then load your brush with the wash.

Workings with a big brush (No.10 or 12 round) add the blue colour to the centre sky area. Let it dry a little but before it is completely dry; add the greens for the background trees letting them blur a little. Add these greens under the bridge. LET IT DRY. 3. Towpaths. Mix a wash of:• Brown (weak) Add this to the towpaths on to dry paper.

4. Trees. Mix large amounts of strong washes of:• Yellow • Yellow and Blue (light green) • Blue and Yellow (bluish green) • Blue and Brown (strong, dark blue/grey) Using a sponge, on to dry paper, add the different greens in patches to the tree area. Use the yellowy greens to the left hand side, keeping the darker tone to the middle of the trees.

Add the more blue greens to the right hand trees and again adding the darker tone to the middle and lower area.

If the colours start to merge, let it dry and then repeat adding more colour over the top.

Add the greens to the sides of the tow path.

5. Boats and bridge. Mix washes of:• Reddish Brown • Blue and Brown (weak blue/grey) • Blue and Brown (strong, dark blue/grey) • Red • Blue • Yellow and Blue (bluish green) With a small brush add the colours to the bridge and the boats 6. Water. Mix all the colours used in the picture so far making them slightly stronger.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE COLOURS READY. Wet the area of the water with clean water, wait a few moments then add the colours to the reflections in horizontal dashes. If the water starts to dry out, let it dry completely, dampen the whole area and start adding the colours from where you previously stopped.

7. Branches and shadows. Mix washes of:• Blue and Brown (weak blue/grey) • Blue and Brown (strong, dark blue/grey) With the lighter/weaker colour, on to dry paper add streaks across the towpath.

Add a few branches, here and there into the trees with the darker tone.

Thursday 16th June the Aviva Women’s Tour of Britain arrived in Meriden. This tour was eventually won

by Lizzie Armitstead who later competed for Team GB in the Olympics in Rio

Thanks to everyone who has contributed Photos of these events

Meriden Rotary Club held their Motorcycle Mega Ride at the Queens Head on Sunday 26th June

More pictures from Meriden Archery Club

Above right: The Rev. Lynda Lilley with Caroline Spelman MP at a reception at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday

Opposite: The Firebird Singers £2000 cheque presentation to the M.S. Society. The Firebird Singers would like to thank ESOS for their generous sponsorship throughout the year. “ESOS the leading provider of payroll services in the UK.” Below: Meriden W.I. held a tea party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday.

The W.I provided a delicious array of cakes, on Cyclists’ Sunday

1st Meriden Scout Group – News from the Green Hut Beaver Scouts Beavers have had a very busy summer term with the completion of their gardening and animal friend badges and celebrated 30 years of Beavers with a special tea party.

For their gardening badge the tasks were to plant old Wellington boots with colourful flowers to decorate the scout building and to play several games to learn about how we use certain tools to maintain our gardens.

For their animal friend badge we visited Pets at Home Coventry where we had the opportunity to stroke and learn about how we care for different animals. We then had to keep a diary of how we care for our own pets and present this to the rest of the group using photos and pictures we had made.

For Beavers 30th birthday we had an all day celebration including inviting a drumming workshop designed to learn about how we play musical instruments to rhythm. The day also included a hike and a fancy dress party along with lots of nice party food. We are looking forward to Beavers autumn term where we will be participating in the British Heart Foundation Dodgeball competition to raise money for the scout hut and the charity itself and working towards more badges

Meriden Cubs It has been an exciting time recently for the Meriden Cubs as they attending the County Cub 100 Camp to celebrate 100 years of Cub Scouts. The camp was held at the Heart of England Centre in Meriden / Fillongley and was attended by over 1200 Cubs from across the Warwickshire Scout County, together with a visiting Cub Pack from Poland. The Cubs had an amazing weekend which saw them entertained for the entire time across activity zones such as the Water Zone, Action & Adventure, Bushcraft & Bushtucker Challenge, Around the World and History of Scouting. They also had a visit from Wasps Rugby Club who handed out each Cub a Wasps t-shirt and flag and there was also a huge firework display and party.

Other recent activities have also seen the Cubs improving their pioneering skills by making wooden frame shelters / tee-pees, and create finger painted flags.

All in all it has been a very packed past few weeks for the Cubs

Meriden Scouts Scouts have had a great summer term. We have been fire lighting and cooking, knotting, building, testing our senses and surviving on a desert island. With all these skills refreshed we held a Super Scout competition to see who was the best all round Scout.

Congratulations to Olivia who won by just 1 point.

We have been up to Rough Close Camp Site to put the small scale pioneering we had learned at the scout hut in to use making some larger bridges. For the last night of term the Scouts enjoyed the now traditional water games, egg roulette and water balloon catch. It was a lovely warm evening and a lot of fun.

We also took 16 of the Scouts to Strategy Camp in June. It is a national event with over 1500 Scouts taking part in a very well run and fun packed weekend. We asked Alfie to write a report for us. Alfie was in a team of Scouts who had only come up from Cubs 3 months ago. That team came 49th out of the 235 teams, a fantastic result for such young Scouts.

Alfie wrote "During 19-21st June Meriden 1st Scouts went to Strategy Camp. It was a brilliant weekend filled with lots of different activities such as climbing walls, air-rifle shooting, inflatables and even zorbing! The Saturday was spent doing a very long hike in teams, there were 235 teams altogether with at least 4 scouts in each. As well as hiking the day involved going to lots of different bases to complete different challenges and puzzles in order to gain as many points as possible, the team with the most points won. We all walked at least 10km and everyone's legs were aching. People were still returning at 9 o'clock! The next day was spent on inflatables and other fun activities. Overall I had an amazing weekend and I am looking forward to next year."

There is a camp planned for mid-September and early October so next term should be just as exciting as the last one. For more detail of what we've been doing and what we have planned please visit our blog site at http://1stmeridenscouts.blogspot.co.uk and if you think Scouting’s for you get in touch. If Bear Dares, why don’t you

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)

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

Cubs: Girls and Boys aged 810½ 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

Meriden Volunteers for We have had a break over the summer, but we are now sorting out the details for the “In the Pink” night at Strawberry Bank.

In December we have our Christmas event. Dandy (A Comedy Duo) will entertain us and Stevie Bee will provide excellent music all evening .Fish and Chips will be included in the price. Entrance by ticket only so we can pre-order the Fish and chips. Thank you for your support. Mary and the committee

In The Pink ‘Ladies Night Night’ ight’ Lesley Smith as Katherine Swy Swynford

Christmas Night

Strawberry Bank Hotel

Dandy - comedy duo

Live Music- Stevie Bee

Fish and Chip Supper

Friday October 14th

Friday December 16th

Price £12.50

Heart of England Social Club

Tickets £12

Please Telephone for tickets and information 01676 522160 * 01676 522855 * 01676 522555

The Orme School of Dancing Meriden Branch Come and join us on Saturday 1st October

Jennifer Faulkner

at Meriden Village Hall 11.00am until 1.00pm

F.I.D.T.A BA.Hons

for home- made cakes, tea and coffee and a second hand book stall.

Methodist Church Hall Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Gymnastic and Contemporary Dance

Fellowship Teaching Degree Dip A.B.R.S.M

Tel: 02476 467271

www.ormecoventrydance.co.uk

Stand up to cancer; cake tastes better together!

Principal Sandra Clarke F.I.D.T.A (Hons) M.B.B.O. (Hons)

Guitar and Ukulele Tuition Individual or Group Sessions Experienced Adult Education Tutor Eastern Green Contact 07742 288113

Beginners Adult Tap Classes Adult tap Class at the Orme School, this is especially for beginners Monday evenings at our Meriden Venue 7.15 – 8.00pm Any age, any shape, 2 left feet everyone will be very welcome You just need a big smile and a good sense of humour!!!

Meriden library 01676 522717 Monday Thursday Saturday

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

Summer Reading Challenge A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Summer Reading Challenge – The Big Friendly Read. We hope you had a lot of fun reading your books and doing the crafts! The closing date is Saturday 10 September. We are looking forward to seeing those who have completed the challenge to deliver their medals shortly.

Reading Café – Romance, crime, historical, classics, family sagas, thrillers and so many more; what’s your favourite theme? Drop into the library for our Reading Café and meet other readers for a chat about books, authors, reading or anything else over a coffee.

Monday 19 September 10:30-11:30am Monday 17 October 10:30-11:30am Monday 14 November 10:30-11:30am Story time for the under-fives – Our Story Time session will be back from Monday 12 September.

Aimed at pre-school children this session will continue to take place every Monday 2:453:15pm. Please come and join in our lovely group of parents and carers: make friends and enjoy some stories and a craft.

Rhyme Time – We are launching Rhyme Time on Thursday 22 September for the under 5s! Come along every Thursday 2:45-3:15pm to sing along to some classic nursery rhymes as well as learning some new songs. We look forward to welcoming you to our new group.

Free internet access Meriden Library has free to use computers and offers: • 2 hours free internet access for library members • Microsoft Office packages • printing facilities (charges apply) • scanners You will need your library card to use a computer.

If you’re not yet a member, joining the library is easy and quick, so ask staff for more details.

Library members can book a computer for up to 2 hours free of charge each day. Sessions can be extended for £1.50 per hour or part of an hour.

Computers are available until 15 minutes before the library closes.

Wi-Fi - Free Wi-Fi access is available at all Solihull libraries. Ask staff for more information Computer Tuition – If the idea of using a computer fills you with dread; if you don’t know Facebook from Google or email from searching online – we are here to help! We offer a six week computer taster course for all ages, where you can learn on a one-to-one basis with a tutor. There is a small charge. Please ask for more details.

Readers Circle 21st September The Fire of London &/or The Great Plague

12th October Any book by Elizabeth Gaskell

9th November A book by the Japanese author, Haruki Murakami

Happy Reading, If any of these appeals, please give Peter Moss a call on 01676 523590 for further information and the venue.

Balsall Common Writers Balsall Common Writers enjoyed the first speaker this year, when Gwyneth Box the co-founder of Tantamount Publishers, creative writing coach and translator gave us an interesting and informative talk.

We hope she will return next year.

All our writing groups continue.

Our Thursday group members are predominantly authors, who are published or completing a novel or writing a sequel to their published novel. Writing is a lonely occupation and a writing group offers an outlet for discussion, criticism, fellowship and encouragement all of which I have found helpful in getting my novels published (under my pseudonym) and seen them go into the top 100 of their genre.

If you are interested contact Anne Santos info@balsallcommonwriter.org.uk or look at our website www.balsallcommonwriters.org.uk

Jane West Tel: 07715 861067 Psychic Medium and Crystal Vibrational Therapist in Meriden 1-2-1 face-to-face readings, group parties (up to 6 people), email readings Email: jane_1_2_1@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: Jane – Medium and Crystal Vibrational Therapist

Christmas lunch at the Manor Hotel December 19th PLEASE NOTE. Not surprisingly, so popular is the lunch that bookings are now closed. I'm sorry if you have missed the opportunity but every effort was made to advise you all at the same time Alan.

Meriden Tree of Thought As usual, I have started preparations for this year's Tree. Already, I have received, very much appreciated, donations from Lord and Lady Aylesford, The Cassidy Group and De Mulder Enterprises. This as at 24th July. In order that you can get it on your calendars good and early, please note that THE DEDICATION will be on FRIDAY 2nd of DECEMBER ON THE GREEN at 4.00. PM. It is my intention to publish a Village Christmas Card again, which I hope will meet with your approval. Please watch out for the posters.

Funday Sunday Firstly, I do applaud all of you who supported my day in spite of the weather. Also the stallholders who didn't allow their spirits to be dashed. Secondly, I thank those who provided equipment and facilities. These are-Chris and Candice of AMS, Jayne Cockerill of H of E Conference Centre, John Sleath of The Job Squad, Sarah & Michael( Fredanita), Gary & James Olsen (Meriden Tearooms), George Blundell, Beaty's Farm, Chris & Allan Copper, Melanie Lee, Lis Willis and Terry Griffiths (Aguaflame). I do have to give a specific mention to Patrick Feehan of Amey and Jamie Clews of Marlie Civils. They donated,as a gift, the 100 fence pins to The Meriden Tree of Thought !!! An extremely kind gesture!

Thirdly, my thanks go to the volunteers on the day. These are, in no particular order- Alan Smith, Debbie Starkey, Tina & Hayley with Nick( Lloyd's Chemist), Julie Ismay & Kirsty(Tearooms), Jane Dawson, Tina Harris, Annette Smith, Craig Neilson, Paul Lee, John Atherton, Chris & Rachel Barr, Chris O'Gorman & Sandra, Melvyn Sidwell, Roy Green, Peter Moss, Colin Brown, Keith Summerfield and John Moorehouse. This gives you some idea of the level of involvement it takes to put on the event!!!! You should be aware that The Nijjer Family( SPAR), yet again, gave me every penny they took at their wonderful Barbecue!!!! I must thank The Scouts with Gerry & Joan Russell, as they ran the Stocks and The Skittles for me. ( Tom Beaty very kindly brought the straw bales for the alley). The Scouts also took them under the cover of their Public Liability Insurance, which freed up approx £ 60 to go to The Charities. I don't feel that I can finish this list without reference to The Revd Lynda Lilley. She volunteered to put herself in The Stocks. What a sport!! I think that she and Judith Summerfield were responsible for most of the money taken. I know this is a long list but everyone should get the credit they deserve, very much including all who donated the excellent prizes for The Midsummer Draw and The Tombola!!!

Because and only because of everyone mentioned above, the day provided £ 1,200 for the two charities.( £600 each was paid out).

A VERY GENUINE THANK YOU TO YOU ALL. Alan.

92nd Fillongley Show The weather was just right for the show on Sunday 14th August. It was well attended and it was lovely to see families enjoying the day out.

There were many classes in the show which culminated in a grand parade of the best animals including a champion pig who was driven round the ring in a trailer. The crowd were entertained by racing camels and Cyril the Squirrel and the dog racing team.

Of course there were many stalls and a produce show in the big marquee

Happy family group outside Brailes Farm

Congratulations to Philippa Pointon and Lawrence Arnold who were married at St Laurence Church on July 2nd.

Their first journey as Mr and Mrs Arnold was on top of the baler and Lawrence’s John Deere Tractor. The wedding guests were transported in the beater’s trailer, borrowed from the local shoot at Packington Estate.

Fillongley Show Allotment Competition..

Well done to Vanessa and Roy King on coming first in the competition and Bill Eastbury on coming second. The Oddfellows Allotments really did well!

Hill Close Gardens Aster weekend Saturday 24th/Sunday 25th September

11.00am – 5pm Hill Close Gardens Bread and Meat Close Warwick CV34 6HF

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A Message from Mick Lloyd our Neighbourhood Police Sergeant The Rurals Matter As I write my latest message to you our community is in the full grip of the summer. I appreciate that as you read this message we will be entering autumn but I wanted to share some recent events and ask for your help in the coming months.

I cannot express what a privilege it is to be the neighbourhood sergeant for the area. There really isn’t an area like this across the West Midlands, and dare I say it even further afield. As myself and the team patrol the streets it is great to see so many people enjoying the sun.

I’m always struck by the community spirit that we see on a daily basis. Whether it’s the members of our community who’ve checked on their elderly neighbours during the heat wave, or the people who’ve called to alert the police to hot dogs trapped in cars. In fact I had to assist last week when a child was accidentally locked inside a hot car.

In the modern world and with our busy lifestyles it could be easy to fail to appreciate how the little things can make a big difference. Often for the police this is a phone call or a piece of vital information from you that leads to us taking action.

In the last few weeks we seized a number of cannabis plants following a call from a concerned member of the public. Any information about illegal horticultural activity, which are not exactly your everyday hardy perennials, should be sent to the local policing team.

I also want you to all be vigilant to rogue traders or unsolicited visits from unaccredited workers, offering to clean gutters or driveways, repair roofing or do your gardening. Bogus 'workers' may say that they need to come in to check something or make urgent repairs.

Often they'll ask for money in advance; they may even offer to drive you to the bank to withdraw money to pay them. If you need any building work done, get several written quotes from reputable firms, then decide which one is best. If in doubt, talk it through with a neighbour or someone in your family.

I’d also like to extend this call to vigilance to help out the farmers and small holding members of the area. Criminals can target these buildings to steal animals or equipment, so again if you see something suspicious as you drive through our rural communities please let us know.

If you live on a farm or own a small holding it seems an ideal opportunity to remind you that we are lucky to have the expertise of PC Andy Timmins who divides his time between more familiar police duties and protecting livestock, birds and wild animals.

In the past few years PC Timmins has investigated cases of deer poaching and birds’ egg theft, plus raised awareness over the issue of “sheep worrying” and promoted responsible dog walking near farm fields.

He’s also created a Farm Watch group to share information among the farming community, alert members to any emerging crime trends they need to be aware of, and to help tackle rural crime.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your community then please contact us. If you want further advice on how to protect your home, your family or your business then you can contact the Rurals Team and we’ll be more than happy to offer advice.

I’d like to thank you all for your continued support and wish you well for the coming months. Together I am confident that we can continue to make our communities even safer.

Kenneth Roy Argyle August 9th 1924 – May 21st 2016

David Deakin

Margaret, Matthew and Simon would like to thank their family and all their friends for the support they have been given following Ken’s death.

Ken was a kind and gentle man, a loving husband, father and grandfather and he is sadly missed. He had lived in Meriden for the last 50 years in a home he had designed and built himself in a village that he loved.

WE would to thank everyone for their donations to Cancer Research and to Lynda Lilley and Michael Dawkins for the help with Ken’s funeral.

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Barkers’ Butts RFC Cyclesolihull rides are free and aim to be fun and friendly.

Most of the rides use one of over 30 fixed routes, mainly along quiet lanes and avoiding busy or difficult roads.

Nearly all of the routes have downloadable leaflets so you can check them out before riding. Everybody is welcome on the rides - male or female, young or old - there is no need to book so just turn up at the start point with any roadworthy bike. If you are not sure you can cycle the distance it is best to try one of the Taster or 'S' rides first. This is especially important if you are bringing children - we want their first Cyclesolihull ride to be a happy one! Younger riders are welcome on all Sunday rides but it is suggested they try a Taster or Family ride first. Saturday Stretcher rides are longer and a bit faster so are not suitable for children but confident teenage riders are welcome. If you want further information about rides email us at info@cyclesolihull.org.uk or speak to Stephen on 07896 885726.

The next ride from Meriden Green will be 2.00pm on Sunday 18th September - 16 miles

Rotary Club of Meriden MEGARIDE 2016 Organised by the Rotary Club of Meriden with assistance from the Meriden branch of the Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club, (TOMCC), the Megaride held on the 26th June was a great success. More bikes took part in the ridein and more people attended than in recent years. Over £3,000 was raised for the selected charities including Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Air Ambulance service.

Music was provided by the band 'The Firm.' In addition the Firebird Singers entertained an appreciative audience. The Mayor of Solihull opened the event and stayed to chat to everyone. He was accompanied by his lady who caused some amusement by getting on a motorbike whilst wearing a skirt!

With hundreds of motorbikes taking part, prizes were awarded for 'best bikes' in various categories.

The Megaride is much more than just a bike event, the various stalls provided additional entertainment and helped to swell the funds, the bar was popular and the tea/coffee plus cakes went down very well. Hot food was provided by a burger van.

The Rotarians thank all who attended, with a special thank you to the members of the Meriden Branch of the

TOMCC. See photographs of this event in the centre colour pages

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 following the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Contact Glen Southwell 07598 980546

Come along to a warm welcome with Candy at Meriden Village Hall Zumba Thursday evenings 6.00pm £4.00 per session

Pilates Thursday evenings 7.00pm £4.00 per session

ZUMBA A fun fitness & calorie burning class

PILATES style conditioning A slower paced class for all over body conditioning to improve muscle tone, strength, balance and flexibility Any queries please contact: Tel. 07828709650

YOUR LOCAL ARCHERY CLUB IN MERIDEN Tucked discreetly out of sight and only a stone’s throw from Meriden village, you’ll find Meriden Archery Club, a group of friendly and enthusiastic archers of all ages and abilities. Nestling amongst trees within the Packington Estate, are the Forest Grounds - the shooting grounds of the Club, open to members every day of the year and available anytime of the day.

Meriden Archery Club Member Joshua Smith was able to live the dream on 29th June when he was able to shoot side by side with 2 Olympic archers heading to Rio! See cover photo.

The Olympians Patrick Huston and Naomi Folkard visited Meriden Archery Club after receiving their official archery GB kit at the NEC. After this Joshua was able to meet his 2 heroes and spend some time talking and shooting with them and also spoke with the Olympic coach Richard Priestman.

Joshua has been shooting for 2 years this year and has already reached Junior Master Bowman level, which is the highest classification he can reach as a junior and is a fantastic achievement at the age of eleven, Joshua has been working with Archery GB on their performance pathway for the last 10 months and hopes to join their Junior Squad and represent his country, his goal is to go to the Olympics like his heroes Patrick and Naomi and represent Great Britain in the 2024 Olympics. We would like to wish him all the very best for his ambition and hope to get a golden post-box in Meriden in years to come to celebrate his success!

Meriden Archery Club also welcomed the Paralympic G B Archery Team to the club for a ten day training event in July. The idea was to simulate the schedule that the team will experience in Rio. The Archery venue is an hour’s bus ride from the Olympic village with the schedule meaning many athletes would be waiting up to five hours between competitions. The team stayed at Lilleshall National Sports Centre, simulating the Olympic Village, which is around an hour’s drive away and Meriden became the Archery Venue at Rio. The programme ran exactly as it would in Rio and athletes benefitted from getting used to travelling to and from the venue and filling up to five hours at a time between shooting. Even the sun shined and provided a heat very similar to Rio! This was a fabulous opportunity for the Meriden members to meet our Paralympic team who signed autographs, provided photo opportunities and GB coaches were on hand to offer advice. The Junior Club members had the opportunity to help the Paralympians when they were in Meriden, and some more of the Junior Club had the lifetime opportunity of shooting on the same field and meeting the archers during their Saturday morning Club. Some of the juniors also had the opportunity to meet Olympian archers Patrick Huston and Naomi Folkard ahead of them travelling to Rio as part of Team GB. A fantastic experience for all!

Everyone benefitted from the event and we wish our Paralympic team all the very best for the games in September.

Left to right: John Stubbs MBE * Tania Nadarajah * Rikki Bingham * Nathan Macqueen * Rebecca Symes * Vicky Jenkins* Michael Peart * Michael Hall * Dave Phillips* Hilda Gibson (Programme Manager) *Jo Frith * Charlotte Burgess* *John Walker * Jess Stretton * John Cavanagh *

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 mornings where you may access information or have a private chat with the Clerk to address local community issues.

The next Parish Council meeting dates are: • 19 September 2016 - The Pavilion • 17 October 2016 - The Pavilion • 21 November 2016 - The Pavilion Community Surgeries 10am-12pm: • Monday 05 September 2016 – Meriden Library • Monday 10 October 2016 – The Pavilion • Monday 07 November 2016 – Meriden Library Police Beat Surgeries at the Library 11am-12pm • Monday 12 September 2016 • Monday 10 October 2016 • Monday 07 November 2016

Barbara Bland The Pavilion Meriden Sports Park Main Road Meriden CV7 7SP

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

Your Parish Councillors are:

Rosie Weaver Frances BEM Lynch-Smith (Chair) (Vice Chair)

Bob Kipling

Melanie Lee

Paul Lee

Mandy Haque

Jon Barber

Matthew Nunn

Neighbourhood Plan - survey topline results Many thanks to the residents of Meriden Parish who completed the Neighbourhood Plan Survey. We had a return rate of 27.1% and this is very good as the average for such surveys across the country is between 20 and 25%.

A full analysis of the survey will have been produced in August so look out for the results through your letterbox and the library in the next month or so. In the meantime, here are a few topline results: • • •

71% of respondents thought the Neighbourhood Plan should identify land for affordable housing to meet the needs of local people.

96% of respondents think that any future development in Meriden should be in keeping with its character, heritage and setting within the surrounding countryside.

When asked where money should be spent to invest in infrastructure the top three answers were broadband, mobile phone and roads

Neighbourhood Plan - ‘call for sites’ SMBC Planning & Transport Policy Manager, Gary Palmer, spoke at the recent Solihull Area Committee meeting and said Solihull’s preferred options for the sites for Solihull borough, including Meriden, aimed to be published in autumn 2016 but is more likely to come out nearer to Christmas. The pre-submission draft will be published in spring 2017 and examination will be sometime in 2017.

In the meantime, funded through the Locality bid, our independent planning consultant is reviewing the 12 identified ‘call for sites’ in Meriden as a key part of the Neighbourhood Planning process. Residents are invited to comment at a public display at the Village Hall on Saturday 24 September between 10am and 12 noon.

Queen’s Birthday Honours List Meriden Parish Council is delighted to announce that Cllr Rosie Weaver has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Rosemary Weaver BEM has served nine years as an elected councillor for the parish council and her contribution has been recognised ‘for voluntary service to the community in th Meriden Solihull’ by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, to mark her 90 birthday.

Rosie’s nomination was put together by Cllr Melanie Lee with the help of Rosie’s family, friends and former colleagues. Honours and awards officer Andrea Crowther from SMBC submitted the final version of which a few excerpts feature below.

“With great commitment and dedication to the residents of Meriden she has devoted all her adult life to the wellbeing of her community, has led on many areas, being head and shoulders above the rest and is the key person within Meriden.

“She was the Ambassador who passionately encouraged a local sports coach to come to Meriden and provide football training for the village children.

“The whole village benefits greatly from her drive and understanding of community needs and she has changed things for the better for all residents, young and old.”

Cllr David Bell, ward councillor for Meriden, who nominated Rosie for the Queen’s Honours List, said in our press release: “When I first met Rosie I could tell she was unsure how we would work together for a number of reasons. I quickly found that she had great abilities to lead the parish council at one of the most difficult periods in its history. Her drive and commitment together with others on the parish council has resulted in a major asset for the village, the sports park.

“Her professionalism drove this forward and has dealt with issues such as the quarry, the local plan and HS2. All these tasks have been demanding and I feel that recognition, which took some time, is very well deserved. I feel that the Parish Council of Meriden does sterling work and Meriden should be proud to have such an excellent team serving their needs.”

The Parish Council would like to thank Meriden Parish Council submitted a House of Lords petition to the HS2 Select Committee to raise issues of concern regarding the implications of traffic, noise, construction and the possible relocation of the Bickenhill Household Waste Recycling Centre. The petition can be found on our website.

We would like to thank Cllr Richard Lloyd of Berkswell & Balsall Common Parish Councils who acted as our House of Lords agent and local resident David McGrath who represented the parish council.

Tree warden Are you interested in trees and their preservation? We are looking for a resident to volunteer to be Meriden’s tree warden and link in to Solihull Council’s tree warden group. If you’re interested in finding out more please contact the Clerk, Barbara Bland, on 01676 522474 or email her at barbarablandmpc@btconnect.com.

Co-op transport meeting The Clerk and residents met with the Co-op’s Area Manager and Transport Team with Cllr Ken Allsopp, Cllr Paul Lee and SMBC Neighbourhood Co-ordinator Bruce Brant regarding residents’ complaints and issues surrounding deliveries via Arden Close. Here are the outcomes of the meeting: Insurance for damage to private driveways/walls; reduce size of vehicles from artics to 4 wheel rigid bodies; refrigeration units to be turned off; drivers to be reminded of risk assessment; review feasibility of composite delivery of perishable and non-perishable groceries; delivery times to be changed to a.m. 07.30 and 09.00 and p.m.18.0020.00. Avoid 08.30 to 09.00 and 15.00-16.00; review clash of deliveries; review deliveries to front of store; use of Banksman (store manager trained) and additional training given to other staff to provide Banksmen at all times on site; all drivers to use Banksman prior to reversing vehicles for delivery purposes.

Incidents of vandalism in the parish It is sad to report that somebody has dug out and stolen the new plants on Coronation Island and a bus shelter has been vandalised.

[

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News from the Heart of England School Our Principal Jacqueline Hughes-Williams reflects on the past academic year and on the future at Heart of England School: The end of term is a time for reflection and evaluation. Our recent awards evenings, achievement assemblies and tutor time have provided space to look back over the year and to celebrate students’ hard work and enjoyment of learning. I mentioned in December that when joining Heart of England School you are not a statistic and that who you become is every bit as important as what you become. Nowhere was this more evident than when listening to our staffs’ glowing citations, in a range of contexts, celebrating our students’ consistent hard work, courage in the face of challenge, determination to master new skills, creativity of thought, imagination and the genuine desire to succeed. What was also wonderful was the manner in which this success was being achieved, through kindness and the capacity to work alone and with others.

In addition to implementing a brand new Key Stage 3 curriculum and assessment model, introducing a new behaviour policy and rising to the challenge of newly recalibrated national qualifications there has been time for significant extracurricular opportunities and exciting plans for next year. A glimpse at our news blog since January includes: an amazing trip to CERN and the Hadron Collider, celebrating our world champion Jiu Jitsu gold medallist, inter-house athletics and a myriad of sporting triumphs, our students playing in Symphony Hall, selection as a Duke of Edinburgh provider, an inclusive whole year group camping week, our school production of Little Shop of Horrors, a musical educational visit to Italy, our own referendum and excellent destinations for students including firsts and places at Cambridge.

On their return in September students will notice even further improvements to the environment. Our main hall is being refurbished and there will be significant improvements to the quality of study facilities in our Sixth Form. Other great news is our new catering providers who will be launching their new menus and facilities from September. AiP have Gold Food for Life accreditation across the entire portfolio and use only fresh locally sourced produce. Our students have been central to the decision making processes regarding Food by Design at Heart of England.

On a final note in the whole school assembly our new Head Girl invited students to consider the holidays as a chance to both rest and prepare for the adventures to come next term. It has been a positive year with many firsts brought to life with humour and humanity. There is time for joy in learning at our school and we ended the year as we began; in song. I will sign off with the words a Year 7 boy said to me last week, “ this is not just any school… it is my school.” He is right, this is not just any school it is his school and our school and the future looks very bright indeed.

Politics First A former student has successfully gained a first in Politics at Nottingham Trent University after studying Economics and Government and Politics A Levels at Heart of England School.

Shane Ross is thrilled with his degree which comes at the end of his course at the university. Naturally Shane has worked very hard to gain his high level grade which he also puts down to the encouragement and support he received while a student at Heart of England Sixth Form. “Thank you for all the help and support because I genuinely don’t think I would have even gone to university had it not been for the advice,” said Shane.

Economics and Government and Politics are popular courses at Heart of England where students are encouraged to develop their ability to question and examine issues in depth. “They are subjects which require and develop keen thinking and to explore the important issues that affect everyone,” said course leader and Head of Sixth Form, Mr Kiddy. “Shane was an excellent student, incensed by inequality and he was particularly interested in this aspect of the subject as well as the contrast between the British and US elements of politics.”

Reflecting on his time at Heart of England Shane said: “I look back upon my Sixth Form years with great memories, the lessons and the Economics trip to Paris were huge parts of that.”

Many congratulations to Shane on his achievement. “It has been an amazing experience and all the hard work has paid off,” he said

First Class Natural A graduation with a first from the University of Cambridge sets up our student for future success. success Emma Thomas has just graduated with a first in Natural Sciences after completing her degree and is now on course for the University of Oxford to commence a doctorate there.

In addition Emma will be made a Scholar of St John’s College and has been awarded a Wright Prize, given to those who rank in the top third of First Class results and a Lister Scholarship.

Commenting on her experience at Heart of England Emma said that the encouragement of teachers was crucial, especially for her decision to take Chemistry A Level. “Mrs Joan Taylor particularly encouraged me to believe that I was capable of succeeding at a university such as Cambridge.” Mrs Taylor has retired, however, her legacy clearly lives on.

Well done and many congratulations to all our former students who have graduated this year. They are all certainly building on the successes of their journey from Heart of England.

Rotary Club News I am delighted and honoured to be chosen as this year’s president of Meriden Rotary Club, and am looking forward to an exciting and eventful year. I must first congratulate last year’s President Tony Hill on a very successful year.

Meriden Rotary Club meets most Tuesdays at the Manor Hotel at 7.15pm and new members are always welcome, why not come along for a chat to find out more about Rotary. However if you can only spare 2 hours each month to help with our fund raising activities we would be delighted to hear from you.

Our next two main fund raising events will be held in December, The 5th annual Santa Fun Run on Sunday 11th December and our ever popular visit of Father Christmas and his sleigh. We hope to see you at one or both of these events.

For more information please get in touch. Thank you in advance for your support Best Wishes Julia Bennett President Meriden Rotary Club julia.bennett@live.co.uk Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Appeal Please support this worthwhile appeal by filling a shoe box with goodies for underprivileged children. If you are unable to fill a box donations will be very welcome .

Leaflets will be in the Library at the end of September or contact

Lucy Ball on 01676 523502

Banish 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

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the Blues!

At the Cedarwood Spa we can ensure that you have a relaxing day to help get rid of those daily stresses.

Take time out for you Go on you deserve it!

Banish the Blues spa day, £49 per person to include, 1 x 25 minute treatment, full use of the leisure facilities, and use of bathrobe & slippers.

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The Heart of England Cricket Club

Heart of England C.C.Saturday Team

As the end of the cricket season approaches it's time to reflect on what has been a successful and enjoyable first season for us at the Heart of England Cricket Club. With only a month left to play we currently stand second in Division 9 of the Warwickshire Cricket League and third in the Division 2 of The Arden League. Unfortunately the majority of our T20 midweek games fell foul of the weather leaving us mid-table; however we did reach the semi-final of the knockout cup.

We've seen some amazing individual and team performances over the season with our club scoring the highest totals in both of the leagues. 405 in 43 overs on a Saturday with Ali scoring 131 and Arun 102 in a first wicket partnership of 245. In the Sunday league a score of 319 in 40 overs with Rakesh becoming our third centurion scoring 111.

Our bowlers continue to bowl sides out with Pranav, Sriram, Arun and Gokul all taking 20 plus wickets. Our top bowling performance so far was from Sreekesh who took 6 for 20 in our win against Kings Heath taking him to over 20 wickets as well. The kids coaching has certainly highlighted potential cricketing stars of the future and we look forward to them joining us in the nets this winter to continue their development.

As our club continues to grow we will be looking to recruit new players for next season. Players of all abilities are welcome to contact us at; heartofenglandcc@gmail.com. Please check out our Facebook page: Heart of England Cricket Club

Heart of England School’s Exhibition Success The artwork of one of our students is being shown in an exhibition of exciting new artists, projects and initiatives celebrating the creativity of young people in Birmingham.

Mia Bronserud, Year 10, entered the piece for the exhibition after being told about it by Art teacher, Jane Mansfield. “I am thrilled for Mia. She is such a talented artist and really deserves success,” said Mrs Mansfield. “I told some of the students about the project and Mia produced the artwork at home and submitted it herself.”

Mia’s mum Kate said: “Mia spends all of her spare time drawing or painting. Our lounge looks like an art studio most of the time! She didn’t expect to be chosen so she painted something she’d like to hang Ali and Arun’s first wicket partnership of 245 hang on her bedroom wall.”

A combination of paint and drawing on canvas, the imaginative piece, called In the end we’re all just skulls and bones, shows the skeleton heads of a horse and a human set against a dark, star filled night sky featuring the moon. The detailing of the drawn parts is intricate and skilled. Speaking about her work Mia said: “The link to ‘what inspires me’ is how we are all exactly the same on the inside, no matter what we look like on the outside.” Mrs Mansfield said: “It made my day to find out she had been successful. Really well done to Mia!” You can see a reproduction of Mia’s artwork in the free exhibition in the Gas Hall at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

Meriden Surgery 522252

01676

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 GP Dr L Whitehead

www.balsallcommon grouppractice.co.uk Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8.30am to 6pm Wednesday 8.30am to 12.00 For details on how to obtain medical help when the surgery is closed please phone

Coventry Breathe Easy For more information please ring Janet on 024 7646 0081 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, Eadon Hall, Central Hall, Methodist Church Warwick Lane, Coventry, CV1 2HA, except in the winter months when we meet for a coffee at Conroy’s Forth Coming Meetings

01676 935000

9th September Steve Barratt The Ambulance Service

Confessions from the Cupcake Factory

by Juci Luci Orange Drizzle Cake With Homemade Orange Curd and Cream Cheese Buttercream

l4th October Diane Phimister, Ass. Head of School of Nursing and Health at Cov Uni and she will be talking on Mental health well being – understanding anxiety and depression llth November Meeting will be the start of the 3 coffee mornings being held at Conroy’s Coffee House in Corporation Street (opp. Co-Op) l0.30 – l2.00.

This summer I found myself re-landscaping my garden to accommodate a summerhouse, and it inspired me to take a piece of my once flat boring garden and instate what we are now calling “The Allotment”. This new found hobby has unearthed (pun intended) a need for fresh vegetables and fruit that I have never before encountered. I highly recommend it. I’m now proudly admiring my sweet corn and measuring my courgettes against my rival neighbours. Its great fun- and one feels very virtuous when serving up something you have nurtured from seed. Although on the down side, butterflies are no longer my friend. It’s a hobby that I have struggled to fit into the day as this summer has been, as always, full of cake making and decorating for birthdays, christenings, anniversaries and of course, many weddings.

I was inspired for this recipe by the Queen’s 90th Birthday Cake. When I heard that Nadia Hussain from The Great British Bake off was asked to bake her a cake and she chose an Orange Drizzle cake, I decided to have a play and make my own version. It is a perfect late summer/autumnal cake and I would like to share it with you today.

Ingredients 240g margarine 240g caster sugar 4 medium eggs 260g self raising flour, sieved with 2 tsp baking powder zest 2 oranges juice 2 oranges/25g sugar heated together and cooled Buttercream 200g good quality full fat cream cheese 125g butter 450-600g Icing sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream together marg and sugar until paled, slowly whisk in eggs, one at a time, fold in flour, and then orange zest.

Turn into two 6-8” cake tins and bake 150* for 55mins, or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave the cakes in the tin, and as the cakes turn to warm from hot, skewer a few holes into each cake, and slowly drizzle over the syrup so they absorb the liquid. Leave another few minutes, and then turn out and cool.

Soften the butter and whisk, whisk, whisk some more until butter turns white. Pour off all liquid from cream cheese, and add the cream cheese, and mix together well but don't over mix it or it will change structure and go runny. Fold in the icing sugar in stages and mix. When you have a nice smooth and thick creamy buttercream, beat a little more until well blended but again, don't over do it.

Orange Curd (You can of course use orange curd from a jar if you prefer or are a little short of time, but homemade In a saucepan, simmer orange zest, juice, and sugar for five is fairly simple and just seems more fun) minutes. Remove from heat and add butter, stirring as it Zest 1 orange melts. Once cooled beat in the eggs, and return to heat, 80ml fresh orange juice (2-3 oranges) stirring continuously as it thickens to a sauce. Remove from 200g caster sugar heat and cool. Refrigerate for at least half an hour once it’s 70g butter cool enough to be put in fridge. (Or make the day before).

2 eggs & 1 extra egg yolk, beaten.

Finally, slice each of your cake in half, and fill each level alternately with orange curd and buttercream, and tap a little icing sugar through a sieve on the top for a pretty, rustic look. If this is a bit tricky, just level off the top of one cake and fill in between the two cakes with a layer of both curd and buttercream, giving two thick deep layers instead of four thinner ones. Just as nice!

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Meriden: on the great road from London to Chester….. [[[[[[[Kinwaldsey, William son of Gerard (possibly Geoffrey’s brother elsewhere called ‘ Gilmyn’), Richard Hill Many readers will have the address ‘Number …Main Road, Meriden’ though when I was a young girl, I the Mason, Nicolas Godyng and many others. I imagine them all crowding round listening, all of 700 years ago. recall the houses were usually distinguished by names: Rose Cottage, The Elms and so on. The history of the road through our village is significant. Mary Dormer Harris the distinguished Coventry historian who spoke at Doreen Agutter.

Meriden’s Women’s Institute in 1924 wrote in ‘The Coventry Herald’ a few years later,’ The history of Meriden as a thoroughfare would repay study’. The original narrow trackway followed the valley bottom, snaking along with properties eventually built at the narrow ends of the Open fields’ strips. Early writers mentioned brooks flowing across the road, two in particular: Fastolfsiche near Millison’s Wood and the Allesley boundary and another, the Horn Brook at the bottom of Meriden Hill often flooded making passage hazardous in bad weather.

Both Daniel Defoe the journalist in 1720 and Thomas Pennant the Welsh travel writer in 1739 spoke of the heavy Midland clays here making transit almost impossible at times. To pass through the ‘sloughs of Meriden’ you needed 4 or 6 horses to pull a coach or carriage. It was in fact a notorious place with Meriden Hill an especially feared accident black spot until C20th. It is steep enough now but imagine its appearance before 1822 when Telford the engineer sliced off its top and made an easier incline into the village. ‘Old Road’ gives us a glimpse of the past as does a retrospective painting by our Meriden born artist Dr James Kittermaster recalling his childhood when there were no rules about keeping to right or left. Repairs were undertaken by a village road gang, poorly paid by the parish rate. You can see the accounts for yourself in Warwickshire County Record Office, some from the mid C18th.

Nearer Gt Packington the road once followed the parish boundary between the two villages not far from the modern flyover. Here had stood a gallows recalled in field names on each side of the road; Meriden’s being the Galley Irons meaning gallows corner. So the road predates the boundary establishing it as Saxon. This route had always been important as a King’s highway or Via Regis to which national laws applied such as cutting back undergrowth on each side to prevent thieves hiding there. Even so newspapers tell us of highway men attacking travellers on Meriden Heath in 1760s to 1780s. A century before Telford’s work, in 1723 there was a turnpike from Dunchurch to the Red Lion (present Bull’s Head) and in the opposite direction a new road from Birmingham via Stonebridge cutting along the boundary of Packington Park and Forest Ground in 1742. We still have one milestone to remind us of this period. Before road widening, in my childhood and after, to 1960s, all the old ex turnpike roads still had them at regular intervals. An interesting map dated 1828 shows the Green with two turnpike gates blocking off the main Road near where today we have a pedestrian crossing to the Sports’ Centre and across Fillongley Lane (Road) near the road island, both joined to a turnpike house on the corner of the Green near the original site of the Cross. The turnpike and its cottage were abolished in 1872. Yet so powerful was the Turnpike that country people continued to speak of many main roads as ‘The turnpike’. My own father did. In my last two articles I mentioned the need for urgent road repairs before, during and after the Great War. Pot holes abounded filled in with local gravels even when the road became a bus route in 1914 and the Hill remained dangerous despite alterations and re surfacing. To return to Mary Dormer Harris’s statement, Meriden’s commercial

prosperity depended upon the road. Dugdale writing in 1670s suggested new inns had recently opened though at least

three major establishments flourished by early Tudor times (1520s) encouraging the village to grown in size and support ancillary jobs like blacksmiths and wheelwrights in and near the Woodyard, drovers, cheesemongers, butchers and maltsters. The road declined with the opening of the London to Birmingham railway and so did the businesses dependent upon it resulting in bankruptcies and closures. This fact was discussed in an 1844 newspaper article, upholding my thesis. The advent of bicycles, cars, buses and lorries led to its re- emergence in the first half of the C20th but decline once more with the By Pass opening in 1958.

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 Radio daze, or: I can’t get no P.O.M.G. I don’t know from astrology, but I was born under the sign of Truman, with Eisenhower rising. Both of my parents were born under the sign of Wilson, but later their charts were heavily influenced by Roosevelt. And I know nothing about numerology, but every seventh presidential Election Day falls on my birthday. That’s every 28 years: 1960, 1988 and this year. Why this happens is a mystery to me but may be written, somewhere, on a papyrus scroll.

Anyway, I like Ike, or at least I did, even if I was only four when he was first elected. Sometime during his second term — when I saw the aliens attacking Washington with their death ray in the movie “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” — I wasn’t too scared, because there was also a newsreel, and President Eisenhower looked fine and the Capitol building was still intact.

My first “birthday” president was Kennedy, but his 1,000 days ended tragically, perhaps foreshadowing the disasters to come. Then the Age of Aquarius came and went, but peace sure as hell wasn’t guiding the planets under Johnson or Nixon, and as the presidential follies unfold it looks like love won’t be steering the stars anytime soon. `m.

Where am I going with this? Good question. It just strikes me, in this disturbing election year, that the life of this country was relatively predictable and stable from the end of World War II until, say, Nov. 22, 1963. We loved Lucy and Father knew best. In the horse operas that ruled the television airwaves, the guy in the white hat always won. In the White House for many of those years we had Ike, with his grandfatherly smile. We got our news from avuncular Walter Cronkite, and when he went on TV to tell us that JFK was dead, we knew it must be true.

Closer to home we had Bob Steele on the radio, whose corny jokes blanketed Meriden and every other part of Connecticut for decades on station WTIC (Travelers Insurance Company), which has marked the time with a musical version of the Morse Code letter “V” (like the opening notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony) every hour on the hour since 1943. And right up there with Mr. Steele as a fixture of Connecticut radio was Hartford jeweler, philanthropist and public personality Bill Savitt, whose radio commercials promised generations of customers that he would provide that rare treasure, P.O.M.G. — Peace Of Mind Guaranteed.

(Here’s a sample ditty, if memory serves: “Oh the rock you buy, baby, should really be the top / A gem of perfection, the cream of the crop / See Savitt — you’ll have it — for the happiest of brides / With Peace Of Mind Guar-an-teed besides / P.O.M.G. … P.O.M.G. …”)

And that’s what I’m looking for today but not finding: P.O.M.G. Those four old guys — Messrs. Eisenhower, Cronkite, Steele and Savitt — represented continuity to me, and the sense that things were under control. Also civility; unlike now, political candidates could debate each other with no talk of body parts or bodily functions and no shouts of “Liar!” or “Loser!” or “Crooked!” And without today’s voracious 24-hour news cycle, broadcasters weren’t forced to fill hundreds of hours per week by replaying all that stuff.

It was a very different time.

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

CAT MINDER I am offering a service that will stop the worry of putting your cat/s into a kennel while you are away.

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If you are interested in this service please contact me

Gail on 07913 872280 or email gail.dichiara@gmail.com and I will come and meet you and your cat/s.

Reference available, security checked/fully insured.

.

Steven Russell 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

North Warwickshire Golf Club

Open Evening Friday 16th September 3.00 pm–9.00 pm

Play a round of golf on us Come along and have a free round of 9 hole golf, enjoy a bite to eat and drink on us and see the benefits of belonging to a friendly golf club.

Please book

Amazing Offer Trial membership for one month only £50 Enjoy the freedom of the course, play as many times as you like. Improve your golf with a free lesson from one of the Midlands top professionals.

Work towards getting a handicap with the help of members. Use the facilities of the bar and join in the social activities and get to know fellow golfers.

You can then join from as little as £50 per month Hampton Lane, Meriden, CV7 7LL Tel. 01676522915 northwarwickshiregolfclub.co.uk secretary@northwarwickshiregolfclub.co.uk

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

Village Diary DATE

EVENT

VENUE

TIME

CONTACT

3rd Sept 5th Sept 5th Sept 6th Sept 12th Sept 12th Sept

Springfield House Village Hall Library

2.30pm 7.30pm 10.00am-12 noon

Flick Blewitt 523229 Barbara Bland 522474

Library Library

11.00am-12noon 2.45-3.15 pm

Sgt Michael Lloyd 101 522717

17th Sept 19th Sept 19th Sept 19th Sept 21st Sept 22nd Sept 23rd Sept 24th Sept 24th Sept

Methodist Welcome Party WI Community Surgery Back to School Police Beat Surgery Story time for under 5s weekly Big Picture Show Reading Cafe Flower Club Parish Council Meeting Reader’s Circle Rhyme Time weekly CAMEO Public Meeting Firebird Singers Concert

Village Hall Library Village Hall Sports Pavilion

7.30pm 10.30-11.30am 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.45-3.15 pm 2.00pm 10am-12 noon 7.30pm

Chris Copper 522645 522717 Mo Reynolds 521457 Barbara Bland 522474 Peter Moss 523590 522717 Pam 523372 Barbara Bland 522474 Anna 07792525999

25th Sept 28th Sept 1st Oct 3rd Oct 9th Oct 10th Oct 10 th Oct 12th Oct

Harvest Festival Harvest Supper Macmillan Coffee morning WI Harvest Festival Police Beat Surgery Community Surgery Readers Circle

10.30am 7.00pm 11.00am- 1.00pm 2.00pm 10.30am 11.00am-12noon 10.00am-12 noon 7.30pm

Rev Jane Braund 533737 Rev Jane Braund 533737

14th Oct

7th Nov 7th Nov

“In the Pink” Big Picture Show Arts and Crafts Exhibition Reading Cafe Parish Council Meeting Flower Club Art Exhibition Charity Christmas Card shop opens CAMEO British summer time ends Meriden Mag deadline Coffee Morning Bereavement Service Community Surgery Police Beat Surgery WI annual meeting

9th Nov

Readers Circle

9th Nov 13thNov 14th Nov 19th Nov 21st Nov

Supper Club Remembrance Service Reading Cafe Big Picture Show Flower Club

21st Nov 25th Nov 2nd Dec

15th Oct 15th/16th 17th Oct 17 th Oct 17th Oct 22nd/23rd 24th Oct to Dec 17th 28th Oct 30th Oct 2nd Nov 3rd Nov 6th Nov

7thNov

Library Sports Pavilion Village Hall Railway Bar and Grill Methodist Church Methodist Church Village Hall Village Hall

St Laurence Church Library Sports Pavilion Strawberry Bank Hotel

Flick Blewitt 523229 Lynda Lilley 522825 Sgt Michael Lloyd 101 Barbara Bland 522474 Peter Moss 523590 Mary Warr 522160

Village Hall Fentham Hall Library Sports Pavilion Village Hall Patricks Farm Barns Balsall Common Library Village Hall

7.30pm 10am-5pm 10.30-12 noon 7.30pm 7.30pm 10.00-4.00pm

Chris Copper 522645

2.00pm

Pam 523372

Packington Hall St Laurence Church Library Library Village Hall

10.30am-12noon 4.00 pm 10.00am-12 noon 11-12 noon 7.30pm

3rd Nov Lynda Lilley 522825 Barbara Bland 522474 Sgt Michael Lloyd 101 Flick Blewitt 523229

7.30pm

Peter Moss 523590

Methodist Church St Laurence Church Library Village Hall Village Hall

7.00pm 10.30am 10.30-12 noon 7.30pm 7.30pm

Rev Jane Braund 533737 Lynda Lilley 522825 522717 Chris Copper 522645 Mo Reynolds 521457

Parish Council Meeting CAMEO

Sports pavilion Sports Pavilion

7.30pm 2.00pm

Barbara Bland 522474 Pam 523372

Tree of Thought

Village Green

4.00pm

Alan 522138

522717 Barbara Bland 522474 Mo Reynolds 521457 Julie Hyde 523357 Judith 533428

Cof

Out and About this Autumn Exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery Coventry Normal opening hours (including bank holidays) are: Monday – Saturday: 10.00am 4.00pm Sunday: 12.00noon - 4.00pm

Until Sunday 15 January 2017 Calling LEGO® builders and mini-brick architects big and small… A world of imagination and creativity is waiting for you! Discover the endless possibilities of these much loved little bricks, as we journey through history and around the globe for a summer of fun.

A treat for all ages, bring your curiosity, build your imagination and explore the world brick by brick. With over 70 awe inspiring models, including the Great Wall of China and Niagara Falls, marvel at the shapes and structures that can be snapped together to create the most iconic man-made, natural and ancient wonders of the world.

Heritage Open Days Saturday 10th to Sunday 11 September Monastery tour Many buildings not usually open are open for this special weekend, Whitefriars Monastery looks particularly interesting, you can find out about other interesting places by looking on line.

The buildings known as Whitefriars are the surviving fragments of a Carmelite Friary founded in 1342 until the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

All that remains are the eastern cloister walk with a dormitory

Meet at the pond behind Whitefriars Monastery accessible through the Coventry University walkway off Jordan Well Tickets must be booked in advance,

above and the foundations of the friary church. The cloister

02476237521 info@the herbert.org

walk that remains would have been one of four when the friary

Places are limited to 10 people per tour.

was in use and is constructed from red sandstone. During the

Please Note: due to the nature of the site, this tour is unsuitable

1500s it was owned by John Hales and served as King Henry

for those with mobility issues. There is no wheelchair access

Vlll school before the school moved to St John's Hospital in

and visitors must be able to climb a flight of stairs.

Coventry. It was home to a workhouse during the 1800s.

.

What’s on at the NEC Cruise Show 10th-11th September

Crafts for Christmas and Stitching, Sewing

Cycle show 22nd -24th September

and Hobby Crafts 3rd- 6th November

Wedding show 1st October

Festive Gift Fair 10-13th November

Destination Star Trek 7th-9th October Good Food Show 24th – 27th November

Update from Beechwood Recycling We want to provide you with an update on further improvements we are making to our plans for the much-needed recycling facility we are developing at Meriden Quarry. The minor, non-material changes were outlined during a meeting with local residents earlier in the month, but we wanted to ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn about . what we are doing at the site to ensure it is the best it can be.

As we have previously stated, we are absolutely committed to developing a safe and secure project, which will bring much-needed recycling facilities to the local area, as well as £14m investment and up to 20 jobs.

Since the project was approved by Solihull Borough Council’s planning committee and in line with best practice, we have been working closely with the Council’s planning team and the Environment Agency to refine the project to ensure the design is as robust as possible. The tweaks we are making to the site are so small they are considered non-material by the Council’s planning officers and therefore do not require a new planning application.

We can assure you that the small adjustments will not have a negative impact in terms of visual, noise or odour, and any alterations will improve the site. For example, they include reducing the size of the coach park to ensure it is used as efficiently as possible, and taking additional steps to further minimise risks onsite.

The Beechwood Recycling facility will use state of the art technology and will be an asset for the local area, diverting waste from landfill and producing renewable energy with minimal emissions. Furthermore, health and safety is our utmost priority, and we will maintain the highest standards on site at all times.

Our facility will meet the robust Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) meaning it will have negligible impact on air quality. We have also consulted with Public Health England, the Environment Agency and Solihull’s Highways team, and attended Parish Council meetings, where we were on hand to answer any questions from the public and address challenges raised by Parish Councillors.

We will continue to provide updates and look forward to developing a positive project for the local area.

For more information email beechwoodrecycling@ukpressoffice.com

Dates for hoisting the flag on Meriden Green

British Summer time ends on Sunday 30th October Clocks go back!

Bickenhill Public Waste Disposal Site Opening Hours 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 Winter 1 November - 31 March Monday to Friday (except Tuesday) - 9.30am to 4.00pm Tuesday - 9.30am to 5.30pm Saturday and Sunday - 8.30am to 4.00pm Last admission 15 minutes before closing time

Useful village contact numbers Meriden Primary School Meriden Library Meriden Surgery Lloyds Chemist St. Laurence Church Meriden Methodist Church MCF Life Church Meriden Parish Council Methodist Hall bookings Solihull M B C Solihull District Councillors

Mrs L. Winkler

Rev Lynda Lilley Rev Jane Braund

Pstr. Kevin & Lyn Hunt Barbara Bland (Mondays & Thursdays only) Alan Gabbitas

Member of Parliament Meriden Scout Group Post Office Rural Police Sector

Ken Allsopp David Bell Tony Dicicco Caroline Spelman Gerry Russell Sue Harper Sgt Mick LLoyd

Meriden Village Hall bookings

Valerie Martin

01676 522488 01676 522717 01676 522252 01676 522722 01676 522825 01676 533737 07970552667 01676 522474 01676 522148 0121 704 6000 01676 522301 01676 248651 07874231861 0121 711 7029 01676 522666 01676 522230 101 New nonemergency no.

01676 522963

11th November Remembrance Sunday 13th November Remembrance Day 14th November Birthday of the Prince of Wales 20th November Her Majesty’s Wedding Day Reminder deadline for autumn issue out by 1st December is Wednesday 2nd November Val Martin 01676 522963 val.simon@btinternet.com Margaret Argyle 01676 522453 margarete.argyle@gmail.com Distribution: Paul Lee Proof Reader: Claire Rose

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.

We are unable to print anonymous letters or articles although we will withhold name and address on request