MidBorder News Spring 2022

The Interview: Knighton Mayor Christine Branford Kington Walking Festival Presteigne News Marches Makers Festival Local Markets Community Events Open Arms Kington Arts News 1

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Acknowledgments

The MidBorder News is a quarterly publication, so each issue lasts for three months. It’s also available online (the link is sent out to our mailing list), as a pdf and on our Facebook page as well as the printed version being distributed to many venues in and around the three towns.

We are grateful for support from Kington Town Council & Knighton Town Council, without whom we wouldn’t be here. Also to Richard Banks for support and advice; and to Andy Tobin, image wrangler who sorts out all our ads. May the bluebird of happiness fly over you all.

We’re a community news magazine run on a non-profit basis. We exist to support the three towns and the local economy. For charities and community groups & services we can give you free space, just get in touch.

Editorial

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It feels good to have left 2021 behind at last, it wasn’t much fun at all. We now seem to be moving towards a total release of restrictions which, while challenging for the vulnerable, means that our local businesses can welcome customers with open arms. I am in awe of the huge effort our communities made to look after those who couldn’t risk leaving their homes during the lockdowns: from councils and businesses to charities and individuals, we saw the best of humanity shining through in those difficult days. Now all we have to worry about is the environmental apocalypse! To that end, the MidBorder News is now printed in Leominster by Barrington Print, a company which uses vegetable inks and highly efficient thermal technology to reduce environmental impact. We previously used a printer in the Netherlands, but thanks to all our lovely advertisers we can now afford to massively reduce our environmental footprint and go local. Not only that, we will be planting several acres of native mixed woodland over the next two years as well as a wildflower meadow. Remember the old slogan: think globally, act locally.

PUBLICATION DATES: 1st of March, June, September and December.

COPY DEADLINES: 10th of February, May, August and November.

The Business Directory listings section aims to make the MBN the go-to resource for local information on businesses & services. This includes live online links so that customers can click straight through to your social media, website or email address. And if you take out an advert you’ll get a free Business Directory listing.

Get in touch for further information or to discuss your advertising needs.

E: midbordernews@gmail.com Online issues: https://issuu.com/midbordernews/docs/ Advertisers get regular exposure on our Facebook page (reaching up to 6000 people), so we can publicise your special offers, updates and new information in-between publishing dates. www.facebook.com/midbordernews

Best wishes,

NEW for 2022: we are offering a photo-feature ad on our Facebook page. You can have up to 12 photos of your business showing products, shop front, your good self and anything else you want to promote. You can either send us photos (cost £15) or we will come and take them for you (cost £20). Your feature will be shared three times over a period of 2 weeks and once a month thereafter for 3 months. Phone pics are fine.

Annie Vickerstaff, editor

COVER Skylarks at Sunset Hergest Ridge by Cat Moore: Instagram katandfiddlestudio www.kathrynmoore.co.uk Kat and Fiddle Studio, 37 Church St, Kington HR5 3BE katandfiddle@hotmail.com

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Open Arms Kington

Apparently the Oxford was long ago known as the Salutation Inn and is one of the oldest inns, possibly dating from as far back as medieval times when it was rumoured to have been a hunting lodge belonging to the Earl of Oxford. It appears to have had a long association with the family and remained part of the Oxford estate for centuries.

It was announced in February that the National Lottery Community Fund has awarded a grant of £10,000 to Open Arms Kington, a group formed in 2020 with the shared vision to buy and save The Oxford Arms in Kington for the benefit of the community. Open Arms Kington Director, Judith Gardner said, “Our aim is to not only secure the traditional role of the Oxford as a much loved local building and hostelry, but to build on and expand the socially and emotionally rich community value it holds for the town. All surpluses generated by the business will be returned to the community to help provide much needed services that have been lost over recent years.”

During the 18th century it became a noted coaching inn with horse drawn coaches leaving for London via Leominster and Hereford. Documents show that in 1786 the coach left the Oxford Arms at 5pm each Friday and reached London at midday on Sunday – that’s not bad going for a coach and horses. Coaches also stopped on journeys in the other direction towards Aberystwyth, with the Oxford providing a stop for a change of horses and an overnight stay with refreshments for passengers.

Open Arms Kington will use the funding to develop their governance and management of the company including long term business planning and financial forecasting; training for the board of directors; recruitment and mentoring of new members from the local community alongside supporting the role of a Project Manager. This will ensure that the group is in a strong position to successfully run the Oxford Arms once all the funding is in place. We are consulting with as many people and groups as possible during the early months of 2022. We have already started by talking to the young people of Kington - holding Zoom sessions since December 2021. We will continue with consultations through January, February and March. If you have something to add please do get in touch through our contact page. We want to get this right and we want to hear your thoughts. See the website for more information www.openarmskington.co.uk

By 1821 the Royal Mail coach reached Kington with the Oxford Arms being a safe postal delivery point for collections along the Welsh border. It was probably an important coaching inn right up until the arrival of the railway in 1857. It was during these early years of the 1800s that there is also a connection between the Oxford Arms and the family of James Watt, famous for inventing the steam engine. James Watt Jr often received post addressed to him at the Oxford Arms and he had a long association with the town and two colleagues he saw as friends - land agent James Crummer and solicitor James Davies.

In 1830 James Davies was thanked for his contributions to Kington with the holding of a celebratory lunch in the Oxford Arms. Newspapers reported that 80-90 were seated for a lunch including venison sent by the Earl of Oxford from his estate at Eywood.

Facebook | Instagram | info@openarmskington.co.uk

Did you know that there have been at least 31 inns or pubs in Kington? How many do you think you could name? Open Arms Kington is a group that formed with the idea of buying one of these pubs - the Oxford Arms - and running it as a community enterprise. The pub is on the open market so we need to act quickly and keep this amazing building as a community pub and hub – a place where good things happen every day.

As Town Council meetings are held in the Oxford today, many meetings took place there in the past too.

The excise office was formerly kept there and Assemblies were held there from 1841 onwards. It has always been a hub for Kington and hopefully can continue to be so for many years to come.

If you know anything about the history or have ideas about what could happen at the Oxford Arms in the future please do get in touch.

Open Arms Kington are currently compiling a feasibility study which includes consulting the community and preparing a business plan and proof of how the concept would work. Part of the work for the feasibility study involves research into pubs in Kington, both now and in the past.

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New Kington Cafe Number 36 is now Kington's new Thai restaurant/café which opened in February. During the day we will be a family friendly cafe offering breakfasts, lunches, after school children friendly meals and coffees and cakes (served Monday-Friday 9-5, perfect for parents wanting somewhere to go after school). Thai lunch specials available daily with the option to take away if you have to get back to work! And when we get our feet on the ground in March we will be opening our doors for our Thai evenings, with a range of starters, main meals and desserts. The bar will be open as well to complete your evenings. We hope to see all the lovely residents of Kington soon. Your support would be much appreciated.

Tan and Kim Evening opening: Thurs, Fri, Sat 5pm to 9pm T: 07506 867752

Kington Community Shop We are now back to weekly changeovers, so a typical week will look like this: stock up after 6pm on Tuesday evening or asap; open from Wednesday, clear out by midday the following Tuesday at the latest, cleaning on Tuesday afternoon.

March 2 KLEEN; 9 Kington Bowling Club; 16 Lyonshall Village Hall; 23 Evancoyd Church; 30 Kington Walking Festival.

April 6 The Hub, New Radnor; 13 The Garth; 20 Kington WI; 27 Kington First Responders.

May 4 Kington Horticultural Society; 11 Almeley Primary School; 18 St Stephens, Old Radnor; 25 Parish House, Kington.

Citizen’s Advice in Kington There is now a regular Citizens Advice service at the Old Police Station, Market Hall Street in Kington. The free service (previously Citizens Advice Bureau) began in 1939 and helps with a wide variety of issues including debt and benefits.

Trained volunteer advisors provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice. To book an appointment call 0344 826 9685 or text 0786 0077 311 with your name and postcode. If you would like to train as a volunteer advisor please contact

The Garth needs a Minibus

The Garth Care Home in Kington is fundraising to buy a minibus to take residents out for trips and shopping. A recent jumble sale raised £91; there was also a sponsored back waxing (well done Tom and Chris) and a book sale:£5000 has been raised but more is needed, so if you could offer something for a raffle prize, or would like to donate, just get in touch: 01544 230502.

We have the Community Shop from 13 April!

gwen.fraser@citaherefordshire.org.uk

Kington Choral.

We’ll shortly be starting rehearsals for our June concert in Presteigne, singing Schubert’s Mass in G, and other music. If you love to sing, have been thinking about joining a choir, and can hold a note or, even better, read music, then now’s your chance: sopranos, altos, especially tenors and basses! We’d love to hear from you.

We rehearse Monday evenings 7.30 to 9.30pm in Titley Village Hall. FFI call Christine on 01544 267048.

Newsletter Would you like to receive the Kington & Weobley Deanery newsletter? Please get in touch with Rev Guy Wilkinson at guy@gwilkinson.org.uk 6

From Presteigne Community News

Missing Dogs Team Wales Rob is now a member of this team and has a microchip scanner. Should anyone come across a stray dog out of vet hours, he can help.

If your dog goes missing please contact him 07747 664455.

An information service from PACDG: Presteigne Area Community Development Group. If you would like to receive this excellent newsletter just email news@pacdg.org

Presteigne Repair & Skill Share is back on Saturday 19 February, Youth Centre, Hereford St. 10am to 12pm. Our amazing fixers have repaired 100's of things for free - saving people money and stopping stuff going to landfill. It helps if hoovers are emptied & other items clean! Current Covid precautions of wearing masks applies inside the building. Info: 01544 260766

The Family Foundation offers individuals 14 to 70+yrs old, community groups and charities totally free access to their Online Digital Skills Academy - a safe way of doing short, bite sized courses that last no more than 1 to 2 hrs using a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer from the comfort of your home or office.

Join K&M Paranormal for a Ghost Hunt at The Judge’s Lodging, Saturday 7 May, 7.30pm to 1.30am. £36 pp. Tea/Coffee/Snacks provided. Are you brave enough to join us here? Visit our website below to secure your place.

No apps or codes required, just access to a wifi connection and email. Contact: assistant@TheFamilyFoundation.co.uk or call 07761 958219. For more information see https://www.thefamilyfoundation.co.uk/

https://kandmparanormal.co.uk/events/ols/products/thejudges-lodging-presteigne-saturday-7th-may-2022-8pm2am2

PAVO Community Connectors can put you in touch with voluntary organisations & community groups to support your individual need and to access the right services, support and information from within your local area on a wide range of issues. Contact: Hayley 07935 008999 (Tues-Fri) E: hayley.lloyd@pavo.org.uk

Kinnerton will be holding its first litter picking event of the year Thursday 10 March starting at 11am.

We shall meet in front of the village hall at the crossroads B4372. Come and join us. Bags, gloves and hi-viz vests will be provided but bring your own if you can.

Full bags will be collected along the route. For any further info ring Angela 01547-560132.

The Hub, New Radnor Remi Harris is performing at The Hub on Saturday 9th April at 7.30pm. Tickets £12 from Ruth 01544 350559 or 07870 752325.

The Hub is a welcoming place to get together over a drink or to attend one of the many events taking place.

We are open every Friday night for PHub night with simple food from 6.30 to11pm and the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month for coffee mornings. FFI: ruthwatsonfood@gmail.com School Lane, LD8 2SS. Walton Village Hall There will be a book and jigsaw swap and sale at Walton Hall on Wednesday 9 March from 10am to 1pm. Or simply come and join us for coffee, cake and a friendly chat. Regularly held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Presteigne Carnival Tug o’ War. Advance notice that we definitely intend to run a Tug o’ War competition for mixed teams during the course of Carnival Day 9 July, so - pubs, clubs, local businesses, anyone - please start thinking about entering. The current holder of the trophy is The Royal Oak!! Watch this space for more info over the coming months.

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Brilley Flicks in the Sticks

only - please book and pay for your tickets online at www.pay-brilley.co.uk Don't forget to bring your own refreshments. Doors open at 7pm.

Thursday 3rd March: Minari (cert 12A) A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family's move to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. New beginnings are always a challenge and starting a farm to grow and sell Korean fruits and vegetables, is easier said than done. Seen from son David's viewpoint and based on director Lee Isaac Chung’s own story, it immerses you in the experience of a family straining to balance dreams with survival.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Spring Events Talk: Standing up for Trees. Thursday 3 March 7.30 to 9pm, Andrew de la Haye. Hopelands Weobley village hall. Free; donations invited.

Make a Bread Basket, Rushmore Baskets Workshop.

Saturday 12 March 10am to 5pm. Clair Murphy. £65.

Birches Farm near Kington. Contact rushmorebas-

Thursday 10th March: Mothering Sunday (cert 15) (Borderlines film) Graham Swift’s novella is adapted by director Eva Husson and screenwriter Alice Birch into a beguiling, sensual love story with a terrific extended cast. Henley, 1920s: Jane is a young maid who works for the Nivens, a family devastated by their losses in the First World War. Jane is passionately and secretly in love with Paul, the sole surviving son from a neighbouring manor house – but he is engaged to be married to someone else. Years later, Jane, now an author living with another man in London, begins a new novel that compels her to revisit the past.

kets@gmail.com

Weobley & District AGM and talk: All About Swifts,

by Peta Sams, Shropshire Swift Group. Thursday 7 April 7.30pm to 9pm. Hopelands Weobley village hall.

Free; donations invited.

Make a Rush Frail, Rushmore Baskets Workshop.

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 April 10am to 5pm. £140.

Birches Farm near Kington. Clair Murphy. Contact rushmorebaskets@gmail.com

Thursday 17th March: Master Cheng (PG) (Borderlines film) A fusion of spectacular Finnish landscape and mouth-watering Chinese dishes make this romantic comedy irresistible. Veteran director Mika Kaurismäki’s tender, lyrical film explores the value of opening yourself up to the unfamiliar. When Master Cheng arrives in a remote Finnish village with his young son Nunjo, he’s looking for someone he used to know in Shanghai. Unable to help find his friend, café owner Sirkka offers accommodation, and in return Cheng helps her in the kitchen.

Delighting her drolly sceptical customers with his cooking, he becomes a cherished member of the community; and when his tourist visa runs out, the villagers devise a plan so he can stay.

Bird ID Workshop, Sunday 14 May 10am to 5pm. £12. Trevor Hulme. Birches Farm near Kington. Bring binoculars; some provided. Contact: enquiries@herefordshirewt.org

Make a Pouch Handbag, Rushmore Baskets Workshop. Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May 10am to 5pm. £130. Birches Farm near Kington. Clair Murphy. Contact rushmorebaskets@gmail.com

Thursday 7th April: The Courier (cert 12A) Benedict Cumberbatch is back with another formidable performance in this Cold War espionage drama. He plays a real-life character Greville Wynne, an unassuming British businessman with a weakness for booze, recruited as a messenger by MI5 in the 1960s. On trips to Moscow, Wynne develops an unlikely friendship with a contact in the Russian military intelligence service, Oleg Penkovsky. Will their dangerous partnership succeed in relaying important intelligence to prevent nuclear intervention during the Cuban Missile Crisis? This well-paced thriller keeps you guessing throughout.

Films start at 7.30pm at Brilley and Michaelchurch Village Hall. Tickets for all films are £5. Advance booking 9

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News from Kington Town Council

strangle the economic life of our town.

Money is the real reason, we believe, for the imposition of these charges.

Herefordshire Council is under financial stress – mainly because of appalling planning decisions and mismanagement of critical services such as Child Social Care.

Car Parking in Kington As many (if not most) of you will be aware, Herefordshire Council has announced its intention to levy car parking charges on all car parks in Kington for which they have responsibility. Specifically, this affects Mill Street, High Street (Nisa), Market Hall Street and Love Lane.

Your Town Council unanimously opposes this plan.

We have communicated our opposition in clear and strong terms to Herefordshire Council and we are working with residents and the Chamber of Trade to coordinate a sustained campaign against its implementation.

They are desperate to recoup money wherever they can. But the amount they can expect to recoup from Kington’s car parks at the expense of low-income residents and visitors – is only about £30,000 per year. In context, that will buy them just 12 hours work from a London legal adviser.

Herefordshire Council’s claimed reasons for levying charges are parity and fairness across the five Market Towns in the county and to encourage people to use alternative methods of transport.

We urge all residents and frequent visitors to join us in opposing this unfair and regressive plan. You can write to Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Transport at John.Harrington@herefordshire.gov.uk and Paul Walker, Chief Executive, Herefordshire Council at Paul.Walker@herefordshire.gov.uk to let them know what you think.

These reasons are flawed.

Kington is by far the smallest and poorest Market Town in the county. We have suffered decades of underinvestment from the County Council and need the jobs, income and sense of community that free parking brings to us. Our town centre residents, many on low incomes, cannot afford the hundreds of pounds which Herefordshire Council intends to charge them to park their cars – especially at a time when living costs are soaring and Council Tax continues to rise. Our friends in the larger towns are not subsidising our parking – they do not lose materially from keeping our streets free. This is a top-down imposition by the County.

We have invited John Harrington and Paul Walker to an open meeting which we will hold at The Burton Hotel in the coming weeks. Please look out for infor-

Kington residents and those from our surrounding communities do not have meaningful alternative transport to cars. Bus services offer minimal routes and timetables so for most of us, there is literally no alternative to car use. Herefordshire Council has conducted Transport Studies for all Market Towns – except Kington!

We are 100% committed to reducing the environmental impact of transportation – we were the first town council in the County to declare a Climate Emergency.

We have been promised and we want a proper transport strategy that integrates Kington with the wider county network. What the County Council has delivered is a blanket restriction on movement which will 12

mation on that meeting and please try to attend. The more of us who can make our objections felt – the more likely we will be to prevail. We are stronger together.

Shop Front Grant Scheme On a more positive note, we were pleased to receive 36 applications from local businesses for the Shop Front Renovation Grant. We’re grateful to the Department of Housing, Levelling Up and Communities for providing the grant under their “Great Places to Visit” scheme. The value of the grant is £75,000 and the Town Council have voted to supplement the grant with £15,000 from our reserves in order that we can make a full award to all of those who applied.

Now comes the challenging part – getting the work done inside the deadline of 27th May. We are working with the applicants to support that happening. We hope that you all will see the difference soon.

Kington Festivals 2022 We’re proud to be a town of Festivals – food, walking, arts, crafts and (of course) the Kington Festival and Wheelbarrow Race. We hope that all our regular events will return in 2022. Your Town Council, the Chamber of Trade and the committees of each Festival have joined forces to create a coordinating Festivals Working Group. The first output of the group is the new logo for Kington which you can see at the start of this message.

The Great Places to Visit Fund is also giving money to improve the environment in Kington by providing additional planters and hanging baskets around the town centre and on the approach roads.

Together we are creating a special Kington Festivals brochure – it’s underway and should be available soon.

Look out for it in the town and the wider area. Make sure, too, that you get the dates of the festivals in your diary!

Outdoor Gym We are working on the implementation of the Outdoor Gym in the Recreation Ground. We are seeking and reviewing submissions from contractors and hope to have chosen one and agreed a schedule by the time of the next MBN. Time for us to get fit! **************************** New Woodland Project A working group consisting of representatives of Kington Town Council and the parish councils of Lower Harpton, Huntington, and Kington Rural has visited a proposed site for the planting of a new wood where Ridgebourne Road leads onto Hergest Ridge. If the scheme is approved by the commoners who farm the ridge, trees would be sourced from the Woodland Trust as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy celebrating Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

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Planet B is Kington’s eco shop, providing locals with sustainably and ethically produced home and body care goods.

Among the many practical products we stock for everyday needs, you will find a range of refills. These include laundry liquid and powder, fabric conditioner, washing up liquid, toilet cleaner, hard surface and floor cleaners, and a scrub powder made from the byproduct of marble cutting, scented with essential oil. Or, if you fancy making your own cleaning concoctions, we dispense citric acid, bicarbonate of soda, and cleaning vinegar. Don’t feel daunted if you are new to the mix-ityourself approach - we have recipes to share with you.

factured in Yorkshire for the long-established workers’ co-operative, Suma. Our Georganics toothbrushes are made of sustainable beechwood in East Sussex. In common with other wooden toothbrush brands, the brush itself is BPA free nylon, a material not currently accepted by mainstream recycling schemes. However, we choose Georganics because they take back and recycle their dead toothbrush heads, All you have to do is drop them off with us, and we bag them up and post them back to Sussex.

Our choice of three different toilet papers is the frequent basis for discussion about the importance of critical consumerism, and ability to weigh up the pros and cons of different ‘sustainability solutions’. Which would you go for: A) Suma’s tried and tested UK manufactured recycled tissue, (the UK’s first fully recycled loo paper when it appeared 30 years ago).

B) Cheeky Panda’s bamboo tissues, which, while flown from China, is grown without industrial fertiliser, pesticides, absorbs 35 per cent more carbon and produces 30 per cent more oxygen than trees.

C) Tŷ Môr tissues comprising materials such as rattan, hemp and sisal, made in Cardiff by a company boasting a completely plastic free supply chain, and with ambitions to source all its ingredients from Wales.

You will also find various body-related refills, such as body washes, hand soaps, shampoos, toothpaste tablets, and Grapefruit and Bergamot hand sanitiser (80% alcohol]) made with essential oils by Rosamund Black in nearby Presteigne.

We’d love to meet you and learn what you think.

We are only open on Fridays and Saturdays because Tam, who established the UK’s first sustainability network for occupational therapists, continues to work as an occupational therapist, and Nigel, who worked for many years in education for sustainability, now practises as a psychotherapist.

Selling the highest-quality green local products is something that really floats our boat. As well as helping push down carbon footprints, it supports the local economy, something too often overlooked in discussions about sustainability. Among other local offerings, we are very proud stockists of Celia’s herbal creams, balms and shampoos (made in Kington), Herbfarmacy lotion, oils and cleaners (Eardisley), Kutis deodorants (Llandrindod), Silvan Skin Care bath salts (Presteigne), The Little Green Cream Company’s Barrier Cream Bar (Salop), Anne Belgrave’s pure wool foot felts, (Presteigne), and Michael John Fletcher’s beeswax candles, tealights and melts (Presteigne).

Planet B, 47 High Street, Kington HR5 3BJ E: planetbkington@gmail.com W: https://planetbkington.co.uk

We are hesitant about the term ‘zero-waste shop’.

Really there’s no such thing, and those of us committed to reducing our environmental impact know we must simply consume a whole lot less. So we take very seriously our responsibility to ensure the goods we do stock are, indeed, as environmentally and socially good as we can find. For reasons of cost and availability, we do still source some items from further afield, but always guided by our principles. For instance, our wide range of earth and body friendly soaps is mainly manu15

friendly town with a lot going for it and I feel proud to be able to help with that as a councillor.

What do you think Knighton needs, moving forward?

The hospital would be an important element in improving facilities in the town and we have exciting plans for the new civic centre which will be a great asset too.

What else are you involved in: good causes, community projects etc?

The All Weather Sports Pitch is a project I’m very involved in: it will be great for the town to have such a versatile facility and we’re very keen for people of all ages to benefit from it. The Wylcwm Street Surgery has been very supportive and the aim is to improve local health and wellbeing. The council elections are in May so I hope I can remain in place in order to see the project through. I’m also very keen to see Knighton Hospital brought back into the community. My mother in law was the youngest matron there (and was also the youngest sister at Birmingham Hospital) and my father in law was a male nurse there, so I have a strong family connection.

The Interview: Christine Branford, Knighton Town Councillor and Mayor

What are your aspirations as a councillor?

I became a councillor in 2001 and this is my fourth time as mayor: I grew up with a strong work ethic and have always been keen to help my community; I believe that a strong community is good for everyone and you have to roll up your sleeves and get on with things.

I’d like to think that I’m approachable and easy to talk to; I always listen to what people have got to say because the first step with anything is to hear people out and then respond calmly and honestly. I work at the Clock Tower Tea Shop so people always know where they can find me.

Tell us a bit about yourself I’m originally from Llanbister so I haven’t come far.

We lived on a smallholding of around 11 acres, known as Wakefield, by The Pound Chapel. My dad passed away when I was a few months old and my sister was just five. My dad’s brother Bill came often to help out on the smallholding: Bill put his own life on hold to help with his brother’s children, that being my sister and me. Eventually mum and Bill married and he became the best father figure to my sister and me. I will always be grateful for all he did for us. he was so kind and we were loved so much, we were always put first.

Just goes to show that money doesn't matter when you have the most important things: love, kindness and food on the table. The best childhood you could wish for. Great memories. Mum was a school cook for 28 years, first at Cantel School and then at Llanbister. Sadly she got MS and had to retire; she passed away in 1988.

What, in your opinion, is the meaning of life?

Health is your wealth: if you have that, you can do whatever you want. My family is very precious to me and my grandchildren always give me a good laugh. So, good health and a loving family are the key to a happy life.

What do you like about living in Knighton?

I worked at Radco in 1967, then moved to Knighton in 1972. With my husband Percy I had two boys: Carl and Brendan. I’ve now got five grandchildren: Kai, Kian and Isaac go to Knighton primary school, Kyle is in the army and Danielle has run the Clock Tower Tea Shop for 11 years. However, she’s about to make me a great grandmother in April, so she’ll be leaving soon. I love the strong sense of community in Knighton, it’s a 16

Knighton Town Council

£10,000 grant can be used for the new plans. The space can now be sub-let to the sports association.

Mayor Plants Trees Mayor Chris Branford, along with volunteers, recently helped to plant a rowan tree at Knighton Community Centre to contribute to a variety of other trees and shrubs and more than 2000 bulbs in the Wildlife and Sensory Garden. This was funded by a grant from the Welsh government and will include benches, shed, greenhouse and three raised beds for people to grow vegetables.

Bus Routes The council has asked Powys County Council to review bus routes and put in place a new town centre bus stop and create a bus service for the west of Knighton with some new stops there also. The council met with passenger transport manager Sarah Leyland Morgan in January

The new garden was designed by Michelle Brinkhurst and is intended as a place for the community to enjoy.

It is disabled accessible and has already received a lot of interest from local groups such as the Stay and Play group based in the community centre.

Road Sweeper A pedestrian road sweeper will be booked to do a demonstration to see if it would be suitable for use in the town as it would be able to cover a wider area than is done at present.

CC Cameras Six CC cameras have been purchased and will soon be installed at the civic centre as a security measure after young men were seen drinking there in early hours of the morning. There have also been issues with vandalism in the town and the council is looking into obtaining funding from Dyfed – Powys Police and Crime Commissioner.

Banc Cambria Knighton will be one of the first places to have a Banc Cambria branch if plans continue to progress. Monmouthshire Building Society is developing the community banc and is working with the Welsh government to set up the new banking model. Mark Hooper, from Cambria Cydfuddiannol Ltd has been to Knighton four times in the last two years to talk with the council and gain a greater understanding of the town’s needs.

Safety Fence Councillors are concerned about a missing section of safety fence in Bridge Street which was damaged in a collision. Parents and young children often walk up the route on their way to Knighton Primary School. Powys County Council will replace the fencing.

Council Precept The council has agreed its 2022/23 budget and the precept has increased from £71,400 to £83,755. This is a less than £10 per annum increase for a Band D property. Part of the increase is due to a national minimum wage increase for the town’s workmen. There is also a donation of £1000 to Knighton Show and an extra £2000 for Knighton in Bloom and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Elections On Thursday 5 May the council elections will be held.

All members cease to be councillors and must stand for re-election if they wish to continue.

All Weather Pitch Knighton Sports Association has applied for funding to take over the old tennis courts. The lease from Powys County Council has been renewed and a previous 17

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In Touch: News from Kington Medical Practice issue no.2 February

ing the Kington, Mortimer and Weobley patients. GPs are still visiting patients at home and a decision is made with the patient at the time we assess the situation by phone.

Covid Pandemic and Vaccination Programme We vaccinated just under 5000 people between 18th and 31st December We will now hold vaccination clinics on one Saturday per month in both Kington and Leominster We will administer doses for our vulnerable 5 to 11 year olds in the surgery (protocols and procedures are expected at the beginning of February At the moment there is no plan to offer a 4th dose to patients apart from the severely immunocompromised Having the booster does not protect against infection and transmission but at my last public health update it was stated that there were no patients in intensive care in the West Midlands who had received three doses of vaccine.

Although the alert level remains at 4, since the new year we are not restricting activity to timecritical problems only.

Dr S McCaffrey

From the Patient Participation Group On behalf of us all A huge Thank You to Dr McCaffrey for her informative and heartening update.

I was especially pleased to learn of Mel Bird’s appointment which seems to me to be a very positive way forward in rural areas. To have a clinician specifically appointed to visit patients with urgent but not necessarily life threatening conditions (e.g a patient who has fallen and is unable to get up) and who is able to reach the patient relatively quickly will be very reassuring for patients.

Since it may not be necessary to call an ambulance, it will also help to alleviate the pressures on the West Midlands Ambulance Service such as the log jams caused by ambulances having to wait outside hospitals for their patients to be admitted.

Kay Birchley , chair, PPG

BUT due to the high prevalence and rising case rate we do have to maintain a safe environment for staff and patients and, in particular, our vulnerable patients who need to feel safe when they come to the surgery.

Therefore we are asking that patients do not come into the surgery unless they have an appointment. We still see a high proportion of our patients face to face but by speaking to many on the phone first we are able to plan exactly what we need to do for them and when we need to do it. We still automatically see unwell infants.

Omicron is expected to peak locally at the end of January.

Other News Mel Bird started a couple of months ago as a visiting paramedic. She will work with the duty doctor and will be able to visit patients urgently when we are still in surgery, and can video link with the GP who remains responsible for the patient.

Mel is very experienced and has volunteered for us consistently at the vaccination sites. She will be cover19

Knighton & District Community Support

Ashfield Community Enterprise (ACE) This is a group that has set up a charity, ACE Meals4All (all Communities Eat), to distribute hot meals to people in Presteigne, Kington, New Radnor, Hay on Wye, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Rhayader and Howey. Growing and selling fruit, vegetables, herbs and plants while engaging with the community to stimulate economic growth. Providing freshly cooked hot meals to anyone who is struggling or vulnerable.

Up to 900 per week. 7.5 acre site. Part of the Food Share organisation. office@ashfieldceorg.uk 01597 829689. Weekly menus posted on their Facebook page

We are a charity that provides low cost transport for people in the area, to the likes of hospital appointments (Hereford / Llandrindod / Shrewsbury / Telford / Birmingham/ Oswestry/ Gobowen) using volunteer drivers. We also work alongside the Welsh Ambulance to provide Non-Emergency Patient Transport.

Bookings should go through their call centre as normal (Tel 0300 1232303) and an advisor will let you know if you are eligible for free transport. We also provide an ‘in town - town connection’ service for appointments to the local doctors / dentist / hospital / shopping / lunch club etc, which is charged at a set rate, depending on where you live and where you are going: for example someone in living Knighton going to the doctors or Co-op in Knighton, would be charged £3 for the return transport.

www.facebook.com/AshfieldCE/

New routes added recently: Wednesday to Sunday Llandrindod Wells, Rhayader, Howey, Llanwrthwl and Builth Wells Wednesday Llangurig and Llanidloes Thursday Crossgates, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Dolau and Presteigne Friday Aberedw, Erwood, Llyswen, Glasbury on Wye and Hay on Wye Saturday Beulah, Garth and Llanwrtyd Wells Sunday Hay on Wye, Presteigne and New Radnor.

Someone living in Whitton coming into Knighton, would be charged £5 for the return transport and someone living in Presteigne coming into Knighton, would be charged £8. Our Town Connection vehicle is fully electric and can seat 7 passengers – however due to the pandemic, we will, at the present, only allow people who live in the same household to travel together. We will also pick up prescriptions and shopping that has already been paid for and deliver it for free (subject to location) at the moment. This service was developed when the pandemic started in March 2020 and has been running ever since, all funded by the charity.

To order please call us on 01597 829689 or message us on our Facebook page: All Communities Eat Meals4All or the Ashfield Community Enterprise Ltd (ACE) page.

We have a room available for kids birthday parties. We can also provide party food and kids’ disco.

Furniture Barn We also have a Furniture Barn in Knighton, which is now the only ‘charity shop’ left in Knighton itself.

All donations are sold to fund the transport we provide. The Barn is open Monday to Friday 09am to 2pm; Saturday at 9am to 12pm – but it is best to phone ahead during the winter months to make sure they have not closed early due to the weather. The telephone number is 012547 520444.

Our office co-ordinator is available Monday to Friday on 01547 520653 for any appointments to be made for transport.

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Local Markets Kington Friday Market 9am to 1pm. Market Hall and Place de Marines. Kingtoncommunitymarket@gmail.com Kington Country Market 9am to 11.30am. Baptist Church, Bridge Street. T: 07972 650788.

Kington Art & Craft Market every 3rd Saturday 9am to 3pm. Market Hall and Place de Marines. Anna: akcrafts@gmx.com

Knighton Community Market 9.30am to 12.30pm every 2nd and 4th Saturday in the Community Hall. Lou: 07805 722237.

Presteigne Local Food Market 9am to 1pm on 1st Saturday in the Memorial Hall richardjpitts@yahoo.co.uk

Hay Meadow Burial Ground Wins Best in Wales Award!

Five years ago, we opened our little meadow in the hills for those who wish to be buried naturally. We have supported many families and listened to some beautiful tributes, knowing that we have some lovely souls resting on our hilly farm. We have welcomed families from afar as well as Presteigne, Knighton and Kington. This is such a beautiful thing to do and when families leave funerals saying they have had an uplifting experience, it makes us feel very proud of what we have created.

Kington United Charities

Hay Meadow Burial Ground has now extended, with the adjoining meadow planted to create a native woodland. The mix of trees includes oak, beech, hornbeam, elder, silver birch, rowan, spindle and wild cherry, some of which will be coppiced. We have named it Busnant Wood, which is the name of our hilly farm.

The Welsh name Busnant means near the brook - our home is very close to Glas (Blue) Brook, that flows through our ground.

During 2021 Kington United Charities welcomed a £6,450 donation from the NFU Mutual Insurance in Kington to add our funds. We hope that this generous gift may encourage others to donate to your local charity or to leave us a legacy in their will. In the first nine months of 2021 the charity has given grants of £8,500 to various local causes. We know that the rising costs of living are having an impact on local people and would welcome suggestions of other good causes within the parishes of Kington, Kington Rural and Lower Harpton that we can support.

As approved members of The Association of Natural Burial Grounds, the Association asks us to send a feedback form to each family to gather comments and suggestions after each funeral. These feedback forms are then entered for an award.

The applications are available from the clerk Mrs Teresa Gough at the Hergest Estate Office, Ridgebourne Road, Kington HR5 3EG, 01544 230218 or email kingtonuc@hergest.co.uk. Do contact Teresa if you would like to have an “off the record” conversation before applying. Grants are likely to be in the range of a few hundred pounds to a maximum of £1,000 but every little can help.

We are very proud to have recently been awarded The Best in Wales Natural Burial Ground and feel extremely grateful to the families who have written such lovely comments.

Hay Meadow Burial Ground, Busnant Farm, Glascwm, near Hundred House LD1 5SE. T: 01982 570701 www.haymeadowburial.co.uk

Lawrence Banks Chairman 21

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Kington Walks Spring Weekend Back by popular demand we are once again staging a Spring Walking Weekend, 22 to 24 April, to give everyone a chance to experience the countryside at a different time of year to our main September Walking Festival. Think daffodils, bluebells, wood anemones, lambs, trees in bud and possibly blossom. The 14 walks are all led by experienced walk leaders who have a wealth of local knowledge. Many walks focus on a particular specialist subject and vary in length from 2 to 15 miles with a wide range of heights to climb and descend.

This will be our third Spring Weekend and will include a Friday evening walk to the pub for a meal, walks on topics such as history and archaeology, an expert led dawn bird walk, a led tour of Hergest Croft Gardens, a walk covering ancient trees and trackways and with a few pubs along the way. There will be a quiz night on the Saturday evening. Once again we will be running a photography competition in 2022. We will accept entries from both the Spring Weekend and September Festival.For more information and to book walks please see our website www.kingtonwalks.org or pick up a brochure at a local outlet.

Kington Folk Club Taking place on the first Thursday of every month at 7.30pm (next one: 3 March), the club encourages musicians and singers in the folk/roots/ acoustic tradition to come along and contribute. There are no guests and you don’t have to book. There is no PA so please come equipped for an acoustic performance. It’s also free, both to musicians and audience.

If you’re not a musician then come along and listen!

We want to be a supportive and inclusive club and encourage new performers and audiences in the folk and roots tradition.

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Red Kite pencil drawing by Cat Connors: Instagram.com/catherine.connors.illustration 24

ings of The Rodd. The work which seeks to depict as well as enact a kind of communion with the natural world becomes in the act of making a place of refuge in a time when such places are needed.

Jim Carter 31 March to 29 October, Gardens, The Rodd. Jim Carter is an environmental artist working in sculpture, ritual, sound and photography to explore themes of loss, remembrance and regeneration in relation to animals and landscape. Carter presents several new site-specific artworks at The Rodd in 2022.

Pride in Pembridge: PIPS A voluntary group, made up of local people who help to keep the village looking at its best. Founded in 2011, with Alan Stokes at the helm, a group of people in Pembridge got together to ensure their community was kept tidy and attractive for residents and visitors.

Sidney Nolan Trust: Cultivate Youth Arts Programme Are you 15 to 25 years old? Come and meet other young creatives and work with leading contemporary artists to create fun experimental artwork. Next session with internationally acclaimed artist Mariele Neudecker is on Saturday 12 March 10am to 1pm, The Rodd, Presteigne. If you would like morer information about the programme please contact Antony Mottershead, Creative Producer at Sidney Nolan Trust on: 01544 260149 or email antony@sidneynolantrust.org

Calling itself Pride in Pembridge, the group meets every week to pick litter from the highway, get rid of weeds and plant gardens in almshouses and other public areas. Members are now reaping the rewards after putting Herefordshire on the map and scooping a gold award and the overall category winner in the RHS Britain in Bloom awards 2013, 2014 and 2015. The team meet every Thursday at 10am ( for just 2 hours) at the Butter Market behind the New Inn in Pembridge, unless it’s lashing with rain!

Exhibitions Sidney Nolan Polaroids 31 March to 14 May. The polaroid photographs in this exhibition represent just a tiny fragment of Sidney Nolan’s extensive photographic archive, which is estimated to contain more than 30,000 images. The exhibition reveals Nolan’s experimentation with the polaroid format and gives an insight into our ongoing work to conserve this important photographic collection.

New members are always welcome. Older members Alan Stokes and John Petrie are very sadly missed. Several litter picks take place in the Spring. This year a Jubilee Garden is planned, behind the Red Lion. Keep your eye on our Facebook Page for more info and dates. https://www.facebook.com/Pride-in-PembridgePIPS

Dan MacCarthy The Peace of Wild Things 31 March to 21 May. The Sidney Nolan Trust is delighted to present a major solo exhibition by painter Daniel MacCarthy. The Peace Of Wild Things is the culmination of a year spent immersed in the natural surround-

Evenjobb Saturday Café 10.30 to 3.30 at village hall. See their Facebook page for more information.

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Business Directory

KINGTON Border Bean. Independent coffee shop established in 2013. Speciality coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cold drinks.

A variety of delicious homemade cakes and healthy snacks. A warm welcome and comfortable surroundings await! "A real social hub of Kington." T: 01544 231625.

22-24 High Street, Kington, HR5 3AX. Current opening: Mon-Wed: 9.30am to 2pm, Thurs-Sat: 9.30am to 2.30pm.

KNIGHTON Rotary Club of Knighton and District. We are a small but active Rotary Club of 30 members including 12 women. We share fun and friendship while supporting our local community in many ways. We meet regularly and also organise social and fundraising events to help those who need it. T: Cathy Jones 07813 733240 E: knightonrotary@outlook.com W: www.knighton.rotary1150.org

Elly Ingram. Massage therapist. Holistic, sports & remedial massage. Room 2, Old Police Station, Kington HR5 3DP. T: 07792 743894 E: info@ellyingram.co.uk W: www.ellyingram.co.uk

Pentre Farm. Offering private family interaction sessions, children's parties, playgroups, school/care home visits, pop up farm, Forest School, camping, private hire.

T: 07969 240470 E: Sam@pentrefarm.co.uk W: www.bookwhen.com/pentre

Emma's Dog House. Day Care and Boarding in our home, not kennels. With 25 years’ experience in animal care your best friend is loved as part of the family. Ofqual Qualified, Canine First Aid trained, licensed and fully insured. E: emmakurrels@hotmail.com T:07495 885653 W: www.emmasdoghouse.co.uk

PRESTEIGNE Chapel House Clearance. Free, no obligation quote, friendly, efficient service, responsible disposal, recycling & upcycling possibilities, domestic & retail, any size job considered. T: 07901 822294. E: info@restorella.co.uk

Forget-Me-Nots. Greetings cards, gifts (stockist for Tractor Ted, Bomb Cosmetics and Life Charms Jewellery) and a large selection of balloons for all occasions. 44 High Street, Kington, HR5 3BJ. T: 01544 231796.

Chilvers Country Store. For all your livestock, equine, pet, gardening and country life needs, including clothing and machinery. Find us on the Presteigne bypass next to the Radnorshire Arms car park. T: Dan 07798 928909 E: andychilvers@outlook.com

Hergest Croft Gardens. Open weekends from 5 March, then daily from Saturday 26 March to Sunday 30 October 11.30am to 5pm. Admission: adults £7, accompanied children under 16 free. Gift shop, free car parking, dogs on leads welcome. Maples Tearoom serving delicious homecooked food. Ridgebourne Rd, Kington HR5 2EG. T: 01544 230160. E: gardens@hergest.co.uk W: www.hergest.co.uk

NEW RADNOR Church Walk Osteopaths. Osteopath Trudi Price gets to the root of your problem. Effective treatments for minor sports injuries and aches and pains from conditions such as back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headaches, migraines, shoulder problems, hip and knee arthritis, joint pain, muscle spasms, plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia and more. Trudi Price BOst (Hons) Church Walk Osteopaths Claggan, High Street, New Radnor, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2SL T: 01544 350417 / 07794 115792 www.churchwalk.co.uk

Ian Jones Tyres Ltd. Tyres, batteries, exhausts, MOTs (£40), air conditioning, repairs, services, Hawkeye laser alignment. T: Kington 01544 230291; Brecon 01874 622905.

Esco. We are a small independent village shop that has been going for 10 years. We have fresh stock daily including fresh vegetables, fruit, milk and bread. We have fresh meat, cooked meats, pies, fish and cheeses weekly. As well as groceries, wood and coal. We try our best to get what is requested. Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8 to 1 then 3 to 5.30 Weds; Sat 8 to 1. We are passionate about supporting local suppliers and maintaining a community. The Old Town Hall, Broad Street, New Radnor. T: 01544 350619

KBS. Kington Building Supplies. Kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing, electrical, paint, power tools, paving, workwear etc. T: 01544 230081 Also Rhayader Building Supplies 01597 810828. Sunset Yard, Kington HR5 3SF. W: www.kingtonbuildingsupplies.co.uk

Girlguiding Radnorshire Division. Based in Radnorshire, Mid Wales. Part of Girlguiding, we have Rainbows (5-7 years), Brownies (7-10 years), Guides (10-14 years) & Rangers (14-18 years) across the Division area. W: www.facebook.com/girlguidingradnorshire

Kington Golf Club. Membership available from £250.

Visitors and societies always welcome. T: 01544 230340 ext 1. E: pro@kingtongolfclub.co.uk W: www.kingtongolf.co.uk

Kington Chiropractic. If you suffer pains, strains, cramps, musculoskeletal injuries, joint or muscle pain, headaches etc. try chiropractic for personalised treatment.

Room 3, Old Police Station, Kington HR5 3DP. Barry Williams T: 07526 363338 E: kingtonchiropractic@gmail.com

KLEEN. Kington Local Environment & Energy Network.

Focused on environmental issues, energy saving and generation. Not for profit organisation. To find out more or to join us, E: kingtonkleen@gmail.com W: www.kingtonkleen.org.uk

The Hub in New Radnor is a welcoming place to get together over a drink or to attend one of the many events taking place. We are open every Friday night for PHub night with simple food from 6.30-11.00pm and the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month for coffee mornings School Lane, New Radnor, LD8 2SS. T: 01544 350559 E: ruthwatsonfood@gmail.com M&S Pizzas. Made to order in a woodfired pizza oven in New Radnor. Available for parties and functions. Call 07485 013110 or Esco’s 01544 350619. Facebook: M&S Wood Fired Pizza.

Made in the Marches Gallery. Kington’s artisan gallery, showing a diverse and changing collection of artwork encompassing the beauty and essence of the Marches, from local artists and makers. 12 Church St, Kington HR5 3AZ. T: 07531 820195.

E: madeinthemarchesgallery@gmail.com W: Made in the Marches Gallery

Restorella. Vintage home accessories store, garden furnishings and workshop. The Old Dairy, West Street, Knighton Powys LD7 1EN. T: 07901 822294. www.facebook.com/restorella and Instagram restorella.co.uk

Marches Counselling Service. Established and respected professional service offering adult counselling in Hereford. We are experienced in helping people with a wide range of problems and provide different forms of therapy to match people’s needs. Fees based on what you can 26

realistically afford. T: 01432 279906.

E: marches.counselling@gmail.com W: www.marchescounselling.org

NGS: How Will You Spend Your Time This Spring?

Number 25 Delicatessen. A family run deli with a fine selection of cheeses, charcuterie, chocolate, wines, spirits, hampers, gift vouchers as well as everyday pantry staples. We currently offer an order and collect service. 25 High Street, Kington. T: 01544 230330. Open Monday 8.30-1; Tuesday 8.30-3; Wednesday closed; Thursday 8.30-3; Friday 8.30-3; Saturday 8.30-1.

E: number25deli@gmail.com. W: Number25deli.co.uk

Indoors - Online? Perhaps attending our talk on Tuesday 1st March, The Sheffield School Approach to Sustainable Planting. This and previous talks including Twenty Years with Twenty Acres: a story of Hurdley Hall, Churchstoke are available in ngs.org.uk/shop Also Celebrating Snowdrops Did you know clumps of snowdrops that have finished flowering can be lifted in March, while still in leaf; carefully split into smaller clumps, then replant to the same depth in their newly chosen positions, naturalising in time into spectacular drifts.

Planet B. For all your eco home & body care goods. Kington’s one-stop shop for home and body care refills, soaps, shampoo, facial and dental care, menstrual products, brooms, brushes, scrubbers & scourers and refills. 47 High St., Kington, HR5 3BJ. Open 9.30am to 4pm, Friday & Saturday. E: planetbkington@gmail.com W: www.planetbkington.co.uk Timbers Building Company. Restoration, Building, Roofing. Call us now for your quotation. T: 07931 482931 W: www.timbersbuilding.com

Outside? Our first Powys opening is on Mother’s Day 27th March, Oak Cottage, Welshpool SY21 7JP 2pm 5pm. A visit to a National Garden Scheme venue makes a wonderful gift for garden loving mums. For all gardens opening over Mother’s Day Weekend go to

J & P Turner. For all your gardening and animal feed requirements visit, phone or check us out online. Delivery service available. Arrow Mills, Kington, Herefordshire HR5 3DU. T: 01544 230 536 W: www.arrowmills.co.uk Walking Hub, The. For all your walking needs: clothing, boots, maps, socks and so much more. Nordic Walking classes by qualified instructor, lovely B&B dating from 1700s. 26 High Street, Kington HR5 3AX. Please check website for opening hours. T: 07756 172160. E: thewalkinghub@gmail.com W: www.kingtonwalkinghub.com See The Guardian article here https://www.theguardian.com/ travel/2021/may/05/pole-nordic-walking-weekendherefordshire

ngs.org.uk/mothers-day-gardens

Planting a tree for the Queen’s Jubilee? This time of year is a great time, so long as the ground is not waterlogged or frozen. With our partners at the Woodland Trust find information on choosing trees, tips and hints to get you planting or simply enjoy a woodland walk at ngs.org.uk/woodlandtrust

HAY ON WYE Hay Meadow Burial Ground. Award winning burial ground. Beautiful site with wildflowers, trees, peacefully grazing sheep, sensitive and personal service. Busnant Farm, Glascwm, Powys LD1 5SE. T: 01982 570701. E: info@haymeadowburialground.co.uk W: www.haymeadowburialground.co.uk

Our new ambassador is Jo Whiley, the Radio 2 presenter and Arit Anderson, a presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World has joined the team of trustees. We have also announced a new partnership with the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust. Aimed at promoting a wider understanding of the importance of wetlands and wet spaces in nature and in our gardens. This is similar to our partnership with the Woodland Trust. These links make sense as gardeners can make small changes that will have a positive impact on our natural landscape.

LEOMINSTER Services for Independent Living (SIL). SIL supports disabled and/or elderly people who live in their own homes. We offer a range of services from short-calls, to complex care and also support for those with a direct payment or PHB. For more information on our services or current vacancies: W: www.s4il.co.uk T: 01568 616653 E: contactus@s4il.co.uk HEREFORD Herefordshire Green Network. HGN is an alliance of local green, environmental and Transition Town groups, organisations and businesses. We are a hub for resource and sharing; we host events (called our Gatherings) and workshops on subjects such as: local transport, community hubs, food poverty, retrofitting energy efficiency measures, community engagement techniques.

E: admin@hgnetwork.org W: www.hgnetwork.org

To end with two local names - Deborah Evans and Sarah Wheeler, Queen’s Nurses (QN) have taken on the co-chair role for the Welsh Queen’s Nurse Regional Group. Both are practicing nurses for Powys Teaching Health Board. This brings to over 65 the number of QN in Wales. The National Garden Scheme funds the Queen’s Nurse programme and a wide range of other activities. A final fact - The Queen’s Nursing Institute is the Oldest Nursing Charity in the world recorded by the Guinness World Records at 134 years old.

Thank you to everyone, look what the supporters, volunteers, garden owners and visitors have helped us achieve.

Herefordshire Rural Hub. Helping rural businesses thrive. Sign up for the monthly newsletter, full of useful information on farming, support, rules & regs, payment schemes, advice, employment, training and much more. www.herefordshireruralhub.co.uk

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