The Villager Magazine

MAGAZINE VILLAGER

MAY 2015

EST 2006

INSIDE LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Delivered free to homes and businesses in Bobbington, Kinver, Himley, Swindon & Wollaston

All change on Kinver Edge Geraniums Win Theatre Tickets

PLUS

Goodbye from Cat the Vet

CONTENTS MAY 2015

06 KINVER MUSIC FESTIVAL 10 14 16 28 26 28

PAGE

06

Ukraine accordian duo

COMPUTERS

Need a spring clean too

MONEY WISE

Cash in or keep your pension pot

KINVER EDGE

PAGE

16

Its all change

THEATRE COMPETITION Agatha Christies Mousetrap

IN YOUR GARDEN

Geraniums - Easy plants for difficult places

PETS

Ta-Ra a bit Babs!

contact us

Office: 01384 274608 Mobile: 07726 790233 E: editor@villagermagazine.co.uk

Web: villagermagazine.co.uk

NEXT EDITION

Please contact us before 24th May 2015 to advertise in the next edition.

PAGE

28

Independently published the Villager magazines promote local business to local people.

This edition of The Villager is delivered FREE monthly to homes and businesses in Bobbington, Kinver, Himley, Stourton, Swindon & Wollaston.

Other Villager Magazine editions are delivered FREE to homes in Kingswinford, Wall Heath & Wordsley.

Supporting local businesses, Community Groups, Societies, Charities and Schools.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. Whilst all reasonable effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publisher accepts no responsibility for omissions or errors within The Villager Magazine, or competence of any business or statement made by any contributor. Before entering into any expense or commitment readers must check facts for themselves.

We are pleased to report that Bikers from across the country turned out in their thousands on April 26 at the Bike 4 Life festival featured in last months Villager. In excess of 5,000 motorcyclists participated in the 23 mile ride, from Meole Brace, Shrewsbury to the RAF Museum Cosford. They filled the motorway as far as the eye could see, travelling en masse by police escort to the Museum. Leading the 5,000 strong Ride Out this year was seven times World Superbike Champion and current ‘King of the Jungle’ Carl Fogarty, joined by TV Presenter Richard Hammond. The event raised in excess of £45,000 for Midlands Air Ambulance.

Please enjoy this edition.

Happy reading Maggie

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24

THE EDITOR

CLEANING SERVICES

7 D HR AY S S

LETTER FROM

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We provide a complete service from survey to fitting to ensure customer satisfaction is guaranteed.

Please call Shaun for a FREE no obligation quote KINGSWINFORD BLINDS good honest service at an affordable price

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Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile!

It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services.

Managing Director Brian Stanley feels that it’s all about service.

‘Our product is simple.

If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with

a new 5 year guarantee.

But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done.

We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’

Cloudy2Clear service Kingswinford, Wordsley and Wall Heath areas and Brian is finding that his approach is a major factor in his success.

‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of

business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Brian a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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5

UKRAINE ACCORDION DUO TO START U.K. TOUR

AT KINVER MUSIC FESTIVAL Kinver Music Festival

July 10th, 11th & 12th

KINVER MUSICAL FESTIVAL to be staged in July is to feature the opening performance of a U.K. tour by an acclaimed accordion duo from the Ukraine.

The curtain-raiser for the 18-date British tour

by Oleksiy Kolomoiets and Igor Sayenko, who make up the Kyiv Classic Duo, is to be part of the Saturday Spectacular within the three-day festival from Friday July10 to Sunday July 12.

Igor and Oleksiy began to perform professionally in 2002 and completed a study course in the National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kiev four years later. Oleksiy is now also a member of the Orchestra of the National Radio of Ukraine and Igor is with the country’s National Philarmonic Society.

6

At their performance at Kinver Rotary Club’s Saturday Spectacular in St Peter’s Church Hall they will demonstrate how their two contemporary button accordions produce sounds ranging from a small squeezebox to a string quartet, a massive church organ or even an orchestra.

The performance, which has been sponsored by CHL Holdings of Brierley Hill, will take place at 2.30 p.m. with tickets costing £7 for adults and £6 for children available from the Post Office in Kinver High Street. All proceeds of the show will go to the Kinver Chernobyl Children’s Charity.

The Rotary Club will be staging other ticketed events at six locations later in the day while Friday July 10 and Sunday July 12 will be devoted to a wide variety of free performances in public houses and restaurants throughout the village.

To advertise call 01384 274608 / 07726 790233 - villagermagazine.co.uk

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7

Latest trends?

Or more traditional?

We can help you create your perfect kitchen.

For cabinets, doors, worktops and accessories contact: Jmac Supplies, DudleyRoad, Kingswinford DY6 8XE

8

Tel: 01384 354040 / 07904 230126 www.jmacsupplies.co.uk

To advertise call 01384 274608 / 07726 790233 - villagermagazine.co.uk

Ballard

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‘Black Country Focused’ professional electricians

REWIRE & FUSE BOARD SPECIALISTS We have a proven track record of customer sa(sfac(on “We provide an unrivalled service, whether you are looking to install a cooker, provide power and ligh ng to an outbuilding or are planning a major renova on project. We offer FREE advice and ideas to complete your project.

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9

COMPUTERS NEED A SPRING CLEAN TOO BY MIKE

BROOKS

OF PC PROBLEMS

Lots of items we own should be serviced at least once a year, for example; cars and the central heating boiler and the same is true for your computer..

There are many factors that make your computer slower over time, un-used or unwanted software, thousands of temporary files, and each year the anti-virus program gets more sophisticated. This all puts an extra burden on your computer, which must be dealt with before it gets into a position where you can no longer use it.

PC Problems?

When your computer was new, it only took a few minutes to show the desktop, load the anti-virus software and be ready to use, several years later it now takes 5 to 10 minutes before it is useable…

During a routine service maintenance the time can be dramatically reduced, which in turn lessens the stress on your computer, which helps prolong its life. Any errors or problems can be highlighted and remedial action can be taken before it splutters to a halt. .

Having a yearly service can improve the longevity and regain some of that lost speed. Don’t throw it out of the window in frustration! Book a service.

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11

New Kinver Players Presents ‘London Suite’

This summer New Kinver Players presents Neil Simon’s London Suite, a series of four short comedies set in a deluxe London hotel; a sedate place until these characters check in.

In Settling Accounts the suite is occupied by a writer who is holding his long time business manager, caught absconding with the writers money, at gun point. The villain concocts increasingly farfetched explanations of what he was doing at Heathrow with the cash.

An American widow and her daughter, in England to buy shoes, take over the suite in Going Home. At the daughters insistence Mother spends her last evening in London with a rich Scotsman.

Act 2 starts on a bittersweet note with Diana and Sidney, another chapter in the lives of two characters from California. Diana, the Oscar winning actress and Sidney her bisexual husband, are now divorced and are seeing each other for the first time in years. He needs money for his lover who is dying of cancer. The money is not a problem for Diana but the realisation that she still loves him is.

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When mark is suddenly incapacitated and a series of hilarious events ensue.

London Suite is being performed at the Edward Marsh Centre , Kinver from Wednesday 24th June to Saturday 27th June at 7.30 pm.

Tickets are available on line from www.newkinverplayers.org.uk

Omnipresent, High Street Kinver between 9.00 to 5.30 Mon to Sat Or contact Maureen Baker on 01384 440471

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Please mention the villager when responding to adverts

13

VILLAGER MAGAZINE

SHOULD YOU

CASH IN OR KEEPYOUR PENSION POT The month of April heralded a new Pensions era where you now have even more freedom to decide what you want to do with your pension savings as you approach retirement. Whatever you choose to do, and it will be your choice if you qualify, think carefully and choose wisely.

Seek advice before making a choice if you are not sure of the effects that might result.

You have two broad choices that you can make – cash-in or hold on to your savings.

CASHING IN

If you qualify, you might be tempted to cash in your pension. That’s understandable, particularly if debts are a concern – recent estimates show that nearly a third of homeowners after the age of 61 will still be paying their mortgage off. But if you’re really keen to get your hands on the cash, even if it’s just because it feels good to have the cash now – you need to think carefully about the risks and your longer term needs. After all, since we’re living longer, it might need to last for at least a couple of decades.

Financial Services Ltd As local Independent Financial Advisers Our aim is to provide Financial Advice for

everyone FREE Initial Review Pension Review Retirement Planning Investments & Savings ISA’s Child Savings Plans Mortgages & Re-mortgages Life Cover Critical Illness For a confidential, no obligation discussion contact the JPA team

Tel. 01384 918158

14

The value of the investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back as much as you put in.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

By JPA

Financial Services Ltd

PRESERVING YOUR SAVINGS

Cash is not always king if you’re keeping it for the long term. Certainly in an era of low interest rates and returns on cash savings, inflation can wipe off the value. Without any improvement in interest rates, £30,000 could be devalued to just over £24,512 after 10 years, assuming you spend the small amount of interest you gain and the inflation rate is 2%. That’s why many people opt for investing in the stock market, when it comes to longer term savings. It gives you access to better potential growth. Worth taking the risk?

If you are looking to take more control and responsibility for your retirement savings planning, it is definitely recommended that you speak to an expert to get advice on your own personal situation and a good idea on what will deliver the best solution for you.

NEW ADVISER AT JPA

JPA are delighted with the appointment of our new adviser Nicholas Lue. Nick is qualified to provide advice on pensions, investments and mortgages and brings with him a wealth of experience and will prove valuable addition to the JPA team.

WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT JPA?

We hold a weekly Open surgery at our offices in Market Street, Kingswinford every Saturday morning 10.00am to 12 noon for a no-obligation review of your pensions and investments.

Please contact the office to secure your appointment. Tel: 01384 918158 or email us at jpafinancialservicesltd@gmail.com

BY ENGAGING JPA TODAY YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A MORE SECURE TOMORROW

To advertise call 01384 274608 / 07726 790233 - villagermagazine.co.uk

VILLAGER MAGAZINE

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15

ON KINV

2015 promises to be a very exciting year for Kinver Edge and Rock Houses, with record numbers of visitors over the Easter period and many new developments planned for the property. A recent National Trust restructure has seen the property become part of the Trust’s South Shropshire Portfolio.

Marcus Halliwell, the new General Manager and his team welcome you to the property.

16

The Rock Houses and Tea Rooms are open Thursday - Sunday from 11.00am - 4.00pm.

Kinver Edge and Rock Houses are owned and managed by the National Trust, supported by a large team of indoor and outdoor volunteers and the Kinver Edge Committee. The role of the Committee has changed over time, from taking virtually sole responsibility for the day to day management of the property, following the donation of the property to the National Trust by the Lee family in 1917, to a more advisory role to the Trust today. Kinver Edge Committee is rightly proud of its independent status and its history of leading many initiatives, not least the restoration of the Rock Houses during the 1990s.

To advertise call 01384 274608 / 07726 790233 - villagermagazine.co.uk

it’s all change

VER EDGE!

Fires can now be lit in the Martindale Rock Houses, making the rooms more atmospheric for visitors, cosier for the volunteers, and a little less damp in winter!

This spring has seen the retirement of Edwin Blunt, who was appointed warden for Kinver Edge in May 1986 and became the longest serving warden in the history of the property.

Edwin had a passion for the outdoors, loved his job and Kinver became a very special place to him and his wife Pat. Edwin will be missed by all and in particular by the team of outdoor volunteers with whom he worked tirelessly to manage and conserve this special place. We wish Edwin well in his retirement and we welcome Ewan Chapman who has been appointed as the new Ranger.

Edwin Blunt

Longest serving warden

Visitors this year will be able to see the two newly restored Martindale chimneys which were rebuilt with the aid of the Committee and generous grants from the Anthony and Gwendoline Wylde Memorial Trust and the Ken Wrigley Memorial Charity. Committee member Steve Anderson project managed the restoration, which used heritage bricks donated from the Ruskin Glasshouse College. The chimneys were officially opened on March 18th,

by Peter Nixon, Director of Conservation for the Trust, who has long standing ties to the Kinver property.

On Sunday 21st June Kinver Edge Committee and the National Trust will be running a joint stall at Kinver Country Fayre. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the property or you wish to find out more about the work of the National Trust and Kinver Edge Committee, please visit our stall or contact the Committee through the email addresses given below.

On selected dates this summer the Committee will be running a free shuttle bus service linking Kinver village, the Rock Houses and Kinver Edge.

Details of this service will be posted around the village and in the Villager Magazine.

Mick Grove (Communications Officer) m.grove928@btinternet.com John Sharkey (Secretary) jsharkeyuk@hotmail.com

Please mention the villager when responding to adverts

17

WIN TICKETS

The longest running show of any kind in the history of British theatre.

THE MOUSETRAP returns to

Wolverhampton from Monday 29th June to Saturday 4th July. The murder mystery is famous around the world for being the longest running show of any kind in the history of British theatre.

The scene is set when a group of people gathered in a country house cut off by the snow discover, to their horror, that there is a murderer in their midst. Who can it be? One by one the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts until at the last, nerve-shredding moment the identity and the motive are finally revealed.

In her own inimitable style, Dame Agatha Christie has created an atmosphere of shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner..

18

The Villager Magazine has teamed up with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to offer three lucky readers the chance to win 2 tickets each to see ‘THE MOUSETRAP’ on 29 June at 7.30pm.

WHICH OF THESE IS AN AGATHA CHRISTIE SLEUTH? A. JESSICA FLETCHER B. JANE MARPLE C. MOLLY BLUME Entries to: The Mousetrap.

1 Greystoke Drive, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 8DX. Email: thevillagermag@yahoo.co.uk T&C’s:- The draw will take place on 01.06.15 The winners will be notified and must collect the tickets from the box office on the night of the performance. Tickets can not be exchanged and no cash, alternative prizes or nights are available.

The winner may be required to take part in relevant publicity.

For ticket inquiries please go to www.grandtheatre.co.uk or call The Box Office 01902 42 92 12

To advertise call 01384 274608 / 07726 790233 - villagermagazine.co.uk

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19

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more than 25% fail

BLOOD PRESSURE TEST in Kinver

More than a quarter of men and women who accepted an invitation for a spontaneous blood pressure test in Kinver were referred to their GP for further investigation.

Members of the village’s Rotary Club set up a test centre in the White Harte public house in the High Street in association with the Stroke Association’s national blood pressure awareness day and invited shoppers and visitors inside for an on-the-spot test.

Of the 96 who agreed, 27 were assessed as needing to report to their GP, with a significant number of those recording dangerously high pressure levels.

Among those with “optimum” readings was South Staffs MP Gavin Williamson who dropped

Mary Stevens Hospice

KINVER FUNDRAISING group

Mary Stevens Hospice Kinver Fundraising Group had a very successful end to the year when they raised £1,038 at the concert

by Cradley Heath Male Voice Choir.

The Fundraising Group from Kinver visited the Hospice recently to see the refurbished In Patient Unit. They were all extremely impressed with the refurbished private facilities in the 10 bed Patient Unit. They did feel however that there was need for some sympathetic additions in the way of furnishings.

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A stress-free Gavin Williamson getting the thumbs up for his blood pressure reading in to the centre while canvassing in the village and demonstrated that, in his case, electioneering was totally stress-free (according to his blood pressure).

Rtn Chris Elcock, who organised the project, said: “We were surprised at the numbers who came in and we were quite disturbed at the percentage that we referred to GPs. But that was the reason for the exercise – to alert unsuspecting people of the dangers of strokes from high blood pressure and encourage those who may be vulnerable to take action.”

TOMBOLA Saturday May 16

The group have now taken up the challenge to raise funds to provide the unit with a few home comforts. Along with the help of Susan Sands and Kinver Kraft Group a tombola will be held on Saturday 16 May outside ‘Crafts by Eleanor’ next to Barclays Bank on Kinver High Street.

Sylvia Sidaway from Mary Stevens Hospice Kinver Fundraising Group said; “Please come along and support us on 16 May for this very worthwhile cause.”

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25

Geraniums

GARDENING BY MARTIN BLOW

Geranium

MRS. KENDAL CLARK

EASY PLANTS FOR DIFFICULT PLACES

The hardy geraniums are well-loved plants that seem to have fallen out of fashion with garden trend-setters over recent years. I can’t understand why: they’re easy to grow, give great value in the garden and there are varieties that do well in the most difficult spots.

Commonly called Cranesbills (due to the shape of their seed pods) they are completely different to the half-hardy bedding plants many gardeners call Geraniums – these are really Pelargoniums.

Cranesbills come in many shapes and sizes from tiny alpines to large bushy monsters 3-4ft tall and wide. Some, but by no means all, are quite invasive – I sincerely regret planting Geranium malviflorum after 5 years of trying to irradiate it. However most Geraniums are well-behaved and easy to care for. Here are some of my favourites for different locations.

Geranium PHAEUM 'ALBUM'

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brighten up a dark spot

Geranium

ELKE

for dry sunny spots

For dry, sunny spots you can’t do better than the Bloodroot Geraniums (G. sanguineum) which are prostrate plants with a mat of ground-hugging stems with small slug-resistant leaves. The flowers are large in relation to the height of plants and come in many shades of pink as well as white. One of the best is “Elke” with very large silver-edged pink flowers. I’d also recommend Striatum (veined pinked flowers), Glenluce (lavender pink) and Album (pure white).

You can cut these plants hard back after the first flowering (May – July) and they will respond with more flowers in August or September.

For shady but not too dry spots the Mourning Widow (Geranium phaeum) makes a good link between spring and summer with flowers from late April through to early July. She gets her name from the mournful, maroon flowers of the wild types, however there are more showy varieties to choose from. My favourite is Geranium phaeum Album with masses of pure white flowers to brighten up a dark spot.

For really shady, dry places Geranium Czakor will provide ground covering, aromatic leaves and brilliant magenta flowering in early summer.

This really is a tough customer succeeding where most plants would fail.

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STABLES

My favourite for more open sunny borders is the lovely, but fairly tall Meadow Cranesbill – Geranium pratense. These flower in mid-summer and often repeat in autumn. The best of these is Mrs. Kendall Clark who has pearly-blue flowers and grows to 2ft 6in – 3ft tall.

Blue geraniums are also very popular, the best being the low growing Johnson’s Blue but I prefer Gravetye or Irish Blue as they flower for so much longer. The double Geranium himilayense Flore Plenum is also very attractive and low growing. The superstar of blue Geraniums must be Rozanne – she was voted plant of Centenary

by The Royal Horticultural Society for very good reason. Here large white-centred blue flowers smoother the trailing stems of the plant from June to October and she grows well in partial shade. I find she makes a lovely container plant as well.

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GRAVETYE

flower so much longer

Geraniums can all be cut back after flowering and some will rebloom but all will grow fresh, attractive leaves. It’s worth dividing them every few years after flowering to keep them vigorous.

They will benefit from your normal garden feeding programme – I feed with Growmore in spring and blood, fish and bone in summer.

MARTIN BLOW

Janet & I run SpecialPerennials, a small garden nursery in Hankelow Cheshire where we hold two National Plant Collections and grow a large range of plants for a nature friendly garden. Our garden was featured on BBC Gardener’s World in 2014. Our website www.specialperennials.com is full of colour photos and growing tips.

We sell by mail order and at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season. We will be at Hodnet Hall Gardens on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st of May. We are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for you to collect.

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a final goodbye from Cat Henstridge BVSc MRCVS

TA-RA A BIT BABS! This article is going to be my last for the Villager Magazine as I am leaving Connaught Vets and the beautiful Black Country and going back to my native South Yorkshire.

Connaught Vets was my first job after I graduated from university and I will be forever grateful to my boss Nick Bolton, whose based at the Wolverhampton hospital, for employing me.

I remember when I excitedly told a (southern) friend I was going to go and work in the Black Country. He looked at me aghast and said “You can’t say that! It’s racist!”

I too had a lot to learn about this unique part of the world.The language for example; I shall never forget a wonderful old client, as broad as they come, calling me ‘Me Wench’ in the consult room.

I nearly threw him out before I realised this is a term of endearment!

I now pride mi’self on being able to speak almost fluent Black Country and having an owner announce ‘Oi’ve cum on the buzz cos e’s got the diarree’ causes me no bother at all. When I first started working here I practically needed a translator for some of my clients but now I consider myself a fully-fledged Yam Yam! Having been at the Connaught for over 10 years (although I have had a few breaks in the time) I have loved knowing my patients well and seeing my signature on their vaccine card from when they were babies and to them entering their twilight years. I shall also miss all you wonderful clients! It has been a privilege to be entrusted with your pets care. A vet cannot do their job without a dedicated owner and I have had the privilege of working with the best!

I shall also dearly miss the staff at the practice who, if you will forgive the plug, are the most dedicated, devoted and skilled bunch I have ever worked with. Trust me; your pets are in excellent hands with them.

So that’s it. I have had a bostin’ time but I am now am going to wash me donnies for the final time, set off round the Wrekin, away from the Black Country to the rolling green hills of the Yorkshire Dales.

Where no doubt they will think I am the one speaking funny!

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29

DUDLEY SOUTH

LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB

At their April meeting 39 members of the DUDLEY SOUTH LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB enjoyed an excellent 3-course meal at the Kingfisher Hotel, Wall Heath.

Chairman Mary Jones was delighted to welcome several visitors and hoped the friendly atmosphere would encourage them to return again.

Lisa Williams who has worked in journalism for 11 years and is now the Lifestyle Editor at the Express & Sta was our speaker. She explained how the newspaper had to adapt to modern technology. Originally it was printed each day and reporters had to think on their feet as within minutes a breaking story could be in print on the front page. With the advent of the internet, news travels so fast that changes had been necessary and they were now more a reactionary paper covering not only national and local news, but the latest stories on celebrities and acts of kindness in order to appeal to three generations.

Names are now being taken for an outing to Moreton-in-the-Marsh and Bourton-on-the-Water on Tuesday, 7th July costing £10.

The speaker on 12th June will be Ruth Lowe who will tell us about Mary Quant Fashions.

Meetings are held on the second Friday in each month 12 noon for 12.30pm departing at 3pm.

Visitors will receive a warm welcome and can attend 3 times before deciding to join. Further information ring the Secretary on 01902 372984.

In the picture: Jan Burrows, Ann Rogers and speaker Lisa Williams

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