Teme Valley Times by Chris Dell

August 2014

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The latest plan for a supermarket in the local area is at Rocks Green on the outskirts of Ludlow. If it gets the goahead, it’s expected to be bigger than Ludlow Tesco. Schemes already in the pipeline in and around the Teme Valley include the new Tesco in Stourport, which is due to open in mid-September. Tesco have planning permission for a store in Tenbury, but this

looked hard at opening a store in Tenbury, though that ultimately didn’t get anywhere. It’s now rumoured that they may be interested in the Rocks Green scheme. There are proposals for Tesco Expresses has already been delayed several times at Bewdley and Areley Kings, and ALDI and currently looks unlikely to open have been looking for a site in Stourport. within three years, and an application Looking at the surrounding area, Waitrose for a Tesco in Bromyard is expected to go before the planning committee in the near (whose name has also been rumoured in connection with the Rocks Green scheme) future. recently opened a large store at Hereford, In Leominster two possible sites, Dale’s and another is planned for Worcester. and Thomas Roofing, have been put forward. Sainsbury’s were involved in one This all raises two questions: in today’s challenging times and with online proposal on the Dale’s site and they also shopping becoming increasingly significant, will people spend enough instore to make all these schemes viable? Or could our area be on the verge of facing, or even exceeding, ‘Supermarket Saturation’?

PREMIUM QUALITY Foxwhelp, Kingston Black, Brown Snout and Tom Putt are just some of the traditional Teme Valley cider apple varieties skilfully blended to create Robinsons Flagon Cider. It’s medium dry, variably hazy and gently sparkling to retain that delicious flavour. Cider just as it should be. Quantities are limited and you won’t generally find Robinsons Cider much beyond the great local pubs in the immediate area. For the story of Robinsons Cider and a full list of stockists, do take a look at our website. The locals reckon Robinsons Cider is well worth seeking out. Discover it and enjoy it for yourself.

Teme Valley Times

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How to contact the Teme Valley Times If you want to advertise, or if you have an event to promote, please book your space in our next issue as soon as possible! You can book adverts by phone, by post, or by email. We can design your advert for you and we can take photographs if required. The Teme Valley Times is independent and locally-owned. Over It is not part of a large publishing group. Phone: 01584 781762 or 07946 270523 10,000 copies Post: PO Box 11, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8YP Email: temevalleytimes@yahoo.co.uk per issue* Website: www.temevalleytimes.co.uk l Editor & Publisher: Chris Dell l Deputy Editor: Lucy Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication were accurate at the time of writing, but no responsibility can be accepted for any consequences of any errors or omissions or for any changes. Always check all information before making a special trip, or before booking any accommodation or making any other commitment. It is important to remember that changes can, and do, occur from time to time, possibly without notice. The contents of this publication (words, images and adverts) are protected by copyright. If you wish to reproduce anything, you must first obtain written permission from the Publisher.

*average print run 1/3/14 - 1/8/14

Burford House Gardens 10am-4pm Aug 30, Sept 27

Teme Valley Times

Birds at Burford On July 26th, Burford House Garden Store was the venue for Trevor Hill’s Falconry Display Team and the Tenbury Local Producers Market. Trevor’s team is one of the largest and most varied in the UK and it includes eagles, vultures, hawks, falcons and owls. Trevor had an excellent informative style, telling people about the birds and their habits, likes, dislikes and even their individual characters, with one large owl being described as ‘very laid back’ about flying. Entertaining and involving, there were opportunities for the audience to get really close to the birds by volunteering to have them fly on to their hand with, of course, expert guidance from Trevor. Or in the case of the vultures, have them walk or run around on the grass nearby, before flying to a handler for a titbit. Across the way at the Local Producers Market there was the chance to have a go at being a blacksmith, or to buy a range of products, from cakes and bread to cherries and beer, all from local producers. Sunshine Radio provided music and commentary through the day.

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Bromyard Hop Festival on August 30th is due to begin at 10am with music on the Town Green and in the Market Square. The official Opening Parade of vintage and horse-drawn vehicles will pass through High St and Broad St at about 1pm and the Hop Pocket Race will take place along Broad St and High St later in the day. The start and finish of each heat are to be streamed live on the internet. Organisers hope that this year’s event will see even bigger crowds than last year, when an estimated 3,500 people visited.

The Town Green will see rural craftsmen in action, including chestnut fencemaking, a pole lathe, willow weaving and blacksmithing. The Hop Festival will include performances of a brandnew ‘Hop Play’, a ‘sequel’ to the one performed previously. The new play will be performed twice, once at the Conquest Theatre and once by the Heritage Centre. Also on the Town Green will be a competitive bungee run offering fun for all ages, and there will be a circus workshop. The Heritage Centre and

the Public Hall will house the Craft Fair, including hop-related products, and local pubs will feature regionally-brewed real ales. Last year’s record entry saw an international field of 23 teams and organisers expect even more teams this year so anyone thinking of entering should do so as soon as possible - visit www.bromyardhopfestival.co.uk for entry forms and race rules. Toni Macdonald of BBC Hereford & Worcester will present the prizes to the winning teams.

Lamp Award

Teme Valley Times

Rubbish Problems There have been problems recently with the refuse service, particularly in or near Tenbury Wells. Councillor Chris Dell commented “A local resident contacted me because his bin hadn’t been emptied so I sought feedback from the wider community. Problems reported included black bags not being delivered and recycling bins not being emptied for over a month. I took these issues up with Malvern Hills District Council and the Council explained that they are working on a solution. I urge local residents to report missed collections as soon as possible so the Council will know where the problems are.” In the Malvern Hills area, missed collections can be reported via www. malvernhills.gov.uk or by ringing 01684 862151.

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The Lamp Restaurant in Cleobury Mortimer was recently awarded the Guild of Bangladeshi Restaurateurs Award. The Award was presented at the Guild’s Annual Conference on 25th June 2014 by Rustie Lee, the famous TV Chef and personality. The Guild has been established for over twenty years and represents the interests of 9,500 restaurants across the UK. Rustie hosted the evening and guests included the Mayor of Walsall, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh and many business leaders from across the country.

Lindridge Primary Success Burford Lindridge Primary School is celebrating success in their Key Stage 2 SATs results. Mrs Sue Warner, the Head, said she is proud of the children as they achieved Level 4 or above in English and Maths. Mrs Warner added “Congratulations to the pupils and thank you to Mrs Page, their form teacher.”

Banners Teme Tenbury has been meeting for some time, looking at how to spend the ‘Portas money’ that was allocated to Tenbury to help boost the town’s ‘High Street’. A number of grants have already been made, including one to give a helping hand to the Tenbury Local Producers Market. An idea that has been under discussion for some time involves attaching banners to lampposts, to promote the town to passing motorists. It has now been decided to go ahead with banners on lampposts in Burford. They are due to be erected this year. Due to restrictions imposed by Shropshire Highways there will only be five, the main problem being that most of the lampposts are some 30 years old and will not pass the necessary structural strength test.

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Teme Valley Times

Ludlow 20th Party

Heavy rain eventually cleared to give a dry but overcast afternoon for the celebration of the 20th Birthdays of the Ludlow Furniture Scheme and the Ludlow Food Festival, with a ‘Party in the Castle’ on Sunday 20th July. The Furniture Scheme organised the music side and the Rockspring Community Choir (based at Ludlow’s Rockspring Community Centre) started the live music programme. Next up were the ‘Got2Sing’ massed choir with around 100 voices - a gloriously big sound that would have raised the rafters if there had been any to raise! After everyone sang Happy Birthday to the two organisitions, students from Ludlow C of E School performed a range of music, then it was the turn of the recorders and flutes. These newly-formed ensembles were encouraged by musical director Chris Lacey. Local band Skatells were scheduled for the final set of the day. There were bouncy castles of all shapes and sizes, long queues for the popular face-painting, giant board games to play, ‘Kidz Kitchen’ activities and of course space to run about in the Castle grounds - a great family event. The Furniture Scheme is a social enterprise and charity. It offers a range of volunteering and training opportunities. It collects donated furniture and household items for free and distributes them to people in need. It manages several sites in Ludlow, including the Rockspring Community Centre, the Renaissance Centre, the Re-Use Centre on Weeping Cross Lane and a carpentry workshop at Ludlow Mascall Centre, plus CasCA in Craven Arms, where the library is now based. Determined not to rest on its laurels, the Furniture Scheme has recently set up a new business called ‘Clean Cut’ and, in partnership with The Wrekin Housing Group, the business will deliver cleaning and landscaping services to some of the Group’s properties whilst providing training opportunities. The Furniture Scheme also worked with The Wrekin Housing Group in stripping out the old Tax Office in Ludlow which is to be demolished to make way for affordable housing. The removed contents will be recycled, re-used or sold, with funds going back into the Furniture Scheme.

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Stottesdon Gardens Chris Madeley, on behalf of the Stottesdon & Chorley Villages Gardens Committee, contacted us to say ‘thank you’ to all the people who visited the gardens when they were open in June and to let us know that Stottesdon Open Gardens raised a total of £2,281.53 for NGS designated charities!

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Teme Valley Times

1914: 100 Years On World War One involved over 70 million military personnel, of whom perhaps 10 million were killed. Millions more were seriously wounded. Millions of civilians died and millions more lives were ruined. Yet despite all this carnage and suffering, and despite the German, Russian, Ottoman, and AustroHungarian empires being dismantled after the war, the “The war to end all wars” was followed by a mere 20 years of peace in Europe. The outbreak of World War One is being widely commemorated this year, particularly over the weekend of August 2nd to 4th, and many events are listed on the Royal British Legion website. Local happenings include: Sunday August 3 Tenbury hosts the Royal British Legion County Gala on the Burgage from 10am - 5pm: parade and rally, TS Sherborne Sea Cadet Band, First World War poetry recitation by Tenbury High School students, First World War singalong, vintage cars and refreshments. The day culminates in a Drumhead Service. The Regal will screen the 1914 film ‘The Price of Freedom’ at 10.30am, 11.30pm, 12.30pm and 1.30pm with free admission, and there is a ‘Tenbury in 1914’ exhibition in the Pump Rooms. Monday August 4 Lights Out Campaign The words spoken by Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary in August 1914 reflect the sentiments of this nationwide remembrance campaign: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime”. ‘Lights Out’ is an invitation from the Royal British Legion (RBL) for people, nationwide, to turn off their lights from 10pm to 11pm, leaving on a single light or candle for a shared time of reflection to mark the 100th Anniversary of Britain entering the First World War. Candle-lit Vigil Many RBL branches are holding candle-lit

vigils where you can bring your own candle and pay your respects to those who sacrificed their lives. In Tenbury this will be at the War Memorial at St Mary’s Church. A short candlelit service will be led by Rev Claire Lording at 11pm. A wreath will be laid by Lt. Col. Patrick Holcroft, LVO OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, on behalf of those present and ‘Abide with Me’ will be sung. Harriett Baldwin MP, the Mayor of Tenbury and members of the RBL will be present. All who wish to attend are welcome - please be at the Memorial by 10.45pm so the service can start on time. Exhibition: St Michaels, Tenbury Art, memories, history, farming life, people and animals during the war years, 1914-1918, will feature in an exhibition in St Michaels Church from October 4th to November 11th.

Book to be published A diary called “Here and There”, due out this autumn, is a second book from local resident Roy Winton. It links events in the Great War with events in the local area. Using a diary format Roy brings together what happened ‘over there’ with what was happening ‘back here’ including a poignant record of the casualties of the war. All proceeds from the book go to the Poppy Appeal and Roy has kindly provided the following preview extracts: 11th August 1914. The Tenbury Advertiser of that date carried the announcement of war: “War in all its hideousness has broken out in Europe on a scale never paralleled in history. True, 100 years ago the very nations that are now being dragged into its awful grip, were then struggling for deliverance from the arrogant dictatorship of Napoleon Bonaparte, today a totally different Europe is compelled to withstand the attempts of Germany to establish a like arrogant dictatorship.” 12th August 1914. A meeting was held in the

1914 Event Sunday 3rd August, 10am - 5pm

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Times of events to be arranged

The River of Poppies in Tenbury’s Civic Garden Parish Hall in Tenbury to consider how the women of the neighbourhood could best help our soldiers, and it was resolved to invite workers to make useful garments such as flannel shirts, knitted socks, helmets etc., for those soldiers on active service, preferably for those of the Worcestershire Regiment. On 8th September fifteen dozen shirts and other items were sent off by the ladies of Tenbury. 5th August 1915. A Grand Jumble and Auction Sale was held in the grounds of Berrington House to raise funds to equip the Volunteer Training Corps. The VT Corps and Boy Scouts paraded with a band in attendance. 6th August 1915. 11499 Private Charles Lambert, aged 26 years, 21985 Private Cornelius Guest, aged 34 years and 21901 Private Frederick John Dayus, aged 21 years, all serving with 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, were killed in action at Gallipoli.

Exhibition at Ludlow ‘Ludlow’s First World War’ is the title of an exhibition in the Lower Gallery at Ludlow Library. Open during normal library hours, the exhibition looks at the social history side of the war. Running to at least the end of November, it contains WW1 artefacts and focuses on stories of Ludlow men and local families. Coinciding with the exhibition is a book launch: ‘Shropshire’s First World War’ by Derek Beattie. This also looks at social aspects of the war and how it affected those who were left behind and who had to do the jobs the men had left behind.

Bayton Fete Bayton held its Fete at the school on July 12th. It was packed with numerous stands, with increasingly imaginative ways to encourage people to ‘have a go’ and raise money. People could easily spend an hour or two circulating and having a bit of light-hearted fun in the process. Old favourites were there, including skittles and a coconut shy, with helpful people manning the stands. ‘Splat the Rat’ was there, with an effective-looking sizeable mallet for despatching the ‘rat’. There was the Bayton Fete Summer Draw with many prizes including SVR, WMSP and Worcester Warriors tickets, a Colliers Arms all-day breakfast, Blount Arms Sunday Lunch, Port, Cava, mulled wine and a bird box to name but a few! A tombola, card game, lucky (if you found a numbered ticket inside) or not so lucky (if you didn’t) envelopes, food hamper raffles, bouncy castle, ping pong ball challenge - where it seemed almost impossible to get a ball into one of the many jars. One interesting challenge was on the Oyasin stand: for 50p you could have a go at matching the aromas from 8 numbered pots containing small samples of essential oils with a list of 8 names. We got 3 correct - but a consolation prize of a tube of chocolate lip balm meant we didn’t come away empty handed! Add in a goodly amount of bric-a-brac and books to browse through and it was soon time to take the weight off your feet and sit down in the hall with tea and cake. This was a very friendly and welcoming event with lots to do, if you were willing to give it a go.

Teme Valley Times

District Councillor Chris Dell (left) with some of the volunteers who helped make the event such a success

Safari Park

Major development is planned for Bewdley’s popular West Midland Safari Park, with a hotel, a conference centre, a ‘jungle’ and a water park. A planning application is expected to be submitted to Wyre Forest District Council in the near future. The Park is already one of England’s leading tourist attractions and the proposals aim to increase visitor numbers substantially and would also create hundreds of jobs.

Colliers Farm Shop and Cafe at Clows Top has something to offer all the family. In the welcoming and homely Cafe visitors can choose from a selection of dishes, all of which are prepared on the premises using the finest locally produced ingredients. The satisfying large full English breakfast is particularly popular and includes sausage, bacon, black pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms, egg and toast along with freshly brewed tea or coffee. The success of the Cafe has been built on a commitment to sourcing produce from a network of carefully selected, trusted local suppliers and this attention to detail manifests itself throughout the menu. Meat is lovingly reared on the nearby Wenlock Edge Farm, eggs are free range and the mouthwatering cakes are hand-made by experienced home bakers. From a light snack to something a little more substantial, the highest standards accompany each individual order. Next door, Colliers Country Store offers a vast range of produce from fresh Swifts bread, Mawley Milk, seasonal fruit and vegetables sourced locally, and newspapers, to an unrivalled selection of speciality beers and ciders - over 500 brands are in stock, including craft and real ales. Greeting cards, helium balloons, animal-themed door stops, ladies’ scarves and traditional wooden toys are among the gift ideas. Outside, a new play area has recently been installed. This allows children to let off steam while parents enjoy a coffee at one of the nearby picnic benches, handily positioned on a user-friendly block-paved patio. Colliers is refreshing in being family owned and managed. Seven members of the Hill family work in the business and their dedication helps deliver a friendly, personal service that is beyond many larger retailers. Colliers Farm Shop and Cafe is easy to find. Formerly the Colliers Arms pub, it is located just after the Rock turning on the Tenbury Road and parking is free in the large on-site car park.

Solar Farm at Neen Sollars?

Proposals for a ‘five-megawatt’ solar farm on a site of nearly 20 acres at High Point Farm, Neen Sollars, have provoked protests from residents who feel that arrays of solar panels at this location would spoil this rural area. A ‘Save Our Green Hills’ page has been set up on facebook to share information about the scheme, which would be visible from many locations in the surrounding area. New power lines, running from Cleobury Mortimer to Eastham, partly buried, partly above ground, are also proposed.

St Michaels Village Fete

Teme Valley Times

The organisers of St Michaels Village Fete did themselves proud again with a delightful afternoon of fun and games on Sunday 20th July. Whether you just wanted to sit and enjoy the live music by Red Madog, or take part in a sack race (uphill!), or browse the long table of bric-a-brac, there was something for everyone. A large contingent of students from the International School across the road swelled numbers and hopefully they enjoyed this quintessentially English Fete, with pastimes like ‘splat the rat’ or ‘pin the tail on the elephant’! Birch Hill Dog Rescue of Neen Sollars organised a dog show including ‘Dog the judge would like to take home’. Strawberries and cream could be enjoyed for £2 and St Michaels WI provided a cake stand where a substantial lemon drizzle cake could be had for £3. Duck Racing involved pumping a jet of water at a plastic duck in a gutter with the fastest time to the finish line winning a rather cute trophy. The time to beat while we were there stood at just 2.56 seconds! Stalls included accessories, plants, baby clothes, books, tombola, and Tenbury RBL had a smart-looking Teddy Raffle. After sampling the candy floss, bar, BBQ and tea and cake you could try to work off the calories by having a go at the skittles, or throw a sponge at a victim in the stocks, or try to bounce a ball into one of many jars to win a teddy. A great fun event, roll on next year!

Bayton Surgery

District Councillor Chris Dell and West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin will be at the Surgery

No more Warblers! Friday July 4th saw the last performance by the Reid Warblers, a singing group which has entertained in Cleobury Mortimer over the last nine years. The group was formed to provide a focus for a handful of people who wanted to sing for their own pleasure on a fairly informal basis. Judy Reid was targeted as a piano player, but soon showed that she could do much more than accompaniments, and has been the Musical Director ever since. Predictably, once the existence of the group became known, invitations to give public performances followed. This final concert was designed to evoke memories of the Great War, and included numerous old favourites such as ‘Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kitbag’, and ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’, plus

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Local residents will be able to raise issues with Harriett Baldwin (MP for West Worcestershire), Ken Pollock (County Councillor for the Tenbury Division) and Chris Dell (District Councillor for Lindridge Ward) at Bayton Village Hall on August 22nd, starting at 5pm. It is also hoped that members of Bayton Parish Council and the police will attend. Chris Dell, who is organising the event, commented “I hope that local people will take this opportunity to come along and have a chat, even if they don’t have any specific issues to raise.” An appointment is not needed to talk to a Councillor, but residents who want to see the MP should ring Harriett’s constituency office on 01684 585165 to make an appointment. The surgery is mainly aimed at Bayton, Mamble and Clows Top residents but people living anywhere in the West Worcestershire Constituency can come to see their MP, while those living in the Tenbury Division or Lindridge Ward can raise issues with their County or District Councillor respectively. Chris added “Problems could be as simple as bins not being emptied (District Councillor) or potholes not being repaired (County Councillor), but could also include major national issues (MP).”

a few readings. As this was the Warblers’ last public appearance, most songs were arranged to give Warbler members a chance to sing solo - usually verses only - with the audience being encouraged to join in the choruses. Philip Engleheart did sterling work at the keyboard, being occasionally relieved by Judy. A splendid tea was served during the interval, thanks to the many Warblers who brought along a variety of snacks, cakes, and other refreshments. Entry was free, but those attending were given the opportunity to make donations to the Royal Centre of Defence Medicine at QE Hospital, Birmingham. This worked well, as over £400 was donated by the 60 members of the audience plus around two dozen Warblers, and that figure rose to around £525 within the next few days.

Shelsleys Fete Tucked away in the heart of the Teme Valley, the Shelsleys’ Fete and Fun Dog show got under way at 3pm on Sunday 13th July. Hundreds turned out to enjoy the plethora of stands and activities and many stayed into the early evening to watch the ‘Teme’s Got Talent’ competition, set to be judged by Lady Winnington, Maria Masters (Chantry School, Martley) and Mark Tibbutt (Longside Radio, Martley). And if you wanted to stay on even later there was the World Cup Final being screened at 8pm! Four-legged activities included the fun dog show which was well subscribed and for most classes the ring was packed with dogs of various shapes and sizes. Judge Jim Cumming had his work cut out working through the many entries and classes but with rosettes for the first four places many went away with recognition and a bag of goodies. Sponsors of the dog show were Eric Firkins Farm Supplies, Teme Veterinary Practice and Just for Pets. Two-legged activities were many and varied, including quoits, milking a cow, bowl on a pole (where you try to carry a bowl of water on top of a tall pole for a few yards to a waiting bin), high low card game (winners were entered into a draw to win a bottle of Champagne), knock the tin cans over, chip the golf balls into a bucket, tombola, fresh produce stall, WW1 display, guess the number of sweets in a jar, lucky straws, books, a barn full of quality bric-a-brac, plant stall, skittles, netball - it really was an impressive

Teme Valley Times

effort. You could have been occupied for the whole afternoon! Add in teas, ice creams, a busy BBQ and balmy weather and you had a quintessentially English afternoon in a splendid countryside setting. The fete was supporting the All Saint’s fabric fund, Shelsley Beauchamp.

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Teme Valley Times

Burford Fete

Despite very heavy showers earlier in the day, Burford Church & School Fete got under way at the Village Hall at 2pm on June 28th. The Tenbury Town Band played along as the sun broke through and the bees were buzzing at John Anderson’s Honey stand where you could buy lovely local Burford honey while watching the bees at work! There was a brilliant ‘Burford Island Treasure Map’ - you could plant a flag where you hoped the treasure was buried. Was it in Burford-on-Sea, or Berrington Bog or Burford Heights or even amidst Ray’s Hops? Tenbury’s Fire Engine became a big red climbing frame for the

day as youngsters clambered in and out all afternoon. With owls and a vintage tractor on display, BBQ, plants, golf, skittles, coconut shy, three types of things to bounce on, lucky dip bran tub, fake tattoos, all sorts of goods for sale, not to mention teas in the village hall, there was plenty to fill the afternoon.

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It was a big thumbs up for The Bell’s 15th Beer Festival from regulars and visitors alike. With a planned 70+ real ales, ciders and perries over the weekend, you could surely hope to find a favourite! Many were drained on the Friday night and many more faced a similar fate early in the Saturday session. The Teme Valley Times team particularly wanted to try the Elderflower Pale Ale from Popes Brewery, Worcester. Sadly Saturday was too late, but there were plenty of other beers to try. A goodly selection was available in the ‘Dining Room’, all tucked up in their jackets to keep them at the right temperature. Those serving were happy to give advice on beer choice to anyone who wasn’t sure where to start. The rest of the beers waited their turn in the cellar. The live music was well received: Starving Rascals on the Friday, Parkin Lot on the Saturday and Haggle Bag playing the festival out on Sunday. This well-established beer festival has a unique atmosphere and should be a ‘must do’ for anyone who hasn’t yet ventured in, but who has an interest in beer. Held on the last weekend in June, you can pencil it in for 2015. Landlord John expressed his thanks to “all who contributed to the preparation and running of the festival”, adding that “It is much appreciated.”

Rose and Crown

Teme Valley Times

The Rose and Crown in Burford held its 4th Beer Festival on the second weekend of July. It was hailed a great success by landlord Chris Whitehead who commented that “Saturday night was manic. We sold out of a lot of the beers and ciders that evening and at its busiest, even with seven staff serving, some people still had a ten-minute wait to be served”. The ciders were particularly well-received with Bumbleberry, Merry Monkey Scrumpy, Rekorderlig strawberry and lime, Tumbledown and Thistly Cross Whisky Cask all selling out early. By Sunday afternoon things were less frantic as Pigdaze took to the music stage and Duck Dastardly, a porter infused with blackcurrant juice and liquorice, was on offer at £1.50 a pint. Food was also available at a modest cost, with Whites catering pod offering homemade vegetable spring rolls at £1 and cones of chips at £1.50. Now established in the local beer festival calendar, with a good blend of beer, cider and music, next year’s event is again planned for the second weekend of July.

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Rochford Fete A huge downpour in the hour before the fete was set to start, looked likely to cause an upset, but the weather moved on and Rochford Church Fete went ahead as planned, in a beautiful hilltop location. This was a lovely event with lots of fun and headscratching to be had, but the main entertainment was a foottapping display by the Silver Horseshoe Line Dance Club (contact John 01885 483906). Caller John enthusiastically encouraged a good handful of fete-goers to join in with the group for one display and with his excellent tuition the novices soon made a useful addition to the group! There was the biggest tombola stall we have seen in a long time, ably manned by Muriel Lanman. The small but wellsubscribed Fun Dog Show soon sorted the ‘biscuit catchers’ from dogs whose thoughts were elsewhere, but with most dogs competing in a number of classes, nearly everyone took home a rosette or two! The bric-a-brac was displayed in £1, 50p and 20p boxes so it didn’t break the bank if you found a few essential items you hadn’t known you needed! Cake

Teme Valley Times

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and plant stalls, skittles, golf and ‘Zap the Ducks’ - where you could try and knock ducks off their pedestals with a jet of water - added to the ‘fun’draising opportunities for young and old alike. At this friendly event you could even try to guess the combined weight of ‘Our Clergy’ and photos of the clergy were provided to help you guess! How many balloons in a MINI was another headscratcher and the teas served on the terrace overlooking the lawns added to the occasion.

The Heartfelt Garden at Brook Farm A peaceful country garden

Wellness Weekend!

Tenbury Wellness Centre held an Open Weekend in early July and many of the centre’s practitioners were on hand to answer questions or to provide information on or an introduction to, the many techniques offered. Taster sessions of warm wax therapy were available and people took the opportunity to try it out! Reiki, Bowen therapy, Indian head massage, Alexander technique, reflexology, massage, counselling and ‘Face The World’ facials are some of the treatments that are offered at the centre, which seeks to provide an ‘oasis of calm’ just off Teme Street in Tenbury Wells.

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Teme Valley Times

Rock Fete

The wonderfully sunny 5th of July saw an eclectic mix of attractions at Rock Fete ranging from the traditional to the more unusual ‘petrolhead’ corner. Opened by local MP Mark Garnier, the stalls were soon busy as people tried their luck at the Rock WI tombola, tried to pick a prime number ticket and win a ‘bottle of’ or left all the skittles standing despite 3 balls to play with! The coconut shy had a few winners including the MP who got to take one home after a particularly fine throw! On such a lovely day many were tempted to climb up to the top of the church tower to see the view and the 50p fee was well worth it! There was plenty of interesting jumble laid out on several tables and inside the church there was even more laid out with an encouraging notice saying ‘No reasonable offers refused’! Entertaining displays were laid on throughout the afternoon, starting with the Bliss Gate Dog Training School and finishing with an extensive repertoire from Zennor’s School of Dance - the Can-Can being the final flurry! Vehicles to look at included a Jaguar E-type, a delightful white and grey 2CV, a pristine Austin Healey, a green VW Beetle, a Repsol-liveried Ford Escort rally car, a Ronart W-152/S6, a Morris Minor, a very smart XJS cabriolet (don’t see many of these!) and

Local MP Mark Garnier opened the fete

Editors chatting - Jim Reynolds of the Cleobury Clarion (left) and Peter Bill of the Rock and District News

an immaculate Laverda 1200 Mirage for two wheel fans. This lovely event raised money for St Peter’s & St Paul’s, and the cool of the church offered respite from the heat, as well as a selection of refreshments!

Pensax Summer Fayre Held in aid of St James’ Church, Pensax, the Pensax Summer Fayre saw people travel to the Victory Hall at Clows Top on a sunny afternoon in late June. There was a Grand Tombola where tickets ending in 0 or 5 won a prize and you could pick 5 tickets from the Tombola drum for £1. Jewellery, books and household bric-a-brac, skittles (outside!) and two lovely hampers to raffle all helped keep the fundraising going, as did the teas, coffees and cakes. The Grand draw had some great prizes to be won including tickets to the Safari Park, Bodenham Arboretum, Worcester Race Course, Harvington Hall, the Severn Valley Railway, Hartlebury Museum or The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton, plus meals at The Bell, Pensax or The Plough, Far Forest.

Hospice Helped Everyone was invited to come and celebrate St Michael’s Hospice’s 30th anniversary at a fundraising tea party on Saturday 26th July, at Antelope Cottage, Cross St, Tenbury Wells. With balloons, tombola and a guitar and banjo to strum up interest, this fundraiser’s popularity meant that by noon the cake supply looked like it might not last until the 2.30pm finish! People took the opportunity to take tea in the tucked-away garden and at the end of the day £383.51 had been raised for the Hospice, including the proceeds from cakes sold outside the Regal.

Bewdley Chamber Maids Bewdley Chamber Maids told us that they would like to attract artists and craftworkers from the Teme Valley and surrounding area to take part in their Art and Craft Weekend on August 23rd/24th. A spokesman said “We have St Anne’s church available for exhibition, work can be sold, it is manned all day and we just expect exhibitors to get their work to us prior to the event and we will deal with it from there. Stall space is available for those who have a business. We do have a possible venue for a ‘group exhibition’ if required. Anyone wishing to demonstrate their skill will be most welcome.” For more information see page 2. Other Chamber Maids events this year include Pumpkin Day (October 25) and Bewdley Christmas Lights Festival (November 29).

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Boot Beer Fest Held on the last weekend of July, The Boot at Orleton’s Beer Festival, now in its fifth year, is certainly going from strength to strength. With a family-friendly atmosphere, a line-up of live music, and an excellent choice of beers, ciders and perries, the weekend catered for seasoned beer drinkers and families alike. Enthusiastic youngsters were having so much fun on Saturday afternoon that the bouncy castle began to look almost besieged! More children’s entertainment was scheduled for the Sunday afternoon, including face painting, juggling, magic and balloon modelling. The special beer festival menu included chips at £2; pork, stuffing and apple sauce in a bun at £4; and Cajun spiced beef with rice or chips at £6.50, so you wouldn’t go hungry, and could pace yourself over the day, balancing food and drink. A nice touch on the hot summer afternoon was the availability of ice creams! The plentiful outside seating was comfortably full when we visited and the large marquee meant that cover was available if the weather changed. Free to attend, all you had to do was turn up and enjoy the event - and the bus stop by the pub meant there was even a possibility of arriving and leaving by bus, if you managed to time it right!

Waymarking A project giving a group of Worcester University students some experience of working with a real brief led to a display of students’ Concept Boards in Tenbury’s Pump Rooms. The brief was to prepare designs for signage and interpretation boards in Tenbury. Andy Stevenson, Senior Lecturer in Design said “It has been great working with the Mayor and Councillors in Tenbury Wells and we hope to see some of the students’ design ideas being used in the town. It has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to be part of this project”. The exhibited designs showed a variety of shapes, concepts, colours and themes, focussing on the different aspects of the town, and Tenbury’s Mayor, Cllr Mark Willis, said “Councillors have been very impressed with the work submitted by the students and we hope this will be a starting point for some worthwhile changes in the town which will help visitors and locals alike find out more about Tenbury in an informative and eye-catching way.” It remains to be seen how any new proposals would interact with the Victorian-style fingerpost signs that were erected just a few years ago.

Teme Valley Times

Bowling Club

Tenbury Bowling Club’s coffee morning on Saturday 26th July offered a warm welcome and the chance to try your hand at bowling. Fundraising activities included a raffle, delicious-looking cakes and lots of bric-a-brac to browse through, plus a tombola, run by Tenbury’s Royal Naval Association. A pleasant morning could be spent sitting by the club house enjoying coffee and scones. If you fancy a new hobby, Tenbury Bowling Club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities - you could contact Chris on 01584 811112 or pop along during the season at 2pm on a Tuesday or Thursday.

Mediterra nean style brea d for Summ er

Ludlow Old Spot Day The Ludlow Food Centre’s Gloucester Old Spot Funday on July 19th saw people moving between indoors and out depending on the weather: heavy showers signalled indoors and weak sunshine signalled outdoors! There was much to see and do. Sunshine Radio kept the day buzzing with music and commentary with the boss himself, Muff Murfin, taking a slot and providing the professional performance you would expect, given his decades in the music business. The Shropshire Wildlife Trust had a very arresting stand with a display of animal skulls of all shapes and sizes! Ric Morris gave his audience a tour of the skulls, including a few more in a box, allowing them to try to guess the animals. A few facts and clues helped many make a correct guess. Sheep, pig, goat, fox, badger, rat, grey squirrel, razorbill, goose, gull, gannet and pheasant were among the wildlife represented. The food-tasting marquee offered opportunities to sample food and drink from an enthusiastic and informed

group of producers who obviously love what they do. There was a zingy salad dressing from ‘Granny Tiggs’ based at Broadfield Court (but the recipe came all the way from New Zealand); Knights cider had their Malvern Gold cider to taste; and ‘Ladies in Pigs’ were as passionate as ever about pork, cooking and preparing pork dishes from their recipe booklet including bacon & mustard potato salad and bacon & lentil soup - both of which were delicious. You could take away a copy of their 2014 show recipe booklet which included the recipes. You could have a go at making your own sausages, which was very popular! Mayfields Brewery from Leominster had beers to taste and the Tipsy Fruit Gins range, including Damson, Cherry, Blackcurrant, Seville Orange, Lime Vodka and Naga Chilli Vodka could also be tried. The mushroom stand was fascinating and you could learn about their cultivation and preparation. Asiri Foods had created five curries, made using authentic Sri Lankan pastes and sauces. Once tasted

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it was difficult not to go away with a couple of jars! For nibbles you could try Scott Farms’ sweet potato chips, made from sweet potatoes harvested on their farm in North Carolina in the USA. Bromfield Knitters had been busy creating Old Spot pigs of various shapes and sizes for the event and many were taken home as mementoes of the day, helping to raise funds for Bromfield Church. Upstairs there were other stalls fundraising for local churches,

Museum on The Move

The Museum on The Move rolled into Tenbury on July 19th and parked by the swimming pool for the morning and early afternoon. Open to all ages, but particularly youngsters, the ‘bus’ was packed with things to do. Laptop interactive quizzes, drawers filled with exhibits, a Grid2 car racing gaming machine and craft activities such as weaving were all available to try. Manufacturing was a particular theme, looking at things that have been made in Worcestershire, from carpets and cars to Lea & Perrins Worcester sauce and Spreckleys Worcester Ales. Another theme was Worcestershire people, including Edward Elgar, Vesta Tilley (Victorian male impersonator) and Benjamin Williams Leader (artist). There were many interesting facts to discover, which could have had people exclaiming ‘I never knew that!’

along with Hope Hospice. You could try clockwork pig racing or decorate a shortbread biscuit to resemble a pink piggy’s face or name the huge teddy! There were pigs in abundance: real live Old Spots, Peppa Pig herself and a large herd of multicoloured papier-mache pigs, made by local school children, greeted visitors at the top of the Food Centre’s stairs. Overall the day was a great combination of local food and family activities.

Teme Valley Times

COUNTRYSIDE RING 11.00-11.30pm The Sheep Show 11.30-11.45pm Wyre Forest Beagles 11.45-12.15pm Gamegoer Gun Dog Display 12.15-12.45pm The Sheep Show Dog & Duck Display 12.45-1.00pm Bliss Gate Dog Training Display 1.00-1.15pm Wyre Forest Beagles 1.15-1.45pm The Sheep Show 1.45-2.15pm Gamegoer Gun Dog Display 2.15-2.45pm The Sheep Show Dog & Duck Display 2.45-3.00pm Bliss Gate Dog Training Display 3.00-3.30pm Trevor Hill Falconry Display 3.30-4.00pm The Sheep Show

MAIN RING 12.45-1.00pm Ludlow Hunt Pony Club Musical Ride 1.00-1.30pm Trevor Hill Falconry Display 1.30-2.00pm Parade of Wyre Forest Beagles & Ludlow and Clifton Foxhounds 2.00-2.45pm Bolddog Lings FMX Team 2.45-3.00pm Parade of Fancy Dress Parade of Shire Horses in Decorated & Working Gears 3.00-3.45pm Grand Parade of Prize Winners Presentation of Cups by Mrs G. Handley

Advance Tickets are available at reduced price from: Tenbury: Nick Champion; G.E. Bright; The Embroidery Shop; Tenbury Farm Supplies; Tenbury News Ludlow: Countrywide Farmers

Leominster: Carpenter Goodwin Ltd. Bromyard: Countrywide Farmers Rochford: Keysells Farm Worcester: Gwillams Farm Shop

Advance Prices (until Close of Business on Friday 1st August) Adults & Senior Citizens: £8, Children: £2, Under 5’s free

Tel: 01584 810818 www.tenbury-countryside-show.co.uk email: tenbury.show@btopenworld.com

3.45-4.15pm Parade of Classic Vehicles Parade of Vintage Tractors 4.15-5.00pm Bolddog Lings FMX Team 5.00-5.45pm Pony Club Mounted Games 5.45-6.00pm Steam Engine Tug of War 6.00-6.15pm Mile Footrace All times are approximate and subject to variation without notice until Close of Business on Friday 1st August

Teme Valley Times

It’s that time of year again and our big local Country Shows are about to get under way. First up this year is the Tenbury Countryside Show on August 2nd, followed by the Burwarton Show on August 7th, then the Far Forest Countryside Show on August 10th, plus of course there are many local shows and fetes as well, including Little Hereford on August 9th and Eastham on August 17th. The Tenbury Countryside Show is a great day out for all the family as there is so much to see and do, with the people behind the scenes working hard to create a day that’s full of action and interest. With judging of the 30th National Show of Herefordshire cattle beginning at 8.30am and horse and

pony judging beginning at the same time elsewhere, and with show jumping starting at 8.45am, even if you arrive at 9am plenty will already be happening! Many of the livestock classes are not judged in a ring so you can get close to the action and appreciate the work that goes into preparing an animal for show and maybe even try to guess which will win the class. A new class in Livestock is for the Young Sheep Handler, with an amazing 23 entries from youngsters aged 5-14 years. Ade Hewitt (‘The Odd Job Man’) has donated an Annual Perpetual Shield and individual shield for the winner in memory of the Late Harold Hooper from Eastham, a well-known sheep enthusiast.

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You’ll need the whole day if you want to see and experience everything. With a packed timetable of events in both the smaller Countryside Ring (starting at about 11am with the very popular Sheep Show) and in the Main Ring (starting at about 12.45pm with the Ludlow Hunt Pony Club Ride) it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the clock to make sure you don’t miss anything that you particularly want to see! Trying to find your way round can be a bit daunting for ‘first-timers’ but map boards around the show ground mean you shouldn’t get lost and the show guide includes a layout plan. You can expect to see tractor pulling, stationary engines, vintage tractors and classic vehicles of all sorts - cars, lorries and motorcycles. Heats of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs tug-ofwar are held during the day in a side ring, with the finals (men & women) in the main ring. Children (young and old) are well catered for with a fairground and many other rides and ‘big bouncy things’ to keep them occupied and hopefully make sure they’re worn out by the end of the day.

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The spectacular Bolddog Lings freestyle motocross team (as seen on Britain’s Got Talent Semi-finals) will give two amazing displays in the main ring, definitely a sight not to be missed. It’s hard to believe how high they can get while leaving the seat of their motocrossers before coming back in to land! There’s the Arts and Rural Crafts Marquee, an extended Food Fayre with live demonstrations by ‘Wots Cooking’ and lots of opportunities to taste. The Horticultural and Homecraft Marquee has a huge display of everything from handicraft to produce to flower arrangements and Club Exhibits on the theme of ‘The Great War’ to children’s classes, which always raise a smile or two. Many local groups and organisations take stands so it can be a great way to find out what’s happening locally. It’s also a great opportunity to meet up with old friends and catch up on what’s happened since last year’s show. Admission prices have been held again, making it a great value day, and a huge amount of voluntary effort has gone into making sure this should be a cracking day out for you and your family - so please do come along and enjoy your local show!

The trade stands are a big attraction in themselves. You can find anything from a new tractor, ATV or car to a tree or a nice timber ‘pod’ for the garden! Moffats School will be displaying what the school offers today as well as looking back over the years, as they are celebrating their 80th Anniversary. They told us “Everyone is welcome - come and see us for a chat or just for a rest!” Mark from Nomark reminded us that they will be at Burwarton as well as Tenbury and said “We welcome customers old and new to come and have a chat and see the range of Yamaha ATVs and Logic accessory machines.” You could have Pimms with a solicitor, discuss the property market with an estate agent, see how large tyres are repaired, order your firewood early for winter or even seek advice about a poorly animal or tax problems. See you there!

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Teme Valley Times

Wines from Sicily Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and it’s about 25% larger than Wales. It’s the home of Mount Etna, which at 10,990 feet is the tallest active volcano in Europe. It is also a major wine-producer, though other than Marsala, its wines are relatively unknown, at least in the UK. Local, rather than international, grape varieties, dominate production and Sicily’s best-known variety is probably Nero d’Avola: ‘nero’ refers to the dark colour and ‘Avola’ is a town in the south-east of Sicily. Other local varieties include Frappato, Grillo and Catarratto, but there are many more. International varieties such as Syrah, Chardonnay and Merlot are also grown, but these are unlikely to be the best bet if you want to experience wines that exhibit true Sicilian character. The wines featured here generally tasted better after being allowed to breathe for a while. Where this is specifically mentioned, it’s because an extended period of breathing was particularly beneficial. Prices were correct when we tasted the wines, but are subject to change.

Co-op

At just £3.99, the Co-op’s ‘Sicilian White Wine’ could be the winner for those who shop on price alone. A blend of Catarratto, Inzolia and Grecanico Dorato (better known as Garganega), this had a sulphite-like edge to it that dispersed once it had been open a while, after which it was pleasant enough, with hints of mango and papaya. Their ‘Sicilian Red Wine’ (a blend of Nero d’Avola, Merlot and Syrah) also at £3.99, was quite light-bodied with bramble and cherry flavours, hints of violets and vanilla and a peppery finish. The Inycon Sangiovese 2013 was a real step up, as you’d hope at £7.49. This medium-bodied red offered cherry, redcurrant, blackberry and loganberry flavours, with some spice. Overall we felt this was a nice red that would be particularly good for summer drinking.

Waitrose

Surprisingly, Waitrose’s wines were among the least expensive we tried, at £4.49 a bottle. Neither was particularly impressive, but there must be a limit as to what can be expected at this price. Of the two we preferred the Trinacria Bianco 2013, which should go quite well with curry, or you might like to try it as a spritzer, but we didn’t get on as well with the Trinacria Rosso 2013, though we felt this could be enjoyed with robust soft blue cheese, with pickles, or curiously enough, with chocolate cake!

ALDI

At £4.99 this Vermentino 2013 scored well on value. It’s certainly not the cheapest wine we tried but if you’re looking for a white wine with lemony flavours and floral aromas, perhaps to go with fish or as an aperitif, this might do the job. Some could find it a touch dry, in which case a splash of lemonade might be the answer.

Sainsbury’s

These are all from the Winemakers’ Selection range and we were generally impressed, especially given their prices. The red was a Nero d’Avola 2012 (£6) which despite being medium-bodied offered lots of taste, with forest fruit flavours, spiciness and a smooth dry finish. The Pinot Grigio 2012 (£5.75) leant more towards the style one might expect if the label said Pinot Gris, but it’s none the worse for this. An eminently pleasant bottle of white wine. We rated the Pinot Grigio/Chardonnay 2012 (£5.75), with its lively sharpness, floral aromas, hints of tropical fruits, green apple flavours and fresh finish, and felt it rather overshadowed the varietal Pinot Grigio. Last, but by no means least, is the Terre Siciliane Bianco. At £4.80 one might not expect a lot, but this blend of Catarratto, Grecanico (‘Garganega’) and Grillo was remarkably good. The greenish hue might suggest it’s going to taste sour, but it didn’t. There’s a lot of citrus flavour, a grassy minerality and a well-balanced freshness - enjoyable on its own or with food.

Tenbury SPAR

Two very different wines, both blends, each at £5.59. The red - Viottolo Nero d’Avola/ Shiraz 2012 - was quite assertive, with hints of dark chocolate, pepper and damson on the nose and a surprisingly dry taste, with notes of under-ripe plums. Good with a strong soft cheese such as Munster-géromé. The white - Viottolo Catarratto/ Chardonnay 2012 - was quite sharp, being described by one taster as ‘halfway between acidic and fresh’. If you like your wine this fresh, then the mango and pear flavours and pineapple aromas could make this a winner for you.

Tesco Finest

Fiano 2013 (£7.99). Initially we weren’t keen on this white, but once it had breathed for a generous amount of time, we found it to be eminently drinkable. Dryish, with hints of gooseberries and with some minerality on the finish, we’d drink this with food rather than by itself. Vermentino 2012 (£7.99). Quaffable, clean, smooth and fresh, with a dryish finish, this was a pleasant bottle of white wine, but not particularly exciting in this company. Frappato 2012 (£7.99). We liked this unusual red, particularly if served slightly cool - perhaps around 12C, and certainly not at fridge temperature! It’s light but it’s tasty with flavours of redcurrants and elderberries and hints of wild strawberries. This could be seen as an alternative to Beaujolais and it might appeal to many who rarely like red wines.

Tanners

These were probably the best wines we tried, but they were also the most expensive, so your budget will be a factor. We tried three bottles, one red and two whites. Fina Nero d’Avola 2012 (£10.70). This red benefited significantly from being allowed to breathe so we’d like to toss it into a carafe and leave it for an hour or three before drinking it. Then its deep plumminess and dark cherry flavours can be fully appreciated. It’s dry, but not in an aggressive way, so even those who rarely like dry red wines might appreciate this. Fina Kebrilla Grillo 2012 (£10.20) is an unusual white. It’s packed with flavour and it’s zingy, but in an elegant way, and it’s fruity, but with an underlying dryness. It’s delicious in its own idiosyncratic way, and it’s distinctive enough to be worth trying if you simply feel like trying something different. Beware serving too cold as this damps the flavours. Fina Viognier 2012 (£11.60) is a nice fresh, citrusy white that could be enjoyed on its own, or with foods ranging from some fish dishes to a Thai curry.

Summary

Sicilian wines are often overlooked but the wines we tasted prove that Sicily produces some enjoyable and characterful wines, with the wide range of flavours and styles meaning there is something to suit most palates.

Roman Dig An archaeological dig that uncovered Roman remains recently took place at The Weir, a National Trust property near Hereford. The River Wye and the surrounding gardens provided a picturesque backdrop for the dig which coincides with the National Festival of Archaeology. A short walk from the entrance to the gardens, two trenches were dug above two riverside buttresses of the ancient villa. In the first trench the dig uncovered a big stone wall, big enough to suggest that it was the outer wall of the main building. On the interior side they found the remains of a mosaic. Matt Williams, one of the site dig team said “Without doubt it was a very important room with a lovely floor” adding “It’s an amazing setting for it, you can see why they built their villa here. There are two buttresses and there was a room located on top.... so people could sit out overlooking the river. Without doubt, it was a very high status building.”

Park raises £150 Knighton-on-Teme Caravan Park held a pig roast and fundraising evening on Saturday 5th July. To help keep attendance up, the World Cup was broadcast on a big screen TV at the fete and beforehand the youngsters could get in the mood by tackling the football challenge. The highest score gained by kicking a football through tyres could claim a prize. For the less energetic there was the Robinsons Cider Golf Challenge and depending on which receptacle you chipped a light golf ball into you could claim one or two pints of this local cider. While we were there we managed to capture the moment when a golfer made the perfect shot to claim TWO pints of cider - not often managed and a cheer went up when it happened! There were teas, pork baps with all the trimmings, a tombola, bric-a-brac plus a selection of preserves and fresh eggs for sale on this warm sunny evening. The large selection of generous raffle prizes, including a mouth-watering fruit basket, meant that many would go home feeling happy! The evening raised a total of £150, to be split between Tenbury Hospital League of Friends and the Knighton on Teme parish defibrillator fund.

Teme Valley Times

Vicar Retires Lynne and Stephen Owens

Stephen Owens, who has been the vicar of the benefice of Wyre Forest West (which includes Heightington, Rock, Far Forest, Callow Hill, Bayton, Clows Top and Mamble) for the past 15 years, retired at the end of June. His final service was at Rock Church on Sunday 29th June, after which there was a presentation to him and Lynne, his wife. Stephen went to Cambridge to read Mathematics but during his time there his faith came alive and he completed his degree in Theology. After completing a PGCE course he taught for a year in London before coming to Queen’s College, Birmingham to study for ordination. He went to St Michael’s Norton, Stourbridge as Curate and later Education Chaplain. Stephen and Lynne married in 1985 at the Methodist Chapel at Amblecote, Stourbridge, where Lynne had grown from a very young age into a strong and deep faith. In 1988 they moved to St John’s Dudley Wood where Stephen was Vicar, and in 1999 to Far Forest when Stephen was appointed Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Wyre Forest West, later becoming Vicar.

Incidental Orchards

As you travel along the highways and byways you might spot apple trees growing in the verges and embankments, especially later in the year if they’re laden with fruit. Worcester may have lost 80% of its traditional orchards, but ‘linear orchards’ have sprung up alongside roads. These are thought to be due to motorists throwing apple cores from vehicles. An apple pip, from which these roadside trees have generally grown, has its own parcel of ‘compost’ (the core) and it often lies undisturbed to germinate and grow. Each apple grown from a pip is potentially a new variety as, due to cross-pollination, apples grown from pips do not come true to type. There are potentially thousands of new apple varieties waiting to be discovered and some could be very valuable. The original Bramley grew from a pip that was planted in 1809 in a Nottinghamshire garden. The Teme Valley Apple Group is making a list of the whereabouts of roadside apple trees and they would welcome a call on 01584 810479 from anyone with details of sightings. There is an old saying that when it rains on St Swithun’s Day (July 15th) the Saint is christening the apples and apple growers are reputed to have asked St. Swithun for his blessing each year. It is also said that apples that are growing on St Swithun’s Day will ripen fully. Swithun (or Swithin) was Bishop of Winchester from about 852AD until his death in about 862AD.

Teme Valley Times

Tenbury Mower Racing Mower Racing has been going on in and around the Teme Valley for a number of years and on June 29th it came to Tenbury Wells. Normally the venues for mower races are pubs with a handy field but the event in Tenbury was held on Palmers Meadow, beyond the sports pitches. The format was sprint racing (lots of short races) rather than endurance (one long race) and the racers gave a great show on a lovely sunny day with close racing and exciting moments, not to mention a few mechanical failures.

Stoke Bliss and Kyre Hall There was huge support for the Grand Opening of the new Lottery-funded Stoke Bliss and Kyre Village Hall. Conveniently located on the B4214 Bromyard road a few miles from Tenbury Wells, the hall’s committee is hoping that it will soon be a hub for the surrounding area, hosting events throughout the year. There was bubbly early on to celebrate the culmination of years of work by many people to see the project get off the ground and the Hall finally opening. Clockhouse provided roast pork baps (with excellent crackling) and there were copious supplies of tea, coffee and cake, including an appropriately-iced celebration cake! The architect was on hand to deal with questions about the hall’s construction and it was encouraging to see so many turn out to see the new building. The main hall’s acoustic ceiling and the sprung floor should suit music and dancing and the building has a warm, light, welcoming feel. The monthly lunch group is already using the hall and enjoying the use of the excellent commercial catering kitchen. Ideas the committee is looking at include exercise classes, ‘pub’ nights, promoting the hall as a wedding reception venue, evening shows and entertainment, and the annual Stoke Bliss and Kyre Produce and Handicraft Show will take place at the Hall on Saturday August 23rd. A garden project is getting under way and volunteers are sought. To help out, contact David Isaac on 01885 410511.

Teme Valley Times

A Visit to Howthwaite Think of the Lake District and you might just think of lakes and hills and walking, but there’s more to the Lake District than just the outdoor life. For a start, there’s history and heritage, whether through the Wordsworth connection or even the landscape itself, which is largely the product of management rather than serendipity. The Landmark Trust is a charity that takes care of old buildings, renting them out as holiday homes to provide an income stream to preserve them for the future. This approach means that people have the opportunity to really enjoy them, to spend some time in them at their own pace, and to soak up the historic setting in a way the day tripper cannot. Howthwaite is fairly unusual by Landmark Trust standards, in that it isn’t a converted castle or water tower, or some other piece of eccentricity; nor did they acquire it as a ruin, then devote years to rescuing it, as can be the case. Instead what we have here is a good solid example of the sort of property well-to-do people might have had built during the inter-war years. Set on a wooded hillside overlooking Grasmere, more-or-less in the centre of the Lake District, there is no denying the quality of the location. At one-and-the-same time it is both convenient and tucked away. The settlement of Grasmere is a pleasant stroll, but the house is far enough from the madding crowd to provide a refuge, even on the busiest of Lake District days. Built in 1926 for Miss Jessie McDougall, of the McDougall’s flour family, this would have been a wonderfully comfortable house in those days and joyfully it remains a wonderfully comfortable house today. It’s a large property, with space and facilities (one bathroom, two shower rooms) to reflect the fact that it can sleep eight in four bedrooms (two double, two twin). Car parking isn’t over-generous, but if your party takes a lot of cars, or if you don’t fancy taking the Bentley down the steep and tight-cornered drive, a couple of parking spaces by the gate to the access lane provide an easy solution; a path through the property’s woodland then takes you to Howthwaite’s door in minutes.

The grounds are relatively wild and steep - there are no manicured lawns or serried ranks of dahlias. The upside of this is the wildlife, with birds in profusion, and deer may be sighted from time to time, even from inside the house. While we were there a muntjac appeared from the bushes, only to disappear a few minutes later. The location means you can look out across Grasmere to the hills beyond. You don’t see much of the lake from inside the property - the trees see to that - but the hills beyond add a certain majesty to the vista. The view from the bedrooms is better, due to the extra elevation, and the house’s big windows make the most of it. A short stroll takes you to Dove Cottage, once the home of the Wordsworths and also of Thomas de Quincey. People staying at Howthwaite enjoy complimentary admission. A longer stroll takes you to the National Trust’s Allan Bank. This was the Wordsworths’ home after they left Dove Cottage and Canon Rawnsley, one of the founders of the National Trust, lived there in the early 20th century. Allan Bank was rescued from the ravages of fire in 2011. Now partially restored and undecorated, the house offers the opportunity to see and touch the many

layers of this building’s history, as well as a chance to enjoy tea and cake. Visitors are actively encouraged to sit down and enjoy the views, or read a book from the many available, or maybe write a poem or paint a picture, continuing the building’s creative legacy. Hop in the car, or stop on the way up to Howthwaite, and you could visit Stott Park Bobbin Mill (English Heritage). A Bobbin Mill may not be the first item on the average Lake District visitor’s ‘must do’ list, but it’s actually quite fascinating. Cotton mills were huge consumers of bobbins in the Victorian age and millions were made at this very spot. 20th century products included wooden ‘Sylko’ cotton reels, which many will remember. There’s an informative tour and knowledgeable staff operate some of the machinery to provide an insight into how things were in the old days. One shock is how recent the ‘old days’ were, at least in this neck of the woods. This Bobbin Mill didn’t close until 1971, though by then it was down to half a dozen men, compared to perhaps 250 or 300 at its peak. The working conditions look to have been pretty shocking, with lots of noise and poorly-guarded machinery, not to mention air that would have been thick with dust from machining the wood to make the bobbins. A 24-foot breast-shot water wheel was the power source when Stott Park opened in 1835, a water turbine was installed in the 1850s, and some years later a steam engine arrived. If you time your visit right, you can even see a Victorian steam engine working. We missed it, but it’s due to run over the August Bank Holiday weekend and also during the first weekend of October.

Stott Park Bobbin Mill

Allan Bank More Information The Landmark Trust has about 200 properties that are available as holiday lets. Details can be found on the Trust’s website or in their large-format wellillustrated 272-page Handbook. Visit www.landmarktrust.org.uk or ring 01628 825925. l Stott Park Bobbin Mill. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk and enter Stott in the search box. Alternatively: site phone 01539 531087, customer services 0870 333 1181. l Allan Bank. 01539 435143 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk and enter Allan in the search box. l Dove Cottage. Visit www.wordsworth.org.uk or ring 01539 435544.

CR-V is ‘Most Reliable’ The Honda CR-V 2.2 i-VTEC has been named as the most reliable ‘up to three years old 4x4/SUV’ in the UK’s largest car reliability and customer satisfaction survey, with no reported breakdowns and average annual repair costs of just £10. The survey, undertaken by Which?, collated feedback from more than 49,000 car-owners over a twelve-month period. Carried out online, the survey was open to Which? members and the general public. In 2013 Honda topped the What Car and Warranty Direct Reliability Survey for the eighth successive year. Honda’s summer campaign means that a Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC Black or White Edition is available for a monthly payment of £349, with a £500 deposit contribution, and with the option of a comprehensive care package offering five years’ warranty, servicing and roadside assistance for a one-off payment of £555.

Teme Valley Times

Faster ASIMO!

The latest generation of Honda’s humanoid robot, ASIMO, has made its European debut in Brussels. The all-new ASIMO incorporates several advancements over its predecessors, including being able to open a bottle and pour a drink, as well as the ability to run at 5.6mph, or run backwards. Honda hopes that in the future ASIMO will be able to help people in need, and the latest advancements take Honda another step closer to creating a robot for practical use in the home environment, or wherever assistance is required.

HondaJet Flight The first production HondaJet recently flew at the company’s world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina - another step in the plan to see the aircraft entering service next year. “With this first flight, the program has entered an exciting phase as we prepare for delivery” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. During the 84-minute flight, the aircraft climbed to 15,500 feet and reached a top speed of 348 knots. Ten aircraft are now on the final assembly line, with the plan being to have aircraft ready for delivery immediately after Federal Aviation Administration type certification is achieved. The HondaJet claims to be “the world’s most advanced light business jet aircraft” and is already offered for sale in North America and Europe.

Thrill on the Hill

Teme Valley Times

It was a perfect summer’s day on July 13th for the Morgan Motor Company’s Thrill on the Hill event at the Shelsley Walsh hillclimb course, in the heart of the Teme Valley. Now a regular event in the company’s calendar, it really is an extraordinary day for motoring enthusiasts and for Morgan owners in particular. The Paddock and field were packed with Morgans of all shapes, sizes and ages and - save for a break for lunch - the hill was busy all day, with many enjoying a drive up the historic hill, squealing the tyres in true sprint fashion as they set off. They say that no two Morgans are alike and a stroll around the assembled vehicles made this easy to believe! Even ‘Batman’ and ‘Robin’ had their own Batmobile Morgan - a very striking paint job - and a good number of Aero models attended. A distinctive racing model proceeded up and down the hill in impressive fashion during the day, though the driver did comment that it was a bit like running ‘a race horse in the local gymkhana’! Overhead in blue skies a Spitfire and a Pitts Special wowed the crowds with the Pitts’ closing manoeuvre being particularly impressive! Ian Cook, artist in residence at Gaydon Motor Centre, was at Shelsley for the day, working on an artwork of a Morgan - fascinating to watch. The Galloping Horses Carousel went round and round all day and the huge inflatable slide was an exciting pastime for the younger ones. If you didn’t get the chance to ride up the hill there was an opportunity to do it ‘virtually’ on the British Hill Climb simulator. Live music in the courtyard area and the running watermill added to the ambience and appetites were satisfied with plenty of on-site catering in the restaurant or a pig roast, or alternatively there was plenty of space to enjoy your own picnic in the splendid hillside setting, with the sun making it all the more glorious. The lasting impression of the day was the sheer number of smiles to be seen as people enjoyed the event and the vehicles. Roll on next year!

Will’s Auto Repairs Ltd Tyres l Servicing l Repairs 01584 811 849 l

Teme Valley Times

Mazda3 Fastback

It’s hard to find a sharply-styled car unless you’ve got a generous budget, but the Mazda3 Fastback shows that a car can look good without being expensive. Despite being one of the best-looking cars in its class, the Mazda3 starts at less than £17,000 and this modest price tag hasn’t been achieved through a back-to-basics specification: even the entry-level model comes with electric mirrors, electric windows all round, Bluetooth and MP3

connectivity. Unusually, only two engines are offered in the Fastback: 120bhp 2-litre petrol and 150bhp 2.2-litre diesel. Cars in this class are usually offered with smaller engines, but the official ‘combined’ fuel consumption of up to 72.4mpg (depending on model) shows that large engines don’t necessarily mean poor fuel economy. We drove a top-specification manual-transmission petrol-engined

model - a 2.0 Sport Nav. This was very well-equipped, especially with a number of extra-cost factory options, including Lane Departure Warning (part of a £700 ‘Safety Pack’), Soul Red metallic paint (+£660) and leather upholstery (+£1000) as well as standard (on this model) features such as keyless entry, 18-inch wheels and an excellent Bose sound system. The petrol engine offers just 120bhp, despite its 2-litres, but it’s civilised and flexible and delivers all the performance that’s needed in routine driving, though it lacks

the extra urge at high revs that many petrol engines offer. Most buyers might find the 150bhp diesel more appealing due to its better economy and performance, but the petrol version costs about £2,300 less, and automatic transmission isn’t offered on the diesel, which could point some people towards the petrol model. With the Mazda3, ‘Fastback’ effectively means saloon, in the sense that it has a boot lid rather than a tailgate. This might be a confusing piece of terminology, but it’s certainly a neat piece of styling. There’s a lot of space in the boot and the back seats fold down if you need more. The car’s handling is aimed at the mass market, probably a good decision given the relatively modest

120bhp, but the suspension works well, delivering good control without being harsh. The gearchange was smooth and quick, provided the clutch was pushed all the way to the floor, and the brakes also worked well. The climate control was particularly impressive, working quietly but effectively, and keeping the car at the chosen temperature without fuss. It’s undeniably an eye-catching car, but the sporty styling means that getting in and out isn’t particularly easy, which may be a factor for some buyers. Overall we found this Mazda3 to be a comfortable way to cover the miles, though we did find that tyre noise could be wearing on longer runs at higher speeds, possibly due to the car we drove having 215/45 tyres on 18-inch wheels.

Teme Valley Times

Peugeot Bipper Tepee SKODA Peugeot’s Bipper Tepee is a very practical option that offers a lot of space on the inside but is pleasantly compact on the outside. It’s also not particularly expensive, starting at just under £13,000, so this is a model that merits a good look, if you’re in the market for something sensible and if you want a lot of carrying capacity. The sliding doors for access to the rear seats are convenient, as are the fold-them-down, fold-them-up, or take-them-out-completely rear seats. There’s a pleasantly spacious feel in the back, so passengers fare better than in some cars costing twice as much, and removing the rear seats gives you a van-like space to play with. The big windows and high seating position combine to give the driver a great view out. This doesn’t just let you appreciate the countryside on a nice day, it can also help when parking, as can the big mirrors, but we’d have welcomed a better turning circle. The tailgate is large and onepiece, so when you’re loading the shopping you’ve got some protection from the rain, but with the drawback of it needing a fair pull to start it on its upward journey. Only one engine is offered, a 1248cc diesel producing 75bhp. This may not sound a lot but it gives a good account of itself, especially above 3000rpm, and it suits the Tepee well. There’s enough performance to maintain a decent cruising speed and we even managed to overtake a few vehicles! Arguably more importantly, we were able to average 60mpg by driving smoothly and sensibly.

YETI

14 14 YETI 1.2 TSI S, gold, 900 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 13 YETI 2.0 TDI S, silver, 6,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 10 YETI 2.0 TDI 140 ELEGANCE, red, 51,000 miles . . . . . . 11 11 YETI 1.2 TSI, tangerine, 30,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ROOMSTER

09 09 ROOMSTER 1.2 LEVEL 1, grey, 35,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . £5,995

OCTAVIA

08 08 OCTAVIA 1.9 TDI ELEGANCE ESTATE, silver, 80,000 miles £6,995 08 58 OCTAVIA 1.9 TDI ELEGANCE, silver, 54,000 miles . . . . . . £6,995 07 57 OCTAVIA 1.9 TDI ELEGANCE, blue, 80,000 miles . . . . . . . £5,450

FABIA Keeping the range simple, only two trim levels are available: the fairly basic ‘S’ (no air conditioning) and, for an extra £750, the better-equipped ‘Style’, which we drove, with roof bars and fog lights as well as air conditioning. Manual transmission is standard or, for an extra £900, you could go for an ‘EGC’, which is basically an electronically-controlled manual gearbox. The suspension’s quite good, if a bit bouncy at medium speeds. It coped with everything Britain’s roads threw at it while we were driving it and though it could be joggly in town, the ride quality

improved as speeds rose, so it felt quite fluid at motorway speeds. The interior may look basic, but even entry-level models have electric front windows, a CD player and USB connection. Drawbacks include brakes that needed a good shove to stop in a hurry and the relatively high noise level, which could be wearing on a long run, especially at speed over poor surfaces. Overall though, this Tepee is a package that might appeal to many who are looking for something that’s a bit quirky and eminently practical, but which still offers a bit of fun.

13 13 FABIA 1.2 TSI AUTOMATIC, silver, 13,000 miles . . . . . . . 11 11 FABIA 1.6 TDI ELEGANCE, silver, 5,000 miles . . . . . . . . . 11 11 FABIA 1.6 TDI SE, silver, 13,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 61 FABIA 1.2 TSI ESTATE, red, 45,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 12 FABIA 1.2 SE, silver, 15,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 11 FABIA 1.2 S, blue, 19,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08 08 FABIA 1.4 TDI ESTATE, silver, 35,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . 08 08 FABIA 1.6 LEVEL 2 AUTOMATIC, black, 30,000 miles . . . 07 57 FABIA 1.2 LEVEL 2, silver, 40,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09 59 FABIA 1.2, silver, 54,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

overtaking often required planning or a long straight. This is undeniably a large car. The results in terms of interior space may

well be appreciated, especially by long-legged rear-seat passengers, or by those with long items of luggage to transport, but the downside is the

£9,495 £9,150 £8,995 £7,995 £7,995 £6,250 £5,750 £5,495 £5,150 £4,450

VANS & OTHER MAKES

08 58 VW CADDY VAN 2.0 SDI, blue, 60,000 miles . . . . . . £5,500 + VAT 06 56 VW GOLF GT TDI 140, black, 75,000 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . £6,995

OVERTON SERVICE STATION HEREFORD ROAD, LUDLOW. Tel. 01584 872584

Skoda Superb Outdoor The Outdoor derivative of the Superb competes in the same segment as models such as Audi’s All Road, VW’s Alltrack and Vauxhall’s Country Tourer. These cars combine the benefits of an upmarket estate with the utility of four-wheel-drive, hopefully providing the best of both worlds. These aren’t serious off-roaders, they don’t have the ground clearance for that, but they are great on wet grassy fields, or when towing a heavy trailer, or when driving on bad roads in harsh winter weather. They also offer better traction when accelerating on a wet surface, particularly when exiting a T-junction. The Superb Estate starts at just under £20,000, but the Outdoor version starts at £27,000, so there’s a significant price premium, but to merely compare prices is hardly to compare like with like: basic trim levels aren’t available in the Outdoor, neither are less-expensive petrol engines, plus there is the extra cost of four-wheel-drive. The Outdoor has a 2-litre diesel engine, either as a 140bhp manual transmission model, or as a 170bhp DSG automatic. Given the car’s weight, 170bhp might seem a more natural partner, but the 140bhp model we drove had ample power for normal everyday driving, but

£16,500 £15,950 £15,450 £10,950

sheer size of the car. Parking spaces that can swallow up a mediumsize car can be out of bounds to a Superb. And when you park in a row

of cars, it’s almost inevitable that it’ll be the Superb that sticks out a foot or two beyond this rest. A real plus point is the Superb’s ride quality and despite its lowprofile tyres on 18-inch wheels, it simply soaks up what roads throw at it. It also performs very competently where handling is concerned and never put a foot wrong while we were driving it. The gearing is quite high, so setting off calls for a touch of clutch slip, especially up hill. Ironically, where competition is concerned, the Outdoor’s biggest problem is probably other Skodas, rather than other makes. You could buy a non-Outdoor Superb 4x4, or even an Octavia 4x4 if you don’t need all that rear-seat legroom, for significantly less money. However, the Outdoor is a useful-looking package and buyers might opt for it on those grounds alone. Fuel consumption varied considerably, from near 30mpg on short urban journeys to around 50mpg on a gentle run on good main roads, which isn’t bad, given the car’s size and four-wheel-drive. Skoda’s wellknown reliability will no doubt encourage buyers, as will the fact that this is a very large and generally well-equipped fourwheel-drive estate for less than £30,000, even including sat nav and metallic paint.