End of Year Memorable Events Here at Meriden Primary School, we have had a busy Summer term of class trips, camp outs, sporting events, the Key Stage 2 Production, Church and library visits, the School Summer Fayre, Competitions and much more. 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 a trophy for being a superb year 6, but special mentions went to: Lemar for Sportsmanship, Eden for the Arts, Charlie T for Progress and Louisa for Achievement. Meriden Governors also presented an award for overall attitude and commitment to ‘the Meriden way’ to Charlie C. The final assembly also saw the Chris Fryer Courtesy Award being awarded to Emilia in Year 4, for being someone who is always polite and friendly. The Queen’s Jubilee Cup, donated by Meriden United Charities, went to Daisy in Year 4 (right) who worked across the year for the homeless, collecting clothes and other necessities. Awards for 100% attendance were given and the names of those children who had been in school every day went into a prize draw for an Amazon Fire Tablet! This year pupils who had only had time off for unavoidable medical appointments were also included in the draw. Our end of year service was held outside in the school grounds and the children enjoyed giving their thanks to God for their learning experiences and friendships made during the year. Year 6 pupils were gifted a bible as their leaving present.
Cricketing Success! This term the children from Year 4 have had the great opportunity of receiving cricket coaching sessions each week as part of Warwickshire Cricket’s ‘Chance to Shine’ program. The children have come on in leaps and bounds in their cricketing skills including throwing, catching, batting and fielding. The sessions culminated in an interschools local competition at which Meriden performed brilliantly and fought off all competition, finishing top of their group! The children were then invited to play in the finals at the hallowed Edgbaston cricket ground in July, alongside 18 other finalists from across the West Midlands. Again, the children performed excellently, demonstrating high levels of sportsmanship throughout. On the day, the children won 3 out of their 5 games and finished an excellent 7th out of the 18 finalists. Overall, there were 140 schools that participated across the region, so the children and teachers were immensely proud to finish 7th overall! Well done to everyone involved and huge thanks to Warwickshire cricket for organising such an incredible event.
Afternoon Tea In July, we held a wonderful Afternoon Tea party for members of our wider school family. Our year 6 pupils organised the event, from creating invitations and bunting, making the food and personal menus, to being the perfect hosts, making sure that tea and coffee cups were kept topped up! Our guests were incredibly impressed with how courteous and polite the children were, and how well they conversed with our different invitees!
You are invited to Afternoon Tea at Meriden CE Primary School Date : Friday 5th July Time : 2.00pm - 3.15pm Rsvp: 3rd July Tel: 01676 522 488
At the tea party we also said a special good bye to Mrs Pam Cooper who has been a governor at Meriden CE Primary for an amazing 34 years! Charlie and Evangeline, Head boy and girl, presented her with a beautiful bouquet and thanked her for her wise words and thoughts over the years.
Air ambulance
The children have worked incredibly hard this year to raise money for their chosen charity, Air Ambulance. They put on an amazing enterprise week where each class had £5 to use to start off their initiative and the grand total of funds raised for this incredible service was
£1068.54!
Thank you to everyone who has given money over the year to this worthy cause.
Summer Fair Success! A huge thank you to everyone who attended our fantastic summer fair this year. It smashed all previous fundraising records and raised an amazing
£3639.96! We will be using this to create an outdoor classroom for our children. THANK YOU!!
The pupils’ attentiveness and good manners must be in no small part due to the school ethos and input into their socialisation skills
My hosts and hostesses were extremely attentive and courteous and once introductions were over, I was questioned on various issues including Brexit!
Goodbye Mr Wainwright! We have said a very sad goodbye to Assistant Headteacher, Mr Wainwright this summer. He joined Meriden back in 2005 following a student placement here, took a year out in a Coventry school in 2009 and then came back in 2010 as he realised he missed us too much! He’s been here ever since! We and presented him with cards, gifts and a surpise leaving party! We wish him every success in his new school.
Cancer Research Pink and Blue Night 7.00pm at The Manor Hotel
Sunday 27th October
Lesley Smith will be characterising Peggy Knight MBE who was parachuted behind enemy lines in 1944 Tickets are £12.50 each from 01676 522540/ 522888
All are welcome Raising money for Cancer Research.
Centre of England Arts Annual Art Exhibition 16th - 17th November 10.am-4pm Patrick Farm Barns, Meriden Road, Hampton in Arden, Solihull, B92 0LT Showcasing students and tutors work plus art demonstrations. Free Entry and Parking, Refreshments available. www.coea.co.uk
Do you enjoy singing? Have you ever wanted to join a choir? Come along for a cup of tea and a chat
Meriden Village Hall, Main Road, Meriden CV7 7NG Friday 20th September at 7.00pm
No auditions, you will not be asked to sing on your own and there is no need to read music. We are a large friendly mixed voice choir with members aged between 16 and 90 We rehearse at Meriden Village Hall most Fridays between 7.00 and 9.00pm and usually perform three concerts each year. Our mantra is "Singing for Pleasure - Raising Money for Charity" and in the 9 years we have been in existence we are very proud to have raised over £30,000 for various good causes. Come along and find out what we are all about - you will be made very welcome.
For more information please ring Val Martin 01676 522963
MERIDEN FLORAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS FAYRE
SATURDAY 30th November 2019 MERIDEN VILLAGE HALL 11.30-1.30 Entrance £2 To include coffee, tea and Mince Pie Fresh Christmas Wreaths for sale or order to collect later. Make your own Table Decoration (with help) Craft Stall and Tombola, Raffle and Christmas Gifts.
blitz Beauty Salon 9-11 Birmingham Rd. Millison’s Wood Telephone 01676 521100 All aspects of Beauty Therapy including; Manicures, Pedicures, Waxing, Eye treatment, Facials, CACI facials and body treatments, Microdermabrasion, Massages, Hopi Ear Candles, Gel Nails and Extensions, Body Wraps, Hot Stone Massage, Spray Tanning and Vertical Sun bed, Vibroplate Opening Hours: - Monday closed, Tuesday 10-4, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10-8 (Winter 10-7), Saturday & Sunday 10-4
Call us for more details or to go on our special offer mailing list www.blitzbeautycoventry.co.uk Join us on Facebook & Twitter
Visit us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/budgensmeriden Bread, cakes and savoury snacks freshly baked daily on premise Hot Breakfast Sandwiches Costa Coffee Award winning Lashford sausages Groceries Wide selection of Meat, Fruit and Veg. Completely refurbished with all new equipment and lots more on offer.
Newspapers and Magazines Send and receive parcels from here Dry Cleaning Lottery Cash Machine and Cash Back Beer, Wine and Spirits Lots of Special Offers Opening hours
Come in and see for yourself.
Weekdays 6.00am-10.00pm Weekends 7.00am- 10.00pm
Same friendly service as before.
01676 522287
St laurence church news Priest-in-Charge: Rev Lynda Lilley
Tel: 01676522825 Email: rev.lynda.lilley@talktalk.net
Mobile: 07811 545 247 Lay Reader: Peter Wright
01676 522414
Church Wardens: Jonathan Douglas
01676 522455
Lis Willis
01676 521080
Church website: www.stlaurence-meriden.co.uk Service details for the autumn 01/09/19 10:30
Holy Communion
08/09/19 9:00
Holy Communion
08/09/19 10:30
Morning Prayer
15/09/19 10:30
Holy Communion BCP
15/09/19 16:00
Kidz Praise
22/09/19 9:00
Holy Communion
22/09/19 10:30
Baptism
29/09/19 9:00
Holy Communion
29/09/19 10:30
Celtic Service
06/10/19 10:30
Holy Communion Harvest Festival
13/10/19 9:00
Holy Communion
13/10/19 10:30
Morning Prayer
20/10/19 10:30
Holy Communion BCP
20/10/19 16:00
Kidz Praise
27/10/19 9:00
Holy Communion
27/10/19 10:30
Morning Prayer
03/11/19 10:30
Holy Communion
03/11/19 16:00
Bereavement Service
10/11/19 9:00
Holy Communion
10/11/19 10:00
Remembrance Day Service at the Methodist Church
17/11/19 10:30
Holy Communion BCP
17/11/19 16:00
Kidz Praise
24/11/19 9:00
Holy Communion
24/11/19 10:30
Morning Prayer
All Together community cafe. 2pm-4pm every second Friday of the month at The Pavilion. Forthcoming dates: 13th September, 11th October, 8th November
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. For more details please contact Pat & Peter Wright on 01676522414 Enquiries for Baptisms and Weddings, or pastoral needs please contact Rev Lynda Lilley on 01676 522 825
Jesus says to Martha, “You are worried and troubled over so many things” Luke 10:41 This week I have been personally challenged by the Gospel reading for Sunday 21st July. It’s a familiar story – Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha – possibly replayed in homes throughout the world. Mary and Martha are sisters – sisters who are chalk and cheese! We read of Jesus visiting their home. Martha is rushing around. So many tasks, so little time! There’s the cooking and cleaning, the mending and tending, the planning and purchasing, the... so the list goes on! And what, you might well ask is Mary doing? Well nothing (perhaps this sounds familiar to you!), or more accurately she is sitting at Jesus feet listening to him. Are you a ‘Martha’ or a ‘Mary’? Are you rushed off your feet? Are you the one doing all the doing? Does this sound familiar? In today’s world it would seem that our worth is linked to our busyness. We need to learn to balance our busyness with times of rest, time to recharge our batteries. We all know that our mobile phones won’t work if we don’t stop occasionally to recharge them, similarly our cars won’t function if we don’t stop to refuel. Why then do we think that we continue to work/function without recharging our batteries? It is not selfish to stop and have some ‘me’ time – in fact it’s quite the opposite. When we’re constantly busy we easily become stressed and perhaps a little grumpy – I know that I do! We can’t do our best, give our best and be our best. Be kind to yourself, and those around you, pause, plug in and be refilled, refreshed and renewed ready to face the tasks ahead of you. Even God rested after 6 days of work – what makes us think that we don’t need to rest too? Jesus speaks to us all when he says, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28 If you are weary and carrying heavy burdens come to Christ, come to the church. Find rest. Seek help so that you’re not carrying your burdens alone. Learn to lay your New! burdens at the foot of the cross, 9am Communion service. place them into Jesus care, 2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays and ask Him to help you to work of the month. through those you need to and This will be a simple service, to lay aside those that you do not. without hymns but with a With blessings and prayers ‘Thought for the day’. for refreshment,
Lynda Lilley Kidz Praise. Calling all the 7 year olds and younger to bring their parents/carers along for a short service. We begin at 4pm with a craft activity, followed by a short, interactive service and end with refreshments. Every 3rd Sunday of the month. Forthcoming dates: 15th September, 20th October, 17th November
GOOD NEWS We’ve reach the halfway target for the rebuilding of the churchyard wall. If you would like to buy a brick – perhaps to commemorate an important occasion – please contact Rev Lynda Lilley
Autumn/winter programme Saturday 28th September 2019 “Fisherman’s Friends” (12A) Whilst enjoying a stag weekend in Cornwall, Danny, (Daniel Mays) a hapless city-boy record producer, is tricked by his fellow producers into believing he can sign up a local fishermen’s singing group. Reluctant at first, he is soon drawn in by the culture and traditions of the fishing community and makes it his mission to secure them a record deal. There is comedy and gravitas in equal measures in this funny, heart-warming tale shot on location in beautiful Port Isaac. Also starring James Purefoy and Tuppence Middleton, this is a feel-good movie to be enjoyed without cynicism.
Saturday 26th October 2019 “All is True” (12A) It is 1613 and William Shakespeare, now retired, has one last story to tell – His Own. Disaster strikes when his renowned Globe Theatre burns to the ground. Devastated, he returns to Stratford where he must face a troubled past and a neglected family. Haunted by the death of his only son, Hamnet, he struggles to mend the broken relationship with his wife and daughters and is forced to examine his own failings as a husband and father. With a powerful cast starring Kenneth Branagh as Shakespeare, Judi Dench as Anne Hathaway and Ian McKellen as The Earl of Southampton, this is a fascinating insight into the life of our local Bard.
Tickets (£5.00) will be printed and are available for sale from Budgens General Stores on the Village Green. In addition, tickets and advance reservations are also available from Chris Copper (01676 522645)
Saturday 23rd November 2019 “Yesterday” (12A) (subject to screening rights)
Arguably, the music written by the Beatles transcends all generations of the 20th and 21st centuries. Jack Malik is a struggling singersongwriter in an English seaside town, whose dreams of fame and fortune are rapidly fading. But following a freak cycling accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that the rest of the world has never heard of the greatest band in history. He begins to perform their songs and becomes an overnight sensation. Starring Hamesh Patel and Lily James, with brief appearances by James Corden and Ed Sheeran (as themselves) this Richard Curtis scripted film is a funny and entertaining “Magical Mystery Tour”.
SAVE THE DATE – SUNDAY 8TH DECEMBER 4.00 P.M FOR A CHRISTMAS FAMILY MATINEE SCREENING
Email: hayleystanley1@hotmail.co.uk
07904 239 365
Telephone 01676 540 178
LOCKSMITH ez
Lee Clements & Sons 01676 578278 Full Mobile Locksmith Service All locks changed supplied and fitted Garage Locks
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Window Locks
Key Cutting UPVC Door problems
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Babies have an extraordinary capacity to absorb information in their first year and at Baby Sensory we don’t waste a single moment! With 40 themed lesson plans, you and your baby will discover a magical underwater world, explore a tropical jungle, journey into Space and have fun at our Baby Olympics! Classes held in:- Shirley, Solihull and Meriden Contact - Nina 07971 945 242 solihull@babysensory.co.uk
Full locking mechanisms replaced/serviced New handles Dropped doors re-aligned
Local Bookkeeper " Making Tax Digital" Are you ready for the new system of VAT filing with HMRC? This comes into effect as from April 2019 - Let me do it for you! I am a local bookkeeper / accountant looking to take on new clients to process your bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and accounts preparation digitally using Sage Software. I will ‘collect and deliver’
Call Fran on 07940 700284
The Orme School of Dancing Meriden Branch Methodist Church Hall
Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Gymnastic, Contemporary Dance Tel: 02476 467331 www.ormecoventrydance.co.uk and Musical Theatre. aged 2 ½ years upwards
Principals Jennifer and Samantha Faulkner F.I.D.T.A BA.Hons Fellowship Teaching Degree Dip A.B.R.S.M
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 Woman’s Institute meets at Meriden Village Hall on the First Monday of each month usually at 7.30pm. Please contact Joan Russell 01676 522666 for more information Future Programme nd
Monday 2 September at 7.30pm ‘Protecting our Environment for Future Generations – Liz Galloway Monday 7th October at 2.00pm ‘My Girls - The Bees’- Mary Pemberton Monday 4th November at 2.00pm ‘War Memorials’ – Susan Tall NB Change of time to afternoon for winter months. Visitors always welcome.
The subject of our June meeting was ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’. Frank and Steve came to talk to us about their role as puppy walkers. These are people who volunteer to care for future guide dogs in their own homes until they are old enough to begin their intensive training. During that time, they expose the puppies to as wide a variety of situations as possible. The speakers brought with them a young German Shepherd dog who is not going to be trained as a guide dog. As an exceptionally fine healthy dog he is now a stud dog and has just fathered his first litter of future working dogs, In July we welcomed David Jamieson, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. This was our Annual Open Meeting and we welcomed more that 20 visitors from the village and neighbouring W I’s. He gave a very interesting talk and explained how his aim is to try and deal with problems that lead to crime. He pointed out how nearly all the young people he came into contact with lamented the lack of clubs and activities that would give them a focus. He also emphasised the need for rehabilitation of prisoners and more help should be given to ex-convicts to find jobs. He talked of the cuts in police numbers and how people bemoaned the lack of ‘Bobbies on the Beat’ but also pointed out how policing had changed, with a lot of work being done behind the scenes dealing with Cyber Crime and Anti-Terrorism. August is traditionally our Members evening, when we do not have a speaker. We enjoyed social time and Flick had devised a quiz with a difference. She claimed it was easy - we dread to think what a hard one would be like!
Elizabeth Spencer
New members and officers are needed -- We’ve enjoyed 101 years --Let’s continue Apply to Joan Tel. 01676 522666
Manor Hotel | Main Road | Meriden | Solihull | CV7 7HN 01676 522735 www.manorhotelmeriden.co.uk
Minister Rev Jane Braund Tel: 01676 Ps 533737 If you are around on the second Friday of every month between 2 and 4 it would be lovely to meet Please phone to arrange you over a cup of coffee or tea at the Pavilion. In Meriden marriages, baptisms and funerals Keep a look out for Services: Greetings from Meriden Methodist Church to you all Sunday 10:30am. I wonder if you ever play the game where you take a word and then see how many other words you can make out of it without repeating a letter. As we walk around the countryside and follow the tractors down the roads, it is clear that the harvest is being gathered in. 'Harvest' is a good word to play this game with. For a moment look at the word 'HARVEST'. Out of the word harvest there are two other words that can be found - one is 'STARVE' and the other is 'SHARE'. In a recent BBC report, I read an article entitled 'Could the Biblical practice of gleaning cut food waste?'1 In this report it was recounting how, on some farms in the UK, gleaners who were volunteers, were picking up what was left on the ground after harvesting had taken place. All the food that was collected up in this way was then going to local charities and food projects. The report stated that gleaning is something that is gathering momentum and that in 2018 more than 100 tonnes of unwanted fruit and vegetables were harvested that would normally be left to rot. The idea of gleaning is not new. In Leviticus 23 God told the Israelite farmers to leave the harvest that fell to the floor for the widows and orphans, the poor and the strangers to pick up, so that they had food to eat. Those who were starving could share in the harvest. Today, 3.6 million tonnes of food are left unused or surplus at farm level - most of which is left to rot. At a time when climate change is impacting our world, when starvation is rife and people go hungry on our streets, how good it would be to reduce waste and in doing so see that others are fed. The harvest is there for us to share and we have so much to be thankful for. It is great that more and more people and organisations are working together to lessen the waste we produce and it is a challenge to us to think of how we each use the world's resources. God called us to be stewards of the earth that he created - to look after it and nurture it. I wonder what he thinks of the way we have looked after it and of how we care for those who have so little? As we celebrate harvest in the coming weeks and thank God for the food that has been produced, may we be reminded to think of how we treat his world and what we each can do to ensure that the harvest is there to be shared with all.
With love in Christ, Jane
Dates of Services 29 September at 10.30 Harvest Festival – come and celebrate harvest, all are welcome 10 November at 10.15 Remembrance Service beginning at Meriden Methodist Church and moving to the village War Memorial for 11.00am Advance Notice 22 December at 4 pm Carol Service
Supper Club 4 October
Celebrating Harvest
13 December Christmas Quiz For further details contact Rev Jane Braund on 01676 533 737
The Methodist Church Hall is available for hire, please contact Alan Gabbitas on 01676 522148
Prayer At Meriden Methodist Church, we regularly pray for those living in the village. Recently we have started to pray for specific roads during each service. If there is anything that you would like us to pray for please feel free to let us know by putting your prayer requests through the church letter box on Main Road. Please mark the envelope 'prayer request'. If you feel you would like to talk to Rev Jane Braund, Pastor Kevin Hunt or Rev Lynda Lilley, please feel free to contact us - our details are in this magazine.
September w/c 1 September - Archery Road; Kittermaster Road w/c 8 September - Letitia Avenue w/c 15 September - Wyatt Way; Jubilee Close w/c 22 September - Maxstoke Lane w/c 29 September - Maxstoke Close; The Firs
October w/c 6 October - Meriden Park Homes w/c 13 October - Main Road to Strawberry Bank w/c 20 October - Strawberry Fields w/c 27 October - Main Road from Strawberry Bank to The Bull
November w/c w/c w/c w/c
3 November - Hampton Lane 10 November - Birmingham Road 17 November - Main Road to Old Road 24 November - Old Road; Church Lane
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01676 521653
The Green Meriden CV7 7LN
Opening hours: Tuesday 9.00-7.00pm Wednesday 9.00-5.00pm Thursday 9.00-8.00pm Friday 9.00-5.00pm Saturday 8.30-4.30pm
Come and visit our newly refurbished beauty room We have gift vouchers for both hair and beauty treatments, which make ideal presents.
Meriden Fish and Chips The Green Meriden
Pensions Investments Protection Savings Employee benefits Inheritance Tax Chartered Financial Planners and Employee Benefit Consultants
You can try the rest! But we’re the best! 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
A message from Councillor Tony Dicicco I have recently taken over as the chairman of the Solihull Council (SMBC) HS2 Implementation Advisory Group (IAG). The remit of the IAG is to allow SMBC councillors and members of the public to engage with HS2 about the company’s plans to construct the HS2 rail line. The IAG does not have any powers to rule on planning matters relating to HS2 – indeed, the powers of SMBC are limited anyway on this - but it does provide the opportunity to question and provide feedback to HS2. At the meeting held on 18th July, I raised the issue of the felling of the mature trees on the A452 central reservation near Park Lane in Balsall Common. I expressed my strong displeasure at the brutal way the trees were cut down and the unsightly mess that has been left. I also queried why this had been carried out during the bird nesting season, especially as there is some considerable speculation about whether the HS2 project will even go ahead at all. The answers that I received from the HS2 representatives at the meeting were far from satisfactory and I made it clear that no unnecessary tree-felling should take place in Meriden, especially during the bird-nesting season. This speculation about the future of the HS2 project brings into focus what will happen to the development of our local area. One of the selling points of HS2 is that it would bring about economic development in Solihull and that the Interchange site (near the NEC) especially could absorb some of Solihull’s required housing shortfall. I understand the potential that this development could deliver in terms of jobs for local people in Meriden and the pressure that this could take off the need for more housing locally. However, a big downside of HS2 is that it would cause considerable disruption to local communities including our own during the construction phase. Whether the HS2 project goes ahead as planned or is changed, we face considerable challenges in terms of new housing development in Solihull. SMBC’s draft Local Plan recognises the pressures that we face and tries to mitigate these by restricting the number of new dwellings and also phasing their development over a number of years. Cllr Ian Courts who, before taking over as Leader of Solihull Council, was responsible for developing the Solihull Local Plan, has worked to ensure that the construction of the proposed developments near the HS2 line does not take place at the same time as HS2 construction, to prevent the double whammy effect on our local roads and communities. He has also tried through the Local Plan work to ensure that any new developments will better protect the local character of the area through thoughtful, well-planned and appropriate development. Housing densities should be appropriate with areas of green, open space. This supports the objectives of the Meriden Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) which is being produced by the Meriden Parish Council and is due to go for consultation shortly. If the NDP is adopted, it will provide Meriden Parish with a set of policies that can be used to influence planning applications. I commend the parish council for all the hard work that they have put into the NDP and I look forward to supporting it through the consultation process.
If you wish to comment on the issues in this article, or any other local issues, then please contact me at tony.dicicco@solihull.gov.uk. Thank you, Cllr Tony Dicicco.
Meriden United Charities Charities in Meriden have existed for many years, the earliest was before 1551 and always with the same purpose, to assist people in need. Initially the Charities helped with items such as bread, fuel, teaching poor girls to read and preaching sermons at the Parish Church. Nine individual charities are now grouped together and registered with the Charity Commission as Meriden United Charities. Income from the investments is limited and is managed by 9 local trustees. If you would like to make an application for funding either for yourself or someone you know, please consider the purposes of the Charities are to assist residents who live within the parish of Meriden who are in need. Applications can be made to: The Clerk to the Trustees, Meriden United Charities and handed in to Meriden Library
CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP 2019 The Midland Charities Association Christmas card shop is back in Balsall Common Library for 7½ weeks from Monday, October 28th until Thursday, December 19th. The shop operates at all library opening times during that period, i.e. Monday & Thursday 10-6; Tuesday 10-5; Wednesday & Sunday closed all day; Friday 2-5; Saturday 10-4 There will be cards from about 16 different charities. For more information, please contact Janice Whittlesey janwhittlesey@yahoo.co.uk or 01676 534407 In addition, the card shop in Allesley Park Community Library, Whitaker Road CV5 9JE will also be open for 7½ weeks from Monday, October 28th until Thursday, December 19th. The opening times there will be Monday & Thursday 12-6; Tuesday & Friday 10-2; Wednesday & Sunday closed all day; Saturday 10-4 We are looking for volunteers to help in 1½-2-hour slots on our rota at Allesley Park, so if you can help, we would be very pleased to hear from you. Please contact Mal Haddon 02476 464530 or 07506 702446; email dr.haddon@btinternet.com or Janice Whittlesey
Dog Walking and Pet Services
07825 684539
Lavender Hall Lane Berkswell CV7 7BN 01676 530 299 / 07949 119 436 Cafe open to the public from 8.00am – 1.30pm week days and now until 2.00pm Saturday & Sunday Serving hot and cold food Specialising in an all day Breakfast ‘Coffee and cake’ We are pleased to be able to offer our customers freshly ground coffee and homemade cakes
Gates open at 7.00am close at dusk
It has been a busy time for Meriden Rotary Club. We held our Annual Golf Day on Monday 3rd June at Maxstoke Park Golf Club. A good number of teams supported the event and everyone had as very enjoyable day. In the evening we held a dinner and golf winners were presented with prizes and a successful raffle with excellent prizes rounded off the evening. The event raised approximately £1000. The proceeds will go towards sending pupils from Woodlands School in Coleshill on Kids Out Day in 2020. The 12th June was the time for Kids Out Day 2019. Last year’s Golf Day raised money to send 117 pupils from Woodlands School to this year’s event which takes place annually at Drayton Manor and gives hundreds of disabled children the opportunity for exclusive use of the theme park. This is normally one of the highlights of Woodlands School year but unfortunately due to the terrible weather and the level of disability of some of the children, the school had to decide at the last minute that it would be too dangerous to take part. The staff put on special events at the school to minimize the disappointment, but this year’s Golf Day has already raised the funds for next year, so we hope for better weather! Tuesday 25th June was our Handover Meeting. Mike Holdsworth, President for the last 12 months, handed over to Geoff Arthur for the 2019 - 20 Rotary Year. We would all like to thank Mike for his enthusiasm during what has been a good year for the club. Geoff is the 41st President of the Rotary Club of Meriden and is the first member to have held the position twice. This says a lot for the strength of the club as most other clubs have had to call on the services of a number of past presidents to “do it again”, several times in some cases. Our strength was also demonstrated when one of Mike’s last duties was to induct two new members and a third will be inducted soon. We are looking forward to another exciting and interesting year for Meriden Rotary Club. Interesting speakers have been booked including Dame Caroline Spelman (our local MP), Lord Henry Plumb (past president of the European Parliament), advanced driving, pancreatic cancer research, steam trains and many more. If you would like to come to one of our meetings to find out more, you would be very welcome. We meet at The Manor Hotel, Main Road, Meriden, CV7 7NH at 7pm for 7.30pm. We enjoy a 3-course meal, fellowship and a variety of good speakers.
our club website at www.meridenrotary.org.uk or contact Jane Maugham, Secretary of Meriden Rotary Club for further information by email at mrcsecretary79@gmail.com Did You Know? There are about 100,000 kilometres of blood vessels in the human body – about 2.5 times the circumference of the earth.
Casemore Animal Feeds For pet food, animal feed & small holders’ supplies Find us at Cornerways Farm, Washbrook Lane, Coventry CV5 9DL www.casemoreanimalfeeds.co.uk
Lord and Lady Guernsey invite you to a coffee morning In Aid of the Chapel of St. James On Thursday 7th November 10.30 -12noon At Packington Hall Packington Park Off the A45 CV7 7HE
Cake sale, Raffle, Books, Bring and Buy
Please bring your friends Entrance £6 to include a cup of tea or coffee and biscuit (children free)
Kenilworth Road, Hampton in Arden B92 0LP
“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.” – Oscar Wilde
100 years of Balsall Common Country Market
Servicing Repairs Tyres Exhausts Suspensions Brakes
Call us for a quotation for your motoring needs
01676 521010 Brand new premises Off Marsh Lane Near Lincoln Farm Truck Stop, B92 0LS Call for directions
Country Markets, formerly the WI markets, were set up in 1919, requested by the government, as part of the post war effort to preserve dwindling food supplies. A market is held every Sat from 10 11.30am. at Balsall Common Village Hall, Station Road, CV7 7EX. We have lovely home baking, preserves, plants, seasonal vegetables, crafts and home-made cards. Also light breakfasts. 16th November - Xmas Market A variety of Xmas food and craft gifts available. Do come along.
Hampers can be ordered and delivered countrywide. Contact 01676 523007
A free cup of tea or coffee with this voucher
Trees of Meriden and Millisons Wood Beautiful Beeches It’s said that it was the beauty and structure of beech woods which inspired the high vaulting arches of cathedrals created 100s of years ago. The beech was known as the Queen of the woodland, consort to the King Oak, and they can be found living together in Millisons Wood! There are beautiful beech trees around the village; Darlaston Court and the Manor Hotel both have examples of common and copper beech.
Copper Beech at The Manor Hotel
The beech (common and copper) are considered native in south of England and the Midlands. It recolonised after the last ice age when the UK was still connected to mainland Europe, but as a relatively late arrival around 4,000 BC; some believe it was brought by neolithic tribes for the edible nuts. Beeches are tall, graceful trees growing up to 130 feet with a massive many branched dome; mature specimens have a light wispy look to their outer twigs, while the main branches can often be as thick as many other tree species trunks’. The bark is smooth, thin and grey, often with slight horizontal etchings. In winter they can be identified by their zig zagging branches with slender bronze buds. Young leaves emerge in April lime green with silky hairs, becoming darker green and losing their hairs as they grow reaching 4– 9cm long. Male catkins and female flowers grow on the same tree in April and May. Once pollinated by the wind, the casing of the flower becomes woody and
develops into bristly seed pods which open to reveal nut like seeds known as “mast”. Beech nuts are distinctively 3-sided and the opened pods often remain on the tree long after the seed.
Beech twig and winter buds
Beech flower
Beech leaf and fruit
Beech nuts known as mast
Beech woodland is an important habitat for many butterflies, particularly in open glades and woodland rides like those in Millisons Wood. Because beech trees live for so long (typically up to 200 years and potentially up to 300) they provide habitats for many deadwood specialists such as hole-nesting birds and wood-boring insects. The bark is often home to a variety of fungi, mosses and lichens. Beech mast are a favourite food of many woodland animals large and small, badgers, deer, mice, voles, squirrels and birds. The leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of a number of moth species. One example is the barred hook tip moth; the male can sometimes be seen flying during the day. They overwinter as pupae in a white cocoon in a rolled
Barred Hook Tip Moth beech leaf. In woodland, beech trees and fungi live in a symbiotic relationship. These fungi are ectomycorrhizal, which means they help the host tree obtain nutrients in exchange for some of the sugar the tree produces through photosynthesis – teamwork!
Humans have used beech for a variety of purposes across the ages. The leaves were used to relieve swellings, and boiling the leaves could make a poultice. Forked beech twigs are also traditionally used for divining. During hard times, beech mast was an important source of food being put in soups and even as the basis for bread. Every 5 to 10 years is a mast year giving an abundance of the nuts and harvesting them was really worthwhile!
Beech at Darlaston Court
If you’re interested in our trees, local wildlife and conservation in general, it would be great to hear from you. Collaborators very welcome! Or visit the Facebook page Meriden and Millisons Wood Trees. Dates for conservation work parties in Millisons Wood are also notified there.
Sarah Sharland meridentreewardens@gmail.com
Meriden and Millisons Wood Trees
MERIDEN AGUAFLAME UK
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
01676 523 192 home 07970 119142 mobile email : aguaflameuk@gmail.com Terry Griffiths
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Balsall Common U3A Balsall Common U3A has over 300 members from the Balsall Common and Meriden area and runs 30 activity groups. The U3A is run by members for members. There are no paid teachers, no entry qualifications and no exams. You can join as many or as few groups as you want. Groups cover topics from Beer and Cider Appreciation to Walking football!
To see a full list of groups and activities, please visit the web site at www.balsallcommonu3a.org As well as our activities, there is a monthly meeting which includes a talk given by a guest speaker. The Autumn programme is as follows: 5th September 3rd October 7th November
"The Empress of Ireland", "Birmingham Cathedral," "The Grey Gap Year."
Talks are held at St. Peters Hall, Gipsy Lane, Balsall Common and start at 2pm. There is no charge and everyone is very welcome to attend. 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. No meetings in September or November. Wednesday 9th October - 7.45 pm for 8.00 pm, Berkswell Reading Rooms. “Arming the Knight.” A presentation by Paul Thompson. A demonstration of dressing, and then arming, the notable Lancastrian knight Sir Thomas Tresham by his squire into full ‘harness’ of mid to late 15th Century armour, concluding with his weapons. It includes an explanation of the clothing and fashions of the day. Admission Free for Members, £5 for Non-members. Refreshments will be provided at these events Why not join the History group? Membership is £15 per year
Have you looked at our website? www.berkswell-history.org
A Message from Dame Caroline Spelman MP A new Prime Minister means a new chance to raise the profile of different problems that we have been tackling for years. As many of you know, I have been actively fighting for a fairer system for school funding for years. Fairer schools funding is critical to ensuring our young people receive the very best education. It cannot be right that a postcode lottery effectively determines that local schools receive over £1,000 less per pupil compared to neighbouring authorities. The Education Secretary, and the next Prime Minister must commit to righting this injustice. Solihull is one of 42 local authorities among the lowest funded for Education in England. The current funding formula disadvantages Solihull, leaving local schools with less funding per pupil than neighbouring local authorities. Although we educate over 8,000 pupils from surrounding authorities, their higher funding that they would have attracted in their own authority does not come with them to Solihull. I have spent time with one of our local secondary school heads to go through the books together and see where the cost pressures are in the budget and I regularly have updates from a group of Headteachers who are doing good work to raise the profile of this problem. I am part of the F40 group of MPs who fought for a fairer funding formula. The formula was re-worked and a number of Solihull schools received significantly more funding. The core schools’ budget has increased to £42.4 billion this academic year and is set to rise to £43.5 billion in 2019-20. This follows the additional £1.3 billion of funding over and above what was promised in the last Spending Review. The Government put more cash into schools overall, but increased pensions contributions and inflation-related salary increases have absorbed much of the increase. If this is something that you feel you could support, please do sign the petition calling on the Secretary of State for Education, to urgently review schools’ funding in Solihull: https://bit.ly/2xInyks Caroline Spelman
To contact Caroline or make an appointment for a surgery please contact Katy Steele On 0121 711 7029 or email caroline@carolinespelman.com
Meriden Floral Society Meetings are held at Meriden Village Hall 7.30-9.30pm On the third Monday of each month (except December)
16th September “The Magic of autumn” Yolanda Campbell 21st October “Sunshine and showers” Bridgette Manton 18th November “Elvis at Christmas” Tina Pound 30th November Christmas Fayre, please see advert on events page
Visitors are most welcome For more information contact Ann Lea 07725 478624 Please see centre pages for more pictures from the Flower Club.
“Thank you to Claire” For many years Claire Rose has been our trusty proof reader - sorting out all our mistakes! Claire has decided to hang up her red pen and we would like to put on record our grateful thanks for all her hard work. We are delighted to welcome Sue Fuller to our team and look forward to working with her in the future. Val and Chris
We were delighted to be asked to sing at two village events earlier this summer, the Rotary Megaride and Picnic in the Park which rounded off another successful year for the Firebird Singers. Next year is our 10th Anniversary and we are planning some special events to celebrate. So far, since our inauguration we have raised over £30,000 for various charities, and hope to continue doing so for many years to come. We are starting off our 2019/2020 season with a concert at the Albany Theatre Coventry on 14th September, please come along and support us.
Advance notice our Christmas concerts at the Manor Hotel will be held on Sunday 1st December 2.00pm and 7.00pm. Please book early these concerts sell out fast If you would like to join our choir, we are holding an open evening for prospective new members on Friday 20th September 7.00pm at Meriden Village Hall. Further information can be found on the events page, at the beginning of the Mag.
Please contact Valerie Martin 01676 522963
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Now Open The Green Meriden CV7 7LN
Opening hours Tuesday - Friday 11.00 to 4.30 and Saturday 12 to 4.00
Serving: Sub rolls Panini Ciabatta Pies Quiche Sausage Rolls Crisps Hot dogs Cheesy Salsa Nachos Hot and Cold drinks Cakes and Ice Creams All our sandwiches are freshly prepared from the menu, my coffee is bean to cup and all of my ice creams are nut free. Gluten free bread also available
Orders can be placed if they are in before 11am either through the Facebook page or by text 07747187410
MERIDEN TREE OF THOUGHT www.meridentreeofthought.co.uk
It would seem to be a whole year since I was last preparing for The Tree. Hard to believe. Where does the time go?! However, that is what I have now started for what will be the Fifteenth Tree. Already, as I write this, (29th July) I have received greatly appreciated donations from Pat DeMulder, tobook and Cassidy Group, with another on the way from Pertemps. They are great supporters of The Tree. The Funday Sunday aspect of Picnic in the Park raised £ 1,005, for the charities, which was made possible by the outstanding generosity of my supporters. I really must thank my helpers who did the physical work on the day. These are: - Chris Barr, Chris O’Gorman, Peter Shilton, Carol, Nathan and Alex Maclure and Alison Stain. Everyone was brilliant but I have to mention our Tina (Lloyds). She’d had a dreadful sleepless night at the hospital with her partner and still did a terrific job with her girls. The Seniors’ Lunch at The Manor Hotel. Once again, The Manor has very kindly agreed to hold this lovely event this year. It will be held on Thursday 19th December. I will be making the Booking Forms available early October. Please Note that NO bookings can be made without this form! Do keep your eyes peeled in late August/ early September when I will put up posters with the actual date for the forms and booking time at The Manor. I don’t like to have to keep saying this but this Lunch extends ONLY to residents of MERIDEN, including Eaves Green and Millisons Wood Aged 65 Plus. **** Do please respect this. **** The price will be, as last year, - £9.50 per head, which is superb value for what is provided. Do mark your calendars for The Tree Dedication on Friday 6th December. Thank you all. Alan
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DOGGY DAY CARE Days, weekends or longer ……… In our home – stress free, non-kennel environment. Only limited numbers of friendly dogs at any one time. Highly experienced show exhibitor/ trainer and dog breeder. Excellent affordable rates. TEL: 01676 522466 (Meriden)
A group of our Year 13 Science students have taken part in their first ever Biology Olympiad and have done rather well! Our team of three have managed to make excellent progress in the competition with two gaining a bronze award and one a highly commended. This is the first year that Heart of England biology students have taken part in this national and international competition. It began with the interest of one of our current Year 13 students who thought it would be an interesting challenge to have a go at testing their biological knowledge with others. Our successful team of Matthew, Annabel and Charlie managed to gain two Bronzes and a Highly Commended certificates between them which puts all three of them in the top 17% of participants. A Bronze student is in the top 15% with one of our students one mark away from Silver placing them close to the top 8%. A great result for our first outing. The competition which is run by the Royal Society of Biology, covers a wide range of topics and is focused towards students who are seeking greater and deeper knowledge of the subject.
The British Biology Olympiad challenges and motivates students with an interest in biology. This year (2019) the event took place between 1-8 February and consisted of two 45-minute online tests, taken within school under strict exam conditions. The results were then assessed and the top scoring students were rewarded with publicly awarded certificates and medals. Competitors could also put themselves forward for selection to attend the awards ceremony at IET London: Savoy Palace. The national results are used to select a team to represent the UK at the International Biology Olympiad to be held in Hungary in July. A bonus for students taking part in the competition is the chance to receive free BioNet membership for a year which gives access to articles, newsletters and The Biologist magazine. Biology teacher Mrs Beer said: “We’re delighted with the result from our first cohort and hope we’ve inspired our current Year 12 students to have a go next year.”
Courage ∙ Determination ∙ Honesty ∙ Kindness ∙ Humour
Golfing Hero
surprise ceremony he was presented with the first ever Hero’s Handshake award by Golf England.
Golf-playing Year 8 Student Anthony has been presented with a special award for his dedication to Golf and helping others. In a
Anthony is the first recipient of the Hero’s Handshake award which has been given to him in recognition of his personal achievements and for the way in which he uses sport as someone with autism and dyspraxia.
Although unexpected by Anthony, the ceremony was organised by his parents, The Belfry coaches and Golf England. Our hero walked into the venue to be greeted by his family, coaches and more that 30 of his friends. The celebration included the presentation itself and many party poppers!
The award was presented to Anthony by Young Golf Ambassador Ali Jodiyawalla at his regular golf-coaching session which he attends every Saturday at The Belfry. “It’s really amazing that I’m the first person to receive this trophy and I just hope I can inspire people to take up and enjoy golf,” said Anthony.
Parents Andrew and Chrissie describe Anthony’s award as “the single proudest moment of our lives. For someone with Anthony’s issues this is absolutely the biggest achievement of his life and we cannot put into words what this means to him and us.”
The young golfer’s contribution to coaching junior players has also been recognised by the award which took into account his support for younger players, determination and positivity for the sport and for raising
Lillian Hubery from Heart of England said: “We share the pride in Anthony’s award. He has represented our school values of
Connect with Heart of England @HoE_School www.facebook.com/HeartofEnglandschool/ www.heart-england.co.uk
Meriden Magazine-2019-Autumn2.indd 1
awareness of hidden conditions like autism and dyspraxia.
Determination and Kindness so well in his life.”
www.instagram.com/heartofenglandschool/ info@heart-england.co.uk
25/07/2019 13:00:39
Meriden Sports Park, The Pavilion, 10 Main Road, CV7 7SP www.healthatheartconsultancy.co.uk Tel: 0787 9196 272 Are you, or someone you know, living with a health condition or pain? Losing confidence, feeling low or anxious? Unsure how hard you should push yourself or if it’s safe to return to activities? We understand and can help. We specialise in preventing and managing physical health conditions & improving general health. We help people to start or return to doing the things they enjoy in life and to live with any limitations faced. Health Assessments
One to one & Group based exercise
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Psychology sessions are based at a venue in Solihull. Home appointments also possible.
Run for Dog lovers by Dog Lovers Harvest Hill Kennels
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Heart of England Social Club
BERKSWELL ROAD MERIDEN CV7 7LB
Call: Abbie on 01676 522430 ROOM HIRE AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES, CHRISTENINGS etc. CATERING, MUSIC & ROOM DECORATION CAN BE ARRANGED
COME ALONG FOR A GREAT NIGHT OUT AT OUR FAMILY FRIENDLY CLUB BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PARTIES. NON-MEMBERS WELCOME Large Beer Garden at Rear Bingo every Friday night – 8.00pm Country and Western Night last Sunday of each month, live music starts at 7.30pm Upcoming events Saturday 31st August 'UB4T' fabulous UB4T tribute tickets £5.00 Friday 27th September Micky Dean - singing & karaoke night (free entry) Saturday 19th October 'big screen horse racing night' 8.00pm (free entry) Friday 1st November 'Halloween party night' (free family night, prize for best child’s & adults COSTUMES) Sunday 24th November 'Country & Western night' £5.00 on the door starts 7.45pm Friday 6th December ‘Charity Night’ for Cancer Research £10 Saturday 14th December Family Christmas party 8.00pm free admission
Heart of England High Speed Railway Action Group Richard Lloyd (Chairman) Nothing in the history of HS2 has upset so many people as the continuing butchery of trees and hedgerows. At the time of writing, it looks as if the "intent to proceed" with the start of construction will be pushed back until such time as the politicians can find a different rabbit to pull out the hat - and then feed it to the corporate sharks. But there seems to be no stopping the death march of the so-called preparatory works. Armed with two Acts of Parliament, HS2 Ltd. is a law unto itself, and the appointed contractors are going to make their money even if their destruction is for something not needed for years, if ever. "Corporate responsibility" resides in thick manuals rather than the heads of the management. Everyone noticed the clearance of trees and habitat during the peak breeding season, all in the name of "urgent operational reasons", with no indication of why the work couldn't have waited till September. A desert is being created as the wildlife is uprooted and fenced in. As Hitler said: "What is life? Life is the nation. The individual must die anyway." Fuelling the HS2 uncertainty is the recent leak that the project will bust its budget by £30 billion. The previous leak said it was only £6 billion that had been concealed from Parliament (for 3 years). In 2014, Lord Adonis was bleating about the naughty people in the Treasury who added-in £14 billion contingency which wasn't needed. Now, we're already three times what he thought the job would cost. As for having the trains running in 7 years time, the chaos engulfing Crossrail suggests the maxim "it's not late till it hasn't arrived". One thing's for sure, Solihull Council and our MP are aware of the damage being inflicted. It was embarrassing to sit through the liaison meeting in mid-July where our elected representatives were fobbed off with the same story that the works couldn't wait till the end of the breeding season. Unfortunately, the salesmen who come along to these meetings are employed to say what they're told to say. While our representatives have less "soft power" than we'd like, there is still a degree of local control through the planning process for the preparatory works. A tiny amount of forethought and detailed work can bring large benefits, but HS2 Ltd. doesn’t speak our language when they refer to consultation and engagement. We have to look to Solihull Council to teach them better manners. Now we have the shocking revelation that HS2 Ltd. want to evade even the little planning controls that do exist. The impending issue is the construction of the bridleway to be built as a substitute for the Kenilworth Greenway during the construction phase. (They may not even need the substitute if the existing facility is too weak for construction traffic.) Parliament was told the substitute would be of an equivalent standard to the current one, but the weasel word "temporary" offers them an excuse to only seek planning permission after they've constructed it. It's now indicated the plans will not include traffic signals where it crosses three roads, and HS2 are ignoring the fact they have no permission to fence the route in to the detriment of wildlife. This was never in the Act of Parliament, so people who think migrating species shouldn't be faced with a Berlin Wall, might well regard the fencing as unlawful and treat it accordingly!
Queens Head Old Road Meriden 01676 522256
Monday night is music night. Come along and join us. Music starts 9.15pm approx. Sept 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th
Lizzie Charlie Waterford Chrissy Natasha Keith Brett
Oct 7th 14th 21st 28th
2 Left Feet Gathan Cheema Lisa David Clifford
Nov
4th Kat Blay 11th Chrissy 18thALLAN MickeySMITH Dean 25th Natasha
SLATING
Pub lunches Mon – Sat 12.00- 2.30pm Pop in for good food and a warm welcome m Take away available 01676 522256
Meriden Volunteers for
Please contact: Sue on 01676 522540 Carol 01676 522888 We all hope you have been enjoying the summer and are now looking forward to the lovely colours of autumn. In July, we were very pleased to support Meriden’s own Funday Sunday. After an overcast and showery event set-up in the morning, the sun made a grand appearance in the afternoon along with the crowds and we were able to raise over £200 for our chosen charity. Over the next few months we have a number of events planned. In September we have our annual coach trip to Tutbury Castle (via Lichfield) to see Lesley Smith perform as Ann Boleyn followed by a slap-up high tea. This event is already sold out but if you are interested in going next year give your details to any of the committee members and we will ensure you are contacted as soon as the next date is finalised. On Sunday 27th October at the Manor Hotel our fundraising ‘In the pink and blue’ evening welcomes the return of Lesley. This time she will be characterising Peggy Knight MBE; a former shorthand typist who in 1944 joined the Special Operations Executive and after 2 weeks training, was parachuted behind enemy lines in France. All are welcome to find out more about her fascinating story. There will also be an opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping as there will be a number of stalls selling a variety of gifts, cards, crafts, toys and children’s books; all raising money for Cancer Research. Tickets are £12.50 each and will be available through Sue, Carol and other committee members.
QUEENS HEAD DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS Great Value - only £5.00 HAM, EGG & CHIPS COTTAGE PIE WITH GRAVY FISH & CHIPS LASAGNE PIE OF THE DAY
All the above are served with chips, peas and a salad garnish
FULL MENU ALSO AVAILABLE EAT IN OR TAKEAWAY 12:00 NOON TILL 2:30
On Thursday 7th November we are holding a pub quiz at the Queens Head with the ever-popular quiz master Rick, so please look out for posters in the village. Another note in your diary should be for our fantastic Christmas event including entertainment from “Retro”, which will be held at the Social Club on 6th December. Tickets will be available for this event at the October fundraiser and afterwards, from all members of the committee. As always, Sue, Carol and the Committee look forward to seeing you at future events. If anyone would like to volunteer for our fundraising activities, suggest any events or donate any raffle prizes we would love to hear from you –
please call Sue or Carol, many thanks.
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Humming Bird by Julie Hyde 1. Lightly draw the bird and a few flowers
2. Flower petals. Mix puddles of: Cadmium Red Alizarin Crimson On to dry paper and painting one flower at a time, using a No. 6 or 8 round brush, dash on a little clean water in the direction of the flower petals. Add the Cadmium Red and a touch of the Alizarin Crimson. LET IT DRY 3. Leaves Mix puddles of: Cadmium Yellow Prussian Blue + a touch of Burn Sienna (dark green) On to dry paper and painting one leaf at a time, dash a little clean water in the direction of the leaves in the direction of the veins of the leaves. Add the yellow in some places and then touch in the dark green in other areas. 4. Flower centre petals. When the red petals are dry add the centre petals onto dry paper using: Alizarin Crimson + Ultramarine Blue (Purple) Then add the stems and stamens with: Alizarin Crimson 5. Bird wings and tail. Mix puddles of: Ultramarine Blue + a touch of Burnt Umber (weak and strong) Alizarin Crimson + Ultramarine Blue (Purple) Add long dashes of water down the wing and then dash in the colour. Repeat with the tail. Add a few dashes of grubby water either side of the wing. 7. Body Mix puddles: Ultramarine Blue Cobalt Blue Cerulean Blue Lemon Yellow + Ultramarine Blue Alizarin Crimson + Ultramarine Blue
Ultramarine Blue + a touch of Burnt Umber
Dot on spots of water all over the head and body and then drop in the different colours. LET IT DRY 8. Details Add the feet, beak and eye with: Ultramarine Blue + a touch of Burnt Umber (strong) 9. Flick on some of the reds around the flowers
For weekly classes and one-off workshops at Centre of England Arts contact Julie on 01676 523357 or see website www.COEA.co.uk for more information. Copyright © 2018
Village Life in colour
Twenty-four members of the Meriden Floral Society had great fun under the watchful eye of Maureen Pitt, Florist, getting to grips with the triangle design at their July practice class. Everyone enjoys these practice classes so much that there will now be at least three classes a year in addition to demonstrations by Nafas demonstrators. The society welcome guests to their monthly meetings.
On Sunday 23rd June, the Rotary Club of Meriden, in association with the TOMCC (Triumph Owners Motor Cycle Club), held their annual Motorcycle Megaride event at the Queen’s Head. Around 110 bikes visited the event, the majority riding in from Alcester. The weather was dry and just warm enough for all to enjoy a great time. There were stalls with flowers, teas and coffees, music by a local DJ and singing by The Firebirds. There were burgers to be had and exhibits of motorcycles old and new to be admired. You could even cuddle a rabbit. The club raised around £1100 for Air Ambulance, who also sold raffle tickets on the day. The Rotary Club would like to thank all those that attended the event, the stall holders and all those that helped in setting up and taking down the tents. It was a great success and perhaps we will do this again next year.
Mike Holdsworth carried out his last official duty as President of the Rotary Club of Meriden 2018-2019. A presentation of a substantial hot tub to Michelle, the mother of Evie-Anne, who is her severely disabled, 9-year old daughter. Evie-Anne was born with 1P36 deletion syndrome which has left her blind, epileptic and fully wheelchair dependent she is in constant pain from multiple disabilities requiring daily morphine doses. The hot tub will give Evie-Anne natural pain-relief and strengthen her muscle tone. She loves the water; it is the only time she feels pain free and hopefully give her years of pleasure
Picnic in the Park Sunday 14th July Picnic in the Park was a massive success this year. A big thank you to the committee members from the Parish Council and Little Angels Group. Lots of village organisations had stalls and the visitors were entertained by Coventry Festival Band and the Firebird Singers.
Jon Barber, Megan Foster, Sam Tooze, Rachel Platt & Rosie Weaver
It took a lot of hard work to arrange this community event and the committee decided that the proceeds of £220 would go to the Motor Neurone disease Association in support of local girl Sam Tooze
North Warwickshire Golf Club held a ‘Concert on the Course’ on the evening of Saturday 13th July. Please see a write up in a further page in the Mag. We have been delighted to see that our resident swans have raised their three cygnets successfully. They are a beautiful added attraction to the village pool.
Thanks to Sheila Courts for the photograph
1st Meriden Scout Group – News from the Green Hut Beaver Scouts The summer term has been very busy for the Beavers. They have been working towards their 'Global Issues' badge, where they learnt about endangered animals, fair trade and all about recycling. We had a guest speaker from the St. John's Ambulance teaching the Beavers about how to do CPR, and how to make a 999 call. The Beavers also achieved their 'Hike Away’ badges, some also achieved their 'Nights Away' badge with a weekend camping at Rough Close camp site. The Beavers went on a trip to the Black Country Museum which was lots of fun, - here they had a school lesson, went on a boat ride in to the caves and visited numerous shops to learn about how they worked. We finished the term with our annual water party where everyone got wet!! The Beaver Scouts said a sad farewell to Becky and Michelle who are 'retiring' from the Beaver section after a number of years. All in the Scout Group offer their thanks to Becky, Michelle and Su for all the work and time they have put into leading the Meriden Beavers. Everyone is pleased to welcome Maggie and Marie who are taking on the leadership of the Beaver Colony from September. Maggie and Marie will welcome additional support from parents on Monday evenings.
Cub Scouts Meriden Cubs have been busy learning, sharing and doing this term. We started off the spring term with a Group Camp at Rough Close. Many of the Cubs had never been on camp so this was an experience for them and the Leaders! Activities included archery, go karting, tunneling as well as the usual fire lighting, putting up tents and seeing how many marshmallows you can get in your mouth at the Group campfire. It was lovely to see all four sections joining together and practising all their Scouting skills. A lasting memory on camp for me was seeing an older Scout holding a Beaver’s hand just to encourage him to finish the four hour walk we had organised. As a Leader you have the privilege of seeing children grow and mature… this was one of those moments. Our weekly meetings included, 'an alien came to tea’. This had the Cubs puzzled, and frustrated by the end of the night. The challenge was to describe to an alien how to make a sandwich, sound easy, umm nope. They had to give clear concise commands. They forgot an alien doesn't have common sense- “put some butter on the bread” means a little bit not the whole tub! We concentrated on road safely and countryside code this term incorporating a stop at the Meriden Pool to admire the new cygnets and also a custom-made orienteering course around the beautiful Millison’s Wood on a wet night. Finishing off the term was our usual water activities, or water fight as it ends up. Thankfully we were blessed with beautiful weather this year. Thank you to the Mums and Dads who continue to help us on a weekly basis. We have a shortage of leaders and without their help we would struggle to be able to offer such a varied range of activities for the cubs. Lynda Spratt ACSL
Scouts The summer term often seems to be the most exciting with Scouts. The lighter evenings and better weather allow for more outdoors activities. We enjoyed a group camp with the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers at Rough Close. It's always great to see the older ones looking after the younger ones, involving them in games or making sure they are included in the fun. We also did some pioneering, building from poles and knots and lashings. We started off making some frames to carry Scouts around and then took those skills to a bigger level building some catapults. Whilst not meaning to prepare the Scouts for a medieval battle, we also took them to the Meriden Archery Club. This is a fantastically well-run evening where the Scouts are actually taught Archery skills, not just allowed to have a go. We took 2 teams of Scouts to a weekend camp called Strategy where 2 or 3 thousand Scouts take part in a wide range of challenges. 334 teams took part and we came 156th and 185th, a really good effort as both teams included some of the youngest Scouts. The end of term was, as is tradition, marked by various water games and a water fight. I got the feeling that every one really enjoyed it! It also marked my last Scouts as I am stepping down as Assistant Leader after 7 years. It's been great and although the leadership team is in place and Scouts will continue to offer exciting opportunities for the kids, I'm sure they would be happy to hear from anyone who wanted to help on an occasional basis or step up and become a leader. Good luck and thank you to all the leaders. 1st Meriden Scout Group 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 Maggie on 07773643872 Cubs: Girls and Boys aged 8-10½ meet on a Thursday at 6.30pm. Contact Andy Ruthen 07929 9752518 Scouts: Girls and Boys aged 10½-14 meet on a Tuesday at 7pm. Mark 07801 773352 or 1stMeridenScouts@gmail.com We also need help from any adults out there who 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
Indi Sangha Window Cleaning and Jet Washing Services Serving Meriden and Millison’s Wood area for over 20 years Call 07949 227402
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Barkers’ Butts RFC
Come along to A warm welcome with Candy at Meriden Village Hall
Zumba Thursday evenings 6.00pm £5.00 per session
Pickford Grange Lane Coventry CV5 9AR n
Pilates Thursday evenings 7.00pm £5.00 per session
Enjoy both sessions for £8.00
Our facilities are 1st class and all our coaches are RFU Qualified and CRB checked
Contact Ian Hawkeswood 07399 689682
We also have 4 Adult sides 1st XV to Vets
There will be a special welcome for new and returning players to the game.
ZUMBA
Zumba is a fun Latin inspired dance/exercise class suitable for all levels
PILATES style conditioning
A slower paced class for all over body conditioning to improve muscle tone, strength, balance and flexibility Please ring 07828 709650 For more information
The 7th Stage of the OVO Energy Men’s Cycle Tour of Britain
MENS TOUR
Passes through Meriden on Friday 13th September. Upon leaving Warwick the world’s top riders will pass through the University of Warwick, Kenilworth, Meriden (home to the National Cyclists’ Memorial), Atherstone, Bedworth and Wellesbourne. Riders will climb Sun Rising Hill near Edge Hill before beginning the first of two full loops of a clockwise 12kilometre finishing circuit around Burton Dassett and Farnborough, giving fans three chances to see the action on the 1.7-kilometre, 4.9% average, climb.
KidFit Fitness should be fun! KidFit is a games-based fitness session, specifically, for children. £3 per session, no contracts, no upfront fees
At the Jubilee Centre Balsall Common
Thursday evenings from 6-7pm just have fun and get moving! For more information,
call Laura on 07803621818
11 Mini & Junior age groups from 6-16 years Girls teams U/11 U/15 U/18 Under 18 Colts Side
Contact Glen Southwell 07598 980546
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 07703 345210 The perfect start to your day ……….
Minister: Pastor Kevin Hunt (07970 552667) - Sunday Service: 1pm. In Meriden Methodist building.
Those who truly love Me are those who obey My commands. Whoever passionately loves Me will be passionately loved by My Father. And I will passionately love you in return and will manifest My life within you. (John 14:21 The Passion Translation) When I read this scripture it really blessed me as so many of the scriptures do. But this translation doesn’t just say those who love Me, it says those who passionately love Me, using the word passionately takes the whole thing to another level. It means being Intense, fervent, zealous, vehement and heartfelt about something, in other words you are consumed by the very thing you passionately love. When was the last time you were passionate about something? When was the last time something gripped you and drove you and excited you? Maybe it was the women's world cup or the Cricket world cup, Wimbledon or some other sporting event. The problem though with being passionate about something like a sporting event is that emotion can be short lived and what you get in return can soon leave you feeling empty and longing for the next thing to come along. But here in this verse from the gospel of John we see and are promised a reciprocal response. That if we passionately (Intensely, fervently, zealously, etc.), love God and show that, then He will love us back with the same passion and in addition He’ll manifest His life in us. In fact, He’s already demonstrated just how passionately He loves us in a way we never could show Him, in that while we were still sinners, doing things that we knew were wrong and not caring too much about it, Christ died for us. (Read Romans 5:8) He left His throne and the glory and majesty of Heaven and came to earth and constrained Himself in a body so He could shed His blood on the cross to give us a way back to Him and have our sins washed away, forgiven and forgotten. He also calls us to love one another in the same way, and if we did so how much better would the world be. If we put each other before ourselves we, would all be blessed and feel loved. In John 13:34 Jesus says ‘'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another''. and in Romans 12:10 it says 'Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves’. Is there someone in your life you love? Why not make sure they know it by showing them that you love them with every fibre of your being. Don’t be half soaked about it. I recently asked a group of women what they liked their husbands to do to show them love and affection and here are some of the answers. Doing small mundane tasks without being asked. Make a cup of tea sometime during the day. Hold hands. Never stop saying ‘I love you’. Tell me he loves me. Words of affirmation (not flattery). Continual openness. Not too macho to share feelings or problems. Has that special smile for you. Give me a hug or a kiss. One lady explained that hugs and kisses were like the Polyfilla of a loving relationship. Without these it’s like planting a tree in the ground and depriving it of water. None of the above are difficult but they all say ‘I’m passionate about the way I love you alone’. Give it a go, you might just find that the person you love in this way returns that love. May you know God’s passionate love in your life.
Oak View Logs Established providers of premium kiln dried fire wood within the local North Warwickshire area. Our logs are a bespoke blend of hardwoods, cut to an approximate size of either 8" or 10", ideal for home burning. We deliver locally FREE of charge, or to other areas for a small delivery charge. Bulk bags, loose tipped loads and kindling available.
Every blessing to you all, Kevin and Lyn Hunt. Doug Hickson To Friends and Neighbours, Thank you for your kind words of sympathy, prayers and generous donations. Your attendance at Doug's funeral was much appreciated, A lovely farewell - We are left with so many happy memories. Bessie Hickson and family.
Call - 07758 128 031 Visit - www.oakviewlogs.co.uk
Letter from Meriden, Connecticut, USA A Lesson in Leadership from 1944 Most of us know of D-Day only from the movies, TV, and maybe history books. But for a small and dwindling number of veterans -- all of them now in their 90s -- it was all too real. D-Day was indeed the longest day, but it was just the first day of a campaign, code-named Operation Overlord, that would last through August of 1944. On June 6, the western allies would storm five beaches in northern France and establish a base from which to pour troops and material into Europe to push the Nazi occupiers out. The greatest amphibious invasion ever attempted, it would require thousands of ships and planes, and millions of troops. This was the "second front" that the leaders of our ally, the Soviet Union, which had already been fighting Germany for three long years, had been demanding. By August, more than 2 million troops had been brought ashore in Normandy, at a cost of tens of thousands of casualties and the loss of thousands of aircraft and tanks. But it worked: In less than a year from D-Day -- caught between the American, British and Canadian troops in the West, and the Soviet forces in the East -- Hitler would be dead and Germany would surrender unconditionally. But let's not forget that, on June 6, 75 years ago, the Allied success was not at all assured. "Never before has an army attempted to land such vast numbers of men and materials in such a short time, but the job is being done after a shaky start," Associated Press reporter Don Whitehead wrote from the beaches. "When we landed behind the assault troops, the enemy still was pouring a heavy machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire into the boats as they drove ashore and had our . troops pinned behind a gravel bank just above the water's edge." On the eve of the invasion, Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower had prepared the troops, many of them not yet out of their teens, with these inspiring words: "Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. …" But probably no one was more painfully aware of the dangers that lay ahead than Ike was. Just in case the worst should happen, he had also scrawled this message, to be released only if the colossal gamble should fail: "Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone." Did somebody say "leadership"? Do we have that kind of leadership today? No names, please. Just asking. Reach Glenn Richter at grichter@record-journal.com.
M.J. Mowing martin@mjmowing.co.uk
David Deakin Plastering Services
Grass Cutting Hedge Cutting Pruning Strimming Weed Control –Pesticide Licensed Leaves Cleared No Job Too Small Competitive Prices
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Steven Russell Luxury Home Fragrances A luxury collection of fragranced candles, room and linen sprays, wax melts and reed diffusers, lovingly hand blended, poured and beautifully packaged in the heart of Meriden.
www.facebook.com/brambleandbeeuk www.brambleandbeeuk.etsy.com brambleandbeeuk@gmail.com
Singing Teacher Singing for fun, choral Director Graded exams and Oxbridge Choral Scholarship preparation
senzadolcenew@aol.com 07854 631284 12 Stonehaven Drive, Finham, Coventry CV3 6EX
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NEW THIS ISSUE - PUZZLE PAGE Battleships No. 1 5 1, 3 1 1 4, 1
BATTLESHIPS - HOW TO PLAY:- The numbers around the grid indicate the number of occupied squares in the row or column. E.g. 1,3 means the row contains one occupied square then at least one space then 3 consecutive occupied squares. There may be spaces before the single square and after the 3 consecutive ones. Fill in the grid so that the numbers tally and it contains 3 cruisers (4 squares long), 3 launches (2 squares long) and 3 buoys (single squares). Boats are always horizontal or vertical in the grid and may occupy touching squares.
1 1, 1, 2 1, 1
2, 1, 1
1, 1
1, 3
4
1, 1
1, 1, 1
Add Up No 1
ADD UP – HOW TO PLAY :- The number in each circle is the sum of the two immediately below it. No circle contains zero. Can you fill in all the numbers?
31 18 14
WORD LADDER: -Change one letter at a time, but not the position of any letter, to make a new word on each rung, from top to bottom, using the exact number of rungs
8
5
A
4
7
44 7
6
9
9
2
7
E
H
A
L
F
C
A
S
T
T
I
M
E
SUDOKU:- HOW TO PLAY. Each column, row and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 to 9.
4
10
5
3
9
4
7
52
C 3
8
5
4
4
9
2
1 2
9
5
2
7 8
1
6 ?
100
7
2
3
6
6
9
6
5 7
10
9
9
2 5
7
8
6
? 11
9
6
2
113
8
P
?
4
110
7
5
31
3
B
8
Y
There may be more than one answer.
WHAT NUMBER should replace the question mark?
8
T
1
2
1 4
5
Sorry, we don’t have space in this Mag to include the answers, but if you really want them, email chrisbannister56@aol.com and I’ll send them to you.
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. The next Parish Council meeting dates are: Monday 16 September 2019 – The Pavilion Monday 21 October 2019 – The Pavilion Monday 25 November 2019 – The Pavilion Community Surgeries 11am-12pm: Monday 9 September 2019 – Meriden Library Monday 7 October 2019 – The Pavilion Monday 11 November 2019 – Meriden Library Meriden Neighbourhood Plan meetings 6.30pm – 8.00pm: Wednesday 25 September 2019 – The Pavilion Wednesday 23 October 2019 – The Pavilion Wednesday 27 November 2019 – The Pavilion
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. 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 Jon Barber BEM (Chair) (Vice-Chair)
Bob Kipling
Frances Lynch-Smith
Matthew Nunn
Marie Woollard James Hughes Vacant seat
Coming soon…Regulation 14 public consultation Meriden’s pre-submission draft Neighbourhood Development Plan At the time of going to print, Meriden’s pre-submission draft Neighbourhood Development Plan was being finalised for Regulation 14 public consultation which will run throughout the month of September until Friday 18 October. A copy of the Pre-submission Draft Plan and supporting documentation are available on the Parish Council’s website. Alternatively, hard copies of the documents are available for inspection at the Pavilion in Meriden Sports Park and Meriden Library during normal working hours. Representations on the Pre-submission Draft Plan may be made to the Parish Council by no later than 5pm on Friday 18 October 2019. Find out how you can submit your representations on the draft plan by visiting our website www.meridenparishcouncil.org.uk or pop into Meriden Library on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturday mornings or The Pavilion in Meriden Sports Park on Tuesdays. All representations received will be collated and will inform possible future modifications to the Pre-submission Draft Plan prior to submission to the Local Planning Authority. Representations received will not be acknowledged or have individual responses.
The Parish Council would like to thank Woodland View for their litter picking of Meriden Hill and SMBC Rangers & Friends of Meriden Pool for the work they have done around Meriden Pool. Thanks also go to Brian and Elaine Ball for the lovely planter ‘Bloom’ displays that we all enjoy.
Meriden Pool update
It is 6 months since we reported on happenings at the pool and it seems a very long time since those damp muddy days we planted the hedges. As far as can be seen, they are surviving despite being overwhelmed by weeds, mainly nettles, which we just have to live with. The promised extra picnic table was installed, courtesy of Solihull MBC, in time for Spring and early Summer and it is good to see both picnic tables in regular use. There are other projects in the pipeline, renovating the wood chip path being the first and as The Mag goes to press, SMBC Rangers are about to commence this. Further on, there are plans for more seating and perhaps the long-awaited dipping platform, efforts are being made to find a possible sponsor for such projects. As everyone will have noticed it was a very active Spring and early Summer this year, plenty of young being hatched. It is such a pity that so many do not survive for very long. It appears this year that the worst predators have been seagulls. Nature can seem very cruel. The good news is that our newly acquired pair of swans have settled in so well and have produced 3 lovely cygnets after a seemingly endless gestation of around 6 weeks. It will be very interesting seeing them through their adolescence over the forthcoming months. It is sad to report the elderly goose that lived at the pond for years and years, known as Margaret to some people, had to finally be put down by the RSPCA. It is very pleasing to see that more people are feeding the birds with proper types of bird food, thanks to all concerned. Please keep it up during the winter months when they will need it more than ever. Once again, an appeal to anyone who would like to be involved with the running of The Meriden Pool, you would be very welcome, please contact the clerk. Lead Friend Peter Moss
Community Transport update from Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) TfWM confirm that the Meriden Community Bus and Service 89 bus are currently out to tender for the provision of this service from October. They have had some indicative costs from operators already and it is likely that they will need to make some change to the services. Not to be interpreted as having to make a reduction in service, TfWM need to understand how the services work together and whether they can get better and more effective use of the resource. A meeting is to be arranged for TfWM to meet with the Parish Council and community bus/89 service users around first week of September.
FA Wildcats Programme
Girls football training in Meriden will restart in September. The FA will fund a Level 1 coaching course if anyone is interested in helping to run it. If you are, please contact the clerk.
Casual Vacancy on the Parish Council If you are interested in representing your community please contact the clerk, Barbara Bland, for an application form and more information on expectations of a councillor. Closing date is 30th September 2019.
YOUR LOCAL ARCHERY CLUB IN MERIDEN A summer gold rush for Meriden Junior Archers!
www.meriden-archery.org.uk
Well the summer season was truly jam packed with action and success for Meriden Juniors as they travelled far and wide in all sorts of weathers. In July, Meriden firmly placed itself in the spotlight at the Junior National Outdoor Championships weekend at Lilleshall, the home of archery Kathryn Taylor and Monty Orton both claimed their respective Lady and Gent titles of U16 Recurve National Champion - a fantastic result for themselves and the Club. Not only that, they were also part of the County of Warwickshire and West Midlands Region teams who also made a clean sweep both days at the Championships. In the same weekend, Monty proudly gained his second cap for England, made even better when Team England secured victory in the Home Nations Challenge - well done England! A weekend not to be forgotten by many. Staying more local, a few of our juniors also brought back shinies and personal bests from various shoots including Stourbridge, Cheltenham, Wyre Forest and Meriden itself. Well done to Amber, Edward and Alia for their successes! Mid-summer we headed back to Lilleshall for the major event of the season - the Archery GB Youth Festival. A full-on week of shooting, which typically started in pouring rain and ended up in glorious sunshine. Daniel Bowman, Terri-Ann Firth, and Monty battled their way through head to heads, team matches and individuals. A great experience for all of them. Terri-Ann narrowly missed the Bronze in Teams, and Monty brought back silver in Teams and just missed out on Bronze individuals. A great week for everyone involved. Now time to head back to the indoor season and see what we can achieve.... Fancy a go at archery? Why not pop along and have a chat - we're a friendly bunch! www.meriden-archery.org.uk Monty and Team England
Some of Team Meriden and their wins! Terri-Ann, Monty and Daniel surviving the weather at the Youth Festival
Amber and Edward
Monty and Kathryn - U16 National Champions!
Monty in action in the Bronze medal match
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unit
Meriden Library
The Restless Wave By Sarah Meyrick
01676 522717 Monday 10am - 6pm Thursday . Ask 10am - 6pm staff for more information. Saturday 10am - 1pm Libraries Week 7th to 12th October
Meriden Library will be joining in the celebration of the role of libraries in the digital world. Come and share your stories of how libraries have changed in your lifetime and find out how to update your computer skills.
Book Group / Reading Café – 10:30-11:30 am Meet fellow book lovers for a coffee and chat about books on a topic of the month. Monday 16th September Autumn Monday 21st October Libraries in Fiction Monday 18th Nov Childhood and Books Learn My Way - Are you unemployed and would like
to improve your computer skills? We offer free training using the Learn My Way website with staff to guide you. Sessions can be tailored to meet your needs and skill level. From creating documents to staying safe online, you can improve your workplace IT skills with our help. This is part of the Employed for Success programme, aimed at Solihull residents aged 30-65 who want to improve their computer skills for job-hunting or other training.
FOR CHILDREN
Balsall Common Fun Palace - Sat 5th October
Balsall Common Library will be transforming into a Fun Palace for the day! Join library staff, local artists, community groups and volunteers for a day of stories, games, experiments, workshops, crafts, gardening, and much, much more. If you have an idea, skill to share or want to help, get in touch on 01676 532590 or email Lauren at lauren.parkes@solihull.gov.uk - More information at www.funpalaces.co.uk
October Half Term - Week commencing 28 October,
we’ll be hosting creepy crafts to make. No need to book – just pop in when you’re passing and have some fun! We’ll also have a special Spooky Storytime on Monday 28 October at 3.45pm for children aged 4-7. Grown-ups and siblings welcome.
Reading Zoo - Our exciting children’s activity is aimed
at preschool children and takes place every Monday, 2.30-3.15pm, including school holidays. Every week we read a story starring a different animal and enjoy painting their pictures. Warm water is provided to wash hands but wearing clothes that can get messy is advisable.
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Mentioned on the Sunday programme on BBC Radio 4, this book is written in memory of two of the author’s family members who took part in the extraordinary feat that was D-Day. The book switches between the lives and adventures of three members of the same family from 1915 to 2016 exploring “the complexities of family dynamics.” Edward born in Colonial India – with a not very happy childhood – joins the priesthood and becomes a military chaplain serving in the D-day landings - ending up as a Bishop. Hope, one of his daughters, has a successful career as a model but leaves Swinging London for the hippy trail and on return joins a commune and teaches yoga. Nell (birth name Buttercup) - Hope’s daughter - is a talented teacher in a deprived area of Oxford but becomes traumatised by on line bullying. There is a mystery towards the end of the book when Nell finds a letter to Edward dated 1944 from a Frenchwoman named Helene. But spoil alert! She investigates and other revelations follow! Very readable - and all is well at the end! Sue Fuller
Weds
11th
Readers Circle
September - Members’ Holiday Reading
Wednesday 9th October - Female Detectives Wednesday 13th November – Scandi Noir Literature If you are interested, please give Peter Moss a call on 01676 523590 for further information and the venue Free Computer and Internet Access
Meriden Library offers use of computers to library members. First 2 hours are free but sessions can be extended for £1.60 per hour or part of an hour. Computers are available until 15 minutes before the library closes and staff are always on hand to help. We have Microsoft Office and Internet access plus ‘charged for’ printing and scanning facilities. Free Wi-Fi access is available at all Solihull libraries. You’ll 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.
Do you need a space?
Do you run, or are thinking of starting a local group and are looking for a space? Get in touch to see if we can help. For further information please contact Amanda Jones, Neighbourhood Library Manager. Tel: 01676 532590, Email: amandajones@solihull.gov.uk
North Warwickshire Golf Course CONCERT ON THE COURSE SATURDAY 13th JULY 2019. The Weather Apps on many phones were working overtime on the days leading up to the event. The day itself forecasting showers. As I approached the gates I looked towards Coleshill as the weather was coming from the N.W. and had my old Brummie friend been with me he would have said as he always said, “it's a bit black over Bill's mother’s”. Fortunately, the dark clouds passed us by and we even got glimpses of the sun from time to time. On arrival we were greeted by the Car Park Brigade resplendent in their orange Health & Safety jackets. Once we had parked, we were given the once over by the two bouncers, Big Rob and even Bigger Ross. As the Handicap supremo for many years I couldn’t help noticing that those on duty in the car park were all high handicappers whereas the bouncers play off low figures.!? At the entrance tent the Lady Captain and her team collected our tickets in in return gave us a programme, a hymn sheet and a small union flag with the instructions to wave it when we got to the Proms finale. Having reached the fairway, it was interesting to see how the groups had arranged themselves. In true British style, as they do on the beach, each little group marked their territory leaving a respectful space between them and their neighbours. Those with gazebos, windscreens and sunshades set themselves up at the back so as not to obscure anyone's view. In front of them were those who had outdoor tables and chairs and at the front were those who settled down to have their picnics on groundsheets and blankets. And I think I recognized one tartan affair as that of the Clan of Easter Moncrieff! The programme contained an eclectic selection of songs and tunes ranging from Tom Jones to Elgar and the hymn sheets had the lyrics of some of the well-known numbers so that we could sing along. The Captain Paul Blewitt, who was also a member of the Stoneleigh Chorus, said a few words of welcome before the West Midlands Police Band got us off to a stirring start with their arrangement of 633 Squadron. Half way through the programme just as Barnie Barnes the Band conductor (and incidentally a Club member for over 20 years) led his ensemble into the well-known number Hey Jude, Richard ( Paso to his friends ) Doble had the bottle, or two, to leap onto the stage, grab the mike and give us his rendition of that 1968 Beatles hit. Obviously, the song triggered memories of his youth. Although the Paparazzi had been invited none appeared, which was a pity as I'm sure they missed a story of local interest, however our in-house photographer Tony Peck recorded the goings on of the eating, drinking, singing and dancing and he plans to make an album for our archives. A DVD of the event has already been put together and can be seen on the Club's bar screen. And so, to the Finale, a Last Night of the Proms selection, a bit Jingoistic but nevertheless rousing the crowd to sing with gusto and wave their flags as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory echoed across the course. And one group of ladies performed an impressive line dance to the Hornpipe. We have no way of knowing exactly how many non-members attended the concert but we hope those who did will spread the word of what a forward looking and friendly club we are and hopefully some might wish to join us if not as players then at least as Social Members. Congratulations are due to the organising committee who left no stone unturned, they were even inspired by ABBA to rent a Portaloo for the less mobile I believe all of the 400 in attendance enjoyed the harmonies of the Stoneleigh Choir and the inimitable sounds of brass instruments. And if nothing else everyone on site got a three-hour break from Boris, Trump and BREXIT. Please see centre pages for pictures of the event. R.C.W.W.
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Do you need a cleaner? Do you want someone to do all those household jobs you haven’t got time for?
Then call Jenny now on 07901 530861 Domestic cleaning, Office cleaning Professional cleaning service
PA ELECTRICS (17th edition qualified) .
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All aspects of domestic installation and repairs Fuse box upgrades Test and inspection Extra lights and sockets Security lights Full or partial rewires Digital TV aerials Free quotations
Phone Paul Telephone: 0121 764 5872 Mobile 07979 064835 Email: paulheath11@yahoo.com
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% you bring bringthe the 20%off offallallprices priceswhen when you Meriden Mag ! Meriden Mag with withyou you! Please be aware that the entrance from Shepherds Lane has been closed. This means that motorists from Meriden need to drive to the Stonebridge Island and turn back to Meriden and access the car cleaners from the A45. When leaving, motorists have to drive to the Allesley roundabout to return to Meriden.
Meriden Surgery
01676 522252
School House, 200 Main Road, Meriden, CV7 7NG Dr M Bhandal Dr S Barratt Dr A Carlile Dr T Nadeem Dr R Horsley (Partners) Dr N Omokanye 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
01676 935000
The National influenza immunisation programme 2019 Influenza is a highly infectious, acute viral respiratory tract infection which has a usual incubation period of 3 days. Symptoms can develop suddenly and can include a dry cough, headache, fever and extreme fatigue. It is spread by droplets, aerosol or through direct contact with the respiratory secretions of someone with the infection. For otherwise healthy individuals, it is usually a mild self-limiting disease with recovery occurring within 2 – 7 days. However, for young babies, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with other medical conditions, influenza can have serious consequences and, in some cases, even death. There are a number of injectable inactivated influenza vaccines for different ages: Appointments will be 65yrs of age and over (and people becoming 65yrs by 31st March 2020) available to book at adjuvanted Trivalent influenza vaccine (aTIV) called Fluad both Balsall Common quadrivalent influenza vaccine cell grown (QIVc) called Flucelvax Tetra (egg free) 6mths - <2yrs and Meriden quadrivalent influenza vaccine egg grown (QIVe) surgeries 18yrs – 64yrs of age for ‘At-Risk’ groups commencing in quadrivalent influenza vaccine cell grown (QIVc) called Flucelvax Tetra (egg free) October so please quadrivalent influenza vaccine egg grown (QIVe) contact your surgery 2yrs – <18yrs to book your flu live attenuated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (LAIV) called Fluenz Tetra (nasal flu) vaccine This LIVE vaccine is available for: st All healthy children who are aged 2 or 3yrs old on 31 August 2019 Children 4 - <18yrs in ‘At Risk’ groups Children in ‘At Risk’ groups who have any contra-indications to receiving a live vaccine can be given QIVe All children aged 4 – 10yrs (yrs 1-6) will receive their LAIV at school
Coventry Breathe Easy For more information please ring Janet on 02476 460081 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,
Friday 13th September Medications Karen Higgins, specialist Pharmacist at Walsgrave Hospital Friday 11th October West Midlands Fire Service Alan Swift Friday 8th November Coffee Morning 10.30-12 noon at Changamiri (formerly Conroy’s) Corporation Street).
Little Angels Baby & Toddler groups offer a friendly fun filled environment for parents, babies and toddlers with lots of toys, crafts, songs and games. Sessions are on every week during term time. Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9.30am - 11.30am Meriden Methodist Church, CV7 7NH
Thursdays 9.30am - 11.30am The Jubilee Centre, Balsall Common, CV7 7FE £3.50 for an adult & child 50p per additional person
Cost covers all craft materials, snacks and unlimited tea, coffee and squash. No need to book or pay in advance, just come along and join us!
A message from Cllr Diane Howell Climate change concerns us all, and even small things can make a difference. Friends of the Earth have released a report giving examples of innovative council environmental policy. Solihull Council was one of only 4 councils singled out as an example of good practice, in particular their use of LED bulbs. In 2012 Solihull Council began a programme to replace streetlight bulbs with LED alternatives. Very soon over 75% of streetlights will have been replaced. This saves energy (and therefore money) and reduces our carbon footprint. The move to LED bulbs forms part of the Council’s Green Prospectus. Solihull Council have been committed to positive environmental action for many years: Government data shows that Solihull’s carbon emissions fell by 27% between 2005 and 2016. Environmental Policies are now overseen by the newly created Cabinet Portfolio of Climate Change, Planning and Housing. The Conservative Council Leadership, headed up by the new Leader Cllr Ian Courts, have pulled together a range of policies to tackle climate change in the Borough, including action on single use plastics, supporting the use of electric vehicles, developing the use of renewable thermal energy to power Council buildings in the town centre and creating new habitats and green corridors with the Wildlife Ways initiative. The overall aim of this strategy is to continue to reduce the Borough’s carbon footprint. I am a member of the Scrutiny Board overseeing many of these projects and I’m looking forward to seeing these come to fruition. Further recognition of the Council’s environmental credentials occurred in July. Love Solihull, the Council’s project to support local communities in making a difference to their environment, was awarded an International Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Award at the Green Apple Awards. We can all make a difference to the planet: governments and councils should lead the way, but each of us as individuals should be empowered to do our bit. The community engagement work that Love Solihull perform is a great example of this. One example of this in Meriden is the creation of a litter picking hub at the Library. Pop in whenever the Library is open, collect a litter picker and help keep our village clean and tidy. I have been supporting Meriden Parish Councillor Marie Woollard to take this a step further and she will be setting up a regular litter picking group in Meriden (see her article below…). The UK Government has become the first major economy to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This will not be achieved by words alone; we will all need to take action to tackle this climate crisis. Change will be required at every level, but we must take everyone with us and allow time for businesses to adjust, therefore safeguarding jobs which support our economy. Solihull Council are leading the way locally with practical policies that are already making a difference. If you want to find out more or are keen to get involved please do contact me. diane.howell@solihull.gov.uk
A Message from Cllr Marie Woollard I have volunteered to take the lead for a Meriden Litter picking group as part of my Parish Council role in partnership with Love Solihull who have very kindly provided the equipment. I have seen the wonderful work Diane Howell - Community Campaigner has done for Balsall Common and she's helped me to bring it to our beautiful village of Meriden. There are currently 5 sets of litter picks kits available to anyone to borrow from our library. There will be more kits available for the group litter pick. If anyone would like to suggest some roads that would be good to cover or would like to join in with the group once it's set up and running then please contact me and watch this space! Many thanks Marie.
marie.woollard@meridenparishcouncil.org.uk
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The Old Forge Stores, 68, Balsall Street, Balsall Common CV7 7AP T: 01676 530695 Mob: 07775 515504
£5 off Voucher when two or more people dine in
Parties & outside catering available Take away service
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 Tel: 01676 523740 Entrance and parking at rear of Queen’s Head Pub
10% discount on collection Free home delivery service 4 miles radius Minimum order £15
One free chicken or vegetable curry with every Takeaway order of £25 or more Not to be used with any other voucher
CAMEO Come And Meet Each Other At the Sports Pavilion On 4th Friday of the month At 2.00pm Our ‘Away Day’ at Bourton on the Water was a lovely outing on a warm, sunny day. We mingled with the numerous other tourists enjoying the Model Railway, Vintage cars, the Model Village, Birdland and the newly refurbished local church. Lunch at ‘Vernes’ was a shady quiet area and we were served very efficiently with all our own choices. On July 26th we enjoyed strawberries, cream and scones while hearing some entertaining poems. Next meetings are all at 2pm at Meriden Sports Park Pavilion:Friday 27th September - Mission Aviation Fellowship. Friday 25th October - ‘Humour in life as a Nurse’. Friday 22nd November - Rev. Kathy Lloyd Roberts.
All over 50 are welcome to join us. If a lift is needed, please telephone: Joan 523507 or Pam 523372
We offer tailor - made to measure blinds for any window solution, in a wide selection of fabrics, woods and colours at competitive prices.
Call now for a free no obligation home visit Telephone Matt on 07817 222627 01675 443655 Email: dysonblinds@gmail.com
LARCH TREE OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE TREATMENT OF MUSCULAR AND SKELETAL PAIN, SPORTS AND PERSONAL INJURIES Liam Halton B.Sc. (Hons) Ost 49 Larch Tree Avenue (Off Broad Lane) Tile Hill , COVENTRY CV4 9FT
www.larchtreeost.co.uk TEL: 024 7647 0019 Beauty room located in Meriden.
Specialising in Calgel nails, dermaplaning, facials, Nouveau LVL lashes, massages and special occasion makeup.
Call Emily on 07581 334421 Www.facebook.com/Emilywalshnails/ BERKSWELL & DISTRICT FARMERS’ DISCUSSION CLUB
Meetings are on Tuesdays at 8pm at Barker Butts RFC, Pickford Green Lane, Eastern Green, Coventry. CV5 9AR 10th September Illustrated talk by Colin Potter – ornithologist 8th October Chedhams Yard, Wellesbourne A look back in time with Eric Lavey at an award winning village wheelwright and blacksmith’s workshop (BBC Restoration) 12th November Nuneaton Amateur Film Society Talk and presentation of archive material Although the title is ‘Farmers’ Discussion Club’ you don’t have to be a farmer - many members aren’t! Everyone is welcome.
Enquiries to Bill Howes 02476 466117
The Job Squad
www. TheJobSquad. co.uk
The Job Squad is not just for plumbing, carpentry, electrical repairs and general maintenance! We are available whenever you need a “spare pair of hands”.
Small odd jobs such as assembling flat-pack furniture, hanging pictures and televisions, changing light bulbs in awkward places, finishing that job you started! Our local handymen are always on hand to help. At a time that suits you. All work guaranteed Fully insured State pensioners discount Minimum one hour
Free estimates Charged in half hour units No call out charge Established 1996
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
email:officehancock.brown@gmail.com www.hancock-brown.co.uk
Shining the spotlight on simple advice during the darker nights (A Message from our local Police) As a child there are some common things that can cause fear, stress or anxiety. Monsters, strangers, clowns or the dark often top the list of things that scare children the most. Maybe you can relate to these yourself or you might have a son, daughter or grandchild who is affected. As we head towards the Autumn months, and the shorter and darker days we thought we’d look at the fear of darkness – and how this can affect the fear of crime. With age, the inherent fear of the dark can diminish. But at this time of year, particularly when the clocks go back, there can be a feeling of unease and the fear of crime can traditionally rise, no matter how old you are. Granted, as adults we probably don’t worry about monsters hiding in a cupboard or under a bed, but you understandably will still want to do everything you can to keep yourself as safe and protected in your home. Over previous years, burglars have been candid that they will often target a home that appears to be empty where there is easy access to the back of the building. At this time of year, it can be pretty obvious when a home is empty. So our advice is ‘lock up, lights on.’ It could be something as simple as leaving lights on or using timer switches. And we know some will question the financial implications of this…but for a tiny fee every day you can leave a low energy light bulb on from mid-afternoon through to the late evening. Like at any time of the year we also want to stress the importance of locking doors and windows. Many may associate the threat of a sneak in burglary with the summer months, when doors and windows are left open, but colleagues have seen opportunist burglars walk through unlocked front doors as families are holding a firework display in the back garden. We also ask parents & grandparents to remind their loved ones about the impact their behaviour can have, especially around Halloween. At this time of year, we see a rise in reports of antisocial behaviour. Our message is one of respect for others across our communities, especially for those planning to go ‘trick or treating’. And it is a message we ask all parents to endorse and reiterate to their children. The idea of unaccompanied children knocking on a stranger’s door is not one that we should condone and we must not overlook personal safety. All trick or treaters should be encouraged to plan their route in advance, ensuring their family know where they are, and ideally be accompanied by a trusted adult. As with any other day of the year, we advise
DID YOU KNOW? Penguins used to be nearly 7 foot tall? Dates for hoisting the flag on Meriden Green 10th November – Remembrance Day 14th November – Birthday of the Prince of Wales 20th November – Her Majesty’s Wedding Day
caution around strangers - and for youngsters to never go inside a house. We suggest residents who don’t wish to be disturbed place a ‘Sorry, no trick or treat’ sign on their door. We ask you not to disturb anyone living at a property with these signs on display. If you’d like to play an active part in tackling ASB over the coming months, please consider joining Street Watch. This is a communityled initiative based on street patrols carried out by members of the public with no police powers. The group is managed by a volunteer co-ordinator who keeps a volunteer list and provides advice, guidance and support in consultation with the local police. Volunteers patrol in pairs and register each patrol on a website. The neighbourhood policing team can look at the website before the patrols take place. If volunteers spot suspicious activity they should report it to the police but not get involved. The only condition of Street Watch is you must be 18 years or older. We’re especially keen to recruit 18 -24-year olds who can help us reach out to the younger members of our communities. It could also give you an insight into policing if you’ve ever considered it as a potential career. I appreciate it isn’t for everyone. And I know that some people may be unable to commit to the scheme. Please email rural@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk or speak to your local neighbourhood officer who will be able to provide more information. Your Local Neighbourhood Policing Team
Team4 U – Christmas Shoe boxes
Last year, Meriden village donated over 40 boxes - part of the 2596 boxes sent to NE Romania from the Coventry area. A huge ‘thank you’ to all of you who supported this very worthwhile charity. Can you help us again this year by filling a shoe box with small gifts? It can be for a boy, a girl or a home that would not otherwise get a Xmas present. Pop into Meriden library during September or October and pick up a leaflet that tells you the suitable things to include. Then drop your box off to Meriden library by 9th November. Any questions – call Lucy Ball on 01676 523502
Village Diary DATE Mondays Tuesdays 02-Sep 09-Sep 11-Sep 13-Sep 13-Sep 14-Sep 16-Sep 16-Sep 16-Sep 20-Sep 25-Sep 27-Sep 28-Sep 28-Sep 29-Sep 04-Oct 06-Oct 07-Oct 07-Oct 09-Oct 11-Oct 21-Oct 21-Oct 21-Oct 23-Oct 25-Oct 26-Oct 27-Oct 27-Oct w/c 28-Oct 01-Nov 04-Nov 07-Nov 07-Nov 08-Nov 10-Nov 10-Nov 11-Nov 13-Nov 16/17-Nov 18-Nov 18-Nov 22-Nov 23-Nov 25-Nov 27-Nov 30-Nov
EVENT Reading Zoo Rotary Club Meeting WI Community Surgery Readers Circle Community Cafe OVO Men’s Cycle Race Firebirds Concert Flower Club Parish Council Meeting Reading Café Firebird Singers open eve Neighbourhood plan meeting CAMEO Big Picture Show McMillan Coffee Morning Harvest Festival Supper Club Harvest Festival Community Surgery WI Readers Circle Community Cafe Flower Club Parish Council Meeting Reading Café Neighbourhood plan meeting CAMEO Big Picture Show Clocks go back
VENUE Meriden Library Manor Hotel Village Hall Meriden Library Call for details Sports Pavilion Meriden Village Albany Theatre Village Hall Sports Pavilion Meriden Library Village Hall Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion Village Hall Village Hall Methodist Church Methodist Church St Laurence Church Sports Pavilion Village Hall Call for details Sports Pavilion Village Hall Sports Pavilion Meriden Library Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion Village Hall
TIME 2:30 -3:15pm 7:30pm 7.30pm 11.00-12noon 7.30pm 2.00 – 4.00 pm
CONTACT 01676 522717 Geoff Arthur 01675 442599
7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 10.30–11.30am 7.00pm 6.30-8.00pm 2.00pm 7.30pm 11.00am 10.30am 7.00pm 10:30am 11.00- 12noon 2.00pm 7.30pm 2.00 – 4.00 pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 10.30–11.30am 6.30-8.00pm 2.00pm 7.30pm 2.00am
Val 01676 522963
Cancer Res Pink & Blue Eve
Manor Hotel
7.00pm
Sue Riley 01676 522540
Creepy Crafts Meriden Mag Deadline WI Coffee Morning Cancer Research Quiz night Community Cafe Remembrance Day Service Concert for Batten Disease Community Surgery Readers Circle C of E Arts Exhibition Flower Club Reading Café CAMEO Big Picture Show Parish Council meeting Neighbourhood plan meeting Flower Club Christmas Fayre
Meriden Library
Drop in
01676 522717
Village Hall Packington Hall Queens Head Sports Pavilion Methodist Church Manor Hotel Meriden Library Call for details Patrick Farm Barns Village Hall Meriden Library Sports Pavilion Village Hall Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion Village Hall
2.00pm 10.30am 2.00 – 4.00 pm 10.00 am 2.00pm 11.00-12noon 7.30pm 10.00am-4.00pm
7.30pm 10.30–11.30am 2.00pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 6.30-8.00pm 11.30 - 1.30
Joan Russell 01676 522666 01676 522717 Peter Moss 01676 523590 Rev Lynda Lilley 522825
Ann Lea 07725478624 Barbara Bland 01676 522474 01676 522717 Val 01676 522963 Barbara Bland 01676522474 Joan 523507 / Pam 523372 Chris Copper 522645 Rev Jane Braund 533 737 Rev Jane Braund 533 737 Rev Lynda Lilley 522825 01676 522717 Joan Russell 01676 522666 Peter Moss 01676 523590 Rev Lynda Lilley 522825 Ann Lea 07725478624 Barbara Bland 01676 522474 01676 522717 Barbara Bland 01676 522474 Joan 523507 / Pam 523372 Chris Copper 01676 522645
Val 01676 522963 Joan Russell 01676 522666 Sue Riley 01676 522540 Rev Lynda Lilley 522825 Rev Jane Braund 533 737 Abbie 07792394264 01676 522717 Peter Moss 01676 523590 Julie Hyde 523357 Ann Lea 07725478624 01676 522717 Joan 523507 / Pam 523372 Chris Copper 01676 522645 Barbara Bland 01676 522474 Barbara Bland 01676 522474 Ann Lea 07725478624
WALKING PAGE - THREE CHURCHES WALK This walk will take you around the 3 parish churches of Meriden, Eastern Green and Berkswell. It is clearly waymarked and broken into 3 sections, all of which have some stiles. You can start the walk anywhere but if you live in Meriden, you’ll probably want to start with Leg 3.
Built Up
If anyone would like to contribute a walk for future issues, please get in touch with Chris Bannister (see back page for contact details)
Countryside Code Please respect, protect and enjoy the countryside you pass through by following signs, leaving gates and property as you found them, protecting plants and animals, keeping dogs under control, taking your litter home and considering other people.
Plums
The plum family includes plums, gages and damsons, there are about 350 different varieties including Victoria, Pershore Yellow Egg, Warwickshire Drooper and Old Greengage. Plums prefer loamy, fertile soils with pH 6-6.5, but they are tolerant to a wide range of soils as long as they are well drained. They are fully hardy but frost may damage blossom and affect fruiting. Plums flower early in the year. Choose a warm sheltered site to avoid frost damage to the blossom. Avoid planting in frost pockets. Japanese plums tend to flower particularly early and frost protection is usually needed. Consider growing plums as fans against a south-, south-west or west-facing wall or a fence in less favourable situations. Plant a new tree between November to March and they can grow to between 3 and 8 metres, In late winter apply sulphate of potash 20g per sq. m (½oz per sq. yd). Follow with application of a general fertiliser such as Growmore or Vitax Q4 at 70g per sq. m (2oz per sq. yd) in early spring. Mulch with organic matter, such as garden compost or manure-based soil conditioner in early spring. Aim to prevent drought stress, especially in early to mid-summer when the fruit is swelling. Mulching with organic matter helps to reduce evaporation from the soil. Plums fruit on mixture of one- and two-year-old shoots and older wood. Plums (and other stone fruit) should not be pruned during winter, to minimise the risk of infection by silver leaf and bacterial canker. Pruning of young trees is carried out after bud burst in early spring; established trees are pruned in summer. Sometimes you can find damsons growing in hedgerows. They are delicious stewed up with apples but beware of the stones!
Honey, Cinnamon and Plum Cake
2 ) or
en
250 plain flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 200g golden syrup 2 tablespoons honey 125 g butter 125g light brown sugar 350 g plums, pitted and halved (or quartered if they are very large) 2 large eggs 1 cup milk (240 ml) Light Oven 180c/ 160C fan/ Gas Mark 4 Line a 24cm square cake tin with baking parchment Sift flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon into a bowl. Warm golden syrup, honey and butter in a pan until the butter melts. Stir in sugar. break eggs into a bowl, pour in the milk and whisk to mix. Pour the golden syrup mixture into the flour and mix well; add egg and milk and continue until you have a batter with no traces of flour. Place the mix into the cake tin, drop in the plums and bake for 35 minutes. Place a piece of foil loosely over the cake and cook for 15 minutes more. Switch off the oven and leave the cake in the oven for another 15 mins. Remove from tin and cool on a wire rack With special thanks to Margaret Argyle who continues to contribute this lovely page.
Victoria Plum Jam This is a lovely, well flavoured jam and sets well, however you can use any variety of plum 1½ kg plums 450 ml water 1 ½ kg sugar Wash and halve the plums remove the stones Simmer gently until the fruit is soft and the contents are reduced by one third. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Boil rapidly until setting point is reached. Allow to cool slightly and pour unto warmed jars. Autumn jobs in the garden Autumn is the ideal time to give your garden a through tidy, before the cold weather sets in. As well as clearing fallen leaves, there are lots of other simple tasks that will make a big difference to the look of your garden. Tidy the borders Leave the lawn looking trim put away plant supports. Clean out nest boxes and feeders Empty the summer tubs and baskets
Purchase the spring bulbs Replant the tubs with a winter display under planted with spring bulbs Sort out the pond
Out and About this Autumn Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery, CV11 5TU
Butterflies & Moths
Peaky Blinders Costume Show FREE
FREE - Around 52,000 specimens of butterflies and moths across 3,000 different species. The majority are British, but the museum also has a spectacular variety of 'exotic' specimens.
Until 15th September, see 8 costumes from BBC TV’s popular series “Peaky Blinders! The costumes include those worn by Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Tom Hardy and Sophie Rundle.
Wednesday
23rd to Saturday 26th October 2019
GWSR
GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE STEAM RAILWAY The Railway Station, Toddington GL54 5DT Call 01242 621405
8TH September Classic Vehicles
Now booking for December Santa Specials
Email info@gwsr.com
The largest secondhand bookshop in the Midlands. Take time to browse and relax in one of our comfy leather chairs. Astley Book Farm & Coffee Shop is the place to be, come rain or shine. Open every day 10am-5pm.
02476 490 235 info@astleybookfarm .com Astley Lane,
Bedworth CV12 0NE
Volunteer wanted to co-ordinate The delivery of the Meriden Mag every quarter
The Remembrance Sunday Service will be on Sunday 10th November The service will commence at the Methodist Church at 10.15am and then on to the Village War Memorial for 11 o’clock.
This would involve contacting the existing deliverers, arranging holiday cover and ensuring that all houses in the village are on our distribution list. The job should not involve actual delivery of the magazines, except perhaps in an emergency when help might be needed. Please contact the editors whose details are on the bottom of this page, if you would like to join our team.
British Summertime ends on Sunday October 27th. Clocks go back an hour!
Did You know? Humans share 70% of the same DNA as slugs!!!
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 Hint
B & Q will accept used flower pots for recycling- just bag them up and take them to your local store!
B&Q
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
Meriden Scout Group Post Office Rural Police Sector Meriden Village Hall bookings
Mrs L. Anderton
Rev Lynda Lilley Rev. Jane Braund Pstr. Kevin & Lyn Hunt Barbara Bland (Mondays only) Alan Gabbitas Ken Allsopp Diane Howell Tony Dicicco Gerry Russell Sue Harper New non-emergency no. Valerie Martin
01676 522488 01676 522717 01676 522252 01676 522722 01676 522825 01676 533737 07970552667 01676 522474 01676 522148 0121 704 6000 01676 522301 07487 681933 07780 438290 01676 522666 01676 522230 101 01676 522963
Advance diary dates! Sunday 1st December Meriden Rotary Club Santa Fun Run www.meridenrotary.co.uk and Firebird Singers Christmas Concerts at the Manor Hotel 2.00pm and 7.00pm Val Martin 01676 522963 Reminder deadline for autumn issue st out by 1 December is Friday 1st November Val Martin 01676 522963 val.simon@btinternet.com
Chris Bannister 07789 903021 chrisbannister56@aol.com Distribution: Paul Lee & Paul Green Proof Reader: Sue Fuller Mag advertising rates Eighth page £11 Quarter page £22 Half page £44 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