The Leominster News - sample issue by Chris Dell

The Leominster News

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OCTOBER 2019

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The Community Magazine for Leominster and surrounding villages including Bodenham, Dilwyn, Eardisland, Eye, Ford Bridge, Ivington, Kimbolton, Kingsland, Luston, Monkland, Orleton, Pembridge, Stoke Prior and Weobley Please email editorial or advertising to leominsternews@gmail.com Email deadline for the next issue: October 17th If you don't have access to email you can hand items in, by October 10th, at Leominster Tourist Information Centre, Corn Square

Leominster in Bloom - Gold Again!

Queens Award for Voluntary Service

Leominster in Bloom get the Gold award again. Special praise was given to the exhibitions in the Buttercross Arcade and Morris Mews. The judges were very impressed with the Alice in Wonderland theme particularly at Eaton Barn and the BUPA home. They were 'wowed' by the standard of the plants from Philpotts Nursery, and said that everyone who took part, especially the school children, should be very proud.

Leominster in Bloom has enjoyed its most successful year to date. Not only did they achieve their third consecutive gold award from Heart of England in Bloom, they were also honoured by Her Majesty the Queen for their exceptional community spirit and outstanding work in the town. This award, the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, is effectively the MBE given to groups. The limited edition crystal award was presented on September 11th by Her Majesty's Representative in Herefordshire, the Dowager Countess of Darnley. Receiving the award on behalf of the group was Cynthia Partridge, nominated as one of the hardest working members of the team. Keri Hoffman started the proceedings, setting the tone with a classical rendition of the National Anthem. The Deputy Lieutenant, Jo Hilditch, read the citation to an audience consisting of sponsors, businesses, community groups, schools and individuals who have supported Leominster in Bloom. It referred to the impressive diversity of individuals who are included in the projects each year, the concern for the town's environment and how important the upkeep of the town centre is to both local people and visitors. Mrs Hilditch referred to the great impact of such good quality floral displays and the value of the good working partnership with the Town Council. She stressed how important the projects were as they brought people together, engendering immense civic pride. Lady Darnley spoke about the importance of volunteering and how Leominster in Bloom had brought about great improvements to the town. Despite certain social problems, Leominster had risen above former difficulties and by reaching out to various disadvantaged groups, an inclusive team had evolved, that now works towards a shared goal every year. Leominster in Bloom Chairman Geoffrey Crofts led the proceedings which were hosted by Grange Court, which has always been a close partner to Leominster in Bloom. It was the perfect setting for the formal award ceremony.

Gill Ding Congratulations to Eaton Barn achieving level 5, the highest award, and BupaCare Home being awarded level 4 in the 2019 'Itâ€™s your Neighbourhood' category of the Heart of England awards.

Cynthia Partridge

Gill Ding 3

Val’s Round…

Thanks to the efforts of Mr Val Hickin, The Leominster News can be bought in many surrounding villages, as well as in Leominster itself.

Thank you, Val! STOCKISTS IN LEOMINSTER 35 West Aladdin's Baron's Cross Inn Castlefield Stores Community Centre Etnam News Fletcher’s Newsagent Grange Court Parry’s Fruit & Veg Roundabout Stationery Savery's South Street Stores Stitches Tourist Information Centre

Vintage Working Weekend Leominster Vintage Working Weekend on 7th and 8th September was held along the A49 just past the OK Diner with thanks to land owners Bill Layton and family. Taking advantage of this fantastic venue to raise money for the Stand up to Cancer campaign, with the proceeds from the weekend going to this important cause. As well as a large selection of vintage and classic tractors working and static there were working plant and harvesting displays. A David Brown Hurricane harvester came all the way from Nantwich for the weekend and one of the highlights of the event was the laying of a land drainage pipe using a Howard Mk 5 trencher from the early 70’s. A Promise Auction on Saturday evening included a hedge cut, a chimney being swept, half a day's gardening, tea for two and a makeover for a pony. This fun event was enjoyed by all and boosted the funds by £700. A variety of crafts and collections were on display in the marquee and outside: bygone displays, cars, bikes, stationary engines and trade stands surrounded the field. The fun dog show was well supported with a little rescue pony called 'Forest' joining in. 'Forest' had been brought along by Hopton Pony Rescue and was a great success with the children. Lovely vintage teas were available along with a selection of food and a bar. Trailer rides around the site were busy all weekend with collection buckets collecting generous donations. This has been one of our most successful fund raising events and we will be presenting a cheque to 'Stand up to Cancer' at our next club meeting.

Cynthia Partridge

OUTSIDE LEOMINSTER Bodenham: Post Office & Store Dilwyn: The Crown Inn Eardisland: Village Shop Kingsland: Post Office & Shop Kingsland: Markham’s Garage Luston: Quarry Farm Shop Orleton: Post Office & Stores Pembridge: Café on Bridge Street Tenbury Wells: Tenbury News Weobley: Costcutters

The Leominster News #15 Deadlines By email: copy needs to reach us by the 17th of the previous month. By hand: if you don't have access to email, you can put your contribution in an envelope addressed "Leominster News" and hand it in at Leominster Tourist Information Centre by the 10th of the previous month. Events page: for details see the Events Page

How to Contact Us Email: leominsternews@gmail.com By hand: Tourist Information Centre, 11 Corn Square, Leominster By post: Chris Dell, Aston Bank, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8LW By phone: 07484 627841 Editor & Publisher: Chris Dell Deputy Editor & Photographer: Lucy Dell

Guidelines for sending words, letters and photos! Words We welcome articles that are relevant to the local area. Why not send in a club report and let our readers know what's been happening? Club reports should generally be less than 350 words; articles no more than 500 words. Words should be pasted into an email or attached in docx or (preferably) odt format (using, for example, Word, OpenOffice or LibreOffice), or as plain text (*.txt). Do not use 'pages' or 'Publisher' formats.

Photos These must be well-lit and sharp, and must be saved at high quality if they are to print well. For monochrome use, 1000 to 2100 pixels wide is usually a good size, but for colour 1500 to 3100 pixels wide is generally better. Please avoid sending 640x480 or smaller 'thumbnail'/'small' photos. Photos and logos should be emailed to us as attachments in jpeg or png format not as part of a Word document or pdf. Photos must be sent by email - not by MMS or text message and not via social media such as facebook.

Include your name! Please include your name, as you would like it to appear in print, so we can acknowledge your contribution in the magazine. We can't publish anonymous contributions.

Please email photos or words to LeominsterNews@gmail.com 4

Funds Raised for Heartstart

It happened on October 1st....

Ewa Michalczyk, an employee at Border Oak, ran the Cardiff 10K on September 1st as a fundraiser for Herefordshire Heartstart. To date Ewa has raised £2,401 which will enable the charity, which relies on fundraising and grants, to deliver further courses in local communities. Every donation is valuable to us. To date, Herefordshire Heartstart has trained over 25,000 people in Herefordshire. We know that skills learned on these courses really do save lives. If you would like to find out more about Herefordshire Heartstart, either to participate in one of our life-saving courses or to find out about becoming a volunteer, contact Sarah: info@herefordshireheartstart.org

1861. Publication of Mrs Beeton's 'Book of Household Management'. 1890. Yosemite National Park is established by the U.S. Congress. 1908. The Ford Model T goes on sale at $825. 1935. Birth of Julie Andrews, English actress and singer. 1938. Germany annexes the Sudetenland. 1956. Birth of Theresa May, former Prime Minister. 1960. Nigeria gains independence from the UK. 1969. Concorde breaks the sound barrier for the first time. 1971. Walt Disney World opens near Orlando, Florida. 1972. Death of Louis Leakey, Kenyan-English archaeologist and palaeontologist. 2017. An independence referendum, declared illegal by the Constitutional Court of Spain, takes place in Catalonia. 2018. Death of Charles Aznavour, French-Armenian singer, composer, writer, film-maker.

Sarah Grimes

Ewa Michalczyk

Transition Cycle Ride Meet in Corn Square at 10am on Wed. 16th Oct for a leisurely ride to a refreshment stop and back by lunch time. All welcome. For more info ring Anne on 01568 610502.

PHOTO QUIZ Where in Leominster can this brass plate be found?

Anne

LEOMINSTER MORAVIAN CHURCH

Answer on page 27

Photo by Will Pridie

Join us for our weekly afternoon Sunday Service at 4pm. Holy Communion is on the first Sunday of the month. Also, ‘Busy Fingers’ knitting & craft group at 2pm every Thursday. Find us on South Street, near the community hospital, HR6 8JH. Minister: Rev. Lorraine Shorten. Tel: 0121 572 7078. Did you know? The first ever Protestant hymn book was published by the Moravians, in the early 16th century.

Sunday 15th Sept saw the Mayoress and I at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 79th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Apart from attending quite a few committee Over the weekend I heard that part of a £95 meetings I have attended the following as million government grant is to come to Mayor: Leominster. What a wonderful thing to hear. John Thomas funeral at the Priory church This was helped so much by Liz Womack from on 20th August. John was an ex-councillor the Town Council's team putting all the forms and Mayor of the town and was lately the and answers together and Cllr Jenny Bartlett Chairman of Leominster Community waving the forms in the face of the County Association. RIP John. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor Council. Thank you both so much. Leominster I represented the town at the NILS AGM at Town Council does punch above its weight. Tenbury on 4th September. This body gives small loans with I must again thank Deputy Mayor Cllr John Rumsey and Liz no interest to people in Ludlow, Tenbury and Leominster, his wife who have covered many public functions for us giving more loans to Leominster than the other two towns put during this period. together. I had another pleasant duty along with the Mayoress opening Cllr Clive Thomas, Mayor of Leominster the Food Fayre in Corn Square on Saturday 7th September, organised by Jamie from our Tourist Tnformation Office. Well done Jamie. On Wednesday 11th Sept I attended Bretina Meadows funeral at the crematorium at Hereford at 9am. Bretina had also been a Mayor of Leominster and a Councillor and had recently been on the Leominster Community Association invite you to a concert by committee. On Wednesday 11th Sept, with the Mayoress, I attended a wonderful presentation of the Queen's Award to the volunteers of Leominster in Bloom by Lady Darnley, the Lord Lieutenant. Also they won 'gold' again; we are very proud of these on achievements. This was a due reward for all the hard work. I Friday 8th November 2019 must thank the Environmental team of the Town Council for at their help, also the ladies of the Inner Wheel who decorated Buttercross Arcade and the staff of the BUPA home. Leominster Priory Church On Thursday 12th Sept the mayoress and I attended the starting at 7.30pm presentation of awards to Herefordshire section of West Mercia Police. It was a most interesting evening and realising Doors open at 7pm how small our police force how they go that extra mile. Admission £10 It was also interesting to see a presentation to two members of the public who saved a policeman's life, giving him first aid Payable on Entrance and controlling the scene when the policeman crashed in Refreshments on sale during interval Kings Acre Road, Hereford, on his way to an emergency. They controlled bleeding and maintained his airway till ambulance and police got there. Another presentation was to two spaniels and their owner. The dogs are trained to sniff out tobacco and money, they work with teams of police and Trading Standards and have had OCTOBER several "finds" in the past twelve months. Saturday 5th October 7.30pm Rocketman Saturday 12th October 7.30pm Red Joan Herefordshire Stoma Sunday 13th October 6.45pm Royal Opera Don Giovanni Support Group Saturday 26th October 3pm LIVE SHOW David Gibb Climb That Tree (Your Local Ostomies Support Group) Join award-winning songwriter and musician David Gibb on a musical journey Worried? Lost? Need Support? through his hilarious and often surreal imagination, where bears live in the Come and join us for an hour of friendship and cupboard under the stairs, wolves are roaming the corridors at school, and trips sharing, get advice, find answers & make new friends. to the moon are a regular occurrence. Children and families will be entranced as We are a non-medical group whose objective he introduces them to his magical musical tree and, as each flower opens, shares a new song for them to sing along with. David’s songwriting draws from a wide is to provide a social atmosphere where range of musical influences, deftly blending folk, jazz, reggae and rock and roll. colostomates/ileostomates and urostomates Climb That Tree is guaranteed to have both parents and children singing along in and their partner/friend/family can meet and no time – this is music that the whole family can enjoy together. share experiences and problems

The Mayor's Blog

The Friends Of Leominster Priory Church HEREFORD RAIL MALE VOICE CHOIR

We meet on the last Tuesday of every month, from 11am to 12 noon, at The Kindle Centre, Asda Stores, Belmont Ct, Hereford HR2 7JE For further information please contact: Carol Steele 01432 880656 or Mr. Val Hickin 01568 614040 or email herefordshirestomasg@gmail.com We also have a facebook group, please ask Carol about joining.

NOVEMBER Sunday 3rd Nov. 7.30pm Exhibition On Screen Leonardo The Works Saturday 9th November 7.30pm Yesterday Sunday 10th November 7.15pm Royal Ballet Concerto/Enigma Variations/Raymond Act 3 Saturday 16th November 7.30pm cafe from 6pm LIVE SHOW Hotbuckle Productions Tess Of The D'Urbervilles Sunday 17th November 7.30pm Gwen 6

Leominster Priory and the Bury Farms

Leominster Historical Society

One of the most fascinating aspects of Leominster Priory’s history is its role as the hub of an extensive agricultural estate - based on the Bury farms - which became a ‘cash cow’ to finance the whims of a king. In 1120 Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, was grieving over the loss at sea of his son, 17-year-old William. The sad king founded Reading Abbey where he intended to be buried in a tomb by the altar and for 100 monks to chant prayers for him, William and their line. In 1121 Henry came west to confer with his barons in the Marches and learned of Leominster’s ancient Minster Church, previously endowed by royalty. Its convent of nuns having been dissolved in 1046, Henry re-founded the religious community as a Priory of Benedictine Monks and cell of Reading Abbey. The Priory had a well-organised farming operation covering its great manor of 16 ‘members.’ The Prior presided over this agricultural empire but was answerable to an overlord, the Abbott of Reading. Two thirds of the Priory’s income went to Reading. The farm yard of the Home Farm was within the Priory precinct walls at the Grange, ‘place of the granary'. A colossal timberframed structure, the Great Tithe Barn (destroyed by fire in 1594) was situated where the Victorian cricket pavilion now stands. There were key monastic farming outposts at Ivington Bury, Luston Bury, Stockton Bury (Kimbolton) and the Bury of Stoke Prior. ‘Bury’ derives from the old English burh meaning stronghold or fortified settlement. Each bury ran a herneys (from herness obedience) - an administrative area encompassing a number of hamlets. Tenants, who tilled their own land, paid ‘rent’ by working on the manorial land, usually 3 days a week. Among the bury’s ‘staff’ the shepherd, the highest-paid worker, was responsible for the quality of the prized Ryeland wool and he took care to prevent sheep growing too fat. “The wool grows coarser as the flesh grows fatter”, it was said. Join us on October 26th at 7.30pm, Priory Church to find out more about this fascinating period. Free entry, retiring collection.

County Archaeologist Tim Hoverd will be talking about Hill Forts and the new ideas surrounding them in the John Abel Room at Grange Court, Pinsley Road, HR6 8NL on Wednesday 16th October at 7.30pm. Members free, visitors welcome - £4 on the door.

Pete Blench

BUILDER BRICKWORK  BLOCKWORK STONEWORK BUILDING  RENOVATION LANDSCAPING RE-POINTING  PAVING I can help with: Building & repairs to piers, walls & door openings retaining walls, laying patios, small extensions

No job too small – no VAT Tel: 01885 489359 or 07967 517633 7

Will Priddie

Service at the Forbury The Orthodox Community of St Stephen and St Thekla worships in Leominster from time to time and welcomes those from across the Eastern Orthodox family. We have had congregation members from Greek, Bulgarian and Roumanian churches, as well as English Orthodox Christians, and welcome this rich mix of traditions. On Sunday 13 October we are delighted that Fr Stephen Maxwell of Shrewsbury will be celebrating the liturgy with us from 10.15 at the Forbury Chapel. Children are welcome. The service will mainly be in English and will be followed by refreshments. More information from Trish: text 07980 097802.

Trish Marsh

County Councillor's column

Leominster Community Choir

by Trish Marsh

The choir had its first meeting after the summer break on 10th September and was very pleased to welcome 3 new members. We meet every Tuesday evening at Leominster Community Centre from 7pm till 8.30pm. It is a choir of mixed abilities, with no requirement to have had previous experience or be able to read music. If you enjoy singing, even if it is only in the bath, please come and learn new songs and revisit old favourites with the Leominster Community Choir. Practice and rehearsal has started for the Christmas concert in December and Leominster Victorian market. For more information please ring 01568 369074 or email lccatlcc@myphone.coop

It seems very likely that there will be a general election soon – and the results will be important! So make sure that you are registered to vote! You can register online any time of the day or night by searching on ‘register to vote’ on the Herefordshire Council website or ring Electoral Services on 01432 260107 during office hours. It’s also important that anyone who is an EU citizen applies for settled or presettled status soon. There are several bits of misinformation floating around so please encourage any EU citizens you know to apply. There is a Home Office helpline on 0300 1237379. Application to the EU Settlement Scheme is free. Leominster, thanks to funding from the Town Council, has some free advice sessions with Citizens Advice Bureau staff – see the Town Council’s column on the centre pages for more details. While yet another record breaking hot summer here was enjoyed by many (though I’m a heat wimp!), the increase in droughts, hurricanes and forest fires world wide shows the urgency of addressing climate breakdown. This is much in the minds of Herefordshire Council, who declared a climate emergency in March. I’m glad to say Herefordshire Council has reached its current carbon reduction targets for its own emissions two years early and is now drawing up its next action plan over the next few months, aiming for zero carbon by 2030, 10 short years away. Global heating is much in the mind of our young people, and several have joined the international climate strikes. We will be meeting with them, communities, businesses and others soon to look at how Herefordshire’s overall emissions from homes, businesses and transport can be similarly reduced over the next 10 years. This will demand considerable changes for all of us - but we have a responsibility to future generations and those in the world already much damaged by climate breakdown to respond. We have experienced such change already in our lifetimes that I am confident we can respond creatively and effectively to this immense challenge – and build healthier and more connected communities as a bonus. There is more information (search for climate change) on the Herefordshire Council website. Leominster is also aiming for zero carbon and you are invited to Transition Leominster’s meeting on Monday 7th October, 7pm at the Community Centre to hear about emerging plans and ideas.

Penny Morpeth

SKODA KODIAQ 18 68 KODIAQ 2.0 TDi SE AUTO, red, 1,500 miles, £25,995

KAROQ 18 18 KAROQ 1.6 TDi SE AUTO, silver, 10,000 miles, £19,995

YETI 16 66 YETI 1.2 TSi SE, green, 8,000 miles, £13,495 16 16 YETI 2.0 TDi SE 4x4, green, 35,000 miles, £12,450 16 65 YETI 1.2 TSi SE, green, 30,000 miles, £11,995 16 16 YETI 2.0 TDi SE, blue, 27,000 miles, £11,995 14 64 YETI 2.0 TDi SE, silver 12,000 miles, £11,650 14 64 YETI 2.0 TDi SE, blue, 52,000 miles, £10,495 14 64 YETI 2.0 TDi SE, silver, 80,000 miles, £7,995 13 63 YETI 1.6 TDi Greenline, beige, 70,000 miles, £6,495

FABIA 18 68 FABIA 1.0 TSi SE, grey, 3,600 miles, £11,995 16 66 FABIA 1.2 TSi SEL, grey, 19,000 miles, £8,995 16 66 FABIA 1.2 TSi SE, red, 35,000, £8,350 15 15 FABIA 1.2 TSi SEL, blue, 30,000 miles, £7,995 10 60 FABIA 1.2 TSi Elegance Auto, beige, 40,000 miles, £4,995 12 62 FABIA 1.2 TSi SE PLUS Estate, red, 47,000 miles, £4,750 13 63 FABIA 1.2 TDi Greenline Estate, silver, 59,000 miles, £4,650 13 63 FABIA 1.2 TDi Greenline Estate, red, 59,000 miles, £4,450 13 13 FABIA 1.2 SE 12v, blue, 51,000 miles, £4,450 12 12 FABIA 1.4 SE, red, 90,000 miles, £4,350 11 11 FABIA 1.2 S, a/c, silver, 47,000 miles, £3,995 09 59 FABIA 1.2 S, white, 60,000 miles, £2,995

Cllr Trish Marsh Ward Member for Leominster South 01568 611909 or trish.marsh@herefordshire.gov.uk

OCTAVIA 16 66 OCTAVIA 2.0 TDi 4x4 DSG Auto Estate, grey, 33,000m, £15,995 16 65 OCTAVIA 2.0 TDi Scout 4x4 Estate, blue, 39,000m, £13,450 14 64 OCTAVIA 2.0 TDi SE, blue, 61,000 miles, £8,650 13 13 OCTAVIA 1.6 TDi SE Estate, silver, 80,000 miles, £6,995

CITIGO 16 65 CITIGO 1.0 SE, 5-door, beige, 40,000 miles, £5,750 14 64 CITIGO 1.0 Elegance 70, 5-door, red, 34,000 miles, £5,750 16 16 CITIGO 1.0 SE, 5-door, red, 27,000 miles, £5,750

ROOMSTER 14 64 ROOMSTER 1.2 TSi SE, Auto, beige, 35,000 miles, £7,350 12 12 ROOMSTER 1.2 TSi SE, blue, 67,000 miles, £4,495

OVERTON SERVICE STATION HEREFORD ROAD, LUDLOW. 01584 872584 8

Leominster Energy Descent Action Plan We have reached the end of our summer of public engagement meetings and online survey. We launched our plan in June and over fifty people attended. Our presentation in August at the Share Energy renewable energy evening was well received with some great ideas coming forward. In August we also launched our online Zero Carbon Leominster survey and in September we took paper copies of our survey to the bi-monthly Repair Cafe we run in partnership with Leominster Community Centre. Finally on September 20th after our Transition Leominster AGM, we gave our first feedback of the results of all our ideas so far. Thank you everyone who has taken part in helping us with our plan and getting to the stage it is now. All your thoughts, ideas and solutions have been collected and grouped under our action plan theme headings; Sustainable Transport; Food & Land Use; Biodiversity & Green Spaces; Sustainable Buildings & Built Environment; Energy Saving & Generation and Education & Awareness. Under the last heading we have been asked searching questions too, such as what does Zero Carbon or carbon neutral actually mean? Our partners Brightspace have been collecting the facts and figures that can help us understand Leominster's Carbon Footprint.

Now we need your help again to start making our plan a reality. Please come to our Zero Carbon Leominster Energy Descent Action Plan Public meeting on Monday October 7th at 7pm in the Community Centre, School Road. We will be having much more focused, in-depth discussions about what we have learnt so far and what projects and actions will help make zero carbon Leominster a reality. As well as getting a better understanding of our impact on our environment, we want to set up working groups to start tackling some of the issues people have highlighted. Transition Leominster is the local group working towards an equitable, sustainable and resilient Leominster. We are creating the ‘Energy Descent Action Plan’, as a route map to help us all identify the steps towards a zero carbon Leominster and map out what we can do to make a difference in our town. For more information please email transitionleominster@gmail.com

Leominster Lasses WI We were pleased to welcome Lynne Renton to our September meeting. Lynne gave us a very interesting insight into the valuable work done by Herefordshire Headway, a charity that provides a variety of support services to adults who have suffered an acquired brain injury. In addition to explaining the range of therapeutic activities offered at their Credenhill day centre, Lynne also spoke about the work of the out reach team who visit people in their own homes, helping them to regain confidence and the practical skills needed to deal with everyday life. We meet on the third Thursday of each month, with our next meeting taking place on Thursday 17th October at 7.30pm, Green Lane Methodist Church Hall. For more information please ring Erika on 01568 610979

Erika Morgan

Jenny Bartlett

Orchestral Concert at the Lion Ballroom,

THE ROYAL BRITISH

off Broad Street, Leominster

LEGION

On Sunday 3 November at 3pm, Orchestra Pro Anima, directed from the violin by Michael Bochmann, will give a concert at the lovely Lion Ballroom. The programme demonstrates the diversity of stringed instruments, showcasing the sound of the string orchestra as a whole with the violin, cello and double bass all having solo roles. The orchestra was launched in January 2017 from musicians who had performed together over a long period as members of the English String Orchestra and who have a real affinity with one another, forged over time. Their programmes, musicianship and warmth of presentation are proving to be a winning combination.

LEOMINSTER BRANCH

Poppy Dance SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9th featuring

"THE ATTRACTIONS"

Programme Mozart Mendelssohn Bottesini Ireland Warlock

PLAYING MUSIC FROM ALL THE GREAT BANDS OF THE PAST

Violin Concerto in D K211 String Symphony No 9 ‘Swiss’ Gran Duo for violin, double bass & strings Berceuse, Bagatelle, Cavatina for cello & strings Capriol Suite

Leominster Sports & Social Club South Street, Leominster

Tickets: £15 (students half price) from the TIC, Corn Square, Leominster on 01568 616460

DOORS OPEN 7PM, DANCE STARTS 9PM

Supported by The Lion Ballroom, Leominster. Tel: 01568 612277. Email: info@lionballroomleominster.co.uk

ADMISSION £7.50

ALL PROCEEDS TO THE POPPY APPEAL 9

Orleton Garden Club

Celebrations for St Edfrith

The club held its 39th Annual Show on August 17th. Despite difficult growing conditions this year, it was pleasing to see an increase in the number of entries over recent years. The overall result was a wonderful spectacle of locallygrown vegetables and cut flowers as well as cordials, baking and preserves. Both the Floral Art and Cordials sections were particularly well contested, with each having the highest number of entries since records began in 2007. There was a good show of local support, as people came to enjoy the show and the afternoon teas. This year all the horticultural trophies were won by a gardener who practices and is dedicated to organic gardening, proving to us all that winning fruit, vegetables and flowers can be grown without resorting to using chemical herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Full show results are available on the club website. Our next meeting is at 7.15pm at Orleton Village Hall on 29th October. Victoria Logue of Whitehall Farmhouse Plants will give a talk entitled ‘Propagation: Seeds, cuttings and beyond’. Non-members welcome at £2.50 per person inc. tea/coffee.

St Edfrith is credited with bringing the gospel from Lindisfarne to Leominster around AD660, so beginning the story of the development of our town.

Jane Cross

Stoke Prior & District WI

Saturday 26th October Annual Edfrith lecture by Pete Blench: A farming empire: Leominster Priory & the Bury Farms. Priory church 7.30pm. Free entry, retiring collection The Prior and Monks of medieval Leominster presided over an extensive and shrewdly managed agricultural estate: this generated considerable wealth for the Priory's mother house, Reading Abbey, for centuries. In this illustrated talk, Pete Blench, former local journalist, walks leader and researcher, will bring to life the important role of the Priory's four chief farming outposts at Stockton Bury, Ivington Bury, Luston Bury and the Bury of Stoke Prior. The talk will include new photos by Will Pridie. Sunday 27th October 10am: Civic Service at the Priory. Celebrating Leominster’s long civic history and the foundation of the town. 12.30pm: Pilgrimage Walk to the Bury of Stoke Prior. Over the last few years we have walked to three of the Priory’s four Bury farms. This year Rob Walker will lead a walk to the Bury of Stoke Prior, leaving from the Priory. Please bring a packed lunch if you would like to. We will return in time for Evensong. 4.30pm: Festive Evensong for St Edfrith. A celebratory service of thanksgiving for the produce of the land. For more information on this year’s celebrations please visit the Leominster Priory website.

On a wonderfully warm September afternoon, members and friends of the Institute met at Wynne's of Dinmore for afternoon cream tea. Wynne's were extremely generous in providing a voucher for a cream tea for two as first prize in the competition of an animal made from an egg box. They also gave bath bombs to all the entries. After the refreshments the ladies strolled amongst the Alpacas, Pigmy Goats, Peacocks, Pigs, and various fowls, before winding their way home. The October meeting being held on Tuesday, 8th at 2.30pm in Stoke Prior Village Hall (HR6 0LG) will be a visit from The Haven, Hereford, who give support to people diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Please come along and meet us. Entry is £2 for WI visitors, and £4 for non-members. We have some exciting meetings coming up so please contact Sue on 07875 268387 for further information.

Trish Marsh

Sue

News from Swan Brewery

Weobley Theatre Goers

September has been a busy month brewing our Green Swan 4.1% harvest beer with field-fresh, just-picked green hops. At the time of writing two batches have been brewed, firstly with Goldings from Simon Parker of Instone Court in Munderfield and secondly with Challenger from Mark Andrews of Townend Farm in Bosbury. If the sun keeps shining and the machinery in the hop farm behaves itself, there should also be a bottled Green Swan, most likely with Jester hops, one of the newer, more developmental hop varieties. Test yourself on how many British hop varieties you can name. If you count more than three award yourself a star; more than 6 and that’s 2 stars and any more than that and you can go to the top of the hop class. In fact there are 31 varieties commercially available in the UK so we as brewers have a wonderful flavour and aroma palette to work with. October Tasting Day on Friday 18th October will include Green Swan(s) in our line-up. We are running 9am to 7pm and we invite anyone with a Mazda Bongo or Ford Frieda to join us at the brewery from 4-7pm to show off our lovely vehicles (we have one too!). We have a Brewery Tour on Saturday 19th October at 4pm, do get in touch if you would like to join in the merriment.

Justin Lewis is now organising the theatre trips. Please phone 01568 613836 or email justintourmanager@gmail.com for the list of trips for next year. There are no membership fees to join but more people are needed if the trips are to run. Leominster and Weobley pick ups are avaliable.

Gill Bullock Brewer’s Moll and Brewery Partner 01568 617709 beer@swanbrewery.co.uk

The Leominster News

Justin

Silver Sunday A day to celebrate older people, Silver Sunday is a day on which fun-filled events are held around the country to support older people in our communities who may face loneliness and isolation. Bluebird Care warmly invite you to our vintage tea party and live musical extravaganza on Sunday 6th October from 1.45pm to 5.30pm at Kingsland village hall, Kingsland, HR6 9SQ. Come and join us for afternoon tea and the chance to sing along with our professional entertainer who will treat you to some old favourites from the Ratpack and Swing era. There is no charge but we will be collecting for the Alzheimer’s Society. Please ring us on 01568 313112 to book your place or pop in and see us at 6, Buttercross Arcade, Leominster (close to the library). Why not bring along a neighbour, friend or family member to join in the fun. Transport can be arranged if you require it. Bluebird Care is an award-winning home care company providing high quality care in the comfort of your own home. For the second year running we have just been awarded Domiciliary Home Carer of the Year at the Hereford Times Health & Social Care Awards 2019. Well done to Vicky, our care assistant!

Hazel Godsall

Advertising Rates Various sizes are listed below but other sizes are available. Series discounts are also available. Colour space is subject to availability

'Now we are Three' On October 4th, Howard Moseley, the butchers on Drapers Lane, will reach the third anniversary of their opening. Why not pop in and wish them "all the best"?

Commercial 1/8 Page: £18 black & white, £25 colour 1/6 Page: £24 black & white, £33 colour 1/5 Page: £27 black & white, £37 colour 1/4 Page: £30 black & white, £40 colour 1/3 Page: £39 black & white, £50 colour 1/2 Page: £49 black & white, £60* colour Full Page: £79 black & white, £100* colour * if available, back page placement is £10 extra

Local Charities & Local Clubs 1/8 Page: £8 black & white, £18 colour 1/6 Page: £10 black & white, £24 colour 1/4 Page: £12 black & white, £30 colour 1/3 Page: £16 black & white, £38 colour 1/2 Page: £24 black & white, £45 colour Full Page: £48 black & white, £75 colour Charity adverts MUST include the charity number

Chris Dell

TravelArts Day Trips

Please email

Sat 23rd November, London day trip, £32 per person. Depart Leominster bus station 8am and Bodenham village hall 8.10am.

LeominsterNews@gmail.com

Monday 2nd December, Winchester Christmas markets £29.

or for more information

Book at Leominster TIC or phone Justin Lewis on 01568 613836 or email: justintourmanager@gmail.com

ring 07484 627841

Blowin’ our own Trumpet: Leominster Meeting Centre celebrates Lottery Award The Handover of the Cheque

Left to right: (Bottom Front Left) Greg Westwood, National Lottery Community FundingManager – Worcestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire presenting the cheque to (Bottom Front Right) Joy Valentini – Manager Leominster Meeting Centre and Trustee. In the middle and behind are members, carers and staff of the Meeting Centre. Leominster Meeting Centre is celebrating after being awarded £96,620 in National Lottery funding to support its work over the next three years with local people living with dementia and family carers. The Meeting Centre is open each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 3pm at The Old Priory in Leominster, Herefordshire. It is essentially a social club which is entirely led by the interests of members and which helps people and their families adjust to living with dementia by facilitating a range of activities, outings, exercise, educational sessions for carers, oneto-one meetings, peer support and fun! Members really enjoy coming to the Meeting Centre and are very proud of it, hence the name they came up with for the project, Blowin’ our own Trumpet! Leominster Meeting Centre has been running since February 2016 and is staffed by a dedicated team managed by Joy Valentini. Around 16 to 20 people attend each day, with some coming one day a week and others two, three or four times. It has become a vital part of the local community, welcoming many visitors and participating widely in local events and initiatives. The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will help provide more certainty over the next three years and a stable environment that will contribute to the Centre’s members and carers health and wellbeing. The funding will also enable the Meeting Centre to continue to share its experience and help develop best practice with the wider dementia community through the Centre’s participation in the National Lottery funded UK Meeting Centres Support Programme (UKMCSP) by hosting visits to the Centre from visitors across the UK which are interested in setting up a Meeting Centre in their local area. The experience gained will also enable the Centre to build a strong evidence base for this and other Meeting Centres to present to local and national funders and influence policy makers/commissioners in order to build a lasting legacy from the National Lottery funding. Phillipa Bruce-Kerr, Chair of Leominster Meeting Centre charity said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award from the National Lottery Community Fund. The Meeting Centre receives no funding from local or central government and is entirely dependent on grant and local community fundraising. 12

It is a testament to the commitment of the staff, members and to the good people of Leominster we are still running and providing such a warm, friendly and supportive environment. This has been recognised by National Lottery Community Fund whose award is associated with the Leominster Meeting Centre welcoming guests and visitors from all over the UK, with a view to inspiring them to set up their own Meeting Centre.” Joy Valentini, Manager of Leominster Meeting Centre, said: “I have been associated with the Meeting Centre from its early stages, both as a carer for my husband, who has dementia, and as Manager and a Trustee. The Meeting Centre changed our lives after his diagnosis, from feeling hopelessly isolated to giving us the support to feel confident and enjoy ourselves again. Two years ago I was given the opportunity to manage the day to day running of the Centre. I feel that my firsthand experience has given me the capability to help and support others facing a similar journey, and in the latter stages of my husband’s illness it has given me a new sense of fulfilment and pride in its success.” Liz Dedman, former business consultant and member of the Centre, said: “Before coming to the Centre and since my diagnosis I had withdrawn from my wide circle of friends as I felt I was letting them down. At first I considered going to something like a Meeting Centre slightly embarrassing and an admission of defeat. But since coming here I absolutely love it and it has given me back my confidence, I feel more like my old self. I've made new friends and I am back in touch with my old friends.” Professor Dawn Brooker, Director of the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester, said: “Meeting Centres are based on solid research about what really helps people and families cope with the challenges that dementia brings. The Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester has been working on this research since 2014. There is tremendous interest across the UK in setting up new Meeting Centres. This funding will ensure that many more communities have the opportunity to visit a fully operational Meeting Centre and to receive practical advice on how to establish their own.” For further information please contact Joy Valentini: leominstermeetingcentre@gmail.com; 01568 368180 or 07465 839660

Leominster Meeting Centre members Blowin’ their own Trumpet

We are excited to launch the first phase of our Dementia Friendly Leominster Town Map

Dementia Friendly Leominster What is Dementia Friendly Leominster?

What is this?

Dementia Friendly Leominster is the coming together of local organizations and individuals to make Leominster a Dementia Friendly Community.

It’s a map of the town centre that will identify shops, services, groups, churches, schools, businesses and other organisations that have registered as being dementia friendly. This will be displayed around the town in various places and, we hope, be advertised throughout the county.

What is a Dementia Friendly Community? It is a town or village, where people who are living with dementia, are understood, respected, supported and confident that they can contribute to community life. They should feel included and involved and have choice and control over their day to day lives. Just as the majority of us have.

What do we need to do?

Learn more about dementia are available.

All you need to do is register your organisation or service and complete a simple action that will help make your facility dementia friendly. Register your interest by emailing dfleominster@gmail.com and look out for dates and details of all our future Dementia Friendly Leominster events and come along to see how you can help make Leominster a safe, supportive environment for all our residents who are living with dementia.

Become a “Dementia Friend.” Anyone and everyone can!

What are the benefits?

How can we all do this... ....and how it affects individuals. Information leaflets and short awareness sessions.

  

Provide clear and precise signage throughout our town, buildings, shops and facilities.



Support shops and public facilities to become Dementia Friendly through access to awareness and information sessions and practical advice.



Provide a wide range of information packs and face to face practical sessions to clubs, groups, churches, schools and libraries, businesses and other organisations to raise awareness and understanding.

Many! People living with dementia in our community will feel supported and feel confident and able to LIVE WELL with their diagnosis in their own environment or community. You will have free advertising as well as the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting your local community. You will also receive Dementia Friendly Leominster stickers to display as recognition that your organisation is dementia friendly. Leominster will be known nationally as a Dementia Friendly Town and will truly be on the MAP!

There is no cost involved. We look forward to your joining us on this local venture. Working together to make our town a Dementia Friendly Community.

All awareness and practical session are open to everyone, are free of charge, and refreshments are provided.

Together we can make a difference!

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Leominster Meeting Centre

Leominster Meeting Centre for families affected by dementia Leominster Meeting Centre helps people and their families adjust to living with dementia by offering exercise, educational sessions, one-to-one meetings with support workers and advisers, as well as therapeutic activities and having FUN! The Centre provides a safe place where people are supported to understand and adapt to living with memory problems. All sessions are built around the hobbies and interests of the people who attend and everyone is fully involved in shaping what happens in and around the centre.

Examples of some the activities taking place at the Meeting Centre include Tâ€™ai Chi with Enid, music with Bryan, country and western day, Halloweâ€™en Party, bowling at the Grange and making your own sausages. We would like you to experience what a wonderful and unique place it is and how it has such a positive impact on the lives of those affected by dementia. So please feel free to drop in for a cuppa and a chat anytime we are open. The Centre is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 3pm. See our website www.leominstermeetingcentre.co.uk If you would like further information please email leominstermeetingcentre@gmail.com or ring 01568 368180 or 07465 839660.

Supporting people affected by dementia is seeking

Trustees Would you like to make a real difference in our dementia friendly community? Our Meeting Centre is leading the way in the UK and is recognised internationally. We have an existing board of six trustees and due to the success and expansion of the charity we are looking for new trustees. We are particularly interested in people who have experience in the following areas: small charities, minute taking, fundraising, grant and bid writing, book-keeping and finance and social media. Please note these are unpaid posts. You might also like to support us as a volunteer but not as a trustee. This could suit someone who is looking for some work experience and we would be very pleased to hear from you too.

If you have two to three hours to spare every week and are interested please contact: Shirley Evans on 07827927204 or email dfleominster@gmail.com www.leominstermeetingcentre.co.uk

The Old Priory, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8EQ Registered Charity No: 1173514

This advert and the map have been supported by customers who shop at Leominster Co-op, via the Co-op Local Community Fund. Thank you! 16

Inner Wheel Club of Leominster

Leominster Community Centre

Leominster Inner Wheel would like to congratulate Leominster in Bloom for the double achievements of a gold medal in the Heart of England in Bloom competition and also for being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the equivalent of an MBE for the town. A great big thank you to all the wonderful people of Leominster who knitted, sewed and crafted all the colourful flowers and characters which once again enabled The Inner Wheel Club to decorate the Buttercross arcade. Community involvement is an important part of the judging criteria. The Inner Wheel Club has had a busy start to the Inner Wheel year which runs from 1st July. A visit to Stockton Bury gardens for afternoon tea in August kicked off the activities. Unfortunately, inclement weather meant a tour of the gardens was inadvisable. This will be enjoyed at another time. Our September meeting had us enthralled with Geoffrey Crofts telling us how ‘Antiques can be fun’. He showed us many interesting and very unusual items which had us baffled as to their use. Also this month Inner Wheel had its annual skittles match against The Rotary Club. Defying all the odds this year we beat the Rotarians by one point and were very happy to receive the challenge cup instead of the wooden spoon. Many members will join the Rotarians for the annual Autumn weekend away which this year will be in Torquay. Next month the Inner Wheel meeting will be on Wednesday 2nd October when Allan Wells will tell us all about bees. Inner Wheel membership is open to all like-minded women. Why not come along to one of our meetings? For further information please contact Kaye Fletcher, Secretary, tel 01568 709027.

Friday October 4th. Supper Club launch. Join us at the Centre for a relaxing evening of good food, entertainment provided by “Me and Him” singers extraordinaire and a Nostalgia Quiz with prizes. A home cooked varied menu starting at 2 courses with coffee for under £10. Licensed Bar. 7.30pm. 01568 616411 for table bookings Saturday October 5th. An event in collaboration with Hereford Green Network: Pre-Loved to Re-Loved, featuring different ways of upcycling clothes, furniture, household items and found material. Includes clothes exchange, particularly school clothes, and soft toys. Also Plant and Produce Sale and full cafe. 10am - 2pm, Teas, Coffees, Bacon Butties, Cakes and Lunch. Saturday October 12th. Centre Flea Market. Having a good old sort out, got quality things you would like to sell? Come along to the Flea Market. Tables £10. 01568 616411 for further information & bookings. Saturday October 19th. Computer Cafe:Talk on Cyber Crime and how to avoid being a victim, also a chance to discuss your IT problems with an expert. 10.30 - 1pm. Refreshments and cake available. Community Learn resumes. Tuesday Talks start on October 8th, 2-4pm. For programme contact js.leocommunitylearn@outlook.com (This email also for HGN event and Computer Cafe).

Richard Brookman

Kaye

STITCHES Wool and Fabric Shop for all your knitting and sewing needs CLOTHES ALTERATIONS CURTAIN AND BLIND MAKING SEWING MACHINE REPAIRS contact us at 2 High Street, Leominster Tel 01568 610467 email liz.watkins4@btinternet.com

DISHLEY FOOT CLINIC HEREFORDSHIRE

07816 988196 17

Expression of Interest application. This is a significant investment in Leominster’s historic town centre and we look forward to taking this exciting project forward! Leominster Town Council Update October 2019

Barons Cross Advice Surgeries

21 Years’ Service at Leominster TIC

Leominster Town Council are working alongside Stonewater, West Mercia Police - Safer Neighbourhood Team, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Leominster Children’s Centre, Marches Family Network and other support organisations to provide monthly drop-in surgeries at the Barons Cross Community Centre.

Leominster Town Council would like to congratulate volunteer Lin Tedstone for 21 years’ service at Leominster Tourist Information Centre. Lin has been instrumental in keeping the TIC running, both as a paid member of staff and a volunteer. Thank you for all of your hard work Lin!

We know that it isn’t always easy for residents to access services in the centre of town, so these surgeries are a great opportunity to speak to a number of different organisations, to ask questions and to seek advice. No appointments are needed, as this is a drop-in service. If you need to speak confidentially, then we will have areas set up for this. These surgeries will be held every month from 1pm until 3pm at the Barons Cross Community Room. The dates for the remaining 2019 surgeries are as follows: 18th September 2019 16th October 2019 13th November 2019 11th December 2019

High St Heritage Action Zone Fund In July 2019 Leominster Town Council worked in partnership with Herefordshire Council to submit an Expression of Interest to the High Street Heritage Action Zone Fund, which aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets. Over 85 local businesses and organisations submitted letters of support for the application. The list of successful high streets was announced on 14 September 2019 and we are delighted to announce that Leominster was selected as one of 69 high streets across England to receive a share of the £95 million fund. Delivery plans will be worked up over the next 4 months, with the funded schemes beginning in April 2020. Leominster Town Council will be working with Herefordshire Council and Historic England to develop the Leominster project, in collaboration with local businesses, residents and community groups. Further details will be announced as soon as they are available, but in the meantime we would like to thank all those who supported the initial

Appointments with CAB are also available every second Wednesday at the Town Council Offices (11 Corn Square), funded by Leominster Town Council. Bookings can be made by phoning CAB’s Adviceline on 03444 99 11 00. The Adviceline is open Monday to Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm. Free Funding Workshop Provided by Leominster Herefordshire Council.

Town

Council

and

Find out: · How to develop comprehensive project plans · How to source quotes & compile budgets · How to demonstrate evidence of need & ability to deliver · Where to find potential funding opportunities · How to complete funding applications · Where to go for support and advice on project development and funding grants When: Thursday 24th October 2019, 10am-1pm Where: Leominster Town Council Offices (Through the TIC - 11 Corn Square, Leominster, HR6 8YP).

Advance booking not required. For further details, please phone the Town Council Offices on 01568 611734.

CONTACT THE COUNCIL Environmental Services Supervisor grounds@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk

Farmers Market Leominster Farmers Market takes place on the second Saturday morning of every month in Corn Square. October’s Farmers Market will take place on Saturday 12th October.

Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 01568 616460 tourism@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Events, Tel: 01568 616460 events@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk

Leominster Christmas Victorian Street Market COUNCILLOR DETAILS The Leominster Christmas Victorian Street Market will take place on Saturday 14th December between 10am and 4pm. A popular event for both locals and visitors, the streets of Leominster will be full of great local crafts, food, drink and gift producers. If you are interested in applying for this year’s event, please email: leominstervictorianmarket@gmail.com Council and Committee Meetings Meetings take place at 7pm at the Town Council Offices at 11 Corn Square, Leominster, unless otherwise indicated. The Council Chamber is located on the second floor – lift access is available for those who need it. October 2019 Meetings: Monday 7th – Planning & Highways Committee Monday 28th – Finance & General Purposes Committee

CONTACT THE COUNCIL Council Offices, 11 Corn Square, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 8YP Tel: 01568 611734 Paul Russell, Town Clerk. Mob: 07772 657446 townclerk@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Projects & Grants Officer, Liz Womack: office@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Office Manager, Jackie Whittall: jackiewhittall@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Office Administrator, Lena Dahnsjo (primary contact for allotments and civic events): admin@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Financial Assistant finance@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk

Leominster Town Council has 16 Councillors who represent 4 Parish Wards. Their contact details are below: LEOMINSTER EAST Cllr Jenny Bartlett Tel: 01568 368509 jennybartlett@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Wayne Rosser Tel: 01568 613798 waynerosser@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Adrian Marshall c/o Tel: 01568 611734 adrianmarshall@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Gillian Murdoch Tel: 01568 589287 gillmurdoch@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk LEOMINSTER NORTH Cllr Paul Davies c/o Tel: 01568 611734 pauldavies@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Patricia Marsh Tel: 01568 611909 trishmarsh@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Jon Preece c/o Tel: 01568 611734 jonpreece@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr John Rumsey Tel: 01568 620382 johnrumsey@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk LEOMINSTER SOUTH Cllr Tessa Smith-Winnard Tel: 07739 152315 tessasmithwinnard@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Russell Sutcliffe c/o Tel: 01568 611734 russellsutcliffe@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Beth Williamson c/o Tel: 01568 611734 bethwilliamson@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk VACANCY LEOMINSTER WEST Cllr Jacqueline Herschy Tel: 07974 393692 jackyherschy@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Felicity Norman Tel: 01568 780886 felicitynorman@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Clive Thomas Tel: 01568 589398 clivethomas@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Allan Williams Tel: 01568 615365 allanwilliams@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk

Clive Thomas: The Early Years, Part 9 In last month's issue I had memory loss and quoted 22nd October; it should have read 21st October! We continued to live in Sandpits I continued to work for Charlie Bounds in Hereford, taxi driving, when I was off duty from the ambulance service. Working at Leominster Ambulance station, which was where the pharmacy is in Westfield Walk now. Six of us covered 24hrs, seven days a week and we were paid 9d (nine old pence) an hour when on call, and a minimum of 2 hours pay when we were called out, but very rarely was it only 2 hours. We occasionally got some cover from Hereford staff when one of us was on leave or a course. One of our two vehicles was classed as a sitting case vehicle and was mainly used to transport outpatients but was equipped with Entonox (a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide) and two folded stretchers. These could be mounted on top of the collapsible seats and all of the other equipment that ambulances carried in the late sixties and seventies. We were very proud of the service we provided and were quickly on scene except when we were in Hereford and got called to emergencies at places like Leintwardine, Brampton Bryan or Downton on the Rock. We made friends with the Jones family (two sisters and a brother) who lived opposite the ambulance station who became great friends to my wife and I, and our children regarded them as aunts and uncle. As I had been involved in St John since I was eleven I went along to meet the members of St John in Leominster. They were

10% off purchases over ÂŁ30 on production of this advert

BETTIE FRECKLES PATCHWORK AND QUILTING 22 BROAD STREET LEOMINSTER HR6 8BS 01568 589057 lisa@bettiefreckles.co.uk www.facebook.com/bettiefreckles A small but perfectly formed shop catering for all of your patchwork and quilting needs. 100% cotton fabrics, wadding, mettler cotton threads, cotton perle, notions, books and patterns 20

small in number but keen on progressing with training so I got involved and also went out on duty. My wife was a trained nurse and also got involved. We were lucky that a kind person lent us a wooden garage in Laundry Lane were we did our training and stored our equipment. I had an elderly Morris 1000 Traveller at the time, for which I had to buy another engine. It was a BMC Gold Seal engine and cost me the grand sum of ÂŁ50. Reg Casteldine and I changed the engine on the road outside our house. In the meantime I had decided that travelling to Hereford every time I was off on a Saturday was getting too much. I was told by John Croot, an ambulance man and also secretary of the British Legion club, that they needed bar staff. I got the job and did that when off duty. We struggled financially as wages on the ambulance service were poor at that time and we had three young children. It was at this time that ambulance training started and the first course I started on was at Birmingham central fire station, at the top end of Corporation Street, for two weeks. We stayed there sleeping in the dormitories along with the duty firemen - at that time Birmingham was a Fire and Ambulance service. What a culture shock this was, with alarms going off constantly and the crews crashing through the doors to the sliding poles. I don't think we slept at all for two weeks! I met up with an instructor here who came back into my life many years later. When we were asked what we thought of the course we absolutely slated the course for the conditions that we made to put up with and got labelled as the trouble makers from Herefordshire.

to be continued.... Foxtrot 02

Grange Court Update

Walking Leominster Rambling Club walks take place every Thursday and vary from 6-11 miles. Walks for October are Knighton, Brilley, Orleton, Clun, Nordy Bank (Clee Hill) . Phone me, Wendy Sladen, on 01568 612556 for more information.

Mortimer Ramblers is part of The Ramblers’ Association (RA) and based in Leominster and North Herefordshire. Our Silver Jubilee: a few loyal members will remember the launch in 1994 of our group, originally known as The North Herefordshire Group. We want to celebrate an amazing 25 years of walking achievements so everyone is welcome to join us in Orleton Village Hall at 1pm for a light lunch, including home made soup. Our short AGM will take place at 2pm followed by a fun quiz with prizes! There will be plenty of reminiscences and a celebration cake. Even better, you are welcome to come along at 10am to join us for a short morning walk to give you an appetite for your soup. We will meet at the hall and then car share to the start of the walk. We have two other walks in October. Jacqui will lead a four mile morning walk from The Moon Pub at Mordiford on the 5th with an option for lunch at the pub at the end. We will then go with Eileen for 7.5 miles on the second of our Mortimer Trail walks which will set off from Orleton Village Hall on the 19th. Ring me on 01568 620138 or email jenatkins@btinternet.com for more details about membership or walks and possible car sharing. Alternatively visit www.herefordshireramblers.org.uk for the full Herefordshire walks programme.

Jen Atkins Secretary Mortimer Ramblers

On 11th September, the Dowager Countess of Darnley, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, presented The Queen's Award to Leominster in Bloom at Grange Court - a great accolade for the town. Eighty people attended the occasion and enjoyed tea afterwards. On Saturday 14th we had a successful Heritage Open Day with our 'Food & Drink Specialists' where visitors could taste Swan Brewery Ale. Warning! Alien Volcanoes! A one day course will be held on Sat 9 October with Dr Paul Oliver exploring volcanic activity in the solar system. 10-4pm, £10 or free if you are unwaged. To book, please email christianne@project-link.co.uk Trafalgar Day will be celebrated on Sat 19th October with two fleets of walnut shell boats showing Nelson's battle plans against the French & Spanish fleets. The display is also going to Ludlow on 21st October, the actual battle date. Nelson's link with Leominster is a visit in 1802 on a countrywide tour arranged by Lady Hamilton.

Sue Lindsay

Charity Christmas Cards The Cards for Good Causes Christmas card shop is set to open in Leominster Library on October 22nd; it is scheduled to run until December 12th. Cards for Good Causes represents more than 250 charities. Shoppers can choose from hundreds of different designs, as well as traditional advent calendars, candles, wrapping paper, gift tags, napkins and stocking fillers, all of which support national and local charities. This year is the 60th birthday for Cards for Good Causes and charities have received more than £100 million during these years.

Maggie Jennings

Community Kitchen

Stork Clubs

As I write this there are only two days to go before the launch of Leominster Community Kitchen. I've collected some surplus food from Morrisons this evening and will collect some more tomorrow; food that would otherwise be wasted and thrown away. This Wednesday we will serve leek and potato soup, mushroom pasta, cauliflower cheese bake, chicken and spinach curry and a beef stew and dumplings. Hopefully some sort of apple pud will be on the menu too; teas and coffees on tap too! If you can't stop in the cafe to eat you can take away a meal for later, for you and your family. We will provide some take away cartons but please feel free to bring your own containers. Pop in and fill up. Spread the word to families, young and old people, especially people who may live alone and be in need of company and fresh food. There is no charge although donations will be gratefully received. The next two Leominster community kitchens will be on Wednesday 9th October and Wednesday 13th November 1.30 till 5.30pm. If you have any ideas or would like to be involved please email Hanna Woodall: hanna_woodall@yahoo.co.uk

Inspired by bestselling 'Call the Midwife' author Jennifer Worth, a Lee Foundation project is scheduled to start at The Forbury in January. Can you help us help new parents feel supported? After conversations with local midwives and health visitors we have designed ‘Stork Clubs’, safe spaces where new parents can build their confidence via a free 12 week programme of health practitioner-led mini workshops. The pilot ‘Stork Club’ in Leominster will provide twice-weekly supported drop-in sessions. We hope you can help with sponsorship or donations or with volunteer time. To help with this start up please email Beth or Jo: storkclubsuk@gmail.com or phone us: 01568 709107.

Joanna Bruce, Trustee, The Lee Foundation

Roundabout: 30% off at 30!

Hanna Woodall

35 West We are delighted that local apple expert and cidermaker Russell Sutcliffe will be leading a juicing session in the yard at 35 West on Saturday 5th October from 1pm to 3pm. Russell will be leading a Guided Walk and Pick through the Community Orchards at 10am on Wednesday 2nd October (subject to good weather). Assemble at Grange Court. Bring your surplus fruit along or ideally join Russell for a fun filled hour in our shared heritage.

Roundabout's 30th birthday was marked by this well-known business running a '30% off' sale at its shop on Broad Street from 16th to 21st September, giving customers an opportunity to pick up a bargain!

Chris Dell

Peter J Hadley

THE QUIZ Can you answer the questions below? The answers will be published in next month's issue.

1. Allison Hewson is the wife of which U2 band member? Bono Larry Mullen The Edge Adam Clayton 2. How many politicians have served as PM during the reign of the Queen? 8 10 12 14

Quiz: Last Month's Answers 1. Commander

3. Played by actor Charlie Hardwick, Val Pollard was a character from which soap? Crossroads Eastenders Emmerdale Coronation Street

2. Cheese

4. In yards, what is the length of a cricket pitch? 18 20 22 24

3. Germany

5. Which group had a hit in the late 1970s with Roxanne? Duran Duran The Police Blondie Squeeze

4. Sailor

6. The River Nene rises in which county? Norfolk Gwent Northamptonshire Devon

6. 1970s

5. China

7. The Althing is the national parliament of which country?

7. Steve Bruce

Iceland Sweden Denmark Greenland

8. Duran Duran

8. What does the 'T' stand for in Tiswas, the British TV series?

9. Jamaica

Television Tomorrow Technical Today 9. In which month is the Gold Cup held at Royal Ascot? August May July June 22

10. WW2

Great Results at College Hereford Sixth Form College was a happy place on this year’s A Level Results Day. Strong results above the national benchmark have been a feature of the College for years and students’ performance was again excellent at both A Level and within the increasingly popular vocational courses. National benchmarks were exceeded in many subjects with particularly strong performances in English, languages and the STEM subjects including the new vocational Engineering course which had 52% distinctions or above. Overall pass rates were again above the national averages, the College’s pass rate being 99.2% compared with the national average of 97.6%, which is a huge success story. A remarkable 73 students achieved all A*/A grades with a further 7 achieving 3 grade As or more. These top performers compare with the leading independent and state schools and colleges in the country. Students gaining 4 A or A* grades included: Phoebe CherringtonWalker (ex St. Mary's RC High School), James Colley (ex Earl Mortimer College), Matthew Glancy (ex Weobley High School), Zachariah James (ex Weobley High School). 225 students also gained Distinctions in their vocational courses. Phoebe Cherrington-Walker lives in Pembridge and is a former pupil of St Mary’s RC High School. Phoebe achieved An A* in Biology, an A in Chemistry, an A in Mathematics and an A* in Physics. She was thrilled with her results and said of the College, “It’s a great, caring College with hugely supportive teachers and brilliant facilities.” Phoebe is now off to study Medicine at the University of Oxford.

Angie M Cheasley

At the Priory Sunday 6th October. Choral Evensong, Leominster Priory, 6.30. The choir will lead a service with traditional choral music. Friday 11th October. Organ Duet Concert, 12 noon. Leila Basletic and Hilary Norris offer a programme of organ duets. Programme includes music by Debussy, Mendelssohn, and Langlais. Retiring collection in aid of the Priory. Refreshments available beforehand in the Forbury Chapel, Church Street.

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Grannie's Snippets - Kindness I thought I would write this as an antidote to all the bad news headlines at present. My husband and I feel we are very blessed to receive so many kindnesses in our lives. We were in Hereford shopping last week. When we go there, not that often, we usually stock up on things we find there. First we got various items of stationery, which were rather heavy. I got a pair of shoes in a sale. Unfortunately I forgot to take my faithful shopping trolley with me. Then to 'The Grape Tree' and bought a lot of nuts and seeds etc. The young woman there was so kind and helpful. She asked if we had more shopping to do; the answer being yes, she allowed us to leave our new purchases plus the other bags we already had. We were most grateful. All the shop assistants without exception were patient, helpful and kind. After M&S, where we added to our load and refreshed ourselves with tea and cake, we returned to The Grape Tree, picked up all our bags and set off for home. We are also blessed with many good neighbours and friends here in Herefordshire and also in our home county of Yorkshire. Our immediate neighbour is a kind man who has done us many good turns. Last weekend some neighbours down the road invited all in our small community to a very good barbecue. Sometimes when watching or listening to the news one feels quite despairing but such as the above restores my faith in human nature. Now that I use a walking stick when I'm out and about I find people are most considerate, opening doors, even stopping their car when they see me standing to cross the road. I wave and smile and go on my way uplifted. Along with good manners I think these small everyday kindnesses oil the wheels of life. A few months ago Richard had his wallet stolen. He was shopping at the Co-op and using one of the 'serve yourself' tills. (I am too much of a Technophobe to use them!). He had (foolishly) put his wallet down while clicking this and that and putting his card in the machine. Then he came home and only then realised he didn't have his wallet. He rang the Co-op and they checked their CCTV which showed another man pick up the wallet and go off with it. The manager of the Co-op rang the police who came and viewed the CCTV film. They recognised the man who had been involved in a minor offence in the past. They interviewed him and got the wallet back intact. The police told us later that he was berated by his wife for doing such a thing. Two nice policemen called at our house and brought the wallet back. One might say they were only doing their job, as did the Co-op man, but they did so kindly and helpfully. As impecunious Senior Citizens we were most grateful to all the above. Only last night when we went back to a choir we belong to, we were greeted so kindly and nicely by other members. We have had a long summer break and I think we were all pleased to see each other again. One lady there, who I know to be a public spirited person, offered me her arm to go down the dark path to the road and our car. I think the people of Leominster and district are such kind, helpful people and I am very happy to live amongst them.

Stella Scott

Events in the Leominster Area: October This list is compiled at 11 Corn Square. If you would like your event to be included, you need to get the details to the Tourist Information Centre (or email events@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk) by the 12th of the previous month.

This list is updated regularly at Leominster Tourist Information Centre, your support is appreciated. We advise that you check before attending events for times, prices etc. Additional details from events@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk or call us on 01568 616460. Please note that this list is not compiled by The Leominster News

PHOTO QUIZ - Answer

Each end of Cordwainers Lane has a brass nameplate on the ground: one on High Street and one on Drapers Lane. Historically cobblers repaired shoes, but they might also make shoes using secondhand leather, whereas cordwainers made shoes from new leather. 'Cordwainer' comes from 'cordwain', 'cordwan' or 'cordovan'. Cordovan is a leather that is made from the fibrous flat connective tissue (or 'shell') beneath the hide on the rump of the horse. It is still used today. The name derives from Cordoba, in Spain, where it was first produced in the seventh century by the Visigoths. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is one of the City of London's oldest livery companies, with roots dating back to 1272. In 1350 the Statute of Labourers attempted to fix the price of goods, with a pair of ‘cordwan’ shoes at 6d. Today a pair of cordovan shoes could easily cost over £600.

Chris Dell For question see page 5