MeridenMag Summer 2023

Meriden Mag Summer 2023

See inside for all the Village news and summer events, including details of our Open Gardens and Picnic in the Park, the long term plans for the quarry restoration and all the usual articles.

There's so much going on - something for all ages to enjoy.

Meriden Open Gardens Sunday 2nd July 11.am – 6.pm £5 per head - children go free.

Come and explore lots of beautiful gardens, big and small.

Main ticket and maps sales at Meriden Village Hall 208 Main Rd CV7 7NG Or in advance from Sue 01676 522540 Please come along and support this lovely village event. *Plant sales* Refreshments * *Tombola* Raffle* All proceeds to Cancer Research

Big Picture Show at the Village Hall Saturday 17th June 7.30pm See inside for details

Warwickshire Watercolourists’ Art Exhibition Bank Holiday 26th– 28th August 2023 Berkswell Reading Rooms Meriden Road Berkswell CV7 7BE 10.00am -5.00pm daily

Free Entrance Over 200 items of unique art work on display for the first time, most for sale, (cash or cheque only) together with a wide range of prints and cards This year’s special raffle prize – an original Trevor Boult painting, kindly donated, with proceeds to Dementia UK Refreshments available; proceeds to charity.

Ample free parking & disabled access Additional free parking available in the rear car park at ‘The Bear’.

For further information please email WarwickshireWatercolourists@gmail.com

SATURDAY 22nd JULY 2023 2.00 to 4:15PM

BALSALL & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 74th ANNUAL FLOWER and PRODUCE SHOW ST PETER'S HALL, HOLLY LANE, BALSALL COMMON FREE PARKING PLANT SALES RAFFLE REFRESHMENTS AND HOMEMADE CAKE

Picnic Park Sunday Sunday 99thth July July 11am 11am –– 6pm 6pmMeriden MeridenSports SportsPark Park Picnic in in the the Park see back back cover cover for for poster poster see

Firebird Singers Update At present, we are busy rehearsing for our next two concerts at the Manor Hotel.

On Sunday 11th June, we present “On Top of the World”- Songs to make you feel good. This concert is the last in our season supporting Coventry and Warwickshire MIND. In the autumn issue of the Mag, I will be very proud to tell you the amount we have donated to this very good cause.

Our 10th September concert is entitled “Divas & Legends”, self-explanatory. For the 2023-24 season, I am delighted to announce that we will be fund-raising for the Air Ambulance.

We hope you will join us to support both of these worthy charities.

As usual we are indebted to the Manor Hotel for the use of their beautiful Aylesford Suite for our events. All tickets cost £8 each.

Please see the poster on the events page at the front of the Mag. Valerie Martin 01676 522963 I spent the whole morning building a time machine, so that’s 4 hours of my life I’m definitely getting back! - Olaf Falafel

Chocolate is vital for our survival.

Dinosaurs didn’t’ eat chocolate and look what happened to them!

)) Sat 17th June – “Fisherman’s “Fisherman’s Friends Friends –– One One and and All” All” (12A) (12A) Following the meteoric rise rise to to fame fame of of the the Cornish Cornish SeaSeaShanty group, this sequel continues continues their their story story –– and and fame fame Tickets Ticketsare areavailable availablefrom fromChris Chris is never plain-sailing. After the the highs highs of of performing performing on on the the Copper Copper--£6 £6each. each.Telephone Telephone Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, Glastonbury, the the group group struggle struggle with with 01676 01676522645 522645//07721 07721342127 342127or or their second album. During During aa divisive divisive tour tour in in Southern Southern Email Email--chriscopper42@me.com chriscopper42@me.com embracing aa new new NB. Australia, they will trace their their ancestors ancestors embracing NB.Dates Datesmay maybe besubject subjectto to community and discovering discovering their their musical musical DNA… DNA… change changeso soplease pleasecheck checkwhen when A light hearted summer film film –– just just the the thing thing for for the the booking. booking. holiday season.

We have a summer break break in in July July and and August.

August. Details Details of of the screenings from September September onwards onwards will will be be published, as usual, in the the autumn autumn Meriden Meriden Mag. Mag.

Used Stamps Wanted A charity called Medical Missionary News would be very grateful to receive the used stamps off your envelopes. Please leave at least 1” all around when cutting them. Please hand them in at Lloyds Chemist on the Green. The money raised will be used to buy medical supplies for war-torn countries overseas. Thank You.

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Meriden Surgery

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School House, 200 Main Road, Meriden, CV7 7NG Dr M Bhandal Dr T Nadeem Dr R Horsley (Partners) Associates GPs Dr.A Omokanye, Dr A Blaggan Dr N Hudders

www.balsallcommongrouppractice.co.uk Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8.30am to 6pm Wednesday 8.30am to 12.00noon For details on how to obtain medical help when the surgery is closed, please phone 01676 935000 Goodbye - Reflections on nearly 39 years of medical work.

It is with mixed feelings that I prepare to leave the Balsall Common and Meriden practice.

I qualified from Glasgow University in 1984 and began work as a junior hospital doctor on 1st August that year. Nobody in my family had ever been a doctor. Several subsequent years of hospital posts followed, included working in a leukaemia unit, a tuberculosis hospital, delivering babies and working in a gynaecology unit, a post in a children’s ward and also jobs in A+E and in elderly medicine.

Then came a year of being a GP-in-training in central Scotland. I loved the variety of work and the fact that there was continuity of care and that you could really make a difference to some lives.

After finishing the GP training, I spent a year working in Australia, six years in London, then four years in North Tyneside before I relocated again (with husband and 3 children) to the Midlands.

I have worked at the Balsall Common & Meriden Practice since 2001 in various roles and know 3 generations of many families now. I have really enjoyed most of the work, being a small part of people’s lives and trying to provide holistic healthcare. I will be sad to leave my wonderful colleagues whose altruism and dedication, especially during the pandemic, helped so many people.

In 1984, there were no computerised records in hospitals or in primary care. Emails didn’t exist. Mobile phones didn’t exist.

Emergency hospital admissions from a patient’s home sometimes meant that I had to find a public callbox to phone for an ambulance as not all people had house phones. In parallel to the technological advances, there have been medical advances related to new drugs and techniques which enable quite different lives nowadays.

The medical innovations mean however, that the work is far more complex with patients often on multiple drugs for several significant illness. People can, for example, live alongside cardiac failure and renal failure now whereas these conditions significantly shortened lives in 1984. I do find it a struggle trying to manage with 10-minute appointments nowadays due to the complexity. I wish we all had the resources to provide longer appointments.

Thank you to so many patients who have wished me well and sent cards etc on discovering that I am leaving. I will pop back to the practice from time to time and may well bump into many of you again in Balsall Common or in the surrounding area. If you recognise me, please come over and say ‘hello.’

Shortly after retiring, my husband and I are going to the north of Scotland to go hillwalking for a week with 18 friends. Then we have 2 weeks of peace in Orkney where I want to photograph the birdlife with my new telephoto lens.

Aspects of work I will miss? Interactions with patients, teaching medical students, the camaraderie of the NHS team and the challenge of new educational opportunities which improve patient-care.

Things I won’t miss? Government targets which can be tick-box lists, huge hospital waiting lists, and too much admin which spills over into nights and days off.

It has been a great privilege to have such a diverse and enjoyable career. Thank you to all my former patients for your partnership over the years.

COVID VACCINATION UPDATE 03.04.2023 Aileen Dr Aileen K Carlile April 2023 Unfortunately, the Practice has also had to say goodbye to one of our Salaried GPs Dr Khan.

We wish him the very best in his future roles.

WELCOME The Practice would like to welcome our new Maternity Locum Doctor, Dr Rai. Dr Rai will be working at the Balsall Common Surgery Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

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We are in the process of arranging the vaccination of patients in the COVID Spring Booster campaign. This Campaign will vaccinate: *Care Home Patients * Patients 75 and over * *Immunosuppressed Patients* You will be contacted by the Practice to arrange an appointment or home visit please do not contact us for an appointment.

If you wish to decline this vaccine or have any questions, please email nhsbsolicb.balsall.covid@nhs.net CHANGES TO OUR APPOINTMENT BOOKING We now offer all urgent on the day appointments as face-to-face appointments. All appointments are to be booked via telephone only. Telephone appointments are available as a pre-bookable option; however these are now unable to be scheduled as an urgent on the day appointment option.

General Practices are open and we are here for you when you need us.

To keep you and everyone safe appointments are being triaged, this helps us to give you the correct type of appointment that you need whether that is for patients to be seen in person, a telephone consultation, video consultation or advice from your local Pharmacy.We are continuing to follow all National Guidelines that are provided for all GP Practices across the UK along with the ever-changing COVID 19 regulations.

We are continuing to encourage our face covering policy, this is to continue to protect our Staff and visitors that are attending the Practice. All up to date Practice Information can be found on our website www.balsallcommonsurgery.co.uk

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PUZZLE PAGE – No. 16 MISSING LINK FIT 10 WORDS INTO THE GRID BELOW SO EACH ONE CONNECTS UP WITH THE WORDS ON EITHER SIDE. E.G. WISHING – WELL – DONE READ DOWN THE LETTERS IN THE SHADED SQUARES TO REVEAL A BOARD GAME

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Contact numbers Sue 01676 522540 Carol 01676 522888

Email MeridenCRUK@gmail.com Greetings from Sue, Carol and the Meriden Committee!

We hope this edition of the Meriden Mag finds you all well. Hopefully, by now, spring will have finally sprung and the prospects for a spectacular summer are becoming more than a distant dream! A number of Meriden folk have been anxiously waiting for improvements in the weather so they can spend more time in their gardens in preparation for our Open Garden event on Sunday 2nd July. More details later in this article.

At the time of writing, we are recovering from a lively fundraiser at the Heart of England Social Club where Keith Slater had us on our toes dancing the night away and we raised over £1,000 for our chosen charity. Many thanks to all those that supported us with raffle prizes, joined us on the night and of course to all the team at the Club. Last year, with your support, Meriden raised over £18,000 for CRUK. Somewhat smaller than Dame Deborah James (“Bowelbabe”), whose legacy fund to date has raised over £11.3 million and has already supported CRUK to resource vital projects to the tune of around £4 million. But, big or small, every penny that is raised for CRUK counts, if we all do what we can, “together we will beat cancer sooner” so thank you once again.

As mentioned earlier, this year will see the return of the ever-popular Cancer Research Meriden Open Gardens on Sunday 2nd July. Please see poster on events page at the front of the Mag. Currently there will be more than 10 gardens, large and small, to explore. Some are old favourites but we also have some exciting new additions – the final map hasn’t been printed yet so there’s still time to join in if you want – ring Sue! As usual there will be plant sales, plenty of refreshment stops, tombola and raffle opportunities. The gardens will be open from 11am to 6pm and entrance to all of the gardens will only be £5 (children free). Advance tickets, including map and brochure, will be available in early June from Sue (01676 522540) and Carol (01676 522888) and on the actual day at the Village Hall (208 Main Road, CV7 7NG) and any of the individual gardens. Full details will also be available on posters around the village and on Facebook nearer the time. Please support us, come along, and enjoy a wonderful day out.

Our fundraising efforts will continue throughout the year but two events that can be put in the diary – our regular Autumn “In the Pink and Blue” event at the Manor Hotel on Sunday 22nd October and our Christmas Party on Saturday 9th December. Full details will be published nearer the time so keep your eyes open for information later in the year.

As always, we look forward to seeing you at any, or all of our events. Have a great Summer.

Sue & Carol

Maxstoke Castle Open Day B46 2RD Sunday 11th June 2023 Castle and Gardens will be open between 11.00am – 5.00pm Tickets available on the day Adults £9 Concessions £6 (over 65 and 8-17 years) Younger children admitted free of charge

Proceeds to St Michael and All Angels Church Maxstoke, and the National Gardens Scheme

Balsall Common Country Market First Saturday of the month in the British Legion.

Other Saturdays in the Jubilee Centre.

We have lovely home baking, preserves, plants, seasonal vegetables, crafts and home-made cards.

Café is now OPEN! Hampers can be ordered and delivered countrywide

Contact 01676 523007

Another lovely post box topper ‘Super Mario and Friends’

Meriden Women’s Institute 1918 – 2023

Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month 7:30pm at Meriden Village Hall, Main Road CV7 7NG We love to support and showcase local people in our choice of speakers and the next few months are no exception.

Our Summer meeting plan is: -

We are Meriden WI. We embrace diversity, inclusivity and

ethnicity, along with the National Federation of Institutes.

If you are interested in making new friends, learning skills or joining in activities, then please do come and join in the fun.

We have monthly sub-groups covering darts sessions, book club, walking and lunch club. Book club is reading ‘Cider with Rosie’ by Laurie Lee in June. We also enjoy theatre trips, visiting art galleries and joining in with other local WI groups.

In March, we were delighted to welcome Jen Jones who captivated us on her story of why and how she started up a dog walking service 12 years ago. A gentle story, with a rod of iron running through - the demonstration of a single parent laying out a new life to fit in with her small family. She has recently moved into Meriden and has also just joined our WI. See photo on right.

In April, we were privileged to hear a woman’s life story of ‘The Joy of Transgender parenting’. Her title sounded a dichotomy, until she relayed her and her son’s story. What strength of character she showed throughout the adversity of her daughter becoming her son.

Our May meeting was our Annual Meeting, when a resume of the year is highlighted and changes to the committee are discussed. Our current President, Samm Bain, is stepping down. She has helped boost the membership and we are grateful for the effort she has put in.

5th June – Carmen Watson, C.E.O. of Pertemps is our speaker.

3rd July – Nick Martin, a local wildlife photographer will talk to us about British wildlife.

7th August – A social evening with games, a quiz and a buffet.

For more information, please email us at meridenwi@hotmail.com or call the secretary, Della Mannix, on 07920 014909

Meriden Library News A recommendedTelephone holiday/leisure read :01676 522717 Please note, all information is accurate at the time of writing – April 2023 Meriden Library is open to everybody– you can read and borrow books, access the internet and PCs, or just sit and relax, all for free. If you aren’t a member already, all you need to join is something official with your address on, like a utility bill or driving licence.

Opening Hours Monday 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm Tuesday 10am – 12:30pm Thursday 10am – 12:30pm Summer Reading Challenge 2023, Ready, Set, Read!

Every year, the Summer Reading Challenge helps children to keep up reading through the summer holiday. They just need to read 6 books of their choice to complete the challenge and there are rewards along the way to make it extra fun. This year, the theme is Ready, Set, Read! a sports and games-themed challenge, presented by libraries and the Reading Agency in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust. Children can join the Summer Reading Challenge starting Monday 10th July, and if they’re not already a library member, all you need is something official with an adult guarantor’s name and address.

Children’s Summer Crafts Held on Mon 7th, Tues 8th, Thurs 10th, Mon 21st, Tues 22nd and Thurs 24th August. To celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge, we have some sports and games-themed crafts to get stuck into this summer. Suitable for ages 5 and over with adult supervision, plus colouring for under 5s.

Meriden Library has free computer and internet access If you have a library card, you can use one of the public computers at the library. If you’re not yet a member, joining the library is free, easy and quick. Up to 3 hours free internet access for library members or 15 minutes use of quick access PC for all (no library membership required). We also offer printing facilities (charges apply), scanning facilities and Wi-Fi access Computers are available until 15 minutes before the library closes, and staff are always on hand to help if needed.

Stories & Painting Our exciting children’s activity is aimed at preschool children and takes place every Monday, 2:15 - 3pm. Every week we read one of our favourite stories and enjoy painting pictures. We recommend wearing clothes that it’s okay to get messy in.

Keep up to date with news from Meriden Library by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meridenlib and visiting our website at www.solihull.gov.uk/Libraries

A Warm Welcome As part of offering a warm welcome to everybody who comes through our door, Meriden Library is providing both warm and cold drinks to library customers. There is no charge for this, but donations are welcome if you wish.

Learn My Way Would you 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. Sessions run on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 10am – 11am, with booking in advance required. Contact library staff for more details.

Readers’ Circle Meetings Wednesday 14th June – A recommended holiday/leisure read.

There are no meetings in July and August, so we will restart on 13th September.

For further information and the venue, please call Peter Moss on 01676 523590

All Together Café 2 Friday of the Month Meriden Sports Pavilion Any time between 2pm and 4pm nd

9th

June

14th July 11th August Drop in for tea, coffee, cake and chat.

Meet your neighbours.

Various board games.

We always have a splendid time.

Do join us soon – call 01676 522666 if you would like transport.

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1st Meriden Scout Group and Explorer Unit - News from the Green Hut 1st Meriden Beavers As usual it’s all go at Beavers!

All the children in our Colony have recently earned some exciting badges; Book Reader, Communicator and Cook Activity Badges and the Teamwork Challenge Award. I’m very proud of how well they concentrate during, and engage with, the badge work.

This half-term we’ll be working on our Gardener and Experiment Activity Badges as well as playing some fun games.

I’m hoping that after the May half-term holiday the weather will have improved enough for us to get outdoors so we can play some sport and go on a hike!

We’ve been lucky recently to have one of the Explorer Scouts join us as a Young Leader, but we’re still very reliant on parent helpers and could do with some more regular adult help. If you’d be interested in joining the Scouting Movement and becoming a Beaver Leader, do please get in touch with me or Gerry.

Eleanor 1st Meriden Cubs Another busy term earning badges and learning life skills for the cubs.

We finished our Emergency 1st Aid level 2 and also our Navigation level 2, followed by the Chef’s badge.

They learnt about food hygiene and how to prepare food safely. Part of the badge was to produce a two-course meal for someone, so we decided to do it en masse. ‘Invite the parents’ that will be fun! Twenty-two cubs invited thirty-five parents/ grandparents and siblings along and they all enjoyed it (?) and being waited on by their little ones. The evening was frantic and couldn’t have been done without my hardworking trusted leadership team. The rice may have been a little over done and our customers were clearly not used to eating off a plastic plate, but the Eton Mess was spot on. Thankfully, we won’t do this badge for another two years, so time to recover.

We had another successful beetle drive, lots of Easter Eggs and lots of adults and children having fun, we raised just under £200 towards our hut restoration fund.

They wanted to do more hiking so let’s choose one of the wettest nights of the year and drop them at Millison’s Wood, then let them make their own way back, with an adult, of course… They were soo muddy, most made it back on time, but we did manage to lose one group, oh, thank goodness for modern technology and helpful parents and leaders. Safely back with a tale to tell and all smiling.

So, if I can’t lose them let’s try axes and fire… Safety talk done and split into their sixes, we learnt how to cut up kindling with a small axe and how and where to set up a fire at a camp site. They tried their hand at using flint and steels, trying to set light to a fuel block. They said that was something out of Harry Potter, the sparks were amazing!

And finally learning to strike a match, once the usual way and once the scout way! Giving them a challenge to light some toilet roll in the wind, - (we know how to entertain children on the cheap!) was difficult but they were all smiling and thankfully didn’t need to use their first-aid skills all evening Summer term brings us two camps planned, one at the hut and one at Cirencester- “Evolution” run by Gloucestershire Scouts, over 3000 cubs in one field…. With this camp under their belt, hopefully most of my older cubs will gain their Silver Chief Scout, the highest award a cub can be awarded Lynda

Beavers: Boys and girls aged 6 – 8: Monday evening 6.30 - 7.30pm: Cub Scouts: Boys and Girls aged 8 - 10.5: Thursday evening 6.45 - 8.15pm Scouts: Boys and Girls aged 10.5 – 14: Tuesday evening 7.00 - 9.00.pm Explorer Scouts: Male and Female aged 14 – 18: Monday evening 7.45 - 9.45 Please email 1stmeridenscouts@gmail.com for more information

Meriden Cubs preparing and serving a meal they made for their parents

Beautiful Bees!

Cubs First Aid training

Cubs on a night hike

Meriden Cubs “Playing with Fire!”

Meriden Lions Update summer 2023 Available most weekends at the Sports Park are various sized free pre-loved football boots in good condition, that have been outgrown. Please consider donating yours.

Also pictured are the brand-new sets of goals, recently purchased by the club for our younger age groups.

New Team Under 7 Lionhearts.

We have exciting news; we are looking to launch our brand new Under 7s Lionhearts squad for the 2023/24 season starting in September, with training to commence over the summer.

Anyone interested please contact Andy Broomfield on 07846550745.

Under 14s The U14 Lions are in for a nail-biting end of season push to promotion with only a handful of games remaining in a very competitive league group. The Lions form has been much improved of late and the team have really put in some brilliant performances together on the pitch, with their efforts on the training ground really paying off. They are currently sitting 2nd in the league; they have most notably put in a solid display against the top of the league in a recent mid-week away fixture. The Lions are on a run of only one loss in the last seven league games! With just three games to play, they are working towards a real chance to push for a top 2 finish in the Coventry & Warwickshire Youth D league and look towards promotion. Regardless of how the season finally ends up the Club are immensely proud of the girls and boys from the U14 squad. Well done Lions #Letsgolions

Under 11s Meriden Lions Under 11 Navy have been enjoying their football this season, working hard, training and playing matches with smiles on their faces. They have had some great results on match days.

Under 16s

Under 14s

Our Under 16 Lions have done themselves proud over the last few weeks. Four wins from their last seven games has given them a much healthier points total, and they are hoping for a strong finish to the season. Despite sitting 9th in the league, they have competed well in all the games they’ve been involved in, including matches against teams competing for promotion at the top of the league. They have displayed fantastic team spirit and effort as well as some impressive creativity in scoring some memorable goals. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them, and continue to enjoy watching them represent Meriden Lions each week.

Finally…

As Asthis thisseason seasondraws drawsto toaaclose, close, our our thoughts thoughts are are turning to our presentation day and evening, evening, where where we wewill will be be celebrating celebratingthe theefforts effortsof ofall all of of our our players players over over the the last year. There will be trophies given out out to to all all and and additional additional recognition recognitionfor forour ourspecial specialtrophy trophy winners. winners. As As part part of the day we will be running raffles and and offering offering competitions competitions and andgames gamesfor forour ourplayers playersand and their their families. families. IfIf anyone is able to donate any prizes for the the day, day, or or indeed indeed ififany anylocal local businesses businessesare areinterested interestedin insponsoring sponsoring the the club club next seasonplease pleasecontact contactclub clubChairman ChairmanBryn Bryn Williams Williams on on 07867486720.

FARWELLS AND WELCOMES… Rosie Weaver …. Many of you will know or recognise our outgoing Chair, Rosie, who has been a stalwart of the Parish Council for more years than she’d let us publicise. Rosie has been instrumental in making the Parish Council what it is today and for securing several wins for Meriden. Not only has she been a champion locally, but she has also represented Meriden borough, both regionally and nationwide on various bodies – always ensuring Meriden is on the map. She is an asset to the village, and we want to say a massive thank you to Rosie for everything she has done!

Jon Barber …. has been a Parish Councillor for 10 years. He has held several roles including Vice Chair, Chair of the Planning Committee, coordinating Remembrance Sunday road closures and lamppost poppies and coordinating daily phone changeover on Meriden’s helpline for the last 3 years. Jon will continue being a director in his own right at the Sports Park.

Barbara Bland …. the Parish Clerk for 11 years, has decided to retire and hang up her keys to the Parish! She has worked tirelessly for Meriden with her tenacity to secure outcomes on the never-ending issues. Without Barbara’s support to the council, the Neighbourhood Development Plan would still be in draft form! May you relax and put your feet up!

AND A Warm Welcome To… We have welcomed back 5 of our existing Councillors; Cllrs J Hughes, M Woollard, C Smith, M Eggar and A Eburne.

As well as the 5 who have returned, we have also welcomed a new Councillor, Richard Wild, who has joined the team – we look forward to you getting to know him as we move forward as a team. This does leave two vacancies, as we have only 6 of the 8 seats filled. As always, if you want to get involved, please let us know.

We are also very excited to introduce you to our new Clerk, Hayli Jennings, who officially joins us on the 6th May. Hayli has already hit the ground running with the handover from Barbara and you may have seen her out and about as she gets to know local groups and spots around the village. Hayli has previous experience as a Deputy Clerk and demonstrated a real passion for improving communities and supporting us, as your Councillors, to make Meriden an even better place to live. We hope you join us in giving her a Meriden Welcome!

MERIDEN HELPLINE

TRAINING

From June 1, 2023, Meriden Helpline will cease to operate. We have had few calls in the last 6 months to justify the volunteer time. Since the set up during covid lockdowns, we have had over 1000 phone calls.

A big thank you to the volunteers who have been on rota to answer the calls and the volunteers who have, over the years, undertaken the requests.

Apologies to those wanting to do Autism and Dementia training – we had to cancel at short notice, due to the trainer’s ill health. There will be further dates, so please keep an eye on our Facebook page and website.

WARM HUB

POLICE SURGERY

The Warm Hub continues every Tuesday from We continue to be in the hands of the Police as we look to 10.30am to 1pm – all are welcome to have a cuppa and secure their availability to run some more surgeries and company. Pop along to the Pavilion! speed watches. Please keep an eye out on our Facebook page, website, and noticeboards for more information.

Following the uncontested election for the Parish Council there are two vacant seats. Should you wish to find out how you could get involved please contact us! clerk@meridenparishcouncil.org.uk

Annual Assembly Round Up! It was great to see so many of you at our Annual Parish Assembly. We counted over 50 of you who had the opportunity to feedback on the work we have done and tell us what you want to see us achieve as a community over the next four years.

It is always great to reflect back and take stock of just how much we have achieved. Some highlights below: Transferred the ownership of the Berkswell Road Memorial to the Parish Council and carried out remedial works.

Continued to push SMBC on the issue of the land transfer of the Sports Park to the Parish Council. We are pleased to report the ball is now rolling again with a Court date secured in July.

We have continued the Help Line which has taken over 1000 calls. With demand now significantly lower than during the pandemic, we will be stopping the line on the 1st June 2023.

The Meriden Neighbourhood Plan was passed in 2021 and is now used by the Parish Council and Solihull when responding to applications. This helps us to protect our heritage, whilst adapting to the future.

Feedback from the event has been strong, with people commenting on how nice it was that we could all be together following the removal of Covid restrictions, which had made the event difficult to organise in the last few years. The new Council will now take away ideas and formulate a new Business Plan for the next four years with early plans to host another event in the next 6 months.

And a fond farewell from your clerk, Barbara, as she retires from office………

I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of Meriden Parish Council, driving forward many successes with the Team. It has been a privilege and honour to serve my local community and represent Meriden in Borough wide initiatives. I am proud to have been part of Meriden Parish Council’s journey in achieving and being recognised as a model of good working practice by other parish & town councils and officers alike. There have been many challenges but even greater successes including the completion of the Neighbourhood Development Plan, Quarry Liaison Group, excellent partnership working with Solihull MBC officers, maintaining registration as your Qualified Clerk, and becoming a Principal Member of the Society of Local Council Clerks to name but a few! I could not have done it without the support of Meriden’s residents, business partners, officers, and a forward-thinking team who it has been my privilege to lead. I thank you all for your respect, kindness and empathy shown to me, when dealing with a variety of issues and concerns affecting us all. I leave the parish council in good hands with a new team who have the drive, energy and tenacity required for Meriden’s future successes. I will remain in the village and look forward to saying “hello” when out and about. THANK YOU!

Annual Report 2022 to 2023

The last year has seen some normality in all our lives. Although Covid hasn’t le us, we are learning to live with it.

As a Parish Council, we have achieved many things that were in our business plan. More of this later. We said farewell to Ma Nunn, who had been a councillor with us for several years. He supported us on transport issues that needed improvement for users of bus services. His sense of humour is missed!

Sadly, Cecil the resident goose went missing. He was popular for visitors, residents and children to visit and feed at the pool and his image raised funds for the school from the sale of calendars.

The Parish Council would like to thank NRS, Packington Estate and A & A Recycling who contributed again to the sponsorship of Meriden’s Christmas lights. Another ‘thank you’ is to those volunteers who supported the Helpline, Streetwatch, Speedwatch and li er picking. We are always looking for new volunteers.

The Alan Lole Tree of Thought charity con nued this year with PC support. The Parish Council will con nue to support this local Christmas event.

The Parish Council proac vely works with Quarry partners to alleviate and reduce the nuisance of HGVs through the parish. The post-Covid new quarry liaison group has met and it seems that there are some posi ve working rela onships developing.

Meriden has a “Warm Hub” on Tuesdays in the Pavilion which is well a ended and very successful. Anyone, of any age, can drop in for a chat and a cuppa between the hours of 10.30 am and 1pm.

Meriden‘s Helpline was very busy throughout Covid and its a ermath. We had over 1000 calls to us. Numbers have now dropped significantly and, as of June 1, it seems appropriate to close the Helpline. A big ‘thank you’ to all volunteers who answered calls, picked up prescrip ons, did shopping or provided a friendly ear.

We con nue to liaise with SMBC Highways on traffic calming measures. New cycle lanes have been a conten ous issue and alterna ve cycle lanes are being reviewed. Speed of traffic through Meriden con nues to be a concern and traffic calming to reduce speed has been trialled.

At the end of this 4 year democra c cycle in May, I am standing down, as is Councillor Jon Barber. A big ‘thank you’ to Jon for his commitment to the Parish Council and the parish. Many tasks John has undertaken have been behind the scenes e.g. every day for 3 years, transferring the phone line number to whoever was on call. There was never a mistake! Enjoy your free me Jon! We also as a parish need to say a big ‘thank you’ and ‘au revoir’ and ‘Happy Re rement’ to Barbara Bland, the parish clerk. She has worked relessly for the benefit of the parish over the last 11 years. We know you’re going to be around for other local things, but a big ‘thank you’ Barb. We also would like to welcome Hayli Jennings our new parish clerk, who brings her experience and knowledge to the Parish Council.

Rosie Weaver BEM

1

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Thursday 6 July – The Coventry Food Bank.

Thursday 3rd Aug – “Where Cultures Meet - Travel around SE Asia”. A talk by Ken Kelly.

Thursday 7th Sept – “The History of Stourbridge Glass”.

A talk by Kate Round

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Message from Saqib Bhatti MP I started the month of May in Parliament with a visit from His Majesty King Charles III. A week before the Coronation, I was certainly starting to feel the gravity of the historic moment that the country was about to experience. Although I had met His Majesty before, when I received my MBE in 2021, I was certainly feeling quite nervous this time. As His Majesty approached me and shook my hand, I was pleased to share the best wishes of all my constituents in Meriden and I wished him well for the upcoming Coronation. I am in awe of the majestic calmness with which he received my message considering the eyes of the world are constantly upon him.

Whilst King Charles took the reins immediately after the passing of her late Majesty, steadying the country through a period of mourning and loss, eight months later we are able to look back with fondness at her late Majesty’s reign and celebrate what is yet to come under the new monarch.

The Coronation itself is a time when we can celebrate the role that the monarchy plays in our society, a uniquely stabilising role through decades of political change, her late Majesty seeing 15 prime ministers during her reign. It also gives us time to recognise what brings us together. As I write this, we are seeing communities getting together to organise street parties, popping up the bunting, and joining families and friends for the unique and rare Coronation celebration. I write this ahead of, and in anticipation of attending the dozens of events across the Solihull borough and Meriden constituency. From family fun days and fetes, to raising a scone and a cuppa at a Coronation afternoon tea, it is safe to say that we will take full advantage of the summer sun to celebrate.

And it is this community spirit that will be on display for the rest of the world to see. Countries across the world will be tuning in, beaming across television sets and computer screens, full of intrigue and awe, to see our full national traditions and history on display. It would be remiss of me not to mention the Commonwealth of Nations celebrating the Coronation too. With ceremonies held in capitals across the Commonwealth, we will also see representatives of the Commonwealth nations stand shoulder to shoulder with those from Britain in the Abbey. It will be an opportunity for us to strengthen our bonds of friendship and co-operation with our fellow Commonwealth nations and to renew our commitment to the values that unite us.

The Coronation will be an opportunity to showcase the best of our country to the world. The pageantry and ceremony of the Coronation will be a testament to the rich history and culture of our nation, serving as a reminder of the important role that Britain continues to play on the world stage and the enduring legacy of our country's traditions and values.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many people who have been involved in preparing for the Coronation. From the officials at Buckingham Palace to the volunteers who will be helping to organise street parties and other celebrations across the country, countless individuals have worked tirelessly to make this event a success. It is their efforts that will ensure that the Coronation of the King is a momentous and unforgettable occasion, one that we will look back on with pride and fondness for many years to come.

As ever, my office remains open as usual and we are conducting surgery appointments, so do not hesitate to book a slot. My contact details are below:

saqib.bha @parliament.uk

The Orme School of Dancing Meriden Branch – Meriden Methodist Church Hall Principals Jennifer and Samantha Faulkner F.I.D.T.A B.A.Hons.

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ORME DANCE ADULT CLASSES Meriden Methodist Church Hall Beginners Tap – Mondays at 7:15pm Any age, shape or 2 left feet. Everyone is very welcome.

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Mellow Movers – Mondays at 8pm Classical ballet class full of beautiful movement and easy to access steps for all. Great for muscle strength and flexibility.

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All Meriden covered

Visit our web site, www.meridenrotary.org.uk for more information or contact Jane Maugham (Club Secretary) by telephoning / texting 07905 377515 or email her at mrcsecretary79@gmail.com.

With the promise of better weather on the way, the approach of Bank Holidays, Coronations (which do not happen that often) & long summer days to look forward to, everything is good for the soul.

Having mentioned the Coronation, I suspect for many it will be a first, for others a distant memory having viewed the last one on a nine-inch black & white TV (that’s 230mm or 23cm in new money).

The food collections are ongoing providing help to those most in need in these unprecedented times.

The club has enjoyed several very interesting after-dinner speakers recently; including the Battle of Britain, a trip of a lifetime, talk of travels around India, an armchair visit to the Western Front as well as charity speakers & Club members presenting Desert Island Discs, Tony Hill, and host Roger Swindells.

A very enjoyable fellowship evening was had on 11th April at Pavarotti’s Restaurant in Solihull. On 22nd May we held a Charity Golf Day at Maxstoke Park Golf Club with the proceeds funding the Kids Day Out programme in June.

13th June will be my President’s Evening at the Manor Hotel, with live music, raffles & superb food.

27th June will be the handover evening at The Manor Hotel & my year as President will end. It has passed very quickly, but I have enjoyed it immensely, mainly because of the support of the Club & its members.

Our new President will be Malcolm Leonard, who has many years of Rotary experience, so I know the Club will be in good hands. I wish Malcolm all the best for a very successful Forthcoming year.

News from the Village Hall Meriden Rotary do a lot of good work, but enjoy a lot of friendship & enjoyment along the way. Why not The Village Hall Management Commi ee is pleased to come along to one of our meetings and be part of a announce that the long – overdue refurbishment of the toilet great team? facili es can now go ahead. This is due to a very generous If you would like any information on forthcoming grant of £30,000 from the Land Fill Trust. events or being a Rotarian, contact Club Secretary Both Gents’ and ladies’ facili es will be stripped out totally Jane Maugham. and replaced with modern fixtures and fi ngs, and there will I wish you all a very enjoyable and hopefully, warm be a reconfigured cubicle for the disabled which will include summer. a baby-changing facility.

Phil Hughes. President 2022-2023 The work is scheduled to go ahead in August 2023 and although, inevitably, there will be some disrup on, regular users of the Hall can be assured that reduced toilet facili es will be maintained in order that their bookings can go ahead as usual.

Naturally the Commi ee Members are “flushed” with delight that this project can now go ahead and in this Corona on Year it seems par cularly fi ng that the Village Hall will mark the event with new Thrones!

QUEEN’S HEAD A friendly, traditional, local pub offering a full range of traditional ales, beers and lagers as well as wines, spirits and soft drinks.

Pub lunches are served Mondays to Saturdays from 12 noon till 2.30pm.

Great value daily specials.

Come along and enjoy Good Beer, Good Food, Good Company and a Great Atmosphere.

Chris Copper (Secretary) Meriden Village Hall management Commi ee UPDATE ON SUSAN POINTON (NEE MALIN) DECEASED Heart of England Social Club, Meriden officially opened the refurbished function room on April 29th 2023 and named it the Pointon Suite with a plaque in memory of Susan for all the work she did for the club over many years.

! "

Sue will always be in our hearts and sadly missed But remembered by us all.

Heart of England Social Club BERKSWELL ROAD MERIDEN CV7 7LB. Call Steve on 01676 522430 Club & grouplike meeting rooms are available here We would to thank most sincerelyweekdays/evenings Pertemps Meriden Ltd at Heart of England Social Club. for their generous sponsorship off our Motor Neurone We have Fundraising multiple rooms available fortook any size group up to 100 Charity Night which place on Friday 11th capacity.

February. Details of the night will be put in next edition of Food & refreshments also available on request. For more the Mag. information, please contact Steve on 01676 522430 for details.

UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday 8th June 'Country Music Night' with live music & Bingo each Friday night, first game starts 8.00pm food. 7.30pm tickets £5 including food. th March St Patricks Karaoke night, free entry

Friday 18 th Saturday 24 June 'Meriden Pride' event with live music & in the bar. entertainment. th FridayJune 25th30 March, Research Charity Night & Friday ‘JohnCancer Holt Tribute ' 7.30pm th Fish & Chip Supper.

Thursday 13 July 'Country Music Night' with live music £5.00Easter including 7.30pm Sundaytickets 17th April, Eggfood.

Hunt & Family th Thursday 20 July 'Curry & Quiz Night' 7.30pm Tickets £5.00 Entertainment. th including SaturdayCurry.

14 May, Big Screen Horse Racing Night & th

Friday 28 July ' Seasonal Flower School’ (all materials Other entertainment £2.00 supplied) Take your display home. 6.30-8.30pm Room Hire: Bookthyour special event, party or meeting in our Saturday 5 August 'Drag Artist' 7.30pm.

Room Dressing and catering available for your Party or Function. Contact Steve

function room. We offer *Room Dressing* Catering* and Entertainment * Call our friendly forFOR details or toPARTIESview ROOM HIRE BOOKINGS NOW BEINGstaff TAKEN PRIVATE CALL STEVE FOR MORE INFOof ONEngland 01676 522430 *Follow us on Facebook – Heart Social Club*

Lovely safe outside space

Trees and Wildlife of Meriden and Millison’s Wood Blue Tits, Milk Bottle Tops and Poetry!

I’ve been watching the birds flitting about my garden and this time decided to focus on the colourful and acrobatic little bird which has been given names including, tomtit, bluebonnet and blue ox-eye, but is known today as the blue tit!

Blue tit- Photograph by Rich Copland

The blue tits’ preferred habitat is broad-leaved woodlands where there are plenty of tree holes for nesting, small insects and caterpillars to eat.

But they are highly adaptive birds and will move into farmland, parks and gardens, where they will happily use hanging feeders to feast on sunflower seeds, peanuts and fatty snacks, maybe also making use of nest boxes. Blue tits mate for life and in March /April the female will take charge of nest building, using moss, wool, hair and tiny feathers to create a soft cup for their eggs. Baby blue tits are very demanding, they need to eat around 100 caterpillars a day and the adult birds have to work very hard to feed their large brood of around 8 to 10! They also remove faecal sacs, keeping the nest clean and making it less obvious to potential nest raiders such as squirrels, weasels and magpies.

Starvation is a real risk for new fledglings (and all blue tits during winter), so well stocked bird feeders can be their salvation, although

being tempted into gardens does expose them to other predators, domestic cats and sparrow hawks, that are sometimes seen catching prey from the flocks of small birds attracted to feeders. It is a hazardous life for bluetits: only 37% survive their first year and the average life span is just 3 years, although one bird (monitored through bird ringing)

is known to have reached an impressive 10 years!

Blue tits are present all year round and rarely move far from their place of birth, so those you see in your garden were probably born nearby. In autumn blue tits join large mixed flocks, including great tits, coal tits, willow tits and long tail tits. In these large groups there are more eyes to spot both sources of food and predators, particularly important when leaves are falling and there is less cover, so everyone wins!

Whatever the season, watching blue tits flitting around my garden is always a delight; their boldness and agility makes them wonderful little acrobats and highly entertaining to watch. When I was researching information for this article, I came across a quote from a poem which described them so evocatively that I wanted to share it, and have reproduced it below.

Readers, younger than me, may be wondering where milk bottle tops come Extract from The Kitten and the Leaves into this; it’s a story that demonstrates the remarkable adaptability of blue

by William Wordsworth tits. For much of the 20th century daily doorstep milk delivery, initially in open top bottles, was the norm so birds had easy access to the fat rich cream Where is he that giddy Sprite, that floated to the top of the milk. As birds can’t digest lactose (milk will Blue-cap, with his colours bright, give them diarrhoea) but the cream has little lactose in it and is full of Who was blest as bird could be, energy. Blue tits and robins learnt to siphon up the cream and their Feeding in the apple-tree; digestive systems evolved to cope with the new fat rich food, a great Made such wanton spoil and rout, Turning blossoms inside out; example of Darwinian selection in action! After the First World War Hung-head pointing towards the ground aluminium foil bottle tops were introduced. By the 1950s all the blue tits in Fluttered, perched, into a round the UK had learnt to pierce the bottle tops to reach the cream, but not the Bound himself, and then unbound; robins! A robin or two may have worked it out, but as a territorial species Lithest, gaudiest Harlequin! they only associated with their mates and did not pass on that learning more Prettiest Tumbler ever seen! widely. On the other hand, the sociable bluetits copy each other, even Light of heart and light of limb… learning to avoid the bottles with coloured tops which indicated skimmed milk. What clever little birds!

If you’re interested in our trees, local wildlife and conservation in general, it would be great to hear from you. Collaborators very welcome! Many thanks to Rich Copland for his beautiful photograph.

Sarah Sharland meridentreewardens@gmail.com

Meriden and Millisons Wood Trees

John Beaty 14th November 1961- 28th March 2023 We said our goodbyes to John on Tuesday 28th March. We all miss him terribly but are pleased he has found peace a er his long ba le with cancer. John and his family have been part of this Village for many decades and a huge part of our farming community, known to so many.

We wanted to create a fi ng memorial and tribute to a man we all loved, who was an inspira on to us all. John loved poetry, literature and educa on and was virtually impossible to beat at Scrabble! We all have fond memories of him teaching us things or explaining how things worked, and we wanted to find a way to create a las ng legacy that was aligned with his passion for educa on. So, we’ve decided to build a school in his name – so that genera ons of underprivileged children can receive the gi of educa on and build be er lives. We think it’s a fi ng tribute that John would have appreciated very much.

We’re going to build the School with the Magic Future Founda on, established by some local friends of ours to build schools, following the death of their son. Their schools are built in the poorest countries in the world. They use a reliable and predictable model that ensures 100% of all money donated goes to building the school and that the school is staffed and maintained for genera ons to come. We chose their charity because it’s fi ng for John, it’s local, it’s personal and it’s reliable.

Not only will we, and you, be able to see where the money we raise together goes - but we’re going out as a family to Malawi to build the school together – so you’ll be able to stay very connected to John’s school through our updates and pictures.

We need to raise £35,000 to build John’s school. Many of you have already donated, but if anyone would like to donate, please email; jfisher.atma@gmail.com for the link to the Just Giving page.

If you would like to donate, but don't use the internet, donations can be dropped into the Dairy Farm.

Thank you from all of us for your generosity and support.

Love Nicky, Emily, Will and Ethan

Marguerite Spring - 1939 to 2023 Marguerite was a resident of Meriden for some 45 years, having moved to the village with her husband John, and their 2 daughters, Louisa and Amanda, in the 1970s. Her original profession was teaching, however this was to be cut short when, at the end of her first term, she was diagnosed with polio. Although her illness le her with some physical limita ons, she more than made up for these with her courage, and when necessary, sheer grit and determina on.

Those who knew her remember how kind and posi ve she was, and how she demonstrated such great tenacity in overcoming the difficul es that life threw at her.

Marguerite lived life to the full in every way. Having given up teaching she went on to run her own business, AB Fletchers in Birmingham. She was an avid traveller, visi ng Baghdad, and working in Libya in the 1960s. Later in life, she and John would visit their daughter in the U.S. for an extended trip every year, and during the summer months, would drive across Europe to visit their other daughter in Hungary.

Marguerite had many friends in the village, in her younger years taking an ac ve part in village life and enjoying such ac vi es as the Charity Dog Show, which she organised in the 1990s behind the Queen’s Head.

Although Marguerite had suffered from poor health in the last year of her life, she was, as was typical of her, not content to go without one last adventure. At the age of 83, she set off to California and it was there, with her daughter Louisa, her son in law Bill, and her granddaughter Marguerite-Jane, that she said her final goodbye. She was kind and courageous, and is very much missed.

The family would like to thank Marguerite’s friends in the village who were such a wonderful help and support to her, par cularly in her final years.

ST. LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS Priest in Charge: Church Wardens:

Rev Kevin Flanagan Jonathan Douglas 01676 522455 Carol Clarke 07500 700679 churchwarden.meriden@gmail.com https://stlaurencemeriden.wordpress.com Church Website: Find us on Facebook: St Laurence Church Meriden

Summer Service Details Date 4th Jun 11th Jun 18th Jun 25th Jun 2nd Jul 9th Jul 16th Jul 23rd Jul 30th Jul 6th Aug 13th Aug

20th Aug 27th Aug

Service Holy Communion Joint Service at Methodist Church Holy Communion Fathers’ Day Joint Service Holy Communion Joint Service at Methodist Church Holy Communion Joint Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Joint Service at Meriden Methodist Church Holy Communion Morning Prayer

All services are at 10:30 am and at St. Laurence unless stated otherwise.

Please check the web site.

It’s a real pleasure to have finally moved into Meriden and to be settling in. I must say that people here have made us feel very welcome, and I’m looking forward to really get to know the village and the community here. My dog Bobby has especially settled in quickly. All these great walks and new smells, he seems to think he’s on holiday!

My licensing service at St Laurence was definitely one to remember. St Laurence is a beautiful church and, being on top of a hill, commands great views all around. However, that day the snow really came down, and made the roads up the hill ‘very interesting’! At one point I thought there would only be three or four of us there, but I was blown away by the number who struggled through that terrible weather to get there. In the end, if my counting was correct, at least a hundred people had made it to the service. So I’d really like to thank all of you who were there that evening. You have no idea how much it was appreciated.

Talking of St Laurence being a beautiful church with great views throughout the weekend, we see many people visit the church yard, some to pay their respects to family and friends buried there, some to take the dog for a stroll and others simply enjoying a walk.

I fully appreciate that people often would like to visit the church, but sometimes are a bit nervous about attending a service. (Although we are very friendly, and the coffee and cake afterwards are usually excellent!!!! – Sorry, I’m getting distracted at the thought of cake!).

Back to my point, from May, the church will be open between two o’clock and four o’clock every Sunday afternoon until October. If you wish to come in and just see the church you will be very welcome. If you want some space where you can quietly reflect and pray, then please be our guest, or even if you just want to escape from a sudden unexpected downpour. Coffee and tea will always be available free of charge if you wish.

If you see me around the village, please say ‘hello’ and introduce yourself. As I said earlier, I’m really looking forward to getting to know people.

God Bless Kevin

For any enquiries about Baptisms and Weddings, or pastoral needs, please contact the church warden: Carol Clarke on 07500 700679 churchwarden.meriden@gmail.com

Who’s Who’shiding hiding round roundthe thecorner? corner?

Thesetwo two new-born new-born calves calves were a little These little underweight underweight atbirth, birth, so so Charlie Charlie drew drew two litres of at of milk milk from from their their mother and and bottle bottle fed them. mother them.

This gave gave them them aa good good start and they This they were were soon soon happily suckling off their mother. happily suckling mother.

Nature & History on a lovely short local walk A Walk Around Meriden Shafts In addition to open landscapes and woodland, there is intriguing Second World War history to be discovered on this route. Some sections get muddy, so waterproof boots are recommended. Dogs need to be on leads, as sheep are kept in several fields. Start by the Severn Trent water treatment works on Showell Lane and head north-east along the wide bridleway. From high in the sky on the right of the boundary hedge listen out for the liquid warbling song of skylarks. I was lucky last summer and got a photo of one perched on a fence post. As the path starts to descend and you pass the belt of woodland on the left, there is usually a tree creeper or nuthatch inspecting tree trunks for insect food.

Where the path divides, take the right fork. There is now a gradual climb before the route drops downhill again. Ravens visit this area, but are extremely shy birds. A loud nasal “Kronk!” will alert you if they are around. Their nest site is several miles away at the top of an ancient pine tree. At the bottom of the slope, turn sharp right following the bridleway. (There is a footpath which goes straight ahead, but this misses the best feature on the walk.) The bridleway then takes a turn to the left, followed by quite a stiff incline with dense boundary hedges.

On the right hand side, look out for a single storey grey concrete building. This is the control bunker for a Second World War bombing decoy site. It was built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from Birmingham. It also later served as a civil decoy for Coventry. The site functioned as both a 'QF' and 'QL' decoy. The 'QF' decoy consisted of a series of controlled fires lit during an air raid to replicate a target struck by bombs. The 'QL' decoy displayed simulated factory lighting and tram flashes to replicate the outer east area of Birmingham. It was in use between 1941 and 1943. By theKestrel 1960s the site had returned to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive except for this concrete bunker.

Ravens Nuthatch

Skylark

Now carry on downhill to join Harvest Hill Lane.

An overgrown farm pond by the junction is an ideal spot to watch dragonflies hunting above the water for smaller insect prey. Turn left along the lane and carry on for 10 minutes or so, until you reach Ivy House Farm on the right. Pause here for a while, as there may be a few swallows swooping after flies attracted by the horses Swallow

Dragonfly

Control Bunker

T Ta y Owl

Walk - continued

Editor’s Note: - Many thanks to Rich Copland for another lovely walk and photos.

Opposite the farmhouse, the public footpath is easy to pick up again. After three fields of easy walking over grassland you will reach the woodland known as Meriden Shafts. The name goes way back in time.

In the 13th century local villagers created farmland out of virgin territory and held it freehold, so did not have to pay tax for keeping their pigs in what was then recorded as “the Shafts”. In 1532, Elizabeth Botiler inherited 120 acres of woodland, “much of it in the Shafts”.

Turn left onto the sunken bridleway, looking out for the nearby entrance into the wood on the right. The winding woodland footpath proceeds beside a plantation of tall larch trees that attract tiny acrobatic goldcrests, the smallest European bird. They have a very high pitched call, like a squeaky hinge that needs oiling. After crossing a low lying marshy patch the route emerges into rough grassland, previously used by the Pony Club. Buzzards can often be seen soaring above, on the lookout for young rabbits. I have seen one red kite here and hopefully they will soon become as well established as our local buzzards. Continue diagonally to the far corner of the grassland where the track takes you back to the Showell Lane starting point.

Rich Copland

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News highlights from Heart of England School

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Darts competitor Hannah has winning on her mind as she competes for a place in the Euro and World Championships.

Year 11 student Hannah Meek has been selected to play for England in the forthcoming Euro and World Championship competitions. She was one of two top winning girls to get a place on the team.

As a member of the England team for the 2023 British Internationals, Hannah will play in venues up and

Hannah with some of the other players

down the country as well as in other countries including Austria and Denmark. The team is made up of

women, men, girls and boys all playing in their own classes, competing for prestige and cash prizes. +DQQDK·V LQWHUHVW LQ GDUWV ZDV ÀUHG XS during lockdown and encouraged by her dad, a former darts player himself.

“We’ve got a dartboard, I’ll give it a go,” Hannah thought and with that she ZDV DEOH WR HQWHU KHU ÀUVW -XQLRU 'DUWV &RUSRUDWLRQ -'& FRPSHWLWLRQ IRU 10-18 year olds after the lockdowns ended. Hannah’s brother also plays so it looks to be something that runs in the family. “My dad is very proud of me and my brother is doing really well so I’m following in his footsteps.”

The junior competitions and Grand Prix are initially played mixed with boys and girls competing together. Hannah ZDV WKH ÀUVW JLUO WR PDNH WKH -'& ÀQDO and then into the girls’ team which plays separately from the boys. After this there are slight differences in the

format between boys and girls. This can also result in differences in prize money. “It’s a bit devastating as we all pay the same entry fees,” said Hannah.

The next stop for Hannah is playing in Skegness in April and onwards to 9LHQQD $XVWULD LQ -XO\ DQG WR (VEMHUJ in Denmark in September.

Whilst currently concentrating on playing well and progressing in the Euros, World Championships and tours, Hannah says that she wants to Hannah after the match take up the sport professionally. “My aim is to play at the Alexandra Palace as a professional, to be as great as the legendary Eric Bristow.”

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We’ve seen a full-blown return to school trips this academic year and students have been enthusiastic about taking part...

There have been several trips to the theatre including one to the Globe in London to see The Tempest and another to see Noughts and Crosses at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.

Other trips have seen students out and about doing coursework for geography and history and groups of litter pickers.

GCSE Geography Field Trip to Carding Mill Valley

Trips are an essential part of school life, helping to deepen the study experience for students.

The Tempest at The Globe Theatre, London

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Mondays – St. Peters Church Hall, Balsall Common 09:15 am Retro Dance Fit 10:05 am Gentle Pilates and Stretch 11:15 am Pilates for Beginners Mondays – Heart of England School Dance Studio 6:00 pm Retro Dance Fit 7:00 pm Pilates Wednesdays – Reading Rooms, Berkswell 09:30 am and 10:30 am Pilates 11:30 am Young at Heart – for the over 70s Visit the website www.positivefitnessuk.co.uk

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Minister Rev. Jane Braund Tel: 01676 533737 Please phone to arrange marriages, baptisms and funerals Services: Sunday 10:30am.

In Meriden

Greetings from the Methodist Church

Over the last few days, I have attended various meetings where the central theme has been the environment and climate change. Within Methodism as a whole, we are being encouraged to become eco churches and to think of the footprint we are leaving on the earth. All these things are, of course, of great importance and we know that councils and others are trying to make us more aware of the benefits of re-cycling and doing all we can to help the environment.

A book I have recently read called ‘Resound Worship’ speaks of it in this way. The relationship between earth and the people has been broken. When God created the world, he declared it to be good, but as sin entered in, so we saw the breakdown of relationship, and the world that we were told by God to care for and steward has instead been plundered and ransacked by us. We rob the earth of its resources and pour pollution into our atmosphere and waterways. Most important of all perhaps, we ignore the plight of our global neighbours and the suffering they face due to climate change.

As we see all the brokenness around us, we can ask God, where are you in all this? But God sent his son Jesus to restore the relationship – firstly between God and humanity, but also between humanity and all creation. We remember at Easter how Jesus died on a cross, but he came to redeem the whole of creation – not just humanity - and he invites us to work with him to see his peace and restoration come.

Jesus’ peace comes from his presence and his peace brings wholeness, justice and goodness. Our relationship with God can be restored through Jesus, but so can our relationship with creation. We can honour God by living lightly on the earth, loving our neighbours – wherever they are – and by caring for his creation.

If you would like to hear more about Creator God, then please come and join us on the second, third and fifth Sunday of each month at 10.30am or at St Laurence on the fourth Sunday at 10.30am. On the first Sunday of each month, we have a more informal café service at 4.00pm.

We look forward to meeting you, Jane BALSALL COMMON MEMORIES CAFÉ Sessions are run by a group of volunteers, for people with Dementia accompanied by a 'Carer', (family member, friend, or neighbour) and aim to provide the opportunity to socialise whilst enjoying an activity, entertainment or just a drink and a chat.

There is no charge for any of the sessions.

The Coffee and Chat sessions take place on the first Thursday of the month - between 11.00 and 12.30 in Balsall Common Library, Kenilworth Road CV7 7EL. Recently, we have started to use a selection of books to stimulate conversation by triggering memorable events, items, and places. Thank you, Amanda, for assisting with this.

The Memories Cafe meets every second Wednesday of each month from 1.15 -3.30 in Balsall Common Village Hall, Station Road CV7 7FF. These are the sessions with a programme of activities or entertainment and enjoyed with refreshments. Our recent activities have included Singing for the Brain, Circle Dance and Bulb Planting.

Coffee and Chat - Balsall Common Library 11.00-12.30 pm Thursday 1st June Thursday 6th July Thursday 3rd August Memories Cafe - Balsall Common Village Hall 1.15-3.30pm Wednesday 14th June - Allotment Foxes Wednesday 12th July - Suncatchers & Singalong with Pianist Wednesday 9th August - Lunch at Haig’s Hotel Do share our information with friends and family who might like to join us at any of our sessions. Any suggestions for activities or entertainers are always welcome too, as are offers of help or

ideas for fundraising.

Contact Christine 07974 140353 if you would like to get involved or need more information.

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Balsall Common Writers Welcomes new members and invites you to join us.

We hold evening sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Balsall Common.

Please contact info.bcwriters@gmail.com

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Telephone Paul on 07889 789110 or 01676 521661

BREATHE EASY COVENTRY We are holding monthly meetings 2nd Friday of every month 2.00pm – 4.00pm Central Hall, Methodist Church, Warwick Lane Coventry CV1 2HA Committee members will wear blue identity badges for easy identification Phone Janet (Chair) on 024 7646 0081 to see if we can be of any help. “Keep well”

“Just cleared out some space in the freezer” sounds so much more productive than “I just polished off another pint of ice cream.”

SUPPORT IN SOURCING GOOD QUALITY CARE AT THE RIGHT TIME. IS THERE REALLY SUCH A SERVICE OUT THERE? Yes, there is, and good news, it’s local to you too.

Senior Care Support Services offer an empathetic and tailored approach to your individual needs, holding your hand throughout the whole process. As a local senior care specialist, with many years’ experience working with older, frail, adults, my knowledge of local care homes and domiciliary care agencies can be invaluable when finding the right care home, or domiciliary care in the home for you or a loved one. Just having somebody there who understands how the care system can work for you or a family member can be invaluable, whilst also cutting the number of hours you spend speaking with the wrong people.

Why not have an initial, confidential, chat to see whether I can be of help to you, and take a look at my website for further information. www.seniorcaresupport.co.uk. information.

Tel. Geraldine Davies on: 01564 743067 www.seniorcaresupport.co.uk or email at: Tel. Geraldine Davies on info@seniorcaresupport.co.uk 01564 743067 or email info@seniorcaresupport.co.uk

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Grass Cutting Hedge Cutting Pruning Strimming Weed Control – Pesticide Licensed Leaves Cleared No Job Too Small Competitive Prices

Call Martin for a Free Quote 07922 241 181 Larch Tree Osteopathic Practice We offer a gentle and effective method of pain relief, suitable for adults and children. Can help many conditions, including joint pain, arthritis, sciatica and sports injuries.

Liam Halton B.Sc. (Hons) Ost, 49 Larch Tree Ave. Tile Hill, COVENTRY CV4 9FT

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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.

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TEL: 01676 522466 (Meriden) Berkswell Windmill Volunteers Wanted - mainly tour guides but we also need help with the refreshments Full training given.

If interested, please contact Jeanette McGarry on jeanettemcgarry29@gmail.com

TEL: 024 7647 0019

Indi Sangha Window Cleaning and Jet Washing Services Serving Meriden and Millison’s Wood area for over 20 years Call 07949 227402 Berkswell & District History Group Wed 28th June - Coventry in the First World War. A presentation by David Fry. Wed 23rd Aug - Merry England’s Folklore Calendar. A presentation by Richard Churchley.

Meetings are held in the Village Hall, Station Rd, Balsall Common at 2 p.m. Entry is £5 for nonmembers and free to members. Why not join the History Group? Membership is only £20 per annum and you can join at any meeting. Have a look at our web site. www.berkswell-history.org We look forward to seeing you!

Herbs A continuous medley of aromatic, fresh herbs are easy to grow and harvest, adding vibrant flavours and texture to any meal.

All the commonly used culinary herbs can easily be grown in traditional herb or vegetable gardens, raised beds, containers or pots on the kitchen windowsill.

These include; Popular annuals: basil, coriander and dill Biennials: caraway, chervil and parsley Perennials: borage, chives, fennel, marjoram, mint, sage, tarragon and bay How to raise herbs Starting off: Sow seed of herbs such as basil, chives and parsley under glass with or without heat from January to early April. Additionally, as soil conditions allow, you can sow seed of chervil, coriander and dill, directly into the soil outdoors from March onwards.

Cuttings of some herbs such as bay, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme can be taken from late summer to early autumn.

Divide hardy herbs such as sweet marjoram, oregano, mint and thyme in spring or after flowering in late summer.

Mint

Basil

Mint is used to flavour new potatoes; mint tea can be made by pouring boiling water over a handful of mint leaves and leave to infuse.

It is advisable to grow mint in a large bucket or container, sunk into the ground because it can be invasive.

Basil is a flavoursome herb often used in Italian recipes, especially with tomatoes.

Mint and apple jelly 3kg green apples Juice of 4 lemons Water Sugar Bunch of fresh young mint Method: Wash and cut the fruit roughly, place in a pan with lemon juice and a few sprigs of mint. Cover with water, simmer to a soft pulp. Strain through a jelly bag. Place liquid in a pan, bring to the boil. Add 500g sugar to each 600ml liquid.

Stir until it is dissolved. Boil rapidly for 5 minutes. Place the bunch of mint in the jelly. Boil until setting point is reached. Remove mint. Pour quickly into small jars. Cover and label.

Make your own bouquet garni Tie a bunch of bay, thyme and rosemary and put in casserole or slow cooker to flavour meat of chicken. Remove bunch before serving.

Mozzarella Cheese, tomatoes and basil This is a favourite summer starter.

Mozzarella cheese cut into circles Large tomatoes cut into slices Basil leaves Olive oil Method: Arrange the tomatoes and mozzarella on a plate. Place basil leaves on top and sprinkle over the olive oil.

Coriander The leaves are frequently used in curries and the seeds can be saved to be ground into powder to use in curries as well.

Many thanks to Margaret Argyle for this page

Meriden Flower Club We are a friendly club and welcome new members and visitors. The club meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at Meriden Village Hall, Main Road, Meriden CV7 7NG and hosts a wide range of both local and national demonstrators.

Doors open at 6.30pm for refreshments demonstrations commence at 7.30pm Our forthcoming demonstrations: June - No meeting 17th July: Practice Class with Margaret Rumens 21st August: Members evening with supper New members and visitors - entry fees payable on the door.

For club enquiries email: meridenflowerclub@hotmail.com

Meriden’s Own Calendar

Left-right - Lorena Dyer, Hilary Neary, Andrea Tobin, Maryan Hermitage, Ellie Atkinson, Gail Todd, Mary Warr and Jackie Staveley

‘Spring Fling’

Following the success of the 2022 calendar It has been decided to produce one for 2024 Please submit your photographs to Meriden News and Views Facebook page by the end of each relevant month, where the pages will be voted on.

Please note photographs need to be in landscape format as below

For more information, please contact Mark Thompson 07538324631

On Saturday 22nd April Meriden Floral Society held their Spring Fling event. The event was a sell out and was a great success. Those attended were treated to a fantastic afternoon with a buffet lunch, followed by several floral demonstrations by members of the committee. One arrangement was created in honour of St. Georges day and the club even had a visit from St. George himself!

Those lucky enough to win a raffle prize took home some beautiful floral and spring arrangements.

Pink Flamingos by Julie Hyde Let’s have a little fun with cling film and watercolours. You will need watercolour paper and paints and a couple of pieces of cling film.

1. Lightly draw the flamingo heads and necks.

2. Get two pieces of Cling Film or soft plastic ready, making sure that they fit the bird’s body. Mix puddles of: Light Blue Darker Blue Orangey Red Crimson With a mop brush, wet all the paper with clean water so it stays glossy wet. Add patches of the various colours, adding more of the reds down the neck and into the body. While this is still wet, drop the cling film onto the body, encouraging it to crease in the direction of the feathers. LET IT DRY. 3. Head and neck. Using small puddles of: Orangey Red Crimson Alizarin Crimson + Ultramarine Blue (strong dark red/purple) With a small brush, carefully dampen the face and neck with clean water and then tickle in the Orangey Red, leaving the front edge light and, while this is still wet, add a little Alizarin Crimson and the reddish purple to the shadowy areas. You may want to put cling film back on the bottom of the neck. Add a little weak red to the bill.

Repeat on the second bird. LET IT DRY. 4. Bill and details. On to dry paper, add the eye with a little: Yellow Add the bill and the iris in the eye on to dry paper with: Ultramarine Blue + a touch of Burnt Umber (or Indigo) Add a hint of the legs with a weak: Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson 5. Flick on a little of the reds around the body.

Art Classes for all!

Watercolour painting classes with Julie Hyde are held in Meriden Village Hall on Wednesday mornings and afternoons. Also Zoom classes are available on Thursday mornings.

For more information email:artyjulie39@gmail.com or phone 01676 523357

Hosting a ‘route tour’ and running a STEM workshop for the 2nd Balsall Common Scout group in April We were excited to welcome them to our Park Lane site, where they were given a thorough safety induction and a virtual route tour using helicopter footage, then introduced to some of our young employees working on the project. The route tour began at the new village Hall in Burton Green, then visited Cromwell Lane where they saw the piling works and the Burton Green Tunnel south entrance and continued via the Kenilworth Greenway to Waste Lane. They finished the tour by investigating some of the environmental measures put in place to protect wildlife, such as newt and amphibian fencing, bird scarers and attenuation ponds. To round off the trip, BBV Skills, Employment and Education (SEE) colleagues then ran an interactive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) session. This encouraged the scouts to build structures with Meccano and perform problem solving activities, and we hope that it inspired some of engineers of the future!

Hosting a Balsall Common Viaduct Feedback event HS2 and BBV held a feedback event in Feb to showcase how we have incorporated community feedback in our latest plans for the Balsall Common Viaduct. Over 250 people came

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Dates for Hoisting the Flag on Meriden Green: 17th June – Official Birthday of His Majesty the King 21st June - Birthday of the Prince of Wales 24th June – Armed Forced Day 17th July – Birthday of Queen Camila 15th August – Birthday of the Princess Royal

to view the plans and ask questions. Our plans focus on environmental sustainability, landscape integration, visual connectivity, and public access. We will soon be inviting residents of Meriden to see how we have incorporated their feedback into the designs of the River Blythe Viaduct.

You are invited We are holding drop-in sessions on Jun 22nd, Jul 27th and Aug 24th, from 2-4pm, in Balsall Common Library, where a member of your local Community Engagement team will be on hand to meet you and answer any questions. Scan the QR code to find out more. You do not need to arrange an appointment. We look forward to seeing you there

Visualisation of completed Balsall Common Viaduct

Open 9-5 Monday to Saturday, Sunday 10-4 Bennetts Road North, Corley CV7 8BG

07904 239 365

Telephone 01676 540178

MERIDEN AGUAFLAME UK

FREE energy advice and home energy MOTs (for ‘off gas’ properties)

Are you concerned about the cost of heating your home? We may be able to help.

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 523192 home 07970 119142 mobile email :aguaflameuk@gmail.com Terry Griffiths

Solihull Council has received funding through the Home Upgrade Grant to support properties who do not use gas as their primary source of heating. We are working with our partners Act On Energy, a registered charity, to support this scheme.

Two events are being held at Meriden Pavilion for residents to attend, to talk through the new funding or gain some energy advice. These events are: Tuesday 5th June 2023 1.30pm-3.30pm Tuesday 20th June 5pm-7pm For the funding, your home may be eligible if you are not using mains gas for heating. If you are a homeowner and your property meets the criteria needed, this would be a fully funded scheme without requiring private match funding. Private rented and social rented homes are funded differently; however, they may still be included.

We can discuss options with your landlord, who can call Act on Energy to discuss further. Only properties that have an Energy Performance Certificate Rating (EPC) of D-G are eligible. If you don’t know your EPC rating, we can check this. If your property doesn’t have an Energy Performance Certificate, we can carry out a free assessment for you.

More information will be available closer to the dates.

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Price depends on car size but starts from £10 for wash and leather dry, or £20 for inside and out, including full vacuum, windows and dashboard.

Please note that we only accept Cash

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Servicing Diagnostics Repairs All work undertaken No job too small Modern Vehicles to Classics Fully mobile

Call Alex on 07542 733152 Quote ‘Meriden Mag’ for 10% labour discount

Please be aware that the entrance from Shepherds Lane is closed. This means that motorists from Meriden need to drive to the Stonebridge Island and U-turn back towards Meriden to access us from the A45.

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J B Decorators and Property Services

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

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Lavender Hall Lane Berkswell CV7 7BN 01676 530 299 / 07949 119 436 Cafe open to the public from 8.30am – 1.30pm 7 days a week Serving hot and cold food Specialising in an all-day Breakfast

We look forward to serving you, come and visit us soon.

Gates open at 7.30am close at dusk

CAMEO – Come and Meet Each Other CAMEO meets at the Village Hall, usually on the 4th Friday of each month at 2 – 4 pm Please contact Joan Tel: 01676 522666 for more information. Everyone will be made very welcome.

Here’s what we’ve been up to.

In March, we went for a meal at the Cottage in Fillongley. As usual, the food was very good and the staff pleased to see us. We have been going to The Cottage for a while now and the staff know us. We were all having such a good time nobody remembered to take any photographs. Whoops !!!!!.

In April, we celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III. Our theme was his love of plants. So we had a demonstration of what to plant in a pot or hanging basket. Who would have thought we would be doing this so soon after the Platinum Jubilee of our dear Queen? God Save the King!

In May, the fire service came to give us a talk on fire safety. As usual, when we have a talk from any of the emergency services, we always learn something. We must take our safety seriously and do whatever is advised. The fire service is such a vital service to us all but we hope we never need to use them.

Summer Meetings are planned as follows: June 23th - Our outing this year is to Planters Garden Centre. A mini bus will be used for this visit.

July 28th - We will be having our usual strawberries and cream as well as our favourite poems or readings.

Aug 25th - We plan to have an outdoor meeting at the Pavilion and will be serving scones with jam and cream and cakes. If the weather is not good, we shall be inside.

News from HS2 Action Group Three months ago, opinions on HS2 planning applications were getting heated. Now, the applications are still in the works, and one has to sympathise with the Planning Officers, wrestling to square the ‘fait accompli’ attitude of HS2 Ltd. with the demand from Parliament for "a truly consultative approach. with an element of dialogue and choice, not a one-way information flow".

The Q.C. representing the Department for Transport had promised "the community will be engaged in the emerging designs, before those designs have actually been locked down". Well, we are where we are: no options have been offered, so it's pointless trying to discern public preferences. It turns out that, whilst a lot more architectural thought went into the viaduct in the Colne Valley than those round here, Hillingdon Council objected to the "value engineering" of the original architect's concept. However, the Planning Inspectorate ruled against them with the words: "the submission design would be a landmark structure which achieves a high degree of elegance and sophistication". So the design being constructed in London meets all the function and value requirements of HS2 Ltd. and has been approved by the ultimate Planning authority. That design is an option that could, and should, have been offered as an alternative to the hideous overbearing concrete proposals deemed suitable for the Midlands.

Our problem is symptomatic of the way the project has been run from the start. Whether by choice or necessity, HS2 Ltd. seems to have sub-contracted everything. Everything. The lack of continuity and responsibility is evident in their inability to deliver key features of the project, the cost and schedule over-runs, the broken promises, the lack of supervision and coordination, and the broken complaints system. We lost the link to the Channel Tunnel. We lost the link to Heathrow. We lost the link to the East Midlands. We're even losing the link to Euston.

What of the legal agreement with Solihull to minimise the loss of trees? Their contractors were paid to fell the lot, and paid again when they sent the wood for chipping. What of the limit of 24 truck movements a day per site? They pretend all the others are going to other sites. What of the Ofcom guidance on blockage of TV and phone signals? Apparently, a 15 metre high viaduct won't block anything. How about a viaduct with neat piers and transparent noise barriers? We don't live in London, so hard luck!

And when the trains start running in ten years’ time, where are the passengers? Sorry, the guilty have emigrated/ gone to the Lords/ died/ have no recollection (or any combination of those) . . . .

Richard Lloyd – Chairman H of E High Speed Railway Action Group

Messages Messagesfrom fromour ourSolihull SolihullDistrict DistrictCouncillors Councillors Your ward councillors continue to support individual residents where possible, but believe it best to work with Meriden Parish Council on matters of community-wide interest. We write here about three topics upon which we are jointly working with the PC. The Quarries We have re-established the quarry liaison group. The first meeting was packed with representatives of the quarries and we had to get more chairs on two occasions. Chaired by ward Councillor Burrow, three representatives from the Parish Council and three from Solihull Council also attended. A working group was established to plant more Trees and eco areas. It was also reported that A & A Recycling are to submit a planning application to bring much of their shredding operation inside a building, as well as other dust reduction measures. Opportunities for sponsorship of community facilities were also discussed.

Tony, Diane & Andrew

Orcas and cycle lanes Whilst your ward councillors support cycle lanes, the Orcas have prevented proper road sweeping and prevent cyclists safely riding around debris and other road imperfections. We also consider that they represent a hazard to cyclists and cars because they are not easy to see in all conditions, such as darkness and snow. Experience indicates that they can be partially or fully dislodged by traffic. They are a good solution in the right place, but in our opinion, the trial has not been a success in Meriden.

We are therefore collecting evidence of the issues for the review that will take place this summer. Part of that “evidence” is community feedback. We have a petition that we would like residents to sign. We are doing some door-to-door signature collection but not everyone is in. To register your support for the removal of the Orcas, please go to this website and sign the petition electronically. www.solihullboroughconservatives.org.uk/campaigns Flooding at Millisons Wood – Birmingham Road We are pleased to advise that consultants are to be commissioned to look at the drainage issues on the Birmingham Road, where, on occasions, water spurts up from, rather than goes down the drains. Solihull Council have appointed a new drainage expert in their Highways Team and this will be one of his first projects. It is a difficult issue that has existed since the estates were built, further complicated by the main road being in Coventry where the homes are in Solihull. At least it will be looked at anew and potentially improvements found.

A message from our new Councillor, Heather Delaney I would like to thank all of those in Meriden Ward, who entrusted me with their vote in the local elections. I am delighted to have been elected as one of your ward councillors and I would like to take this opportunity to confirm that I will work with passion and dedication to make the Meriden ward an even better place to live.

I have lived in Solihull for the majority of my life and in Meriden Ward for the last 10 years with my husband and my two teenage children (and our many pets!).

In my working life, I work to change and improve services for children and young people with additional needs, in Solihull, regionally and nationally.

I see the difference, on a day-to-day basis, that working together can achieve and I want to bring this experience of working in a collaborative and solution focused manner to helping more people!

I am currently awaiting my council email address, so cannot share it with you at this point. However, I am sure it will be available on the council website soon.

Please, if I can help or support you in any way, do get in touch.

Heather Delaney

Meriden Sports and Recreational Trust continues to support local non-commercial groups by providing small grants to be spent developing their sporting, recreational and leisure projects. Recent grants provided to local groups include the Chat and Craft Group, Meriden Flower Club and Meriden Play Group. For more info about making your group’s own application please visit our website www.meridensrt.org.uk Recently the Trust has provided a small grant to Heart of England Aeromodellers towards a shelter providing members with protection from seasonal weather conditions. The shelter is shown opposite with Terry Dingley, Club Chairperson and David Buckland, Trustee.

Thanks to Councillor Diane Howell It was with regret that ward Councillor Howell stood down at the May elections. She has relocated to Dorset to be near her Mum who has been very ill. The wonders of modern teleworking have enabled her to continue to work for the same employer but you cannot represent Meriden from Dorset. At the time of going to press, the election was pending. We are thankful to Diane whose energy solved many a problem across the varied communities that make up Meriden Ward.

Councillors Tony Dicicco and Andrew Burrow

A message from Diane Howell It’s been a privilege to represent the residents of Meriden and Millison’s Wood for the last 4 years and I’d like to thank all the residents and organisations who have reached out to me. In particular I’d like to thank Meriden Parish Council: under Rosie Weaver’s Chair they have done some amazing work to support and sustain the community, including establishing the Covid Support Network and steering the Neighbourhood Development Plan through to adoption. It’s been a pleasure to work with the Parish Council and I wish Rosie and Vice Chair Jon Barber well as they stand down after many years’ service. I have also made the difficult decision to step down as changes to my work meant I would no longer be able to devote the time the role required. I would like to congratulate Cllr Heather Delaney on her election; she will work closely with Cllrs Andrew Burrow and Tony Dicicco to continue to represent you all.

Diane Howell

Cricket Fixtures at the Sports Park All games start at 1pm.

Date

HomeTeam

03/06/2023

EARLSWOOD CC

10/06/2023

COLESHILL CC

17/06/2023

COLESHILL CC

24/06/2023

EARLSWOOD CC

01/07/2023

COLESHILL CC

08/07/2023

EARLSWOOD CC

15/07/2023

COLESHILL CC

22/07/2023

EARLSWOOD CC

29/07/2023

COLESHILL CC

05/08/2023

COLESHILL CC

12/08/2023

EARLSWOOD CC

19/08/2023

COLESHILL CC

26/08/2023

EARLSWOOD CC

“My wife says she is leaving me due to my obsession with cricket.

I'll be honest, it's knocked me for six.”

Proposal from Packington Estate – Quarry conversion to new Country Park

Following decades of mineral extraction and subsequent inert filling, the site owner, Packington Estate Enterprises Ltd. and quarry operator, NRS Ltd., are turning their attention to the future use of the former gravel quarry area located immediately west of Meriden village. The quarry area in its totality sand and extends to circa 100 acres and, whilst the site is largely tree-lined, there is the opportunity to create an

exciting proposition for Meriden, with the ability to shape the remaining fill and deliver a new place.

Whilst it is acknowledged that the current operation will continue for circa seven years, it is important to have a shared vision to ensure the landform is sculptured into space that is usable.

Early Designs - The two parties have produced a concept design for a country park that will have access Meriden village and the neighbouring Stonebridge Golf Centre and Somers Fishery. The intention links to is to create a country park with extensive walks around a lake that will have views over the surrounding

countryside, ample parking for visitors and visitor facilities to include refreshments and WCs. There will to deliver other outdoor activities that will complement the park. be opportunities

In addition to the country park, the vision includes the delivery of a business village that will aim to

attract local start-up companies that will create jobs and help drive the rural economy. The income generated will contribute towards the upkeep of the park.

The concept design was presented, and was well received at the Meriden Annual Parish Assembly on 24th

April and there will be further opportunities to engage with the design as it matures over the coming and years. months

A45

Servicing Repairs Tyres Exhausts Suspensions Brakes

Call us for a quotation for your motoring needs

01676 521010 Find us just off Marsh Lane Near Lincoln Farm Truck Stop, B92 0LS Call for directions

information. www.seniorcaresupport.co.uk.

I don’t know why I have to learn algebra.

I’m never likely to go there. – Billy Connolly

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

Nothing to Fear but Fear – A short story by Enid Hinton of Balsall Common Writers Group It was 8:30 in the morning and I was in no rush to get myself washed and dressed. Our house was isolated and, thinking it a little early, it was my natural reaction to look out of the window when the doorbell rang, to check who was at the front door.

I saw a tall female, wearing dark glasses, seemingly agitated, clasping and unclasping her hands. She radiated nervous energy.

I took a deep breath before opening the door. ‘Can I borrow your phone?’ she asked quickly.

‘Err - Yes.’ I tentatively enquired ‘Don’t you have a mobile with you? Who do you want to phone? Oh - Is that your car on the grass verge by the gate? Do you have a problem?’ ‘Yes. My car’s broken down. I need to phone the garage.’

Feeling uneasy for no apparent reason, I left her on the doorstep, walked to the kitchen and picked up my mobile. I turned around and found she was standing right behind me, her face 18 inches from mine. I jumped in surprise and tried to see her expression through her large sunglasses. We stared at each other for a few seconds as I leaned backwards wondering, did she want to harm me? Did she have a knife? My thoughts raced as I fumbled with my phone.

‘Give me the number and I’ll dial it for you.’ I suggested. She handed me a crumpled scrap of paper. I slowly moved away from her and dialled the number she’d given me. I didn’t recognise any local code. The number continued to ring out and there was no reply.

‘Where is this garage you’re trying to contact?’

‘In Leicester.’

‘Leicester! But that’s miles away.’

We’d only been living in this house for two months and I was trying to decide where the nearest garage might be, but just at that moment my house phone shrilled and I reached to answer it. ‘Do you have a lady with you? Dark haired in her twenties?

Wearing dark sunglasses. It’s the police here and we’ve been notified by local police that they think her car is outside your house. Don’t mention it’s us calling but we’ve been looking for her. I don’t think she’ll hurt you, but keep her there if you can.

We are on our way. She’s escaped from Glenfield Hospital in Leicester where she was being detained.’

I put the phone down and nervously smiled. ‘Just a friend about lunch’ I gabbled. ‘But you didn’t say goodbye. Bit rude isn’t it?’

‘Oh didn’t I?’ My thoughts were racing thinking I’m on my own here. She’s taller than me but slightly built. Could I defend myself if I needed to? What to do now? I want her out of my house. She was wearing a denim jacket and reached into one of the pockets. Did she have a gun? She found a tissue and wiped her nose.

‘Would you like a cup of coffee while I try that number again?’

‘Oh OK.’ she sighed as she seated herself at my kitchen table. I kept glancing out of my kitchen window. Where were the police? How far away were they? The kettle boiled and I reached for a mug and spooned coffee into it. My hands were unsteady as I shakily poured the boiling water.

‘I tell you what.’ I offered. ‘Why don’t you take your coffee outside and wait in your car? I’ll phone the garage again, then when they arrive, they’ll see you waiting?’ How long did she think it would take for someone to drive from Leicester? Looking somewhat vague, she set off towards the front gate clutching her coffee.

I sighed with relief, but part of me wondered if I was being inconsiderate and unsympathetic? The telephone rang again.

‘Is she still with you?’ The policeman asked. ‘We aren’t far away now.’ I glanced out of the window again and saw that her car had gone. ‘Oh her car’s gone. She must have driven off.’

‘Oh damn! Can you describe the car please. We’ve been given details, but I’m just checking she hasn’t dumped it and stolen another. When did she leave you?’

‘Less than ten minutes ago.’

‘Well thanks anyway. Are you alright?’

‘Yes I’m fine. A bit unsettled. What has she done? Where’s she from? She kept on about a garage in Leicester?’

‘Yes she’s been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and was in hospital in Leicester. She’s schizophrenic, but it’s only when she feels threatened that she may become violent, especially when she’s been drinking alcohol, but lately she’s been acting irrationally and seems unable to look after herself. She’s probably stopped taking her medication. That’s why we need to make sure she is safe and not endangering others.’

I slowly replaced the receiver and sat thinking. I’d recently read in a magazine that mental health problems were becoming a major concern and that approximately thirty murders per year were committed by people living with schizophrenia? Food for thought! A few minutes later, I gingerly opened my front door and found the empty mug on the doorstep. Had I been unnecessarily unkind and too quick to judge? I had sensed a desperation in her which I’d found unnerving.

But as it turned out, there was nothing to fear - but fear!

Village Diary – How lucky we are to have so much going on!

DAY//DATE DATE DAY EveryMonday Monday Every EveryMonday Monday Every EveryMonday Monday Every EveryMonday Monday Every Every Monday Every Monday 1st Monday of the 1st Monday of the month month 3rd Monday 3rd Monday Every Tuesday Every Tuesday Every Tuesday Every Tuesday Every Tuesday Every Tuesday Every Tuesday Every Tuesday Every Wed Every Wed (in term time) (in term time) Every Wednesday Every Wednesday 2nd Wednesdays nd Wednesdays 2(not July & Aug) (not July & Aug) Every Wednesday Every Wednesday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Thursday Every Friday Every Friday 2nd Fridays 2nd 4thFridays Fridays 4th Fridays 5th June 5th June 11th June 11th June 17th June 17th June 20th June 20th June 30th June 30th June 2nd July 2nd July 9th July 9th July From 10th July From 10th July 22nd July nd July 22th 7th-10 and 21stAugust 24thth and 7th-10 21st-

EVENT EVENT TaiChi Chi Tai

VENUE VENUE

TIME TIME

CONTACT CONTACT

VillageHall Hall Village

9:30-10:30am 9:30-10:30am

JacquiFisher Fisher07703 07703345210 345210 Jacqui

6:30-7:30pm 6:30-7:30pm

EleanorWillis Willis07762 07762823050 823050 Eleanor

7:45-9:45pm 7:45-9:45pm

MarkJones Jones07801 07801773352 773352 Mark

BeaverScouts Scouts(boys (boysand andgirls girlsaged aged Beaver ScoutHut Hut Scout 6-8) 6-8) ExplorerScouts Scouts(male (maleand andfemale female Explorer ScoutHut Hut Scout 14-18) 14-18) Methodist Methodist OrmeSchool Schooldance danceclass class Orme ChurchHall Hall Church Stories and Painting for children Meriden Library Stories and Painting for children Meriden Library

5.00-8.00pm 8.00pm 5.00-

02476467331 467331 02476

2:15-3pm 2:15-3pm

01676 522 717 01676 522 717

W.I. W.I.

Village Hall Village Hall

7:30pm 7:30pm

Della Mannix 07920 014909 Della Mannix 07920 014909

Flower Club Flower Club IT Skills Training IT Skills Training

Village Hall Village Hall

7:30-9:30pm 7:30-9:30pm

meridenflowerclub@hotmail.com meridenflowerclub@hotmail.com

Meriden Library Meriden Library

10-11am 10-11am

01676 522 717 01676 522 717

Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion

10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm

01789 777986 01789 777986

Scouts (boys and girls aged 10.5Scouts (boys and girls aged 10.514) 14) Rotary Club Meeting Rotary Club Meeting

Scout Hut Scout Hut Manor Hotel Manor Hotel

7-9pm 7-9pm

Mark Jones 07801 773352 Mark Jones 07801 773352

7pm 7pm

www.meridenrotary.org.uk www.meridenrotary.org.uk

Playgroup Playgroup Art Class Art Class

Methodist Methodist Church Hall Church Hall Village Hall Village Hall

Readers' Circle Readers' Circle

call Peter for call Peter for

Craft and Chat Craft and Chat

Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion

Art Class Art Class

Zoom (online) Zoom (online)

IT Skills Training IT Skills Training Craft and Chat Craft and Chat Dancersise & Pilates Dancersise & Pilates Cub Scouts (boys and girls aged 8Cub Scouts (boys and girls aged 810.5) 10.5)

Warm Hub Warm Hub

9:30-11:30am 9:30-11:30am Morning and Morning and afternoon afternoon Venue & time Venue 7-9pm& time 7-9pm

Julie Hyde 523357 Julie Hyde 523357 Peter Moss 01676 523590 Peter Moss 01676 523590 Debbie Barber 07455 829340 Debbie Barber 07455 829340 Julie Hyde 01676 523357 Julie Hyde 01676 523357

Meriden Library Meriden Library Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion Village Hall Village Hall

morning morning 10-11am 10-11am 12:30-3pm 12:30-3pm 6pm & 7pm 6pm & 7pm

01676 522 717 01676 522 717 Debbie Barber 07455 829340 Debbie Barber 07455 829340 Candy 07828 709650 Candy 07828 709650

Scout Hut Scout Hut

6:45-8.15pm 6:45-8.15pm

Lynda Spratt 07790 348726 Lynda Spratt 07790 348726

Firebird Singers Firebird Singers All Together Café All Together Café CAMEO

Village Hall Village Hall Sports Pavilion Sports VillagePavilion Hall

7-9pm 7-9pm 2-4pm 2-4pm 2-4pm

Valerie Martin 01676 522 963 Valerie Martin 01676 522 963 Joan Russell 01676 522 666 Joan JoanRussell Russell01676 01676522 522666 666

CAMEO Energy Advice for off-gas Energy Advice for off-gas customers customers Firebird Singers Concert Firebird Singers Concert Big Picture Show Big Picture Show Energy Advice for off-gas customers Energy Advice for off-gas customers Summer Fair Summer Fair Meriden Open Gardens Meriden Open Gardens Picnic in the Park Picnic in the Park Reading Challenge Reading Challenge BDHS Produce & Flower Show BDHS Produce Flower Summer Craft & Table for Show children

Village Hall Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion Manor Hotel Manor Hotel Village Hall Village Hall Sports Pavilion Sports Pavilion Meriden School Meriden School Village Village Sports Park Sports Park Meriden Library Meriden St. PetersLibrary Hall

2-4pm 1:30-3:30pm 1:30-3:30pm 2.30 & 7.30pm 2.30 & 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 5-7pm 5-7pm 5 - 7pm 5 - 7pm 11.00am -6.00pm 11.00am -6.00pm 11.00am – 6.00pm 11.00am – 6.00pm During normal

Joan Russell 01676 522 666

th August th-28 th August 2624

(all ages)Craft Table for children Summer (all ages) Watercolour Art Exhibition

26th-28th August

Watercolour Art Exhibition

Balsall Common St. Peters Hall Balsall Common Meriden Library

Meriden Library Berkswell Reading BerkswellRooms Reading Rooms

opening hours During normal opening hours 2.00- 4.15pm

2.004.15pm During normal opening hours During normal opening hours 10.00am - 5.00pm 10.00am - 5.00pm

Valerie Martin 01676 522 963 Valerie Martin 01676 522 963 Chris Copper 01676 522 645 Chris Copper 01676 522 645

School 01676 522488 School 01676 522488 Sue 01676 522540 Sue 01676 522540 Rachel 07394984233 Rachel 07394984233 01676 522717 01676 522717

01676 522717 01676 522717

Out and About this Summer Berkswell Windmill Open Days: 10th June 8th July 5th August Entry is £5 per adult and £1 for 12-16 year olds. Free for under 12s.

Cash only. Prices include a guided tour. NB No dogs allowed.

Opening time is 12-4pm and cream teas will be served.

There will be Morris dancers and music and the Coventry Spinners and Weavers will be demonstrating their craft. All proceeds go towards maintenance of the windmill.

StratfordUpon Avon 17th June – 5th August

The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury. Saturday 19th August

Compton Verney Family Fun: Bee Weekend, in association with the British Bee Keepers Association Sat 8 July, 10.30am – Sun 9 July, 4.30pm Booking essential

FRIDAY 7th July

We hope that you will enjoy visiting some of these places.

Available Mon-Fri on selected dates

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac Legacy.

Go Your Own Way is a brand new, spellbinding show featuring the music from the legendary, multiple Grammy Award-winning Fleetwood Mac.

Team GB star!

We are incredibly proud that Frankie, one of our Year 6 pupils, has been awarded two Gold medals and a Silver Salver in the Midlands Synchronised Swimming Competition which she entered recently.

Frankie also won a bronze medal which qualifies her to train with Team GB! She is off to Luxemburg in May to take part in the 30th SL Synchro Cup. That’s a great achievement Frankie.

Well done! We are all so proud of you!

We celebrated World Book day in March. The whole school took part and it was lovely to see so many costumes!

We also had some great entries to our first ever character spoons competition, and these are displayed in school. Well done to our winners and all who took part in WBD 2023! www.meridenceprimary school.com twitter @meridenprimary

Exhilarating Experiences!

It’s been a busy term again at school. Year 2 went to the mosque in Birmingham to support their learning in R.E. and Years 3 & 4 held a moving Easter performance for families. Our Early Years classes visited Ash End Farm, went litter picking around Meriden for Earth Day and held a wonderful Mothers’ Day celebration (tissues were needed!)

Events coming up include Year 3’s trip to London, Year 4’s residential trip to Oakerwood. Years 3 and 5 are camping out and Year 6 are going for a week at Red Ridge for some climbing, rafting and biking!

Our fundraising team has been hard at work since Christmas, organising events for the children, such as the Valentine disco, a fun Easter hat parade, Mothers’ Day gift sale, a ‘Break the Rules’ day and the first Meriden ball! Over £3000 was raised in the spring term which will go towards new iPads for the children. We are so grateful to them for their hard work!

Once again a huge ‘thank you’ to BIFFA and BRI Wealth Management who sponsored us for the ball. A lot of our costs were covered by their sponsorship and we are very appreciative. Also, special thanks to The Strawberry Bank Hotel. The venue was perfect and the food was absolutely delicious! We will definitely be repeating this event next year, so please do look out for details in the future and come and join us.

Coming up we have Fathers’ Day gifts (w/c 12th June), Bags to School (8th June) and Sports day refreshments (26th May).

Last, but not least, our amazing Summer Fair is on its way!

Come and join us on Friday 30th June 5-7pm for funpacked fundraising!

Cecil, Cecil,our ourresident residentgoose, goose,who whosadly sadly mysteriously mysteriouslydisappeared disappearedin inMarch.

March.

AAvillage villagecharacter, character, missed missedby byso somany. many.

Picture Picturecourtesy courtesyof ofCarol CarolStafford Stafford

Meriden MeridenMag Magisisonline. online. Just Justvisit visit www.ISSUU.com www.ISSUU.com In Inthe thesearch searchbox, box, enter enterMeridenMag MeridenMag (No (Nospace) space)and andyou’ll you’llsee seewhat whatwe’ve we’ve published. published.

Deadline for the autumn issue of the Mag is 1st August The Mag will be out at the

beginning of September Val Martin (co-editor and treasurer) 01676 522963 val.simon@btinternet.com Chris Bannister (co-editor and advertising) 07789 903021 chrisbannister56@aol.com Distribution: Paul Green, Mavis & Ken Edwards Sue Riley & Steve Chance Proof readers: Adrian & Jane Wood Advertising costs £25 per 1/4 page and £13 per 1/8 page.

Views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the coeditors. We are unable to print anonymous letters but will withhold name and address on request.

Lloyds Chemist, Meriden Green from July 1st the shop will be under new ownership and will be called Meriden Pharmacy.

The members of staff will remain the same

Bickenhill Waste disposal site Pre booked slots only to book Phone 0121 704 8000 Post Office opening hours: 10.30am - 3.30pm, Saturdays 9.30am - 12 noon

Meriden Primary School Meriden Library Meriden Surgery Lloyds Chemist Meriden Methodist Church Meriden Village Hall bookings Member of Parliament Parish Council

Mrs L. Anderton

Methodist Hall bookings Solihull M B C Solihull District Councillors

Alan Gabbitas

Meriden Scout Group Post Office Rural Police Sector

Rev. Jane Braund Valerie Martin Saqib Bhatti Barbara Bland

Andrew Burrow Diane Howell Tony Dicicco Gerry Russell Sue Harper

01676 522488 01676 522717 01676 522252 01676 522722 01676 533737 01676 522963 0121 711 7029 01676 522474 07767 162423 01676 522148 0121 704 6000 07487 681933 07780 438290 01676 522666 01676 522230 101