Teme Valley Times August 2019

3

TEME VALLEY TIMES

Will SPAR be Tenbury Post Office’s new home?

Will there also be a Post Office counter at the Co-op?

Tenbury Post Office The old Post Office served the town from 1902 to 2016, when the service moved to Bowketts Bowketts closed in the first week of May and since then there has been no Post Office in Tenbury Wells. This has inconvenienced local residents and local businesses and for some it has also caused significant expense.

It’s worth remembering that the Post Office didn’t just provide postal services - for example, it also offered banking facilities.

More than two months have already passed. Despite this, Post Office Ltd haven’t confirmed when a new Post Office will open, and despite a ‘Post Office in a Van’ service already being provided at least once a week in much smaller settlements, such as Clee Hill, Ashford Carbonel and Doddington, as we go to press (July 16th) a ‘Mobile Branch’ has not been provided as an interim measure in Tenbury.

Local MP Harriett Baldwin has been very supportive and has repeatedly stressed her concerns over the lack of a Post Office in Tenbury. She commented “I have asked to see if a mobile service could be diverted to Tenbury in the short-term and I hope that this will also be confirmed soon” and added “What we all need is a permanent new home for the Post Office”.

On July 15th, a Post Office spokesperson emailed us the following statement, described as being ‘the latest on Tenbury Wells Post Office’. “Tenbury Wells Post Office has been temporarily closed since 5 May due to the resignation of the Postmaster and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Tenbury Wells Post Office. We understand how important a Post Office is to a community and we would like to reassure customers that we are working hard to restore a Post Office in that area as soon as possible. We can confirm that we do have a potential operator currently progressing through the application process, however at this stage there are no further details to share.”

It is rumoured that SPAR and the Co-op have both expressed an interest in

CHIMNEY SWEEP Andy Johnson

Certificates Issued Evening / Weekend Sweeps Stove maintenance

Tel: 01886 821933 07798 790913 www.andysweeps.com

A ‘Mobile Branch’ provides Post Office facilities at Clee Hill the opportunity. Whether Tenbury will end up with one or two Post Office counters we do not know, and although two Post Offices for Tenbury may sound unlikely, it’s worth remembering that Ludlow currently has two Post Office counters in the town.

Given its central location, SPAR looks likely to be the favourite, but it is a significant walk from the Co-op to

SPAR, and the Co-op is in the heart of a residential area, so a second Post Office would benefit people living in the Bromyard Road area.

This just leaves the question of when a new Post Office could open. Currently September looks likely, but until official confirmation is available, any estimated opening date is little more than speculation.

Rose and Crown Festival

A good crowd gathered to enjoy the Beer, Cider and Music Festival at the Rose and Crown in Burford on June 12th and 13th. A number of groups entertained people, including ‘Jake and The Jesters’, as seen in the photo.

Ian & Sue Sparey

• Woodburning & Multifuel Stoves • Stove Spares & Repairs • Glass, Ropes, Bricks, Baffles, Cleaners • Chimney Liner Kits & Flue Pipes • Kiln Dried Logs, Kindling and Firelighters

01886 812452 www.is-stoves.co.uk

Showroom & Online Shop Steps Farm, Clifton upon Teme, Worcester, WR6 6EN

4

What’s On!

Adverts for Local Events and Local Clubs start at £10 for a simple advert with up to 25 words, with extra words at 25p each.

Fully designed adverts are also available.

Please email temevalleytimes@yahoo.co.uk or ring 01584 781762.

TEME VALLEY TIMES

SATURDAY OCTOBER 5TH

www.tenburyapplefest.co.uk

APPLE IDENTIFICATION, APPLE JUICING, CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES, BAR & CATERING, ENTERTAINMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND DISPLAY OF OVER 250 APPLE VARIETIES! PEARL LAKE UKELELE GROUP (PLUG), REPTILES FROM DUDLEY ZOO LEOMINSTER MORRIS, MAGICIAN, BLUE MOON

CONTACTS:

01584 810502 / 01584 890007

Far Forest Countryside Show Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th August 2019 Gates Open at 9.30am each day. Saturday ‘til 11pm Sunday ‘til 5pm

Conquest Theatre Bromyard July 19 July 27 July 31 Aug 2 Aug 4 Aug 7 Aug 9 Aug 16 Aug 17 Aug 23 Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 10

Film: Stan & Ollie PG Andre Rieu Shall We Dance RSC Measure for Measure Film: Mary Queen of Scots 15 Glyndebourne The Magic Flute Australian Ballet Spartacus Folk in the Foyer - Pete Morton Film: All is True 12A Killer Rhapsody - The Queen Experience (live band) Film: Colette 15 Film: Vice 15 Film: The Keeper 12A In Conversation with Margaret Attwood

For full details, many more events and online booking visit www.conquest-theatre.co.uk or contact the box office 01885 488575 Join us on Saturday mornings for coffee and a warm welcome

7.30pm 7pm 7pm 7.30pm 5.30pm 7pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm

A FUN DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY Showground, Tenbury Road (A456), Callow Hill, Rock, Nr. Kidderminster, DY14 9DA For more information contact 07773 905 680 or email admin@farforestshow.co.uk

www.farforestshow.co.uk For 2019 our theme is the Wizard of Oz. There is story telling in the Tipi with On The Floor Theatre and a treasure hunt around the ground for children of all ages.

The

Welsh Axe Men will be with us for a thrilling main arena display.

• Live music all day and into Saturday evening.

• Horticulture Show - competitions open to everyone!

• Vintage vehicle exhibition, Falconry, wrestlers and dancers • Tractor Rides, Pony Rides, Alpaca walks. Fairground rides, Zorbes • Fun Dog show to enter, Agility dog displays

Family Fun Area

Full disabled facilities including loop system

• New for 2019: a covered • Rural enterprise and livestock • Craft marquee and Food Festival • Plenty of food and drink!

Make a full weekend of it and camp overnight

6

TEME VALLEY TIMES

Bill Wiggin: ‘The Time Is Now’ Bill Wiggin MP recently met constituents in the Houses of Parliament at the UK’s biggest climate change and environment mass lobby, ‘The Time Is Now’.

Climate change activists from North Herefordshire travelled to Westminster to talk to Mr Wiggin about their concerns. Issues raised included the scope and urgency of climate change, how best to use the influential position of the UK as a global leader in tackling climate change, and how technology plays an increasingly central role in encouraging greener lifestyle choices.

After the session Bill Wiggin said “I am always delighted to meet with my constituents when they come to Westminster. It was excellent to arrange a proper meeting so that I could listen to the caring environmentalists from North Herefordshire taking part in the mass lobby. Climate change is a key and complex issue which concerns diverse areas of Government.

While some residents of North Herefordshire would like to see the UK increase its ambition on climate change, this remains a global challenge for the sake of our planet.

“Tackling climate change is not just about legislation. It is about balancing long-term economic growth with ambitious environmental commitments so that other countries follow our lead. It is about how to bring people with us as a lifestyle change, and I think technology will be an integral part of this solution. The Government are taking these urgent changes very seriously in the new 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment, which focuses particularly on conservation, reducing plastic waste, and improving air and water quality.

“Also the Government recently announced its new goal for the UK to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To meet this target, Government departments are working to dramatically increase the use of cleaner and renewable energy. I am encouraged that low Carbon electricity generation is already at a record high and now accounts for over 52% or our electricity. UK Greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 23% since 2010, whilst 2018 was the greenest year ever for electricity.

“As a First World country, the UK is in a privileged position to pave the way in combatting climate change. I welcome The International Climate Fund set up to provide £5.8 billion to help the world’s poorest adapt to climate change and promote cleaner, greener economic growth. I am proud of these achievements but I do welcome my constituent’s calls for further action. This was a very constructive meeting and I will continue

Tenbury Country Market On June 25th, Tenbury Country Market celebrated 100 years of markets with a fine-looking birthday cake and a complimentary strawberry and cream scone and a cup of coffee for shoppers.

The markets are held in the Scout Hut (near Tenbury Swimming Pool) on Tuesday mornings. A wide range of home-made produce is on offer, including items such as brandy snaps, beef lasagne and cottage pie, knitted goods, crafts, plants, jewellery, pyrography crafts, cards, fresh-cut flowers and more, though there are variations from market to market.

If you haven’t visited before why not pop along one Tuesday morning and see why people become regulars!

Bill Wiggin (centre, with tie) with concerned residents

to enjoy engaging with lobbyists and my constituents going forward.”

The Government has published its new Green Finance Strategy to set out how the financial services industry can combat climate change. This strategy will include a £5 million fund to offer better mortgage rates to homeowners who improve the energy efficiency of their properties, and will set out plans to strengthen co-operation between public and private sectors so that London is established as an international centre for green finance.

Bill Wiggin is the MP for North Herefordshire

We are now in Cle obury Mortimer at wha t was the Crusty Cob We are still offering the same breads from home and around the world with health and dietary breads alongside cakes and savoury as well as our handmade sandwiches to eat in or takeaway but now we can offer a new tearoom and sit down menu, pop in and see what we can do for As seen you at lunch time. on BBC 2

Victorian Bakers

Tenbury, Ludlow, Craven Arms & Cleobury Mortimer Find our shops on Facebook

www.swifts-bakery.co.uk

Head office Clee Hill 01584 890003

7

TEME VALLEY TIMES

Far Forest Countryside Show

Sports School of the Year On July 11th, nearly 200 people turned out to celebrate the district’s sporting success at the Malvern Hills District Community Sports Awards at The Bank House in Bransford.

Run by Malvern Hills District Council in association with Freedom Leisure, awards were handed out in 12 different categories, with Tenbury CofE Primary Academy winning the ‘Sports Schools of the Year’ category.

Paralympian Mel Nicholls - wheelchair racer, endurance handcyclist and adventurer - was the keynote speaker. Mel told her inspiring story, including her successful world record

attempt to become the fastest person to handcycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in June of this year.

Cllr Tom Wells, Portfolio Holder for Community Services on Malvern Hills District Council, said “The sports awards were a spectacular success and a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of some of the district’s most talented sports-people, coaches and volunteers. We should be extremely proud of our inspirational residents who are out there making a difference to people’s health and well-being through sport.”

In early June, people were given the first taster of this year’s Far Forest Countryside Show when the show committee entered a float in Bewdley Carnival’s procession. Based on this year’s theme of The Wizard of Oz, the float took first prize.

Committee members dressed as characters from the film were accompanied by dancing munchkins from Zennors Dance and Musical Theatre Academy.

As part of the Wizard of Oz theme there will be a children’s treasure hunt and a scarecrow competition at the show on August 10th and 11th. Other entertainment for children will include storytelling by On The Floor Theatre, fairground rides, pony and tractor rides, zorbs and a children’s fun zone.

Headlining in the main arena are The Welsh Axeman, a lumberjack sports team who will demonstrate their skills with axes and chainsaws.

Two food courts will offer a range of cuisines to suit all tastes. The WI will serve sandwiches, cakes and drinks in the main marquee which also contains the horticulture show and the Home and Garden Theatre for which a programme of events is planned. Cream teas will be served in the pavilion and on the terrace. Bars will serve throughout the weekend including Saturday evening when there will be live entertainment.

In addition to dog shows and pony rides there will be opportunities to meet the pigs and to walk with alpacas. Sheep and poultry will also be displayed.

There will be hand-produced art and crafts in the craft marquee, traders around the showground, food producers in the food marquee and a plant sale from the Home and Garden Theatre stage.

Local artists will display and sell work in the pavilion gallery.

Visitors can also enjoy the classic vehicle and classic caravan displays on the lower field.

The show is still taking bookings from traders and local food and drinks producers. Application forms can be found at www.farforestcountrysideshow.btck.co.uk It’s free to enter exhibits in the horticulture show and it’s open to all ages. The horticulture show schedule is available from Far Forest Stores and Bill White Nurseries. Tickets and weekend wristbands can be bought in advance at discount rates from the show website.

League of Friends Shop Tenbury Hospital League of Friends have once again held a fund-raising pop-up shop in Tenbury Wells. The venue, the former ‘Simply Stoves’ showroom down the passageway by Banfields, was again courtesy of Sadie Chalkley of Banfields.

Running for two weeks starting on July 4th, a very wide range of items was on sale, many at bargain prices, with all funds raised going to help with the League’s work at Tenbury Hospital.

Teme Valley Band During recent months the Tenbury Teme Valley Band has played at a number of local venues including Hope Bagot’s annual fete and dog show, where the band performed amidst a sea of over 65 species of wildflowers, with a backdrop of Hope Bagot’s historic Church.

In July the band performed with guest artistes in their annual Charity Summer Concert at Tenbury High Ormiston Academy. Proceeds from the concert were for Matt’s Mission (a charity which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses) and the Pamela May Trust (a narrow boat which is specially adapted for disabled and disadvantaged people).

Est 1999 Ring ANDY on 07855 813303 or 01568 760955 or email andymen1999@gmail.com Cleaning Service Windows Conservatories Gutters Facias

Home Maintenance Painting Decorating Tiling Hedgecutting Mowing

8

TEME VALLEY TIMES

Coreley Fete On July 6th the warm and initially dry weather for Coreley Fete helped bring villagers together to enjoy a bit of relaxed fun and help contribute towards fundraising for the Junior Football Club, Memorial Hall and St Peter’s Church.

Inside the hall lunches of beef or pork rolls with strawberries or raspberries and cream for pudding saw many come early to enjoy the food.

A Treasure Hunt map, freshly-picked gooseberries, raffles, tombola, mystery parcel stall, plants, skittles and books all helped encourage most visitors to willingly part with a few pounds.

A couple of more unusual items for sale on the bric-a-brac stall included an ice hockey stick, a batman double duvet set and a pair of Zang Toi ladies’ flat shoes. That this was a well-supported event, despite some showers during the afternoon, should help all involved feel that the effort was worthwhile.

BRIAN’S BUTCHERS BEST BRITISH MEAT: BEEF - PORK - LAMB - POULTRY ALL CUTS METICULOUSLY PREPARED This Summer try a Sizzling BBQ with our quality Homemade burgers: Steak & Cheese, Venison, Steak & Onion, Mexican Taco Churckey, Greek Lamb, Lamb & Mint, Chicken.

Or try our kebabs, mint lamb chops, garlic pork and chilli steaks

We also sell Eggs, Sausage Rolls, Sausages, Faggots, Pork Pies (inc Pork & Pickle, Pork & Stilton, Pork Chilli & Garlic), Bacon, Steak and Ale Pies, Cheese, Pickled Onions, Fish, Gammon Joints and Cooked Meats, including beef, pork and ham.

OLD BANK HOUSE, CLOWS TOP

We are a traditional butchery so we can create your favourite cuts and the more unusual - whatever is required - using our excellent butchery skills Try our Home-made Stir Fry!

01299 832349

FOOD TO GO Hot and Cold baps for lunchtimes and snacks HOT Bacon, Sausage or Egg BAPS £2.50 - with Tea or Coffee £3.00 HOT Turkey, Pork or Beef BAPS £1.75 COLD Filled Rolls £1.75 so if you’re passing through Clows Top please call in!

TEME VALLEY TIMES

15

Cleobury Festival 2019 Cleobury’s day of fun, creativity and well-being enjoyed blue sky and sunshine - and boy was it hot!

The scheduled dance troupes (Zennor, GKY and Tina Hobin’s belly dancing class) did an amazing job considering the heat they had to perform in and as temperatures soared the cool interior of St Mary’s Church, with its refreshment stall, provided a welcome respite.

This free day of activities followed previous years with stalls, displays and activities on the playing fields. Local groups included Cleobury RBL, the WI, several branches of the emergency services and Forest Dog Rescue who provided a dog agility show with ex-rescue dogs, keeping them cool and out of the sun between performances.

The Market Hall had food and craft stalls. The Pickle Lady’s stand displayed a large array of chilli jams, from gently hot to fiery hot, while upstairs Alf and Ann Jenkins offered wood and pyrography crafts and also copies of their newlyreprinted book ‘Orleton In Pictures’.

The health and well-being stands and displays were in Lacon Childe School and Dr James Brown from Aston University had a fascinating display about healthy ageing and how maintaining the correct amount of protein in later life is essential for well-being and muscle retention.

His literature suggested that a 65 year old man should have 100 grams of protein a day, rising to 136 grams during health setbacks. He had a ‘magic’ set of scales to weigh people which could determine bone density and muscle and fat percentages, once age and gender were entered.

This was popular with visitors, with many hopping barefoot on to the scales to discover how they were doing.

This was a great get together and an opportunity to learn about what goes on in the town. The event was brought to the town by Cleobury Town Council and The Festival Volunteers Group.

21

TEME VALLEY TIMES

The Flags were out for the Festival

GKY Dance troupe

Sheralee’s Cottage Crafts

Dr James Brown explains the grip test to a young enquirer

Ann and Alf Jenkins with the re-printed ‘Orleton In Pictures’

Forest Dog Rescue agility display

Plant-Tech Hire UK Ltd Keep the earth moving (formerly Brick Plant Hire)

9 Hole Pay & Play Golf Course in attractive parkland setting

Open Daily l All Equipment for Hire l Clubhouse Facilities with Shop l Beginners/Groups & Children Welcome l Ideal School Holiday Activity l

Sutton,

Nr Tenbury Wells, WR15 8SJ

01584 781231

Diggers - Dumpers - Rollers Mobile Plant Repairs & Servicing t: 01299 270 224 (24/7) Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate, Tenbury Road, Cleobury Mortimer, DY14 8RB Find us on Facebook

8am - 5.30pm

22

TEME VALLEY TIMES

St Michaels Open Gardens

Photos by Tony Penn

Enjoying the day

Many months ago the Village Hall committee at St Michaels, near Tenbury, was looking for an alternative to their annual Fete. Attendances at the fete had been declining and it was agreed by all that fetes involve a lot of work, but there was a need to raise match funding for the refurbishment plans for the toilets and entrance area of the Village Hall.

A separate committee was formed and the idea of an open garden weekend was born. The result took everyone by surprise and its huge success raised a substantial amount for the hall project during the weekend of 29/30th June.

12 gardens were open, each with a name and theme; Woodland Garden, Rose Garden, The Rectory Garden, Work in Progress, Silver Tree & Pond, The Beekeeper’s Garden, Mayor’s Place, Children’s Garden, The Potting Shed, The Bookseller’s Garden, Cottage Garden & Golf and The Plantsman’s Garden. It was possible to spend an hour looking round the Plantsman’s Garden alone with many garden-lovers visiting the event on both days!

The Village Hall was Open Gardens HQ. You could buy your ticket (£5) there which covered you for the Saturday and the Sunday. Refreshments of cakes, cream teas, coffee and Pimms along with arts and craft stalls, a tombola and a Tenbury Floral Art Club display added further interest.

Many gardens offered additional attractions including croquet, a putting competition, while the Children’s Garden offered slides, trampolining, a Wendy house and a very playful dog eager to play fetch! The sale of plants, secondhand garden tools and equipment, honey and garden books also helped with fundraising.

The Woodland Garden was the furthest to reach, involving a 10 minute walk along a bridle path through beautiful countryside - well worth the walk with its magnificent trees and the Cadmore brook running through it. A bonus here was a small art exhibition by St. Michaels Art Group, plus the generosity of the owner in running tired and overheated visitors back to the village hall in his car!

The friendly atmosphere and fine weather made this a very enjoyable first event of its kind for St Michaels and it shows what can be achieved when villagers get together to make something happen.

Ann Wallace with her craft work

Rose Garden fills with visitors

Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) bloom on display at the Plantsman’s Garden

Another Local Writer A ‘thank you’ BBQ was held at the end of the weekend for everyone who was involved

Metal sculpture by blacksmith Peter Cronshaw

In the village hall: enough scones to feed an army of visitors!

If you measure things by the number of artists, craftspeople and writers who live and work in the area, the Teme Valley must be an inspiring place to live. Creativity seems to thrive in this ancient borderland.

Teme Valley resident Andy Griffee has fulfilled an ambition with the publication of his first novel, a crime thriller called ‘Canal Pushers’, published by Orphans Publishing of Leominster. The 57-yearold former BBC journalist hopes it will be the first of many editions.

“This really is a dream come true” said Andy. “I studied literature at university and I have always read copiously but never really had the time and energy to sit down and write fiction before.”

This first book was inspired by rumours of a real-life serial killer stalking the canal towpaths of Greater Manchester.

Having hired narrowboats in the past, he came up with the story of a newly-divorced and penniless ex-journalist who begins living on a boat on the Stratford Canal.

Andy continued “The hero, Jack Johnson, teams up with a secretive woman and they quickly become embroiled in trouble with the media, an organised drug-dealing gang and a serial killer chasing them across the waterways of the Midlands.” However, he stresses that there are many moments of humour in the book and a romance at the heart of the book. “I wanted my first book to start and end in Worcester as it is a city I know so well and I really hope it will appeal to everyone”.

With this first book under his belt, and a paperback edition scheduled for release in November, his second book with Orphans will feature the same couple, but based on the River Avon in Bath.

23

TEME VALLEY TIMES

Great Witley Art Weekend The 9th Art Exhibition, held at Great Witley Church, part of a weekend of art activities in late June, was a resounding success, with a sparkling Preview Evening. The Hon. Alex Foley came up from London for the occasion. Alex was very impressed with the exhibition which, set in the beautiful baroque church, was of outstanding quality. As well as paintings of all genres and media, turned wood, embroideries, quilts and wall hangings, designer jewellery and glass art were all on show.

On the Sunday evening, a Young Musicians’ concert raised funds, through a retiring collection, for The Mockingbird Trust, a charity started in memory of Anna Wilkinson, who died of a brain tumour when she was 16 years old. Its aims are to help young cancer sufferers aged between 16 and 24 years. Anna’s mother received the cheque from churchwarden Angela Snow.

The other exhibition, exclusively for amateur artists, held in Great Witley Village Hall was a delightful opportunity to see even more art. Various masterclasses and free workshops were generously provided by some of the professional artists exhibiting in the church. Many took the chance to ‘have-a-go’ and it was great to see skills being passed on from tutor to pupil.

Classes on offer included Lesley Connolly giving a demonstration of using pastels; Nigel Montandon helped visitors to throw pots; David Birtwhistle, graduate of Cambrdge University in architecture and Honorary Fellow of the University of Worcester gave a masterclass in perspective.

Money raised from the weekend goes towards the work of the church in Great Witley, Little Witley and Shrawley.

Over The Moon by Katrina Drew

Artist Lesley Connolly takes a pastel workshop

David Birtwhistle

David Spurrier giving a demonstration on printmaking

Gillian Talbot (R) tutors a coloured pencil class

The Hon Alex Foley in front of the Foley Memorial in Great Witley Church

Two of the recipients, Peter and Gill Morgan, with Chairman David Waldron

RBL Garden Party On Sunday July 14th, the Tenbury & District Branch of the Royal British Legion held a Garden Party at the Fountain Inn - a pleasant social occasion at which to say ‘thank you’ to many of their devoted Poppy Appeal collectors and also to several Tenbury folk who help and support the Legion in different ways.

Peter Lloyd teaching calligraphy Among the latter were the Mayor of Tenbury, Cllr Eric Hudson, and former Mayor, Mrs Sue Perry. Sue was also the previous Poppy Appeal Organiser for RBL Tenbury and she was presented with a special award for her services. Also present were the RBL County Chairman for Worcestershire, Mr David Waldron, and the Vice Chairman, Mr Adrian Wright.

Awards and certificates were presented to eligible Poppy Appeal collectors by the County Chairman, based on how long they have been collecting. A Certificate of Appreciation is awarded for 5 and 10 years; for 15, 20 and 25 years a badge is awarded. 30 years qualifies a collector for a Long Service Medal (LSM) and 50 years for a badge and certificate, while each five year period from 35 to 80 years qualifies a collector for a bar to the LSM. Mrs Muriel Lanman, who unfortunately was unable to be present, has qualified for the 65 years Bar to her LSM. 2018, being the Centenary of the end of WW1, proved to be an exceptional year during which our Poppy Appeal collectors, organised by the Branch Poppy Appeal Organiser, Mrs Louise Bennet, collected almost £14,000 for the RBL Poppy Appeal.

With the help and support of the good people of Tenbury and district we hope to be able to build on this total in 2019.

Following the award presentations members and guests were able to enjoy an excellent cream tea in the sunshine before returning home to watch their recordings of one or more of the top flight sporting events taking place that afternoon: Wimbledon, Lords or Silverstone!

Potter Nigel Montandon (L) helping Alex Walter to throw a pot

Angela Snow presenting a cheque to Wendy Wilkinson from The Anna Wilkinson Mockingbird Trust

TEME VALLEY TIMES

Ashford’s Got Talent

25

This was an imaginative and inventive idea to encourage villagers and locals to visit the church in Ashford Carbonell. The posters for the event said ‘Please join us. Come and have Fun!’ and that is what we did on the Friday 5th July, the evening the exhibition opened.

‘Ashford’s Got Talent’ primarily consisted of a week-long exhibition in the church displaying the many talents and creativity to be found in the village viz-a-vis art, craft and other projects. This was then complemented by a programme of individual events during the week - an evening recital of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner with Sebastian Bowen, a musical evening, a daytime produce sale, an afternoon cream tea and an evening of poetry readings.

Some exhibition items were for sale, others just for showing - but it was very clear from the displays that there was a LOT of talent in the village and that was even before the performance art began!

To mention just a few things: an Airfix Tank (Robert Marston Smedley), Barking Green Records CD’s of Spanish Classical and Flamenco solo guitar (Simon James), pottery (Kate Fitzpatrick), a book on Geometrical Quilts derived from mathematical formulae

by Pat Storey, carved wooden tables (Mick Carson), wooden recorders and lock mechanism (Graham Taylor) and so much more. This was a lovely initiative and it really was great fun with even villagers being enthralled with the, until then, undiscovered talents of some of Detail of handmade necklace by Sarah Hughes their neighbours!

Hare by Nicky Snell

Opening evening of the exhibition

Midwife to ride to Paris The following, from Debbie Riley, is about her forthcoming charity cycle ride.

I am a Community Midwife and work with the Kidderminster team in the Worcestershire Acute Trust. I am currently the midwife at Tenbury GP surgery and I work in the Tenbury area caring for women during their pregnancy and after they have had their babies.

Last year my daughter Katie took part in the cycle challenge and the family went to Paris to watch her cross the finish line. The atmosphere was amazing…. so many inspirational people taking part and many moving stories from those whose lives have been affected by blood cancer. We decided there and then that we would all take part next year - myself, and my children Katie, Jake and Neve are all cycling together. My eldest daughter Robyn was also going to join us but found out she was pregnant with her third baby just before we signed up! She is now helping us with organising our fundraising events.

We are supporting Bloodwise as it is a charity close to our hearts. My Dad had a very rare form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and sadly lost his brave fight with the disease. We would each like to raise £1500 to help fund valuable research to hopefully improve the lives of current and future sufferers of all blood cancers.

We have self-funded the challenge, so all donations received go directly to the charity. We have set up a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/DebbieRiley4 We are all training hard for this physical challenge which I will find especially difficult as I haven’t ridden a bicycle since I was a teenager! The ride takes place from 17th to 22nd of September.

Cushions by Lucy Treasure

Volcano by Daniel Money

Silk flower arrangements

by Chris Parry for sale by donation

Tapestry needlework cushion by Liz Taylor