Arrowvale News
Please note the different service times
The Rural Dean Writes...
It's with great pleasure that I can now officially announce the exciting news that Rev Brenda Jacobs has been appointed as the new Rector of the Arrowvale Group of Parishes.
We had a very successful and happy conclusion to the complex and time-consuming appointment process when it was unanimously decided at the interviews on March 8th that wanted to invite Brenda to become Rector. Happily for us, she immediately accepted our invitation and will be formally "sworn in" by the Bishop of Hereford in a special service - hopefully in Pembridge Church on Sunday July 29th at 6pm. As we go to press, we still have to confirm the date, time and place, but we're fairly confident about it, so please put the details in your diary - everyone is welcome! More details nearer the time.
Brenda was ordained in 2009 and is currently serving as Assistant Curate in the West Hereford Team, with particular responsibility for All Saints' Hereford - that amazing church with the cafe at the back!
She may only have been a priest for a fairly short time, but she brings with her a huge amount of experience as a lay-worker in the church - especially among children and young people.
She's married to Paul, who is an electrical engineer, and they have six grown-up children and, at the last count, five golden retrievers! Before her ordination Brenda somehow found time to be a teacher as well and she trained for ministry on a part time basis on the West of England Ministerial Training Course.
We're all very excited to have Brenda and Paul en route for Pembridge, and we know you will give them a very warm welcome as they move in and as Brenda begins her ministry among us.
The Festival of Easter is all about new life, new beginnings and new hope, so it's really appropriate that we have this great news now as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May I wish you God's richest blessing at this Easter time.
Stephen
Byton
At last, here we are in Spring, with lambs bleating, rabbits hopping, farmers farming, hens pecking & bankers bonusing. We must, like all good gardeners, look to the year ahead with optimism - & hope for the best.
First, & most important we welcome our new Rector, the Reverend Brenda Jacobs & her husband Paul, & their six children (one remains at home) & congratulate Brenda on her appointment as leader of the Arrowvale Group. We hope that she & her family will have a happy & fulfilling time with all our parishes.
The diary beckons.. Good Friday is April 6th. There will be the now traditional walk with hymns & prayers to carry the cross from St Mary's to the top of the overlooking hill, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Simon Edwards, - with hot cross buns & coffee as a reward after the walk. Gather at 10.30am at the Church. On St George's Day, April 23 (Shakespeare's birthday, too) Byton PCC meet at 8pm at Court House farm. Sunday 27 May Group Service at St Mary's, Byton at 11am.
Looking ahead to the Queen's Jubilee. Special Jubilee Service at St Mary's, Byton on Sunday 3 June.
Flowers & Cleaning Everyone for Easter May Mrs S. Evans & Mrs C. Scatcherd
Byton in Stuart times 1603-1714
The arrival of the Scots King, unattractive & incoherent, after the long & glorious reign of Good Queen Bess could not have been more disturbing. Soon across England an old rhyme was repeated A Scot our King! That day Our cripple state will need a crutch. What next? In time a Scot will prate As primate of our Church!
Actually, James 1 took to wealthy England with gusto & abandoned his native Presbyterianism to adopt the C of E & order a wonderful new Version of the Bible. The King James' Version ended up in every parish in England.
Byton was bypassed by the mounting controversies of early Stuart times about the King's powers, Parliament, taxation &, by no means least, Puritan influence. When war came in 1642 the Harleys supported parliament & defended Brampton Bryan castle against the King. Byton folk probably bent with the breeze & got on with living. The Woodhouse family, yeoman farmers & land owners, came to prominence & their tombs near the sanctuary in Church, dated 1651 & 1684 bear witness to their local importance.
In 1671 Byton & nearby Combe consisted of 35 homesteads, &, like most villages, was self sufficient in the necessities of life. However, after the upheavals in religion during the Civil War, interest in Church matters waned & churches fell into disrepair, with many absentee priests. Byton & Kinsham suffered in this way during the time of James Bayley, Rector 1678-1728, who was also the frequently absent master of Presteigne Grammar School, as he spent much time in Tenbury, doubtless taking the waters to alleviate gout!
The "Age of Reason" had arrived!
Lyonshall
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 2nd - 4th June
The parish of Lyonshall will help mark the Queen's 60 year reign by celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in style.
Events will kick off with a family crown-making workshop at the Memorial Hall on Saturday 19th May from 10am-1pm, where children can make their own royal crowns to wear to the Jubilee festivities.
Over the holiday weekend itself, we'll gather at 2.30pm on Saturday 2nd June at Bakers Meadow for a Jubilee Party for children. There will be games, races and a magician to entertain us, and there'll be a teddy bears picnic for the very youngest Lyonshall residents. And it will all be followed, of course, by a special free Jubilee celebration tea at 4.30pm, to which our older residents are also welcome. A gift will be given to every child who turns up in fancy dress.
Later on, also in Bakers Meadow, there will be a fancy dress football match for the grown-ups at 5pm. Why not join a team, or just come along to watch and cheer them along. And at 7pm, also at Bakers Meadow, we'll enjoy a Family Hog Roast with free food and a pay bar. We'll also have live bands playing 1952-2012 music: jive, punk and the latest chart-topping hits. Bring those dancing shoes!
On Sunday 3rd June, a special Diamond Jubilee Family Service at St Michael's & All Angels Church at 11am will be followed by a commemorative peal of bells. Also, in the church there will be an exhibition of previous Jubilee Memorabilia including a display of Jubilee Stamps. And then it's all back to Bakers Meadow for a bring-your-own-picnic-food-and-drink Jubilee Big Lunch.
And finally, on Monday 4th June from 9.30pm we'll be up on Penrhos Hill, just by Lyonshall Nurseries on the A44, to light the Lyonshall Jubilee Beacon which will form part of the national chain of beacons. And to help us Lyonshall residents enjoy it, there will be free glasses of Jubilee Punch (or non-alcoholic version).
Why not keep the flyer which came in Lyonshall copies of this magazine handy for future reference? And for more information as the dates get closer, watch out for posters around the village or check out www.lyonshall.net.
Lyonshall Bells The churchwardens and PCC would like to thank the bell ringers, under the very enthusiastic leadership of Bo Hollinghurst and Pat Key, on behalf of the parish of Lyonshall, for their extremely hard word work in raising most of the money required for the recent restoration and rehanging of the bells. Rod Ellway also made a stirling contribution by helping the professional teams, thus making a very considerable saving on the labour charge for the work carried out.
It is easy to take for granted the sound of the bells ringing out across the countryside for practices, ordinary services, funerals, weddings and other celebrations. It is only when they stop ringing that we notice and miss them!
The service to rededicate the bells on March 4th was a very joyous occasion and well attended.
BBC Hereford & Worcester Service The recording of our Group Service takes place on Thursday 10th May next at Lyonshall Church. The congregation is asked to be in their seats by 7pm for the recording to commence at 7.30pm prompt.
The broadcast will last a little over 20 minutes although the recording is expected to take about 1 hour to allow time for any re-takes.
Please make every effort to support this unique occasion.
Decorating for Easter Lyonshall Church will be decorated on Saturday, April 7th from 10.00 am. Please come to help or bring flowers and foliage. If you would like to give a lily in memory of a loved one, please bring it along or contact Julie Green on 01544340307.
Songs From The Shows Hereford Musical Theatre Company will be putting on a Concert in a marquee at Springfield, Lyonshall (by kind invitation ofDr and Mrs R.Oliver) on the evening of Sunday, June 10th. This will be in aid of Lyonshall Church Funds and all are welcome. Tickets available from PCC members.
Lyonshall Coffee Mornings Join us at the Memorial Hall for our monthly Coffee Mornings every second Friday, between 10 and 12 noon. The next two dates for your diaries are Friday April 13th and Friday May 11th.
Fundraising news.. The February get-together raised £100 which was shared between Great Ormand Street Hospital and the charity 'Help Harry Help Others' for Cancer Relief. In March we raised £70 which has been donated to Crisis.
Come along to our monthly social get-together and meet some old friends and new. Enjoy refreshments, stalls and good company in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and support a good cause at the same time. And don't forget, we have Herefordshire Library facilities available at our Coffee Mornings; a monthly library set up in the Hall, staffed by local volunteers . There is a good selection of books to choose from, which varies from month to month. This is a free provision and if used and supported, will hopefully carry on indefinitely!
For further details or to arrange transport, please contact Kathy Thompson on 01544 340386. Everyone welcome.
Open Gardens At The Whittern The gardens of the Whittern will be open on Sunday May 27th from 2pm-5.30pm, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs. Hilditch, in aid of the County Air Ambulance and St. Michaels Church, Lyonshall. Wonderful rhododendrons, specimen trees and rolling views. Afternoon teas, plant stall, raffle and guided tour available. Entrance Adults £3, Children Free.
The Parish Council prepares itself for the Localism Act. Under the new Localism Bill the Government will give qualified Parish Councils additional legal powers that enable them to benefit from the objectives of the Act. The main underlying power is called the Power of Competence.
To qualify for this power two thirds of the Parish Council members must have been elected rather than co-opted, and the clerk to the Parish Council must be qualified. Lyonshall Parish Council meets the second requirement but fails on the number of elected councillors. A number of your councillors have had to be co-opted to fill vacancies as is the case in most Parishes.
A councillor is 'elected' either if they offer themselves up for election and no-one stands against them or if they are opposed and they stand for election in a ballot and win that ballot.
The Parish Councillors who have been co-opted have decided to resign and offer themselves for re-election so they can continue their good work for the Parish Council. Lyonshall Parish Council will then be able to qualify for the additional powers to enable it to act effectively for the Parish. Paul Avery , Chairman, Lyonshall Parish Council.
Pembridge
Pembridge APCM The Annual Parochial Church Meeting of St. Mary's Church Pembridge, with Moorcourt will take place after the service on 22nd April 2012.
Musica in Ecclesia 12th May 5.30pm Pembridge Church. Musica in Ecclesia is a small amateur border counties group originally formed in 1986 with the intention of keeping an ancient musical tradition alive. Gregorian Chant, Plainsong or perhaps more accurately Western Chant, was and is the music of the church. It was the earliest written European music and is the bedrock upon which all western music has subsequently developed. It doesn't deserve to be forgotten. The Chant we will sing on Saturday 12 May is Vespers for the Virgin Mary. Vespers is the last monastic evening office, or service, before Compline at the end of the day. In the great English church reforms of the 16th century Vespers and Compline were combined to compile the present day Evensong.
Pembridge Concerts First, a big thank you to all who came to the concert by The Alberni Quartet and Marcus Farnsworth in memory of Simon Boosey. A truly memorable evening and another big thank you to Jo Boosey and her team for making it all possible.
Second - Pop-Up Opera are returning on Saturday 19th May with a new production of Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore (the elixir of love). As before, picnics will be available from 6.00pm, doors open at 7.00pm and the opera starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15.00 and picnics are £7.50 and are available in person at The Steppes (another big thank you to them for becoming our box office) or by post from Robert Anderson, The Garth, Pembridge, Herefordshire HR6 9DX tel; 01544 388292. Cheques payable to Pembridge PCC and please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.
We are also looking to accommodate the singers for the night of the 15th so if you have a spare bedroom and would like a singer or two please ring Bob Anderson 01544 388292 - two free tickets to anyone who can help in this way!
Radio Hereford & Worcester - Group Service Recording. On May 10th, Radio Hereford & Worcester will be recording a group service to celebrate Rogation Sunday. This is an invitation to the congregation of Pembridge to come and be part of this service. The recording will start at 6.30pm so please arrive as early as possible to avoid any delays in the recording process.
Reading Rota Please note the change of service pattern. April 1st Palm Sunday. - Mrs T. Lloyd. L or M Boore April 8th. Easter Sunday. - Mrs G Smith. Rev. J. Greasley April 15th. Group Service at Moorcourt April 22nd. Family Service. Emma Hardy May 6th. H.C. Elizabeth Lynch. Roland Scott May 13th. Coffee & Croissants May 20th. H.C. Mrs S Pim. Mrs G Smith May 27th. Family Service. Amanda Cooper June 3rd. Royal Jubilee Service. - L or M Boore. Mrs J Pace June 10th. Coffee & Croissants
Please note that Gill or Jacqui will contact you to confirm the readings before each service as they could be subject to change.
The Pembridge Tapestry Our grateful thanks to the members of the Pembridge Art Market for their generous donation to The Tapestry fund. The money has gone towards purchasing the main fabric for the project as well as towards buying some of the wools. The project is progressing well. We have held our fifth workshop and at present we have about twenty stitchers honing their needlework skills!
The Last Invasion Embroidered Tapestry - Visit The Pembridge Tapestry Group is organising a coach trip to see "The Last Invasion Tapestry" which is on display in Fishguard. This tapestry, which was commissioned by the Fishguard Arts Society, is truly amazing. The trip is taking place on Saturday 28th April, leaving Pembridge at 8.00 am. and will cost £13.00 to include a visit to St. David's Cathedral. There are a few seats available so if you are interested in joining us please contact either Gill Smith on 01544388442 (email ianandgillian@googlemail.com) or Meryl Griffiths on 01544340381 (email porthcelyn@btinternet.com) Gill Smith
Notice from Pembridge WI Pembridge WI meet every second Wednesday in the month at Pembridge Village Hall.Our April meeting is to be a social evening with a fish & chip supper, but we will also be discussing the resolutions that will be voted on at the National WI AGM.
For our meeting in May we will welcome Mr. David Griffiths from Compton Nursery, Bodenham. He will talk to us about herbaceous borders and will have some plants for us to purchase. Guests are very welcome to this meeting, but there will be a charge of £3.00. Please let us know if you would like to attend.
We also enjoy monthly visits to The Hickory Stick where we have a light lunch before a session of ten pin bowling. Some of us meet regularly to go for short healthy walks, and then there is our reading group every month, where we meet in members homes to discuss a book we have all read, followed by afternoon tea.
New Members are always welcome. Please contact Tricia Lloyd (01544 340340) or Marguerite Fothergill(01544 388279)
Poppy Appeal 2011 This year we managed to raise a total of £4208.96 - a staggering increase of £450 over last year's collection. I would like to thank everyone who helped with the appeal, in whatever capacity, in these difficult economic times. Thank you all. Sharon O'Hare Poppy Appeal Organiser
Easter Lilies Donations for Easter Lilies for Pembridge Church would be gratefully received, even after Easter;as Easter is early this year. Contributions can be left at The Olde Steppes by kind permission of Gary and Mark or contact Tricia Lloyd on 01544 340340.
Piano and Organ lessons Piano and organ tuition from beginner to Grade 6 standard, any age. £10 for 30 minutes and £18 for an hour (competitive rates!!). Contact Tim Hollinghurst on 01544 267 777 or email timhollinghurst@hotmail.com
Pembridge Local History Group
We are now meeting on the fourth Tuesday each month at 7.30pm at the New Inn and we are currently working on our display for the Jubilee.
We have also started recording some stories from our more mature villagers with a memory of Pembridge past. This has revealed some amazing facts about our recent history - much of which could have been lost.
If anyone has and memories or memorabilia they would like to share please contact Bob Anderson on 01544 388292. Thanks to those who have already come forward - we will be in touch shortly!
Shobdon
Shobdon Food Drink and Flower Festival 2012 This years Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. Bookings are way ahead of this time last year in all areas . The Church renovations are on schedule and we anticipate a large increase in visitor numbers.
To put on a Festival such as this takes a huge amount of work. We have a dedicated and hard working committee and a hard core of committed volunteers who turn out each year. However, as the Festival gets bigger we need more helpers and volunteers in all areas. If you are able to help in any of the following areas please give us a call. - Car Parking - Entrance Gates - Refreshment Marquee - Keeping Site Tidy - Setting up on Thursday - Clearing up on Monday. - Tombola.
If you are unable to spare any time there are other ways you can help. Perhaps you could donate a cake for the refreshments, if so please contact Pearl Teale on 708725
Or Sponsor an Apple - details in next issue. Any way you can help would be greatly appreciated. Terry Teale Chairman Fund Raising Committee
Shobdon WI The new Secretary is June Howden 01568 709330
Mrs Hilda Williamson I was really sad to hear of the passing of Mrs. Hilda Williams recently. She taught at Shobdon for over 40 years and was my first teacher. I remember how petrified I was on my first day and how settling she was. She was kind, patient and always encouraging when she listened to me read out loud at her desk - something else that used to petrify me.
I used to like school dinners, except from the weekly salads, which oddly always came with a side order of salted peanuts? Whenever I failed to clear my plate (which was always), she would separate out the portion I was expected to finish before any hope of any butterscotch tart and pink custard, but would always smile and turn a blind eye when I duly proceeded to hide the pile of food under the largest lettuce leaf.
My nan was a school dinner lady at Shobdon for over 30 years (she ignored my complaints about the salad) and also spent time as the caretaker. Mrs Williams went to visit her at Christmas and they had much fun reminiscing about the time nan rang the fire bell by accident while cleaning it, only for Hilda to promptly start a full evacuation procedure while shouting, 'Fire! Fire!!"
You're lucky to be blessed with one or two inspirational teachers throughout your school life. It could be the one who encourages you to try something new or spots a hidden talent you have for something. For me, a pretty shy lad at the time, it was my first teacher who had the biggest influence. She was the one who gave me the confidence to read out loud and took a genuine interest in how I was getting on every time I saw her. I would imagine there are plenty of other people in the village of a certain age who feel the same.
Out of interest, I now read out loud for a living, so thanks Mrs. Williams. I'm still not wild on salad, though. Matt Teale.
Staunton
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting The APCM is a statutory meeting required of every parish once per annum and is primarily to elect or confirm the election of churchwardens. It will be followed immediately by the AGM of the PCC and will be held in The Village Hall on Monday 2nd April at 7pm.
It is open to everyone living in the parish and the PCC hope that as many as possible will attend. The full Agenda will be posted on the Church and Village Hall notice-boards and the meeting is particularly important this year as new blood is urgently required to keep all the activities of the Church viable in the village.
Village News Lt.Col Bill Pritchard, a long-time resident of the village and a past churchwarden of St.Peter's Staunton-on-Arrow has died. His funeral was held in the Church on Thursday March 1st. On behalf of the village sympathy is sent to Aileen and to all their family and friends.
On Sunday June 10th there will be an Open Gardens Event in the village in aid of church funds. Details later; watch the notice-boards!. Will volunteers who would like to help or to open their gardens please contact Richard Bowen on 01544 388313.
Volunteers are also needed to support the BBC Service which is to be broadcast on the morning of Sunday 13th May. The rehearsal and actual recording will be held in Lyonshall church, probably on Thursday evening May 10th at 6.30pm. Details will be posted in our various churches etc.
A 'Green Fair' is to be held at Court of Noke over the weekend of May 5th and 6th. Opening times are: Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. Look for notices and be sure to attend this important event which is to promote aspects of Conservation and Sustainable Systems.
It will soon be Diamond Jubilee time. Debbie Weaver and a team of helpers are arranging a programme for the Village on Saturday 2nd June. Watch out for further details. The programme is planned to start with the Coffee Spot and follow on with a picnic, walks, tea, and a showing of the film The King's Speech.