The Heart of England School opened on 9th September 1957 to 270 students. Originally built as a Warwickshire High School for some 300 students, the official opening was on 17th June 1958. Its beginnings are a far cry from the current Business & Enterprise School’s size of 1300 students.
In its fiftieth year, Andrew Mackereth will take over from Annette Croft as Headteacher. Mrs. Croft is moving to a second headship at Chipping Campden School, while Mr. Mackereth joins from North Bromsgrove High School.
To celebrate five decades of success educating local children, the School is hosting an Open Day on 14th September 2007 and a 50th Reunion Event on 15th September 2007. The first Head, Edgar Richards, who served the school for 20 years, will open the event with current Chair of Governors, Dr. Peter Lea, and former students from as far away as Australia are already booking for these celebratory events.
If you were a student or member of staff at the Heart of England School, go to the school’s website: www.heart-england.solihull.sch.uk ,“Alumni”, where you can also book for either or both events, or contact the school on 01676 536713/12
100 years ago the Scouting Movement was formed
Meriden Scouts of all ages joined in to commemorate 100 years of Scouting by attending a Sunrise Ceremony on Meriden Village Green at 8.00am 1st August 2007. The occasion was also attended by many members of the village in glorious summer morning sunshine.
The start of the ceremony was marked by Mr Kevin Hunt playing the Kudu horn as it was believed to be sounded 100 years ago at the dawn of the first morning of Scouting. Meriden Cub and Beaver leaders would like to thank all who attended (and big thanks to Liz Mackenzie from all, for the supply of sausage and bacon rolls!) making it a very enjoyable and memorable occasion."
Cubs and Beavers from Meriden renew their oaths at the Sunrise Ceremony
Also A La Carte menu available except Sunday lunch
We have 2 function rooms available for parties from 20 up to 200
Please feel free to call in and view
We also offer excellent conference and wedding facilities Christmas brochures available
Please contact reception for information or booking or visit our web site
Congratulations to Beryl and Alan Gulliver on their Diamond Wedding anniversary on June 21st this year. They received a greetings card from the Queen and celebrated with a holiday on the South Coast.
Tel: 01922 631750
Mob: 07831 600829
Mob: 07785 333636
Cafe open to the public from 8.00am – 2.00pm daily 7 days a week Serving hot and cold food Specialising in an all day breakfast for £3.90!
5 fishing lakes in glorious countryside Now selling a complete range of baits
Gates open at 7.00am close at dusk
Hello to everyone from all at Meriden School!
I’m writing this in the middle of yet another downpour, on 20th July. I wonder what the weather will be like when you read this in September?
In spite of the weather we managed successfully to hold all our extra end of term events, such as the Junior Production, Sports Day, and the End of Year Church Service at St Laurence. We are waving goodbye to another class of Class 6 children, who have been very successful in their SATs, but more importantly have shown themselves to be confident and caring people ready to go on to their new secondary schools. We will be thinking of them all on their first day in September! During the summer term much planning has gone on to prepare for the Children’s Centre coming onto the school site. Planning permission for the new Nursery classroom has been applied for – it will be wonderful to be able to be all in one building, so we are very excited with the prospect. The Children’s Centre will be provided within our building that we part own with Beechwood Childcare. One of the rooms will be adapted to be suitable for parents and families to use, and access can be secure and separate from school.
We are grateful for all the kind support we receive in school, whether from volunteers who listen to children read, or donations of time or equipment. For example, through the village contacts we have managed to find a volunteer to help teach French, which is fantastic!
Some of you may have had children in school in the holidays on either the ‘Fundamental Skills’ day or the ‘Open Access Playscheme’ on Thursdays. We hope to continue to build on the extra opportunities offered to the children of Meriden. After school clubs planned for next term already include ‘MultiSports’ clubs on two days, and a new Drama club as well as Dazzlers Dance club. We hope to see village friends at some of our Autumn events – Harvest Festival, Carol singing or the Nativity, and of course our PTA Christmas fair. Look out for the dates to be advertised – the Christmas fair is usually the first Saturday in December. Finally may I wish you all the best of Autumns – with best wishes from Meriden School
Jacky Smith
Meriden Tree of Thought 2007
I have started preparations for this year’s Tree and we are off to an encouraging start. At the time of writing (31st July), I have either received or been assured of donations from Lord & Lady Guernsey, De Mulder Enterprises, Pertemps, N.E. Hawthorne & Son, Groundwork Coventry & Warwickshire & Cassidy Developments. Once again Steve’s Industries Ltd of Dorridge have agreed to donate their services to install the tree and lights. It is truly wonderful to see how our local businesses and other organisations wish to support our Village Tree and as before the Tree will generate funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The last two trees have raised £6976 so you can see that the Village is doing something really worthwhile! PLEASE PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDARS the dedication of the tree will be on Friday 30th November at 4.00pm. Once again the children of Meriden School will be leading the singing of traditional and special Christmas Carols.
I, personally, thank Mrs Smith, the teachers, Carol Maclure and the parents as well as the children who make this possible. EVERYONE is welcome to come along so please do so if you possibly can, and support, not just the tree but also the enthusiasm of the children.
Meriden Midsummer Draw
The draw raised £950 and I have given a cheque for this amount to Macmillan Cancer support. My sincere thanks go to all of the businesses for donating what was an excellent range of prizes and also the Rotary Club of Meriden for their outstanding support. Many thanks to those of you who bought tickets.
Alan Lole Organiser
ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS
The Rectory The Green Meriden CV7 7LN Church Wardens Marian Theobald Tel 01676 523 475 Linda Barnett Tel 01676 523 277
The church is closing on 1st October, maybe for many months. Kirsteen Rogers has written a poem to encourage those who are trying to raise the money to repair ‘the church on the hill’.
Since the last magazine the approximate ‘quarter million pounds’ we must still raise has been eaten into by £13,464. There has been a real joy and gratitude for every, little or big, donation. Some of you have asked who do we make our cheques out to –St.Laurence Church Restoration – and who do we send it to – The Rectory, The Green, Meriden, CV7 7LN. Services while the church is closed are a problem! The Methodists have very kindly agreed that the Bereavement Service Nov. 4th and the Remembrance Sunday Service Nov. 11th can be held in their church. There are plans afoot to join Meriden Church of England with Fillongley and Corley Parishes. So for some Sundays it seems right to go there – but we will write up a programme I think and then later suggest where it would be nice to go for Christmas services. There may be some regular services in some building in Meriden. Please watch out for notices. Harvest Service (still in September and in St. Laurence) 16th September 10.30 a.m. You are all always welcome.
EVELYN McILROY 1919 - 2007
Evelyn came to live in Meriden when she retired to be near her Aunt the late Mrs Topp with whom she had spent many happy times in her younger days. Evelyn had a very good singing voice and sang in the choir of St. Laurence's Church and at the opening service at Stonleigh Agricultural Show in the presence of the Bishop with many more church choirs. She was also a member of the Salvation Army's choir (Home League) which she really enjoyed and had many friends. Evelyn joined the W.I. in 1983, she also joined the Mothers union and became Treasurer in 1984 until the closure in 2000 (and I am told the best one they ever had).
I had been friends with Evelyn for many years and we had spent many happy times together. Although at times she was in great pain Evelyn always managed a smile. She will be sadly missed by many of her friends especially me.
On behalf of her family I would like to thank Mrs. Sakne for her lovely floral tribute to a friend of long standing and to Mrs. Hickson for her floral tribute from herself and the former members of the Mothers Union. Connie Curtis
Bereavement Service Sunday 4th November at 4.00pm Meriden Methodist Church
A time for remembering
A special service of thanksgiving for our loved ones who have died will be held this year at the Methodist Church. If you would like to share in a simple and dignified service to give thanks for their lives and all they have meant to you and still mean to you, then you are warmly invited to this service. Whether your loss was some time ago or recent or whether you normally go to church or not, don’t worry- you are very welcome because we have wanted to put this special service on for you, your family and your friends, indeed any one of us who travel the long road of bereavement. We do look forward to seeing you. There will be tea and refreshments afterwards. Peter Wright, St Laurence Church.
Remembrance Day Service
Meriden Methodist Church Sunday November 11th at 10.00am
blitz
Beauty Salon
Telephone 01676 521100
Men and Women welcome Open 7 days a week
Monthly offers available
New dual treatment room
Gift vouchers available
All aspects of Beauty Therapy to include; Manicures, Pedicures, Waxing, Eye treatment, Facials, Caci facials and body treatments, microdermabrasion , massages, Hopi Ear Candles, Reflexology, Gel Nail Extensions, Body Wraps, Hot Stone Massage, Spray Tanning and Vertical Sun bed.
Clinics available for Restylane, Muscle relaxing injections and Teeth whitening Also the home of Blitz the Bulge slimming club!!
9-11, Birmingham Road, Millisons Wood, near Meriden CV5 9AY
METHODIST
CHURCH
Minister
Rev Jenny Dyer BA MTh Tel 01676 533737
Phone to arrange Marriages Baptisms and Funerals
Services
Sunday morning 10.30am (Junior Church & crèche for children)
Sunday evening 6.30pm 3rd Sunday in month
Harvest Festival September 30th 10.30am David Kershaw
6.30pm Rev Stuart Jennings
Harvest Supper Tuesday 2nd October 7.00pm
Entertainment by Christine Sheen Supper Club 24th October numbers to Maureen Gabbittas on 522148
Remembrance Sunday 11th November 10.00am at the Church
Church anniversary Services Sunday November 25th 10.30 am and 6.30pm
We welcome back one of our old ministers Rev Paula Bee
It seems odd in the middle of summer to be thinking ahead to the darkening days of autumn, but they will be upon us before we know it. This autumn St Laurence's Church will be closed for major works, and we will be glad to help in any way. St Laurence's have long held a service of remembrance for those who have died, around All Souls day at the beginning of November. This year it will take place at the Methodist Church, on Sunday 4th November at 4pm. Do come, whether you have suffered a bereavement this last year or whether you want to remember and give thanks for the life of someone who died longer ago. The Remembrance Sunday service on 11th November will also begin at our church at 10am (though this year would normally have been St Laurence's 'turn'), before moving across the road to the war memorial at 11am.
Together, as one village, we remember and give thanks for the lives of those who were important to us, or who gave their lives for our country's peace.
Rev. Jenny Dyer
IDYLLIC GARDENS
Design and Construction
• Cultivated Turf & Lawns
• Patios - Paths - Yorkstone
• Block Paving - Drives
• Decking - Pergolas
• Fencing - Trellis Work
• All Brickwork - Ponds
• Garden Maintenance Free advice & estimates
Portfolio and references available
AND COACHES ALSO AVAILABLE TELEPHONE 01675 443333
Established in 1968
Methodist Church Hall 113, Main Road Meriden
We offer children from 2-5 years of age a caring, stimulating environment with experiences that are full of fun with our qualified staff.
You can choose mornings, afternoons or day sessions to suit your needs. We can arrange collections from local nurseries.
Your child is entitled to 5 free sessions per week for terms after their 3rd birthday (until they attend school nursery or reception class). We are OFSTED Registered and accredited to Pre-school Learning Alliance QA Scheme
To see how You and Your Child could benefit pay us a call on 07882705490 / 07882808821 01676 523472
The Farm Shop
Farm Back Lane Meriden
Tel & fax 01676 522409
www.farmsteadmeats.co.uk
For meats of outstanding quality & flavour
• Selection of Superb Barbecue Meat
• Licensed to sell Game
• Real Home Cured Bacon
• Free Range Chickens
• Famous Berkswell Ewes Milk Cheese
• Superb home made Sausages & Burgers
• Home Deliveries
Warwickshire’s only accredited traditional breeds butcher
Listed as one of Rick Stein’s “Food Heroes”
Opening Hours
Monday - Closed Tuesday – Saturday 9.00am– 5.00pm Sunday 9.00am– 1.00pm Phil Tuckey “The Country Butcher”
Our speakers
Meetings are held in the Village Hall on the first Monday in the month at 7.30pm Contact Joan Russell 01676 522666
Monday 3rd September
Cake icing and decorating – June Smitten
Wednesday 12th September
Petanque competition and Coffee morning
Alspath House Church Lane 10.00am
Monday 1st October
“The Spirit of Triumph” Ray Sturdy Open Evening
Tuesday 9th October
Day School – Sugar Craft 10.00am -4.00pm
Wednesday 7th November
Annual meeting
Monday 3rd December
Christmas Party 6.00 for 6.30pm Today’s Women working for Tomorrow’s World
play area.
The Centre Charity Shop 01676 523050
Hello to our friends and customers
By now most of you will be aware that The Centre was hit by lightening on Tuesday 19th July. We were actually on holiday in Spain at the time so was quite shocked at the news when we telephoned home on that same evening to be told the news. Our first reaction was thankfulness to God that nobody was injured and the shop was still standing! We often don’t realise at the time why things happen but there is usually a very good reason.
It seems such a shame that we opened during all that inclement weather and now that the weather is better we can’t open. The electrician has said it will take 2-3 weeks to totally rewire the place but that begins from when he commences so we hope this will be very soon. We have missed the contact and chats with you all so hope that it won’t be too long before we can open and catch up on what’s been happening with everybody.
The cream teas have been going well and we hope to re-establish these once the Centre is open again. Initially they will still be on Wednesdays only from 1.30-3.30 – if you haven’t tried one yet then come along and join us. On a practical note as we cannot open the shop we would appreciate it if you have donations you want to give us you would keep them until we reopen, please refrain from leaving them outside the shop at this time. We will obviously welcome donations once the Centre is open again. Once we have some news of an opening date we will put a notice in the window of the Centre so keep an eye out for any update
See you soon.
Kevin and Lyn Hunt
“The Spirit of Triumph”
The
story of the
local Triumph MotorCycle Company
Talk by Ray Sturdy Monday 1st October Meriden Village Hall 7.30pm
Tickets £4.00 to include light refreshments
From Joan Russell 01676 522666
PHYSIOTHERAPY REFLEXOLOGY COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
Treatments for pain, stress, acute and chronic conditions
Alison Stain
M.C.S.P., S.R.P., I.T.E.C.
The Therapy Centre Balsall Villa
287 Kenilworth Road Balsall Common Tel: 01676 521066
Meriden Knights Chess Club
Here we are at that time of the year again, just before the start of another chess season. We need players any age or ability, but with some commitment. We play in the Dawson Suite at the Meriden Methodist Church every Tuesday from 7.30-10.30pm, £1.50 per session when the season starts and when we play away from home we obviously do not charge.
Can we thank Meriden Fish and Chip shop on behalf of the Coventry and District chess league for their kind donation of £25.The league has a lot of overheads with the cost of room hire , trophies and their upkeep, printing and engraving etc. Without these local leagues small clubs like ours would struggle.
Contact Graeme or Shirley 01676 521259
Dear Mrs. Argyle;
Letter from Meriden, Connecticut, USA
Co-editrix? Co-editrice? I do hope I'm addressing you correctly. Anyway, thanks a bunch for sending me the summer issue of the Mag, along with the drawing of your local pub. (The Beef and Gristle, was it? The Hoof and Mouth? I forget the name.)But I can well imagine the warm glow inside - if not from the lighting fixtures, then from the many pints, and perhaps a few stronger beverages, that I imagine are consumed there of an evening.
As you may have gathered, we really don't have anything like your local pub in most places over here, so I have to use my imagination. I picture it as the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, at least in passing, and where the occasional outsider is noticed right away and observed - not with hostility, or anything like that, but with a certain amount of idle interest.
I also picture the place (The Cor and Blimey? The Noughts and Crosses?) as the sort of establishment where anything that might be called a "cocktail" is seldom in evidence - countenanced in moderation, perhaps, but certainly not encouraged; and where the menu of such things that the landlord is prepared to toss together is strictly limited.
In other words, I doubt anyone would have the effrontery to waltz into such a charming watering hole as yours (The Bee's Knees? The Pope's Nose?) and order even something so simple as a Martini, let alone any of those other concoctions that come in harsh, unnatural colors or that have olives or onions or other vegetables marinating in them or that wear little paper umbrellas.
That is to say, I figure such relatively exotic pieces of American mixology may be entirely foreign to you.
Therefore, and herewith, I take it upon myself to introduce you to a few of them:
Iced Tea. Sometimes called Long Island Iced Tea, for no apparent reason. The main idea seems to be that by shaking up equal parts of vodka, gin, rum, tequila and Triple Sec, and tossing in some lemon and a splash of Coke, you get something that tastes something like tea. If I recall correctly, that's not true at all. And, if anything, this drink is even more deadly than:
The Pearl Harbor. Which contains an ounce of Midori (some kind of melon liqueur from Japan, it seems) activated by a relatively modest amount of vodka and more or less drowned in pineapple juice. The most deadly thing about it is the hideous green color. While we're still in the tropics, let's consider:
The Scarlet Fever. This one is red, from a copious amount of cranberry juice, but its medicinal properties, if any, derive entirely from even more copious doses of gin, white rum and vodka. And, speaking of medicine, there's always:
The Ward Eight. You pour quite a bit of whiskey and an equal amount of lemon mix over ice, throw in some Grenadine, shake and strain. Then take two aspirin and lie down.
There are drink recipes containing some perfectly normal and even British-sounding ingredients, of course, such as Worcestershire sauce and lime juice. But there are also formulas that require a dollop of good old American ketchup or a few ounces of "clam juice."
And, if you don't mind, I'd just as soon not think about exactly what that nectar might be.
Until next time, your faithful correspondent, etc., etc.
Reach Assistant Managing Editor Glenn Richter at grichter@record-journal.com
After almost a year of corresponding with a couple of American “Meridenites”, we have covered many subjects including wildlife study, handicrafts, pets, offspring and the awful weather (though not necessarily in that order), we have now moved on to the increase in their food prices. But when they quote beef at $1.95 a pound (which at the present rate of exchange would be £1 sterling) my sympathy evaporates!
Another perk they enjoy is having their outgoing mail collected from their mail box at the end of their drives – surely a bonus in inclement weather? But give me good old Brit – Meriden every time!
Beryl Lucas
Glenn received a copy of Barbara Hunt’s pen and ink sketch of the Bull’s Head, which inspired his Autumn letter.
The Coventry Way Association has once again provided us with this walk, which starts from The Queen’s Head Meriden. It is from their revised Book of Walks, which can be borrowed from Meriden Library or purchased from the Post Office and Tea-rooms at Berkswell. Their working party was on the Fillongley Road in August to install the gate that went walk-abouts last October and to replace a stile with a kissing gate just the other side of the A45. With September approaching, the September Challenge will again take place first Sunday in September from 6 o'clock onwards from the Village Hall. More info' from Bob Brandon on 02476 505050 evenings Bob Carey 02476 455251
Main Walk
1.With your back to The Queen’s Head go left & in a very short distance T/L up Eaves Green Lane. Fork right at junction passing under the A45 to reach the junction (Green) at Eaves Green. Fwd for 150m along Showell Lane, pass a mobile park then a bungalow on your left, x-stile just inset from the road on left.
2. Fwd hg-right, x-stile into a horse field, fwd cross-field thro’ gap, V/L cross-field to go over s/b, x-stile into Meriden Shafts. Fwd up thro’ woods to the top & x-stile into sunken lane. T/L & in 40m x-stile on right into meadow. Fwd, hg-right thro’ three meadows to reach the road (Harvest Hill Lane) near Ivy House Farm. (Route A see below).
3. T/L along road, shortly just past house on right x-stile. V/R cross-field to go thro’ f/g, hg-right down to x-stile. Fwd up cross-field to right of railway sheds to x-stile into fenced path adjacent to wood. T/R wood on left to end of wood. Thro’ gap on left, wood left to corner & T/R down track to road. X-stile at side of large double gates. T/L down road to just past Hill House.
4.Thro’ p/g on left, thro’ 2nd p/g then hg-left thro’ 3rd p/g. Fwd cross-field to go thro’ p/g in left corner (pools left & ahead). T/R for a short distance along fenced walkway. T/L, fenced pool left, hg-left to x-stile off field corner. Fwd hg-left, follow round to right until a large gap. T/L thro’ gap, initially hg-right, shortly cross-field to large pool ahead (lifebelt) in front of Hall. Fwd hg-right up over drive to WMP near field corner ahead. PLEASE USE PERMISSIVE PATH (do not attempt to use road). Fwd, uphill hg-right to reach field gate to go thro’ p/g on left. Continue up with hg-right to exit onto road by stile near top corner. T/L for 50m to cross stile on right.
5. H/L to climb up behind house to x-stile hidden in corner, fwd hg-left, pond on left thro’ large gap. T/R, hg-right, fwd thro’ large gap into next field. Initially hg-left, keep fwd as hedge veers away to left. Aim for short distance off bottom left field corner (right of large detached house), x-stile & s/b onto road. T/L up road (Kinwalsey Lane) & pass between the woods until the end of the wood on your right (Close Wood).
6.X-stile on right into field, keeping wood on right, fwd thro’ two fields follow round to left. X-stile into wood, fwd to x-stile into field with High Ash Farm in view. Cross-field to the farm, cross drive & fwd with fc-right to enter another field. Fwd with hedge & then wood (Sparrow’s Grove) on right to reach & x-stile. T/R cross-field & aim for bottom right hand corner of field. X-stile, hg-right, fwd to x-stile just off field corner. H/R, cross-field, aim for large “old” oak tree, to meet hedge opposite, near the A45. X-stile, cross-short-field, thro’ k/g, onto the bank of the dual carriageway. T/L, along bank to exit onto Fillongley Road (B4102).
7. T/R over A45, just past Meriden sign on left, x-stile right of pair. Hg-left go thro’ into second field & shortly T/L & T/R to follow drainage ditch bank until you are forced right in front of paddock. Follow paddock fence round to right, T/L over culvert on left into paddock. Cross-field & thro’ k/g onto Old Road, T/L to reach The Queen’s Head.
Route A At the end of Note 2, T/L up the road for 400m. Just before it turns left at road sign x-stile on right over f/b into field, fwd cross-field to go over f/b (Pickford Brook), fwd until you reach the boundary of Birchley Hayes Wood & WMP. T/L along The Heart of England Way with wood on right, fwd thro’ gap near pool into field. Hg-left to reach road near Hayes Hall Farm. T/L for a short distance & continue with Note 5.
HAVING THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE AT THE MARRIOTT FOREST OF ARDEN HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB
The Cedarwood Spa and Leisure Club
Looking after yourself isn’t always hard work. Just two miles from the centre of Meriden is one of the Heart of England’s best kept secrets. The Cedarwood Spa and Leisure Club has all the facilities one would expect from a well appointed day and overnight Spa, but it also caters for everyday treatments, from pedicures to wonderfully relaxing massages.
The facility is developing a great reputation locally and nationally for its standard of service. Recently it has introduced packages such as The Wedding Experience (in preparation for your big day) and The Girls Night Out (for ladies that would like to spend some great pampering time together accompanied by good wine and food), and is one of the leading Spas in Marriott for its Executive Days, aimed at the corporate market.
Whilst the club has an excellent health club facility for people who do wish to be a bit more active; looking after yourself does not always mean building up a sweat. The club offers Pilates (great for your tummy and your posture), Yoga (excellent for relaxation and flexibility) as well as aqua aerobics. You can even try our classes at off peak times for just £5. Combining an hour long treatment with complimentary use of the leisure club for the day with our current offer is a lovely way to pamper yourself on your own or with family.
At the end of your experience, you may wish to enjoy something to eat in our Long Weekend or Cocktail Bar, both with patios overlooking the golf course (weather permitting!) and both serving excellent menus, or even try our fine dining in the Broadwater Restaurant.
Our goal is to look after you. Please call us on 01676 526149 for more details on the offer of a free family day pass when you buy a one hour treatment, or call in to see us.
Make A Better Life Trust (MABL)
How many women have you spoken to today?
Divide that number by four.
How many women do you work with?
Divide that number by four.
How many women live down your road? Divide that number by four.
That is the number of women you may possibly already know who are affected by domestic abuse.
One in four women and one in six men are affected by domestic abuse at some stage during their life.
Domestic abuse is not only physical abuse it can include financial, emotional, psychological and sexual.
The MABL Trust develops and delivers services to support people affected by domestic abuse in Solihull. The Trust in conjunction with Mind runs a support group for women called Women in Need of Support. The friendly group meets regularly at a safe and comfortable location. It provides an opportunity for women to talk in confidence and start to make choices about their future.
Off peak memberships now available Mon to Fri 6am to 5pm (£9 per week)
Relax in our pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi
Enjoy our Yoga, Pilates and Aqua Classes Workout in our 3 gyms
Or book any 1 hour treatment in The Cedarwood Spa and receive a free family day pass*. Discounted rates apply Mon to Thurs.
*offer valid until October 31st 2007, by appointment only, for full terms and conditions contact the club
The Cedarwood Spa and Leisure Club
Maxstoke Lane, Meriden
In the holidays the Trust organises subsidised day trips for women and children, so they have the time to enjoy themselves and forget the abuse for the day.
In partnership with the Children’s Fund the Trust works in schools; raising self-esteem, challenging stereotypes and exploring healthy and unhealthy relationships.
From time to time during the year a six-week Freedom Programme is offered to women. It helps women unpick their experiences and make sense of what has happened to them so they can start to move forward with their lives.
The Trust set up the MABL Pre-School Support Service to work with young children who had been affected by domestic abuse and their non abusive parent. The service provides practical advice, information and support.
If you need to talk to someone in confidence about what is or has happened or you would like to access any of the services please call the MABL Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 032 6317. It is open 10am till 12 mid day, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). We will listen we will believe.
A Message from Caroline Spelman MP
Over the last couple of months we have seen terrible scenes of devastation to families, businesses and farmers caused by flooding across our region. For many, recovery will take not just months, but years. The effects of such extreme weather are a stark reminder of the importance of both adapting to and preventing climate change. It is affecting our country in so many different ways. The cost to families cannot, and should not, be judged just in monetary terms, but the stress families are subjected to is immeasurable.
For our farmers, this comes on top of Bovine TB, the supermarket squeeze on milk prices and now the black cloud of Foot and Mouth hanging over the country. There was also the disgraceful delay in paying our farmers what was owed to them through the Rural Payments Agency, putting them under even more financial stress.
The last few years must feel like a constant battle for our farmers, and the last few weeks have been no exception. Farmers play a vital role in maintaining the biodiversity of our environment and we must look to support this community in every way possible. Who was it pulling cars out of the local ford in the floods, who trims the hedges and cuts the pitches? These are the unsung contributions Farmers make to our community.
Quite a number of our local shops sell produce from surrounding farms and by supporting these shops we can also support our farmers. Buying local produce is not only good for our local farmers, but also good for the environment. Why buy produce that has been flown into the UK when we have really good produce we can source locally and at the same time support our community.
DateTimeLocation
Saturday
8th September 9am –10.30am 11.am – 12noon
Chelmsley Wood Library Arden Hall Castle Bromwich
Friday 14th September 4.30 – 6.00pmMeriden Village Hall
Thursday 20th
September 4.30pmDickens Heath Library
Friday 12th October 4.30 – 6.00pmMeriden Village Hall
Saturday 20th October 9am – 10.30am 11 – 12noon
Saturday
3rd November 9am – 10.30am 11 – 12noon
Thursday 8th
Chelmsley Wood Library
Arden Hall, Castle Bromwich
Chelmsley Wood Library
Arden Hall, Castle Bromwich
November 4.30 pmDickens Heath Library
Friday 16th November 4.30 – 6.00pmMeriden Village Hall Caroline Spelman advice surgery dates To contact Caroline or make an appointment for a
Please help support the Shoe Box Appeal Operation Christmas Child Christmas boxes for Samaritan’s Purse are required for the beginning of November. Leaflets are available in the Library, at Meriden School or from Grace and Lucy Ball 01676 523502
Attenborrow Roofing
with Solihull & Birmingham Age Concern Solihull Trading Standards (Ship Shape)
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
In this fifth article focussing on the Officers and Men named upon the Meriden War Memorial, Paul & Melanie Lee revisit Gunner Huntbach thanks to a friend’s recent journey to Syria that took her to his place of rest.
Gunner James Arthur Huntbach was killed on 2nd July 1941 and buried at Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery in Sabara, Syria. Gunner Huntbach was a member of 170 Battery, 57 Lt AA Regiment, The Royal Artillery who on the 8th June 1941 were involved in the British Armies and Free French forces invasion from Iraq and Palestine into Vichy French controlled Syria, its position on the eastern Mediterranean coast being of strategic importance to both the allies and Nazi Germany. The Allies also feared that Henri-Phillipe Petain, the head of the Vichy government would have allowed the Luftwaffe to establish air bases there. James left behind his beloved wife Gertrude Ann, affectionately known as Nancy. They had married young and together raised three children, Sybil, Roger and Margaret in Meriden before their fourth child, Ann, was born just 4 months before James was killed in action. Nancy, in her early twenties, was left to raise four children on her own. The inscription on James’ headstone, penned by Nancy, reads ‘A loving husband. A dear Daddy. A true comrade. He died that we might live’.
In March, good friend of Paul and Mel, Joanne Atkins, sent an email out of the blue asking for sponsorship money as she was leaving in a week’s time to cycle 400km for charity throughout Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. First reaction was ‘Are you mad?!’ quickly followed by the request to visit Gunner Huntbach’s grave and get a photo of his headstone. ‘I can’t promise anything’, was Jo’s response, ‘but email me the details and I’ll see what I can do’. Detailed directions were passed on from the Commonwealth War Graves website. Sabara stands for prickly pear and the directions stated that the cemetery is amongst an area of prickly pear plants, which is located behind apartment blocks and therefore is not easily viewed from the main roads. Jo started an email ‘blog’ and we read each one with anticipation of hearing her tales of how she found the cemetery but there was never a mention. She called immediately on her return and her first words were ‘You owe me one!’ Mission accomplished. One lunch time in July we got together and she described the search for Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery. ‘It was a nightmare! No one knew where it was and it was made all the more difficult as hardly anyone spoke English’. Jo and her cycling mate Liz had to hire a private chauffeur taxi. It took them nearly three hours and after stopping at least five times to ask if anyone knew where these prickly pear trees were they ended up down a back street some five miles from Damascus centre. What would normally have cost 50p for a taxi jaunt, ended up costing them 20 dollars. But Jo said it was worth it, if not a little daunting. ‘The cemetery was so lovely and tranquil. I’m amazed at how well tended the graves are. It’s such a beautiful setting’. Louise Reid, granddaughter of Gunner Huntbach, couldn’t believe the photos when she saw them. ‘The cemetery is so well maintained and I had a fear that out in Syria it was just going to be a cross. The headstone is beautiful. On behalf of my family, I just want to say a big thank you to Jo, we’re truly grateful to her for taking the time to find it and bring back these photos’.
Follow the Women. If it hadn’t been for an article in The Times back in October 2005, Jo wouldn’t have travelled to Syria and we would not have these photos of Gunner Huntbach’s headstone. The Follow the Women bike ride was set up by Nobel Peace nominee Bernadetta Regan from Berkshire and is now in its third year. Through her work as an international youth organiser, she came up with the idea of women cycling for Middle East peace; Muslim and European women showing solidarity together. The aim of the project is to change perceptions and project the right image about the Middle East and its women and to pursue creative efforts to reach a just peace. Jo observed, ‘It was amazing. Everywhere we went we were greeted by hundreds of men, women and children who were so supportive. They showered us with flowers and danced and sang for us. The TV and press followed us everywhere. I felt humbled by the experience. The international press don’t show it how it really is out there’. Louise adds, ‘If Jo and Follow the Women’s efforts help contribute to a peaceful solution in the Middle East, then it will be easier for my family and many others like us to visit Syria and pay tribute to our loved ones who lie buried there’.
MERIDEN PARISH COUNCIL
The public and press are cordially invited to all meetings in the Village Hall at 7.30pm An opportunity will be given for the public to speak.
September 2007 12th Sub-Committee Meeting
24th Parish Council Meeting
October 2007 10th Sub-Committee Meeting
22rd Parish Council meeting
November 2007 14th Sub-Committee meeting
26th Parish Council Meeting
Your Parish Council can be contacted until end of September: The Clerk to the Parish Council
Mrs M Edwards 3 Thebes Close
.Millison’s Wood Coventry
CV5 9QW
Tel/Fax: 01676 522076
Email: Meriden_PC@yahoo.co.uk
Website: Meriden-pc.org.uk
NEIGHBOURHOOD COORDINATOR
Your Neighbourhood Coordinator at Solihull MBC
Susan East. Tel:0121 704 6435 neighbourhoodmanagementarea3@solihull.gov.uk
Your Parish Councillors are:
Graeme Goodsir
Shirley Goodsir
Marilyn Hamilton
Bob Kipling
Melanie Lee
Sarah Markham
Will Markham
Rosie Weaver
District Councillors are:
Mr Ken Allsopp
Mr David Bell
Dr Peter Lea
RURAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE REPRESENTATIVE
WPC Sharon Williams
Tel: 0845 113 5000 ext 79286264
sharonwilliams@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
RURAL NEIGHBOURHOOD – JOINT POLICE & COUNCIL SURGERIES
WPC Sharon Williams representing the Police along with Susan East of Solihull Council will be attending Meriden Library on Monday mornings 10 00- 12 00, 17th September, 15th October, 19th November
SAVE OUR VERGES.
Parking of vehicles on grass verges not only causes unsightly bare patches but is an offence under the Highways Act 1980. If you are aware of parking difficulties or areas where damage is being caused, please contact the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator and advice can be given on preventative measures. FLY POSTING.
Fly posters are simply advertisements that are displayed on highway land contrary to the Highways Act 1980 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or on private land contrary to the 1990 Act. The penalties for fly posting have recently been increased and offences can attract a maximum penalty of £2,500.
NB The Parish Council has 5 notice boards on which village matters can be advertised.
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES, MAIN ROAD.
Following malicious fire damage in the toilets, temporary closure and controversy, residents are being given the opportunity to vote for one of four options regarding the future of the Public Conveniences. Can you please leave a note of your option preference at Meriden Library or send views to the Clerk before 20th September.
An option appraisal on finance only, gives serious consideration to 4 options. Figures are obviously rough estimates and for finance year 2007/2008 including work already done since 1st April 2007.
1)To do minimum, maintaining – open with no extra costs - £6,800.
2)Repair damage, maintaining - £7,400.
3)Close and leave - £3,800. NB. There is always the possibility that if the toilets are left closed that the Parish Council will be required to demolish them.
4)Close and demolish - £18,800.
PLAYING FIELDS
Representatives came to speak to Councillors regarding the new playing field, with a plan showing the latest detailed proposals. There was a request for plans to be on show again in the Library, on Solihull website and for residents to be able to make comment. It is hoped that they will be on display in Meriden Library early September and please leave written comments in the box to be provided.
THE POOL
The Pool is in need of specialist refurbishment (puddle clay waterproof lining, collapsed walls, ecological considerations etc) expert advice is required and will be costly. Solihull MBC is presently looking to having a project report produced, funding and grants.
VACANCY
MERIDEN PARISH COUNCIL - CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Due to the retirement of the present post holder Meriden Parish Council is looking to recruit a Parish Clerk who can bring drive, flexibility, commitment and appropriate experience to this important position. Good administrative, financial, computer and communication skills are required. The successful applicant would be expected to have knowledge of local government and to hold, or to be working towards obtaining the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) or equivalent. Salary according to National Agreement for Local Government Employees with hours presently 20 per week. A job description can be obtained from and applications sent to, The Clerk, Meriden Parish Council, 3 Thebes Close, Millison’s Wood, Coventry, CV5 9QW, meriden_pc@yahoo.co.uk. Closing date 8th September 2007.
The Parish Council want to give a big THANK YOU to
The Parish Council want to a big THANK to Mavis Mavis Mavis Edwards, Edwards, Edwards, Edwards, Meriden’s Parish Clerk who will be Meriden’s Parish Clerk who will be Parish Clerk who leaving her job in September. She has worked for the leaving job She has worked the Parish for 8 years and has helped to achieve many things Parish for 8 years has to many things in the village. Her commitment and integrity has supported not only the in the village. and integrity supported not only the past and present Parish Councillors, but the many villagers and service past and present Parish Councillors, but the many villagers and service past and present Parish Councillors, the many villagers service past and present Parish Councillors, the many villagers service providers who have had contact with her over the years. Good luck for the providers who have had contact with her over the years. Good luck for the providers have contact with her the Good luck the providers have contact with her the Good luck the future future future future Mavis. Mavis. Mavis.
An ancient form of treatment, working on the same principle as Acupuncture. The practitioner’s hands, elbows, knees and feet are used to activate changes in life energy of the person rather than needles. WHAT CAN SHAITSU DO FOR YOU?
It works to help the body self heal thereby strengthening and rejuvenating. HOW DOES SHAITSU FEEL TO RECEIVE?
The experience is very individual but we believe everyone agrees that it is a pleasure to receive and deeply relaxing.
Experience for yourself this safe and deeply effective therapy in the comfort of your own home or in a wonderfully peaceful setting at our local therapy room.
For further details contact Ernie Boxall or Anne Brown on 01676 521393 or 07862 216833
Initial treatment offer, saving £5
Meriden Village Hall is available for private parties etc. Contact Valerie Martin 01676 522963 Rates are £9.00per hour
Queen’s Head Queen’s Head Head Head
Old road Meriden road Meriden
Monday night is music night, come along and join us, music starts 9.15pm approx
Sept3rd Paul Tracini
10th Kellie
17th TBA
24th Marade
Oct 1st Charlie Waterford
8th Jane Kelly
15th Alexa-Dee
22nd Sophie Hardy
29th Nikki
Nov 5th Keith Brett
12th Julie Christie
19th Backbeat
26th Mel Day
Pop in for good food and good company
Phone 01676 522256 for further information
For details of your local
Rosemary Conley class
Call 0121 705 7078
Wednesday 6.30 - 8.00pm Meriden School
Classes available in Solihull
First class free with this voucher!
All classes include weigh-in, talk & optional exercise
www.rosemary-conley.co.uk
(membership £10 class fee £5.25)
Cherish yesterday, dream of Cherish yesterday, dream of tomorrow but live for today tomorrow but live for today tomorrow live today tomorrow live today
We breed and rear all the Pork we sell and we prepare and cook everything ourselves.
Opening times:Tuesday –Saturday 8.00am- 5.30pm
Nova Dry Cleaners Nova Dry Cleaners Nova Nova
180, Station Road, Balsall Common
For all your dry cleaning and laundry requirements
Dry cleaning
Leather & suede
Laundry services
Alterations
Shoe repairs
Curtains
Quilts
Bedding
Wedding gowns
Want a great night out!
Want a fun night out!
Then celebrate Christmas with us!
Friends in Retirement Friends in Retirement
We are still thriving in Balsall Common with many members from Meriden. Activities include Art, Bowls, Bridge, Rambling, Ambling, Patchwork, Tai Chi and monthly coffee mornings. A new social group is starting with lunches, theatre trips and other activities.
Dates for your diary: -
Coffee mornings at the Village Hall, Balsall Common from 10.00am to 12 noon.
Friday September 14th
Friday October 19th
Friday November 16th
Thursday September 13th Trip to Shrewsbury
Please contact Frank Byrne for details 02476 713662
New Members are always made welcome to groups. The phone number to ring for further information is 01676 532537
We are now taking bookings for Christmas Lunches and Evening meals in the The Bridge Restaurant. Price £19.95 for 3 Courses.
Whether organising a private dinner for friends, family reunion or Company Christmas Party, during December we are also organising a number of Casino Party evenings where you can try your luck on the Roulette & Blackjack tables then dance and party the night away to our Disco!!
Sat 1st December - 3 Course Meal, Casino & Disco £27.50
Fri 7th December - 3 Course Meal, Casino & Disco £27.50
Sat 8th December - 3 Course Meal, Casino & Disco £27.50
Fri 14th December - 3 Course Meal, Casino & Disco £27.50
All other nights are Party Nights - 3 Course Meal & Disco £24.95.
For all enquires please call Lynn on 01676 522442 ext.2 or to receive a copy of our Christmas brochure.
ALL ENQUIRIES ALL ENQUIRIES ALL ENQUIRIES ALL ENQUIRIES
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Make us your number 1 choice for a first class and quality job, over 30 years experience all our work fully guaranteed
Call now for a free no obligation quote 02476 711 368 www.midlandlandscapes.info
SwiftContractors SwiftContractors
Don’t forget the Meriden Mag now has its own web site, where you can view back issues or friends and relatives not in the area can catch up with the local news
www.meridenmag.co.uk
1st Meriden Scout Group
Any one who has a child aged between 6 and 10 interested in joining us, or if you are an adult who is happy to help, please contact the leaders on the numbers below.
1st Meriden Beaver Colony (ages 6-8)
Meeting Mondays 6.30pm –7.30pm
Telephone Jo 522625 or Gaynor 523191
1st Meriden Cub Pack (ages 8-10)
Meetings Tuesdays 6.30pm –7.45pm
Telephone Lis Willis 521080 or Liz Mackenzie 523674
• Over skimming
• Dry lining
• Over boarding
• Rendering
• Stud walling
• Arches
• All plastering requirements
Members of the Guild of Master Craftsmen
For a free quotation call 01676 523501 Mobile 07976 952004
Inner Wheel Club of Meriden’s donation to The Air Ambulance
At our meeting in July the Inner Wheel Club of Meriden was very proud to present a cheque for £2000 to the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. Special thanks go to all our members in their fund raising efforts and to all local people who have supported our events.
The Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance is based at Coventry Airport and relies entirely on local public donations. It costs £1.4 million a year to operate the service. Here are some relevant facts about the service.
• The helicopter is airborne in 45seconds
• It can reach anywhere in Warwickshire within 9mins
• The team can save lives within the golden hour.
• The service operates 7 days a week and in total there are 3 pilots, 10 paramedics, and 12 Doctors
• They have the fastest aircraft in the UK
• They are the busiest air ambulance in the UK, responding to around 110 emergency calls per month
• They cover a population of 2 million people.
If you would like more information about supporting the WNAA please contact them on 02476 639043 or email appeals@wnaa.co.uk web site www.wnaa.co.uk
Although the weather this summer has been disappointing the same cannot be said of our meetings. In May we once again welcomed Gill Shipp to speak to us. Gill has spoken in the past of her work with Chinese students in this country and how she helps them to understand the teachings of Christianity. However, this time she talked about her own strong faith in God and her belief that God is always with us and that we should remember that when we are lonely and afraid. She also spoke about how faith inspired Wilberforce to campaign successfully against slavery and Elizabeth Fry to campaign for prison reform.
In June we held our second annual ‘Holiday at Home’ at Berkswell. Once again this was a very enjoyable day. After coffee on arrival the delightful children from Berkswell School arrived to entertain us with a variety of songs. An art lesson followed and participants were given hints by Julie Hyde on how to copy pictures of people and draw animals and trees. Rick Edwards, the lay preacher from Berkswell Church, then read a Christian story before a delicious lunch. After lunch Ann Bayliss led us in gentle exercise to music to ensure we kept awake! The Reverend Jenny Dyer then arrived with her guitar to lead us in hymn singing and prayer. Everyone agreed that the day had been a huge success despite the weather.
We had a very enjoyable outing in July to Webbs Garden Centre in Droitwich. There was plenty to see and buy and the restaurant served good food. The Riverside Gardens had been partially flooded early in the week but luckily had re-opened that day. The paths had required some repair; the water had fortunately not done much damage to the plants although some had been left a little muddy.
We look forward to welcoming more friends to our meetings so if you need information or a lift please telephone: Ellen 522534 or Peggy 522221
. Forthcoming Meetings:-
September 28th Harvest Meeting with speaker from Ryton Garden Organics
October 26th Travels to the Antarctic –Pam Cooper
November 23rd Speaker Elsie Boyton
Franklin Construction Services Established 1979
• The Complete Building Service for all Properties
• New build, Renovations, Extensions, Conservatories
• Full Maintenance Service
• For Plumbing, Electrics, Glazing, Joinery, Plastering, Roofing and Brickwork
Workmanship may be inspected locally 01676 521502 mob 07801 579910 Find us at www.localbusinessdirectory.co.uk Do you want someone to do
First–classcarefor yourcariscloserthan youthink!…
Courtesy car, collection & delivery options call
Brendan McManus direct on: 07958 518924
Meriden Volunteers for Cancer Research
Our strawberry Fayre at Strawberry Bank was a great success. Financially we made a profit of £1,900, which was a marvellous result. We had lots of fun and the weather was very good, in fact it was the only dry sunny day for a long time and the thunder waited until 6.00pm! If you supported us in any way the volunteers would like to say a big “thank you”. The Strawberry Hotel were extremely kind and donated the venue and all of the strawberries and drinks – a big thanks to Mr & Mrs Marin.
On Friday October 5th at the Heart of England Club we will be holding our “In the Pink” Ladies Evening. This will coincide with the National fund raising for Breast Cancer. This should be a fun night with a speaker on colour co-ordination – make up, clothes etc and a belly dancer who will try to teach us how to get fit!! Please support this event, ladies, and wear pink if you can. On Friday December 14th we will be holding a Christmas quiz night at The Heart of England Club (That’s enough about Christmas for the moment!) Look out for posters.Details, tickets etc can be obtained by phoning the numbers below.Thanks for your interest and support.
Mary Warr 522160
Carol Lindeque 07811613905 and Meriden volunteers
EXOTIC THAI
DEE HAS MOVED TO QUEENS HEAD PUB OLD ROAD
MERIDEN
Exotic Thai cuisine cooked in the Traditional Thai Way
Open five days a week – Tuesday to Saturday
Food can be ordered between the following times
Tuesday – Thursday 7pm till 10.00pm(closing)
Friday – Saturday 7pm till 10.30pm(closing)
Book in advance to avoid disappointment 01676 523740 (6.00pm till 9.30pm)
The management reserves the right of admission
Rotary Club of Meriden Shoe Box Scheme.
As part of our International activities we have decided to operate the Rotary Shoe Box scheme, the basic principle of the scheme is to fill special Rotary shoe boxes with suitable items, these will then be distributed to needy people in other parts of the world.
The Rotary club will provide boxes on request, these should be filled with:Toys, such as ‘Matchbox’ type small cars, bouncy balls, jigsaws, fluffy toys, dolls, colouring books, felt tip pens, Lego etc. or –
Items for teenagers, such as make-up, toiletries, sportswear, scarf, gloves, hat, writing materials, deodorants, comb, mirror, etc. orHousehold Goods, such as soap, toothpaste and brushes, envelopes, letter paper, biro pens etc. The contents of boxes should not be mixed as this makes distribution difficult, we are not able to accept food of any kind due to border problems. More details are available on www.rotary1280.org/shoebox To request boxes or for more information please contact Neville Riley, phone 01676 532709, e-mail neville-riley@lineone.net
MEGARIDE 2008
The Rotary Club is already planning the next MEGARIDE, this is to be held on the 8th June 2008, any local people, organisations or businesses wishing to be involved please contact Neville Riley, phone 01676 532709, e-mail neville-riley@lineone.net
Part of a world-wide service organisation, we in Meriden are a mixed bunch of professionals – aged 30-70, male and female, who meet regularly for friendship, fun, and a meal. A warm welcome awaits you. Drop in on Tuesdays at The Manor Hotel 7.15 for 7.30, or call Roger Swindells 01675 481754 or Jane Budd 02476 473998 for more details. www.meridenrotary.org.uk
Art Classes with Julie Hyde
Thursday morning and afternoon classes in Meriden Village hall will be restarting in September. The classes are with tuition and are suitable for all levels of ability. Classes are available on different days in other areas.
A new class is starting, Wednesday evenings, in Tile Hill. Please contact Julie for more details and availability of places. Tel: 01676 523357
Meriden Toddler Group at Methodist Church Hall
Main Road
Tuesdays 10,00-11.30am
This is an informal, friendly group for adults who care for young children and babies. Come and meet other parents and carers for a chat, refreshments are provided for children and adults at a small cost of £1.50 per family. Children can play safely in the hall or garden. Each week there is a different craft activity and song time for the children
Sally Thompson 01676 522858
1st Meriden Guides
Girls!! If you are 10-14yrs and want to have lots of fun, enjoy challenges and would like to make new friends then come along and join us.
Meetings are at the Meriden Methodist Hall, Main Road, Meriden Wednesday evenings during term time: 7.30pm-9pm
Phone Hazel Matthews 01676 522862
• Genuine Scotch Angus Beef sold as seen on TV
• Wide selection of prize winning sausages
• Best quality English Lamb & pork
• Local farm turkeys, boneless turkey breast, fresh farm chicken
• Wide selection of bacon including dry cure English
• Deli counter with a wide selection of cheese, pies and cooked meats
and Meditation and Relaxation
Come and discover how the beautiful flowing movements of this ancient art can improve your well-being. Relax and enjoy simple calming relaxation and meditation techniques.
Mondays 9.30-10.30am
Meriden library
01676 522717
Open Monday 10.00am – 7.00pm
Thursday 10.00am – 7.00pm
Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm
It’s been a busy time…
Here we are, at the end of another summer, and the library has been full of activity! July brought us the final chapter in the exploits of Harry Potter and Co. The library had both cover versions, one for adults and one for children, and many of our borrowers have read it over the summer months. Perhaps we should have kept a record to see who read it in the shortest time?
The Reading Challenge has been running successfully over the school holidays, with lots of local children taking part and collecting their stickers and goodies in return for reading books and reviewing them. Well done all of you!
As our thoughts turn to autumn, don’t forget your local library has plenty to offer…
Starting School?
As many children start school this September, or return after the summer break, remember we have a special collection of books to help them. Our “Ready, Steady, Read” section of the children’s library is aimed at first time readers. The books are colour coded red, blue or green depending on the level of reading ability your child is at. These are fun books to help your child enjoy reading, which they can select themselves from the library shelves. Ask a member of staff for more information!
Not quite ready…
Meriden library’s Storytimes for the under 5s take place every Monday between 2.45pm & 3.15pm during term time. Come along and listen to stories, sing some songs & join in with the craft activities! We begin again on Monday September 10th
Relax, refresh, read…
Our regular coffee mornings take place on the last Thursday of each month between 10.00am – 12noon. Come along and have a good chat, browse the bookshelves or put your feet up for five minutes.
Grumbles and mumbles!
Yes, Neighbourhood Co-ordinator, Susan East will be here, along with representatives from the local police and parish council, to listen to your concerns and issues. Times and dates will be available from the library – just ask a member of staff for details.
MERIDEN LIBRARY READERS' GROUP
We have had well-attended and lively meetings recently and "Childhood Favourites" revealed details of our pasts which we might have wished to remain unknown! In September we shall be sampling titles from the Booker shortlist; Octobernovels by George Eliot; in November - books with an Australian theme and in December - our usual Christmas Miscellany with appropriate refreshments.
We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. - details of the venue from the Library staff. You are very welcome to join us.
Sue Fuller
Mrs Pauline Tyacke 1916- 2007
My mother Mrs Pauline Tyacke passed away peacefully aged 91 on 12th June. Mother and Father came to Old Hall Farm, Whitestitch Lane in 1942. After Father’s death in 1998, Mum moved to the picturesque Fir Tree Cottage adjacent to the Island in Meriden Village. It has been an ideal place for her to spend the last years of her life, as all the shops that you require for your daily needs are so convenient including the Post Office and Library. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff in the local shops and Library, who looked after my mother so well, often showing her great affection.
Richard Tyacke.
Holiday on the Costa del Sol
2 Bedroomed/bathroomed holiday apartment at La Quinta near Puerto Banus/Marbella, approx 45 minutes drive south from Malaga Airport. Use of facilities at La Quinta Hotel, Golf & Leisure Complex (20% discount card) The apartment comfortably sleeps 6, is fully furnished with air conditioning, washer, dryer, dishwasher, freeview TV, DVD player, safe allocated parking space and communal swimming pool SEPTEMBER SPECIAL £295 per week £495 for 2 weeks www.apartment-spain.com or phone Neil on 07932 159330 or 01827 870171
LARCH TREE OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE
TREATMENT OF MUSCULAR AND SKELETAL PAIN, SPORTS AND PERSONAL INJURIES
The The The The Orme Orme Orme Orme
School of Dancing School of Dancing
Meriden branch Meriden branch
Methodist Church Hall Methodist Hall
Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Freestyle and Contemporary Principal Sandra Clarke FIDTA M.B.B.O
Advanced Diploma (hons)
Fellowship Teaching Degree (hons)
Tel: 02476 467271
Helping to keep dance available in Meriden
10am-6.00pm 10am-6.00pm
Following the recent closure of the Meriden Dance School, The Orme School of Dancing has decided to run a branch at the Methodist Church Hall in Meriden. Although it would be possible to accommodate Meriden pupils in our existing classes elsewhere, Principal Sandra Clarke felt that it would benefit everyone if the school came to Meriden rather than parents having to travel to other classes some distance away. Meriden has had a dancing school for a very long time and once such facilities are lost to villages it is often difficult to replace them.
The Orme School is a long established school in Coventry, the main school is in Earlsdon with a branch in Eastern Green along with classes at a number of nurseries, primary schools and independent schools. Classes are available in ballet, tap, modern jazz, freestyle and contemporary dance. All our teachers are fully qualified, fully insured, have CRB clearance and training has taken place in Child protection, Fire Prevention and First Aid. The school intends to offer Meriden pupils the full range of opportunities including our annual Showtime weekend, regular examination sessions and Awards and Demonstration Evenings. The success of the venture depends on building the Meriden branch into a viable concern so spreading the word in Meriden and the surrounding villages would help us to ensure dancing remains a part of village life. Sandra Clarke
David Deakin Deakin Deakin Plastering Services
Interior plastering and coving work. Insurance work welcome.
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Please call for a Free Menu & Quote
Queen Elizabeth 1 visits Meriden
‘Happie houre, happie daie, that Eliza came this waie!
She with more than graces grace, Hath made proude this humble place.’
Elizabeth’s most famous visit to Kenilworth Castle was in July 1575. Her favourite Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester escorted her from Long Itchington on the 9th; She stayed 18 days enjoying lavish entertainment and the relaxation of a splendid new enclosed garden, (recently excavated by English Heritage, to be reconstructed and eventually to be opened to the public), with as its centre piece, an elaborate fountain plus a jewelled bird aviary and espaliered trees. Leicester made a final bid to persuade her to marry him but failed. Throughout the weather was very wet and the roads were like a quagmire as she prepared to depart on 27 July, stopping at Meriden Hall on 28th , then home of William and Anne Foster. Visiting local gentry on a royal ‘Progress’ was a popular public relations exercise. As far as the Queen was concerned, it kept her household expenses down too. She may have stayed over night departing by the main route north, rutted and mired through Great Packington where the church bells were rung in her honour then on to Middleton Hall near Tamworth home of Sir Francis Willoughby, to various gentry in Staffs, Worcs, Gloucs and Oxon until a month later she arrived at the royal palace of Woodstock (now Blenheim).
William Foster aged 32 was a cousin of the Earl of Leicester’s steward at Cumnor, Oxfordshire where Dudley’s first wife Amy Robsart had died in mysterious circumstances. Foster’s stepfather Edward Aglionby MP and Recorder for Warwick had close connections with Leicester’s brother Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick. Aglionby lived with his wife Katherine in Dudley’s property at Temple Balsall. In separate transactions, between 1554 and 1564, Aglionby had bought the Meriden Hall Estate selling it to Foster in 1568.Foster married to Ann Goodere from Polesworth Abbey made it his family home. The earlier Hall, on the site of the present one, was in 1575 the largest house in the parish. We do not know what it looked like but it was probably stone built and by then well over 100 years old. As today the Coventry Road ran in front of it but there were no private enclosed grounds then, just water meadows made lush by the Horn Brook. Warwick Lane (Berkswell Road) the drove road for cattle and sheep ran along one side of the Hall and is the likely route the Queen followed from Kenilworth via Red Lane and Berkswell village. Nearby was Meriden village centre with a water mill, farms, cottages and inns; it was very rustic with a Green, maypole, stocks and our ancient market cross, all near the present Hall’s gates. Elizabeth welcomed her subjects’ attention so we can imagine the villagers gathered to pay their respects as she passed, eager to get a glimpse of this flamboyant Tudor. William Foster was not as popular as my next story will relate.
Doreen Agutter.
R.J.KENNING
Painter and Decorator
All aspects of decorating undertaken
Interiors, Exteriors
Woodwork
Papering & Painting
Free quotations available
References available on request
No job too big-No job too small
Established over 25 years
A reliable and friendly service 02476 460754 Mob 07902 343950
Doreen Agutter
BRI ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC
BRI is an independent firm based locally in Meriden offering expert investment management for:
• Stocks and Shares
• Unit Trusts
• Peps and ISAs
• Personal Pensions
We also provide advice upon planning for Inheritance Tax and Capital gains Tax.
Please call us for a free review of your existing investments
“Local professional Investment Management”
To find out more information, please contact Paul Cusack or Nick Hinchliffe:
BRI Asset Management plc
BRI House, Meriden Business Park, Meriden CV5 9RL
Tel 01676 523550 Fax 01676 522799
Email: invest@brigroup.co.uk
BRI Asset Management plc are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Meriden
Monday 11th December18
Floral
JuneMonday £
Society
Monday October 15th
“Come let us Sing” by Margaret Rumens
Monday November 19th
“A Date With Bond” By Claire Bond
Meetings are held in Meriden Village Hall at 7.30pm prompt
For further information
Telephone Val Miller on 01676 540380 or Sandra Jones on 01676 523023
Teenage boys who whistle at girls are just going through a stage
Teenage boys who whistle at girls are just going through a stage
Teenage boys whistle at girls just going through a
Teenage boys whistle at girls just going through a which will probably last fifty years! will last years!
PILATES CLASS
MERIDEN METHODIST CHURCH HALL
Tuesday evening 6.15pm – 7.15pm Classes run in 6-week courses
1 to 1 Pilates reformer equipment at The Hampton Gym, Hampton in Arden Free trial session with this advertisement
For more details contact Jo on 07952 473526
Sophie’s Small Pet Holiday Home
118 Fillongley Road Meriden
Are you going away and don’t know where to put your small animal? Yes? Well I can help. Your pet/s will be housed in a comfortable hutch situated in a well-ventilated room Proprietary pelletised pet food will be supplied
Sophie 01676 522405
The Holy Grail of the computer scientists is a BIOCOMPUTER.
Not fed by a voltage of electricity, but by nutrients. Not an inanimate object, but a living entity that grows like a tree. Not made from silicone chips like ordinary computers, but from DNA parts and chemical cells. A living computer capable of re-processing life itself and creating microscopic life forms, which could tackle the problem of all disease and pollution. Mad. Absolute rubbish. Well maybe not. There is one underlying reason why it could be logically possible. DIGITALISATION. All life is digitised. We are the by-products of nature’s computer. DNA molecules store in their computer all the information necessary for the life of every living thing, us included. In fact this Biocomputer would be like a living brain, but a million times more powerful.
To link this DNA of life to a Biocomputer of life form is touching the very face and boundary of life creation itself. Wow.
If one considers the current progress in DNA, Lasers, Stem Cells and Sub Atomic Particles, then this could also be well on the way. It is my impression that in this 21st century we are reaching a point when science, nature and the divinity are coalescing. The progress of mathematics through the centuries has reached through to digital computing with the Binary Code, and for this to now be linking up with nature’s own DNA computer is absolute dynamite in my’ book’.
I know that some people take the view that the science of genetic engineering etc. is against the will of God. It is my view that God gave us the brain to follow every form of science that is for the good of mankind.
F.Mills-Clifton
Lloyds Pharmacy
1 The Green, Tel /Fax
01676 522722
Mon – Fri 9am to 6pm
Saturday9am to 5pm
SundayClosed
We operate a prescription collection service for the convenience of our customers. Prescriptions are collected from the Meriden Surgery once a day at 8.30am. Please allow 24 hours before collecting your medication from the pharmacy.
Stage Struck
Seeing the advertisement for the Oddsocks Production of A Comedy of Errors in the Summer edition of the Meriden magazine reminded me of an occasion over twelve years ago. My husband, son, his friend and I booked to see the Oddsocks Production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Midlands Art Centre in Birmingham. It was a most enjoyable night and one of the funniest we have ever experienced.
During the intermission the cast came into the audience asking for volunteers from the children to go on stage, have their faces made up depicting various animals and to take part in the play within a play in the second half. Completely unaware of what was going on; my husband was indicating behind my back that I should be chosen as one of the volunteers. I was duly dragged down to the stage where my face was made up in the style of a lion, very fitting as I was born under the sign of Leo! I thought that as I was on stage I might as well ‘ham it up’ and enjoy myself with all the ‘other’ children. Returning home we decided to call in for a take-away supper and into the shop I went complete with lions face fresh from my debut at the M.A.C.
Oddsocks productions are a wonderful way to introduce children to Shakespeare and are a cross between the bard's plays, with correct dialogue, and a pantomime. We didn’t stop laughing all night.
Claire Rose
Birmingham Town Hall
The Town hall is reopening in October after a £35m renovation. There is to be a Town Hall Welcome weekend on October 6/7th with a Family Day, a Birmingham Musical, an Illustrated talk by Professor Carl Chinn and a Carnival afternoon.
There will be public tours of the renovated building in November.
If luck were a raindrop, I would send you a shower, If hope were a minute, I would send you an hour, Is happiness is a leaf, I would send you a tree, And if you need a friend, you will always have me.
JACKIE ECCLESTON
Tone Up, Lose Weight & Inches, Reduce Stress And Feel Great!!
Personal Training and Pilates in the comfort of your own home or you can train in our fully equipped studio in Fillongley.
For more information and to book your Free 30 Minute Consultation to find out how we can help you reach your health and fitness goals, please contact:
Nikki @Discover Fitness 07786 548 828 or
Email: discoverfitness@hotmail.co.uk
Inner Wheel Club of Meriden Beetle Drive and Fish and Chip Supper
Saturday 20th October 7.30pm
Meriden Village Hall
Tickets £6.50, children £4
Please bring your own drinks
Pam Whitney 01676 535675
With the recent untimely death of Jackie Eccleston, Meriden has lost one of its most colourful characters. Jackie had lived in Meriden for over 40 years. She was the eldest of four sisters and moved to Woodcock Cottage in Lodge Green Lane in the early Sixties with her husband Don and their two children Joe and Sally. The cottage was also a home for countless dogs, a donkey and any stray that happened to be passing. Many a good party was enjoyed at the cottage and so many stories that could be recounted would provide material for an entertaining book.
Many villagers will remember the small gift shop on the Village Green, Meriden Miscellany, which Jackie and Don ran together. Jackie’s love of antiques and curios also inspired her to run the popular monthly Flea Markets in the Village Hall with her friend Pam Wartho. Later, she worked for Social Services as a Home Care Assistant and still found time to support many charitable and fund raising activities as well as pursuing her love of art. More recently she served as a Parish Councillor and addressed village issues with passion and fervour. She was an accomplished artist, an elegant and proficient tennis player and she was always the life and soul of the party. However, in spite of her many involvements, quite naturally, her overriding love was for her family, particularly her beloved grandsons, James and Henry. Jackie’s favourite form of relaxation was to meet up with her many friends at The Queen’s Head and she will be sadly missed by all those who knew her. The village of Meriden has lost a truly unique person and she will always be remembered with the greatest affection.
Editors note: Jackie was a reliable t deliver of the Mag in Millisons Wood for many years. We would like to record our appreciation of this.
Rose was born and raised in Hartlepool. She was the eldest of six children and enjoyed her education at Hartlepool High School for Girls. During the 2nd World War she was asked by a friend to go to a tea dance where you did a bit of marching and had cups of tea, whilst there she was asked to sign a piece of paper – this she did and found herself enlisted into the Army!! Her Dad went mad banging his fist down on the arm of his chair and with cups bouncing up and down told her she should always read something before she signed it.
Rose worked in the ATS and paid out all the soldiers’ wages. Whilst serving in North Yorkshire she met Dave her husband of over 50 years and after the war they moved to Meriden, where she has lived ever since. They both worked at the Triumph factory, Rose as the wages clerk, making life long friends with Joan & Pete who still visited her regularly. Rose made many friends in the village including Mr & Mrs Crowhurst, Ken & Viv Higgins and Walter & Louise Wright all of whom she kept in touch with for years.
Although she chose to remain in Meriden Rose’s heart was still in the North East and she loved visiting her hometown of Hartlepool even after her Mam & Dave died she visited her family until she was too old to travel.
Rose made great friends with Lucy & Dave Hammon her neighbours and enjoyed looking after their son Harry, who became her ‘best friend’ during evenings of playing games, watching TV & eating chocolate. She loved visits from her nieces and especially enjoyed the kisses off their husbands she was famous for her trifles which Andy & Mike loved ! Even into her 80’s Rose enjoyed life to the full and enjoyed baking for her friends in the village and kept her mind active with crosswords and puzzles.
Rose will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.
Meriden Surgery and Pharmacy News - Updated information Surgery Pharmacy News - information
BALSALL COMMON & MERIDEN GROUP PRACTICE
Old School house, Main Road, Meriden CV7 7NG Tel 522252
Surgery Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8.30am to 6pm Wednesday 8.30am to 12.00
Emergencies - when closed please telephone 01676 532587
Repeat Prescription Requests
We prefer these to be ordered using the list attached to your previous prescription.
• Post to the surgery
• Hand to the surgery
• Fax 01676 523865 to the surgery
If necessary telephone requests will be taken between 10.00am and 12.30pm & 2.00pm-4.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.
Please quote your computer number.
48 HOURS NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN FOR ALL PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL PATIENTS TO CHECK THAT PRESCRIPTIONS COLLECTED (EITHER FROM THE CHEMIST OR THE SURGERY) DETAIL THE MEDICATION ORIGINALLY REQUESTED. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN BY THE PRACTICE FOR MEDICATION DISPENSED BUT NOT REQUIRED
Home Visits: If patients are too ill to attend the surgery, or are housebound and need a doctor to visit them at home please telephone the surgery BEFORE 10.00am
Comments: If you would like to make any comments, complaints or suggestions concerning the surgery please contact Joanne Hope, Practice manager on 01676 532213 or in writing to the surgery.
Appointments at Meriden Surgery
A limited number of appointments can be booked in advance for all doctors at the Practice. Once these have been allocated the surgery operates a 48-hour booking system.
For example: if you ring on Tues at 10.00am we aim to offer an appointment with a Doctor by Thursday 10.00am.
To book an appointment at the Meriden Surgery the following time scale applies:
Appointments Available from
MONDAY AMTHURSDAY 2.00pm
MONDAY PMFRIDAY 8.30am
TUESDAY AMFRIDAY 2.00pm TUESDAY PMMONDAY 8.30am
WEDNESDAY AMMONDAY 2.00pm
WED PM CLOSED
THURSDAY AMTUESDAY 2.00pm
THURSDAY PMWEDNESDAY 8.30am
FRIDAY AMTHURSDAY 8.30am
FRIDAY PMTHURSDAY 8.30am
In an “out of hours” emergency
The Practice uses a GP co-operative Badger for emergencies outside normal surgery hours. For details on how to obtain medical help when the surgery is closed please telephone 01676 532587.
Please Help Us – Your Surgery Needs You To Cancel Unwanted Appointments
As I am sure all the readers of the Meriden Magazine are aware, doctor and nurse appointments at the Meriden Surgery can sometimes be difficult to arrange because the appointment times requested by patients have already been allocated to other patients. The surgery tries its best to answer the needs of the patients within the resources we have.
We recently increased the number of pre-booked appointment slots (in advance of 48 hours) at the request of patients who need to plan ahead further than 48 hours. Initially we were reluctant to increase the number of these appointments because past experience has taught us that these are the appointments patients are most likely to fail to attend without letting the Practice know. But we feel that it is unfair to penalise the majority of patients because of the few patients who have no consideration for the loss of surgery time when they fail to attend an appointment without letting the Practice know so that the appointment can be given to another patient. We therefore decided to offer more pre-booked appointment slots, auditing the results so that if these showed a significant increase in surgery time lost because of the change, pre-booked appointments would have to be reduced again.
The first audit showed that from the beginning of April, 61 of the additional pre-booked appointments were not kept, losing patients more than 10 hours of doctor time. When we audited both doctor and nurse routine and pre-booked appointments this showed that from 1st January 2007 425 appointments had been lost through patients not attending, equating to more than 90 hours of doctor/nurse time lost. In the last month alone 77 appointments have been lost equating to more than 16 hours of doctor/nurse time lost. Some of the appointments that patients failed to attend were booked for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
We want to offer a service that meets the needs of the patients but we are finding it increasingly difficult to do so with such a large amount of surgery time being lost through this problem. Please help us to help you. If you cannot attend an appointment you have made let us know so that we can offer it to another patient. Letting us know after the appointment time has passed does not help us as the appointment has already been lost. Please, if you can’t attend it remember to cancel it.
Thank you for your help Joanne Hope Practice Manager
Your guide to beating the scammers
There's a scam out there for everyone. If you let down your guard and think that you won't be fooled, then you too could become a victim.
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and aim to con us all. Deceptive premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, get-rich quick schemes and advance fee fraud are some of the favoured means of catching us out. It would seem as though every day there is a new scam in the making.
How to recognise a scam - is it too good to be true?
THE CON
How scam artists succeed - they will:
• catch you unawares, contacting you, without you asking them to, by phone, email, post or sometimes in person
• sound pleasant, well spoken and kind (on the phone or at your door) and want you to think they're your friend
• have slick, professional leaflets and letters
• be persistent and persuasive
• rush you into making a decision
• ask you to send money before you receive their tempting offer or win.
New scams from the UK and overseas appear every day - so it's important to know how to spot them.
THE PITCH
They offer you something for nothing - such as:
• you've won a major prize in a draw or a lottery (even though you haven't entered one)
• an exclusive entry to a scheme that's a guaranteed way to make money
• a way to earn easy money by helping them get untold millions out of their country
• the chance to join an investment scheme that will make you huge amounts of money.
There are hundreds of examples but we can all protect ourselves by being sceptical. Is it likely that someone you don't know, who has contacted you out of the blue will give you something for nothing?
THE STING
They'll ask you to:
• send money up front - an administration fee or tax, the list is endless but it's always a ploy to get you to give them money
• give them your bank, credit card or other personal details
• ring an expensive premium rate number (all UK premium rate numbers start with 090)
• buy something to get your prize.
They will lie to you and give you what seem to be good reasons why you should do what they say. They will answer all your objections.
Don't send any money or give any personal details to anyone until you've checked that they are genuine, and talked to a professional or family and friends.
If they ask you to do any of these things they're trying to cover their tracks and get your money and it's likely to be a scam.
HOW TO AVOID BEING THE VICTIM OF A SCAM
• Don’t send money or give out personal details to anyone until you’ve checked them out
• Do not reply to unsolicited e-mails and never follow links provided
• Protect your personal information. Share credit card or other personal information only when you're buying from a company you know and trust.
• Know who you're dealing with. Don't do business with any company that won't provide its name, street address, and telephone number.
• Take your time. Resist any urge to 'act now' despite the offer and the terms. Once you turn over your money, you may never get it back.
• Read the small print. Get all promises in writing and review them carefully before you make a payment or sign a contract.
• Never pay for a 'free' gift. Disregard any offer that asks you to pay for a gift or prize. If it's free or a gift, you shouldn't have to pay for it - free means free.
If you would like any further advice on scams or to report a scam please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit their website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Pupils at a school were asked to write about the harmful effects of oil
Pupils at a school were asked to write about the harmful effects of oil
Pupils at a school asked to write effects of oil
Pupils at a school asked to write effects of oil on fish. One pupil wrote “When my Mum opened a tin of sardines last on fish. One pupil wrote “When my Mum opened a tin of sardines last on fish. One pupil wrote “When my opened a tin of sardines last on fish. One pupil wrote “When my opened a tin of sardines last night, it was full of oil and all the sardines were dead.” night, full and all the sardines dead.”
Tile Hill Lane, Coventry
Home Computer Repairs, Upgrading & Problem Solving
Telephone 024 7667 4952
Independent personal attention
Internet & e-mail, troubleshooting & tuition
Samantha Faulkner ABRSM
Associated Boards Royal School of Music Teaching Diploma
Contact Paul Morgan on 01676 542745 07917 692948 mobile
ROCKWELL SHEET SALES LTD
THE WORLD OF BUILDING PLASTICS HERE IN MERIDEN
Right here in Meriden you have available to you one of the largest ranges of Building Plastics in the U.K.
POLYCARBONATE AND P.V.C. SHEETING--INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CLADDING-- GARAGE FLOOR TILES
Multiwall polycarbonate.Shower boards and bathroom cladding. Multiwall 4mm. greenhouse panelsHuge range of u.P.V.C. marble and patterned planking 10mm. 4-wall with double sided protectionRespatex Shower boards—alternative to tiling! 16mm. honeycomb with double sided protection Greca profile diffusing opal corrugated polycarbonate Rockwell Architectural trims. Over 40 types in Multiwall corrugated polycarbonatestock to turn your house into a stately home.
Cut to size service for multiwall polycarbonate, In 10mm,16mmor 25mm in clear ,bronze or opal
Plastic glass blocks (Polystar). Lightweight and simply click Also solid polycarbonate and acrylic (2-3days) together.
Dynotile—now you can turn your garage into a showroom! For only about £350 (single garage) or £650 (double garage) you can have an easy to lay insulated floor that will take the Freefoam Fascia and Soffits. heaviest car and look great. See www.dynotile.co.uk
These are lead free and fully u/v protected to give a very long life. A 20 year guarantee is available
Floplast Rainwater goods. Gutter and pipe in a range of (ask for details). Don’t accept inferior products. Colours. Brand leading easy to fit products, which carry the BS Kite Mark of Quality.
ROCKWELL
SHEET SALES LTD. MAIN ROAD, MERIDEN, COVENTRY. CV7 7NH. TEL 01676 522 224 FAX 01676 522 985
OPEN: MON-FRI 8:30A.M.-1 P.M. AND 2-5P.M. SAT A.M. 9-12 www.rockwell-meriden.co.uk , info@rockwell-meriden.co.uk
Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine! off bridge in Paris in Seine!
Gratin of summer fruits
Serves 6
300ml/1/2 pint double cream
300ml/1/2 pint yoghurt
115g/4oz Demerara sugar
8oz mixed soft fruit, strawberries, raspberries etc. zest of a lemon lemon juice to taste caster sugar to taste
6 small dishes
Whip the double cream to soft peaks and fold in the yoghurt, a few small pieces of chopped fruit and the lemon zest with enough caster sugar to taste. Fill the bottom of each dish with the remaining fruit and cover with the cream mixture. Flatten the tops with a knife and spread the Demerara sugar over each dish smoothing it with the back of a spoon. Put into the fridge for at least 2 hours to form a crust. Decorate with a little more fruit if required.
Here are some ideas for local places to visit this Autumn
Temple Balsall Heritage weekend at Temple Balsall
2 miles from Balsall Common on the B4101
Opening Times: Sundays and Bank Holidays
1st May to 1st October
2.30pm to 6.00pm
Special Visits by arrangement 01676 532138
Admission Free
Donations gratefully received
Disabled access limited to ground floor
The Berkswell Windmill will be open on Saturdays 8th September and 6th October from 2.00-4.00pm
All enquiries 01676 530085
COVENTRY FESTIVAL OF MOTORING RETURNS
Coventry has a long history of hosting spectacular motoring events and the Festival of Motoring has consistently proved to be a huge success, attracting almost 500 entrants and thousands of spectators along a stunning route through the beautiful countryside in Coventry and Warwickshire. The event will take place again this year, on 1st and 2nd September 2007– the third time Coventry Transport Museum and partners CVOne have organised the event in its weekend format. The Festival will kick off on Saturday 1st September with live street entertainment, stunt motorcyclist, family fun activities and a display of entrants’ cars staged in Millennium Place, outside the impressive frontage of Coventry Transport Museum. During the afternoon spectators will have the opportunity to vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ prize for the car they would most like to take home and to enter a draw to win a ride in one of the Museum’s historic cars at a future date. Following its £14m redevelopment the Coventry Transport Museum will also be open to visitors throughout the weekend so everyone has an opportunity to see the superb new ‘Boomtown’ gallery, which interactively charts the height of the car industry from the 1950s to the 1970s. Best of all, it’s completely free admission! The highlight of the Festival will be on Sunday 2nd September when almost 500 vehicles, including some 30 vehicles from the magnificent Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, will take part in a 60-mile route around the region, flagged off by the Lord Mayor of Coventry.The route is through Meriden, so there should be plenty to see during the day. Last year the participants received a rousing reception from spectators along the route who held their own street parties so the Festival organisers are encouraging local residents to recreate that fantastic Festival atmosphere and give the cars and motorcycles a warm greeting as they drive past. An additional attraction this year will be a Veteran Cycle Ride and an arena parade. The cars will then return to Coventry’s War Memorial Park where a packed programme of entertainment is planned to run throughout the day, including stunt motorcyclist Steve Colley from the Isle of Man.
1/2nd SeptFestival of MotoringCoventry and District02476 234270
2nd SeptCoventry Way ChallengeVillage Hall6.00amBob Brandon 02476 505050
Open meeting of village residents, businesses, voluntary organisations and other stakeholders to discuss a Community Appraisal
MONDAY 24 SEPTEMBER
7.30pm to 8.30pm at the Village Hall
What is a Community Appraisal and Why should Meriden undertake one?
A community appraisal is a review carried out by local people themselves of all aspects of the community:
• its assets and strengths
• its deficiencies, problems and needs
• and the future challenges.
The aim of an appraisal is to provide the first step in enabling local people to shape the future of Meriden to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations.
Meriden Post Office Last Collections
Please note that the last weekday post collection time is now 5.00pm, on Saturday at 10.30am and Sunday 12.45pm.
There is a weekday collection at 7.00pm at Balsall Common and 7.30pm at the Bishop Street sorting office in Coventry. There is still no news on the future of Meriden Post Office. To make sure this valuable amenity stays open USE IT OR LOSE IT.
50 years ago
The “new”A45 bypass was being built, more of this next year.
Don’t forget to put your
clocks back one hour on Sunday 28th October
Reminder!! Deadline date for the winter issue
Monday 5th November 2007 contact
Val Martin 174 Main Road, Meriden 01676 522963
val.simon@virgin.net
Margaret Argyle 3 The Croft, Meriden 01676 522453
Margaret.argyle@mattargyle.com
Treasurer: Adele Fox 16 James Dawson Drive, Meriden
Deliveries: Keith & Kath Nightingale 01676 522125
Proof Reader: Claire Rose
Useful Village Contact Numbers
Meriden Primary SchoolMrs. J. Smith01676 522488
Meriden Library 01676 522717
Meriden Surgery 01676 522252
Lloyds Chemist 01676 522722
St. Laurence ChurchRev.Michael Dawkins01676 522719
Charity & Community information & events FREE Views expressed by the Contributors are not necessarily those of the Co-editors We are unable to print anonymous Letters or articles although we will withhold name and address on request
