MeridenMag Winter 2011

Meriden Mag Winter 2011 Meriden’s own Christmas cards Available from: Meriden Tea Rooms, the Spar Shop, the Charity Shop and Lloyds Chemist.

Packs of 10 £4.50, 20 £8.50, 30 £12.00 Each pack contains equal quantities of each picture, and all profits go to Macmillan Cancer Support through the Meriden Tree of Thought

In this issue Christmas Events in Meriden Rotary Christmas Sleigh Visits Parish Council News

Photographs by Jon Rogers jon.rogers@ usefulphotos.co.uk

Remembrance Sunday

See inside for how to paint this Christmas Flower arrangement

News and Photos from Meriden School and Scout Group Solihull MBC Policy on Planning and Travellers

Last Christmas Posting dates (as supplied by the Royal Mail) International Airmail 5th December South and Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Far East (inc Japan) Australia and New Zealand 9th December USA, Canada, and Eastern Europe 12th December Western Europe

UK last posting dates 14th December Standard parcels 17th December Second Class 20th December First Class 22nd December Special Delivery 23rd December Special Delivery with Saturday guarantee

Happenings at Meriden School

The new Wild Room

Year 2 with masks they made for James and the Giant Peach on Roald Dahl Day Traditional music from Bali in International week

Rachel and Christopher’s Wedding Rachel Bowkett was born in Meriden in 1982. In May 2000 she was crowned Meriden Carnival Queen. Rachel married Mr Christopher Randall at Anstey Hall on 9th September 2011 where all family and friends enjoyed the perfect day and afterwards the couple honeymooned in Cyprus. Congratulations to you both from Mum, Dad, sister, niece and nephew.

Dr Vallet’s retirement Dr Vallet retired from Meriden surgery in August 2011; she is seen here being presented with a leaving present of John Lewis vouchers by Deb Edwards and Joan Tench at a small presentation in the Village Hall.

Thanks to everyone in the Village who contributed to this gift.

Hello from Meriden School!

Autumn is suddenly here and I am sure that the children will soon be filled with the excitement of Christmas and all the joy and activities that this time of year brings.

I am really pleased to announce that our ‘Wild Room’ is finished and in use by the children. Designed by Mrs Brooker and painted by an army of very talented parents, it provides our pupils with an exciting and inspirational place to listen to stories and write their own tales.

A number of new worktops and cupboards have also been installed in Key Stage 2, which help all children to be more organised!

Our Year 4 pupils performed a Harvest assembly in which they sang and spoke beautifully, portraying the message of harvest and helping the needy. Once again we had a large collection of produce which was collected by ‘Helping Hands’ and then distributed in Solihull. Thanks to all who gave so generously.

Half term finished with a fantastic International Week. Children from FS2 (Reception) to Year 6 ‘visited’ Spain to make paella, France to build aqueducts and bridges, India to perform a Bhangra dance, China to write and make dragons and to Bali to perform traditional music on the Gamelan! Everyone had a very tiring but exciting time which culminated in a celebration assembly at the end of the week. A wonderful experience for everyone involved.

Once again the children will be singing at the dedication of the Meriden Tree of Thought on Friday 2nd December at 4.00pm, this year the children will be holding lanterns and will be following a little donkey from the school to the Village Green, we hope to see you there.

Our Parent Action Group and PTA continue to work tirelessly to help our school and the children. As well as school discos, the PTA have organised a Christmas Fayre which follows the Tree of Thought dedication on 2nd December at 5.00pm, please come along and support us.

FS2 (Reception), Years 1 & 2 will be performing their Nativity on 6th & 7th December at 2.00pm; this is ticket only, but please let us know if you would like to attend the dress rehearsal at 10.00am on Monday 5th. FS1 (Nursery) children will be holding their Nativity service at St Laurence Church on Wednesday 7th December at 9.30am for refreshments on the balcony with a 10.00am start. .

This half term will see the whole school visiting the Belgrade theatre on Thursday 8th December to see the pantomime ‘Mother Goose’ (oh yes we are!) and the Christingle service at St. Laurence’s Church will be held on December 14th at 6.00pm. It is a very busy time but we hope that you can join us at some of our events.

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year from everyone at Meriden Primary School.

Lucy Winkler Headteacher Meriden CE Primary School

The whole school held a Roald Dahl Day Year 5 focused on “Revolting Rhymes”, which is a book full of traditional tales with a twist. They focused on Goldilocks and the Three Bears and they wrote their own version.

The Three Bears by Year 5 The bears came home hungry from the walk, The porridge was gone except for the knife and fork, Baby bear said “Where’s my porridge gone, I’m starving” Daddy bear got out a knife that he uses for carving, All the bears went into the living room, The chair was broken; it was all doom and gloom, Daddy bear said “I’m going to get that swine, that chair cost a fortune,” So the bears crept upstairs into the bed room “There’s the little swine, I’ll call sergeant moon,” The policeman said I’ll be there soon”, The police came and took her to jail, But the judge said she could have 6 weeks bail.

Helen’ Helen’s Marvellous Medicine Rhyme ‘So give me a frog and a hair of a cat, Give me two small ants and the tail of a rat, And a slimy snail from the bottom of the sea, And a poisonous bee (I’m glad its not me), And a hairy cherry rotting from under the tree, And a drop of blood from a wombat’s knee, And one hundred other things as well, Each with a rather awful smell, I’ll mix them up, ill bubble them long, A mixture runny, a mixture strong, And then heigh-ho, and down it goes, Drink it all up (hold your nose!), “It’s just the same so have no fear, How do you like it Granny dear?”

‘Will she go pop, band or explode?

Will she go screaming down the road?

Will she go poof in a puff of smoke?

Or start fizzing like a can of coke?

If I get caught what shall I do?

I’ll make a new medicine, medicine number 2!

Oh Grandma if only you knew, What I am going to do to you!’

This is a recipe adapted from George’s Marvellous Medicine by a pupil in year 6

ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS Lay Reader Peter Wright 01676 522414 www.stlaurence-meriden.co.uk

Church Wardens Jonathan Douglas 01676 522455 Linda Barnett 01676 523 277

Services are held every Sunday at 10.30 am What do a group of big lottery winners, Paul Gascoigne, and Boris Becker have in common? Very little, you correctly reply. Except for one thing that all of them separately revealed, perhaps unintentionally, in media interviews and accounts of their lives that I’ve been reading recently. Although all had acquired or achieved everything they thought they ever wanted in their lives, got all they ever desired, or hoped for, or worked and trained for, or dreamed of lots of possessions, money, success, fame, awards or adulation, whatever – they all expressed in different ways a feeling that there was still something missing in their lives. Inwardly, deep down, one way or another, they all still felt incomplete somehow. Boris Becker once even tried to commit suicide, for example, though he knew he had everything in the world he thought he’d ever wanted or needed. The lottery winners weren’t so dramatic but were still in some ways uneasy and not fully content, even though they could now buy anything they wanted; and ‘Gazza’, with all his brilliant football success as a player, has often shown signs of inner distress in his life.

In other words, their hearts were still restless. But actually they weren’t unusual in that respect. Now and again, in reflective moments, we can all feel that even though we seem to have everything to be thankful for, maybe yet there’s something more, something missing that’s almost indefinable somehow. There’s still, deep down, a kind of inner restlessness.

This is the universal and timeless human longing that St. Augustine spoke about back in the 5th Century when he said “O God, our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” It’s everyone’s human longing for the God who made us and who is our loving Father whether we will recognize it or admit it or not. Maybe the more our hearts are cut off from God the more restless they are. Sadly, I guess we can try to blank out God’s still small voice, and maybe we do so a lot of the time.

But God won’t go away and He’s not a remote, unreachable being. He has already met us in pure love. Not half way but all the way, in Jesus Christ. Christmas is as good a time as any to pause and think about this, because at Christmas we celebrate God coming to us in the birth of Jesus to answer the very deepest longings and needs of our hearts and spirits as God’s own.

Whatever the pressures are that you may face, may you know the peace of God and joy in the celebration of our Lord’s birth. Come and celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas. All the Christmas services and events are listed elsewhere in this Mag. We do look forward to seeing you, you are sure of a warm welcome.

With blessings and prayers for you this Christmas, and for all whom you love. Peter Wright, Lay Reader

David Perks 1943 – 2011 Formerly of ‘The Off Licence’, Millisons Wood, where we both shared many happy memories over the 26 years we had the business.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their wishes, cards and kind words of sympathy. Also to thank my very close friends who are helping me get through this very difficult time.

A special mention to all the staff at Marie Curie Cancer Care in Solihull, who provided David with such excellent care and support.

Mary Perks

CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP 2011 The Midland Charities Association Christmas card shop is still in Balsall Common library until Saturday, December 10th The shop operates at all library opening times during that period, i.e. Monday & Thursday 10am -7pm; Tuesday & Saturday 10am -5pm; Friday 1-5pm (closed Wed).

There will be cards from 16 different charities.

World’s biggest coffee morning Many thanks to all who came to our coffee morning at the Community Centre in Alspath Road in September. For once the weather was fine and we had a lovely morning and raised £286. We are grateful to all those who came, or who just made donations and those who baked cakes and helped on the day.

Val, Janet, Shirley, Graeme & Bethia

• • • •

Brick built heated/fully tiled kennels with individual runs Highly recommended, small family run business Vaccinated dogs only please Working Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel puppies sometimes for sale

For the very best for your dog, contact…

Lesley Thompson, at

Meriroyles 118 Fillongley Road, Meriden.

Telephone 01676 522405 email: meriroyles@aol.com

Order now for Christmas!

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

Fresh local farm turkey breasts and fresh turkeys and chickens Hand raised pork pies all sizes Ribs of beef on the bone Free range English pork Top quality lamb Wright’s mince pies Wide selection of prize winning sausages • Wide selection of cheeses • Wide selection of bacon including dry cured English bacon

• • • • • • •

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) During October half term I was on the lookout for cheap Travelodges to get away for a few days with my family. We ended up staying near Barry Island in South Wales. The only thing I knew about Barry Island was that it featured in the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey.

On Barry Island they are very keen to promote the link with Gavin and Stacey, proudly proclaiming that various chip shops and amusement arcades had featured in the programme. I did wonder if Marco’s café, which proudly declared itself to be “world famous”, may have been overestimating the worldwide appeal of the show!

But Barry Island proved to be something of a surprise. I must admit that I did not really know what to expect. British seaside resorts do not always have the best reputation, but Barry Island proved to be really nice. It has a lovely beach and we spent a couple of fun filled days messing around with our bucket, spade and frisbee.

The Christmas story is full of surprises. Not only do we get the surprise pregnancies for the elderly Elizabeth and the unmarried Mary, but the story of Jesus’ birth is perhaps the biggest surprise of all.

The Church proclaims Jesus to be the Saviour of the World and the Son of God, but there in the stories announcing his birth we find him born as a refugee, far from home, to a bewildered couple facing pressures of many kinds.

The first people to see him are the marginalised shepherds. This very special baby was born in the most ordinary circumstances, without privilege or position.

We would love to see you at any of the church services in the village over Christmas. Who knows, perhaps this very special baby may just surprise you again this Christmas.

Diary Dates: December 9th: 7pm Christmas Supper Club (Quiz and Concert) January 15th 2012 10.30am Methodist Covenant Service followed by lunch at Strawberry Bank Hotel

The Methodist church Hall is available for hire, please contact Maureen Gabbitas on 01676 522148 for details

Season’s Greetings Andrew Luxury Accommodation in Spain Fully equipped with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private roof terrace, pool, TV and air conditioning

Stamp Bureau Our warmest thanks to each of you who have contributed to the Stamp Bureau this year. We have had many stamps, coins, and stamp collections which have all been taken up to Scotland by a friend who arranged a holiday there so that he could deliver them in person. The money has once again gone to the Medical Missionary News who provide medicines and equipment to African hospitals.

As Christmas draws near and we have extra post arriving, we would like to remind you once again to collect the stamps and take them to Lloyds Chemist who will pass them on to us.

Please leave at least 1/2 inch around the stamps.

Have a Very Happy Christmas, Bill & Ann Eastbury.

£250 per week rental winter 2011/12 10 minutes drive from the sea and golf course 40 minutes drive from Murcia & Alicante airports For more information see

www.stillinspain.com 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 December 5th VJ 12th Mick the Knife 19th Julie Christie January 2nd Keith Brett 9th Marade 16th Stevie Best 23rd Paul Tracini 30th Marade February 6th Clare Jordan 13th Miss T 20th Marade 27th Guy Surtees

ALLAN SMITH SLATING Jan and Feb dates TBC

Look out for posters with details of the New Year’s Eve Party Come and enjoy yourselves!!

Now serving Breakfast on Sunday mornings 10.00am-1.00pm Full English £5.25.

Pub lunches Mon – Sat 12.00- 2.30pm Pop in for good food and a warm welcome

01676 522256

ALLAN SMITH SLATING AND TILING QUALITY ROOFING SERVICE FOR 30 YEARS

FULL RE ROOFING PROJECTS TILE AND SLATE ROOF REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE LEAD WORK POINTING AND CEMENT WORK GUTTERING FULLY INSURED FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION

PHONE

01676 523 802 07947 341 755

• Servicing • Repairs • Tyres • Exhausts • Suspensions • Brakes

Call in for a quotation for your motoring needs

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

The Centre Charity Shop 01676 523050 Hi to all our customers and Friends, First of all, a huge thank you to our staff for their dedication and hard work all year.

Well can you believe it’s that time of year again? I certainly can’t, this year seems to have flown by.

As Christmas time fast approaches a couple of practical things. Firstly if you have any black or green (or any colour) refuse sacks to spare we would be very grateful for the donation as we use so many of them. Secondly if you are donating lots of items it is easier if you bring them in containers or bags you don’t need back, as lots of people clear out at this time of year and we only have a very limited sorting area which doubles as a changing room. This would be really helpful at this busy time.

We have had lots of complimentary remarks on the lovely things we have for sale, so thank you very much for your kindness in this area.

If you have any small items of furniture (chests of drawers, coffee tables, small cupboards, ottomans etc), these are always popular. Also baby equipment is very popular e.g. pushchairs, prams, high chairs, car seats, playpens etc.

We will be closed over the Christmas period from Monday 19th December 2011 to Friday 7thJanuary; the shop will reopen on Monday 9th January 2012. We wish all our customers a Blessed and Peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Hope to see you soon.

Kevin & Lyn

Meriden Christian Fellowship News.

The Church calendar starts to get busy now. Please see centre pages for details of Christmas services.

In January we are hosting another Alpha course, please look in the window of The Centre Charity shop for all the information and if you are interested in attending then just pop in and give Lyn or Kevin your details. The last one was very successful and a good time was had by all. If you would like to join us for our normal Sunday services then we would love to see you. We meet at the Scout Hut at 10.30 am every Sunday morning.

Every blessing to you all, for Christmas and the New Year.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9 v6).

Newspapers and Magazines Big selection of Beer and Wine Cash Machine and cash back available Open Weekdays 6.30am-10pm Open Weekdays 6.30am-10pm Weekends 7.30am-10pm Weekends 7.30am-10pm Normal opening throughout Normal opening hourshours throughout Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Day Day 9.00am 9.00am -- 4.00pm 4.00pm

Spar, Spar, 11 The The Green, Green, Meriden Meriden 01676 522287 01676 522287

A Message from Caroline Spelman MP The festive season One aspect of the pre- Christmas season many of us enjoy is the chance to savour the festive markets and there are some really great opportunities right here in the West Midlands.

I used to be envious that Birmingham could stage a huge 180 stall German market, which so many praised for its good food and attractive gifts. Since 2009, Solihull has held a seasonal street market before Christmas in Mell Square. This has enabled people from Solihull, Meriden, and further away to enjoy its festive fare.

While the local market in Solihull is by necessity smaller than Birmingham’s, it has been successful in bringing in trade to the surrounding shops and beyond. While we are working our way out of recession, that is definitely a bonus, but please do remember the smaller shops as well as the big High Street names, as they need our trade too.

Apart from the market, there is much to enjoy in our local parks. Meriden Park is holding a Christmas Treasure Trail on December 4th, 1-3pm. For the energetic there is Solihull’s Santa Jog at Malvern & Brueton Park in aid of the British Heart Foundation, also on December 4th at 12 noon. All adults taking part get a free Santa suit. For details, go to www.bhf.org.uk and search for ‘Solihull Santa Jog’.

On Sunday, December 11th, Santa is visiting Brueton Park, 12.00pm - 3.00pm. There is a treasure hunt afterwards – entry is £3 per child. From 19th –22nd December, there are lots of Christmas activities including crafts and outdoor exploration at the Parkridge Centre, Brueton Park, at 10.30 am. For more information, ring 0121 704 0768.

The Christmas period has always been a very enjoyable time for my family and it still provides a chance to catch up with the extended family and old friends before returning to routine life in the New Year.

As a Christian family, we all recognise just why we are celebrating and making this such a happy event. However, people of other faiths, or those with none, also share in the expressions of goodwill to each other that we all send out in our Christmas cards, and the love that accompanies our gifts.

As the Queen reminds us unfailingly in her Christmas Day broadcast, it should be a time for peace and for spreading harmony between nations and cultures. And that is a Christmas message that should last long after the decorations are put away for another year.

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

Caroline Spelman surgery dates nd

Friday 2 Dec Saturday 10th Dec Friday 16th Dec

11.30am – 12.30pm 9.00am - 12noon 10.00am 11.00am

Chelmsley Wood & Castle Bromwich Chelmsley Wood & Castle Bromwich 631 Warwick Road

For further dates please check the web site www.carolinespelman.com

ZUMBA With Hayley 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 R.J.KENNING Painter and Decorator All aspects of decorating undertaken Free quotations available References available on request No job too big-No job too small Established over 25 years A reliable and friendly service

Interiors Exteriors Woodwork Papering & Painting

02476 460754 Mob 07902 343950

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! Christmas poultry, hams, gifts, chocolates, cakes, decorations & hampers.

Orders being taken now!

& licensed Coffee Shop

‘The Hayloft’

Eat, drink & unwind in ‘The Hayloft’ our licensed coffee shop, serving delicious freshly prepared food & drinks.

Berryfields Farm Shop, Berkswell Road, Meriden.

Email: info@berryfieldsfarmshop.co.uk CV7 7LB Web: www.berryfieldsfarmshop.co.uk 01676 522 155 Open everyday except Monday. For further details & Christmas opening times please see our website.

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

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

FORTY YEARS OF COUNTRY DANCING IN MERIDEN It seems only right that Meriden, being the centre of our country, should be the location for some English Country Dancing. In fact the Folk Annexe Folk Dance Club is now well into its fortieth year, most of those years having been spent in Meriden. The club moved here after a couple of years in other venues, one of which was the old annexe to Fentham Hall in Hampton-in-Arden from which the name “The Folk Annexe” originated.We are often asked what dancing we actually do. The terms “Folk Dancing”, “Country Dancing”, “Barn Dancing”, “Ceilidh Dancing”, even “Square Dancing”, are all applicable. In fact, if you have ever been The group performing at the Royal to a Barn Dance then expect something similar (with perhaps a little more Wedding celebrations earlier this year emphasis on getting it right!) at The Folk Annexe.

The club meets in The Methodist Church Hall, Meriden, on the second, fourth and fifth Tuesdays of each month from September to mid-July. The evening runs from 8.00pm to 10.15pm, with a short break for light refreshments, all for the princely sum of £2.00 per person.

New members are always welcomed and no previous experience is needed, as the level is always adapted to suit those present.

Many of our dancers attend without partners so there is always someone there to dance with you. The atmosphere is very friendly and no-one is left out; all are welcome. The dances are called either by our resident caller, club chairman Kim Smith; or by club callers or occasional visiting callers. For those of you who are not “in the know”, the job of the caller is to explain the dance as painlessly as possible and then to prompt you with each move as you dance it. Kim has been calling for well over forty years and is equally happy explaining dances to complete beginners or to very experienced dancers.

This dancing is suitable for all ages. Perhaps the best advert for its benefits is to see the mental and physical agility of some of our dancers who would put many youngsters to shame!

Please contact Kim Smith on 0121 747 8132 or the secretary Pauline Porter on 024 7633 2359.

Fashion Sales Evening

DO YOU NEED A CLEANER? Do you want someone to do all those household jobs you haven’t got time for?

Thursday 1st December Heart of England Club 7.00pm £1 entrance please pay on the door

No credit or debit Cards cash or cheques only

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

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

West Midlands Country Markets Ltd A weekly market is held at Balsall Common Village Hall, Station Road CV7 7EX every Saturday from 10.00. - 11.00am Saturday 17th December Father Christmas will be visiting us!

Coventry - Market Way 2nd Thursday in month 9am-4.30pm

Home baking and preserves, meat, plants and seasonal vegetables Crafts and home made cards

Coleshill - Church Hill 4th Friday in month 10am – 2pm

For more details call June Smitten 01676 523007 On 01676 523007

Hampers can be ordered and delivered countrywide.

Contact 01676 534148

A free cup of tea or coffee with this voucher

Planning, Travellers and Solihull Localism, Planning, Travellers and the Green Belt have all been stories prominent in the local and national press in the last few months. So how does it all affect Solihull and your local area? Well, a great deal actually.

In July, the Coalition Government issued for consultation a new draft "National Planning Policy Framework", cutting 1300 pages of planning guidance to 52, stating clearly that a presumption in favour of "sustainable" development should be at the heart of the planning system and that local authorities need to have clear and up to date Local Plans, otherwise, there is a real risk that the above presumption will bite in places neither it nor the community would want.

At the time of writing, it remains to be seen what will be the final outcome of the consultation; however, one thing is absolutely clear , Solihull is working hard to ensure that it does have a sound Local Plan, that it will meet its obligations in respect of housing and employment land, minerals and other needs, as well as protect the green belt and features of the Borough that we all hold dear. Solihull Council has in the last few months been preparing the "core strategy" of its Local Plan - what sites should be zoned for development, what development principles should apply, and so on. It is expected that this will be endorsed by a special Cabinet meeting this December and then go out for consultation.

October saw the appeal by travellers at Meriden dismissed and the Council is taking the necessary steps for enforcement, but the question has been raised about what provision has been made for travellers in the Borough. As part of its regional planning discussions with other councils, a figure was agreed by Solihull for the number of pitches it should provide. Some months ago, the Council embarked upon a consultation process, to ensure that it was taking necessary steps to meet its obligations. A number of sites were put forward not by the Council, but by others, in various parts of the Borough. Inevitably, these will be controversial, but the Council must ensure that it goes forward strictly in accordance with its legal obligations.

With regard to the sites suggested, the next steps will be that Council officers will consider each one in terms of potential suitability, in order to identify preferred sites and at the same time update the Council's Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment, so that the Council has a robust mechanism and basis of assessing its need for pitches. It is currently planned that these two steps will have been taken by February. The preferred sites will then be published for consultation, along with a list of all sites suggested and assessed. A draft "Development Plan Document", to form part of the Local Plan, will subsequently be prepared, in which all final site locations will be identified.

The Council has been keen that local people participate fully in the various parts of the Plan process and has organised two conferences to which Parish Councils and various residents' groups and others were invited. Interested parties can also write into the Director for Places, Council House, Solihull, B91 9QS or email: sustainabledevelopment@solihull.gov.uk

Cllr Ian Courts. Solihull MBC ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF AGE UK SOLIHULL’S NEW HOME SUPPORT SERVICE

£12.50 per hour

Age UK Solihull has set up a service for people living in Solihull who need help doing the jobs they are no longer able to do alone.

The home support service can support you, or work under your guidance, with task such as: • • • • • • • • • • •

General cleaning Laundry and ironing Shopping – food and clothes Light Gardening Helping you to get out and about Reading and writing letters Helping you pay your bills Helping you cook a meal Walking the dog Collecting your pension Companionship

• • •

Reading a book or newspaper to you Helping to change the bed Access to wider Age UK Solihull services and support

Age UK Solihull aim to give all those in later life the tools to be able to remain living independently and safely in their own homes for as long as they wish.

If you would like to know more please contact

The Home Support Service Team on 0121 704 9082

TRAVELLER SITE APPEAL DISMISSED UPDATE FROM MERIDEN RESIDENTS AGAINST INAPPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT

The Secretary of State has DISMISSED the appeal by the travellers for both permanent AND temporary occupation of the site in Eaves Green Lane. Meriden RAID Chairman David McGrath said 'We are relieved that Solihull Council, The Government Planning Inspector and the Secretary of State all agree with us that this unlawful site is totally inappropriate and causing daily harm to our Green Belt.

Our protest camp will stay a while longer until we see clear action from the Council and Courts to enforce the decision and to manage our response to any further appeal. The focus should now be on how we urgently ease people from an unlawful and unsustainable site to one where their needs can be met AND to re-instate the land. We are determined that this episode will not taint the good relations between the settled community and the wider travelling population which has played a valued part in our community life for generations. As the legal process wends its inevitable course, this is possibly the last article to be written on this topic by Meriden RAID and if so I would like to end with these words adapted from a speech given by Winston Churchill: We did not fail nor stumble; we did not weaken our resolve. Neither the sudden shock of destruction nor the long-drawn trial of our protest bowed our spirit. We were not bitter, but better. The people of Meriden, our friends and family made us proud – all for the love of our countryside. We dedicate our campaign to the memory of Jim Charlesworth who fought for his country as a young man and for his countryside until his sad departure from us.

Stones Standing for Life – Katherine's Wood, Lavender Hall Park, Park, Balsall Common Rotarians from three local clubs, Meriden, Solihull and Knowle & Dorridge, gathered with twenty plus friends and family at Katherine's Wood, Lavender Hall Park, Balsall Common, Saturday 22nd October, to witness perhaps the final stage of Meriden Rotary's woodland project, the unveiling by the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Irene Chamberlain, of three Standing Stones dedicated to Life and Life's Essentials, Health, Happiness and Harmony.

Katherine's Grandparents, Dennis and Joyce Newitt, both proudly in their nineties, wanted to provide something in the Park as a reminder. The family and Meriden Rotary Club thought that Standing Stones would create interest and a focal point for the Park. The woodland was carried out by Katherine's family, the Rotary Club of Meriden and Solihull Council to give the Park life, interest and colour, a Park for all seasons.

RIBI President Ray Burman was shown around the wood in July, along with Rotarians from a number of other clubs.

To think that, five years ago, that middle field in Lavender Hall Park was just that.... a field, with a couple of paths crossing and a small number of trees. Now, with the help of family and friends, Rotary, two Big Lottery grants and Council officers, there are nearly four acres of growing woodland and wildlife corridor in the Park, approximately 2400 plants, trees and shrubs, daffodils waiting to spring up next March, and three fine Standing Stones formed from natural plum slate from Bethesda Quarry, near Anglesey. A fourth stone explains all:"Life's Essentials A gift of standing stones from Joyce and Dennis Newitt, in memory of their granddaughter Katherine Courts.

Each stone bears a wish for those who visit the wood of her name. Three acorns, symbols of the beauty of life.

Health, Happiness, Harmony With time, how sturdy oak from simple acorn grow Woodland flourish, fulfil this young one's wish Each bud and leaf a symbol of life to flow Pray three life qualities each human heart embrace.

With the kind support of the Rotary Club of Meriden and Solihull Metropolitan Council."

The address given at the unveiling described how this project started out of a tragedy, but now looks forward to life ahead. Let us hope the woodland will be a lasting benefit to the local community, as well as woodland of which the young lady should be proud.

Meetings are held in the Village Hall on the first Monday in the month at 7.30pm Contact Janet Wood 01676 522122 (evenings) We have had a busy autumn, with members being involved in a variety of activities.

At our September meeting Margaret Hunt gave an informative history of the Central Hospital at Hatton near Warwick.

Paul Blewitt spoke at the October meeting, relating his ‘Tales of a Magistrate’. He gave us a clear insight into his duties and experiences- and invited us to consider various possible court cases and the likely outcome.

Some members attended the West Midlands Federation 37th Annual Council Meeting on 5th October when the speaker was Bob Flowerdew, Britain’s leading organic gardener. Then on the 11th October we hosted an afternoon workshop on rag rug making – reviving an old craft. The Annual Meeting was held on 7th November, when we elected our officers and committee for the coming year.

After five years as President Joan Russell has relinquished the position. Janet Wood has agreed to become our new president. We are all very grateful to Joan for her hard work and dedication on our behalf over the last five years.

Elizabeth Spencer Future Dates: Monday 5th December Christmas Party Monday 9th January at 2.00pm) Programme to be Monday 6th February at 2.00pm) arranged

Please note January and February 2012 meetings will be held at 2.00pm in the Village Hall

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

…the perfect start to your day!

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

CAMEO

In August CAMEO celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a carvery meal and a celebration cake at The Wilsons Arms in Knowle. Ten years ago Ellen Watkins heard from a friend th ComeTrust, and Meet Each Other atprovides the Community Centre on the about the Outlook an organisation which resources to encourage and4helpFriday of the at 2.00 p.m. the formationmonth of groups like CAMEO. Members from all the churches in Meriden joined together to make the venture a great success. Ann Bayliss who still had the minutes of that first meeting, disclosed that they were so unsure of the project’s success they only planned two meetings! Ellen was presented with a bouquet of flowers in recognition of all her hard work over the past ten years.

.

At our September meeting Eugene and Margaret Schellenberg told us about the Ifakara Bakery Project in Tanzania.

Ten years ago they were visiting their son in Ifakara when they were asked by the Sisters of St. Francis to help them build a bakery. They established a charity and raised enough money to cover the cost of the equipment, transport and installation. They trained the Sisters in September 2001 and soon produced up to 100 loaves a day. The bakery is now fully self-funding and produces over 400 loaves daily, employing local people. The weather hugely influences African harvests and since establishing the bakery there have been two seasons when the people were short of food so the bakery was a lifeline for many. After the Bakery Project the gifts kept on coming so they set up the ‘Free Bread Fund’. This buys bread to supply free to hospital patients, the Leprosy Centre, the local Orphanage, the Bethlehem Centre for Children with Learning Disabilities, and schools. This is a wonderful charity as all the money is used entirely for the purchase of bread and all administration charges are borne by Eugene and Margaret. We held a cake sale and the proceeds, together with donations, raised over £100 to buy 400 loaves for those who need it most.

In October Peter Hallington from the West Midlands Fire Service gave a very important talk on Fire Safety in The Home. He stressed the importance of smoke alarms and they now fit ones where the batteries cannot be removed and which last for 10 years. There are even special alarms to warn the deaf. The Fire Officer showed slides to warn of the numerous fire dangers in the home and we saw how quickly a small fire in the bedroom can take hold in two minutes.

The only safe electric blankets are cream or white as other colours are now too old and unsafe. We all received useful leaflets outlining all the checks etc. we should carry out.

We look forward to welcoming more friends to our meetings so if you need information or a lift please telephone:

December 16th - Christmas Celebrations with Phil Shapiro

ME S C HO OR OL

Forthcoming Meetings:-

TH E

Ellen 522534 or Pam 523372

th

January 27 – Dina Hunt, talking about Marie Curie Care th

February 24 – Howard and Diana Griffiths speaking about ‘Tools with a Mission’ and ‘Teddies for tragedies’.

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

State Registered Chiropodist

Mrs C Booker SRCh, MChS Home visiting practice only

The Orme School of Dancing Meriden Branch 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

In Remembrance Of Sgt John Henry Hollis of Meriden In the 70th Anniversary year of the formation of the Air Training Corps, Staff and Cadets of No. 1459 (Heart of England) Squadron, Air Training Corps have visited the grave of a fallen cadet from the Second World War. Sgt. John Henry Hollis R.A.F.V.R. became a member of the Squadron when it was founded at Balsall Common in 1941. He was born in Meriden, the son of Walter and Annie Hollis. He joined up and was posted to No. 463 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force as an Air Gunner. I am grateful to the Meriden Mag published in autumn 2009 which first drew me to John’s History On the night of 21 June 1944, his Lancaster Aircraft, DV280, flew from RAF Waddington to take part in a mission to bomb Synthetic Oil Production plants in the Ruhr Valley in Germany. Early on the morning of the 22nd June, the Aircraft was shot down near Uden, Holland, with the loss of 6 of its crew.

A 7th member was taken as a prisoner of war. The crew now reside in immaculately kept graves at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Uden town.

John Hollis was 19.

The visit coincided with a trip to Arnhem, Holland. The Squadron has participated in a commemorative march for the last few years to honour members of the First Allied Airborne Army that took part in Operation Market Garden, dramatised in the film ‘A Bridge Too Far’.

Neil Watson Flt Lt RAF VR (T) O C 1459 Heart of England Squadron The Squadron is based at Hadfield Way, Kingshurst, B37 and parades on Tuesday and Thursdays between 19.15 and 21.30. Visit the Squadron Website at www.1459aircadets.co.uk or e-mail aircadets1459@hotmail.co.uk for further information.

Meriden Remembrance Service Sunday 13th November 2011

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

WE CARE FOR YOUR TREES

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 The group 'Friends in Retirement' continues to progress. We are always pleased to have new members join us in any of our activities. Our current members enjoy walking, ambling, bridge, art, patchwork, paper crafting and social activities.

Our coffee mornings held in The Jubilee Hall in Balsall Common, on the third Friday of the month at 10am to noon, are a good way to meet people and get to know about our current programme.

Already we are planning our 2012 events which include our annual lunch and day trips out and about.

The coffee morning dates are:Fridays: 16th December, 20th January and 17th February For further information contact the Chairman on 01676 523505.

It’s nice to be IMPORTANT but it’s more important to be NICE!

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.

Wednesday, 7th December, 8.00pm at Berkswell Reading Room.

Members Social Evening.

Wednesday, 11th January, 2.15pm at Balsall Common Village Hall.

AGM – Members only.

Wednesday, 8th February, 2.15pm at Balsall Common Village Hall.

“The History of Witchcraft”, a talk by Mrs Dixie Atkins.

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.

The History Group Sends Everyone Best Wishes for Christmas & 2012.

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 Christmas activities

February half term

Monday 19th December: Reindeer Ramble

A week of activities during the half term with a different theme for every day (Events fill up fast so booking is essential).

Follow our reindeer trail and make a special craft, then look for signs of deer out on our reserve (ages 4 - 11 years).

Tuesday 20th December: Winter Wonderland Visit our chilly reserve to have a walk through the woodland then make a sparkly craft to hang on your tree. (ages 4 - 11 years).

Wednesday 21st December: Christmas Creations for Tots.

Collect natural materials from around the reserve to make yourself a beautiful Christmas decoration. (ages 2 - 4 years)

Nature Tots

Monday 13th February: Winter Dens.

Build your own den in the woods and see if you could survive! (ages 4 - 11years)

Tuesday 14th February: Kite Making.

Drop in and make a kite then go out and see if it flies (all ages, cost: £2 per kite made).

Wednesday 15th February: Teddy Bear’s Picnic for Tots.

Make your teddy a special home then for yourself make a teddy mask and craft. (ages 2 – 4 years)

Thursday 16th February: Wild about Mammals Learn all about mammals in the park and make a badger mask. (ages 4 – 11 years)

Friday 17th February: Winter Birds.

During the School term we run a Parent and Toddler Group called “Nature Tots” on Wednesdays and Friday mornings (10:30-12:00). The sessions are aimed at 2-4 year olds and are jam packed with various crafts and nature activities for them to enjoy!

See how many different birds you can spot then make a bird craft. (ages 4 – 11 years)

Sessions are very popular so booking is essential

0121 704 0768

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

Feel free to call us anytime for more information or to book

Cost of each workshop is £4.00 per child or £3.00 for WWT Members (Unless stated otherwise)

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 Two cannibals eating a clown.

One says to the other “does this taste funny to you?”

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

Paul Wilkinson Cert PFS CertsCII (MP&EI) Independent Financial Adviser

The Job Squad

www.

TheJobSquad. co.uk

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

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

Local financial services company with over 25 years’ experience

Investments Pensions / Retirement Planning Life Insurance / Critical Illness Equity Release Tax-efficient savings Mortgages Children’s ISA’s

“Personal, affordable financial advice, tailored to you “.

Tel: 01676 522473 Mob: 07963 759 524 Fax: 07092 985 33 Email: meriden financial@live.co.uk

Meriden Financial is authorised and regulated by the Financial Service Authority

Meriden Floral Society onday 11th D Meetings are held at

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

Forthcoming events: Monday 12th December“My kind of Christmas” – Lorena Dyer This promises to be an excellent flower demonstration Monday 16th January Practice Class – Barbara Collins Everyone is very welcome to come to both of these events.

Monday 20th February Annual General Meeting For information please contact: Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 June Brown 01676 522 210 Margaret Barnsdall 01676 520317 Why do we leave a car worth thousands on the drive and fill our garages with useless junk?

IDYLLIC GARDENS

Design and Construction NEW YEAR NEW YOU. Leisure Membership at Marriott Forest of Arden.

Why not learn to swim with adult and children's 1-2-1's or group lessons.

There is something for everyone at Marriott.

For more information contact 01676 526 107 quoting 'newyou'

Cultivated Turf & Lawns Patios - Paths - Yorkstone Block Paving - Drives Decking - Pergolas Fencing - Trellis Work All Brickwork - Ponds Garden Maintenance Free advice & estimates Portfolio and references available • • • • • • •

No Contract No Joining Fee

A MARRIOTT HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB MERIDEN, CV7 7HR Terms & conditions apply, subject to availability, admin fee applies.

01676 522 828 Mobile : 07976 205143

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.

New Health Centre at Balsall Common The new health centre is presently under construction and will be completed in April/May 2012. I would like to assure all patients registered at our Meriden surgery that this surgery is NOT going to close; doctors will continue to consult from the Meriden surgery. There are no plans at any time in the future for the Meriden Surgery to close.

The new health centre will manage patients presently registered at Balsall Common. Other services will be provided from the building for which any patient invited can attend, for example Chiropody and Physiotherapy, there will also be an NHS dentist working there. Once the services have been finalised and more information is available we will be communicating this to patients. If you have any question please contact Joanne Hope on 01676 531716 or email: joanne.hope@nhs.net.

Have you had your flu injection yet?

We would like to welcome Dr Catherine Middlemiss & Dr Richard Horsley To the Group Practice

Coventry Breathe Easy For more information please ring Roy on 07752 657223 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 normally 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.

Change of venue for December and January 9th December and 13th January at Conroy’s Coffee House, Corporation Street Coventry (Opposite the Co-op) meet 10.30 - 12noon come and join us for a coffee and natter!

10th February 2.00pm at Eadon Hall: Oxygen Therapy, Emma Nicklin from Air Products

Julie Hyde “Winter draws on” as my Mother used to tell me…..

As I was putting holly in a vase I noticed the pile of off-cuts on the floor and with a bit of ribbon and a couple of flowers they made such a lovely arrangement I had to paint them!

1. Draw the flowers, ribbon and holly leaves. Make sure the ribbon flows and would join if the flowers were not there.

2. Ribbon. Mix strong washes of two different reds:• Cadmium Red (bright red) • Alizarin Crimson (darker red) Taking one section of the ribbon at a time, apply the paler red all over this section. Dry your brush and drag it over the highlights to lift paint off again to leave shiny patches. Add the darker red to the shadows. Repeat on all sections.

3. Flowers Mix weak washes of:• Blue • Purple • Red and Yellow (Peach) Taking ONE PETAL AT A TIME. Wet the petal with clean water and add the colours in patches, putting the peachy colour on the body of the petal and the blues and purple colours in the shadows. Leave some areas of the petals without paint on.

4. Background. Mix a medium strength wash of: • Yellow and Blue (yellowy green) Wet areas in between flowers and ribbon and out to edges of picture with clean water. Add the green colour just to the centre of the painting letting it fade into the background.

LET IT DRY 5. Holly leaves. Mix a strong wash of:• Blue and a touch of Yellow (strong blue/green) Taking one leaf at a time, apply the very dark green all over the leaf. Dry your brush and drag it over the highlights to lift paint off again to leave light bits. Use a small brush and pull out a centre vein in the same way.

6. Flower centres. On to dry paper dot in spots of:• Red and Yellow • Yellow and Blue (yellowy green)

Classes at Centre of England Arts After a hugely successful first year the Centre of England Arts, in Hampton in Arden, Solihull, is taking bookings for weekly classes and one-off workshops throughout the autumn and winter. Adults of any age can choose from a range of classes in a variety of arts and crafts.

We believe that anyone who can hold a brush can learn to paint! We specialise in teaching people who have always wanted to paint but don't know how to start. After just a few classes our students can master the basics and then begin to explore the creative side of their personalities.

There are weekly classes in “Drawing and Water colours” with Julie Hyde, “Acrylic Painting” with Barbara Hunt, and a new class, starting in January “Oil painting, How the Masters did it” with artist Nick Logan.

For those with some expertise we have more advanced classes or they may wish to experience a different painting medium – we run workshops in watercolours, acrylics, pastels, silk painting, life drawing, caricatures and pen and wash.

For the creative person who doesn’t want to paint, we are developing a range of craft workshops in textiles, stained glass, jewellery making with silver wire, enamelling, photography and many other crafts.

After the success of our first exhibition we will be having our Christmas exhibition, which will be free to the public, on 3rd and 4th December. We hope that you will come along to see what we have been doing and perhaps meet some of the tutors and pupils.

Contact Julie on 01676 523357 or see the web site www.COEA.co.uk for more information.

Christmas Services in the Village Saturday 10th December 7.30pm ‘Firebird Singers’ Christmas Concert at St. Laurence Church Sunday 11th December 3:30pm – Carol Service with Meriden Christian Fellowship at Scout Hut Wednesday 14th December 6pm – School Christingle Service at St Laurence Church Saturday 17th December 3:30pm - Carols on the Green [If the weather is poor the celebration will move to the Methodist Church] Sunday 18th December 1pm – Cyclists Carol Service at St Laurence Church 4pm – Joint Carol Service at Methodist Church Saturday 24th December, Christmas Eve 11:30pm – Joint Midnight Communion Service at St Laurence Church Sunday 25th December, Christmas Day 10am – Joint Christmas Day Celebration at Methodist Church Sunday 1st January 2012 10am – Joint Service: Holy Communion (Feast of the Epiphany) at St. Laurence Church

Dedication of the Meriden Tree of Thought Meriden Green 4.00pm Friday 2nd December The children from Meriden School will walk in a lantern lit procession lead by a little donkey to sing carols round the tree accompanied by Carol Maclure on Keyboard.

The service of dedication will be lead by Canon Eardley I hope you will all join us once again for the dedication of our special tree I would like to send my thanks as ever to everyone (too many to mention) who have already made donations.

I am delighted by the response to the special village Christmas cards I have published this year. My sincere thanks to the shops that are selling them. A minimum of 20p per card will go to Macmillan Cancer support.

Christmas card Designs by Francesca Year 6 Charlotte Year 5 Isabelle Year 2

Annual Cyclists Carol Service Sunday 18th December 1.00pm Everyone is welcome at Meriden Village Hall from 11.00am where mince pies, tea and coffee will be on sale and afterwards please join us for the service at St Laurence Church

Meriden School ChristmasFayre ChristmasFayre Friday 2nd December after the tree dedication 5.00pm until 7.00pm

I would specially like to thank Jon Rogers (J R Photography) for allowing me to use his original photographs. As ever I wish you all the best Possible Christmas & New Year. Alan

Santa’s grotto, hot food, stalls

Saturday 17th December 3.30pm

raffles,

‘Carols on the Green’

mulled wine,

games

bottle & jar tombola

and lots of Christmas atmosphere!!!

The Rotary Club of Meriden wishes you all a very Happy Christmas.

We are pleased to be bringing Santa to visit, collecting for Rotary charities, on the following evenings: Meriden Wednesday 14th December Starting at 6.30pm Leys Lane Alspath Rd Fairfield Rise The Croft

Meriden Thursday 15th December Starting at 6.30pm Main Road Glovers Close Strawberry Fields Fillongley Rd (lower half)

Millisons Wood Monday 19th December Starting at 6.30pm Albert Rd Bonneville Close James Dawson Drive

We will also be collecting in Hampton in Arden starting at 6.30 on Friday 16th December, and at Blooms Garden Centre – Kenilworth Rd the first 3 weekends in December and Fillongley Village on Monday 12th Dec

The Firebird Singers Evening of Christmas music Saturday 10th December 7.30pm St Laurence Church Meriden Come and enjoy all your favourite Christmas songs Raffle, Tea, Coffee and Mince pies Tickets £6.00 concessions £4.00 available on the door or from

SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 3PM CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Baroque String concertos by Bach, Vivaldi, Locatelli and Valentini performed by The Musical & Amicable Society Tickets £13, £11 (students £5) tickets available online : www.amicables.co.uk OR 01675 481814

Mulled wine & Mince pies In aid of Acorns children’s Hospice ST JAMES CHURCH PACKINGTON NR. MERIDEN

John Bentick 07716 721467 or Valerie Martin 01676 522963

The Hot Bag Team

Proceeds to be split between Church funds, Red Shoes Foundation for Conductive Education and choir funds.

Do you enjoy singing? We are a very friendly choir and are always looking for new members, why not join us? Ring John for more details

Macmillan Cancer Care

Supporting

Christmas card design by Georgia Year 3 Meriden School

Christmas Craft Stall At Littlehurst Nursery & Garden Centre Bennetts Road North, Corley, CV7 8BG

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December 10.00am – 4.00pm A selection of individual gifts for all the family (A lovely garden centre to visit too!)

Tea and coffee mince pies plus a pig roast each day The Fillongley Singers will be there Sat 10th December from 1.00 – 2.00pm

Meriden Scout Group 1.Cubs at Camp 2.Scouts at the Hovercraft centre 3.Beaver Scouts Halloween Party

Solihull in Bloom

John’s hanging baskets at The Queens Head, which were placed 2nd in the Public Houses section

Midnight Walk 2011 Mother and daughter Sally and Alice Wilkinson from Millison's Wood were among nearly 1,000 women who took part in the 2011 Midnight Walk in September, in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Dressed in purple Midnight Walk t-shirts and fancy dress, they took part with a group of family and friends, and raised more than £600 for Acorns.

Starting at midnight, the annual 10km walk around Birmingham raised a total of £80,000 to help support 600 lifelimited and life-threatened children and their families in the Midlands.

Alice & Sally are at the top of the picture (Alice is on the left with the grey hat and Sally is next to her with her arm in the air

Once again John Douglas has won prizes in the Solihull in Bloom Competition. He is seen here with his hanging baskets which were placed 1st in the ‘Notcutts’ Past Winners section, for the 5th year running.

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 In October some members of the Group attended the official opening of the re-vamped ‘Parish Rooms’ at the Alfrey Activity Centre, Broadwater. Last year some of the Beavers and Cubs took part in a television appeal to obtain funds from The National Lottery-Peoples Millions which granted the project £25,000. It was lovely to see how the completed project will have a positive impact on the children that use the activity centre.

BEAVERS With the summer holidays over we came back to Beavers with lots of exciting stories to tell of our summer adventures!

We welcomed new members to the colony as well as Zoe as a helper and have been busy working on new challenges and badges.

In October we joined with fellow Beaver Scouts from Atherstone District for a ‘Notions and Potions’ day. We spent the day carrying out various experiments which will go towards our Experiment Activity Badge.

We have been out and about looking at how our environment has changed during autumn.

For Halloween we held a monstrous fancy dress party with plenty of games and lots of food.

Some of the Beaver Scouts are currently working towards their Chief Scout Bronze Award which they will have completed by the New Year.

CUBS We welcome Martin to the pack as an assistant leader.

Our first objective was to get the pack away on camp before the onset of the cold and the wet and it was fantastic that all of the Cubs were able to join us at Rough Close campsite. We had a fantastic weekend, the weather was kind to us and we were able to take part in activities such as archery, gun carriage racing and crate climbing. We also spent time playing games, going on night time walks and collecting firewood for our campfire, the woodland on-site provided an endless source of fun and games. By Sunday afternoon we were able to return a collection of tired but smiling cubs to their parents.

Other than camp we have been focusing on some scouting skills over the last few weeks, tent pitching, fire-lighting and cooking to name but a few.

We are looking forward to the next group of Beavers moving up in the New Year and we would like to welcome any new cubs – either boys or girls – who would like to join the adventure.

SCOUTS This autumn the Scouts started their activities by visiting High Cross hover crafting centre to spend a day learning how to fly hovercrafts. The Scouts had a fantastic time and can now all pilot the crafts. The Scouts have now acquired their own hovercraft and will be spending the winter months rebuilding it ready for next year.

Making wooden cut-out Halloween decorations and cooking chocolate cookies have also been popular activities this autumn. The Scouts are currently working towards their Hobbies, Craft and Entertainer activity badges, whilst also working towards their Olympic Scout challenge.

The group are looking to recruit more Scouts to strengthen the numbers in the troop. If you are aware of any boys or girls, between the ages of 10 and 15 who would like to join, please pass on our details.

Since September we have welcomed 4 new Brownies to our pack - Ellie, Francesca, Cerys and Ciara and they have all settled in well. So far this term we have completed our 'World Issues' badge and during one meeting ladies from the Trefoil Guild told us all about a charity they were supporting called ‘Feed the Children.’ We are busy making plans for our stall at this year's school Christmas Fayre as well as looking forward to going to Bedworth Civic Hall to see the Pantomine 'Sleeping Beauty' in December. The Brownies will be attending their last Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday 13th November and this year will be marching up to St Lawrence's Church and back again. Jane and Sharon would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Brownie parents who have helped out this term and to everyone for their continued support.

Jane (01676 542501) Sharon (01676 522591)

Letter from Meriden, Connecticut, USA Grass skirts and torches I once had a friend (alas, no longer with us) who woke up on her 60th birthday and declared, with relief, that now she was officially a little old lady. Although the obvious benefits may be few, she seemed to take it as a warrant to do whatever the hell she pleased.

I first started feeling irreversibly old at 56, when it dawned on me that I was now, and would forever remain, older than Abraham Lincoln.

There are other milestones, of course, on the road to Oldville: The first time you stagger into the bathroom in the morning, catch a glimpse in the mirror and think, who’s that? The aches and pains. The trick knee, or some other joint, that no longer performs up to manufacturer’s specs, and if it was part of your car rather than part of your body, you’d have it in the shop.

For that matter, there’s the shop itself – that is, the ever-increasing amount of time you find yourself logging in doctors’ waiting rooms, hospital examination rooms, operating rooms, MRI chambers, etc.

I’ll soon be suffering another birthday. This happens around this time every year – a symptom of the one chronic condition you really hope they don’t find a cure for – and it seems as good a time as any to take stock, to see how the old carcass is holding up.

Back in 2008 I did the heart attack, which was very annoying but not very fatal. These days I’m doing cancer, which isn’t half as much fun. Without getting too icky and medical, we’re talking about bladder cancer here, so all the instruments needed to treat it – the jackhammers and chainsaws and chisels and soldering irons and what-not – have to go in through the, uh, only available natural passageway.

By my count, I’ve had 21 such invasions so far, most with a relatively slender tube (they pump in a sort of tuberculosis soup that drives your immune system nuts but, in the end, did not get rid of the cancer) and the rest with a huge and terrifying device called a cystoscope, which has all kinds of attachments: cutting tools and cauterizing devices and fiberoptics for televising what’s going on in there. It also has a big black wire that you assume plugs into the wall (it doesn’t) and it looks like it should give off steam and maybe flames as well (it doesn’t). Fortunately, you are usually knocked out when they use this thing on you. But not always.

Unfortunately, the TB soup didn’t work, nor did the surgeries performed with that horrible gizmo, so now we’re doing chemotherapy. The side effects are a big deal, and so is the boredom; the short sessions take three hours or so, the long ones about seven hours – and no matter that you bring your phone, and no matter how many magazines you’re prepared to read or how much TV you’re prepared to watch, the time just drags.

So maybe this would be an occasion for some organized entertainment.

Here’s my suggestion (are you listening, hospital?): Why not get some grass-skirted gals from the South Pacific to hula up a storm in the chemo suite while a bunch of bare-chested guys juggle with flaming torches – all to the irresistible beat of Polynesian drums?

This might not, by itself, produce a cancer cure, but it’d sure make the chemo experience more fun. Call it complementary therapy: science plus showbiz.

Reach Glenn Richter at grichter@record-journal.com Glenn’s beloved Mini Cooper and the Acer buried in the snow

Meriden had a very heavy fall of snow at the end of October.

Glenn wrote “I have just got my electricity back today (Tuesday), having lost it on Saturday. I’m just too old to be freezing in the dark! But I woke today to find a crew from South Carolina working on the wires to my house and two neighbours'.

They drove 19 ½ hours to get here. Wires and trees are down everywhere -- and I fear my two Japanese red maples are kaput. Also, hundreds of thousands of people in this state are still without power. It was a heavy, wet snow -- about 10 inches of it -- that fell with most of the leaves still on the trees; worst possible timing, and we ALMOST NEVER get snow in October. Oh well!”

Meriden library 01676 522717 Open Monday 10.00am – 7.00pm Thursday 10.00am – 7.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Now winter has arrived, why not take some time out from the cold weather and Christmas shopping to curl up with a good book? Here at Meriden Library there are thousands of books – from the latest best sellers to classic novels. Look out for our display of “cosy crime” in the New Year – just right for those dark evenings in front of the fire.

There are lots of events taking place in the run up to the Christmas festivities: We are holding a ‘Christmas Storytime for the under fives’ on Monday 19th December from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. There will be stories, rhymes and craft activities, all with a festive theme.

No need to book – just turn up on the afternoon ready to enjoy yourselves. And remember, we also run our storytimes every Monday afternoon throughout the year during term time between 2.45pm and 3.15pm. Everybody welcome!

MERIDEN LIBRARY READERS GROUP A small informal group of people who enjoy reading books and chatting about them to other keen readers.

Each month we choose books with a similar theme supplied by the library. This always gives us plenty to talk about at the next meeting- whether we loved them or hated them.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30 to 9.00 ish. Venue from the Library or Mike Watkinson on 01676 521496.

14th December - Xmas Party. A get together for a drink and a Christmassy reading or quiz.

A good time to meet people.

11th January - If you got a book in your Christmas stocking share it with us.

8th February - Any music-based novel or autobiography: on the 7th February 1968 Louis Armstrong's "What a wonderful world" hit the charts.

Come and join us at our Christmas Craft sessions in the children’s area of the library on both Monday 19 December and Thursday 22 December between 10am and 4pm. Again, no need to book for these sessions – just drop into the library and join us for festive fun.

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

Don’t forget the library has Internet access to help you keep in touch with those loved ones who are far away over the Christmas period. Even if you don’t know your mouse from your megabyte, we can still help you to learn the basics of using a computer. You can learn how to use the internet or send an email in a friendly and relaxed environment here at the library. Come along and register your interest and we will introduce you to the online learning sessions available using the GoOn website in the library.

BALSALL WRITERS

The staff at Meriden Library would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year

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

Margaret Houldsworth

This group meet on the 1st Thursday of the month in the Balsall Common Village Hall Committee room. www.balsallwriters.org Following the success of this group we have started group 2 and anyone interested should contact Anne Santos on 01676 534003 or Email – tideswell.house@virgin.net

Worry is like a rocking horse. It keeps you busy but gets you nowhere!

01676 523 798 Light Lunch menu available from Monday to Wednesday 12noon to 5.00pm, A taste of what’s on our light lunch menu: • Starters: Mini mezze of home baked breads, marinated olives and taramasalata • Mains: Beef & Chianti lasagne with garlic bread and dressed roquette • Puddings: Warm winter fruit sponge pudding & custard Light Lunch menu starters & puddings only £3.00 each We serve a fantastic roast platter on Sundays Visit www.thebullsheadmeriden.co.uk for more info

Bring this page in when you book your Christmas party – to be held by 20th Dec, and receive a £10 voucher for use in January

New Years Eve we have a DJ, so enjoy a meal and party with us into 2012.

Bookings now being taken.

Sign up to the Bull’s Head Club at www.thebullsheadmeriden.co.uk & 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 522409 www.berkswelltraditionalmeats.co

Put the best on your table this Christmas •

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Order now for Christmas : Free range turkeys, geese, cockerels, chickens or try a 3 bird roast All cuts of beef including beef on the bone Range of game from local estate including pheasants, partridge and venison Local lamb Superb homemade sausages and home cured bacon Traditional breed pork with real crackling 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

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

A Coventry Way Association Following a successful 40 Mile Challenge Event in April, A Coventry Way Association has made donations to several local Charities. This year's recipients include Meriden Scouts and St Laurence Church Tower Appeal.

Next year's Challenge Event is already in the planning stage and once again will start and finish at The Queens' Head. The date is Sunday 15th April 2012.

Entrance Forms available on www.acoventryway.org.uk John Green

Harvest Supper A good evening was had by all and attended by 70 people. We raised £790.30 which is going to Warwickshire & Northampton Air Ambulance.

Thanks to all who attended and helped with the preparation in the afternoon and evening.

Kate Beaty

Berryfields Farm Shop Would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all their customers for raising a total of £810 for Macmillan Cancer support through the coffee morning and raffle held at the end of September.

Letters Page Wedding celebrations!

Congratulations go to Jayne and Terry Stanley on the wedding of their son Luke to Michelle in Pembrokeshire and just four weeks later their daughter Fay’s wedding to Matthew in Stowe, Vermont USA Congratulations also to Jackie, a beautician at Blitz, on her marriage to Stuart in September

TABLES FOR SALE Ideal for office work, sewing or banqueting The Village Hall has eight tables, which are surplus to requirements and are available for sale at a modest price.

They are in good clean condition, and measure 4 feet by 2ft 3”, have laminate tops and are stackable.

For further details, please ring 01676 522645 First Come, First Served!

“Get Well Soon Ron” We were very sorry to hear earlier this year that former Meriden resident Ron Jackson, who has on many times supplied us with photos and memories of Meriden, was taken ill.

Upon sending our good wishes we have received this reply from Ron’s daughter Angela Hello to all of Dad's Meriden Friends Thank you for all your good wishes with regard to my Dad. As you all know he is a bit of a 'one off' and even this hasn't dampened his spirits.

I saw him today and as always take him out in the wheelchair to get his daily dose of fresh air. Today we had ice cream and tea in the cafeteria and still had plenty of laughs! The nurses have really taken to him and he's not a lot of trouble, everything they ask him to do he does cheerfully because he knows it's for his own good. The therapies are pretty gruelling but we have noticed that they are paying off. The stroke hasn't affected his sense of humour, he understands everything you say and whilst his speech is poor it doesn't stop him from trying to respond. He can still count, play dominoes and solitaire, which I find quite strange but his alphabet and reading skills are very dodgy!!

He can now walk unaided, albeit very slowly, get in and out of chairs, shave and get dressed without a lot of help. He still has the look of a mad scientist with his hair now quite long! Dad refuses to wear the usual hospital garb and remains his usual snappy self in his Austin Reed striped shirts and cavalry twill trousers. Even his slippers had to be suede and lined with the finest sheepskin!

I cannot praise the work of the Nurses enough at the Stroke Unit, they have been amazing and their goal is to get him home so that he can enjoy a reasonable quality of life.

Dad's determination and inability to whinge has helped him through this and my Mum has managed as best she can. We have had a lot of low moments but now there is real hope that he won't be in Hospital for much longer.

Thank you for all your good wishes; I know he was so cross to miss out on the Air Squadron Celebrations in Meriden last month. If anyone wants to send a card he is in Deerleap Ward, Lymington ,New Forest Hospital, Hants SO41 8QD

Best Wishes Angela

Meriden Volunteers for Cancer Research UK Our “In the Pink Evening” at Strawberry Bank Hotel was very successful.

We must thanks Susie & Eloy for allowing us to use the room free of charge every year.

The pink room in a pink hotel together with pink balloons and pink goodie bags helped to set the scene for pink dressed ladies to celebrate the fight against breast cancer., Nell Gwynne entertained us and told us about her life story. Once again Lesley Smith was excellent in character and everyone enjoyed the evening.

We have sent £1,800 to the National Account at Cancer Research UK. Our chairperson & treasurer visited the Cancer Research Laboratories and Research Centre at Birmingham University. We heard all about the wonderful work being done at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Research centre of CRUK. We heard that children’s cancers now had a 75% survival rate – but that is not high enough!!

The surgeon in Urology who deals with kidney, bladder & prostate cancers explained how surgery had become less invasive these days and the wonderful progress being made in this area of work.

We had a tour of the laboratories and looked at cancer cells, equipment etc. and were told about some of the research ongoing at present. This was amazing and so inspiring.

“Together we will beat Cancer” We were also told how the financial recession will leave several million pounds shortfall in the money needed for research work in Mary 522160 Dave 523065 the next five years!!!

And so we plod on....................!!!Thanks for your support.

Carol 07811 613905

David Deakin Plastering Services Interior plastering and coving work.

Insurance work welcome.

Free estimates, reliable, friendly, clean service.

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 December 2011 Sunday 25th December 2011 – Christmas Day Lunch in the Aylesford Suite £59.00 per adult & £24.50 per child (12 years and under) Take the hassle out of Christmas this year and let the Manor Hotel do all the cooking and washing up!

Pre-booking is essential as places are filling up fast!

January 2012 Saturday 21st January 2012 – Comedy Night £19.95 per person Banish those winter blues and enjoy a two course buffet and laugh the night away with our guest Comedians!

Monday 26th December 2011- Boxing Day Lunch in the Regency Restaurant £35.00 per adult & £17.50 per child (12 years and under) Relax and unwind with your family and friends and enjoy a mouth-watering lunch (no turkey in sight!!!)

Pre booking is essential as places are filling up fast!

2 for 1 in the Regency Restaurant (available dates 2nd – 29th Jan Two dinners for the price of one in our AA Rosette Regency Restaurant.

Pre-booking is a must as places are limited!

Saturday 31st December 2011 – New Years Eve at the Manor Hotel Welcome 2012 in style at the Manor Hotel with a choice of two events; Gala Dinner & Disco in the Aylesford Suite (adults only) and Family Party & Disco in the Regency Restaurant. Call our Christmas Co-ordinator now to book your place!

Friends and Family visiting over Christmas, and not enough space at home? Let the Manor Hotel accommodate your guests from as little as £35.00 per person!

February 2012

Kids eat for free in Houstons this January! Treat yourself and your children to dinner in Houstons. The best way to brighten up your January!

Saturday 11th February – Michael Buble Valentines Ball £29.95 per person. Crazy in Love? Why not join us for our fabulous Michael Buble Valentines ball and enjoy a mouth-watering 4-course dinner, Michael Buble tribute and “sway” the night away to our resident DJ. Sunday 26th February – Wedding Fayre 11.00am – 3.00pm The Manor Hotel doesn’t just provide a perfect setting; we are also here to make your special day an unforgettable success! This FREE event gives you the chance to meet a host of wedding day professionals providing photography, dress design and much more!

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

For Christmas the president of Meriden Rotary says “Santa needs a little help” Every year Meriden Rotary goes out with its Santa's Sleigh in the villages of Meriden, Millison’s Wood, Fillongley and Hampton in Arden. For the people who take part it is one of the most rewarding things that Rotary does. It provides children and parents with some joy and fun in the run up to Christmas, while raising some money for charity.

The charity that will benefit this year is Emmaus, which provides support and aid for homeless people and has its own community project in Coventry. It is fitting at Christmas that we should be thinking of those without a home. http://www.emmaus.org.uk/coventry-warwickshire This year Santa needs some helpers. In order to complete each night in good time, when kids are still up and able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Santa's Sleigh we need lots of collectors. If you live in one of the areas and can give up a night between 6.30pm and 8.30pm please get in contact Meriden Rotary will be collecting in the villages on the following nights.

Fillongley Monday 12th December Meriden Wednesday 14th December Meriden Thursday 15th December Hampton in Arden Friday 16th December Millison’s Wood Monday 19th December Contact either myself: Len Cardwell President Meriden Rotary 01676 542687 email : leonard@lcardwell.wanadoo.co.uk or Roger Swindells Secretary Meriden Rotary 01675 481754 email:rogerswindells@aol.com Merry Christmas from Meriden Rotary and we look forward to seeing you when Santa visits your area or at Blooms Garden Centre on the weekends in December.

For those who collect useless information!

Did you know that the Year 2011 has been unusual?

Because:July had five Fridays, five Saturdays and five Sundays.

October had five Saturdays, five Sundays and five Mondays.

Unusual Dates: 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11 & 11/11/11 That’s not all………………

Take the last two digits of the year in which you were born. Now add the age you will be this year and the result will be 111 for everyone!

A Story for Christmas…Meriden’s Christmas…Meriden’s link to the ‘Coventry Carol’ Carol’ ‘Lully lulla, thou little tiny child..

Many readers will recognise this beautiful carol once sung in the Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors a play acted in Coventry based on the story told in St. Matthew’s Gospel about King Herod’s killing of all the young children in Bethlehem on Holy Innocents’ Day hoping to destroy his royal rival as he saw it: Jesus. Queen Marguerite King Henry VI’s consort visited Coventry in 1456 when the town first became a City. This play was performed for the first time in her honour.

We must thank Robert Croo or Crowe, Master of the Cappers’ Guild from 1520 for copying the original words completed he noted on 14 March 1534/5. We no longer have this work in his own handwriting owing to the disastrous fire in the Birmingham Free Reference Library in 1879 but thankfully Thomas Sharpe, a Coventry antiquarian copied and published it in 1825 together with its haunting melody. The work of copyist Thomas Mawdyke and dated 13 May 1591, it was to be sung originally by countertenor, tenor and bass as the actors were all men.

Several scholars had written about Croo but it was not until I sent my researches to Dr Pamela King an expert on Mystery Plays that we pieced together the full story. Croo, a bachelor who lived in Bailey Lane showed early literary interest by masterminding a Cappers Candlemas celebration in 1525 called ‘the Golden Fleece’ but his later career as a manager/ actor may have become possible because of his marriage. Thomas Botiler was the last Lord of Alspath manor.

He and his wife Margery had no sons, only four daughters. Thomas‘s 1522/3 will outlined his plans as the Alspath Estate by law had to be divided equally between them. Only the youngest Joyce, was unmarried, aged about 14. From what her father said he found her studious. He even thought she might wish to become a nun and made provision for this, ‘yf my daughter Joys fortune to entre into religion and be not maried then she shall have but £10.00 to bye her habett and other necessaries’. She could have been a pupil at one of the boarding schools run by nuns in the locality, the most prestigious being at Polesworth. He set aside £40.00 from the next sale of coppiced wood from the Shafts for her immediate dowry but she also stood to inherit a quarter of the value of the manor. A document dated 1531 showed all four heiresses dividing the property for Joyce had indeed married: a man called Robert Croo.

Croo had relatives in Meriden. William Croo who leased and lived at Walsh Hall owned a thriving drover’s business and was a sheep farmer. His two sons took over the business when he died in 1558. In Coventry Robert was friendly with members of the Weavers’ Guild who rented lands in Meriden including fields on either side of Meriden Hill. On marriage Joyce went to live in Coventry taking with her widowed mother Margery who died there in 1535 but the couple also retained a country house in the village. Robert took a keen interest in his wife’s substantial village property.

His biographer speculated he had married well and that he no longer needed to spend time running his capping business. In fact it was not until 1550s when he might have retired as he finished his training in 1510. He then had leisure to write, supervise the Pageants and even act. We find him from 1556 making scenery, mending and making costumes and even playing the role of God in the Drapers’ Pageant of Doomsday. He was busy to the end helping at the Smiths Corpus Christi pageant in the spring of 1566.He died soon after for the records show Joyce Croo attending Meriden’s manor court and granting leases only possible if she were a widow. Within a short time her son Laurence came to live in Meriden. In 1578 the old vicar of Meriden died and elderly Mistress Crow was remembered in his will.

She had not apparently lost her love of reading. He left, ‘to old mistres Crowe my best silver spectakles’. Mark Crowe’s name appears in the manor court records and on leases after 1582 which I think is the year Joyce died.

In an era when marriages were frequently for business reasons, I like to think this couple married because they had interests in common and who is to say that the Coventry Carol was not written out for posterity in Meriden itself in the late winter of 1534/5?

Doreen Agutter

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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: Wednesday 14 December 2011 – Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 11 January 2012 – Finance Meeting Monday 23 January 2012 – Parish Council Meeting Monday 27 February 2012 – Parish Council Meeting

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

Shafim Kauser 23 Whitehead Grove Balsall Common CV7 7US Tel: 01676 533395 Email: shafimk@btinternet.com Web: www.meridenparishcouncil.org.uk

Your Parish Councillors are:

Rosie Weaver Bob Kipling (Vice Chair) (Chair)

Melanie Lee

Paul Lee

Mandy Haque

Frances

Vacant seat

Vacant seat

Lynch-Smith

Welcome to Frances Lynch-Smith, our new councillor The Parish Council are delighted to have co-opted Frances Lynch-Smith as Parish Councillor. Frances was formally co-opted in September 2011. Frances moved to Meriden in 1980 and has been involved in the local history group and also served on the Village Hall management committee. Her father was a parish councillor in Derbyshire and now that she has more free time in her working life she wants to offer her services to the improvement of the parish. She was a Special Education Needs Co-ordinator and now heads a pastoral team in a school in Birmingham. The Parish Council recognises her unique skills that will add value to the community.

The Parish Council still invites others 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: 9 January and 13 February 2012.

Police surgeries at Meriden Sports Park From 26 November 2011, Sgt Tony Hanlon will conduct a new style police surgery for the parish at the Sports Pavilion. The police recognise that everybody’s time is precious and that Saturdays may be a better opportunity for residents to attend. Surgery times will vary, to ensure Solihull Police engage with local residents at every opportunity. The next dates and times are Thursday 8th Dec between 4-5pm, Thursday 12 Jan 2012 between 4-5pm & Saturday 11 Feb 2012 between 12-1.00pm

The Parish Council would like to thank John Moorhouse for all his efforts in the organisation of Remembrance Sunday and all the volunteers who acted as marshals and helped councillors Mandy Haque, Paul and Mel Lee and Rosie Weaver in the road closure for Remembrance Sunday: Ian and Sharon

Tuersley, Steve Wake, Chris Higton and Nick Bryan.

Update on Meriden Sports Park Well, we think it’s safe to say that the opening of the sports park has been a success and it has been very well used.

As the winter approached, we had to close the children’s play area at short notice for urgent maintenance work. It has now been re-turfed and grass seeding has been put in place including a much needed improved gated entrance. This means that the play area will re-open on 12 December 2011 and with the nice weather we experienced early November we should have a play area that is fit for purpose come the Spring.

We had successful sport camps running throughout August and the October half term. Children had training sessions in cricket, basketball, football, rounders, netball, petanque and golf.

We have organised another free training session for petanque on Thursday 8 December between 11:00-12:30. We’re also encouraging those interested in netball to come forward for free training sessions. If you are interested in petanque and/or netball, please contact our sports co-ordinator, Paul Jayes, 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 Parish Council would like to thank Brian Stote, national coach for the England Petanque Association. Brian put on 3 adult training sessions throughout September and returned for the half term sports camp to teach the children.

We’d also like to thank Stonebridge Golf Club for sponsoring Meriden Rovers’ waterproof jackets and for providing free golf lessons during the half term sports camp in October.

Important message from Sgt Tony Hanlon – Volunteers needed

Petanque training: Mavis Edwards, Paul Jayes, Brian Stote

A year ago, parish councillors heard of a police initiative called ‘Street Watch’ in the south of England that made them think this could be a good initiative for Meriden. You can read the story by copying this web address onto your browser: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8004543/Hampshire-village-of-FourMarks-launches-street-patrol-to-tackle-antisocial-behaviour.html At our October Parish Council meeting, Sgt Tony Hanlon was in attendance and he announced that they had started the ‘Street Watch’ initiative in Balsall Common, the first in Solihull Borough. You can read the article that featured in Solihull News with this link: http://www.solihullnews.net/news/solihull-news/2011/10/13/taking-to-the-streets-ofbalsall-common-105074-29591067/ In Tony’s own words he explains: “The Street Watch scheme went live on 11 October 2011. Volunteers came forward, following an advertisement in the Balsall Common Bugle magazine and the residents 'Communicator' newsletter.

“The scheme is about local community members tackling low level issues that impact on the community. The volunteers wear high visibility jackets to provide visible levels of reassurance promote good citizenship and increase the feelings of safety. The volunteers are encouraged to engage positively with those who try to undermine the local community, but will also try to educate them, by pointing out the effect their behaviour has.

“Members are required to patrol only two hours per month and will be expected to meet with the local police team every two months. The members are also required to work to a code of conduct and will be accountable for their own actions, to be lawful, reasonable, appropriate and justified.

“Street Watch members are covered by Public Liability Insurance and Accident Injury Insurance. I am keen to recruit volunteers in the Meriden area, particularly people in the 18-25 age groups, to act as positive role models for the younger generation. It would be something very positive to put on a CV. “Anyone interested in being part of the scheme can contact me at the Balsall Common office on (0345) 1135000 ext. 7601 6148 or email me on a.hanlon@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk.”

Tenders are invited for Contracts to be awarded for the forthcoming financial year 1 April 2012 – 31 March 2013 If you are interested in tendering for any of the following 4 Contracts please supply information to Shafim Kauser, Parish Clerk, 23 Whitehead Grove, Balsall Common, CV7 7US

by Monday 14 December 2011 marking the envelope TENDER. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Contract 1: Outdoors Meriden Sports Park April to October • To weekly empty bins on a Thursday into Fortress litter skip which is collected every Friday • To litter pick weekly • To sweep courts 1 and 2 as required • To sweep car park and around the pavilion as required • To water the sports field, trees and children’s play area weekly (twice weekly during warm weather) Between November and March • To weekly empty bins on a Thursday into Fortress litter bin which is collected every Friday • To litter pick weekly • To sweep courts 1 and 2 as required • To sweep car park and around the pavilion as required • To remove fallen leaves from the sports field and children’s play area

The Green April to October. (subject to weather conditions).

• To weekly collect litter both on The Green and under the fir tree on The Green, cut grass and trim.

• To annually fertilize

Planting

• • •

Summer planting of trough arrangements around village (30) and watering through season.

Winter planting of troughs around village (30).

To maintain garden around Meriden Cross and supply of summer and winter planting.

Fir Trees – Fillongley Road

•

To litter pick under the trees when requested

Contract 2: Street furniture Bus Shelters.

• •

To clear litter and sweep weekly To remove any graffiti weekly

• • •

Notify Clerk of any problems with shelters.

To wet wash when requested To repair Bus Shelters (10) and paint, as and when requested (excluding materials)

Benches and Notice boards

• •

To maintain and treat benches (20) and notice boards (5) To clean sports park benches (13), youth shelter and maintain and annually treat sports park picnic benches (4)

Red Telephone Boxes – Village Green and Albert Road, Millisons’ Wood

•

To repair/clean kiosks and paint, as and when requested (excluding materials)

Contract 3: Sports Pavilion •

Cleaning of the interior of the sports pavilion.

Please request cleaning schedule from the clerk or view it online at www.meridenparishcouncil.org.uk

Contract 4: Opening and closing of Meriden Sports Park • •

To daily open the entrance gates at 7am To daily close the entrance gates at 9pm (April to October) at dusk (November to March)

N.B. All persons submitting tenders must: 1. Provide own tools and equipment for Contracts 2. Accept responsibility for all health and safety issues involved with the Contracts

You are also invited to register with the Parish Council for emergency/essential maintenance contracts, such as painting, cleaning or repair work. If you are interested, please supply information to the Clerk.

Pied Piper Pest Management The solution to all your pest vermin and wildlife problems

Franklin Construction Services 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

•

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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

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

Grove House

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

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

Tel: 01676 530792 www.broadlanevets.co.uk

8, Whichcote Avenue, Meriden Coventry CV7 7LR

Our surgery at 255 Broad Lane CV5 7AQ is open until 7.30pm weeknights, Saturday 8.30am-5pm & Sunday 11am-3pm

Email: enquiries@grovehousebandb.co.uk

01676 523295 www.grovehousebandb.co.uk

County Dry Cleaners 180, Station Road, Balsall Common

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

Rug Doctor now available

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

with this voucher

Suit counts as 2 items

A retired husband becomes a wife’s full time job!!

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

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 ------Calvin----Home Workshop ` 279 Kenilworth Road Balsall Common Wednesday-Thursday-Friday & Saturday 10.00am thru to 5.00pm

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

01676 544562

Heart England of

Property Maintenance Plumbing Carpentry General Maintenance Painting & Decorating Contact Paul Morgan on 01676 542885 07917 692948 mobile

Over 60’s special

blitz Beauty Salon Telephone 01676 521100 Men and Women welcome Open 7 days a week Monthly offers available New dual treatment room Gift vouchers available

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 Nail Extensions, Body Wraps, Hot Stone Stone Massage, Spray Tanning and Vertical Sun bed.

Monday 10-5, Tuesday 9-7, Wednesday & Thursday 9-9, Friday 9-5.30, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-2

For more details or to go on our mailing list Telephone 01676 521100 Also treatment rooms available at the Windmill Village Hotel and Nailcote Hall Hotel

RAMBLINGS FROM THE ALLOTMENTS The general tidy up has started and with plenty of weeds it is a big job. Cleaned up the brassica cage and I took down the sweet peas, which I was loath to do but they don’t look so good when they are dying off. At the end of August I made some lovely tomato soup with the glut of fruit from the outside plants, very nice. We have done very well this year with the tomatoes inside and out and have had cucumbers coming out of our ears. To top off, in the greenhouse this year we have managed to rear at least 5 melon fruits. You might think that this is no big deal, but let me tell you that we have been trying to grow melons for the last four or five years without much success. Let’s hope they taste as good as they look which I am sure they will.

With all the weeding, a new bean trench will have to be dug soon, and I am sure that will be next on the agenda. The weather has cooled down but until the beginning of September we have not had too much rain, I’m sure that will soon be remedied. I made a nice plum chutney with the glut of plums and very nice too.

Talking about chutney I made a no cook apple pickle which was given to me by the cook at a restaurant at a National Trust house. The recipe is at the bottom of this article.

September came in and the weather was still quite dry. We had managed to dig up all the potatoes towards the end of August and they were looking good. We were due to go on holiday in early October so a good clear up was under way. All the squashes and pumpkins were picked and stored and at the time of writing several pumpkins have been carved for Halloween. We had managed to clear two larges spaces that were rotavated and sown with green manure. When this is flowering it will be dug in to the ground.

The allotments are practically put to bed now and we will only be venturing up to see to the chickens and pick any vegetables that we need so that means we will still be going up daily, we can’t keep away!!

Ann Butler NO COOK APPLE CHUTNEY Equal quantities of:Apples (slightly cooked) Dates Sultanas Crosses, chaplets, garlands Dark brown sugar Holly arrangements from £5.00 Chop all these ingredients together in a blender Mix together with salt and pepper and enough GIBSON’S NURSERY malt vinegar to get the consistency you want.

MILLISONS WOOD HILL It will keep in the fridge and will also freeze.

MERIDEN 01676 522233 This chutney goes well with cheese.

CHRISTMAS TREES HOLLY WREATHS

Christmas Turkeys Locally Grown If you want the best, this is the place to come!

Barry Pointon 01676 522216 01676 523010 07855 417738 Collect or deliver

Fed on cereal and vegetable diet No hormones or animal by-product proteins All sizes available from 10lb up

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

Parish Design Statement – an update The Parish Council approved the final draft of our Parish Design Statement at the end of September, subject to a last round of consultation on the most controversial matters via a newsletter in November.

They are: •

The need to resist the intense pressure for housing development on the green fields surrounding the village.

Almost every parcel of green land on the periphery of the village is owned by a developer and / or been the subject of an application for planning permission for housing in the last few years. With planning guidelines being changed by the Government, developers see an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, as we can see with the Taylor Wimpey application in Leys Lane. In the Household Survey three years ago, 98.5% of residents said the preservation of the Green Belt is important or very important. Are residents united with the Parish Council in resisting any more large-scale housing developments in the Parish?

•

The need to make provision for the housing needs of local residents and in particular, older people. The Parish Council has negotiated an allocation of homes in the current Maxstoke Lane development for local people with local connections. And it believes that the other housing priority – older people wanting to downsize locally into sheltered accommodation – should be addressed through a small-scale sustainable housing development. The draft Parish Design Statement proposes such a development on the site on the north side of Birmingham Road, near the centre of the village. This would also provide the opportunity to improve the appearance of the western ‘gateway’ to the village.

The first round of consultation showed a majority in favour of a development in this location. Do residents support in principle such a development in this location?

•

The need for further action to slow traffic down, making it easier and safer to cross roads. The draft Parish Design Statement proposes that measures be taken to enable the imposition of a 20mph speed limit on the roads around The Green, on Fillongley Road to beyond the school and on Leys Lane. The police will insist that a 20mph speed limit should be helped by self-enforcing measures, such as the narrowing of roads. This would provide opportunities for more and safer parking. Do residents support in principle the development of these measures?

Watch out for the consultation newsletter – and please respond to these questions in writing or by email before 7th December. Iain Roxburgh Chair, Meriden Parish Plan Action Group email: IainRoxburgh@btinternet.com

Can you solve Alex Wood’s dingbats?

Independent Window Cleaner (5 years experience)

A reliable service at a realistic price window sills included Telescopic poles available for those previously untouched and inaccessible windows

I clean what others leave!

Please call Adam on 0794 389 3354

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 January 31st 2012 Back massage and Dermologica facial RRP £63 offer price £50 Full body Swedish massage RRP £40 offer price £30 Hot stone therapy RRP £48 offer price £30 Eye Trio RRP £26 offer price £16 ½ price luxury manicure and pedicure £32

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

Book your bridal package before December 25th 2011 and get 10% discount 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 DIARY DATE 1st Dec

EVENT

19th/22ndDec 24th Dec

M & S Per Una Sale Tree of Thought Dedication PTA Xmas Fayre Art Exhibition W I Christmas Party Reception & Years 1& 2 Nativity Play Nursery Nativity School visit to Pantomime Police Surgery Methodist Supper Club Firebird Christmas Concert Methodist Supper Club Meriden Christian Fellowship Carol Service Christmas Concert Flower Club Readers Circle Rotary Sleigh Collections School Christingle Service Parish Council Meeting Firs Coffee Morning CAMEO Carols on the Green Cyclist Carol Service Joint Carol service Rotary Sleigh Collections Christmas storytime for U 5’s Christmas Crafts Midnight Communion

25th Dec 27th Dec 1st Jan 9th Jan 9th Jan 11th Jan 11th Jan 12th Jan 15th Jan 16th Jan 20th Jan 23rd Jan 27th Jan 3rd Feb 6th Feb 8th Feb 11th Feb 13th Feb 17th Feb 20th Feb 24th Feb 27th Feb

Joint Celebration service Lion’s Festive Walk Holy Communion Community Surgery W.I. Parish Council Meeting Readers Circle Police Surgery Covenant Service & Lunch Flower Club Firs Coffee Morning Parish Council Meeting CAMEO Meriden Mag deadline W.I. Readers Circle Police Surgery Community Surgery Firs Coffee Morning Flower Club CAMEO Parish Council

2nd Dec 2nd Dec 3rd /4th Dec 5th Dec 6th 7th Dec 7th Dec 8th Dec 8th Dec 9th Dec 10th Dec 10th Dec th

11 Dec 11th Dec th

12 Dec 14th Dec 14th/15th Dec

14th Dec 14th Dec 16th Dec 16th Dec 17th Dec 18th Dec 18th Dec 19th Dec 19thDec

VENUE

TIME

H of E Club The Green School C O E Arts Village Hall School

7.00pm 4.00pm 5.00-7.00pm

St Laurence Church Belgrade Theatre Sports Pavilion

10.00am

Methodist Church Hall

St Laurence Church Methodist Church Hall

Scout Hut St James Packington Village Hall Meriden village St Laurence Church Village Hall Jubilee Centre B.C. Community Centre The Green St Laurence Church Methodist Church Millison’s Wood Library Library St Laurence Methodist Church Baddesley Clinton St Laurence Library Village Hall Village Hall Sports Pavilion Methodist Church Village Hall Jubilee Centre B.C. Village Hall Community Centre Village Hall Sports Pavilion Library Jubilee Centre B.C. Village Hall Community Centre Village Hall

7.30pm 2.00pm

CONTACT Kate Beaty 01675 443623 Alan Lole 01676 522138 01676 522 488 Julie Hyde 523 357 Janet Wood 01676 522122 01676 522 488

4.00-5.00pm 7.00pm 7.30pm 7.00pm 3.30pm

01676 522 488 01676 522 488 Sgt Hanlon 0845 113 5000 Maureen 01676 522148 John Bentick 07716 721467 Maureen 01676 522148 Kevin Hunt 01676 523050

3.00pm 7.30pm 7.30pm From 6.30pm 6.00pm 7.30pm 10.00am-12 noon 2.00pm 3.30pm 1.00pm 4.00pm From 6.30pm 2.30-3.30pm 10.00am- 4.00pm 11.30pm

01675 481 814 Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 Mike Watkinson 521496 Roger 01675 481754 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395 Malcolm Gratton 01676523505 Ellen 01676 522534 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Peter Wright 01676 522414 Rev Charlesworth 533737 Roger 01675 481754 01676 522 717 01676 522 717 Peter Wright 01676 522414

10.00am 10.00am 10.00am 10.00am–12noon 2.00pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 4.00- 5.00pm 10.30am 7.30pm 10.00am-12 noon 7.30pm 2.00pm

Rev Charlesworth 533737 0845 833 5894 Peter Wright 01676 522414 01676 522717 Janet Wood 01676 522 122 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395 Mike Watkinson 521496 Sgt Hanlon 0845 113 5000 Rev Charlesworth 533737 Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 Malcolm Gratton 01676523505 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395 Ellen 01676 522534 01676 522963/522453 Janet Wood 01676 522 122 Mike Watkinson 521496 Sgt Hanlon 0845 113 5000 01676 522717

2.00pm 7.30pm 12.00-1.00pm 10.00am-12 noon 10.00am-12 noon 7.30pm 2.00pm 7.30pm

Malcolm Gratton 01676 523505

Mo Reynolds 01676 521 457 Ellen 01676 522534 Shafim Kauser 01676 533 395

Out and About this winter Blakesley Hall Yardley Birmingham This timber-framed house was built in 1590 by Richard Smalbroke, a member of one of Birmingham’s leading merchant families. More than 400 years later, beautiful Blakesley is still a haven; secluded from the avenues of modern houses that lie beyond its gates. There is a traditional herb garden and orchard which is a home for butterflies and birds, a Long Table in the Hall which is one of the original pieces of furniture and there are 400 year old wall decorations in the Painted Chamber.

Admission Charges apply to the Hall only. Gardens, grounds and visitor facilities are free to all visitors.

There is free admission to the entire site on the first Sunday in every month during the open season.

Although the hall is closed in the winter months, it will be open on December 17th for “A Tudor Christmas” Historical re-enactors will bring the Hall alive as they prepare and celebrate 'Christ-tide’with Carols and festive tunes. Mince pies and mulled wine available in the tea room. 12 to 3pm.

Tickets £7 Adults. £6 Concessions. Pre-booking essential.

And on 21st December for “Christmas Tales in Words and Pictures” a family Christmas Event.

Story-telling and a Victorian Magic lantern show. Make a Christmas wish and place it on our Christmas tree.

Pre-booking essential (50 seats per session) Morning session 10am to 12pm Afternoon Session 1-3pm Adults £5 Concessions £4 to book phone 0121 464 2193 Lions Festive Walk Walk off your Christmas pudding, bring your friends and relatives, just turn up and make a donation – That’s the invitation from Knowle and Dorridge Lions. This year’s FREE Festive Walk from Baddesley Clinton National Trust House on Tuesday 27th December offers a choice of 3, 5 or 8 mile signed circular routes and an opportunity to help the Lions raise funds for the Alzheimer Society, Crossroads Care, Dorridge & Knowle Scouts and local causes. Details at www.KnowleandDorridgeLions.com/walk or phone 08458 335 894

Christmas Pantomimes and Shows Aladdin Solihull Arts Complex 10th December - 9th January 0121 704 6962 Mother Goose Belgrade Theatre Coventry 29th November – 7th January 024 7655 3055 Cinderella Birmingham Hippodrome 17th December – 29th January 0844 338 5000 The Tiger who came to tea Warwick Arts Centre 30th November –31st December 024 7652 4524

Dates for hoisting the flag on Meriden Green

January 20th Birthday of the Countess of Wessex February 6th Her Majesty's Accession February 19th Birthday of the Duke of York

u

Last Laugh: Children!

Tired of being harassed by your stupid parents?

Act Now Move out, get a job and pay your own bills When contacting advertisers please mention The Meriden Mag Reminder!! Deadline date for the spring issue (Out by 1stMarch) Friday 3rd February 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 Meriden Christian Fellowship

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

Mrs L. Winkler

Peter Wright Rev. Andrew Charlesworth

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