MeridenMag Spring 2012

Meriden Mag Spring 2012 Don’t forget the bluebell trail at Millison’s Wood, this is usually at the beginning of May. Bluebell photo by Deborah Whitehouse

In this issue News of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Easter cupcakes by Luci

New page on baking with Juci Luci The Coventry Pilgrimage School news and photos The Cyclists annual service on the Green at 11.00am on Sunday May 20th Signs of Spring by Julie

There really is no way to express my appreciation for the support I receive in what I do with our Tree of Thought. To say the least, I am delighted to advise you that this year's Tree raised £ 4550 for Macmillan Cancer Support!!! What a tremendous amount!!

Generous donations were received from:- Lord and Lady Aylesford, John and Pat DeMulder, Rockwell,Pertemps, Cassidy Developments, N.E.Hawthorne & Son, BDW Trading, Cogent Elliott and The Centre Charity Shop. Also, I received a wonderful contribution from the Wishing Well at Notcutts of Shirley. My thanks go to my neighbours, Liz and Jack Spencer for their significant part in this. To those of you who bought the Village Christmas Cards I published, MY SINCERE THANKS. I can tell you that 4290 cards were sold. This generated £ 950 -- for Macmillan!! I am so grateful to all who sold them along with the promotion I had in the Mag. I feel it appropriate to, again, thank Jon Rogers (JR Photography) for his permission to use his pictures. I would like to think that those of you who came along to The Dedication thoroughly enjoyed yourselves. Without doubt, the children were outstanding!! The donkey (which was suggested by Mrs Winkler) certainly added a touch of magic to the proceedings. It also, left a deposit which I now gather is feeding someone’s roses!! I will tell you that the cost of the donkey was met by Gary and James Olsen of Meriden Tea Rooms. The Tree, which I have been told, and with which I agree, was the best one yet. It was, as ever, installed at no cost by Steve's Industries of Dorridge. As you know I pay for the tree out of the donations received. Unfortunately, on the 3rd of January, Mother Nature had another serious attack of the wind and our tree succumbed to the relentless pressure and was blown down. I must thank Clive Jones and Chris O'Gorman who recovered the lights and prepared the tree for disposal. I cannot say thank you enough but THANKYOU! Alan

Meriden School Carol Singers

Steve's Industries Ltd is once again proud to support the Meriden Tree of Thought. This is now our 7th Year at it, and we look forward to many more.

We are now busy with our core businesses of Tree Surgery, Lawn Mowing, Salt Gritting, Log and Turf Sales.

And the donkey came too!

Phone: 01564 770560 for a free quotation

Hello from Meriden School!

Help for Heroes

Young voices

This term everyone in school has been thinking about our values and what we stand for. We have looked at our aims, our school prayer and our logo – watch this space for the winning design to be announced!

Thinking of others: I am very proud to tell you that Meriden pupils and families raised a fantastic £1530 for the charity ‘Help for Heroes’, our school charity for the year 2011/12.

This year our school is supporting ‘Clic Sargent’ which cares for children with cancer and their families. Our school choir attends ‘Young Voices’, a massed choir of 6000 children which also raises funds for this worthwhile cause.

Look out for further fundraising in spring and summer!

Reporting on what has taken place in the school and forthcoming events: Christmas Celebrations – Although a few months ago now, I feel I ought to mention the activities that took place, both in and out of school, such as the carol service on The Green with a friendly donkey, and Christingle at the Church where the children sang beautifully. In school, Key Stage 1 performed ‘Christmas Around the World’ which helped everyone to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Family engagement –As parental involvement is a key factor in increasing the success of pupils at school, this term we are holding more sessions to invite parents into school. A phonics workshop took place in January and by the time that you read this, a literacy morning will have been held on Tuesday 31st January. An RE session is taking place in March which will support our work this term on our values and beliefs. We hope to see as many parents as possible working with their children and finding out what lessons are like for pupils at our school. In addition to this, we have a new ‘Caterpillar Club’ which is open to all children (regardless of whether they attend Meriden or not) below school age. This will be held every second and forth Friday, 1.30pm to 2.30pm and will be run by our Nursery staff. More family learning events are planned for the summer term too.

Spring Events – Children in year 5 were once again able to take part in cycle training in February, ensuring that they are safe to travel to school on their bikes. This will help them become healthier and fitter for life.

An Easter service will be held on the 5th April at 9.15am. Everyone is invited to join us – please telephone school on 01676 522488 so we can expect you.

Of course, we have the Queen’s diamond jubilee to celebrate too! We will be holding a special event – look out for more details!

As I write, we have yet to have had any severe winter weather, and fingers are crossed that we shall get through to Spring without disruption to school life.

With best wishes

Lucy Winkler, Headteacher, Meriden CE Primary School

Look for more pictures and news of activities at the school on the colour pages in the middle of the Mag

ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS Lay Reader Peter Wright 01676 522414 4 2012 - Happy New Year.

www.stlaurence-meriden.co.uk

Church Wardens Jonathan Douglas Linda Barnett

01676 522455 01676 523 277

Services are held every Sunday at 10.30 am 2012 is a big year for the UK : The Olympics, 60 years of the Queen, 50 years of Coventry Cathedral, 200 years of Charles Dickens, and my 50th Birthday - well it can’t all be good, but then it rarely is. These events will make a lot of people spend time thinking about what Britain is and what being British means.

The Queen is now our second longest reigning monarch ever. If she is still in post on 10th September 2015, at 89, she will overtake Victoria, who was queen for 63 years and 216 days. Most people think very highly of the Queen but not all agree with the idea of Monarchy. The Cathedral is undoubtedly an interesting building, and because of its origins has become an important focus for an international mission of reconciliation, but not everyone likes the modern features and materials. Charles Dickens was a great writer, but again, not everyone enjoys his books. As for most of us, only a handful of people are bothered about something like my 50th birthday.

So where is the Christian message in this? Well, the easy one is that we are all God’s children and even those of us who don’t matter much in the events of history are still treasured by God and saved by his love.

That is true, but for some it is difficult to feel in our busy and challenging lives. Looking deeper into Jesus’ teaching, however, tells us that it is in the small things we can do, and the everyday choices we make, that the best of life can arise. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, and can grow into a great tree. So do something lovely today, it might be the start of something as memorable as the Olympics.

See elsewhere in the Mag for details of the Coventry Pilgrimage, a celebration of the Cathedral’s 50 years.

As ever, all are welcome to any of our Spring Service : (10.30 at St. Laurence, unless otherwise stated) March 4th Morning Prayer March 11th Holy Communion March 18th Mothering Sunday, Joint Worship at Methodist Church March 25th Holy Communion March 26th Coventry Pilgrimage 4.45pm March 30th Coventry Pilgrimage 4.45pm April 1st Palm Sunday, Holy Communion April 5th Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Holy Communion April 6th Good Friday 12.00 Noon April 8th Easter Holy Communion April 15th Morning Prayer Flag flying on the Church Tower : st

March 1 St. David’s March 17th St. Patrick’s April 8th Easter April 15th 2nd Easter April 21st HM Queen’s Birthday April 23rd St. George’s May 17th Ascension Day May 20th Cyclists’ Memorial Service May 27th Pentecost June 3rd HM Queen’s Jubilee, Trinity Sunday

April 18th Church Annual Meetings 7.30pm April 22nd Holy Communion April 29th Songs of Praise May 6th Joint Worship at Methodist Church May 13th Holy Communion May 20th Cyclists Memorial Service 11.00am Village Green May 27th Holy Communion June 3rd Holy Communion and Celebration of HM Queen’s Jubilee.

TBA in June another tower open day Jonathan Douglas Church Warden

Littlehurst Nursery and Garden Centre

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For the very best for your dog, contact…

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Meriroyles 118 Fillongley Road, Meriden.

Telephone 01676 522405 email: meriroyles@aol.com

Tom’s Butchery Established 25 years 3The Green Meriden Telephone 01676 522822

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

VACANCY FILLONGLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY HONORARY SECRETARY The Fillongley Agricultural Society has a vacancy for Secretary. This is a demanding role with some periods of low activity but with a workload that rises to a very hectic schedule as The Annual Show (held 2nd Sunday in August) approaches.

The role would suit someone who possess very good forward planning skills, excellent organisational skills, good secretarial skills and enjoys meeting and working with new people. Some knowledge of Agriculture and Horticulture would be ideal but is not essential. However, the successful candidate will be supportive of and committed to, the objectives of the Society. Mainly, to protect and further the interests of Agriculture.

This position is rewarded with an annual Honorarium, which is currently under review.

Interested? Please write with details of your experience and reasons for your interest to FILLONGLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, The Cliffs Farm, Tippers Hill Lane, Fillongley. Coventry CV7 8DJ or email richard@tippershill.freeserve.co.uk

In Meriden Minister: Rev Andrew Charlesworth BSc BA Tel: 01676 533737 - Phone to arrange marriages, baptisms and funerals Services: Sunday 10:30am (Junior Church and crèche for children) Sunday evening 5:30pm (4th Sunday in month only) Somebody bought me Harry Hill’s Bumper Book of Bloopers for Christmas. This book is full of mistakes that people have made in various publications. For example, these little gems appeared in various patients’ notes in hospital: • • •

By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart rate had stopped and he was feeling much better.

The patient refused an autopsy.

The patient left hospital feeling much better except for her original complaints.

I am sure such mistakes would never appear in the Meriden Mag! We all make mistakes of course. Some of these are trivial. Almost 30 years ago, when I played a lot of golf during my teenage years, I owned a pair of red trousers. And when I say red, I mean red! But some mistakes we make are not trivial. Sometimes when we make mistakes other people get hurt.

Although, we might laugh at the bloopers in the book, some mistakes can shape our lives enormously. This is true whether it is a mistake we have made, or indeed someone else’s mistake which has affected us greatly. One of the saddest things in my role as a minister is when I meet with people whose relationships with brothers or sisters, or other family members have been torn apart by the mistakes that one or other of them has made along the way. Such broken relationships are unfortunately scattered through so many lives.

I met one lady in hospital who I did not know at all. The very first thing she told me was that she had just found out one of her brothers had cancer and she wished it was her other brother. How can a relationship with a brother or sister become so broken that someone could wish such a thing? The saddest thing in this instance is that the dispute all stemmed from building a wall in the garden! The dispute spiralled and at a time when both she and her brother needed all the support they could get, a key relationship was seemingly beyond repair.

But as I have already noted, we all make mistakes. I often think it is important that we recognise this fact. I would not want my mistakes to adversely affect my relationships with others, so I should not allow their mistakes to affect those same relationships. Perhaps we need to remember that we can be more forgiving of our own mistakes than those of others.

Lent is a time when we are called to reflect on our lives.

Perhaps this year it could be a time when we ask for and offer forgiveness to those who should be so close to us. Sometimes, as we see in God sending his son Jesus into our world, the healing begins when someone makes the first move.

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Love, peace and joy. Andrew Diary Dates: 2nd March 2pm Women’s World Day of Prayer 23rd Feb-29th March Thursday nights (7:30pm) Lent Course at Lime Tree Park Methodist Church 4th April 6:30pm Holy Week Event 6th April 10:30am Good Friday Walk of Witness 8th April 10:30am Easter Day Service 13th April 7pm Supper Club th 27 May 4pm Kinwalsey Tree Service

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www.stillinspain.com The Methodist Church Hall is available for hire, please contact Maureen Gabbitas on 01676 522148 for details

Contact Malcolm Hickin 01676 533716

Queens Head Old Road Meriden Monday night is music night come along and join us, music starts 9.15pm approx March 5th 12th 19th 26th

Michael Day Justine Claire Julie Christie Stevie Best

April 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th

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May

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

Greetings to you all,

The Centre Charity Shop 01676 523050

As always, a huge thank you to our hardworking and faithful staff who help to make working at The Centre a pleasure. Since Christmas we have had some lovely donations, in particular a beautiful complete dinner service and a couple of Lladro figurines, which were snapped up immediately!! So thanks to the kind hearted people in Meriden who make shopping in the charity shop so interesting and akin to an Aladdin’s cave. We have had lots of comments regarding the quality and variety of items for sale, which is all down to you and your generosity. At the moment we are very low on curtains, quilt cover sets and valance sheets so if you have any to spare which are in good condition please consider donating them as they are very popular. We are also short of small items of furniture so if you have any you would like to donate just give us a quick call to make sure we haven’t been swamped with items and we would be happy to take them.

Again we still have a need for black refuse sacks due to the sheer volume we get through. If you don’t have any you can donate but know of somewhere that sells strong long sacks at an affordable price then even a telephone number or contact details would be helpful. The ones that the Council used to provide are the sort of size and durability we require.

And remember we are also here to help if we can, so if you are in need of a listening ear, need someone to talk to or pray with, please pop in to the shop and ask for Kevin or Lyn. As it is written ‘’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him’’. (1 Corinthians 2 v 9).

Meriden Christian Fellowship.

Are there times when you find that life just seems to be overwhelming to the point where everyone appears to be against you, and you’re not sure what to do or where to turn? This is a feeling that many experience. The truth is life is hard and especially now with possibly the worst global financial crisis in the world’s history.

With all this happening, there is someone we can turn to, who holds the secret to the peace and contentment we all seek in these troubled times.

Jesus said ‘’Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”(John 14 v 27). Jesus can give you His peace in these troubled times, so why not let Him? We continue to meet every Sunday morning at 10.30 a.m. in the Scout Hall (next to the Doctors Surgery) and would love to have you come and join us. We also continue to meet once a Month at the Methodist Church for a Joint Celebration Service with the three fellowships in Meriden.

We also hold various meetings throughout the week, House groups, a discipleship group, as well as a men’s breakfast four times per year.

Every blessing to you all. Kevin and Lyn Hunt

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A Message from Caroline Spelman MP Faith group volunteers I have often written about the importance of volunteering and I know many people already offer their time and skills to help the community – which is what the term ‘Big Society’ is really all about. There are numerous churches and faith groups who organise volunteers on a local basis and they offer opportunities to anyone who would like to do something more for other people. This gives young people particularly the chance to show their skills and to learn too, while making friends and improving their self-esteem. When a job application form requires an entry under ‘areas of responsibility’, helping a church group or charity could be just the way to show you have that extra something that distinguishes you from other applicants. The West Midlands has a big local project - a Frontline Generation Event where churches come together for worship, prayer then mission through word and action. This is starting in Solihull first with partners from Wolverhampton and Birmingham joining too. Already there are between 600-1000 young people involved with projects and funding arranged by our local council and the police. The projects involved include:  Clearing waste land  Family Fun Day  Painting fences  Painting telephone boxes  Building a garden area in a school  Painting wooden bus shelters  Helping with work at allotments  Litter picking  Painting road signs  More gardening  Security marking electrical equipment for people All these projects will happen simultaneously. This first Solihull event is 30th-31st March with later events planned for August and October. I hope many of you will be inspired to take part. For more information, please email

Sarah.Sharpe@knowleparishchurch.org.uk.

www.carolinespelman.com

To contact Caroline or make an appointment for a surgery please contact Elizabeth Goodall on 020 7219 4189 email: caroline@carolinespelman.com

www.carolinespelman.com

ZUMBA With Hayley

Rehearsals are held alternate Friday evenings at Meriden Village Hall 7.30pm No audition and no previous experiences needed just a love of singing! New members very welcome, we are especially in need of new men singers at present.

We are a warm and friendly mixed choir that has a great time and raises lots of money for charity.

Firebird Singers gave two great concerts in December and raised money for the charity N.I.C.E. and also for St Laurence Church Meriden.

We are currently rehearsing many new songs including the Military Wives “Wherever you are” for our summer concert.

Contact John Bentick on 07716 721467 j.bentick@btinternet.com

Great way to lose weight Don’t have to be a dancer Excellent for your core Great party atmosphere!

Wear comfortable clothes and trainers

£4 per class Come join the party at Meriden Village Hall, Main Rd, Meriden CV7 7NG Thursdays 6pm – 6.45pm.

7.00pm – 7.45pm For more information contact Hayley 07904 239365 Email: hayleystanley1@hotmail.co.uk Find me on Facebook

COME AND VISIT US! A fantastic variety of fresh produce including bacon & sausages from our farm, a full butchery & delicatessen, local fruit, vegetables, handmade pies & ready meals, cakes & quiches.

& Coffee Shop

‘The Hayloft’

Eat, drink & unwind in ‘The Hayloft’ our licensed coffee shop.

Berryfields Farm Shop, Berkswell Road, Email: info@berryfieldsfarmshop.co.uk Meriden.

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

Chocolates & gifts for Mother’s Day & Easter available now!

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

Friends, Romans, countrymen…..

I am delighted to inform you that a recent meeting of the Heart of England PTA resolved to re-brand itself as: The Friends of Heart of England School.

The members felt this gave the group a much broader remit and paved the way for greater community involvement.

The aims of the ‘Friends’ will be:   

To enhance the education of the pupils of the Heart of England School by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities for education not normally provided by the Schools' delegated budget.

To foster more extended relationships between the Parents, Staff and others associated with the School.

To engage in activities which support the school and promote the welfare of the pupils attending it, without at any time interfering with the discipline of the school or with the work and responsibilities of the Headteacher and staff.

Membership will be open to:   

All Parents/Carers of present pupils of the school and all members of Staff of the school shall have automatic membership of the Association.

Former members of staff and Parent/Carers may become members of the association.

Members of the neighbouring communities may become members of the association.

The Friends association has ambitious plans, not least to build a library and local history centre on the school site: codenamed Project 55.

If you would like to know more, or wish to get involved please email: office@heart-england.co.uk

Andrew R. Mackereth Headteacher

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Local Farmers Markets Solihull - High Street 1st Friday in month 9am – 3pm Kenilworth - Abbey End 2nd Saturday in month 9am-2pm Warwick - Market Square 3rd Friday in month 10am-3pm Leamington Spa - bottom of Parade 4th Saturday in month 9am-2pm Coventry - Market Way 2nd Thursday in month 9am-4.30pm Coleshill - Church Hill 4th Friday in month 10am – 2pm

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

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A weekly market is held at Balsall Common Village Hall, Station Road CV7 7EX every Saturday from 10.00. - 11.00am Home baking and preserves, meat, plants and seasonal vegetables Crafts and homemade cards Come and see us have a chat and a tea or coffee all will be made welcome Gifts for Mother’s day, cakes can be ordered, plants, flowers, jewellery and lots more.

For more details call June Smitten on 01676 523007

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Contact 01676 534148

A free cup of tea or coffee with this voucher

After a few false starts, where Mother Nature was confused enough to have my magnolia tree budding in December, the perfume of the flowers and cheeping of the birds tells me it’s finally Springtime! Hurrah!

Spring for me is all about juggling the expectations of brides, who are looking for a wedding cake to fulfil their childhood fantasies, with looking after my jungle of a garden, coaxing my herb garden out of hibernation, having a good old fashioned clean out of every cupboard, yet still maintaining a fraction of control of the chaos at home.

It’s a very busy time of year in my kitchen, but also the most fun, as I get to throw myself into an unknown season of cake decorating, which is extremely rewarding, demanding- and occasionally terrifying!

So, with spring now in the air, I thought you may like to stretch your wings of creativity, and make a batch of cupcakes to celebrate with me, decorated with Easter cheer.

I think we will start with just a basic vanilla cupcake recipe, as you really can’t go wrong with a good vanilla sponge. My top tip is to get all the ingredients out and measured- just like you see on the TV shows.

It makes cooking much easier and foolproof, and, if you are doing this with the kids, it’s much more fun to pretend you are Nigella or Jamie too! Encourage the kids to keep a tidy work space; it’s a great habit to start young!

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes Bits and Bobs: Cake Batter: 12 Cupcake liners 210g Margarine A muffin tray 210g Caster Sugar Piping bag & big star nozzle 210g sieved Self Raising Flour A flower cutter or two 1 level teaspoon baking powder Food Colouring 3 eggs (medium free range) 1 teaspoon Vanilla essence

Buttercream& Decoration: 115g Butter 230g Good quality icing sugar (sieved) Vanilla essence A few drops of very cold milk 100g White Sugarpaste

Try Ebay or a good local cake shop if your supermarket doesn’t stock any of the above. I use Sugar flair pastes, but a tiny drop of liquid colouring will be fine if that’s all you can get. Blue, red, pink, yellow.

Whatever floats your cupcake!

Add all of the cake batter ingredients into a bowl, all must be room temperature. Whisk for one to two minutes, until the mixture is smooth and light, but no longer than that. Divide the batter between your twelve liners inside the muffin tin. Bake for 21 minutes at 175* (350*F Gas Mark 4) on the middle shelf of your oven. Remove from tins after 5 mins and cool on a rack.

Whisk the butter until it goes very, very pale. Then whisk some more! Add the icing sugar in three parts, waiting each time until it is thoroughly blended. Add the vanilla, then add a few drops of milk and keep whisking and adding droplets until it reaches the consistency of whipped cream.

Using a 1m nozzle –or a big star, pipe a swirl on each cake, starting on the outside, sweeping a neat circle into the middle and pulling upward, keeping a steady flow as you go.Use both hands to grip the bag- it’s not as hard as it sounds!

Using the flower cutters and different colours of the sugarpaste, make someflowers by rolling the paste thinly, and depressing the plunger into the paste, running your finger around the cutter to neaten the edge each time. Then pop them on a surface to dry. A spongy surface means you can “cup’ them slightly, which looks lovely.Once dry, plant them all over six of your cakes. Get artistic! You could even make a little bird or butterfly! For the remaining six cupcakes, break up pieces of Cadburys Flakes, and arrange to form a ‘nest” on each one. Lay three or four mini chocolate eggs in the middle.Simple but great fun to make- and even more fun to eat!

(For more ‘cake-spiration’, in glorious Technicolor, go to www.juciluciscupcakefactory.co.uk)

The world’s media came to Meriden recently to observe the hugely ironic spectacle of seeing the ‘powers that be’ telling protesters (who are there to protect the green belt) to ‘sling their hook’ whilst the developers illegally occupying - and still attempting to develop the site - remain. The Planning system is a slow beast and finds it hard to provide speedy remedies against developers who are content to throw Dale Farm style spanners in the legal system (costing the Council and residents huge amounts of money to defend) and using a range of ‘personal circumstances’ to apply for legal aid to oppose the Council and residents.

The occupants of the protest camp also find it hugely ironic that they are the only ones sitting around the camp fire freezing at night – witnessing ‘families’ arrive only when the TV cameras turn up. Camp ‘Marie Celeste’ as it is known receives mainly day time visitors only and quickly empties when the cold night air descends.

The Planning system is a blunt instrument and fails to distinguish between those who don’t want to be there (needing to be vigilant against further attempts to develop the site unlawfully) and those who want to set up an extensive residential development adding huge financial value to what should otherwise be fairly low value land.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The sleeping giant of the legal system seems to be waking from its slumber and a number of Court cases are pending which might – just might – herald the enforcement action needed. It is worth remembering that the Council, The Planning Inspectorate AND the Secretary of State have all said that the site is inappropriate and downright dangerous given that it generates large vehicular traffic on a single track lane. It is time for those who sought to ‘steal a march’ on the planning system to do the right thing.

As for the protest camp, we will not indulge in ‘appeal on appeal’ tactics. We will not cause the taxpayer to fund an eviction. We are peaceful but tenacious. We WILL comply with ANY requirement the Council places on us to remove out temporary shelter. But we will NOT end our campaign until the green belt is restored. With or without shelter the campaign goes on. After all where in Solihull or across the country is safe from illegal occupations, bank holiday land grabs and devastated open countryside if we fail? We are now faced with needing to generate more cash to oppose further appeals by the developers – but will do so because we have no alternative. But be in no doubt, we WILL restore the broken green belt of our beautiful countryside.

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Please call Adam on 0794 389 3354 Protesters braving the cold weather

Meetings are held in the Village Hall on the first Monday in the month at 7.30pm Contact Janet Wood 01676 522122 (evenings) Our Christmas celebrations began early when members enjoyed a festive lunch at Haig’s Hotel in Balsall Common.

At our December meeting we tackled a quite difficult Christmas Quiz then had a sing-along and partook of seasonal refreshments.

In January we had a speaker who didn’t talk! ‘Jet’ from the Birmingham Institute for the Deaf (and totally deaf himself) used sign language to introduce ‘Deaf Awareness’ he brought with him two very skilled interpreters and was very informative.

He made us realise how we can communicate with people who are deaf and told us about the best ways to help deaf people.

Audrey Davies came to our February meeting to tell us about Joyce Grenfell. She talked about the actor/writer’s life and career, and then recited some of her very amusing monologues.

Elizabeth Spencer Future Programme: Monday 5th March Bernadette Mallon – Life as a Tennis Umpire Monday 2nd April- Mr A. Tucker- The Berkswell Suffragettes Monday 14th May- National Resolution Meeting (Please note change of date due to 7th May Bank Holiday) Visitors and potential new members always welcome Evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid bowlers.

Unfortunately, all the Swiss league records were destroyed in a fire ... And so we'll never know for whom the Tells bowled!!

Brailes Farm 522318 Potatoes Fresh cut turf Rockery stone and other garden needs

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

Mondays 9.30-10.30am Meriden Village Hall Call Jacqui on 07703 345210

Village delivery

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

CAMEO

In November we were pleased to welcome back Claire Laland and this time she spoke about India, a country of contrasts. beenOther invited wedding and Centre showed on us the the sari she wore Come andClare Meethad Each at to thea Community 4th Friday of which the was made from six yards of material.

The wedding had taken place over three days. We were given a slide show and in month at 2.00 p.m. addition to slides of the wedding and views of ornate palaces we saw slides of the poor pavement communities. The Women’s Guild of Christian Service is involved in helping these people. An Orphanage and Old People’s Home had been built and the children were receiving education. We were told how keen they are to learn and they certainly looked happy as they held up pencils they had received through . donations.

Our Christmas Celebrations were led by Kevin Hunt with Phil Shapiro on the keyboard. In addition to bible readings, we heard humorous poems and enjoyed singing our favourite carols. Mince pies, sausage rolls and shortbread completed the very enjoyable afternoon.

TH E

OL

At our January meeting Dina Hunt talked movingly about her work as a healthcare assistant in the Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull. She explained the major role of the Hospice is pain management as they are able to give much higher doses of pain relief than hospitals can prescribe. The aim is to promote quality of life for people with terminal illnesses and provide support for their families. There is also a day hospice where patients are able to meet others to share experiences and take part in a range of activities. Respite care is also offered. Every year they care for more than 1,200 patients. The Hospice costs £3 million a year to run and relies on the generosity of their supporters. Dina herself has taken part in a number of arduous treks and long cycle rides abroad to raise money. A brand new Hospice costing £7 million is being built in Solihull which will have 24 single en-suite bedrooms, six therapy rooms, a gym and other facilities for medical treatments to enable them to offer hundreds more appointments. At the end of the meeting we gave Dina a donation of £115.

We look forward to welcoming more friends to our meetings so if you need information or a lift please telephone: Ellen 522534 or Pam 523372 ME SC The Orme School of HO OR Dancing Forthcoming Meetings:Meriden Branch 23rd March – An Easter Play performed at Canley Community Church.

27th April – Talk by Brenda Bullock author of “A Pocket With A Hole”.

25th May - T.B.C.

State Registered Chiropodist

Mrs C Booker SRCh, MChS Home visiting practice only

Jennifer Faulkner L.I.D.T.A BA Hons Licentiate Teaching Degree dip A.B.R.S.M Principal- Sandra Clarke

Methodist Church Hall Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Freestyle and Contemporary Tel: 02476 467271 Helping to keep dance available in Meriden

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

www.larchtreeost.co.uk

Tel 01676 534265

TEL: 024 7647 0019

News from Meriden Rotary Club Meriden Rotary is starting to plan its events for the New Year. We had a very successful Christmas with Santa's Sleigh collections in Blooms Garden Centre, Hampton in Arden, Fillongley, Millison's Wood, and Meriden itself. Altogether we raised over £3,000 and the president's Charity Emmaus has already benefited from a large contribution.

We would like to thank everyone in Meriden and its surroundings for making our work so worthwhile.

The Senior Citizen’s Party was held at Fentham Hall on February 18th .This annual event always proves very popular.

May 15th will be our president's night and my special guest will be Terry Waite. The event will be held at the Manor Hotel and I am hoping for a good attendance for charity.

The annual Megaride will be held this year on 10th June. This event sees up to 400 motorcycles journey in convoy to Meriden, where they are entertained by live music games and stalls. This year we intend to add more bands and make it more of a festival for the village and its young people. If you are interested in taking part get in touch if you wish to run a stall, play in a band or have competitions or games, which can entertain the crowd. Telephone me or Neville Riley on 01676532709 Our charities for the event are Emmaus, a Coventry charity for the homeless and Macmillan Cancer Support. We are again using the Queen's Head and its grounds, but this year we are closing the road for extra space and to provide room for more stalls and events. Put it in your diary, we would love to see plenty of villagers there.

Finally this year we are trying a new event an opera Mozart's ‘The Magic Flute.’ It will take place on the 7th July at Fillongley Lodge. Again put it in your diary Tickets are limited so book early. This should be a major event in our area, so if you are interested contact John O'Brian 01676541409 Len Cardwell President Meriden Rotary. 01676 542 687

This year we are lucky to be working with Meriden Rotary but who and what is Emmaus Coventry?

A home, a job, a purpose: Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire helps individuals build new lives.

At Emmaus Communities, formerly homeless men and women live and work together in a supportive environment.

Everyone in an Emmaus Community has a role to fill and contributes to the well-being of the Community.

To join a Community, Companions, as residents are known, sign off unemployment benefits. Companions work full time collecting and reselling furniture at Emmaus shops, with the goal of establishing a financially self-supporting Community. In return, Companions receive accommodation, food, clothing and a small weekly allowance.

The Emmaus story is really the story of its Companions. The reasons for their homelessness vary; relationship breakdown, substance abuse, poverty, but all Companions share a desire and drive to get a fresh start. At Emmaus, as they learn new skills, discover hidden talents and develop friendships, they gain a sense of self-worth and independence. Companions often credit Emmaus as a turning-point in their lives, the point when they shifted from despair to hope.

There is no limit to how long people can stay. Some stay just long enough to get back on their feet; others stay long-term.

Companions live by a few basic rules: all are expected to work to the best of their abilities and no drink, drugs or violence is allowed within the Community. Many people joining a Community will have unresolved issues with their mental/physical health; substance addictions or other difficulties from their past, but Emmaus will help them to access the appropriate services to work toward resolving those concerns.

Once established, Emmaus Communities are self-sustaining. When Communities make a surplus, it is used to support others in need. Past donations have been used to help establish and support Emmaus Communities here and abroad as well as dedicated to local night shelters and soup kitchens, tsunami victims, and even a village primary school in Swaziland Emmaus Communities also support local neighbourhoods through sound environmental practices. Many Communities are located in refurbished buildings, such as abandoned factories, schools and convents and each Community saves hundreds of tonnes from going to landfill each year.

Research by Cambridge University concluded that Emmaus Communities could each save the tax payer up to £800,000 per year through state benefits forgone, reduced costs to the Health Service, criminal justice system and other social services.

Emmaus is the brainchild of Abbé Pierre, a Catholic priest who founded the first Community in Paris in 1949. Since then, the non-religious movement has grown to include more than 400 Communities worldwide, moving to the UK in 1992 with the opening of the Cambridge Emmaus. The UK movement continues to grow, with nearly a dozen groups working to open new Communities and 20 Communities presently up and running.

For more information visit www.emmaus.org.uk/coventry-warwickshire

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

For MOT, service, tyres & exhausts call:

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

S

We service, repair and care for your vehicle

Meriden Village Hall is available for private parties etc. Rates are £10 per hour Contact Valerie Martin 01676 522963

Friends in Retirement For further information regarding FIRS or the Social and Group activities contact the Chairman on 01676 523505

FIRS -Friends in Retirement - is a group for like-minded people who meet together to do various activities. Our Social Group organises theatre visits, day trips and lunches. The next trip will be a guided tour of Worcester in April and another one to the old Roman town of Cirencester in June 2012. There will be our Annual Lunch this month and we have a monthly Coffee Morning at The Jubilee Centre, Station Road, Balsall Common on the third Friday of the month – the next dates being 16th March, 20th April and 18th May 10am –noon. Why not come and join us?

Our monthly activity groups of Art, Patchwork, Paper Crafts, Walking, Ambling and Bridge continue. In June we will be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee with a special party.

WE CARE FOR

YOUR TREES PROFESSIONAL TREE SURGEONS TO BRITISH STANDARDS 3998  FORESTRY TRAINING COUNCIL APPROVED  FULL LIABILITY INSURANCE UP TO £5 MILLION  FELLING  PRUNING  HEDGE TRIMMING  STUMP REMOVAL  CROWN REDUCTION & THINNING CABLE BRACING & PINNING PLANTING OFFERING A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE BUILT OVER MANY YEARS TO ENSURE A PROFESSIONAL & EXPERT SERVICE. FOR YOUR FREE QUOTE PLEASE CALL:

DUNNS TREE SERVICES 12, Okehampton Road Styvechale, Coventry CV3 5AU Tel: 024 7641 3768 Mob: 07719 005747 Website: www.dunnstreeservices.co.uk

Berkswell and District History Group The aim of the History Group is to give its members and the general public the opportunity to acquire information and understanding on items of historical interest through meetings, visits and research projects. We normally hold a meeting or a visit in each calendar month.

Our Meetings for the next three months are shown below.

All these meetings start at 8.00pm prompt at Berkswell Reading Room. Doors open 7.45pm.

Wednesday, 14th March.

“Jurassic Warwickshire” an illustrated presentation by Dr. Jon Radley.

Wednesday, 11th April.

“The Gunpowder Plot of 1605” an illustrated presentation by Graham Sutherland.

Wednesday, 9th May. “Bess of Hardwick & Hardwick Hall” an illustrated talk by Dr.Gillian.White.

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

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

EXOTIC THAI DEE IS AT QUEENS HEAD PUB OLD ROAD MERIDEN Exotic Thai cuisine cooked in the traditional Thai Way OPEN 5 days a week Tuesday to Saturday Food can be ordered between the following times: Tuesday – Thursday 7.00pm till 10.00pm (closing) Friday – Saturday 7.00pm till 10.30pm (closing)

Book in advance to avoid disappointment 01676 523740 Restaurant (Tuesday to Saturday - evening only) or 01676 522256 Queens Head (all other times) The management reserves the right of admission

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust The Parkridge Centre, Brueton Park, Solihull Really Wild Easter Workshops Monday 2nd April – Friday 13th April All workshops are 10:30 – 12:00 noon.

Easter Trailblazers (2-4yrs) – Mon 2nd Wacky Windsocks (drop in) – Tue 3rd Easter Extravaganza (all ages) – Wed 4th Easter Bunnies – (age 4+) Thurs 5th Tribal Dens – (age 4+) Tues 10th Easter Cards for Tots (2-4 yrs) – Wed 11th Easter Birds – (age 4+) Thurs 12th Pond Dipping for Tots (2-4 yrs) – Fri 13th

Nature Tots Group We also run a Toddler Group every Wednesday and Friday during term time between 10:30 - 12:00noon.

Booking is essential, £2.50 per child.

Similar events take place at Brandon Marsh Centre, Brandon Lane, Coventry For details please phone 02476 302 912

Special event Parkridge 10th Anniversary Saturday 19th May 10.00am – 2.00pm Come along and celebrate our 10th anniversary with guided walks, children’s activities and trails

Spring Half Term All workshops are 10.30 - 12.00noon Some wonderful events are also planned for June,

check out our website for more information: www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

To book any of these events please call

0121 704 0768 Cost of Workshops £3.00 per child £4.00 for non WWT Members £2 for drop in sessions

Highly Successful Business Woman Expanding international £38 million turnover company into this area, now seeks working partners, initially part time, who must be ambitious and self motivated.

If you have supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or feel you wish to develop an extraordinary income, with profit share, car, free international travel programme, and a balanced and flexible lifestyle, then I would like to hear from you.

Call Gill Pritchard 01676 534020 / 07817 154596 Ongoing training and support for right people The secret of longevity is to keep breathing !

Heart of England Social Club Come along and visit us!

The club offers a warm welcome, with excellent facilities for all, including a large concert room with live entertainment, lounge with the best view in the village, bar, games room, snooker room and beer garden with play area.

We now have Premiership Football on Satellite television!!!

Sunday evening Bingo at 8.30pm

Room hire available for private functions Heart of England Social Club Berkswell Road, Meriden 01676 522430

PC Technical Services Tile Hill Lane, Coventry

Home Computer Repairs, Upgrading & Problem Solving

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

PHYSIOTHERAPY REFLEXOLOGY COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES

Treatment for pain, stress, acute and chronic conditions Alison Stain M.C.S.P., HPC., I.T.E.C. The Therapy Centre, Balsall Villa 287 Kenilworth Road Balsall Common.

Tel : 01676 522284

The Job Squad

www.

TheJobSquad. co.uk

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

Suppliers of all your dancing requirements and examination wear

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

All work guaranteed Fully insured State pensioners discount Minimum one hour

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

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



6, Cedars Avenue, Coundon, Coventry CV6 1DR Email :dancingdivas2011@gmail.com Telephone: 07532 073098 www.dancing-divas-coventry.co.uk/

Meriden Floral Society nday 11th D

Meetings are held at Meriden village Hall 7.30pm – 9.30pm approx On the 3rd Monday of every month

The Christmas Demonstration by Lorena Dyer was excellent and put the audience in the right mood for the coming celebrations.

The practice class held in January was extremely well attended. Jayne Edmunds demonstrated first of all and then the class set to work and we all went home with beautiful arrangements. A great evening!

For more information please contact: Mo Reynolds 01676 521457 June Brown 01676 522 210 Margaret Barnsdall 01676 520317

No Contract No joining Fee Spring into fitness and Join the Forest of Arden with No joining Fee and no Annual Contract

Call 01676 526 107 and quote”meridenmag” for more details A MARRIOTT HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB MERIDEN, CV7 7HR *Terms & conditions apply *Subject to availability, *Admin fee applies. *Available through March/April//May 2012 only

Forthcoming events Monday 19th March A Material World Janet Cooper Monday 16th April Looking Forward Lyn Wherret Monday 21st May La Vie en Rose Arnaud Metairie This will be a French Evening to include Cheese and Wine. The hall will be decked out in Red White and Blue. There will also be a plant sale. Tickets £6 Special Notice May 5th - 8th Coventry Cathedral NAFAS South Midlands are hosting this event "THE POWER AND THE GLORY" and it will be celebrating 50 years since the Cathedral was rebuilt. Artists and Craftsmen who were involved in this will be there and there will be flowers in abundance and various demonstrations.

A local event not to be missed.

Meriden Surgery

01676 522252

Opening Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Wednesday

1.

8.30am to 6pm 8.30am to 12.00

When the Surgery is closed please telephone: 01676 532587 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 phone them on 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

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 10am

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.

Doctors Appointments – Changes to the Booking System Having received comments from patients and staff we have decided to simplify the way in which doctors’ appointments can be booked. With the exception of a few protected appointments in each surgery, all doctors’ appointments will be bookable approximately 4 weeks in advance.

Once all of the PRE BOOKABLE appointments have been booked a number of appointments will be protected for release on the day of the surgery for patients who require a same day/urgent appointment. For morning surgeries these will be released at 8.30am and afternoon surgeries these will be released at 2.00pm.

We would advise patients that if their first choice of appointment is not available they should book the first available appointment they can attend, and then, if they wish, contact the surgery again to see if an earlier appointment has become available, remembering to cancel any unwanted appointments.

We try our utmost to meet the needs of the patients with the resources we have available to us. We hope this change to the way we book appointments will make the system easier for both patients and reception staff.

Joanne Hope Practice Manager

New Health Centre at Balsall Common As I am sure you are aware the new health centre in Balsall Common is near to completion although an opening date has not yet been agreed. The Practice is very excited about moving to the new building. As the moving date gets closer information regarding the opening hours and services will be communicated to patients. I should like to assure all of the Meriden surgery patients that the Meriden surgery WILL remain open and continue to operate as it does today. Although some of the services presently provided at the Meriden Surgery will also be provided at the new building there are no plans to stop providing any of the services from the Meriden surgery.

If you have any questions with regards to this or any other surgery matters please do not hesitate to contact me on 01676532213. Joanne Hope – Practice Manager

NHS Blood and Transplants The next session for blood donors will be Thursday 15th March 2012 at the Heart of England Social Club 1.30 3.30pm & 4.30 - 7.30pm Appointments available by calling

0300 123 2323

Coventry Breathe Easy For more information please ring Vera on 02476 333040 This is a recently formed group for all who suffer from any breathing related illness and also their carers.

If you suffer in this way, please come and meet others who have similar problems. The group meet at 2.00pm on every second Friday in the month at the Eadon Hall in the Methodist Central Hall, Warwick Lane Coventry.

The meetings are free with a speaker each time.

9 March Lucy Aphramor – Nutritionist – Nutrition in Lung Disease 13 April Oxygen Therapy, Emma Nicklin from Air Products 11 May Jaspreet Singh – Expert Patient Programme Also Purple Watch, West Midlands Fire Service - Safety Checks

Painting with Julie - Spring Lambs I think we may have finally turned the corner into spring. I have seen lambs in the fields and it even stops raining from time to time…

With this in mind I thought that we would have a go at painting a couple of little lambs. You will need some water colour paper and paints, a few different sizes of soft brushes and some clean water.

1 .Carefully draw out the lambs, lightly in pencil on to watercolour paper.

2. Lambs. Before you wet the paper, pre mix separate puddles of: Dark Brown  Yellow and Dark Brown (to make a brownie/yellow)  Blue with a tiny touch Crimson Red (to make a blue/purple)  A weak little puddle of Crimson Red (to make a pink) Wet one lamb all over with clean water and add colours while still wet, letting them run together in places. Using the yellow and the brown washes over the body and head and the blue colour in the shadow areas. Make sure that you leave some areas of the back of the lambs body white; with no colour added. Add a little of the pink to the inside of the ears.

3. Foreground. Pre mix puddles of: Yellowy Green, (Yellow and Blue)  Blue Green (Yellow and Blue but more blue than previous wash) Wet the foreground with clean water and drop colours into wet area in horizontal bands but flick some colours upwards to look like grass.

Let it dry.

4. Background. Pre mix strong washes of: Blue  Yellowy Green (Yellow and Blue)  Blue Green (Yellow and Blue but more blue and a bit stronger than previous wash) Wet the background. Carefully wet around lambs first then the rest of the background. Drop in colours, blue for sky, greens for bushes and grass while still wet so that they blur a little.

5. Details. Using a small brush add details to lambs such as inside of ears with Dark Brown and pink. Add eyes and noses with a strong dark mix of Blue and Brown.

6. Shadows. Add extra shadows to underside of lambs’ legs by wetting each leg with clean water and adding a weaker mix of Blue and Brown to the shadowy bits.

There was another very successful art and crafts exhibition at the COEA just before Christmas with more than 250 people coming along to admire the work done by the growing number of local artists and crafters.

Typical comments from visitors were: “the best exhibition of amateur work…” and “how can the standard keep going up each year?”

We raised nearly £250 in donations and as the COEA is a charity and tries to keep its pricing as low as possible, this really helps everyone who participates in workshops and weekly classes. I would like to thank everyone who supported us by either exhibiting or attending the exhibition.

This year we have new weekly classes starting and lots of weekend workshops not just in painting but in all sorts of craft skills such as stained glass, sewing/quilting, jewellery making, photography…

See www.COEA.co.uk or contact Julie on 01676 523357 for more details.

As usual, our classes and workshops will be geared towards adults of any age and ability. If you've never picked up a paintbrush or tried your hand working with stained glass, the COEA is for you. There are no tests or examinations – everything we do is aimed at people having fun learning new skills. Our classes and workshops are also a great way to socialise and meet people with shared interests.

You are invited to be a Coventry Pilgrim.

It’s just a walk! Or two walks. The purpose is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Modern Cathedral, and the Cathedral Mission of Peace and Reconciliation, and to enjoy a bit of a challenge with some nice people. Both walks finish at the Cathedral at 6.30pm on Sunday 1st April for a special Pilgrim’s service, but one is completed in moderate chunks in the evenings over a period of 7 days, and the other is more intense, starting on the Friday night and covering the 50 mile distance in 48 hours.

Everyone, whether you regularly attend church or not, is welcome to take part in a Christian Pilgrimage. To be a pilgrim is to undertake a journey with spiritual purpose.

The good thing for us in Meriden, and something of an honour, is that both Pilgrimages start from our Parish Church, St. Laurence’s. The walk for ‘Strollers’ begins on Monday 26th March at 5.00 pm after a short dedication service at 4.45. The walk for ‘Striders’ begins in the same way on Friday 30th.

If you want to take part but feel you are more of a ‘Saunterer’ you can join in with as much or as little as you like or do the route over a longer time and finish at a later date.

The Bishop of Warwick will lead the service and walk on Monday 26th, and the Bishop of Coventry on Friday 30th. So if you would like the chance to meet and discuss anything with one of our bishops, come along and join a walk on either evening. The clocks go forward on Sunday 25th so it will be light until after 7.00 pm for the week of the Pilgrimage.

The route is based on The Coventry Way footpath which makes a complete circuit of the countryside around Coventry and then takes a new path, The Sherbourne Valley Walk, from Corley Moor to the centre of Coventry and the Cathedral. On those two evenings starting from Meriden, the walk will take you to Books Berkswell.

Guide can be ordered from the ‘Coventry Pilgrimage’ pages on the Guide books can be ordered from the Coventry ‘Pilgrimage Pages’ or the Shop in the old Cathedral ruins.

Basic over-night accommodation will be arranged for all those taking part in the two-day walk so it is essential to register with the organisers for the two day walk.

For further information see www.sherbournetrust.net , phone 07938 403290, Or email thecoventrypilgrimage@yahoo.co.uk Coventry Pilgrimage Planning Group, c/o 1 Hill Top, Coventry. CV1 5AB

Lost Property at Meriden Church A hiker’s walking stick adjustable length, with a pointed end.

A grey/black tartan scarf.

2 pairs of gloves.

A dog tag for ‘Topsom’.

Foundation Stage had a feast to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Chinese Year of the Dragon

They ate rice, noodles and spring rolls. They also tried Chinese cakes and fruit.

Did you know that if the noodles in your bowl are long, you will have good luck all year long?!!

I’m going on a Bear Hunt!!

Early years have added their own version to Michael Rosen’s book “I’m Going on a Bear Hunt” Grass, tall wavy grass (swish) Mud, icky sticky mud (squish, squash) A river, a very cold river (splash) A forest, a deep, dark forest (stumble-trip) A cave, a very dark cave (tippytoe)

Foundation Stage had a feast to celebrateChinese New Year. They ate rice, noodles and spring rolls. Theyalso tried Chinese cakes and fruit.

Year 3 have been Did you know that if the noodles in yourbowl are long, you will have good luck all year long?!!

learning about the Aztecs and have made some masks

Tia, Carrie, Millie and Sophie at their Beaver investiture

Scouts making music

News from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry Be Part of an Exhibition… We're asking people to donate their stories, photos and memorabilia of the 1987 FA Cup Final to be included in the From Highfield Road to Wembley Way exhibition in 2012. Visitwww.theherbert.org/football to find out the simple and easy ways you can submit your stories and photos via email, Twitter, Flicker and Facebook.

There is just time to visit the exhibition of Turner Prize nominee George Shaw which ends on 11th March 2012.

George Shaw: I woz ere For the past 15 years, recent Turner Prize nominee George Shaw has been making paintings of the Tile Hill housing estate where he grew up. For the first time, this collection of paintings is shown in the place they represent. Many viewers will recognise the specific pubs, street corners, rows of garages, trees and shops.

New Free Exhibition - Wonderful Watercolours starting on Saturday February 25th Showcasing the Herbert's fine collection of watercolours, this exhibition will display over 100 views of Coventry and Warwickshire creating a visual record of over two centuries.

Featuring well known artists including Paul Sandby, David Cox and Thomas Girtin, and local favourites HE Cox and Sydney Bunney, the paintings range in date from the 1770s to the 1990s. Alongside familiar scenes, such as Kenilworth Castle and Warwick Castle, there are views of picturesque villages and a reminder of the glories of old Coventry in views of the city's medieval gates, buildings and streets.

Also included in the exhibition will be an album of views of Coventry painted in 1819 by William Brooke. Many of these superb works show streets and buildings which have now vanished. The album has just been purchased by the Herbert following a successful fundraising appeal. The displays will also feature items from the Herbert's archaeology, history and archive collections, which are linked to some of the locations shown in the paintings.

The Gallery is open from Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm and on Sunday 12 noon to 4.00pm

Bayley Lane and Cathedral

by Herbert Cox

1st Meriden Scout Group News from the Green Hut Please contact the Leaders below if you would like to join – Go on, come and meet some new friends, learn something new and have FUN!!

Beavers: Girls and boys aged 6-8 years meet on a Monday at 6.30pm. Contact Lis (521080) Cubs: Girls and Boys aged 8-10½ meet on a Tuesday at 6.30pm. Contact Jon (523421) Scouts: Girls and Boys aged 10½-14 meet on a Thursday at 7pm Contact Jim (523309) We also need help from any adults out there who would be willing to spare some time with any of the sections, even if it is just for the odd hour or two each month BEAVERS We ended 2011 by holding a presentation evening – a huge well done to all the Beaver Scouts who worked really hard to obtain their badges including their Promise Challenge and their special ‘Diamond Jubilee Year’ badges.

We started 2012 by celebrating Chinese New Year – the year of the Dragon. We cooked and ate a Chinese meal and created a handprint dragon for our display wall.

Over the next few months we shall be completing some of our challenge badges and looking forward to getting out and about as the nights get lighter. We shall be researching Fair Trade products and looking at Scouting in other countries.

We said farewell to Aiden, Niamh, Phoebe and Harry who swam up to Cubs in January and welcomed Millie, Tia, Sophia, Alfie, Seren, Sophie and Carrie to the Colony.

We still have a few places – so come and join the fun!

SCOUTS We would like to thank the Firs and the parents of the scouts for their help in fundraising throughout 2011.

This year we are taking part in the Scouts Sporting Adventure inspired by London 2012. The group have named their team “Meriden All Purples”. The Sporting Adventure is about working towards medals as part of a team and we will register online where there will be a medal table which charts our progress and will encourage us to push for higher achievements. There are 28 bronze, 14 silver and 7 gold each attracting points including activities such as “Dragon’s Den” and learning and competing in a completely new sport within 100 days. High scorers will be able to win prizes.

Part of this will also be the spoof Batman that the scouts will be writing and filming along with a challenge to cook a 3 course meal in 60 minutes.

We are also entering 2 competitions to potentially win £300 and £1000 respectively by designing a fire escape poster and an outdoor structure which again ties in with the Sporting Adventure..

Hopefully 2012 will be an interesting and challenging year for the Scouts.

Congratulations to Terry and Jane Stanley on the birth of their first grandchild Amelia Rose

Meriden has had a Brownie pack for many years. Sadly Jane and Sharon are retiring after 9 years; this is a last minute plea for someone in Meriden to take over this very successful pack before it closes in the summer.

Brownies helps girls to develop independence skills in a fun environment. And believe you me you will enjoy yourself too!

Come on Meriden don’t let us down speak to Jane and Sharon and lend a hand.

Sadly Meriden Brownies will be finishing in July - no one has approached us with a view to taking over the reins and running the pack. We plan to end our time at Brownies by holding a farewell party during the summer term, so for all the girls who have been Brownies with us since 2003, watch this space.

We finished off last term with a lovely visit to the Pantomine in Bedworth where we got a special mention. We had a very successful stall at Meriden School Christmas fayre and for the first time ever made a very healthy profit! Thanks for everyone who helped out. We have started off this New Year with some intensive first aid training so the girls should be confident to step in and help others if necessary. We have lots planned for the coming months so it should be an exciting time. We are pleased to announce that Hollie is now a Leader and a big thank you to all the Mums who helped out last term. If there is anyone reading this who thinks they would like to learn about what it takes to run a Brownie pack, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Jane 01676 542501 Sharon 01676 522591

Letter from Meriden, Connecticut, USA This and that and stuff Money talks, and nowhere does it speak louder than in the wonderful world of politics, where it now costs millions to win a seat in either house of Congress and where we’re fast closing in on the first billion-dollar presidential campaign.

That is, the two leading candidates did raise more than $1 billion between them the last time around ($747 million for Mr. Obama and $351 million for Mr. McCain; that’s what they raised, not what they spent, which was somewhat less) so it’s got to be only a matter of time, and not all that much of it, before we see the first campaign in which one candidate spends10 figures.

There are already rumors that Mr.Obama has “a billion-dollar war chest” for his re-election bid, but his campaign manager says that’s just a figment of the Republicans’ imagination.

Still, the figures are staggering: —For the 2008 presidential race, the Democrats took in more than a billion bucks and the Republicans $600 million, according to the Federal Election Commission.

—That same year, the average winning Senate candidate spent more than $8 million; in the House, that figure was well over $1 million. About a quarter of that Senate campaign cash — and nearly half of it in the House races — came from PACs: political action committees.

—Right here in the Land of Steady Habits, we saw a Senate candidate go through $50 million — and still lose. That would be Linda McMahon, grande dame of something called World Wrestling Entertainment.

I’m sorry: that may be perfectly legal, but it’s also perfectly obscene. Yes, I understand that there are constitutional issues involved. No, I’m not proposing that some kind of Department of Fairness tell Linda she can’t spend that much.

But it still stinks.

And now we have the Super PAC to pour even more money onto the fire. There have been PACs for a long time, but the Super PAC (a.k.a. the “independent expenditure-only committee”) is new, the result of a 2010 Supreme Court case.

Usually, such great leaps forward in the methodology of political fundraising are cooked up by the politicians themselves in the course of trying to write yet another regulation that generates the illusion that they’re honestly trying to “take the money out of politics” while keeping the cash drawer ajar. This time they just lucked out.

Both kinds of PACs are subject to reporting rules, but a regular PAC has limits to how much it can raise from anyone donor, while a Super PAC can raise unlimited sums, then spend unlimited sums to advocate for or against political candidates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Oh, and this is important: as long as it doesn’t coordinate its activities with the candidate or his campaign staff.

And if you believe that ...

While there may be plenty of reasons to worry about Uncle Sam’s spending habits — he employs roughly 15 million workers, after all — 100,000 of them to make the trains run on time, or something, at Transportation, and another 100,000 to keep track of egg prices, or something, at Agriculture —there could still be areas in which he spends relatively small sums, relatively effectively.

And I may have found one. It’s called the National Jukebox and it’s an online service provided by the Library of Congress.

The National Jukebox “makes historical sound recordings available to the public free of charge.”

“At launch, the Jukebox includes more than 10,000 recordings made by the Victor Talking Machine Company between 1901and 1925,” the site says, and the content will be increased regularly.

I wasn’t able to find a line for this on the library’s budget, but how much could it possibly cost?

Reach Glenn Richter at grichter@record-journal.com or (203)317-2222.

We wish Glenn a speedy recovery from his recent surgery and time in hospital

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Congratulations to Maureen and Alan Gabbittas who recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a Caribbean cruise

Meriden library 01676 522717 Open Monday 10.00am – 7.00pm Thursday 10.00am – 7.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Spring is in the air…

There is always something happening at Meriden Library, and this spring is no exception…

Family history If you have a Solihull Library Card, you can use our library computer for free for up to one hour a day, (extra time is available for a small charge.) If you are researching your family history you can also get free access to the Find My Past and Ancestry websites, which include records such as the 1911 census, indexes to births, marriages and deaths, and a wealth of military information.

Computer taster course We offer a six week computer taster course for the over 50s, where you can learn on a one to one basis with a tutor.

These lessons are on Monday mornings and a small charge does apply. Please ask us for more details.

Energy monitors These are now available and can be borrowed free from the library for up to two weeks. They show both the amount and cost of the energy you are using in your home. Call in now to borrow your monitor and start saving on your energy bills.

Fun for the under fives Story times for the under fives continue to take place every Monday during term time, from 2.45pm – 3.15pm. Come along for stories, rhymes and craft activities.

We have several special events coming up in the spring: Monday 5 March, 2.30pm – 3.15pm Story time for the under-fives with Sally Tonge.

Thursday 15 March, 1pm – 1.30pm Rhythm time with Jo Jingles – fun, music and singing for children from 18 months to four years old.

Monday 23 April, 2.30pm – 3.15pm It’s World Book Night and we’re celebrating with a ‘pyjama party’ for the under fives. Children can come along dressed up in their pyjamas to enjoy stories and rhymes.

Please ask us for more details about any of the events.

Julie Hairdresser Tel 01675 481134 Mobile 07703 343 003 Hair styled in the comfort of your home Time to relax; enjoy a cut, colour or perm The Meriden Mag would like to apologise for any confusion over Julie’s phone numbers in the previous issue, the correct ones are as printed above

MERIDEN LIBRARY READERS GROUP Meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30 to 9.00. You can get the venue from the Library or from Mike Watkinson on 01676 521496 We are a small group who enjoy reading books with a similar theme and sharing our feelings about them.

The library always finds a good selection for us to choose from that we think we will enjoy.

14th March Charles Dickens. In case you hadn't noticed the excellent TV versions of his stories over Christmas celebrating his 200th anniversary and a very funny take off of his life by Sue Perkins, it would appear that he was bigger and wealthier than Simon Cowell is today both on and off the stage. We will be reading one of his stories or delving into books about him - a complicated and sometimes nasty man who could bring amazing characters to life with a stroke of his pen.

4th April Any humorous book from naughty April Fool’s Day jokes to more subtle gentle or acidic stories.

9th May Royalty. So much has happened in the last year’s royal occasions for us to enjoy that we thought we would pick out our own favourite royal of all, going way back as far as you like to the present day. There may be surprises!

We would be very happy to see you at any of the meetings you think you might enjoy.

Do join us for any meeting that interests you. It's always a pleasure to see a new face.

Margaret Houldsworth

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It’s a funny thing, but I don’t remember becoming absent minded!

01676 523 798 Light Lunch menu available from Monday to Wednesday 12noon to 5.00pm.

New menu available from 22nd March 2012  Grilled goats cheese with beef tomato and onion marmalade  Whole tail scampi and chips  Mascarpone and berry tart with crème fraiche and strawberries 3 course light lunch starting from £12.99 We serve a fantastic roast platter on Sundays Visit www.thebullsheadmeriden.co.uk for more info

Sign up to the Bull’s Head Club at www.thebullsheadmeriden.co.uk and get a free bottle of bubbly on your Birthday Visit us on Facebook!

The Award Winning Farm Shop Berkswell Traditional Meats Larges Farm, Back Lane, Meriden CV77LD

Tel 01676 522409 www.berkswelltraditionalmeats.co

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Fresh spring lamb All cuts of beef including beef on the bone Superb homemade sausages and home cured bacon Traditional breed pork with real crackling Free range chickens Famous Berkswell ewes milk cheese

Warwickshire’s only accredited Traditional Breeds Butcher Listed as one of Rick Stein’s “Food Heroes” Warwickshire Life’s “Butcher of the Year”

Opening Hours Monday –closed Tuesday to Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm Sun 9.00am- 1.00pm

Mother’s Day Sunday 18th March 3 course set menu for only £16.95 Bookings now being taken

We have 13 comfortable bedrooms with flat screen TV’s and tea & coffee facilities. All ensuite.

Please visit our web site for special rates www.innkeeperslodge.com

Through the magazine I would like to thank the very kind lady who found my purse on the bench on the Green and handed it into the newsagents shop. I am very grateful.

Thank you so much S. Beardsley Meriden.

What are the people of Meriden thinking of doing to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee? Are there any ideas for planting a tree or siting a bench? My sister and I raised money with the people of Meriden and had a new bench sited on the Green for the Queen’s silver jubilee.

Grace Ball

My Name is Cathy Hurley, my mother was Charmian Havercroft and her father, George was the Headmaster at Meriden Primary School between 1938 and 1949 ish. I am trying to find out information about my grandfather when he was at the school, or to find pictures of the school and the school house. I understand the house was directly attached to school and he could just walk through from the house into the school. My mother was born in the school house and I was hoping to see what it looked like in the 1940’s.There was also quite a bad road accident involving my mother and her father and I was trying to find more about that. I have been in contact with Mike Callow and Angela Wheeler (Ron Jacksons’s daughter) - and they have given me a little information but am hoping to find out more.

I hope at some stage to visit Meriden, to see the village to look in the library and perhaps visit the school.

Unfortunately, I cannot ask my mother any more questions as she passed away last January 2011 on the Isle of Man where the family moved to in 1949. I didn’t know my mother or the Havercroft family as my mother had to have me adopted when I was born in the 1960s .It was wonderful (on both sides) to find her in back in April 2010 but the 9 months I had talking to her were not long enough to find things out and remember them. So now when I remember things I write them down before I forget!!!!!

When I was clearing out her flat I found amongst her things a proposed plan of the Hall at C of E School Meriden and some photos of the hall when it was built. I have scanned them and attached them so you can see if they are of any interest to anyone in Meriden. If they are, then I can send the originals or bring them –I’m only down in Essex. If you can help Cathy please contact the Mag To the Mag Team I just wanted to say what a wonderful job you all do. We are so lucky to have such a lovely magazine. You certainly excelled yourselves with the marvellous winter edition, I am sure many others like me are glad to keep in touch with village news and events. Thank you so much Mrs Val Edwards

A big thank-you to all the people who supported Lucy with the shoe box collection. 64 boxes were sent and £215 was raised.

Thank you especially to Lucy Ball who organised the project.

We wish Terry Towns a very happy retirement after 29 years at the Newsagents. She will be greatly missed by customers and staff.

Graham Martin Manager

I would like to thank all my friends and neighbours for their kindness and concern during the difficult weeks when both my husband and our son Simon were in hospital Margaret Argyle

Meriden Volunteers for Cancer Research UK We have planned this year’s events and would like to tell you our ideas for the first half of the year.

On Friday March 16th we are holding a live musical event with an Irish flavour at the Heart of England Club.

On Monday 4th June we will be celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at the Queens Head. The road will be closed and we plan to have an event similar to last year’s Royal Wedding Day. Please let us know if you would like to have table for your club or group.

The ever popular Open Gardens will return on Sunday 5th August, and we will need lots of gardens open; so please share your garden with us if you can. Small gardens are very welcome too! In fact most people can relate to a small garden and look for ideas for their own plot.

We hope to be collecting at Sainsbury’s or Morrison’s in the spring so if anybody can volunteer for a couple of hours to help we would be very grateful.

Thanks for your support – look forward to hearing from you!

Mary Warr

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Vivo Musical Evening with an Irish flavour Friday March 16th Heart of England Club 8.00pm Tickets £8 From 522160

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David Deakin Plastering Services Interior plastering and coving work.

Insurance work welcome.

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Tel: 01676 521389 Mobile: 07767 237860 Balsall Barbers 326 Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common Tel :01676 532621 Monday 9.30 -5.30 (Pat) Tuesday 9.00-5.30 (Brian) Wednesday CLOSED Thursday 9.00-5.30 (Brian) Friday 9.30-5.30 (Pat) Saturday 9.00-2.00 (Pat) Sunday CLOSED

Pensioner’s Days Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday “Dads and Lads” offers available everyday

Meriden Mums and Toddlers Group Meriden Methodist Church Hall Tuesdays 9.30-11.30am Craft activities, healthy snacks, outdoor play, cup of tea and chat for Mums and carers

£1.50 a family and first session free Contact 07921 766882 for more details

WHAT’S ON AT THE MANOR HOTEL March Saturday 17th March – Rat Pak Tribute Night Sing along to the ‘Kings of Swing’ whilst enjoying a sumptuous 3-course meal and dancing until the early hours courtesy of our resident DJ! £34.95 per person (£64.95 per person with accommodation & full English breakfast) Sunday 18th March – Mothers Day Lunch Give your mum the day off and treat her to a mouth-watering lunch with no washing up in sight, plus a gift for all Mums! £22.95 per person / £12.95 per child (12 years and under) April Sunday 8th April – Easter Sunday Lunch Make Easter a family affair this year and join us for a truly traditional Sunday lunch. Featuring our annual egg hunt for the kids, this is your chance to unwind and enjoy our award winning food and service.

Free Easter egg for all Children! £19.95 per person / £10.50 per child (12 years and under) 2 for 1in the AA Award winning Regency Restaurant is back by popular demand during April! Available 2nd-15th April inclusive.

Valid only on pre-booked evening Dinner within the Regency Restaurant.

May Thursday 24th May – Wedding Showcase Evening 6.00pm – 8.00pm FREE ENTRY! Enjoy Bucks Fizz and Canapes on arrival and meet our Wedding Co-ordinator who will show you our gorgeous venue set up for your big day! Our nominated wedding professionals will also be on hand to help you make your day what dreams are made of!

FREE CHILD MAIN COURSE! Treat yourself and your purse to dinner in Houstons this May and for every adult main course, receive a child main course free!

(Children 12 years and under)

To enquire or to make a reservation please call us on 01676 522735 The Manor Hotel, Main Road, Meriden CV7 7NH www.manorhotelmeriden.co.uk sales@manorhotelmeriden.co.uk

Sisters from Meriden compete for Miss Birmingham title at The Grand Finals It’s not every day you compete with a relative for a crownthat is unless you're Royalty! Local Meriden girls Morissa and Summer Bradnick face each other in the grand finals of the Miss Birmingham Title to secure a place in the finals of Miss England and then hopefully Miss World. They will be judged on their looks, personality, confidence and deportment as they take to the stage, impressing the table of judges and audience to secure the title.

“We have never done a competition like this before so it’s a little daunting at first and we have to be prepared for everything as well as juggling school and university too” says 17 year old Summer. “I just hope we can pull through everything and make it to the top three of the competition together” This isn't the first time they have had to battle for a first place title as back in 2006 both Morissa and Summer fought for the World Champion title at the Chin Woo World championships held in London.“Throughout our lives we spent most of our time together; from taking our Black Belt in Kung Fu to competing together and now we are once again competing against each other but in a different way. There are no ill feelings between us as we encourage each other to succeedthat’s what being sisters is all about!” explains 19 year old Zoology student Morissa. “I'm taking on a heavy load this year with university and the competition but I believe I can do this. It would be a nice thing to turn twenty in March and win the title too” The Girls are also trying to raise money for a charity called the Rainbows Children's Hospice. Any donations, fundraising ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact either the Meriden Mag or the girls directly on 07594 872085.

“There will also be a public vote which will help us impress the judges by gaining the most votes” More information on this can be found at www.missengland.info and look for the Miss Birmingham Regional heat organised by ModelZed. There will be instructions on how to vote for the girls when the vote goes live and any terms and conditions.

The finals take place at The Burlington Hotel in Birmingham City Centre on March 17th and as the date draws near we are cheering for one of our local beauties to bring home the crown. Good luck girls!!

The History of Meriden Hill The original settlement: Alspath was sited on the westerly slope of the Hill. Certain features such as the circular nature of the original grave yard could mean there was previously an Iron Age hill fort here and a route to it. The road is an ancient one from London to Holyhead via Chester once called the ‘kings highway’.

An early deed of c 1180AD indicates it ran originally from opposite Showell Lane into the settlement near the right hand side of Moat House Farm, now represented by a field entrance. Its track into the valley began from the lower Church Lane then down the hillside at an angle emerging behind the Village Hall. A painting

by Dr Kittermaster shows that was still the case in 1830s.

Though little is written about the Hill it had a reputation as an accident black spot. There were fatalities on it recorded in the parish register in the C17th and C18th. Carters in charge of pack horse trains were vulnerable especially in wet or icy weather. A unique Kittermaster painting records the doctor’s memory of the Hill prior to Telford’s improvements showing ill- disciplined traffic before there were rules requiring vehicles to keep to the left hand side of the road. An early turnpike ran from Daventry to near the bottom of the Hill by 1724 but for a decade prior to Telford’s 1820s remodelling there was heated discussion in Parliament about its future. In 1817 for example it was stated before a parliamentary committee that the road to Meriden Hill was generally,’ very bad and the Hill severe and too steep’.

A plan emerged to reduce the height by cutting down into the crown and creating an embankment by slicing into the hillside where a new road could be built to evade the steepest section. On 11th December 1822 this new road opened and all through traffic was diverted on to it. At night in poor weather Old Road was closed with human barricades holding warning lanterns. The lack of trade nearly bankrupted William Bonaker landlord of the’ Queen’s Head’ as his premises were now by- passed by richer travellers. Even so the new road was still too narrow as coach volume increased and in 1830 just before the railways damaged road usage until C20th several cottages along its perimeter lost part of their gardens. By 1926 the Hill needed widening again and was cobbled. Long distance road traffic once again increased. Day and night there was the noise of heavy goods lorries toiling up the Hill. A silence fell on the village almost over- night in 1958 when theA45 by- pass opened. Alspath hamlet is a conservation area. Doreen Agutter

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Meriden Hill in 1830s with Thompson's cart.

Members of the Thompson family were carpenters or farmers. As carpenters they made the bows and arrows. Ned Thompson was the last.

In Victorian times Thompsons provided a weekly service into Coventry with their carriers’ cart.

William Thompson went to Coventry on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, returning the same day and to Birmingham on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Even in the 1920s the carrier from Meriden stopped in Allesley and took people from there to do their shopping in Coventry William Thompson rented Malt House Farm at the bottom of Meriden Hill.

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

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. Look out for the agenda which is posted on the parish notice boards prior to the meeting. The next meeting dates are:

Should you wish to contact the Parish Council, please contact the Clerk:

Wednesday 14 March 2012 – Joint Councillor Surgery Shafim Kauser 23 Whitehead Grove Balsall Common CV7 7US Tel: 01676 533395 Email: shafimk@btinternet.com Web: www.meridenparishcouncil.org.uk

Monday 26 March 2012 – Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 25 April 2012 – Annual Parish Council Meeting / Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 9 May 2012 – Annual General Meeting Monday 21 May 2012 – Parish Council Meeting

Your Parish Councillors are:

Rosie Weaver Bob Kipling (Chair) (Vice Chair)

Melanie Lee

Paul Lee

Mandy Haque

Frances Lynch-Smith

Vacant seat

Vacant seat

The Parish Council still invites residents to submit their application for consideration for co-option. If you’d like to be a parish councillor, contact the Clerk, Shafim Kauser, on 01676 533395 or email shafimk@btinternet.com.

Community surgeries at Meriden Library Community surgeries will now be held by Shafim Kauser, our clerk, and Bruce Brant, our Neighbourhood Coordinator from Solihull Council to discuss any issues at Meriden Library on Monday mornings from 10.00am – 12.00 noon on the following dates: 5 March, 16 April and 14 May 2012.

Police beat surgeries at Meriden Sports Park Sgt Tony Hanlon and his team conduct their beat surgeries for the parish at the Sports Pavilion. The police recognise that everybody’s time is precious so surgery times will vary, to ensure Solihull Police engage with local residents at every opportunity. The next dates are Thursday 8 March 2012 between 4pm and 5pm, Thursday 12 April 2012 between 4pm and 5pm and Saturday 26 May 2012 between 12pm and 1pm.

Parking on the Sports Park The Parish Council would like to advise all residents that the car park at the Sports Park is free to all to use whilst shopping in the village. We hope this can relieve congestion around the Village Green.

Leys Lane Closure

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The lane will be closed until 9 April for through traffic from Oak House to the north (Fillongley Road) of the pond to Leymere Close approaching from the south (Birmingham Road). This is to enable repairs to be carried out to the roadside near the pool.

Update on Meriden Sports Park The half term sport camps organised by our Sports Co-ordinator, Paul Jayes, continue to be popular with the children.

The latest one took place during February half term and they will be scheduled continuously throughout the year during half term weeks and throughout the summer and autumn.

And what about young people and adults?

The sports park now has three pieces of exercise equipment suitable for anyone 12 years and older.

Chest Press Increases strength in the upper arms and chest

Body Twister

Agility Bench*

Improves flexibility and tones abdominals, lower back & hips

Good for push-ups and leg stretches

*The Agility Bench is only temporary as we await the Skier which improves strength to heart and lungs whilst helping to tone and increase mobility in the arms, legs and hips. The Skier is scheduled to be installed in March 2012, if not before.

If you would like a demonstration on how best to use the equipment, Paul Jayes is available every Thursday between 10am and 11am and will gladly show you how to use the equipment.

No need to book and it’s free.

Since February, Paul has organised a countryside walking/running club which is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7am-8am. This is also free to anyone interested.

A weekly Boot Camp will also be run by Paul at the Sports Park from March 2012 every Wednesday morning between 7am and 8am. The cost for this thorough workout is just £1 per person.

If you have any questions before joining any of these activities, contact Paul on 07962 375038.

As a reminder, the sports park is a dog-free zone. It may seem unfair, but it is for the health and safety for all that use the play area and the sports field. The dog-free zone encompasses the whole park e.g. children’s play area, car park, pavement, footpath and sports field.

Diamond Jubilee Weekend: 1-5 June 2012 The Parish Council is proud to announce that Meriden Cricket Club and Solihull Municipal Cricket Club have chosen Meriden Sports Park as their home ground. A friendly 20/20 match between them will kick start the Jubilee weekend on Friday 1 June 2012 from 6pm. More details to follow.

As we didn’t have an official opening for the sports park, this weekend presents the ideal opportunity to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics. There will be fun and competitive activities for all ages throughout the weekend. A working group has now been formed and details of the days’ activities will be promoted soon through leaflets and posters. If anyone would like to join the working group, contact Cllr Melanie Lee on 07768 218872 or email her at mellee@talktalk.net.

On bank holiday Monday 4 June 2012, the Queen’s Head will be having a street party and fete to commemorate the Queen’s 60-year reign, so there will be no scheduled activities at the sports park. These will re-commence on bank holiday Tuesday 5 June 2012.

At its December meeting the Parish Council formally adopted the Parish Design Statement. The next day it was hand delivered to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council with a request that it now be formally adopted by Solihull as ‘supplementary planning guidance’ in all planning matters affecting the Parish.

The Solihull planning committee meeting in January provided the first real test of our Parish Plan and Design Statement when the Taylor Wimpey application for a housing estate in Leys Lane came for decision. It was unanimously rejected on a number of grounds, but most significantly: ‘the use of the land for residential purposes amounts to inappropriate development within the Green Belt’.

In the winter edition of the Meriden Mag and in the Parish Plan Action Group’s newsletter, views were invited on three controversial matters in the Parish Design Statement. There were 147 responses in total and the answers to the questions were as follows: Do you still support the Parish Council in resisting more large-scale housing developments in the Parish?

Yes: 98% No: 2% This confirmed our previous survey and the almost unanimous support of residents for the preservation of the Green Belt. I quoted this in my statement to the Solihull Planning Committee on behalf of the objectors to the Leys Lane application.

Do you support in principle a development of older people’s housing in this* location? (*North side of Birmingham Road, Meriden) Yes: 93% No: 7% The support shown by the community for improving the appearance of this ‘gateway’ to the village and for doing so by developing much needed facilities for older people’s housing and care, enabled this proposal to be included in the Parish Design Statement with confidence. We will now talk on planning aspects to Solihull MBC and seek interest from specialist developers of such accommodation.

Do you support in principle the development of self-enforcing measures to slow traffic down? Yes:81% No:19% Residents made a number of suggestions and some expressed reservations pending more detail. Farmers in particular pointed to the need to occasionally get very wide vehicles through the village. However, the substantial support in principle gives us the mandate to press the highway authority (Solihull MBC) to work with the Parish on developing proposals for self-enforcing speed reduction measures.

The Parish Plan Action Group will continue to work very closely with the Parish Council in pressing for action on these and all the other issues in the Parish Plan and Design Statement. Please get in touch with me if you would like to help.

Iain Roxburgh, Chair, Meriden Parish Plan Action Group IainRoxburgh@btinternet.com

Balsall Writers is a group dedicated to helping aspiring authors, whether they are enthusiasts with little experience, serious amateurs or those seeking publication. Founded in 2011 by Anne Santos who has recently had her third novel "A Side Glance to God" published (www.annesantosbooks.com Balsall Writers is organised into two groups which each meet monthly.

Group One - caters for those who are actively seeking publication. Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each calendar month at 7.15 pm in the Balsall Common Village Hall committee room. The membership for this group is closed, but there is a reserve list.

Group Two - for those who are interested in improving their writing skills to a standard suitable for publication.

Membership requires active participation. Monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each calendar month at 7.15 pm in the same venue as Group One. The membership for this group is currently open.

Both Groups form Balsall Writers, managed by the same committee and sharing the same Constitution. Members of both groups pay the same membership fee and are eligible to attend the AGM each March.

To learn more about Balsall Writers view our website www.balsallwriters.org.uk or contact Anne Santos 01676 534003

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The solution to all your pest vermin and wildlife problems

Established 1979     

A fast discreet service Domestic/Commercial/Agricultural Free Survey & Quote, Fully Insured Traditional forms of mole & rabbit control Tel 0121 246 8879 Mobile 07989 348 467



New build, renovations, maintenance, extensions, on domestic, commercial and industrial properties.

Full design planning and build service Free Quotations Window and door replacement in UPVC, timber and aluminium Conservatories erected, kitchens and bathrooms fitted.

Tiling, carpentry, plastering, brickwork, slabbing, plumbing and double-glazing repairs carried out.

Workmanship may be inspected locally

Mob: 07801 579910

www.piedpiperpestmanagement.co.uk

BALSALL COMMON VETS 384a Kenilworth Road Balsall Common CV7 7ER Open by appointment Monday – Friday 11am-6pm Sat 9am-10am     

Local friendly practice, established over 40 years Highly qualified and experienced staff Car parking at rear of surgery Selling food, toys and other pet care items 24 hour emergency care & advice

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

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

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

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

8, Whichcote Avenue, Meriden Coventry CV7 7LR Email: enquiries@grovehousebandb.co.uk

01676 523295 www.grovehousebandb.co.uk

County Dry Cleaners 180, Station Road, Balsall Common

Rug Doctor now available

01676 534444

Riverside

Any Size Duvet cleaned for £9.99

We now sell Dry cleaning Alterations tights, Curtains watch Quilts batteries etc Bedding Wedding gowns Laundry Service Key cutting and shoe repair service Ironing service

4 items cleaned for £16.99

For all your dry cleaning and laundry requirements Teak Garden Furniture         

Branches throughout the Midlands Head Office and Factory - Garretts Green 0121 786 1792

with this voucher

Suit counts as 2 items

3 course TDH Menu £18.95 3course Sunday Lunch £17.50 Lunch time special (2x1) £9.95 Evening Special (Buy one get one for free)£11.95 Tuesday-Friday Bar Snacks from £4.95 A la Carte Menu

Weddings 2 Function rooms and Lovely Gardens for your special Day Wedding Breakfast Menu from £28.50 Evening Buffet from £12.95

! Come and have a look!

Mother’s Day Sunday18th March

£21.95 Served from 12.00am to 3.30 pm

Don’t forget the Meriden Mag has its own web site www.meridenmag.co.uk where you can view back issues.

Friends & family, not in the area, can catch up on local news

Ideal setting for a family reunion or a value day out. Freshly homemade food for every occasion.

Private rooms for conference, Wedding, and Parties

Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever!

Lavender Hall Lane Berkswell 01676 530 299 / 07949 119 436 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 £4.20!

5 fishing lakes in glorious countryside.

Now selling a complete range of baits Gates open at 7.00am close at dusk

Acanthus Picture Framer

Berkswell Village Museum

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

Any other time by appointment

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

01676 544562

The museum is open at Easter and from May to the end of September from 2.00 to 5.00 pm and at other times by request.

Admission is free but donations towards the running costs are very welcome.

If you would like to be involved with the museum either as a Sunday steward or even serve on the committee please contact 01676 522077 for more details.

blitz Beauty Salon Telephone 01676 521100 New to Blitz Vibration plate and Ultrasonic Liposuction

Men and Women welcome Open 7 days a week & late nights Monthly offers available Dual treatment room Gift vouchers available Friendly, welcoming environment

Over 60’s special Wednesday 9.00am-3.00pm Manicure £15 Pedicure £20 Back Massage £15 Or 15% off any treatment Also complimentary tea and biscuits

All aspects of Beauty Therapy to include; Manicures, Pedicures, Waxing, Eye treatment, Facials, Caci facials and body treatments, microdermabrasion , massages, Hopi Ear Candles, Reflexology, Gel Nails and Extensions, Body Wraps, Hot Stone Massage, Spray Tanning and Vertical Sun bed, Dermal fillers and fine line injections Monday 10-5, Tuesday 9-7, Wednesday & Thursday 9-9, Friday 9-7, Saturday & Sunday 10-4

For more details or to go on our mailing list- Join us on Facebook Telephone 01676 521100 wwwblitzbeautycoventry.co.uk Also a treatment room available at the Windmill Village Hotel

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ALLOTMENTS Not very much doing at the moment, although over Christmas it was very mild so it was easy to pick sprouts and dig up the carrots and parsnips. We are going up daily to see to the chickens and they are laying at least half a dozen eggs between them most days.

We are now looking forward to the coming season and have now purchased our seed potatoes, onion sets and shallots We should have planted the broad beans by the time you are reading this. The next thing on the agenda will be getting all the brassica and tomato seeds in the propagator. To use some of the parsnips I have this recipe for people to try.

Spiced Parsnip and Coconut Tea bread 150ml sunflower oil 100 g soft light brown sugar 2 medium eggs lightly beaten 75g golden syrup 175g self-raising flour 1tsp ground cinnamon 1tsp ground nutmeg 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 200g grated parsnip 75g sultanas 25g desiccated coconut

Preheat oven to 170degreesC/160degreesC fan gas 3 Lightly oil and base line a 1 litre loaf tin In a large bowl or electric mixer, whisk together the oil, sugar, eggs and golden syrup until combined.

Mix in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, bicarbonate of soda, grated parsnip, sultanas and coconut and pour into the prepared tin.

Bake in the oven for 50 minutes to one hour, until risen and firm, but springy when lightly pressed.

Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out.

Icing Warm 2 tsp of lime marmalade; beat in 200g low fat soft cheese and 30g sifted icing sugar. Place in fridge to firm up and when cold spread over the cooled cake.

Age is something that doesn’t matter, unless you are a cheese!

Gardeners and Allotment holders Dates for your diaries Malvern Spring Show 10th – 13th May Fillongley Show 12th August Gardener’s World Live at the NEC 13th- 17th June

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

Dingbats by Alex

A Coventry Way Charity Challenge Sunday 15th April

Answers at the bottom of the page

ASSUPGOAORN

H E A D

PISTA _ CHIO

TAKER

starts at 6am from the Queen’s Head Public House in Meriden. The 40 mile route circles Coventry in the countryside around, but never actually entering within the City boundary. The route is anti-clockwise with 7 refreshment checkpoints along the way (Kenilworth; Bubbenhall; Wolston; Brinklow; Bedworth; Breach Oak Lane; Corley Moor) before returning via Meriden Shafts and Eaves Green back to the pub.

Most of those taking part will be walking the route taking up to 12-13 hours with a few taking the full 15 hours permitted thus starting and finishing in the dark.

Others will be running – the time to beat is 4 hours 57 minutes set in 2011 by Matt Giles. Fastest lady is Lisa Joanne Barry (6:24) also fastest in 2010. There will be walking relay teams and running relay teams.It is expected that a Coventry Godiva team will be having a crack at the record (4:20) set by the 8 man team from Kenilworth Runners in 2011.

However, there is to be a change to the route this year in order to make use of the recently opened foot/cycle bridge over the Coventry Road at Crackley. In previous Challenges at this point has meant a lengthy road section. The new bridge and opening up of the dismantled railway beyond enables the route to remain off-road and pass through into Kenilworth Common and passing along-side Canley brook to Common Lane and checkpoint 1.

For information about A Coventry Way and details of the Challenge on April 15th visit www.acoventryway.org.uk

The Heart of England High Speed Railway Action Group (HHAG) is very disappointed with the Government's decision to continue spending money on the HS2 project. A considerable amount of additional information has been released by the Government, together with a 4th version of the route maps. This information is being studied but it appears the latest changes in our area are aimed at reducing costs rather than mitigating the harmful effects.

HHAG is looking for financial support to fund a possible judicial review of the Government's decision. This will be a joint action with many other parties. We will only proceed if there is a good chance of securing a major rethink of the project.

HHAG is also a founder member of the Solihull High-Speed Rail Consultative Committee, which has been set up to bring all interested parties together to seek the best local outcome from the project.

Only 1% of people are expected to use HS2. Only 3% of passengers will use it instead of flying. Only 12% of British people use current trains, and every passenger-mile costs the taxpayer 16p. Worldwide, only 2 high speed lines make a profit, the rest are heading for bankruptcy. With high speed comes higher costs, and HS2 is to be the world's fastest.

Meanwhile, HHAG will continue raising funds and getting information out to the public. It's been decided to have another public exhibition in the Jubilee Centre in Balsall Common on Saturday 17th March, and we'll be staging a fund-raising duck (not real ones!) race on the River Blythe on Sunday 1st April. There'll be a big prize for the lucky winner. (White elephants might have been more appropriate, but it's not a very big river!) - for more information please sign up for our newsletter on our website -www.hhag.org.uk

Richard Lloyd Chairman Heart of England High Speed Railway Action Group

“My wife left me for my best friend. I really miss him!!”

A family run business, our salon is open for the ultimate hair and beauty experience

Resident beautician offering a variety of treatments

fORDES

A friendly, dedicated and highly qualified cutting and colouring team, boasting bridal and occasion hair and make up

onthegreen

Loyalty, recommend a friend, student and senior citizen rates available

01676 521653

Resident nail technician offering all nail treatments and applications Beauty offers available until March 31st 2012 For Him For Her Male manicure £9 Relaxing mini facial £15 Head massage, shampoo File and paint on hands and cut £15 and feet £12.50 Gentleman’s wet shave Spray tan £12.50 £12.50 Relaxing back massage £15

the green Meriden CV7 7LN

Opening hours

te

Tuesday/Wednesday 9.30-5.30pm Late Night Thursday 9.30-8.00pm Friday 9.30-5.30pm Saturday 8.30-4.30pm

Thursday’s only 10-4pm receive free cut and blow dry with any paid colour treatment Terms and conditions apply to all offers, subject to availability

A. PETTIFOR & SON LTD Warehousing & Distribution

SELF STORAGE CONTAINERS

Now available For home and business 10ft &20ft (600&1200 cubic ft) Lockable containerised units Easy access with your own personal key Drive direct to your clean and dry unit 10ft Containers from £17 per week 20ft Containers from £28 per week Discounts available for longer periods Berkswell Road, Meriden, Coventry CV7 7LB Tel: 01676 522403 Mob: 07917518724 Fax: 01676 523181 Email: info@pettifortransport.co.uk

Village Village Diary DATE 2nd March 5th March 5th March 5th March 8th March 14th March 14th March 23rd Feb29th March 15th March

EVENT Women’s World Day of Prayer WI Community Surgery Under 5’s story time Police surgery Parish Council surgery Readers Circle Lent Course on Thursdays Blood Donors

Lime Tree Park Methodist Church H of E Club

15th March

Rhythm Time

16th March

Cancer Research Music Evening

16th March th

18 March 19th March 23rd March 25th March 26th March 26th March 30th March 1st April 1st April 2nd April 4th April 4th April 5th April 5th April 6th April 6th April 8th April 8th April 12th April 13th April 15th April 16th April 16th April 20th April 23rdApril 25th April 27th April 3rd May 5th – 8th May 9th May

TIME 2.00pm 7.30pm 10.00am–12noon 2.30pm -3.15pm 4.00-5.00pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm

CONTACT Rev Charlesworth 533737 Janet Wood 522122 01676 522717 01676 522717 Sgt Hanlon 0845 113 5000 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395 Mike Watkinson 521496 Rev Charlesworth 533737 0300 123 2323

Library

1.30-3.30pm 4.30-7.30pm 1.00pm – 1.30pm

H of E Club

8.00pm

Mary Warr 522160

Firs Coffee Morning

Jubilee Centre B.C.

10.00am-12 noon

Malcolm Gratton 01676523505

Mothering Sunday Service Flower Club CAMEO Start of British Summer Time Coventry Pilgrimage Parish Council Meeting Coventry Pilgrimage Coventry Pilgrimage Service Palm Sunday Service WI Holy Week Event Readers Circle Easter Service Maundy Service Good Friday Walk of Witness Good Friday Service Easter Day Service Easter Day Service Police Surgery Supper Club Coventry Challenge Walk Flower Club Community Surgery Firs Coffee Morning World Book Night under fives Annual Parish Council Meeting CAMEO Borough Elections Flower Festival Parish Council AGM

Methodist Church Village Hall Community Centre

10.30am 7.30pm 2.00pm

Rev Charlesworth 533737 Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 Ellen 01676 522534

St Lawrence Church Village Hall St Lawrence Church Coventry Cathedral St Laurence Church Village Hall Methodist Church

4.45pm 7.30pm 4.45pm 6.30pm 10.30am 7.30pm 6.30pm 7.30pm 9.15am 7.00pm 10.30am 12 noon 10.30am 10.30am 4.00-5.00pm 7.00pm All day 7.30pm 10.00am–12noon 10.00am-12 noon 2.30-3.15pm 7.30pm 2.00pm

Peter Wright 01676 522414 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Joan Russell 01676 522666 Rev Charlesworth 533737 Mike Watkinson 521496 522488 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Rev Charlesworth 533737 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Rev Charlesworth 533737 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Sgt Hanlon 0845 113 5000 Maureen Gabbitas 522148 Bob Carey 02476 455251 Mo Reynolds 01676 521457 01676 522717 Malcolm Gratton 01676523505 01676 522717 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395 Ellen 01676 522534

7.30pm

Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395

7.30pm

Mike Watkinson 521496

9th May

Readers Circle

13th May 14th May 14th May 15th May

Knowle Fun Run WI Community Surgery Rotary Club President’s Night Firs Coffee Morning Cyclists Weekend Flower Club CAMEO Police Surgery Kinwalsey Tree Service Parish Council AGM CAMEO

18th May 19/20 May 21st May

25th May 26th May 27th May 23rd May 27th May

VENUE Methodist Church Village Hall Library Library Sports Pavilion Village Hall

Meriden School St Laurence Church Methodist Church St Laurence Church Methodist Church St Laurence Church Sports Pavilion Methodist Church Queen’s Head Pub Village Hall Library Jubilee Centre B.C. Library Village Hall Community Centre Village Hall Coventry Cathedral Village Hall

Village Hall Library Manor Hotel Jubilee Centre B.C.

7.30pm 10.00am-12 noon 7.30pm 10.00am-12 noon

Village Hall Community Centre Sports Pavilion Kinwalsey Village Hall Community Centre

7.30pm 2.00pm 12 noon- 1.00pm 4.00pm 7.30pm 2.00pm

01676 522717

www.KnowleFunRun.org.uk Joan Russell 01676 522666 01676 522717 Len Cardwell 01676 542 687 Malcolm Gratton 01676523505 Harry Childs 0121 353 5814 Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 Ellen 01676 522534 Sgt Hanlon 0845 113 5000 Rev Charlesworth 533737 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395 Ellen 01676 522534

Kingsbury Water Park So much to see and do at Warwickshire's premier waterside attraction! Kingsbury Water Park has 15 lakes situated in over 600 acres of country park. Stroll along the surfaced paths, explore hidden corners, spot birds and wildlife, hire a bike, join an organised event or host your own event. Whatever your idea of a countryside visit is, you will find it at Kingsbury.

The new Lake View play area is open now - come and experience the new multi-play Tower, Dragonfly SeeSaw, Outdoor Gym and much, much more!

The Adventure Playground at Far Leys, suitable for older children, is completely fenced round, and is a safe area for children to play.

The Echills Wood Railway is a miniature railway which gives rides around the park on Sundays and Bank Holiday weekends from Easter to the end of September.

It costs £1.50 for a return ticket, under 2s go free.

What’s on at the NEC

Crufts 8-11th March

Sewing for Pleasure and Hobbycrafts 22-25th March

Easter Family Fun Days

Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House Friday 6th to Monday 9th April 11am-4.00pm Family Easter trail, with chocolate eggs and crafts in the activity tent Trail £2.50

Antiques for Everyone 12-15th April Baby Show 18-20th May

On Your Marks

Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery Knowle Fun Run

Entries are already open for the ever popular 5 mile Knowle Fun Run which is on Sunday 13th May and in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society, Crossroads Care (Birmingham & Solihull), Dorridge & Knowle Scout groups and local causes this year.

Already hundreds of runners have made their New Year's resolution to run in Solihull's biggest fundraising event of its kind. Why not join them?

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

Until 25th March 2012 To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, ten of the Royal Collection’s finest drawings by the Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci will travel to five museums and galleries across the United Kingdom. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is the first UK venue to show this exhibition.

Dates for hoisting the flag on Meriden Green 10th March Earl of Wessex Birthday 12th March Commonwealth Day 21st April Birthday of her Majesty the Queen 23rd April St Georges Day 9th May Europe Day 20th May Cyclist Memorial Service

Don’t forget – the clocks go forward one hour on Sunday March 25th And finally, a thank you from the Air Ambulance for a donation of £820.30 raised at the harvest supper last autumn.

When contacting advertisers please mention The Meriden Mag Reminder!! Deadline date for the summer issue Friday May 4th Out by 1st June 2012 Val Martin 01676 522963 val.simon@virgin.net Margaret Argyle 01676 522453 margarete.argyle@googlemail.com Deliveries: Simon Martin 01676 522963 Proof Reader: Claire Rose

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

Mrs L. Winkler

Meriden Christian Fellowship

Pstr. Kevin & Lyn Hunt Shafim Kauser (Clerk) Paul Jayes Pat Delaney

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

Member of Parliament Meriden Scout Group Post Office Rural Police Sector

Peter Wright Rev. Andrew Charlesworth

Ken Allsopp David Bell Dr. Peter Lea Caroline Spelman Gerry Russell Sue Harper Sgt Tony Hanlon

01676 522488 01676 522717 01676 522252 01676 522722 01676 522414 01676 533737 01676 523050 01676 533395 07962 375038.

01676 522867 0121 704 6000 0121 782 2408 01676 535211 01676 532577 020 7219 4189 01676 522666 01676 522230 0845 113 5000

BICKENHILL PUBLIC WASTE DISPOSAL SITE

OPENING HOURS Winter 1st November –31st March Monday-Friday 8.00am-6.00pm Saturday and Sunday 8.00am-4.30pm Summer 1st April- 31st October Monday-Friday 8.00am-8.00pm Saturday and Sunday 8.00am-4.30pm Last admission 15 minutes before closing time

MAG ADVERTISING RATES With effect from spring issue 2012

Eighth Page £10.00 Quarter Page £20.00 Half page £40.00 Small ads (sale or wanted) £3.00 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