Teme Valley Times April/May 2022

April / May 2022

FREE Issue No. 92

www.temevalleytimes.co.uk

Ian & Sue Sparey • • • • •

EST AIRPORT TRANSFERS 12 Years ALL UK AIRPORTS/PORTS + Local

Woodburning & Multifuel Stoves Stove Spares & Repairs Glass, Ropes, Bricks, Baffles, Cleaners Chimney Liner Kits & Flue Pipes Electric Stoves

Virtual Rank 01584 819957 www.bizzycars.co.uk

01886 812452 www.is-stoves.co.uk Showroom & Online Shop

Professional, Reliable, Local Cars/Drivers

Steps Farm, Clifton upon Teme, Worcester, WR6 6EN

MIKE’S D WI CH B A

Smarty Pants & Accessories

SA6NTEME STREET R

Ladies One Size Italian Clothing, Hosiery, Bags & much more!

Regular delivery of seasonal stock

OPEN DAILY 7AM

01584 811285 Gift vouchers available 44 Teme St, Tenbury Wells Professional, reliable and affordable pet care

OUR SERVICES Professional Dog Training Group & 1-1 Dog training classes • Dog Walking Pet Sitting • House Sitting Livestock, Horse & Pony care • Doggy Day Care

fice and Commercial, Of dered or epr l Industria lable deliveries avai

Breakfast Bacon / Sausage Baps Lunch Hot or Cold Sandwiches Salad Boxes Made up from our Salad Bar, Baked Potatoes, Tea & Coffee

Our team hold a full DBS check and are fully insured, professional carers Email: itsnotadogkennelteam@gmail.com Tel: 01584 781159 / 07709 400228 Website: www.itsnotadogkennel.com

DEAKINS FUELS

District Councillors Bridget Thomas (L) and Lesley Bruton (R) with a poster for Tenbury’s Easter Trails

HOME HEATING OIL 01588 660166

Advertise in the

Over 100 stockists

Bimonthly publication

Our Famous - Free Range

HOT PORK BAPS SANDWICHES – BAGUETTES stuffing, apple sauce, crackling, gravy

REACH OVER 10,000 LOCAL PEOPLE!

Over 7,000 copies

FROM 11am DAILY

Discounted rates for local clubs and local charities

To advertise: Call Chris or Lucy on 07946 270523 or email temevalleytimes@yahoo.co.uk

01584 812521

Woodston, the biography of an English Farm, by John Lewis-Stempel

by Dr Ken Pollock, former County Councillor for Woodston!

At a time when government policy looks as if it will change our lives profoundly in the next decade, one might expect that those who rely on food production would feel rather secure. We all need food, and it’s the principal output of most of our land.

Sadly, farmers feel persecuted.

Striking a bargain with intermediaries or the big supermarkets is not easy. It’s a cliché to say that their output is weather dependent. And then the Government looks at the industry after leaving the EU and plans big changes.

Forget the Common Agricultural Policy that paid farmers according to the acreage owned or farmed.

Now we have the Environmental Land Management Scheme, or ELMS. Farmers need to demonstrate that they are doing good things for the environment, and then they will be paid.

How much, of course, is another matter. One thing is clear from the

Woodston is published by Doubleday at £20

published rules – it’s complicated and can only be done online. So, bad luck if you have no signal at home. Try using the local library, like in Tenbury Wells.

It would be easy to imagine that these changes are new to farming but they are not. Try reading John Lewis-Stempel’s book “Woodston, the Biography of an English Farm” and you will quickly realise that changes, some of them horrendously drastic, are commonplace for the farming community.

Mr Lewis-Stempel takes us back to prehistory to trace the changes in farming over the centuries, and bases it around Woodston Farm, just to the west of Lindridge, where his grandparents were farm managers.

Why there? It seems as if that part of the Teme Valley experienced many of the significant changes in farming practice and hence it gives the reader a clear idea of what happened there and elsewhere across the country.

Indeed, Woodston is a good example of an English farm, involving stock rearing – cattle and sheep – as well as cropping and more recently growing hops!

There are flat fields running down to the River Teme. There are gentle hills to the north and south. Those to the north grew limes, or linden, from which the name Linden Ridge, or Lindridge is derived. That name, of course, is the current version, but there are others that go back a millennium, starting with Lindericgeas!

Farming has changed over that time as well, moving from foraging from the trees and

shrubs, to raising sheep and cattle, to tilling the soil. Soon stock were used to pull the plough, and eventually horses took over from oxen; quicker and more amenable to management.

The fields teemed with wild animals, but during the reign of Henry VIII, there was a bounty on killing more or less anything “wild”, as they were classified as “vermin”.

It was compulsory for men, women and children to kill as many creatures as possible – kites, ravens, badgers, foxes.

It was thought that these creatures affected the harvests that had been poor, so there was widespread support – if your village did not provide the appropriate numbers, you could be fined. On the other hand, a bounty was paid for all carcases…

Elizabeth the First strengthened the Vermin Laws and put a 1d price on the head of a wild cat. Almost 5,000 such bounties were paid out in England and Wales over the next 100 years!

If that sounds harsh, consider the enclosure movement. We scorn the French with their rigid adherence to the Napoleonic code of dividing land equally between children – hence the CAP. But in this country, we allowed, using numerous Acts of Parliament, the land to be sold to some members of the community, while the ordinary farm labourers were displaced.

They were impoverished, ending up in the workhouse or worse.

We may be pleased with the division of land ownership now, but a high price was paid in the past.

If the Teme Valley looks similar to many parts of the country, there is

one crop that is distinctive – hops.

In recent years, this valuable product has brought good returns, as well as providing seasonal labour.

The crop grows up strings attached to a network of wires on poles. A huge investment of time and effort, and one requiring extensive labour to cut down the hop bines and then strip off the “flowers”, destined to be roasted for the flavouring of beer.

That harvest needed many people, and they came from the Black Country. In Kent, where I helped one summer, it was 'East Enders' that worked in the hop fields. In Worcestershire, it was families from around Wolverhampton that enjoyed their summer holiday on the farm at Woodston and elsewhere – not that it was an easy life.

Hops persist to the present day, and Woodston is still a mixed farm that might be regarded as typical of England. But these few words barely do justice to a brilliant book that will teach anyone a lot about life in the Teme Valley, as well as truths about the countryside that apply all over.

Anyone who lives in the area would do well to read and remember the book, as it paints a vivid picture of the history of farming in Britain, all related to a wonderful spot very close to Tenbury.

Teme Valley Times: our main circulation area and how to contact us Phone: 01584 781762 Email: temevalleytimes@yahoo.co.uk Online: www.temevalleytimes.co.uk Editor & Publisher: Chris Dell.

Deputy Editor: Lucy The Teme Valley Times is locally-owned and independent. Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that what we publish is accurate but no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, omissions, changes or cancellations. Check all information before making a commitment or a special trip. The contents of this publication (words, images & adverts) are protected by copyright. If you wish to reproduce anything you must first obtain written consent from the publisher.

Orleton Post Office & Stores "Your Local Store for almost everything" 01568 780263

MP demands secure future for British cider First Sir Bill attended a reception in Westminster hosted by the cider industry which sought to highlight the important role the cider industry plays in the UK and in areas like North Herefordshire.

At the event he heard about how crucial it is that proposed changes to alcohol duty support the cider industry. Cider has declined 44% in the last 12 years, with its share of the total alcohol market now standing at only 4.6%.

Sir Bill therefore called on the Treasury to ensure that proposals encourage cider making, avoid increasing duty on the majority of ciders and encourage greater innovation through fairer treatment of fruit ciders.

Cider is integral to rural life in the UK and without the industry 16,500 acres of apple orchards and 35% of all UK-grown apples would be at risk.

Sir Bill said, “The cider industry plays a huge

role in our heritage, culture and economy whether it’s supporting thousands of jobs or simply being enjoyed in pubs up and down the country. The new alcohol duty system is set to be finalised shortly, therefore I’m joining calls for the Government to stick to its pledge to reduce the duty on apple cider which will support cider makers, farmers growing cider apples and publicans alike.”

Historical Fashion Show Historical fashion shows are a new local initiative being organised by Anne Walter from Great Witley. She said “We had a trial run in Little Witley Village Hall which went very well and also raised £200 for the Red Cross initiatives in the Ukraine.

Sixty outfits dating from 1920s to 1980s were modelled on the catwalk, mostly by sixth form girls but also by some of the Little Witley WI, who got into the spirit of things and really enjoyed wearing outfits their mothers would have worn (with shrieks of laughter).” For more information contact Anne on 01299 890190.

Sir Bill Wiggin (4th from left) with cider industry representatives outside Number 10

Soap Box Derby names Charities Richards Castle Soap Box Derby has announced the charities which will benefit from this summer’s event. The Hope Centre, based in Bromyard, is known for being a local resource that offers support and early help to the community in Bromyard and beyond. The centre started as a mums and toddlers group but over the years has developed a much wider range of services for young families and children and now includes emotional support and home visits for the elderly. The second charity is Dynamite Boys of Ludlow Ludlow Men’s Shed which hosts activities such as woodwork, DIY and general repairs as part of a social activity, giving time and space for social interaction.

Responders Wanted West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) will be in Ludlow’s Market Square on Saturday 23rd April, from 8am to 3pm, seeking new local recruits for Community First Responders (CFRs). CFRs act as a rapid first point of contact in emergencies, before an ambulance can arrive. They are trained

by West Midlands Ambulance Service to provide basic lifesaving care and they work as volunteers in the community. In cases of cardiac arrest, CFRs and members of the public trained in CPR and the use of the defibrillators can be the difference between life and death, particularly in rural locations.

Mr Dunne recently met WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, and put forward the need to recruit more CFRs in South Shropshire. Mr Dunne raised his concerns that no adverts for the voluntary position existed on the NHS Jobs website. WMAS posted a new job advert the next day.

The MP also suggested the idea of a programme of engagement with people in South Shropshire, who might want to become Community First Responders.

Hence this event in Ludlow where staff from WMAS will be on hand to display their vehicles, kit and equipment to interested members of the public, as well as answering questions on how to become a CFR. Mr Dunne said, “I am in regular discussions with WMAS about ambulance response times, but one way which we all agree could improve local emergency care in the community is through a strong network of Community First Responders. I am very pleased WMAS have responded so quickly to my two asks on this aspect - to put in place immediate opportunities to recruit Community First Responders, and to come and speak to local residents in South Shropshire who might be interested in signing up.”

EASTHAM FIRST AID Ashleigh Broadman, a paramedic who lives in Eastham, demonstrating CPR during a Basic First Aid course held in Eastham Memorial Hall on Friday March 25th.

A follow up session will be held on May 20th at 1pm.

Photo by Matt Hall.

Are you looking for: Wooden Crafts; Hand painted or carved signs; Local History DVDs, CD or History Books of Titterstone Clee Hills & North Herefordshire Villages; Guided tours of the Clee Hills & Orleton Village; or Lectures by a Shropshire Lad? Contact Ann and Alf Jenkins Publications: email alfjenkins07@gmail.com or ring 01568 780398 or call and see us at The Damsons, SY8 4HW.

Light up the Night A presentation evening was held by Brimfield Vintage Club on Thursday, February 24th, following the ‘Light up the Night’ Charity run on December 30th which saw 105 vehicles take to the road including vintage tractors, modern tractors, lorries, vintage cars, old Land Rovers, 4 x 4’s, a hillclimb car and beach buggy!

A total of £2,260 was raised and this was divided between the various clubs and their chosen charities.

Pictures show one of the tractors in Ludlow, plus Lynne Munro, Chairwoman of Knighton Historic Club, receiving a cheque from event organisers Michael Wozencroft and Ivor Davies.

New Council Leader

Malvern Hills District Council is set to elect a new Leader in May. Former Leader Sarah Rouse (Alfrick & Leigh, Independent) stood down recently, with the reins now being held by Tom Wells (Powick, Independent).

Councillor Daniel Walton (Broadheath, Independent), currently the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Tourism, appears to be the front runner to be the next Leader.

All your garden needs, including: • Shrubs • Bedding Plants • Herbaceous Perennials • Compost • Alpines • Bird Care - food & feeders • Stoneware and pots • Ornamental & Fruit Trees

A Shropshire Lass!

Ludford Bridge, Ludlow, SY8 1PE 01584 874554 Photographs are for illustrative purposes only

Sympathy, Dignity, & Respect, Always.

It costs nothing to talk Call Stephen at any time.

Hoskins

Knowbury Village Hall was the venue for a book launch on March 26th, a beautiful sunny spring afternoon. Soon after the doors opened the hall was packed with family (including great great grandsons!) and friends. A queue quickly established as people waited patiently to ask Jean to sign their copies of the book!

Jean Hollis (neé Farmer), now in her nineties, has written all about 24 Hours her life in rural Shropshire - on the family farm and growing up with her many brothers and sisters, running the local shop and post office in Knowbury and much more.

One of Jean’s brothers was Reg Farmer, who was a councillor on several councils, for many decades.

One of her sisters was Betty, who became famous for marrying ‘Agent Zigzag’, a double agent who was awarded the Iron Cross in World 1DW War Two, while actually working for Britain! Proceeds from book sales go to Brain Tumour Research.

The village hall was packed!

Family Funeral Services Bromfield Road, Ludlow, SY8

01584 872048

Jean Hollis signing books for family and friends

Tenbury Applefest in new hands

People gathered around one of the workstations in Lindridge Parish Hall

Village Office!

An Open Afternoon event was held on Wednesday 23 March at Lindridge Parish Hall, in Eardiston, so people could find out about the hall’s new ‘Village Office’ facility. The project hopes to help tackle loneliness and isolation by providing a shared working space and giving people the opportunity to network with other home workers and businesses. Malvern Hills District Council is working with Community First to trial the concept in rural areas; Lindridge Parish Hall was chosen as the pilot.

The concept of a ‘Village Office’ came about as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise in

homeworking. It provides space to work, study and hold meetings. In Lindridge’s hall, there are two workstations, with very comfy chairs, plus a printer, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities and audio-visual equipment is available for video conferencing.

Nick Comley, Community Business Development Manager with Community First, said the Village office could be seen as “a cost-effective bridge between home working and a full return to the office. The availability of a high quality co-working space, conveniently located, will help to reduce commuting costs and emissions while generating much needed revenue for village hall charities.”

Visit www.lindridgeparishhall.co.uk for more information or contact the hall directly on 01584 881747 or email lindridgeparishhall@outlook.com

What’s On! Advertise your local event or club from just £10 in the Teme Valley Times! £10 covers a simple What’s On! advert with up to 25 words.

Extra words, if required, are 25p each.

To advertise, email temevalleytimes@yahoo.co.uk or ring 07946 270523.

Leominster Car Boot Sale Field behind the OK Diner over the bridge.

Every Sunday, weather permitting.

Buyers from 9am Open for sellers from 8am No booking required Toilets available Come on down and bag a bargain!

Free public admission

2022 NOTE THE DATE

After nine years, David Patrick and Carole Clayton have retired from running Tenbury Applefest. At the Annual General Meeting on 18th January, Anton Schooley and Elizabeth Allen were elected to take over the reins. Anton thanked David and Carole for their hard work and Elizabeth thanked them for assembling their information and files to make the handover a straightforward exercise.

David Patrick said “Organising and developing Tenbury Applefest has been a challenge, but one that was very rewarding, and we are pleased to have helped to put Tenbury on the map. It has been a pleasure to work with Carole and all the other volunteers who are needed to make the event a success, and we are delighted to be able to hand over to the new team and wish them every success.”

Carole Clayton said “Over the last 10 years we have developed an event that supports itself and attracts visitors from around the UK. We have worked to raise the profile of Tenbury Wells and its range of independent businesses as well as our sponsors and the traders who attend on a regular basis, however, it is now time for fresh blood to take it further.”

Despite Covid, and a very wet day, last year’s event attracted in excess of 1,000 visitors and managed to make a small profit. It was the only major outdoor show

to take place in Tenbury during 2021. The window dressing competitions in the town were well supported. Sponsored by Kerry Foods, the first prize was awarded to Nice Things and the people’s choice first prize, sponsored by Robinsons, was awarded to the Regal.

Tenbury Applefest Association is looking forward to this year’s event on Saturday 1st October and is already taking bookings for stall holders and events. Anyone interested in helping can call 07973 549921 or email chair.tapplefest@gmail.com

Supported by Malvern Hills District Council

MALVERN HILLS

Village OFFICE •

07973 549921

•

or chair.tapplefest@gmail.com

•

Malvern Quilters Exhibition at Colwall Village Hall (WR13 6EQ), from 10am to 4pm each day.

Admission £3.

Members quilts on display, Charity raffle, refreshments including light lunches, Tombola, sales table, traders, car park, disabled access.

www.malvernquilters.co.uk

at Lindridge Parish Hall

Office benefits:

SATURDAY OCT 1ST, 2022

Sat 23rd & Sun 24th April

Open Now

First 3 sessions FREE then £10 per 4 hour session thereafter

• • •

Meet other homeworkers and rural businesses from your area Quiet place to work away from home or office Secure and fast broadband and printing facilities Save travelling time and costs Networking and sharing ideas Venue for meetings

For more information Call: 01584 881747 or email: lindridgeparishhall@outlook.com www.lindridgeparishhall.co.uk

Little Hereford Voices Little Hereford Voices has clocked up 10 years of choral singing. The choir was the brainchild of Little Hereford resident Carolyn Sandall.

In September 2011 she teamed up with Music Director John Turrell and accompanist Jan Holloway to create a ‘non-audition’ choir which welcomed all who wanted to sing for pleasure.

The launch night attracted around 50 singers and the first public performance was in December of that year, at a carol service in Little Hereford church. Several founder members still sing in the choir today.

The following summer, the choir gave its first full concert in a member’s barn and in 2013 the choir presented its first Christmas concert. Since then it has performed at Christmas and in summer, and more recently at Easter as well.

In July 2016, John Turrell retired as Music Director to take up the role of MD of the Invictus Games Choir. Little Hereford Voices secured the services of talented musician and singer Kimee Cleaton, who still leads the choir today.

There have also been a couple of changes of accompanist. Karen

Morgan took over from Jan Holloway and more recently Catharine Boyd-Moss took on the role, playing the piano in rehearsals and concerts.

Little Hereford Voices offers its services to any worthy organisation looking to raise funds, and has sung at the Caynham Christmas Tree Festival, Greete Church, Brimfield Village Hall, Tenbury Methodist Church and several more. Through concerts and other activities the choir has raised over £2,000 for local good causes and charities.

The choir also sings at christenings, weddings and funerals, and undertakes carol singing around the area. They continued to sing during the Covid pandemic, using Zoom to rehearse and Kimee’s skill at a mixing desk to create a Christmas CD, copies of which were sold for charity.

The choir is run on a ‘not for profit’ basis so subscriptions and music costs are kept as low as possible. Today, Little Hereford Voices rehearses and performs in Little Hereford Village Hall. It enjoys a varied

repertoire, from Bach and Mozart to Cole Porter and the Beatles! It continues the vision of its founder, welcoming all those who wish to sing. There is no audition and the ability to read music is not necessary.

Members now come from all around the area, including from as far away as Welshpool!

A spokesman said ‘Little Hereford Voices is a Community Choir, drawn from the community and giving the joy of singing back to that community’. Contact Carol on 01584 711415 for more information.

Tenbury Flood Defences West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has taken a walking tour of Tenbury’s proposed flood defence scheme, accompanied by representatives from the Environment Agency.

The defences will feature a series of flood walls and gates to protect the town from serious flooding and the agency has been consulting over the last year to ensure that local knowledge is incorporated into the design.

Harriett said “I am grateful to the Environment Agency for taking the time to brief me on the latest version of the plan and I am very relieved to see it taking shape. We all know it is a question of when, rather than if, the Teme floods again at Tenbury so there’s no time to waste now that funding has been secured. I am keen to see the plans finalised and submitted for consideration by planners. With that done, the Environment Agency can press on with construction and I have urged them

The Village Stores Clifton upon Teme Groceries - News - Lottery Off Licence - Mobile Top Ups

01886 812303

From left: Ben Kovacs, James Turner, Grace Wight with Harriett Baldwin MP to look to use local people, and local resources wherever possible.

This will be a major scheme to construct, and I have offered my assistance to the team to get this work done as quickly as possible. I will be feeding back progress to Ministers this week.”

Mimi's Plaice Chips, Fish, Pies, Burgers, Kebabs, Pizza, Garlic Bread, Drinks, etc.

Local delivery Service 25 High St, Cleobury Mortimer 01299 270107

J. G. BANFIELD & SONS LTD TRADITIONAL IRONMONGERS Still here after all these years!

TALTREES CENTRE, WORCESTER ROAD, TENBURY WELLS, WR15 8JA

01584 781361 taltreesstoves.com MONDAY - FRIDAY 9am - 5pm. SATURDAY 9am - 4.30pm CLOSED SUNDAYS & BANK HOLIDAYS

SPRING GARDENING Garden Tools, Gloves, Garden String, Greenhouse Glass & Glazing Clips, Watering Cans, Garden Chemicals IRONMONGERY Hand Tools, Brushes, Rollers, Pen Knives, Wicks, Torches, Ladders, Electrical fittings, Bulbs, Locks, KEY CUTTING, Candles, Door and Gate Furniture HOUSEHOLD NEW arrivals of crockery, Mason Cash, Glasses, Tea Pots, Ovenware, Clothes Dyes, Cutlery, Utensils, Buckets, Household Chemicals, Weighing Scales AND LOTS, LOTS MORE!

27-37 Teme St, Tenbury Wells 01584 810403

HAMPER FAYRE Visit our Shop in Teme Street to choose from our array of Locally produced Artisan Belgian Chocolates, Patés, Cheeses, Jams & Pickles, Crisps, Cakes, Condiments and Savouries for you to take away and enjoy!

We also have a wide range of Quality Fine Wines suitable for all occasions and palates backed up by a huge selection of Local Artisan Beers, Ciders and Spirits. Why not stock up for the Weekend or that Special Occasion?

We can also send Bespoke Gifts/ Hampers to Your Friends and Family within the UK if you wish. Simply come to the Shop and select the items you want to send at a budget to suit.

We also now Stock Fully Furnished Picnic Hampers for Two, Four or Six People ready to help you enjoy the Summer with Family and Friends

LOCAL PRODUCE SUPPORTING LOCAL PEOPLE

VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.hamperfayre.co.uk email: info@hamperfayre.co.uk

Tel: 01584 781122

Mobile: 07836 263760

Hamper Fayre, 59-61 Teme St, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8AE

Opening Times: 10.00am to 4.00pm Tuesdays to Saturdays inclusive (Closed Sunday and Monday)

NEW RETIREMENT APARTMENTS FOR SALE

Reduce your cost of living concerns There are many ways a Churchill apartment can reduce your cost of living, from energy bill savings to a lower maintenance lifestyle which is covered by an annual, easy to budget service charge. With no hidden costs or unexpected bills, moving to a Churchill development can save you money.

In fact downsizing from a 3 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom retirement apartment could save approximately £1,300† per year on bills and maintenance.

LUDLOW - 80% SOLD Betjeman Lodge, Corve Street SY8 1DJ Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm

01584 777323 churchillretirement.co.uk/betjeman-lodge *T&C’s apply. Visit our website to find out more. ‡On selected developments. †Based on ‘Sizing up the situation’ report (Housing LIN, 2014) and Millstream Service Charge data.

Move for Free* and be in by summer LIMITED TIME ONLY!

HAMPER FAYRE

H C A E R

*

0 0 0 , 0 1 R E OV

L A C LO

E L P O PE

ADVERTISE IN THE

Call Chris or Lucy on: 01584 781762 Email: temevalleytimes@yahoo.co.uk Visit: www.facebook.com/temevalleytimes *Based on 1.5 readers per copy

Tenbury News in New Hands Having been run for many years by Don Williams and his wife Debra, Tenbury News, the newsagent in the middle of Teme Street, changed hands early this year. Sonal and J, who moved to Tenbury in August 2021, with their two sons, have been running the business since the end of January 2022.

Sonal and J wanted to run a small business in a nice town and they had been looking for a business for some time.

Having looked at a number of establishments, when they visited Tenbury they were so taken by the town, the area and the people that they Don Williams maintaining a hanging basket, back in 2007! decided to settle here.

They are now getting to know the customers, and the customers are also getting to know them. The business continues to be run in the same way as it was under Don and Debra, and Sonal and J hope that Tenbury News will continue to receive the same support as it has for so many years.

They want to thank Don and Debra for their continued help and support, and wish them a very happy retirement. The Teme Valley Times would also like to thank Don and Debra for being a major stockist of the Teme Valley Times since its launch in 2006. Thanks to Sonal and From left: Sonal and J, the new owners, behind the counter at Tenbury News J’s support, you can still pick up your copy in Tenbury News.

No fault divorce is here!

Newspapers, Magazines, Maps, Cards, Toys, Sweets, Drinks, Wrapping Paper, Local Books, Laminating, Fax Service, Batteries, Stationery, Dry Cleaning, Photocopying (colour/B&W).

23 Teme Street, Tenbury Wells

01584 810230

From 6 April, couples will be able to divorce without having to establish adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion or to have been separated for a minimum period.

Instead, an application for a divorce can be made simply on the basis that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.

The divorce can be brought by one party or by both parties if they agree.

It will no longer be possible to defend or “cross petition”. Therefore, the other party will not be able to stop the divorce or cause large legal costs to be incurred.

No fault divorces are likely to take slightly longer than before as there will be a “period of reflection” of 20 weeks between the date of the divorce application and the date for the application for the Decree Nisi (in future known as the Conditional Order). There will then be a 6 week wait between the Decree Nisi and the Decree Absolute (in future known as the Final Order). Therefore, the minimum time it will take to achieve a divorce will be 26 weeks. There will be special procedures in cases of emergency to shorten the time it takes.

The aim of the new law is to try to remove the conflict and blame that is often associated with the divorce process.

It is hoped that this will lead to better outcomes for the divorcing couples and any children.

Divorce affects certain financial entitlements, for example, to spousal pensions. Therefore, it is wise to take legal advice upon financial matters before applying for the Decree Absolute, as delaying the application for the Decree Absolute until financial matters have been resolved may be in your best interest.

So what about the finances? A divorce does not end the financial ties between a couple. Ideally, a couple will obtain a

court approved financial order which specifies who is to receive what from the marriage. Without a court approved order (often referred to as a “clean break” order), the parties’ financial claims remain open. Without a court approved order, a party might find themselves at the receiving end of a financial claim from their ex-spouse, even years after the divorce.

You may require assistance in agreeing who should receive what from the marriage. Who should keep the house?

Should the house be sold? How much should you receive? What about pensions? These are questions that we can help with at Norris and Miles.

Knowing where you stand legally can be powerful, particularly if you intend to try to negotiate a settlement with your spouse directly or through mediation (mediators do not provide legal advice).

This is why Norris and Miles offer a range of options, from a free 30 minute consultation to full legal support on divorce and finances. We also offer a fixed fee divorce package with costs payable by instalments.

For advice on divorce or finances contact Norris & Miles’ friendly family solicitor, Julie Smith, on 01584 810575.

CLEE HILL FISH & CHIPS Chips, Fish, Sausages, Chicken, Pies, Kebabs, Pasties, Scampi, Curries.

Pickled mussels & cockles.

Open 6 days a week, lunch & evening.

Closed Sundays

01584 891076

AUDIOLOGISTS EXPANDS SERVICES IN LOCAL TOWNS Business is booming for Andrew Bird Hearing as it has expanded its healthcare services into Tenbury Wells and Bromyard.

The independent hearing company has increased the services it offers after becoming a firm favourite with local communities. It now offers all its high-quality healthcare services at Andrew Jelley Opticians. The company’s certified and experienced audiologists look forward to welcoming both new and existing clients.

They offer an extensive range of services to meet all hearing needs. This includes free-ofcharge no-obligation hearing examinations, microsuction ear wax removals, hearing aid repairs and accessories, alongside routine advice.

Company owner Andrew Bird said: “We are proud to be part of the thriving communities in Tenbury Wells and Bromyard, and to play a part in both towns’ ongoing growth. We have been able to expand because of our loyal and faithful clients. They tell us they like our personal approach and client-focussed service.”

Andrew Bird Hearing is a family-run business set up in 2007 and currently have in excess of 9000 clients and hold clinics in 30 centres across the south west.

Its audiologists are licensed to dispense products from a wide range of manufacturers, but they do not believe in pushy tactics or pressure

sales. The business prides itself on getting to know its clients so they can dispense hearing aids to best suit their hearing loss and lifestyle.

Their main aim is ‘to give people the gift of sound to help them lead better lives.’

Why would I need a hearing test?

It’s a question that many people routinely ask, when in fact, comprehensive hearing examinations should be a regular part of your healthcare. All adults should have their hearing checked on a regular basis, in the same way that they go for annual medicals or vision check-ups.

While the frequency of testing depends on your risk of hearing loss, no one should leave it longer than a few years between tests. Without regular screenings the consequences can be significant; people can find themselves suffering from depression, social isolation and even missing out on career opportunities because of hearing loss they didn’t know they had.

Andrew said: “Hearing tests are often overlooked by people when in fact everyone should be having periodic hearing tests throughout their adult life. Don’t wait until you think you have hearing loss as early diagnosis could be crucial. The earlier a problem is detected, the more successful the

• Andrew Bird Hearing operates from the Andrew Jelley Opticians in Teme Street on Thursdays and from the Bromyard Practice in the High Street on Wednesdays.

• To make an appointment, call 01242 262551 or email info@andrewbirdhearing.co.uk • For more information visit the website at www.andrewbirdhearing.co.uk treatment. Don’t put it off any longer! No matter what your age or hearing ability, it is always a good time to get a hearing test.”

Adults can suffer noise-induced hearing loss if they are excessively exposed to loud sounds, such as music or work-related noise. People

We’re a family-run independent hearing company.

We offer a personal service to meet individual needs.

We’ll always put you first!

• Free hearing examinations • Hearing aid repairs and accessories • Microsuction ear wax removal • Routine help and advice You’ll find us in Tenbury on Thursdays and Bromyard on Wednesdays

Call: 01242 262551 Email:info@andrewbirdhearing.co.uk Visit: www.andrewbirdhearing.co.uk

can also be suffering from age-related hearing loss without even realising it. The loss can be so gradual that they may not realise they are turning up the volume on the television or regularly struggling to hear people talking.

Spring Wines from Tesco

Tesco Finest Tingleup Riesling 2021 13% £9 A Riesling from Australia with a delightful name! Made in the Great Southern region which enjoys a Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Hints of green apples and grapefruit on the nose. Fresh citrus flavours dominated by lemon. Not as dry as a some 'traditional' Rieslings, so might be a crowd-pleaser.

Tesco suggest it's a natural pairing for Asian food.

Longer days, warmer sunshine, things starting to grow in the garden - signs that herald the arrival of spring. As bright yellows and verdant greens, bold reds and pretty pinks start to appear in nature we can think about enjoying some seasonal refreshing wines - maybe outside in the sun if we're lucky!

Leyda Reserva Pinot Noir 2020 13% £12.00 This wine comes from the Leyda valley DO region of Chile where the vines enjoy a cool maritime climate, eight miles from the Pacific coast. With aromas of smoky redcurrant and pepper, on the palate the taste is surprisingly intense. Quite dry and tannic for a Pinot Noir but the smooth, bright redcurrant and vanilla flavours go well with a garlic & herb soft cheese. The tasting panel voted this the most surprising of these wines.

Casa Maña Tempranillo Garnacha Rosé 2020 11.5% £4.50 This medium sweet Spanish rosé is great fun - and a great price! Ripe Spartan apple aromas. Smooth, sweet, refreshing and luscious on the palate with no obvious sulphites, unlike some many rosés. One taster described it as having a flavour of vanilla custard while another thought it would pair well with ice cream. Enjoy well chilled.

Tesco Finest Malbec Rosé 2021 13% £8 This easy-drinking pink, from the Mendoza region of Argentina, just slips down - despite its 13% strength! The Malbec has been blended with a small amount of Torrontés. Very light red fruit aromas are followed by hints of red cherry, peach and lychees on the palate. A rosé with a little bit of attitude - enjoy it chilled in the Spring sunshine. Vegan friendly.

Villa Maria Earth Garden Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 14% £10.50 Organic and vegan friendly this is a New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc but with a bit more zesty-spritziness than some. A fresh and lively wine with aromas of pear drops and lemons - but be careful, given the alcohol level!

Fairmile Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Blanc 2021 12.5% £6.00 Fairtrade and vegan certified, the grapes in this South African Western Cape wine combine to give a warm, smooth and honeyed drink with a touch of zesty lemon freshness, and with hints of mango, guava, sherbet and pear drops. It's good value and it was enjoyed by all the tasters, so it might well suit a wide range of guests.

OUR SIMPLE PASSION FOR REAL FOOD AND A DESIRE TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE PRODUCE HAS GROWN INTO LEGGES AS WE KNOW IT TODAY, ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED FARM SHOPS IN HEREFORDSHIRE (AND BEYOND!).

Legges is synonymous with quality, having built up an unrivalled reputation for providing consistently high quality produce. From grass fed meat to handmade pies, our meticulous dedication and passionate team ensure that the quality of our produce continues.

The building of close and valuable relationships with local suppliers, and family farms, has ensured that we have been able to promote sustainable production. Our principles have not changed over the last 20 years and will continue to remain, adapting to the needs of both our customers and suppliers.

We strongly believe that eating seasonal, local

Handmade Pies

Artisan Cheese

produce nourishes our bodies. Following the year’s natural rhythms, enjoying seasonal food at its best is not only best for us, but also for the future of our planet. Our commitment to Herefordshire is strong and something we value immensely and is at the forefront of everything we do. The Legge family has roots deep in our beautiful countryside, which has driven us to make sure everything we do is done properly, with passion and respect.

So why not visit our website and take advantage of the Nationwide Delivery service, ensuring you can enjoy the Tastes of Herefordshire wherever you are.

Delicatessen

Gift Hampers

www.leggesofbromyard.com 01885 482417 orders@leggesofbromyard.com

Wines for Sunday Lunch?

This is the first Easter for a couple of years when we will be allowed to freely spend time with friends and family - surely something to celebrate and savour. Here are some wines that could enhance the weekend's celebrations, whether you are looking for a bottle of bubbly, an accompaniment to the Sunday roast, a few bottles to share with friends or even a gift to take when visiting.

ALDI

Co-op

Specially Selected Clare Valley Sparkling Shiraz 2018 13.5% £7.99 Australia is renowned for bold full-bodied Shiraz wines. This is a different take: lightly sparkling with a nice pink mousse foaming in the glass when poured, this is definitely a different way to have your bubbles. Fun, relatively sweet, and tasty with solid black cherry flavours and dark chocolate liqueur finish. It is so quaffable

Co-op Irresistible Leyda Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2021 12.5% £8 Another Chilean wine, this is a splendid Sauvignon Blanc. Not as floral or grassy as you might expect from a good New Zealand equivalent, but it has light flavours of lemon, nectarine and lime on the palate, with a drying grassiness. Very easy drinking.

Specially Selected Austrian Zweigelt 2021 13% £6.99 Made from 100% Zweigelt (also known as Rotburger) this grape is widely planted in Austria. Light bodied with low tannin and medium acidity it might also suit those who don't usually like to try a red. Firm fruit of raspberry, redcurrants and red cherry on the palate, with a hint of vanilla, bring a nice youthful juiciness to the wine. A very light drinking red, somewhat towards a Frappato or Fleurie style.

Specially Selected Bianco Toscana Sangiovese 2021 12.5% £6.99 An unusual 100% Sangiovese Bianco wine from Tuscany, Italy, this is a very interesting wine liked by all the tasters. Tastes stronger than its 12.5% and the flavours speak of sweetness but the wine is actually dry. Very fragrant aromas of orange blossom and a hint of night scented stock. A touch of peach and apricot on the mid palate with a citrussy sherbert finish. Delightfully fascinating and worth trying!

The Falls Canadian Riesling 11% £8.99 From Ontario, this is a Riesling for those who like a proper traditional Riesling with the sugars fermented out. Has a bright vibrant acidity with lightly citrussy flavours. Refreshing.

Co-op Fairtrade Chardonnay 2021 12.5% £6 This wine is from one of the six main wine growing regions of the coastal Western Cape province of South Africa.

The Breede river valley is generally broad and flat, it's framed by high mountains - and the largest town in the valley is called Worcester!

Described as 'A delicious tropical Chardonnay' and we wouldn't disagree. A medium-bodied crowd-pleaser.

Co-op Irresistibl This is a lovely, soft and very q Fresh but with lasting peach lovely bubbly aperitif and ev roast lamb dinner. One taster was the first Prosecco they

Tanners

Las Pamp £9.50 This Argen Describ unus Tast redc end flavo

Tan 201 This Cab not van rasp mat bod

Specially Selected Organic Etna Rosato 2021 12.5% £8.99 Made in Sicily with 100% Nerello Mascalese this is just the thing for a gathering on the patio in the sunshine. Dry enough not to be too sweet and sweet enough not to be too dry. Great by itself or with food. Aromas of ripe gala apples with a delicious taste of peach and nectarine plus a hint of very ripe strawberry.

Excellent!

Zamat Hungarian Pink Chardonnay 2021 13% £5.49 More a blush than a pink this is made from 98% Chardonnay and 2% Dornfelder. It has a minty spearmint aroma followed by lush tropical flavours of sweet mango, star fruit and melon. A really nice bottle of blush and a great value buy.

Rocky Road Cabernet Merlot 2017 14.3% £15.95 Generous aromas of blackcurrant, cassis and chocolate mints begin the journey into this deep dark full-bodied red.

A wine to be savoured with long warm ripe delicious blackcurrant flavours supported by relatively smooth cocoaflavoured tannins. Mainly Cabernet and Merlot, there are also small amounts of Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot (5%). A classic red - super!

Prices subject to change

Co-op Irresistible 30º Pinot Noir 2020 14% £8 A very agreeable dry red wine from the Casablanca Valley of central Chile. It is smooth but with little fruit just a hint of mocha and black cherry. They say it partners well with roast pork.

Tesco

Lateral Chilean Chardonnay 2020 12.5% £3.99 Dry yet fresh with light buttery notes - if you're looking for a bottle of Chardonnay for less that £4 then look no further! Great value.

Ascheri Gavi di Gavi 2021 13.5% £13 Another wine from Piedmont, this Gavi won the tasters over! Described by one as 'The best Gavi I have tasted' and by another as 'it's actually rather good'. Serve at around 11C and enjoy the hints of lemon, mint, grapefruit and melon!

Mount Impey Single Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 13% £12 A classic New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Lovely grassy aroma with bold fresh citrussy lemon followed by lime on the palate. Received a thumbs up from all the tasters

le Prosecco 11% £7 quaffable Prosecco. on the palate, it is a ven went well with a r confessed that this y had really enjoyed!

pas Malbec, Mendoza 2021 13.5%

ntinian Malbec has a lot to it. bed by one taster as 'a very intense and sual serious red'. Redcurrant aromas. te initially has a flavour of sweet currants, then giving way to longer during purple plum and damson vours. Dryish and medium bodied.

Cloudy Bay Pelorus sparkling white 12.5% £24 Made from Chardonnay (70%) and Pinot Noir (30%) grapes, grown in New Zealand's Marlborough Wairau valley, this bottle provides a slightly different way to enjoy bubbles at Easter. With apple aromas and fresh ripe apple notes on the palate, this sparkling white is very nice and very, very easy drinking! Serve at 6-7C.

Tesco Finest Rioja Reserva 2016 14% £8.50 From the Baron de Ley winery in northern Spain, this is a 'modern style' Rioja. Raspberry on the nose, then hints of raspberry flavour with smoky vanilla spice and firm dark fruit ending with a dry tannic finish. Great with venison and braised red cabbage.

Tesco Finest Barolo 2017 14% £19 Barolo is made from the Nebbiolo grape grown in Piedmont, Northern Italy. Dry bramble aromas. Tastes strong in the mouth, and warming. Vanilla notes give way to bold tannins which build the more you drink!

Quite short, despite the 14% strength.

nners Spanish Reserva La Mancha 17 13.5% £9.95 s a blend of 75% Tempranillo and 25% bernet Sauvignon. A dry red - probably for the uninitiated - it has aromas of nilla with flavours of bramble, pberry and vanilla spice from long turation in American oak. Mediumdied and not particularly tannic.

Mâcon-Villages, Chanson Père et Fils 2016 13% £13.50 Produced under bio-dynamic principles, this white burgundy gave white peach fruit on the palate with a dark firmness from the Chardonnay grape. Delicious chilled and enjoyed in the sunshine, with or without food.

Croatica Graševina Kvalitetno Vino 2020 12% £9.95 Everyone enjoyed this 100% Greševina from Croatia. Fruity and enticing, the initial flavours are grapefruit and pear finishing with star fruit and just a touch of pineapple. A nice bottle of wine, and a little unusual.

Los Coches Viognier, Valle Central 2021 13.5% £8.50 'Aromatic and tasty' is how the tasting panel described this nice, refreshing Chilean | Viognier. Produced by well-known maker Luis Felipe Edwards, it shouldn't disappoint.

Pleasantly dry with a citrussy character.

Wyre Pie Company Success!

With over forty years of master butchery behind him, Wyre Pie Company founder Peter Edwards began making his own pies from a five star hygiene rated garden shed in 2014. Helped by partner Debi Reeves, the company has grown rapidly and now operates from a 4,000 square foot unit and retail shop with twelve employees located on Tenbury’s Bromyard Road business park.

Fellow director Steve Powell, who joined the Wyre Pie Company in 2020, said the company’s core belief is to offer “the best quality for the most affordable price”. He said “It’s a mantra that is even more important now, given the enormous increases in people’s living costs.

“The secret to our pie is in the way we apply traditional artisan methodology, including the dedicated crafting of hot water pastry and a rich gravy. We insist on only the best ingredients from start to finish, locally sourced where possible, and I think that comes through with all our products.”

The company’s core beliefs were put to the test recently when Steve and Pete decided to enter some of their pies in the Eat Game awards. Suffice to say a trip to the London Awards ceremony ensued and they were delighted to be awarded first prize for their Game pie in the “Best Game Added Value Product” category. After breaking the news on their facebook page that evening Steve and Pete were overwhelmed by the torrent of congratulatory phone calls from friends, customers and family throughout the rest of the evening and even the following morning as they prepared to return home.

Steve commented “The Wyre Pie Company has always been a business with strong community ties. We provided support during the extreme flooding in our hometown of Tenbury Wells. We get involved in many charity events, organise game taster days and work closely with schools to offer families the opportunity to try locally sourced game too.

“We are truly grateful for all the support we have received from customers, friends and family. It has been

From left: Peter Edwards, Steve Powell and - making the presentation - Adam Henson an incredible journey and we are very proud of what we have achieved.”

So if you fancy trying an award winning pie why not pop down to the Wyre Pie Company’s shop on the business park or if you fancy

a batch of your own ‘bespoke flavour’ sausages or pies give them a call. As founder Peter said “we’ll have a go at anything” - with over 100 years combined experience in the industry behind them you’ll be in safe hands!

Tenbury Countryside Show is Back!

SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST

IS BACK ON

People are looking forward to this year’s Tenbury Show, not least because the 2020 and 2021 shows were cancelled due to the Covid situation. There is a new website at www. tenburyshow.co.uk and entry forms can be downloaded for the various classes, including the Horticultural section.

The Tenbury Agricultural Society office has moved from Market Street to 65 Teme Street - across the road from Tenbury SPAR. It’s open on Tuesday & Friday mornings: telephone 01584 810818 or email enquiries@tenburyagriculturalsociety.co.uk Society membership is currently £30 (single) or £45 (joint).

Benefits include free admission to the show, access to the members car park, and access to the ringside members enclosure.

Entertainment from Cavalry of Heroes Stunt Display Team, Paws for Thought Dog Display Team, The Sheep Show, Stuart Barnes Dog & Duck Display and much, much more.

National Young Farmers Tug of War Finals, National Hereford Show, National Ryeland Sheep Show, Tractor Pulling.

The Society’s new office

See our new website at: www.tenburyshow.co.uk and download entry forms for the Horticulture Marquee and Horse & Pony Show.

We have moved office to 65 Teme Street, Tenbury Wells (opposite SPAR).

Office open Tuesday & Friday mornings.

Tel. 01584 810818 Email: enquiries@tenburyagriculturalsociety.co.uk

Firewood Seasoned logs Barn dried Ready to burn Free local delivery 01584 890993 07970 878224

Paul Harding Tree Services

Visitors are welcome!

A poster from 39 years ago

All Agricultural Services Undertaken

FARM SUPPLIES AND CONTRACTING Ploughing - Planting - Combining - Silaging - Fencing Suppliers฀of฀pipes฀for฀Drainage฀•฀Water฀Supply Ducting฀•฀Irrigation฀•฀Ditches฀&฀Culverts Septic/Storage฀Tanks฀•฀Drinking฀Troughs฀•฀Pumps Tel: 01584 711713/711466 Fax 01584 711493 mobile 07831 311544

CODER TYRES LIMITED AUTO SERVICE CENTRE Mon-Fri 8.30 - 17.30 Sat 8.30 - 12.30 4 Tyres 4 Batteries 4 Exhausts 4 Suspension 4 Punctures 4 Pre-MOT work 4 Welding 4 Locking Wheel Nut Removal 4 Servicing 4 Wheel Balancing 4 Agricultural on site work 4 Agent for Car & 4x4 4 Diagnostic work 4 TPM Sensors 4 4-Wheel Laser Adjustment

www.ludlowtyres.co.uk

01584 879200

UNIT O CODER ROAD, LUDLOW BUSINESS PARK, LUDLOW SY8 1XE

Meet Rhino - an even bigger Musso!

Push-button start

Long wheelbase and standard wheelbase models parked side-by-side There are times when size matters and if size matters to you, and if you're in the market for a new pickup, you could do a lot worse than look at Ssangyong's Musso Rhino.

The Rhino is the long wheelbase version of the Musso. Its increased length not only provides a load bed which, at 1.61m, is 310mm (about a foot) longer than the standard vehicle, it also improves the Rhino's looks by giving it more balanced proportions and - despite a 5mm increase in ground clearance - an almost 'street-sleeper' appearance, aided by its rear privacy glass.

Looking at load-carrying, the Rhino has an impressive 1140kg payload capacity, plus a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, with a suitable trailer. The result is a class-leading gross train weight of 6900kg, which I understand is the highest total load capacity of any pick-up on sale in the UK.

Remarkable!

It is 5.4 metres long but the extra length isn't noticed in ordinary driving, and the turning circle is surprisingly compact, making the truck more convenient than expected in tight spaces. It's also very easy to drive, and its light steering, very comfortable ride, and restrained noise levels help make it a relaxed way to cover the miles.

The 2.2 litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which uses AdBlue, does a good job, and its claimed 181hp/ 420Nm means there is ample performance despite the vehicle's size and weight. The Aisin six-speed automatic gearbox also does a great job, and changes often go unnoticed, but a small switch on the side of the gear knob means you can change gear for yourself if you wish.

A central rotary knob allows you to select one of three self-explanatory drive modes: Eco, Winter and Power.

There is also a choice of two wheel drive or four wheel drive, the latter having a choice of high or low ratios.

So whatever conditions are underfoot, the Rhino should stay sure-footed.

The Rhino is based on the Saracen (a high specification version of the Musso) but, in addition to the length increase, there is revised rear suspension and 17 (rather than 18) inch wheels. Ssangyong's build quality provides doors which close with a satisfying 'clunk', not a 'clang'.

The well-designed cabin is blessed with copious door pockets, cubby holes and glove box, and a neat touch is the space under the rear seats, giving useful extra stowage capacity.

There are leather seats all-round - the fronts are powered, heated and cooled, the rears are heated, with generous legroom.

Other equipment includes a 9.2" high resolution screen and TomTom satnav,

Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a heated steering wheel, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, an excellent reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. The Rhino also offers Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

After driving the Rhino for 275 miles on a wide range of roads the computer displayed an average fuel consumption of 30mpg, slightly better than the official 'WLTP' figure of 28.2mpg.

The exceptional seven year, 150,000 mile warranty is bound to reassure potential buyers and at £31,495 (£37,728 including VAT) on-the-road, the Rhino is competitively priced.

Indeed, it's only £1,000 + VAT more than the standard wheelbase Saracen.

This Ssangyong certainly merits a serious look and if you have a test drive you might find the vehicle as impressive as the price!

Cabin has useful cubby holes

Drive mode selector

A glorious autumn day at Wetherby racecourse provided the ideal backdrop to take the recentlyintroduced fully-electric Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 40 204PS 150kW Sport for a quick gallop.

Prices were announced in June 2021, when order books opened, with deliveries scheduled to start in October. The Q4 is the first Audi to be built on the VW group modular electrification platform and it is competing in the compact SUV class.

Race card facts and figures would show the Sportback to be 4.558m long, 1.865m wide and 1.614m high.

It weighs in at 2045 kg and has a book range of 324 miles - enough form to raise hopes of a prize-winning showing over a lengthy course with ‘good going’.

Its instantly responsive electric urge, accompanied by a subtle jet enginelike whine, is gratifyingly appealing, and it would be easy to be tempted to give the Q4 its head over undulating B roads.

Its 204PS of power and 310 Nm of torque provide a fleet turn of foot and a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds should more than satisfy most drivers.

Top speed is limited to 99mph which obviously isn’t a problem in the UK! The 77 kwh battery accepts 125kw charging which significantly reduces recharging time, if the charging point

Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron

you use is similarly advanced.

This e-tron offered rear wheel drive, delivered seamlessly and automatically by one electric motor.

For those who prefer soft going, ‘Quattro’ versions are available; these use two electric motors to deliver power to all four wheels.

In the parade ring the thoroughbred styling certainly draws the eye. The

long arching roofline, steeply-inclined D pillars and the rear spoiler (which sits lower than on non-Sportback versions) combine to give it the lowest drag coefficient in the Q4 range. A full-width rear lighting pattern adds a further dash of style.

At the front, the large octagonal single frame ‘closed’ grille indicates the absence of a conventional

power unit, as do the subtle e-tron mouldings and e-tron mirror puddle lights.

Despite being a compact SUV, you still get a spacious interior, good rear legroom and 535 litres of luggage capacity, which increases to 1460 litres with the rear seats folded down.

The large, driver-oriented touch screen is clear and responsive.

This technology can, if the driver so wishes, provide hours of entertainment, adjusting the various displays, vehicle settings, communication options and so on to align with the driver’s specific needs, likes and dislikes!

But for many the best thing about the Q4 might be the way it is easy to feel immediately at home in it, with the car seeming to almost become an extension of oneself.

There is no quirkiness to adjust to, only an apparent ‘cohesion’ between vehicle and driver that allows full concentration on the road ahead.

Impressive!

The model I drove benefited from a range of options, including Navarra Blue metallic paint (£575); 20 inch 5 V spoke grey alloys (£625); privacy glass (£395), and suspension with adjustable damper control (£950).

It also had the optional matrix LED headlights (£1075), which even included the facility to select one of four patterns for the front light clusters.

All in all, this Audi Q4 e-tron might turn out to be the odds-on favourite with punters in the “EV stakes”!

The Q4 Sportback e-tron range starts at around £45,000, with the actual price obviously being heavily influenced by the model you opt for as well, as the options you select.

■ New 4th generation of the award-winning pick-up ■ Tows 3.5 tonnes + carries 1 tonne ■ Selectable 4x4 with low range ■ 2.2L engine with 181 PS & 420Nm torque ■ New look with triple stacked LED fog lights & ladder grille

FROM ONLY

£23,495 ex VAT* Fields SsangYong - Astley Cross Garage Astley Cross Garage, Redhouse Road, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, DY13 0NW, 01299 827 221, WWW.fields-ssangyong.co.uk Fuel consumption figures in mpg: Combined 28.2-31.8. CO2 emissions in g/km 231-261. Model featured is a Musso Saracen priced at £31,070 including optional metallic paint priced at £575 and excluding VAT. *Musso EX including delivery charge, Road Fund Licence & first registration charge and excluding VAT. Prices are correct at the time of going to print but may be modified or changed at any time.

Boxing clever in Town and Country

The first production version of Subaru's XV was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car has changed a lot since then but it still fulfils the same brief. For example, it's still a compact 4x4, which means it's often more convenient than larger alternatives, particularly in tight spaces such as supermarket car parks.

Key features still include Subaru's excellent Permanent Symmetrical AllWheel Drive system, which automatically directs power to the wheels with the most traction. This provides the sure-footed feel you expect from a Subaru and it's particularly impressive accelerating away from T-junctions. And the engine is, unsurprisingly, a horizontallyopposed flat four - another Subaru hallmark - indeed it's a layout that's been associated with the marque for over 50 years.

The XV came in for major revision in 2017, with the adoption of the Subaru Global Platform. Last year saw a facelift, an obvious change being the revised front bumper and grille.

However, the change that e-Boxer buyers are most likely to focus on is the addition of a hybrid system. This combines an electric motor and battery with the 2-litre direct injection petrol engine, permitting pure electric driving, in suitable circumstances, at speeds of up to about 25mph. The motor is located near the centre of the car with the lithium-ion battery unit mounted above the rear axle. There is no manual option - this XV is only offered with Subaru's 'Lineartronic'

automatic CVT transmission.

Being a Subaru, it's no surprise that the XV takes off-road performance seriously. This is no fashion-led crossover, rather it is a 4x4 that performs competently, whether on road or off. It even has an 'X mode' button, with hill descent control, for use in challenging terrain including deep snow or mud.

Other features include EyeSight driver assist technology. This uses two stereo cameras, one each side of the rearview mirror. It looks for hazards up to 110 metres ahead and it includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

The car I drove was an SE Premium, which combined all of the above with a high trim level, including heated leather seats, perforated on the squabs and backs, with contrast stitching. Other features included a sunroof, automatic LED headlights with high beam assist, and Keyless Entry & Push Button Start.

My initial outing was mainly on country lanes and 'B' roads. Here the XV was truly in its element, with a very natural feel, and with a ride that managed to be fluid enough to insulate the car's occupants from most potholes while still being wellcontrolled. The hybrid system also worked well, with the car being happy to trickle along on electric power, if the driver used a very gentle touch on the accelerator pedal. Of course, the hybrid system also plays a useful role

in reducing fuel consumption and emissions in urban traffic.

One unusual feature is a camera in the nose of the car, just below the Subaru badge. As well as being useful for tight manoeuvring, its position means that if you come to a T junction or field exit with a restricted sideways view, you can switch the camera on and get an early chance to spot traffic that's not yet visible from the driver's position. Convenient, and a real safety aid.

After 280 miles of relaxed driving the XV was showing an average of just over 40mpg - better than many would expect from a petrol-powered twolitre 4x4 with automatic transmission.

The entry-level SE starts at £31,730, but opting for the SE Premium model nudges the price up to £33,680. These prices exclude any specified options.

Simple and clear layout

Under the bonnet

Suzuki's Electric Performer!

If you're looking for a spacious and wellequipped four-wheel-drive hybrid, you might not immediately think of visiting your local Suzuki dealer. For years Suzuki has been known for compact to modest-size cars, including models such as the Jimny, Swift and S-Cross. Worthy models indeed, but not likely to be on the radar of buyers looking for a car at the larger end of the market.

The Across, which arrived in late 2020, has changed the situation. Built in Japan by Toyota, and very similar to their RAV4, it takes Suzuki into a new market sector, being bigger, more luxurious and more expensive than the models we've previously seen with this badge.

Weighing over two tons with the driver on board, and measuring over 4.6 metres from end to end, this is a substantial 4x4, so you might expect relaxed performance. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's not just quick, it's remarkably quick. Not on top speed

- that isn't what his car is about - but on acceleration. In theory, it can hit 60mph from rest in less than six seconds, so it could certainly show a clean pair of heels to many hot hatches - a real surprise indeed. The performance is down to this being a plug-in hybrid, with the substantial electric power being added to the 2.5-litre petrol engine's output; working together they can offer 306hp.

Even running solely on electric power, the Across is quite lively and it easily - very easily keeps with everyday traffic, without needing assistance from the petrol engine. It also offers a longer electric range than many PHEVs. Depending on conditions and driving style, a full charge might last 46 miles, so even a 90 mile journey could see the car running on electric power for most of the time.

When looking at a PHEV it is easy to focus on the electric aspect of the car. However, on longer journeys it's obvious that the car spends a lot of time running largely on the

petrol engine. Consequently it's important to consider how it performs once the battery is drained. A trip into mid Wales was enough to use up the Across's purely electric range. On the journey back it was therefore effectively running as a self-charging hybrid, albeit with a very large battery. The computer was reset before heading home and the result was 49.7mpg, according to the onboard display very impressive for a petrol-engined vehicle of this size, weight and performance.

There are four 'drive modes' to choose from Eco, Sports, Normal and Trail - allowing the driver to select whichever is most appropriate, and 'Sports' did enhance overtaking ability, as you might expect it to.

Left to its own devices, the car delivered good gear changes. The paddles also did a good job, but the automatic transmission worked so well that we didn't really feel a need to override it. The compliant suspension meant the ride was comfortable, which was particularly welcome on the poor surfaces

that are frequently encountered these days.

Only one model is offered. This has a high specification, comparable to what you might expect from a 'top of the range' model, including heated (front and rear) leather seats, heated steering wheel, Dual Zone Automatic Air Conditioning, LED projector headlights, powered tailgate and a nine inch multimedia touchscreen.

Prices start at £46,629 and if you're looking for a quick, comfortable, and well-equipped PHEV, the Across is surely a serious contender.

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

Kia's Seven Seat Hybrid Sun roof

SKODA KAROQ

19 19 KAROQ 1.0 TSi SE, grey, 20,000 miles ……………… £19,995

SKODA YETI

17 17 YETI 1.2 TSi SE Drive DSG, cappuccino, 20,000 miles … £17,995 17 17 YETI 2.0 TDi SE Drive, green, 51,000 miles …………… £16,995 17 17 YETI 1.2 TSi SE Drive, grey, 31,000 miles ……………… £16,750 16 66 YETI 1.2 TSi SEL DSG Auto, red, 23,000 miles ………… £16,750 16 66 YETI 2.0 TDi SE Business, grey, 62,000 miles ………… £15,495 16 16 YETI 2.0 TDi SEL, grey, 44,000 miles ………………… £14,495 15 65 YETI 2.0 TDi 150 SEL 4x4 DSG, black, 72,000 miles … £14,495 15 64 YETI 1.2 TSi SE DSG, grey, 30,000 miles ……………… £14,495 14 14 YETI 1.2 TSi SE DSG, jungle green, 50,000 miles …… £13,350 14 63 YETI 2.0 TDi Laurin & Klement 4x4, silver, 99,000 miles … £11,995 13 13 YETI 2.0 TDi S, beige, 74,000 miles …………………… £10,250 11 11 YETI 1.2 TSi SE DSG, grey, 108,000 miles ……………… £7,995

SKODA FABIA

15 15 FABIA 1.4 TDi SE Auto, blue, 35,000 miles …………… £9,995 13 63 FABIA 1.2 SE, silver, 52,000 miles ……………………… £6,250 14 14 FABIA 1.2 SE, blue, 75,000 miles ……………………… £5,995 11 61 FABIA 1.2 TSi SE Estate, silver, 52,000 miles ………… £5,995 13 13 FABIA 1.2 SE, silver, 58,000 miles ……………………… £5,750 10 10 FABIA 1.2 TSi Elegance, blue, 77,000 miles …………… £5,450 12 12 FABIA 1.6 TDi SE Plus, blue, 75,000 miles ……………… £4,450

SKODA ROOMSTER

13 63 ROOMSTER 1.2 TSi SE, blue, 55,000 miles …………… £5,995 12 12 ROOMSTER 1.6 TDi SE, blue, 89,000 miles …………… £5,450

SKODA CITIGO

20 20 CITIGOe iV all-electric auto, white, 3,000 miles …… £19,995 18 18 CITIGO 1.0 SEL Green Tech, blue, 15,000 miles ……… £9,995 16 66 CITIGO 1.0 SE, white, 80,000 miles …………………… £5,995

SKODA OCTAVIA

17 67 OCTAVIA 2.0 TDi 150 SEL 4x4 ESTATE, blue, 47,000 miles … £16,450 16 66 OCTAVIA 2.0 TDi SEL 4x4 ESTATE, 83,000 miles ……… £13,995 14 64 OCTAVIA 2.0 TDi SEL ESTATE AUTO, red, 60,000 miles … £11,995 13 63 OCTAVIA 1.6 TDi SEL 4x4 ESTATE, blue, 90,000 miles … £10,995 13 63 OCTAVIA 1.6 TDi SE, red, 86,000 miles ………………… £7,495

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

Promoted with the words 'Bring On Anything', the fourth-generation of Kia's flagship Sorento model was launched in late 2020. It's already an award-winner, including being voted 'Car of the Year 2021' by Carbuyer, 'Car of the year 2021 Large SUV' by What Car?; and 'Best Large SUV 2021' by Diesel Car & Eco Car. It has also received three design awards - from Red Dot, from iF and from Good Design.

We tried the self-charging hybrid. This pairs a 1.6 litre turbo-petrol engine with a 64kw electric motor, meaning there is a combined 226bhp on tap.

Considering that the Sorento is 4.81m long and weighs around two tons, on the road it has surprising poise. The mid-range urge from the combination of petrol and electric power, particularly in Sport mode, might encourage some to up the pace but pressing on could see fuel economy fall to 35mpg!

The suspension gives good control and decent comfort - a rare combination - and the car feels sufficiently planted on the road to enjoy an undulating B road. As speed rises its weight becomes more apparent and a bit of understeer occurs. Cruising at around 50mph is lazy and luxurious and it would be easy to cover lots of miles in a day without arriving at the destination feeling frazzled. Restrained use could return over 40mpg, with the regenerative braking helping to recharge the battery. There are gearchange paddles but these seemed somewhat redundant as the car did such a good job for itself.

Excellent headlights, with an auto dip function that worked well, and excellent cameras all round (front, rear, mirrors) added to the Sorento's easygoing nature.

Push-button electrically-aided access to the rearmost seats is convenient and even the rearmost seats benefit from air conditioning, cup holders and USB charging. The car I drove was a 'Level 4'; in keeping with its top spec there are numerous menus on the responsive 10.25 inch touch screen, allowing the driver to configure the vehicle to suit his or her personal requirements.

You can even choose your own colour for the ambient lighting!

Features of the 'Level 4' include a 12speaker Bose surround sound system, 'head-up' display, large twin-section panoramic sunroof, smart auto-open powered tailgate, Android auto & Apple Carplay connectivity, wireless phone charging, black quilted Nappa leather upholstery, heated seats front and rear (the fronts are also air conditioned) and a satin effect dash with 3D embossing. A neat feature is the Blind Spot view monitor which gives a live feed into the instrument cluster as you manoeuvre.

With the 3rd row of seats folded there is a good-size boot, but if you need more

space you can also fold the middle row. Kia offer various accessories such as ski carriers, bike carriers, roof boxes and a tow bar (fixed or electrically-retracting), all of which are very much in step with the Sorento's 'Go anywhere, do anything' rȃison d'étre.

A summary of this Kia's qualities might include "a stylish, spacious, luxurious and comfortable seven seater that's a useful allrounder". The Sorento benefits from Kia's usual seven-year (100,000 mile) warranty and prices start at around £40,000 for a Level 2 petrol hybrid, with the Level 4 petrol hybrid I tried approaching £49,000.

ABOVE: Push button drops seat back and moves seat forward, giving access to seats 6&7 LEFT: Rearmost seats

BURFORD, TENBURY WELLS - GUIDE PRICE £575,000

BERRINGTON ROAD, TENBURY WELLS - OFFERS IN EXCESS OF £500,000

An impressive and individual split level bungalow in a private setting within level walking distance of the town centre.

Kitchen with Larder, Dining Room, Spacious Sitting Room, Four Bedrooms, Shower Room, Utility Room, WC, Garden Room, Workshop, Attached Quadruple Garage, Ample Driveway Parking, Extensive Level Gardens, EPC Rating D.

A detached bungalow for improvement set on a large plot in an elevated and highly sought after residential area.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Dining Room, Sitting Room, Master Bedroom with Ensuite, Two Further Double Bedrooms, Bathroom, Utility Room, Integral Garage, Parking, Level Gardens, EPC Rating D.

TENBURY WELLS - FOR SALE BY FORMAL TENDER IN 3 LOTS Land at Haresbrook, Berrington Road, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, WR15 8EN A strategic block of pastureland with a barn and amenity woodland set close to Tenbury Wells.

About 45.84 acres, 18.545 hectares. Tender Closing Date - 12 noon on Friday, 22nd April 2022.

Lot 1 - 9.12 acres - 3.692 hectares - Pastureland and Woodland - £75,000 + Lot 2 - 20.42 acres - 8.262 hectares - Pastureland - £175,000 + Lot 3 - 16.30 acres - 6.595 hectares - Pastureland and a Barn - £150,000 +

BURFORD, TENBURY WELLS - GUIDE PRICE £375,000

TENBURY WELLS - AUCTION GUIDE £60,000

FARLOW, KIDDERMINSTER - AUCTION GUIDE £50,000 +

A modern cottage style detached house with double garage/home office in an exclusive developlment on the edge of town.

Fitted Kitchen, Two Reception Rooms, Conservatory, Master Bedroom with Ensuite, Two Further Bedrooms, Bathroom, Cloakroom, Attractive Gardens, Double Garage, Garage Loft Conversion, Parking, EPC Rating E.

A useful level pasture field close to Tenbury Wells.

About 4.21 acres - 1.705 hectares For Sale by Public Auction, Subject to the Conditions of Sale on Wednesday, 27th April 2022 at 6pm at The Fountain inn, Oldwood, WR15 8TB

A stone bothy/retreat with potential hidden away in amenity woodland adjacent to Silvington Common. About 2.132 acres - 0.863 hectares.

For Sale by Public Auction, Subject to the Conditions of Sale on Wednesday, 27th April 2022 at 6pm at The Fountain inn, Oldwood, WR15 8TB

TENBURY WELLS - GUIDE PRICE £325,000

TENBURY WELLS - GUIDE PRICE £285,000

An immaculate link-detached bungalow in a desirable residential area within level walking distance of the town centre.

Fitted Kitchen, Living Room, Conservatory, Two Bedrooms, Shower Room, Attractive Level Gardens, Garage, Driveway Parking, EPC Rating D.

A link-detached bungalow in a desirable residential area within level walking distance of the town centre.

Kitchen, Living Room, Conservatory, Two Double Bedrooms, Bathroom, Attractive Level Gardens, Garage, Parking, EPC Rating D.

TENBURY WELLS - GUIDE PRICE £215,000

ORCHARD COURT, TENBURY WELLS - GUIDE PRICE £155,000

A modern semi-detached estate house in a desirable residential area within walking distance of the town centre and local schools.

Contemporary Fitted Kitchen, Spacious Living Room, Two Double Bedrooms, Bathroom, Cloakroom, South-West Facing Garden, Two Driveway Parking Spaces, EPC Rating B.

A semi-detached bungalow in a prime position on a popular development which benefits from a warden service, resident facilities and an alarm system, conveniently situated within level walking distance of the town centre.

Kitchen, Spacious Living Room, Two Bedrooms, Shower Room, Easy Care Garden, EPC Rating D.